Three-dimensional assessment of the maxilla after modified surgically assisted rapid expansion: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study aims to assess the three-dimensional dentoskeletal effects and median palatal suture opening pattern in patients undergoing modified surgically assisted maxillary rapid expansion (SARME) without pterygoid plate detachment. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients submitted to modified SARME between 2009 and 2016 were retrospectively evaluated through cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Dental and skeletal measurements were taken at three different operative periods (before the expansion - T0; at the end of the activation of the Hyrax device - T1; and six months after the immobilization of the device - T2). Statistical analyses, including ANOVA and Pearson's correlation coefficient, were performed using SPSS software. RESULTS: SARME demonstrated significant transverse maxillary expansion (with an average of 6.05 mm) with a greater impact in the anterior region. Dental measurements, including canine and molar distances, exhibited significant changes over the operative periods. Bone measurements (ANS and PNS) presented small but significant alterations, including a slight inferior displacement of ANS during device activation. The nasal floor width increased, followed by a width reduction after immobilization. The median palatal suture predominantly exhibited a Type II (V-shaped) opening. CONCLUSION: The modified SARME presented a transversal direction increase and a super-lower skeletal displacement, with the anterior region being more affected than the posterior region. There was no change in the anteroposterior direction of the maxilla. Additionally, there was an increase in the linear dental measurements and a decrease in the angular measurement, with a positive correlation between the amount of posterior bone expansion and molar expansion as a result of the treatment in the analyzed period.

Comparação da intensidade de dor em bloqueios do nervo alveolar inferior / Comparison of pain intensity during inferior alveolar nerve block

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study was developed to investigate anesthesia-related discomfort during dental procedures. This procedure often generates major anxiety, which increases pain. Fear of injection has been reported as a determining factor for not looking for dental treatment. This study aimed at comparing the level of pain during perforation, penetration and anesthetic solution deposition during inferior alveolar block by the Direct and Vazirani-Akinosi techniques. METHODS: Randomized, crossover, double-blind clinical trial involving 30 patients seen by the Dentistry Department of the Federal University of Sergipe (DOD-UFS) who needed dental treatment and were submitted to bilateral inferior alveolar nerve block. Patients were asked about pain intensity during the following stages: perforation, penetration and local anesthetic deposition. Pain intensity was measured by the 10-cm visual analog scale (VAS), without predefined marks. Data were tabulated and submitted to statistical Friedman and Wilcoxon tests with statistical significance of 5%. RESULTS: Data have not shown statistically significant differences (Wilcoxon, p > 0.05) between VAS values of both anesthetic techniques in all operatory moments. For both techniques, penetration-induced pain was higher (Friedman, p < 0.05) as compared to pain induced by the two other operatory moments, being the absolute majority for both techniques classified as mild pain. CONCLUSION: Vazirani-Akinosi and Direct techniques had levels of pain sensitivity characterized as mild during the three anesthetic stages, being the second stage, penetration, the most painful as compared to remaining stages.

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Este estudo foi idealizado para investigar o desconforto dos procedimentos odontológicos associados à anestesia. Este procedimento frequentemente gera uma grande ansiedade, o que aumenta a dor. O medo da injeção tem sido relatado como sendo um fator determinante à não procura do tratamento dental. O presente estudo teve como objetivo comparar o nível de dor na perfuração, penetração e deposição da solução anestésica no bloqueio do nervo alveolar inferior nas Técnicas Direta e Vazirani-Akinosi. MÉTODOS: Estudo clínico randomizado, cruzado e duplamente encoberto envolvendo 30 pacientes atendidos no Departamento de Odontologia da Universidade Federal de Sergipe (DOD-UFS) que necessitaram de tratamento odontológico e que se submeteram a bloqueio bilateral do nervo alveolar inferior. Estes foram interrogados a respeito da intensidade de dor durante as seguintes etapas: perfuração, penetração e deposição do anestésico local. A mensuração da intensidade dolorosa foi realizada através da escala analógica visual (EAV) com comprimento de 10 cm, sem a existência de marcações pré-definidas. Os dados obtidos foram tabulados e submetidos aos testes estatísticos de Friedman e Wilcoxon com índice de significância estatística de 5%. RESULTADOS: A análise dos dados revelou que não houve diferenças estatisticamente significantes (Wilcoxon, p > 0,05) entre os valores de EAV das duas técnicas anestésicas em nenhum dos momentos operatórios. Para ambas as técnicas, a dor induzida pela penetração foi maior (Friedman, p < 0,05) do que a dor induzida nos dois outros momentos operatórios, sendo a maioria absoluta, nas duas técnicas, classificadas como dor leve. CONCLUSÃO: As técnicas de Vazirani-Akinosi e Direta apresentaram níveis de sensibilidade álgica caracterizada como leve nos três estágios da anestesia, sendo o segundo estágio, a penetração, o mais doloroso se comparado com os demais.