Comparison of the accuracy of pilot-drill-guided and fully guided implant surgery with dynamic navigation. In vitro model study.

The aims of the present study are to measure and compare dental implant deviations with fully guided and pilot-drill-guided protocols using dynamic navigation systems in polyurethane models. The pilot-drill-guided group was determined to be the study group and included 12 implant applications. In this group, the pilot hole was drilled with navigation guidance, and the procedure was completed freehandedly. In the control group, all the drilling and implant placement steps were performed using the navigation system, and a total of 12 implants were placed. The pre- and postoperative images were compared to calculate the magnitude of implant deviation. The quantitative data of the two groups were compared using the independent-samples t-test and Mann-Whitney U-test. The analyses revealed that the length of the procedure significantly differed between the two groups (p < 0.001). The procedure duration was significantly shorter in the study group. The entry deviation values of the two groups were not significantly different (p = 0.079). The analysis revealed the apex deviation to be higher in the study group than in the control group (p = 0.003). However, the two-dimensional vertical apex deviation values of the implants were not significantly different between groups (p = 0.068). Angular deviation was determined to be significantly higher in the study group (p < 0.001). In the present study, all implants were successfully placed in the models using a dynamic navigation system. The results of this study may be useful for future clinical studies.

Evaluation the effects of low-level laser therapy on disc displacement with reduction.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the effects of additional low-level laser therapy (940 nm GaAlAs) to the routine occlusal splint therapy on maximal mouth opening (MMO), visual analog scale (VAS) scores, and passive mouth opening (PMO). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2016 and March 2018, a total of 40 patients (10 males, 30 females; mean age 22.35 years; range, 18 to 60 years) with disc displacement with reduction of the temporomandibular joint were included. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 (control group, n=20) received routine non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) therapy and occlusal splint therapy for eight hours per day for a total of three months. Group 2 (laser group, n=20) received NSAID, occlusal splint therapy and 940 nm wavelength diode laser therapy for two sessions per week for a total of four weeks. The MMO, PMO, and VAS scores were recorded before and at one, two, three, four, and 12 weeks after treatment. The joint and muscle examinations were performed. RESULTS: A constant decrease was found in the VAS scores in both groups. At four (p=0.008) and 12 weeks (p=0.003), a statistically significant difference in the VAS scores was observed. At all time points, PMO and MMO scores increased in both groups. The MMO scores were statistically higher in the laser group at all time points (p<0.005). CONCLUSION: Our study results suggest that short-term low-level laser therapy additional to conventional treatment may yield satisfactory outcomes.