Visibility of mandibular canal on panoramic radiograph after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO).

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the visibility of the mandibular canal (MC) on panoramic radiographs after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO), and to investigate what factors affect this MC visibility. METHODS: We assessed MC visibility on panoramic radiographs of 200 BSSO patients. Images were acquired preoperatively (T0), immediately postoperatively (T1), 6 months postoperatively (T2), and 1 year postoperatively (T3), from three different predetermined regions of the mandible: the angle (Angle), distally to the second molar (M2), and mesially to the first molar (M1). All analyses were performed using SAS version 9.22. RESULTS: The visibility of the MC was registered preoperatively in over 96 % (387/400) of the measurements at the angle of the mandible, 79 % (317/400) at M2, and <63 % (251/400) at M1. MC visibility decreased immediately after the operation and increased thereafter. Region of the mandible (P ≤ 0.0001), plate removal (P ≤ 0.0001), time of assessment (P ≤ 0.0001), and age (P = 0.0034) were the important predictors of whether MC would be radiographically visible. CONCLUSIONS: The visibility of the MC decreased immediately after BSSO, especially at the operation site (M2 and M1), while maximum MC visibility was achieved at 12 months postoperatively in our series. Since MC was not visible at the operation site after BSSO for 50 % of the subjects, it may be necessary to use additional visualization modalities for postoperative patient assessment in this region.

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in dental practice.

UNLABELLED: Cone-beam CT is an exciting development in dental and maxillofacial imaging. This article gives an overview of the subject and discusses some of the implications for dental practitioners. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dentists should be aware of technological advances that potentially are going to have major implications on their practice. They should have knowledge of the indications, limitations and implications before considering using such equipment.

Severe necrotizing fasciitis complicating odontogenic nfection: a case report.

UNLABELLED: We report a case of cervical necrotizing fasciitis complicating dental infection in a 36-year-old man, who presented with infection involving mucosa of the right maxilla, mandible, parapharyngeal and masticator spaces, requiring extensive surgery and antibiotic therapy. The initial presentation, radiological appearance and clinical course are discussed. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This case highlights the course of an aggressive dento-alveolar infection in the immuno-compromised host. The need for early detection and urgent referral by the practitioner to minimize the risk of mortality and morbidity is essential in such cases.

A case of sarcoidosis presenting with diffuse, bilateral swelling of the salivary glands.

UNLABELLED: This paper reports a case of a 50-year-old male with systemic sarcoidosis presenting initially with a dry mouth and bilateral swelling of the parotid salivary glands. Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease in which there may be multiple exocrine involvement, including the salivary and lachrymal glands. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The diagnosis and management of this case highlights important clinical issues for dental practitioners.

Radiological assessment of bioengineered bone in a muscle flap for the reconstruction of critical-size mandibular defect.

This study presents a comprehensive radiographic evaluation of bone regeneration within a pedicled muscle flap for the reconstruction of critical size mandibular defect. The surgical defect (20 mm × 15 mm) was created in the mandible of ten experimental rabbits. The masseter muscle was adapted to fill the surgical defect, a combination of calcium sulphate/hydroxyapatite cement (CERAMENT™ |SPINE SUPPORT), BMP-7 and rabbit mesenchymal stromal cells (rMSCs) was injected inside the muscle tissue. Radiographic assessment was carried out on the day of surgery and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks postoperatively. At 12 weeks, the animals were sacrificed and cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT) scanning and micro-computed tomography (µ-CT) were carried out. Clinically, a clear layer of bone tissue was identified closely adherent to the border of the surgical defect. Sporadic radio-opaque areas within the surgical defect were detected radiographically. In comparison with the opposite non operated control side, the estimated quantitative scoring of the radio-opacity was 46.6% ± 15, the mean volume of the radio-opaque areas was 63.4% ± 20. Areas of a bone density higher than that of the mandibular bone (+35% ± 25%) were detected at the borders of the surgical defect. The micro-CT analysis revealed thinner trabeculae of the regenerated bone with a more condensed trabecular pattern than the surrounding native bone. These findings suggest a rapid deposition rate of the mineralised tissue and an active remodelling process of the newly regenerated bone within the muscle flap. The novel surgical model of this study has potential clinical application; the assessment of bone regeneration using the presented radiolographic protocol is descriptive and comprehensive. The findings of this research confirm the remarkable potential of local muscle flaps as local bioreactors to induce bone formation for reconstruction of maxillofacial bony defects.