The Pterygomandibular Space: A Volumetric Evaluation Using the Novel A-Silicone Injections Method

Inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) is one of the most common procedures in operative dentistry, and a deep understanding of the normal anatomical variation of the pterygomandibular space (PM) is essential for its safe and successful administration. This cadaveric anatomical study aimed to use A-silicone injections to evaluate the volume of the PM. This study was conducted using 46 human cadaver heads (25 males and 21 females). A craniometric analysis was performed using the cadavers’ ages, the number of silicone cartridges (carpules) used to fill the pterygomandibular space, Izard’s Facial Index (FI), and the Cranial Index (CI). A Halstead mandibular block was performed by injecting 1.7 mL A-silicone cartridges (as an equivalent to standard local aesthetic carpules volume) into the PM. The cured silicone was extracted from the dissected mandibles. The volume (length, width, and thickness) of the extracted silicone and the number of silicone cartridges used to fill the space were evaluated. The results showed that there are statistically significant positive correlations between the CI and the width of the right PM, as well as the width and length of the left PM. A statistically significant correlation was found between the width of the left PM and the age of the cadaveric heads; the higher the age, the thicker the space on both sides. The volume of the PM corresponded to 1.5 cartridges on average

Cross-Sectional Study on the Comparative Assessment of Mandibular Anesthesia (Inferior Alveolar Nerve Blockage) Manual Skills Shaping among Dentists on Plastic and Biomaterial Models

Background: Providing regional anesthesia skills shaping remains relevant nowadays. A number of studies show that dentists have difficulties with these working independently. The study aim is the comparative analysis of the results of mandibular anesthesia (IANB) manual-skills shaping among dentists on plastic models and cadavers. Methods: In total, 999 participants were training in the skills of mandibular anesthesia from 2017 to 2021. The participants were divided in a random way into two groups: 700 participants were trained on plastic models, and 299 were trained on the cadaver material. After a lecture on the clinical and anatomical guidelines for IANB, a demonstration of the technique was provided, with subsequent testing of the injection technique. Satisfaction with the aspects of the training was assessed using the Likert scale. Results: the analysis of average values showed that participants from the group in which the manual skills were practiced on cadavers were more satisfied with the main aspects of the training, according to the sum of the main criteria of the modified scale. Conclusions: The important advantages of cadaver educational technology are that the sensations of tissue resistance are identical to natural ones, the individuality of each object, and the possibility of the visual study of the anesthesia technique, by dissection of the needle course and the location of the anesthetic depot

A New Way to Model Periodontitis in Laboratory Animals

The prevalence of periodontal diseases is increasing, tends to increase with age and is considered as one of the main causes of tooth loss. To assess the effectiveness of new methods of treatment of periodontal diseases, studies on laboratory animals can be promising. The aim of the study: to develop a new method of accelerated modeling of experimental periodontitis on laboratory animals. Material and methods. The study was carried out on 22 female rats. A wire ligature was applied to the cervical area of the incisors of the animals in an eight-shaped manner. Plaque obtained from a patient with periodontitis was placed under the wire, and nicotine and ethyl alcohol solutions were injected under the gingival mucosa. A complex index has been proposed to assess inflammation. At the end of the experiment the animals were euthanized, their jaws were dissected into dentoalveolar blocks and further descriptive histologic analysis was performed. Results. On the second day the gingiva of the rats acquired a cyanotic-pink color, on the fourth day the consistency of the gingiva became friable, mobility appeared in the lower incisors. Complex index of inflammation in animals of the main group: before the study—9, on the 7th day—195. Gingival preparations showed signs of exudative inflammation. In alveolar processes—irreversible resorption of bone structures. The difference of indicators in animals before and after the experiment was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion. The new experimental model of periodontitis is reproduced in a short period of time, provides intensive development of inflammation, leads to disruption of the integrity of epithelial and connective tissue attachment, destruction of alveolar bone