Immediate implant loading: a comparison of trabecular metal and tapered screw-vent dental implants

Aims: The aim of the present study is to compare osteointegration and marginal bone loss of immediately loaded Trabecular Metal® and Tapered Screw-Vent® Dental Implants (Zimmer Dental Inc., Carlsbad, CA, USA). Methods: Eighty-seven (87) patients were selected and randomly divided into Group A and Group B. Twenty-six (26) patients were enrolled in Group A, and were rehabilitated using Zimmer Trabecular Metal Dental Implants®. Sixty-one (61) patients were enrolled in Group B, and were rehabilitated using Zimmer Tapered Screw-Vent Dental Implants®. Results: The mean value of marginal bone loss after one year was 0.44 ± 0.40 mm for Group A and 0.95 ± 0.62 mm for Group B (p<.003). Mean marginal bone loss after 18 months was 0.46 ± 0.42 mm for group A and 0.97 ± 0.65 mm for group B (p<.003). No TM implant was lost (Group A), whereas one TSV implant (Group B) was lost before osseointegration and was not included in the statistical analysis. Conclusion: Both Trabecular Metal and Tapered Screw-Vent dental implants showed satisfying levels of osteointegration and marginal bone loss; however, statistical analysis revealed a value significantly lower of marginal bone loss for TM. Thus, it may be deduced that when implants are immediately loaded, the average loss of marginal bone around the TM implants is lower than that of the Tapered Screw-Vent implants

Condylar volume and surface in Caucasian young adult subjects

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There have been no quantitative standards for volumetric and surface measurements of the mandibular condyle in Caucasian population. However, the recently developed cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) system allows measurement of these parameters with high accuracy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>CBCT was used to measure the condylar volume, surface and the volume to surface ratio, called the Morphometric Index (MI), of 300 temporo-mandibular joints (TMJ) in 150 Caucasian young adult subjects, with varied malocclusions, without pain or dysfunction of TMJs.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The condylar volume was 691.26 ± 54.52 mm³in males and 669.65 ± 58.80 mm³in, and was significantly higher (<it>p</it>< 0.001) in the males. The same was observed for the condylar surface, although without statistical significance (406.02 ± 55.22 mm²in males and 394.77 ± 60.73 mm²in females).</p> <p>Furthermore, the condylar volume (693.61 ± 62.82 mm³) in the right TMJ was significantly higher than in the left (666.99 ± 48.67 mm³, <it>p </it>< 0.001) as was the condylar surface (411.24 ± 57.99 mm²in the right TMJ and 389.41 ± 56.63 mm²in the left TMJ; <it>t </it>= 3.29; <it>p </it>< 0.01). The MI is 1.72 ± 0.17 for the whole sample, with no significant difference between males and females or the right and left sides.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These data from temporomandibular joints of patients without pain or clinical dysfunction might serve as examples of normal TMJ's in the general population not seeking orthodontic care.</p

Lipofilling versus free flaps in hemifacial atrophy

INRODUCTION: Hemifacial atrophy is seen after trauma, tumours, surgery, and various syndromes. In most cases the only choice for plenty restoration is free flap reconstruction, which represents the standard treatment. Lipofilling has been presented mainly for the correction of cosmetic lesions or minor soft tissue defects, but even reconstruction of larger soft tissue deficits is possible. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five patients (2 cases with Parry Romberg's syndrome, 2 cases treated for malignant tumour, 1 case for subarachnoid aneurisma) were included in this study. RESULTS: Four patients presented a good resolution of deformity; one patient presented quite good results. CONCLUSION: For severe grades of hemifacial atrophy, free flaps actually represent one of the best solutions. In mild to moderate cases, free autologous fat transplant may obtain optimal results with lower complexity, cost and morbidity

Orbital volume after Le Fort III advancement in craniosynostosis

There are no quantitative standards for the volumetric measurements of the orbit after Le Fort III advancement. CT Scan images have given the opportunity to compare with accuracy the real anatomical changes, thus the functional improvements, resulted after a surgical treatment. Pre-operative (T0) and post-operative (T1: 6 months after surgery) 3D craniofacial CT scans of the subjects were collected and retrospectively analysed. Image segmentation of the anatomic structures of interest and the 3D graphic rendering were done by using the Dolphin Imaging Plus (TM) 11.0 software. This study showed that the orbital advancement in Caucasian subjects after Le Fort III advancement was significant and produced a critical augmentation of the orbital volume and correction of the ocular bulb proptosis

Our experience with piezosurgery

Piezosurgery is an ultrasound device, which has been employing since 1988 for bone cutting procedures. Piezoelettric bone surgery is associated with several advantages; soft tissue protection, optimal visibility in the surgical field, decreased blood loss, less vibration and noise, protection of tooth structure. We wanted to highlight hownoble structures, such as nerves and arteries, are preserved by this device. Piezosurgery's scope is becoming more and more wide, including oral and maxillofacial surgery, otorhinolaryngology, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, traumatology and orthopaedics. We extended its use to craniofacial paediatric malformations, orthognatic surgery, TMJ surgery and oncology, observing shortening of the post-operative swelling. There is more comfort for the patients. In conclusion, piezosurgery represents a promising device, which is widening its field of application in bone surgery