ABSTRACT
Aim: To evaluate and compare the effect of flapless and “open flap” techniques of implant placement on crestal bone height (CBH) around implants. Materials and Methods: This prospective study comprised of 32 implants placed in 16 subjects with a bilateral missing mandibular first molar. In each subject, one implant was placed with “flapless” and other using “open flap” technique. Radiographic assessment of CBH was carried out using standardized intraoral periapical radiograph of the site at baseline, 3 months, 9 months and 15 months after implant placement. Statistical Analysis: Data were analyzed using STATA 11.0 statistical software. To determine the changes in CBH from baseline, at 3‑, 9‑, and 15‑month, repeated measures analysis of variance followed by post‑hoc Bonferroni was used for each of the two techniques for mesial and distal aspects separately. For both techniques, changes in CBH from baseline to 15 months were compared using an independent t‑test with a confidence interval of 95%. Results: For “flapless” technique, there was no statistically significant (P > 0.05) reduction of CBH in initial 9 months but was significant for the 9–15 months period while for “open flap” technique, statistically significant (P < 0.05) reduction was observed up to 15 months. Comparison of both techniques showed significantly lesser reduction with “flapless” than “open flap” technique. The overall average crestal bone loss was 0.046 ± 0.008 mm on mesial aspect, 0.043 ± 0.012 mm on distal aspect with “flapless” technique and 1.48 ± 0.085 mm on mesial aspect, 1.42 ± 0.077 on distal aspect “open flap” technique. Conclusions: Both techniques showed a reduction in CBH with time but the flapless technique showed a lesser reduction. Therefore, the flapless technique can be considered as a better treatment approach for placement of implants, especially where adequate width and height of available bone are present.
ABSTRACT
Background.Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis due to undiagnosed condylar fractures has a high incidence in India compared to western countries. We evaluated the demographics, injury pattern, hospital reporting and referral pattern of undiagnosed condylar fractures complicating TMJ ankylosis in northern India. Methods.We did a retrospective analysis by retrieving medical records of patients with post-traumatic TMJ ankylosis reporting to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences between 1July 2012 and 30June 2013. Results. Of 90 patients with post-traumatic TMJ ankylosis, 74 (82.2%) resided in rural areas. Sixty-three (70%) patients were from the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand. Only 8.8% had higher education and 10% had an annual income of more than `2 lakh. In 69 (84.4%) patients, fall was the aetiological factor. Primary health centres (42%) and private clinics (20.5%) received the major share of patients immediately following injury. Few patients (19.3%) had some radiographic examination done and only 17% were referred by the primary healthcare provider. Of those referred only 3 were examined by a dental practitioner. Only 10% of all were diagnosed with condylar fractures. Conclusion.Patients with TMJ ankylosis presenting to us have poor literacy and income levels. A missed diagnosis of condylar fractures by rural healthcare providers contributes to its high incidence in India. Improving awareness of clinicians and improved rural healthcare infrastructure can help prevent this complication.