Efficacy of two dosages of dexamethasone administered by submucosal injection on postoperative sequelae after third molar surgery: A retrospective study.

PURPOSE: A retrospective clinical study was performed to compare the post-operative sequelae of the submucosal administration of two different low dosages of dexamethasone, after the surgical extraction of lower third molars. METHODS: Data regarding edema, trismus, pain and analgesic consumption were collected from 150 subjects, selecting three equal groups (n= 50): a control group with no administered dexamethasone (G1); submucosal injection of dexamethasone 2 mg/0.5 ml (G2) and submucosal injection of dexamethasone 4 mg/1 ml (G3). Collected data were evaluated at three different time points: T0 before surgery, T1 on the third day after surgery and T2 on the 7th day after surgery. Patients' gender and age were also considered for statistical purposes. RESULTS: The effects on facial swelling reduction were statistically significant in G2 at T1 in the male subgroup. With trismus, the differences between the time points considered were statistically significant in G2 in the subgroup of subjects younger than 25 years old. Differences in analgesics taken were statistically significant when G1 and G2 were compared at T1. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The submucosal injection of 2 mg/0.5 ml of dexamethasone to subjects younger than 25 years old is enough to reduce trismus. For females and subjects older than 25 years old, it is preferable to administer at least 4 mg of dexamethasone to reduce edema.

Chairside CAD/CAM Materials: Current Trends of Clinical Uses.

Restorative materials are experiencing an extensive upgrade thanks to the use of chairside Computer-aided design/computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM) restorations. Therefore, due to the variety offered in the market, choosing the best material could be puzzling for the practitioner. The clinical outcome of the restoration is influenced mainly by the material and its handling than by the fabrication process (i.e., CAD/CAM). Information on the restorative materials performances can be difficult to gather and compare. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of chairside CAD/CAM materials, their classification, and clinically relevant aspects that enable the reader to select the most appropriate material for predictable success.

Evaluating the stability of extended-pour alginate impression materials by using an optical scanning and digital method.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The dimensional stability of alginate dental impressions is a key factor for the reliability of delayed gypsum pouring and digital scanning. However, studies of the dimensional stability of alginates with conventional methods that consider the dimensional variations of large impressions are lacking. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate and compare 2 digital methods for the analysis of dimensional stability of large impressions made with 5 different extended-pour alginates and to assess dimensional stability up to 5 days. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Impressions of a simplified master maxillary model were made with Alginoplast, Blueprint, Hydrogum 5, Orthoprint, and Phase Plus and then analyzed at different time points. Digital scans of the alginate impression surfaces were obtained with a desktop scanner and analyzed by evaluating the linear measurements between reference points and by using a novel method that consists of the analysis of the entire scanned surface to evaluate the expansion and contraction of the impressions. RESULTS: The first method revealed that the dimensional changes did not exceed 0.5%, with the exception of Phase Plus at day 3 (-0.6 ±0.7%), and the average dimensional variation was always lower than or equal to 0.2 mm. Blueprint was the most stable material (-0.2 ±0.6%). The second method revealed dimensional variations always lower than 0.03 mm and confirmed Blueprint as the best performing material (0.001 ±0.006 mm) and Phase Plus the worst (-0.019 ±0.006 mm). CONCLUSIONS: Both the methods used to evaluate alginate stability showed that the analyzed materials remain stable over time; the dimensional variations showed a similar trend, with differences in the absolute values depending on the applied method. Linear measurements are affected by the operator and choice of reference points; however, by evaluating the average variations of the entire structure surfaces, local variations should be minimized. The evaluation of the average variations with the second method offers the advantage of a rapid visual representation of these variations.

Efficacy of Alveolar Ridge Preservation after Maxillary Molar Extraction in Reducing Crestal Bone Resorption and Sinus Pneumatization: A Multicenter Prospective Case-Control Study.

AIM: To evaluate, with three-dimensional analysis, the effectiveness of alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) after maxillary molar extraction in reducing alveolar bone resorption and maxillary sinus pneumatization when compared to unassisted socket healing. METHODS: Patients were included in the study following inclusion criteria and underwent minimally traumatic maxillary molar extraction followed by ARP using synthetic nanohydroxyapatite (Fisiograft Bone, Ghimas, Italy) (test group) or unassisted socket healing (control group). Cone-beam computerized tomographies (CBCT) were performed immediately after tooth extraction (T0) and 6 months postoperatively (T1). CBCTs were superimposed by using a specific software (Amira, Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA) and the following items were analyzed in both groups: (i) postextractive maxillary sinus floor expansion in coronal direction and (ii) postextractive alveolar bone dimensional changes (both vertical and horizontal). All data were tested for normality and equality of variance and subsequently analyzed by independent samples T-test and Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: Thirty patients were treated by three centers and twenty-six (test n=13; control n=13) were included in the final analysis. Mean sinus pneumatization at T1 was 0.69±0.48 mm in the test group and 1.04±0.67 mm in the control group (p=0.15). Mean vertical reduction of the alveolar bone at T1 was 1.62±0.49 mm in the test group and 2.01±0.84 mm in the control group (p=0.08). Mean horizontal resorption of crestal bone at T1 was 2.73±1.68 mm in test group and 3.63±2.24 mm in control group (p=0.24). CONCLUSIONS: It could be suggested that ARP performed after maxillary molar extraction may reduce the entity of sinus pneumatization and alveolar bone resorption, compared to unassisted socket healing. This technique could decrease the necessity of advanced regenerative procedures prior to dental implant placement in posterior maxilla.