Corticotomy-assisted orthodontic camouflage in a class III adult patient with a severe transverse discrepancy.

A 25-year-old man presented with a maxillary transverse discrepancy, posterior cross bite, anterior open bite, molar and canine class III. Treatment included a corticotomy in the upper lateral and posterior teeth, a palatal expansor and a sectional archwire to assist the expansion. The following treatment phase included bonding with Incognito System lingual appliance, interproximal reduction to solve the crowding and bite blocks to control the verticality. Two months after the bonding intermaxillary class III elastics were used to solve the sagittal discrepancy and eight months after the bonding vertical elastics were used in order to solve the anterior open bite until the end of the treatment. A Boston splint was applied for the upper arch, an essix splint was applied for the lower arch. The patient compliance was an essential aspect in the success of the orthodontic treatment.

The use of computer-assisted corticotomy to enhance surgical procedures.

In recent years, several surgical techniques have been proposed with the main goal of reducing the length of orthodontic treatment. Some of these techniques use a piezoelectric surgical instrument to perform alveolar bone cuts and promote localized bone turnover. One of the main limitations of these surgical techniques is that corticotomies may damage dental roots since traditional radiographic examinations do not allow the surgeon to precisely determine the length and three-dimensional position of the roots. In this case report, the authors aim to describe a method in which, starting from the patient's CBCT dicom files, they were able to plan the location and depth of the bone cuts and to build a surgical guide to be used during piezoelectric bone surgery. In addition, the technique and final results are described, as well as a two-year follow-up showing stable results.

Odontogenic Orofacial Infections.

Acute dental abscess is a frequent and sometimes underestimated disease of the oral cavity. The acute dental abscess usually occurs secondary to caries, trauma, or failed endodontic treatment. After the intact pulp chamber is opened, colonization of the root canals takes place with a variable set of anaerobic bacteria, which colonize the walls of the necrotic root canals forming a specialized mixed anaerobic biofilm. Asymptomatic necrosis is common. However, abscess formation occurs when these bacteria and their toxic products breach into the periapical tissues through the apical foramen and induce acute inflammation and pus formation. The main signs and symptoms of the acute dental abscess (often referred to as a periapical abscess or infection) are pain, swelling, erythema, and suppuration usually localized to the affected tooth, even if the abscess can eventually spread causing a severe odontogenic infection which is characterized by local and systemic involvement culminating in sepsis syndrome. The vast majority of dental abscesses respond to antibiotic treatment, however, in some patients surgical management of the infection may be indicated. In the present work, a retrospective analysis of the patients with dental orofacial infections referred to the Unit of Dentistry and Maxillofacial Surgery of the University of Verona from 1991 to 2011 has been performed.

Maxillary Segmental Micro Osteotomy: A Human Cadaver Study on the Efficacy of the Technique.

PURPOSE: Ultrasonic bone cutting was recently introduced as a feasible alternative to the conventional tools of cranio-maxillofacial surgery because it offers improved precision and safety.This study examined the feasibility of minimally invasive orthodontic or preprosthetic surgery using a piezosurgery device for latero-posterior maxillary segmental osteotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four fresh cadaveric heads were obtained for this study. Maxillary posterior osteotomy was performed using piezoelectric surgery. To preserve the vascular supply, only 1 vestibular incision was made during surgery. The Mectron Piezosurgery unit is a multipurpose device that uses micrometric ultrasonic piezoelectric vibrations with a variable frequency and cutting energy. The strategy for maxillary osteotomy included 1 horizontal osteotomy, 2 vertical osteotomies, and 1 palatal osteotomy performed transantrally without incision of the mucoperiosteum. The osteotomies were performed using a piezodevice (OT7-type inserts: 0.55 and 0.35 mm). In total, 1 horizontal cut (3 mm above the roots of the teeth), 2 vertical bone cuts, and 1 palatal osteotomy were made without incision of the palatal mucoperiosteum.Gentle dissection of the buccal fat pad was used to promote the healing of hard and soft tissues in the osteotomized zone. RESULTS: No damage to soft tissues, including the palatal mucosa, occurred. The buccal fat pad was mobilized easily without requiring an additional incision. The osteotomic sites were linear and clean in the palatal aspect. The integrity of the vascular network was maintained because of the lack of damage to the palatal mucosa. No chisels were used during the osteotomies. DISCUSSION: This cadaveric study shows the feasibility of using piezosurgery for segmental maxillary osteotomy. This report outlines a new and simple application of segmental maxillary micro-osteotomy.

A piezo surgery with corticotomies and implant placement as part of a multidisciplinary approach to treat malocclusion disorder in an adult patient: clinical report.

This clinical report illustrates a multidisciplinary approach for the rehabilitation of a young adult patient affected by a bilateral edentulous space and an anterior deep bite. The patient required orthodontics and surgical corticotomy and implantology (both performed with a piezo device). A multidisciplinary planning approach, including orthodontics, oral and periodontic surgery, and restorative dentistry, has an important role in the final outcome of treatment. In fact a dental class I occlusion has been established only on the right side. The left side could not be restored to an ideal class I relationship due to the pontic prosthesis. The original collapsed right posterior occlusion was corrected. A stable posterior occlusion was established, and the balancing interference was eliminated. Centric relation and centric occlusion were established at the same vertical dimension of occlusion. The cephalometric analysis and clinical aspect at the end of treatment showed that the patient had improvements in overbite and overjet.Multidisciplinary management, including endodontic and restorative dentistry, periodontics, corticotomy-assisted orthodontics, implants, and prosthetics, was used for a young female patient with multiple missing teeth, anterior deep bite, and a malocclusion with cant of the occlusal plane. The interaction of interdisciplinary specialties and careful treatment planning were required. The patient also benefited esthetically from our effort.

Posttraumatic use of dental implants immediately after tooth extraction: clinical study.

PURPOSE: Root fracture is a combined injury of cementum, dentin, and pulp. Many of these traumas remain untreated, mistreated, or overtreated. It leads to a more complicated treatment in case of tooth loss. Many different treatment procedures, with a very changeable success rate, have been proposed for years to treat teeth with root fractures. The objective of the following clinical studies was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of implants placed in fresh extraction sites to treat teeth with horizontal root fracture. METHODS: The study group included 25 patients (15 men and 10 women) between the ages of 20 and 65 years. After an initial examination and a treatment planning, all of the patients underwent periodontal treatment, which was deemed necessary to favor wound healing. All the 25 teeth were extracted because of horizontal root fracture located at the level of the middle third. The second-stage surgery was performed 6 months after the initial procedure. The following clinical parameters, presence or absence of mobility, presence or absence of pain, and presence or absence of suppuration, were evaluated in each patient at 6 and 12 months after implant placement. Radiographs were taken using the standard method to evaluate the marginal bone loss. RESULTS: The healing period was uneventful for all patients. All implants had osseointegrated. After 12 months, patients were asymptomatic and showed no signs of infection or bleeding when probed. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of this study, implants placed right after tooth extraction are a valid treatment procedure, which induces predictable results as treatment of fractured teeth.

[Could the distalization of the mandibular molars be facilitated? A new therapeutic method]. / La distalisation des molaires mandibulaires peut-elle être facilitée ? Une nouvelle méthode thérapeutique.

A young patient complained of missing inferior second premolars. Clinical and cephalometric parameters suggested the indication for a prosthetic solution, opening the spaces between first premolars and molars, aiming to correct occlusal relationships. Space closure was thus excluded. After full arch alignment a selective conservative channel-like wedge shaped osteotomy, distal to the second molars, was performed, applying a piezo-microsurgery technique, which uses fine inserts (0.5-0.7 mm) and ultrasound. The method allows for good patient compliance, improved rapid healing, and no secondary adverse effects. Both second and first molars can then be easily and rapidly distalized with a bodily movement, avoiding distal tipping. After space opening implants could be applied and the occlusion finalized. Though further tests will be needed, the method appears a valid improvement to conventional methods, facilitating distalization in selected cases and possibly shortening treatment time.