The use of carrageenan for limiting the mandibular movement in rats: A preliminary experimental study

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate if the carrageenan may be used for limiting the mandibular movement. Material and Methods: Eighteen adult male Wistar rats were used for the research, 20 ìl of carrageenan (4%) was infiltrated in the extra articular region, in front of the condyle to induce fibrosis. The rats were divided into groups according to the time of euthanasia (7, 15 and 30 days). Maximal mouth opening (MMO), mandibular deviation,initial and final weights were recorded and evaluated. After the euthanasia, the specimens were submitted to histological study in order to classify the inflammatory process using scores. Results: The mean differences between initial and final MMO were 1.50 mm, being greatest at the 7 days evaluation and lowest at 30 days, and were not statistically significant at any time. No mandibular deviation was observedat any of the times of evaluation. The histological scores tended to increase with time of evaluation from 7to 30 days, but without progression of the process.Conclusion: The study model permitted the development of fibrosis in the extra-articular region in the majority of the animals (AU)

Relationship between mandibular fracture and impacted lower third molar

Many studies have shown that the greatest risk of fracture of the mandibular angle is related to the presence of an unerupted lower third molar, based on the hypothesis that there is a decrease in the area of bone and absorption of the impact in this area, leading some surgeons to indicate its prophylactic removal in patients most exposed to the risk factors of facial trauma. On the other hand, other authors have observed a greater frequency of condylar fractures in patients without an impacted lower third molar. Purpose: The aim of this study was to relate the condylar and angle fracture with an unerupted lower third molar, taking into account the position of the tooth. Material and Methods: Panoramic radiographs were used to determine if the presence or absence of the third molar is related to the occurrence of mandibular fractures, such as angle and condylar fractures. Results: In a total of 43 patients with angle fractures, the greatest percentage had erupted teeth, and 41.9% had impacted teeth; however there was no significant difference between the fractured side and the tooth condition (p=0.350). There were 91 condylar fractures and in 42.9% the third molar was absent and in 40.7% the tooth was erupted . There was no significant difference between the fractured side and the tooth condition (p=0.852). Conclusion: The absence of an impacted third molar may increase the risk of condylar fractures and decrease the prevalence of mandibular angle fractures (AU)

Surgical treatment of temporomandibular joint ankylosis: Follow-up of 15 cases and literature review

Introduction: Ankylosis may be defined as the fusion of the articular surfaces with bony or fibrous tissue. The treatment oftemporomandibular joint ankylosis poses a significant challenge because of the high incidence of recurrence.Purpose: To report 15 cases treated by either gap arthroplasty, or the articular reconstruction technique using costochondralgrafts, coronoid process grafts or alloplastic condylar implants; evaluate the results of these surgeries and make a literaturereview.Methods: The sample was obtained from the records of the Oswaldo Cruz University Hospital (HUOC-UPE) of patientssubmitted to ankylosis treatment by alloplastic or autogenous graft between March 2000 and October 2006. Pre- and postoperativeassessment included a thorough history and physical examination to determine the cause of ankylosis, the maximalincisal opening, etiology and type of the ankylosis, recurrence rate and presence of facial nerve paralysis.Results: The mean maximal incisal opening in the preoperative period was 8.71 + 6.97 mm and in the postoperative periodit was 28.50 + 8.10 mm, the recurrence rate was 20% (n=3), and always occurred in ankylosis type IV.Conclusion: The articular reconstruction with alloplastic or autogenous grafts, or gap arthroplasty for the treatment of ankylosisis shown to be efficient in relation to the post-operative maximal incisal opening, recurrence and articular function (AU)

Evaluation of lidocaine and mepivacaine for inferior third molar surgery

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Objective: The aim of this study was to compare 2 percents lidocaine and 2 percents ciento mepivacaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine for postoperative pain control. Study design: A group of 35 patients, both genders were recruited, whose had ages ranged from 13 to 27 years-old and had two inferior third molars in similar positions to be extracted. The cartridges were distributed to the patients according to a randomised pattern, where lidocaine was in the control group and mepivacaine in the experimental group. Results: Results showed no significant association between the anesthetics and postoperative pain, pulp sensibility after one hour, gender, tooth position and duration of the surgical procedure. Conclusions: It was shown that lidocaine and mepivacaine have similar time of anesthesia, they are adequate for surgical procedures that last one hour, and there was no difference between the two anesthetics in relation to the severety of post-operative pain

Glove perforation during oral surgical procedures

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Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of glove perforation among undergraduates and residents performing maxillofacial surgery and identify procedures associated with the perforations. Study Design: For this purpose, 200 pairs of surgical gloves were used. For inspecting the perforations, the gloves were filled with water, at least 500 ml. Results: Sixteen gloves (8%) were perforated, 8 (4%) by residents and 8 (4%) by undergraduate students. Only the residentsnoticed that 2 gloves (1%) were perforated and identified the object causing the perforation. The left hand was the more affected with 9 perforations (4.5%). The finger pulp was the region most affected with 12 perforations (6%). The perforated forefinger appeared in 8 gloves (4%), representing the highest incidence of perforations. Conclusion: We concluded there was no difference in surgical glove perforation between undergraduate students and residents, the incidence of perforations was greater in the left hand (nondominant hand) and the fingers in which most perforations occurred were the forefinger and the thumb