Combination of Medical and Surgical Treatments for Masseter Hypertrophy.

Masseter hypertrophy (MH) is one of the uncommon conditions that swelling can be seen in the angular mandibular region of the face. The etiology of MH includes several factors, and various treatment methods are mentioned in the literature. Botulinum toxin type A application is most commonly used for the treatment because of its less invasive feature. As a surgical method, some treatment alternatives that aim to reduce muscle mass or reshape the bone tissue in the angular region are considered. In this case report, a 21-year-old male patient with unilateral masseter hypertrophy on the right side is presented. After the patient was diagnosed with MH, botulinum toxin treatment in two sessions at one-month intervals was done. Since the reduction in muscle volume was not in satisfactory dimensions after the botulinum toxin application, the masseter was reduced on the right side through an intraoral approach. At the same time, bone enlargements on each side of the angulus mandibula were reshaped and smoothened through an extraoral retro mandibular approach. Clinical and radiographic evaluation of the patient revealed more aesthetic and symmetrical appearance in the regular controls.

Thermal cycling distortion of porcelain fused to metal fixed partial dentures.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The initial fit of porcelain fused to metal restorations deteriorates during the firing cycle of porcelain. PURPOSE: This study evaluated thermal cycling distortion of 3-unit porcelain fused to metal frameworks at different firing stages. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A master model was designed to represent the 2 abutments of a 3-unit fixed partial denture replacing a missing mandibular molar. Standard techniques were used to fabricate 10 castings. Half of the copings were cast in a Ni-Cr alloy and the other half in a Pd-Cu alloy. Framework distortion was measured by means of inner fit changes, horizontal linear measurements of the framework length, and vertical fit changes of each retainer. Measurements were made (1) initially, (2) after degassing firing, and (3) after glaze firing. Differences between the firing cycles created distortion values of the retainers in 3 dimensions. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze data statistically. RESULTS: Measured differences between the 2 firing stages ranged from -47 to 81.7 micrometer. For both alloy groups, retainers showed increase in vertical gap that implied poorer vertical fit after porcelain application. Mean values of inner fit change recorded for porcelain application firing were higher in magnitude than the values of metal-conditioning firing. In addition, no statistically significant differences were found among alloy types. CONCLUSIONS: A 3-dimensional distortion was observed both in Pd-Cu and Ni-Cr frameworks during porcelain firing cycle. The distortion seen after porcelain application firing was significantly greater than that seen after metal-conditioning firing. This result can be attributed to these factors, contamination of porcelain to the inner surface of metal coping and reduction in resilience of metal.

Bacteriology of dentoalveolar abscesses in patients who have received empirical antibiotic therapy.

We investigated aspirates of pus from dentoalveolar abscesses in 13 patients who had received empirical antibiotic therapy within 1 month before presentation at our facility. The antibiotics administered were lincomycin, amoxicillin, ampicillin, or a cephalosporin. Information on antibiotic therapy was obtained from the patients' medical histories. Cultures of all dentoalveolar abscesses yielded organisms. A total of 70 isolates (42 anaerobes and 28 facultative organisms) were recovered, representing 5.3 isolates (3.2 anaerobes and 2.1 facultative organisms) per specimen. The counts of bacteria ranged from 5 X 10(7) cfu/mL to 8 X 10(11) cfu/mL (mean count, 1.4 X 10(11) cfu/mL; median count, 2.3 X 10(10) cfu/mL). The predominant isolates were Prevotella species (25.7% of isolates), Peptostreptococcus species (17.1%), and Streptococcus species (14.2%). This study illustrates the polymicrobial nature of dentoalveolar abscesses as well as the predominant role played by anaerobic bacteria.

Distortion of metal-ceramic fixed partial dentures resulting from metal-conditioning firing.

The aim of this study was to investigate the distortion of metal-ceramic prostheses that occurs during metal-conditioning firing and to examine whether the distortion might be controlled by embedding the castings in an investment bulk and applying a prior heat treatment. The distortion of palladium-copper and nickel-chromium frameworks was evaluated by means of inner fit and horizontal linear measurements of the framework length. There was no statistically significant difference between palladium-copper and nickel-chromium frame-works in the changes in inner fit. In addition, there was no statistically significant difference between the invested test group and the control group in changes in fit. However, the mean deformation in framework length recorded for invested palladium-copper frameworks (-20.20 microns) was significantly smaller than that recorded for control palladium-copper frameworks (52.20 microns).

The effect of toxic doses of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) on the serum zinc levels in rats.

Zinc is a trace element important to bone mineralization as well as, in general, nutrition. It is known that cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) affects bone metabolism. In this study, toxic doses of vitamin D3 were injected subcutaneously (25 micrograms/d) to rats for 5 wk. It caused a significant increase in serum zinc levels (p < 0.02). On the other hand, no significant increase was detected in the other groups. Excessive amounts of vitamin D3 caused bone breakdown and increased the levels of zinc in blood.

Effect of toxic doses of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) on alkaline phosphatase levels in serum and gingival tissues of rats.

Toxic doses of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) were injected subcutaneously (25 micrograms/day) into rats for 5 weeks, causing a significant increase of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels (p less than 0.01). Gingival tissue alkaline phosphatase levels were also elevated (p less than 0.01). On the other hand, a significant difference was detected between serum calcium levels in experimental and control groups (p less than 0.02).