Natural bioceramics: our experience with changing perspectives in the reconstruction of maxillofacial skeleton.

OBJECTIVES: Various bone graft substitute materials are used to enhance bone regeneration in the maxillofacial skeleton. In the recent past, synthetic graft materials have been produced using various synthetic and natural calcium precursors. Very recently, eggshell-derived hydroxyapatite (EHA) has been evaluated as a synthetic bone graft substitute. To assess bone regeneration using EHA in cystic and/or apicectomy defects of the jaws through clinical and radiographic evaluations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 patients were enrolled in the study protocol (CTRI/2014/12/005340) and were followed up at 4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks to assess the amount of osseous fill through digital radiographs/cone-beam computed tomography along with clinical parameters and complications. Wilcoxon matched pairs test, means, percentages and standard deviations were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: The sizes of the lesions in the study ranged from 1 to 4 cm and involved one to four teeth. The study showed significant changes in the formation of bone, the merging of material and the surgical site margins from the first week to the first month in all patients (age range, 15-50 years) irrespective of the size of the lesions and the number of teeth involved. Bone formation was statistically significant from the fourth to the eighth week, and the trabecular pattern was observed by the end of 12 weeks with uneventful wound healing. CONCLUSION: EHA showed enhancement of bone regeneration, and healing was complete by the end of 12 weeks with a trabecular pattern in all patients irrespective of the size of the lesion involved. The study showed enhancement of bone regeneration in the early bone formative stage within 12 weeks after grafting. EHA is cost effective and production is environment friendly with no disease transfer risks. Thus, natural bioceramics will play an important role in the reduction of costs involved in grafting and reconstruction.

Socket preservation using eggshell-derived nanohydroxyapatite with platelet-rich fibrin as a barrier membrane: a new technique.

OBJECTIVES: Socket grafting is vital to prevent bone resorption after tooth extraction. Several techniques to prevent resorption have been described, and various bone graft substitutes have been developed and used with varying success. We conducted this pilot study to evaluate the performance of nanohydroxyapatite (nHA) derived from chicken eggshells in socket preservation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, single center, outcome assessor-blinded evaluation of 23 sockets (11 patients) grafted with nHA and covered with platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) membrane as a barrier. Bone width and radiographic bone density were measured using digital radiographs at 1, 12, and 24 weeks post-procedure. Postoperative histomorphometric and micro-computed tomography (CT) evaluation were performed. The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee. RESULTS: All patients had uneventful wound healing without graft material displacement or leaching despite partial exposure of the grafted socket. Tissue re-epithelialized with thick gingival biotype (>3 mm). Width of the bone was maintained and radiographic density increased significantly with a trabecular pattern (73.91% of sockets) within 12 weeks. Histomorphometric analysis showed 56.52% Grade 3 bone formation and micro-CT analysis revealed newly formed bone with interconnecting trabeculae. CONCLUSION: Use of a PRF membrane with nHA resulted in good bone regeneration in sockets. Use of a PRF membrane prevents periosteal-releasing incisions for primary closure, thereby facilitating the preservation of keratinized mucosa and gingival architecture. This technique, which uses eggshell-derived nHA and PRF membrane from the patient's own blood, is innovative and is free of disease transfer risks. nHA is a promising economic bone graft substitute for bone regeneration and reconstruction because of the abundant availability of eggshell waste as a raw material.

An Evaluation of Use of Botulinum Toxin Type A in the Management of Dynamic Forehead Wrinkles - A Clinical Study.

INTRODUCTION: The pursuit of youth and beauty has undergone a resurgence of interest which is evidenced by increasing cosmetic procedures. Botulinum Toxin Type A (Botox) is one among the many procedures invented for facial rejuvenation which denervates certain muscles of facial expression responsible for facial wrinkles. It has been applied in the forehead, glabella, lateral canthal area and neck. In maxillofacial area hyperactive forehead wrinkles show sagging. AIM: This study was aimed to clinically evaluate the efficacy of Botox injection in the elimination of hyperdynamic forehead wrinkles and the objectives were to compare pre-operative and post-operative improvement in the number of wrinkles, photographic grading and patient satisfaction responses after 1st week, 4th week and 16th week. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 10 patients were randomly included in the present study who were cooperative, motivated and aesthetically conscious with moderate to severe forehead wrinkles. Assessment was performed clinically, photographically (using standardized photographs) and patient satisfaction responses were recorded at 1st week, 4th week and 16th week. RESULTS: The study showed a significant difference in the elimination of wrinkles at rest and in action when assessed at 1st week and 4th week and it was consistent at 16th week. The patient showed positive satisfaction response without ptosis of the upper eyelid. CONCLUSION: Treatment with Botox is simple, safe and an effective modality for reduction of forehead wrinkles. It offers an alternative management in a cost-effective way when compared to surgical procedures.

The Effect of Ridge Expansion on Implant Stability in Narrow Partially Edentulous Ridges - A Preliminary Clinical Study.

INTRODUCTION: Currently, dental treatments with better aesthetic results and less treatment time is more acceptable by the patients. Inadequate amount of bone for implant placement at functionally and aesthetically most appropriate position is a common problem. AIM: To assess the effect of ridge expansion on implant stability in narrow partially edentulous ridges and to evaluate clinically and radiographically the success of dental implants, placed immediately following ridge expansion procedure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten participants (nine males, one female, average age - 28 years) with partial edentulism associated with narrow atrophic alveolar ridges with adequate height and willing to participate in the study were included. The ridge expansion was performed using osteotomes and simultaneous implant placement was done. A total of 10 implants were placed. Stability, achieved ridge width and radiographic crestal bone loss were assessed three months post-operatively. RESULTS: Three months follow-up revealed stable implants both clinically and radiographically. All 10 implants were surrounded by adequate amount of bone required for successful functional rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: The study reveals that the technique of ridge expansion using osteotomes is successful in horizontal expansion, in cases of atrophic alveolar ridges thus, eliminating the need for more complex treatment as well as reduces the rehabilitation time along with improving the quality of bone support.

Disaster Management and the Role of Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons.

"Disaster" the word itself suggests an event resulting in great loss and misfortune. In this developing world, India is becoming more powerful and is shining across the world. But we are still left to deal with various disasters, so that no harm comes to mankind. India has the occasional national disaster to which we have to promptly respond. Like the rest of the world, India has become a terror prone nation and recent attacks since the last decades affected not only the function but also it made citizens insecure. As we are in a large nation so, no matter how large a disaster it may be; we have to overcome it. The oral and maxillofacial region in a human body is very delicate with complicated anatomy, which decides the life of a human being. The management of disaster is a multitask approach, in which maxillofacial surgeon plays an important role. It is a very difficult task to operate in disaster zone. It is essential for a surgeon to make quick and important decisions under stressful conditions. Usually the surgeries are performed in a well-equipped hospital but, when it comes to disaster zone the surgeon have to treat the patient with a minimal armamentarium available within a fraction of time. The surgical competence in a disaster field is an alarming situation. Disaster management itself is not an alarming situation but the time management is important for better outcomes. A surgeon however should be trained, so that he should not miss injuries for better outcomes along with personal safety. The article discusses about disaster management strategy and guidelines for both oral maxillofacial surgeons and the statuary body to make maxillofacial surgeon as part of disaster management team for better outcomes.