Unicystic desmoplastic osteo-ameloblastoma of posterior mandible: Report of rarest of the rare case and review of literature.

Desmoplastic ameloblastoma (DA) is an epithelial odontogenic tumor and a rare variant of ameloblastoma. It was first described by Eversole in 1984. In the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of odontogenic tumors (2005), DA has been considered as a distinct entity from conventional/multicystic ameloblastoma. DA differs strikingly in its clinical, radiological, and histopathological presentation when compared to other variants of ameloblastoma. We report here an extremely rare "Hybrid DA" in a 50-year-old female patient with painless hard swelling involving right posterior mandible with detailed clinical history, an unusual radiographic and histopathological presentation. Histopathology revealed odontogenic epithelium in the form of follicles, ameloblastoma with cystic degeneration, and squamous metaplasia at places and elsewhere there were odosntogenic islands compressed by dense fibrocellular stroma suggestive of desmoplasia along with osseous tissue formation. Also review of the literature and possible explanation of etiopathogenesis of cystic change and osseous tissue formation in DA are discussed.

Basal Implants: An Asset for Rehabilitation of Atrophied Resorbed Maxillary and Mandibular Jaw - A Prospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: Conventional implants have great limitations in case of atrophic maxillary and mandibular ridges. Ultimately, patients who have severely atrophied jawbones paradoxically receive little or no treatment, as long as conventional implants are considered the device of first choice. Basal implants were developed with the goal to overcome the limitations of conventional implantology, primarily for atrophied ridges or inadequate bone with the protocol of immediate loading. However, studies regarding the rehabilitation followed by placement of screwable basal implants in atrophied ridges are limited. The purpose of the study was to conduct a prospective evaluation for the feasibility of placing strategic basal implants in clinical practice along with its merits and demerits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was designed to evaluate the protocol of immediate functional loading using the technology of strategic basal implants® for fixed complete arch prostheses and segmental teeth prostheses. A minimal of 10 patients selected in the age group of 20-80 years were restored with strategic basal implants irrespective of the quality and quantity of cancellous/alveolar bone following immediate functional loading protocols. RESULTS: About 157 various designs of basal implants were placed in 10 patients, out of which four failed with the survival rate of 97.5% of basal implants. DISCUSSION: The new concepts laid by basal implantology eliminate all drawbacks of conventional implantology and should be used as an adjunct to improve the quality of life of our patients. The concept of strategic implantology is innovative but reliable technique for patients in need of permanent rehabilitation.

An Evaluation of the Effect of Therapeutic Ultrasound on Healing of Mandibular Fracture.

The mandible is the most frequently fractured bone in maxillofacial trauma, the treatment of which consists of reduction and fixation of dislocated fragments by open or closed approach. Innovative techniques toward reducing the period of the postoperative intermaxillary fixation (IMF) are being researched. A relatively unknown treatment that may have an effect on fracture healing is ultrasound. Recent clinical trials have shown that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has a positive effect on bone healing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of LIPUS on healing by its application in fresh, minimally displaced or undisplaced mandibular fracture in young and healthy individuals. A total of 28 healthy patients were selected randomly from the outpatient department needing treatment of mandibular fractures. They were then randomly allocated to either of the following two groups-experimental group and study group. After IMF, patients in experimental group received pulsed ultrasound signals with frequency of 1 MHz, with temporal and spatial intensity of 1.5 W/cm(2), pulsed wave for 5 minutes on every alternate day for 24 days, whereas patients in control group received no therapy except IMF. Radiographic density at the fracture zone was assessed from the radiograph by Emago (Emago, Amsterdam, Netherlands) Image Analysis software before IMF then at 1st to 5th weeks post-IMF. The amount of clinical mobility between fracture fragments was assessed by digital manipulation of fractured fragment with the help of periodontal pocket depth measuring probe in millimeters at pre-IMF and after 3 weeks. Pain was objectively measured using a visual analogue scale at weekly interval. The data collected were subjected to unpaired "t" test. The experimental group showed significant improvement in radiographic density compared with control group at 3- and 5-week interval; pain perception was significantly reduced in experimental group compared with study group in the subsequent weeks. No significant difference was found in clinical mobility between fracture fragments at 3-week interval. The present study provides a basis for application of therapeutic controlled ultrasound as an effective treatment modality to accelerate healing of fresh, minimally displaced mandibular fracture.

Orofacial tubercular lesions.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of orofacial lesions like ulcer, swelling, discharge (with or without fistulae), nodules (tubercles), granulomatous growth, induration, diffuse inflammation, and extraction socket involvement in an Indian population through the case reports and review of literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four case reports are presented of patients who had orofacial lesions which turned out to be tuberculous. The diagnosis of tuberculosis was possible because it was kept high on the list of differential diagnosis of orofacial lesions. In our study, we used the following clinical criteria: 1) Suspicious lymph nodes should be biopsied. 2) Excision of non-healing, fistulous, or non-responsive lesions should be considered for biopsy. 3) Histopathological evidence of granulomatous inflammation with epithelioid cells and Langhan's giant cells or acid-fast bacilli should on Ziehl-Neelsen staining. 4) The patients' medical records were reviewed for details relating to presenting signs and symptoms, site and appearance of the lesions, chest x-ray findings, and sputum smear and tuberculosis culture results. RESULTS: In all cases, the patients were prescribed antituberculosis therapy (ATT) by the physician. Strict follow-up was done to ensure completion of intensive phase therapy and both oral as well as pulmonary lesions were resolved. CONCLUSION: Dentists and physicians treating orofacial lesions should be alert to the possibility of orofacial tuberculosis. Medical history should be taken very carefully and lymph node biopsy as well as other radiological and microbiological investigations should be carried out to rule out oral tuberculosis. Antituberculous therapy leads to successful resolution of the orofacial lesions.

Utilization of different management concepts in fractured tooth fragment reattachment: a report of three cases.

Traumatic injuries of teeth involve varying degrees of damage to the supporting soft tissues or the teeth itself. A very common injury to the permanent dentition affecting children and adolescents during their growing years is the anterior crown fracture. Recent developments in restorative material, placement techniques, preparation designs, and an adhesive protocol allow clinicians to predictably restore fractured teeth. With the advent of adhesive dentistry the process of fragment reattachment has become simplifed and more reliable. This procedure provides an improved function, is relatively faster to perform and at the same time provides long lasting esthetics. This paper discusses various innovative techniques of fracture reattachment depending on the complexity of the case.

Minor oral surgery without stopping daily low-dose aspirin therapy: a study of 51 patients.

PURPOSE: The risk of excessive bleeding prompts physicians to stop low-dose long-term aspirin regimens before surgery, which puts the patient at risk from adverse thrombotic events. We hypothesize that most minor oral surgical procedures can be carried out safely without stopping low-dose aspirin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All minor oral surgery patients at our hospital (Madan Dental Hospital, Ahmedabad, India) from May 2002 to May 2003, who were also on long-term low-dose aspirin therapy regimens (acetylsalicylic acid 75 mg to 100 mg/day), were included. Investigation of bleeding time and platelet count was performed. If within normal limits, aspirin was not stopped before surgery. Patients were operated under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis. All wounds were sutured and followed up at 24, 48, and 72 hours, 1 week, and 2 weeks after the procedure. RESULTS: The study included 51 patients (32 males, 19 females), ranging in age from 45 to 70 years. Preoperative values were within normal limits for all patients. Aspirin was not stopped for a single patient. There was no excessive intraoperative bleeding in all cases except 1; there was no postoperative bleeding in all cases. CONCLUSION: We conclude that most minor oral surgery procedures can be carried out safely without stopping long-term low-dose aspirin regimen.

Failure of inferior alveolar nerve block: exploring the alternatives.

BACKGROUND: Achieving proper anesthesia is imperative to performing most dental procedures. The conventional inferior alveolar nerve block is the most commonly used nerve block technique. In certain cases, however, this nerve block fails, even when performed by the most experienced clinician. OVERALL: The authors explore the reasons why the conventional inferior alveolar nerve block fails and describe several alternate techniques. They also present the protocol used in their office to achieve mandibular anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: Several alternatives to the inferior alveolar nerve block are available. Clinicians should investigate them, rather than repeat the inferior alveolar nerve block after it has failed. Practice Implications. Mastering anesthetic techniques maximizes success in the dental office. It enables clinicians to provide better and more comfortable treatment to patients.