Versatile midfacial degloving approach in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Oral and maxillofacial surgeons must gain mastery of various approaches to the midface due to the increasing incidence, complexity, and severity of presenting midfacial fractures. Unlike in the case of other body parts, the need to preserve facial aesthetics makes it more difficult for the surgeon to select an approach for managing the facial injuries. The midfacial degloving (MFD) approach is a combination of intraoral and intranasal incisions made to access the midface without any external incision. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of MFD in maxillofacial surgery and to assess its advantages and complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MFD approach was used in five cases, with three cases treated with open reduction and internal fixation and two cases operated on for posttraumatic deformity. Nasal dorsum augmentation was completed in three cases and nasal osteotomy was performed in one case. The bicoronal flap technique was combined with MFD for frontal bone augmentation in one case. The intraoperative time required for flap completion and the ease of performing the planned procedures were noted. Postoperative evaluation was done for reduction, aesthetics, function, and complications. RESULTS: Access was excellent for performing all planned procedures. Average time spent for flap elevation and exposure of the midface was 63 minutes. Complications like postoperative swelling, infraorbital nerve paresthesia, and intranasal crusting were all transient. No long-term complications like stenosis of the nose, sneer deformity, or weakness of the facial muscles were noticed. Additionally, no complications were noted when MFD was combined with bicoronal flap. CONCLUSION: Though the MFD approach is technically demanding and takes more time than other facial approaches, it should be learned and applied by maxillofacial surgeons in selective cases, as it provides complete exposure of the midface without facial scarring.

Osteoporosis and periodontitis: is there a possible link?

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis and osteoporosis are two diseases found worldwide having the main characteristic of increasing intensity with age. Periodontitis is associated with resorption of the alveolar bone. Osteoporosis is characterized by bone loss leading to structural bone transformation. The association between periodontitis and osteoporosis is continually being examined. The aim of this study is to examine the condition of periodontal tissues in patients suffering from osteoporosis and establish a possible link. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 200 samples having test (n = 100) and control group (n = 100) were checked for periodontal condition. A total of 100 patients diagnosed as having osteoporosis based on bone mineral density at distal end of radius were regarded as test group and 100 subjects included in control group were healthy. Periodontal parameters measured were plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment loss (CAL). Statistical test performed were Student's paired t-test and unpaired t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Probing depth and CAL were significantly negatively co-related with T-score in test group when compared with control group. This meant an inverse relationship in between the T-score and the clinical parameters, PD and CAL. Furthermore, some difference was noted in test group in PI, GI and PD, CAL and T-score when compared with the controls. CONCLUSION: Thus, we conclude that there is a definite relationship between osteoporosis and periodontitis based on PD and CAL.

Evaluation of antiplaque and antigingivitis effect of herbal mouthwash in treatment of plaque induced gingivitis: A randomized, clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Ayurvedic drugs have been used since ancient times to treat diseases including periodontal diseases. Oral rinses made from ayurvedic medicines are used in periodontal therapy to control bleeding and reduce inflammation. The aim of this clinical study is to verify the efficacy of herbal mouthwash containing Pilu, Bibhitaka, Nagavalli, Gandhapura taila, Ela, Peppermint satva, and Yavani satva on reduction of plaque and gingivitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 volunteers with clinical signs of mild to moderate gingivitis were selected and assigned to Group A (only scaling done) and Group B (scaling along with the use of herbal mouthwash). After recording the clinical parameters, the patients were instructed to use herbal mouthwash 15 ml for 30 s twice daily after food in Group B and oral hygiene instructions were given to all patients. Plaque and gingivitis assessment were carried out using the plaque index (Silness nd Loe, 1964), Gingival index (Loe And Silness, 1963), Gingival bleeding index (Ainamo and Bay, 1975) at baseline and at 21 days of the herbal mouthwash use. Statistically analysis was carried out using the student's t-test for normally distributed data and Wilcoxson test or Mann-Whitney U-test for skewed data. RESULTS: Our results showed that herbal mouthwash was effective in treatment of plaque induced gingivitis in Group B when compared with the Group A. CONCLUSION: Herbal mouthwash is effective in treatment of plaque induced gingivitis and can be effectively used as an adjunct to mechanical therapy with lesser side-effects.

Management of craniofacial osteitis deformans.

Paget's disease of bone (PDB) is a progressive chronic disease of unknown etiology, manifested as initial increase in bone resorption, followed by a disorganized and excessive formation of bone, resulting in pain and skeletal deformities. Treatment of the disease primarily aims at reducing the altered bone turnover by pharmacotherapy, along with surgical intervention for deformed bones, to reduce morbidity and improve the quality of living. We present a case of PDB with craniofacial involvement in a 55-year-old female, diagnosed on the basis of clinical features, radiological assessment along with biochemical findings and histopathological report. Our management included medical treatment in the form of intravenous bisphosphonates which alleviated symptoms by reducing the abnormal bone activity, and normalized serum alkaline phosphatase. Patient morale, self-confidence and social acceptance were all boosted due to the surgical correction of the facial deformity.

Intentional replantation of periodontally compromised hopeless tooth.

Aesthetic considerations have influenced the management of dental maladies in varying degrees for many years. Even single tooth mal-alignment makes the patient to approach a dentist. Intentional replantation is a procedure in which an intentional tooth extraction is performed followed by reinsertion of the extracted tooth. Many authors agree that it should be reserved as the last resort to save a tooth after other procedures have failed or would likely to fail. The main reason of failure in replanted teeth is root resorption, specifically ankylosis or replacement resorption. Although the success rate is not always high, intentional replantation may be a treatment alternative that deserves consideration to maintain the natural dentition and avoid extraction of the tooth. Here is case report of a patient desiring alignment of malpositioned periodontally involved anterior single tooth due to various causes treated by intentional replantation.