Morphometrical examinations of the mandibular ramus for the indication of lag screw osteosynthesis described by Eckelt in mandibular condylar fractures.

For several years, lag screw osteosynthesis as described by ECKELT has been used for the surgical treatment of condylar fractures with predominantly positive results. However anatomical variations occasionally do not permit the use of the lag screw. The aim of the present study was to re-examine the anatomical requirements for using ECKELT's lag screw osteosynthesis. Based on a detailed structural analysis of 140 isolated cadaver rami mandibulae, it can be seen that they principally meet the anatomical requirements for the treatment of mandibular condylar fractures with lag screw osteosynthesis using 2.0 mm diameter screws. Rare, extreme anatomical variants emphasize the need for a stricter preoperative determination of the indications. Using spiral computerized tomography, it is possible to exactly assess preoperatively the existing anatomical situation of the ascending mandibular ramus on the planned frontal plane of the lag screw.

[Histological studies of the morphological relationship of the lateral pterygoid muscle to the articular disk in the human temporomandibular joint]. / Histologische Untersuchungen über die morphologischen Beziehungen des Musculus pterygoideus lateralis zum Discus articularis am menschlichen Kiefergelenk.

The biomechanical process which lead to the development of cracking sounds in the temporomandibular joints have received contradictory treatment in the literature. Most of the authors regard consider the cracking sounds to be caused by mechanical friction produced in translational movements of the condylus. According to this hypothesis the discus articularis which is dislocated in an anterior direction active pulling of the lateral pterygoid muscle, is regarded as being a mechanical obstacle. The morphological relationships however, between the lateral pterygoid muscle and the discus articularis are unclear. Our histomorphological investigations of 16 human temporomandibular joint samples from fresh cadavers of victims of accidental death revealed evidence that in the majority of cases a tendon connected the upper head of the lateral pterygoid muscle with the discus articularis. This would suggest that an anterior dislocation of the discus, resulting from an active pulling movement of the lateral pterygoid muscle, cannot be ruled out as a possible morphological cause for cracking sounds.

[Determining the alveolar ridge width in planning treatment with endosseous implants]. / Zur Bestimmung der Alveolarkammbriete im Rahmen der Behandlungsplanung mit enossalen Implantaten.

In dental implantology axially symmetrical implant caps are increasingly used. In addition to bio-compatible material and an appropriate form of the implant a sufficient bearing arrangement for the implants is particularly decisive to guarantee the success of treatment. One of the main problems consists in the judgement of the bone alveolar ridge width because the covering mucosa may mask the real width. As a sure method ridge mapping is recommended for determining alveolar ridge width. In order to carry out ridge mapping a modified pair of bone compasses is introduced.

[The epidemiological correlations between mandibular dysfunctions and parafunctions]. / Untersuchungen über epidemiologische Zusammenhänge zwischen mandibulären Dysfunktionen und Parafunktionen.

In general as dominating aetiological parafunctions are considered to be the onset of mandibular dysfunctions. In general dental consulting hours this statement was checked and confirmed in patients who were not selected. According to the Helkimo index 20.8% of the patients showed subjective symptoms and 60.2% of the patients showed objective symptoms of mandibular dysfunctions. The rate of patients with parafunctions was growing with the increasing index of dysfunction.