Comparative Evaluation of Primary Stability of Two Different Types of Orthodontic Mini-Implants.

BACKGROUND: The mini-implants introduced new possibilities of adequate anchorage in orthodontics. Furthermore, due to its small size, it can even be placed at relatively difficult sites with ease. Removal torque should be high to prevent implant unscrewing. OBJECTIVE: This prospective clinical trial was aimed to evaluate the insertion torque and removal torque of single-threaded and double-threaded cylindrical orthodontic mini-implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 36 cases were randomly divided into two groups, with an equal number of patients in each group (n = 18). In Group 1 single-threaded cylindrical mini-implant was placed, and in the other group, cylindrical implants with double-threaded were placed. Maximum insertion torque (MIT) and maximum removal torques (MRTs) were recorded for both groups. Data collected were subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS: MIT was found to be significantly higher than MRT for both the groups and between the groups. Intergroup comparison in the present study showed significantly higher values for MIT than MRT. Intergroup comparison of MIT showed more values for Group 2 as compared to Group 1. Similar statistically significant values were seen in terms with MRT, where double-threaded cylindrical mini-implants had more torque value than the other group. CONCLUSIONS: Orthodontic mini screws represent effective temporary anchorage devices. Double-threaded cylindrical mini-implants have significantly higher insertion and removal torque than single-threaded mini-implants and hence better stability.

Comparative Evaluation of Marginal Bone Loss and Implant Failure Rate in Smokers and Nonsmokers.

BACKGROUND: Smoking impose various ill-effects on the alveolar bone concerning dental implants including reduced bone height, delayed healing of bone, poor peri-implant bone formation, increased bone loss, and peri-implantitis. AIMS: The present clinical trial was aimed to analyze the smoking effect on dental implant survival rate as well as marginal bone loss in dental implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of 86 patients, Group I had 43 patients who were smokers and Group II had nonsmokers. Following the implant placement, marginal bone loss radiographically and mobility were assessed clinically at 3, 6, and 12 months after implant loading. RESULTS: The mean marginal loss seen in smokers at 3 months was 2.13 ± 0.21, 2.46 ± 0.09, 2.60 ± 0.0.92, and 2.74 ± 0.11 for maxillary anterior, maxillary posterior, mandibular anterior, and mandibular posterior regions, respectively. The 12-month recall visit showed a higher proportion of smokers having implant mobility. In smokers, 13.95% (n = 6) of the study participants had implant mobility, whereas 6.97% (n = 3) of the nonsmokers had mobility. CONCLUSION: Smoking is associated with long-term implant failure which is directly proportional to the duration ad frequency of smoking. Furthermore, smoking has a detrimental effect on dental implants and its surrounding bone.

Management of Internal Disc Derangement Using Normal Saline and Sodium Hyaluronate: A Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: Arthrocentesis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the unadorned form of surgical therapy which comprises of lavage of inflammatory enzymes and mediators and improve joint mobility and eliminate pain by pressure of the lavage solution in the upper compartment of TMJ. OBJECTIVES: The current study was conducted to assess and compare the effectiveness of arthrocentesis with normal saline alone and in conjunction with sodium hyaluronate (SH) injection in the treatment of internal derangement of the TMJ. METHODOLOGY: Sixty patients with internal derangement of the TMJ were randomly divided into two equal groups; Group 1 was performed with normal saline and Group 2 with normal saline followed by 1 ml of SH. The patients were followed up after 1 week to check for any postoperative complications and 1, 2, and 3 months for subsequent sessions and changes in subjective and objective variables. RESULTS: The increase in mouth opening from preoperative to 3 months' postoperatively was 4.9 mm for Group 1 and 6.43 mm for Group 2. The change in the pain score (visual analogue scale scale) in Group 1 from the preoperative session to 3 months' follow-up was 7.23-4.1 and in Group 2 was 7.36-3.7. The difference in clicking/popping in Group 1 from preoperative session to 3 months' follow-up was 2.43-1 and in Group 2 was 2.4-0.53. CONCLUSION: Patients refractory to conservative treatment showed promising results with arthrocentesis with SH than arthrocentesis alone in treatment of TMJ internal derangement.

Bone Graft and Intraosseous Anchorage of Dental Implants for Reconstruction of the Residual Alveolar Ridge.

BACKGROUND: Bone grafting aims at better dental implant osseointegration and preserves the remaining alveolar bone in the socket. The success of various bone grafting materials plays a vital role in assessing future implant function. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The present clinical trial was aimed at evaluating the results of guided bone regeneration (GBR) with and without the bioresorbable membrane in the dental implant placement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 20 patients were divided into two groups (n = 10). First was Group I- GBR with bioresorbable collagen membrane (BioGide™) and second was Group II- GBR without membrane. Bone gain and bone levels were analyzed for both groups. All the collected data were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: For Group I, bone levels at baseline were nonsignificant (P = 0.2188) Similarly, nonsignificant values were seen in both groups at 3 months with bone level values of 0.25 ± 0.17 and 0.38 ± 0.24 for Group I and Group II, respectively. Changes in the bone levels were found to be 2.45 ± 0.349 and 2.58 ± 0.304 from Group I and II, respectively, inferring the nonsignificant difference with P value of 0.3723. The percentage of bone gain for intergroup at the end of 3 months was 89.15% ±0.678 for Group I and 88.68% ± 0.503%; these values were statistically nonsignificant (P = 0.982). CONCLUSION: Nonsignificant difference was observed between the two groups with and without membrane in terms of changes in bone level, percentage of bone gain, and bone defect reduction. This study concludes that the use of bone grafts significantly improves residual alveolar ridge irrespective of membrane used.

Psychological Impact on Maxillofacial Trauma Patients - An Observational Study.

Facial disfigurement due to trauma is very common as the face is a prominent part of the body and is susceptible to injuries. A protocol for the diagnosis and intervention for psychological problems of trauma patients should be implemented in the Indian hospitals as they lack policies for assessing the mental status of such patients. This study was conducted to analyze and determine the psychological implications and need for mental health services of maxillofacial trauma patients. Fifty patients with maxillofacial trauma above 18 years of age were included in this study. The assessment was done using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Trauma Screening Questionnaire (TSQ), which are considered as the standard tools for assessment of psychological disorders post-trauma. We observed psychological stress in 84% of the patients at the baseline, which reduced to 24% after one month at the first follow-up visit and further reduced to 22% at the second follow-up visit. The reduction in the percentage from the first to the second follow-up visit was less significant. However, the change in HADS and TSQ scores was found to be significant, suggesting that the intensity of trauma decreases with the time-lapse. Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress are prevalent in patients with maxillofacial trauma, which may lead to impaired day-to-day life. Our results suggest that there is a need for psychological care in patients with maxillofacial trauma.