Analysis of mandibular molar anatomy in Taiwanese individuals using cone beam computed tomography.

Background/purpose: Before periapical surgery in the mandibular posterior teeth is performed, the thicknesses of the buccal alveolar bone wall and buccolingual root might be a critical issue. This study aimed to assess the anatomical structure of the posterior region of the mandible in Taiwanese individuals using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and methods: The CBCT images of 96 Taiwanese individuals (51 male and 45 female), which included 192 mandibular first molars and 192 mandibular second molars, were imported into medical imaging software to measure the buccal alveolar bone thickness and buccolingual root thickness at 3 mm above the root apex. Statistical analysis was conducted to examine the impact of tooth position, gender, and age on the anatomical position of mandibular molars. Results: The buccal alveolar bone thickness at 3 mm above the root apex of the mandibular second molar demonstrates a significantly higher value when compared to that of the first molar. Nonetheless, concerning the buccolingual root thickness, no significant differences were observed between these two teeth. In addition, the buccal alveolar bone thickness and buccolingual root thickness at 3 mm above the root apex may not be influenced by gender and age. Conclusion: The anatomical structures of the posterior region of the mandible in Taiwanese individuals exhibited variations between the mandibular first and second molars. However, these differences were not influenced by gender or age.

Anesthetic efficacy of Gow-Gates versus inferior alveolar nerve block for irreversible pulpitis: a systematic quantitative review.

This review aimed to assess and compare the outcomes of the anesthetic efficacy of inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) and Gow-Gates mandibular nerve block (GGMNB) in patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. A descriptive systematic review of quantitative research was conducted wherein the "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA)" was adopted, and the Problem/Patient/Population, Intervention/Indicator, Comparison, Outcome (PICO) criteria were used to structure the research question. A literature search was performed using PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Ovid. Selection criteria were applied for populations over nine years of age, of either sex, with irreversible pulpitis, and articles published in English regarding conventional IANB or IANB and Gow-Gates techniques between 2009 and 2019. Prospective randomized clinical trials or randomized controlled trials were included in the review, in which anesthetic efficacy or success was measured. After screening, four articles were included. Three studies were randomized clinical trials, and two were randomized controlled trials. The validity and reliability of the individual studies were examined. There was evidence of the higher efficacy of the GGMNB technique than that of the IANB technique. However, both techniques can be mastered through training.

Clinical and Radiological Evaluation of Delayed and Early Loading of Single-Tooth Implant Placement: A 6-Month, Prospective, Randomized, Follow-up Clinical Study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to compare delayed and early loaded single-tooth implant technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized, prospective clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the clinical and radiological parameters of delayed and early loading of single-tooth implant placement. Fourteen male or female patients were selected randomly, who had single tooth missing in mandibular posterior region. A delayed implant placement technique was followed in these regions. A Hi-Tech implant (Life Care Implants) was performed. The patients were divided into two groups: delayed loading group and early loading group. In delayed loading groups, implants were loaded after 3 months, and in early loading groups, implants were loaded within 7 days to 2 months. Soft tissue and radiological bone loss were assessed at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. The parameters assessed were plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth, thickness of peri-implant mucosa, and bone loss (radiographically). RESULTS: The results show that there was no statistical difference in indexes taken between delayed loading and early loading groups. CONCLUSION: In this study, after first 6 months there was no difference in success rate between delayed loading or early loading of implants. This study also showed that more bone loss occurred around delayed loading implants. So it can be concluded that early loading technique can be successfully practiced instead of delayed loading of implants.

Relationship between the anatomic structures and mandibular posterior teeth for endodontic surgery in a Turkish population: a cone-beam computed tomographic analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between anatomic structures and mandibular posterior region using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in terms of endodontic surgery. METHODS: A total of 150 CBCT images were used to investigate the proximity of the anatomical structures and the mandibular posterior teeth. The buccal and lingual bone thickness overlying each root, buccolingual, and mesiodistal dimension of the roots were measured at the level of 3 mm apical resection, and the mental foramen (MF) distance to the premolar teeth and the distance of the mandibular canal (MC) to all the posterior teeth were measured. RESULTS: The thinnest part of the buccal cortical bone was measured in the first premolar teeth (1.70 mm) and in the mesial root of the first molar (2.25 mm) while the thickest region was measured in the distal root of the second molar tooth (6.95 mm). The maximum amount of substance to be removed was measured at the distal root of the second molar tooth (11.26 mm), and at least the first premolar tooth (5.52 mm) was measured for buccal resection. The distal root of the second molar tooth was found to be the closest tooth root to the MC with a mean of 2.75 mm, and the closest distance was measured as 0 mm. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to evaluate the parameters such as mandibular buccal and lingual bone thickness, location of the MC and the MF, and root size for atraumatic endodontic surgical approach. Evaluation of these data before endodontic surgery provides guidance to the clinician in the planning of endodontic surgery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The mandibular posterior region, which is difficult to reach with traditional surgical approach, is now easily reached using an operation microscope. For this reason, endodontic surgical procedures have become popular in mandibular posterior teeth. Therefore, the relationship between the mandibular posterior teeth and anatomical structures that are important in the planning of surgical access line is examined in this study.

Distances between mandibular posterior teeth and the WALA ridge in Peruvians with normal occlusion

ABSTRACT Objective: The purposes of this investigation were to determine the horizontal distances between the mandibular posterior teeth and the WALA ridge in a sample of Peruvians with normal occlusion and to compare them by tooth type, sex, arch side, and age groups. Methods: 65 dental casts of subjects with normal occlusion were collected. Posterior teeth, except for third molars, were evaluated. The horizontal distances between the occluso-gingival midpoints of the buccal surfaces (FA points) of each tooth and the WALA ridge were measured using a modified digital caliper. The values between each different tooth type within the sample were compared using the ANOVA and Scheffe tests, while comparisons by sex, arch side and age groups, using the Student's t-test. Results: The mean distances in the sample was 0.96 mm for first premolars, 1.45 mm for second premolars, 2.12 mm for first molars and 2.55 mm for second molars. Statistically significant differences between each of the four tooth types were found. There were no significant differences found between sex, arch side and age groups. Conclusion: The horizontal distances between the mandibular posterior teeth and the WALA ridge increased progressively from the first premolars to the second molars in Peruvians with normal occlusion. The WALA ridge was a good landmark to evaluate the positions of posterior teeth in Peruvians with normal occlusion.

RESUMO Objetivos: o objetivo dessa investigação foi determinar a distância horizontal entre os dentes posteroinferiores e a borda WALA, em uma amostra de peruanos com oclusão normal, e compará-la por tipo de dente, sexo, lado da arcada dentária e grupo etário. Métodos: foram selecionados 65 modelos dentários de indivíduos com oclusão normal, nos quais foram avaliados os dentes posteriores, com exceção dos terceiros molares. As distâncias horizontais entre o ponto oclusogengival médio da face vestibular (pontos EV) de cada dente e a borda WALA foram medidas utilizando-se um compasso digital modificado. Os testes de Scheffe e ANOVA foram usados para comparações entre os valores de cada tipo de dente estudado, enquanto o teste t de Student foi usado para as comparações entre sexos, lados da arcada e faixa etárias. Resultados: as distâncias médias nessa amostra foram de 0,96 mm para os primeiros pré-molares; 1,45 mm para os segundos pré-molares; 2,12 mm para os primeiros molares, e 2,55 mm para os segundos molares. Foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre cada um dos quatro tipos dentários. Não houve diferenças significativas entre os sexos, lados da arcada e grupos etários. Conclusão: nos peruanos com oclusão normal dessa amostra, as distâncias horizontais entre os dentes posteroinferiores e a borda WALA aumentaram progressivamente dos primeiros pré-molares para os segundos molares. Nesses pacientes, a borda WALA funcionou como um bom ponto de referência para se avaliar a posição dos dentes posteroinferiores.