Use of 3D cartilage scaffolds for the stabilization of implants and bone regeneration with the fit-lock technique.

The surgical procedures for implant applications on the lateral-upper areas depend on sinus pneumatization and availability of the residual bone. In these cases, autologous bone grafting remains the gold standard. Nevertheless, because of the morbidity associated to the donor site and the post-surgical complications, several alternative bone substitutes have been introduced, which, however, imply additional costs and show limited osteoinductive properties. Such limitations can be compensated with new regeneration strategies for biological and mechanical tissue restoration, a subject which has been addressed by tissue engineering in recent years. The authors present a new therapeutic option for implant application in the upper maxilla with bone availability less than 4 mm by using 3D scaffolds obtained from antigen-free porcine cartilage in the fit-lock technique. A longitudinal study on 18 consecutive cases was performed, with a 95.2% success rate one year after the implant. The advantages of this new technique are: 1) Functional and anatomical recovery of the maxillary antrum, 2) Immediate application of the implants; 3) Reduction of surgical times; 4) Absence of patient morbidity; 5) Local anesthesia; 6) Use of implants with a diameter > 4 mm.

Use of 3D cartilage scaffolds for the stabilization of implants and bone regeneration with the fit-lock technique. / Use of 3D cartilage scaffolds for the stabilization of implants and bone regeneration with the fit-lock technique.

The surgical procedures for implant applications on the lateral-upper areas depend on sinus pneumatization and availability of the residual bone. In these cases, autologous bone grafting remains the gold standard. Nevertheless, because of the morbidity associated to the donor site and the post-surgical complications, several alternative bone substitutes have been introduced, which, however, imply additional costs and show limited osteoinductive properties. Such limitations can be compensated with new regeneration strategies for biological and mechanical tissue restoration, a subject which has been addressed by tissue engineering in recent years. The authors present a new therapeutic option for implant application in the upper maxilla with bone availability less than 4 mm by using 3D scaffolds obtained from antigen-free porcine cartilage in the fit-lock technique. A longitudinal study on 18 consecutive cases was performed, with a 95.2

success rate one year after the implant. The advantages of this new technique are: 1) Functional and anatomical recovery of the maxillary antrum, 2) Immediate application of the implants; 3) Reduction of surgical times; 4) Absence of patient morbidity; 5) Local anesthesia; 6) Use of implants with a diameter > 4 mm.

De la sonrisa al apoyo plantar / From smile to soles rest

Los desórdenes temporomandibulares (DTM), comprenden el conjunto de condiciones patológicas de la articulación temporomandibular (ATM), los músculos masticatorios y lasestructuras a ellos asociadas (Academia Americana de Dolor Orofacial). Desde el punto de vista clínico se produce con cuadros dolorosos disfuncionales específi cos y asociados al sistemacráneo-cérvico-mandibular (dolor de cabeza, dolor de cuello, dolor de oído, braquialgia) y, a menudo, el clínico se enfrenta con dudas diagnósticas (Rauhala et al., 1999). Aunque lacorrelación entre los trastornos temporomandibulares y la disfunción postural es un tema controvertido dentro de las distintas comunidades científi cas, todos los investigadores aceptan que ya no se considera a la boca como un órgano en sí mismo, sino parte de una entidad más compleja.El refinamiento de las técnicas, el advenimiento de nuevos medios diagnósticos para la investigación -como la plataforma estabilométrica y el examen electrognatográfi co- han permitido comenzar a comprender cuál es la relación existente entre el sistema estomatognático y otras áreas del cuerpo. Los autores describen el método de registro estabilométrico en pacientes con disfunción temporomandibular y dolor orofacial, para determinar la interferencia estomatognática en elequilibrio, a fi n de tener el plan y las prioridades para el tratamiento.