Outcome of combined orthodontic-surgical treatment in a United Kingdom university dental institute.

INTRODUCTION: This retrospective observational cohort study evaluated effectiveness of combined orthodontic-orthognathic surgical treatment in a UK University Dental Institute. METHODS: Patients were identified from a database maintained prospectively throughout a 5-year period of observation. Demographic and clinical data included age, malocclusion, Index of Treatment Need, Index of Orthognathic Functional Treatment Need, orthodontist, surgeon, surgical procedure and treatment-time. Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) scores were generated from pre- and post-treatment dental study casts by a single calibrated examiner. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty two subjects began treatment during the period of observation, 92 completed, 14 elected to discontinue before surgery and 56 remained in treatment. Outcome data were available for 73, 16 males and 57 females (mean age 23.28 [SD, 7.92] years). Within this sample, 33 (45.2%) presented with class II division 1, 6 (8.2%) with class II division 2 and 34 (46.6%) with class III malocclusion. Isolated maxillary and mandibular surgery was carried out in 3 (4.1%) and 24 cases (32.8%), respectively; bimaxillary surgery was performed in 46 (63.1%). Mean total treatment time in fixed appliances was 920.28 days (30.7 months). Mean pre-treatment PAR score was 39.09 [SD, 9.42] and post-treatment 5.86 [SD, 4.25] with a mean 83.7% PAR score reduction, representing a greatly improved occlusal result. Kruskal-Wallis testing found no evidence of any relationship between independent variables and percentage PAR reduction; however, surgeon identity did significantly influence treatment length (P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: This investigation demonstrates that in terms of static occlusion combined orthodontic-orthognathic surgery is effective in correcting severe malocclusion.

Bioactive-glass in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

The use of synthetic materials to repair craniofacial defects is increasing today and will increase further in the future. Because of the complexity of the anatomy in the head and neck region, reconstruction and augmentation of this area pose a challenge to the surgeon. This review discusses key facts and applications of traditional reconstruction bone substitutes, also offering comparative information. It then describes the properties and clinical applications of bioactive-glass (B-G) and its variants in oral and maxillofacial surgery, and provides clinical findings. The discussion of each compound includes a description of its composition and structure, the advantages and shortcomings of the material, and its current uses in the field of osteoplastic and reconstructive surgery. With a better understanding of the available alloplastic implants, the surgeon can make a more informed decision as to which implant would be most suitable in a particular patient.

Surgical correction of cleft lip and palate.

Surgical cleft repair aims to restore function of the oro-nasal sphincter and oro-nasal soft tissues and re-establish the complex relationship between perioral and perinasal muscle rings without compromising subsequent mid-facial growth and development. Here we review the surgical anatomy of this region, optimal timing for surgical repair and current thinking on the use of surgical adjuncts. In addition, an overview of current surgical techniques available for the repair of cleft lip, cleft palate and velopharyngeal insufficiency is presented. Finally, we briefly discuss nasal revision surgery and the use of osteotomy, including distraction osteogenesis in the cleft patient.

The impact of idealised facial images on satisfaction with facial appearance: comparing 'ideal' and 'average' faces.

OBJECTIVES: Recent work has demonstrated that female orthognathic patients display more dissatisfaction with their facial appearance after viewing idealised images of facial photographs, than do controls. Patients may request orthognathic surgery because they hope to improve their appearance to conform with ideals portrayed in the mass media, and these hopes may not be realistic. Patients who demonstrate certain personality traits are more likely to hold such hopes. The current study sought to identify the role of dental status (orthognathic patient versus control), personality traits and media images in dissatisfaction with facial appearance. METHODS: Female patients and controls completed a bank of personality measures and then gave repeated measures of satisfaction with their facial appearance after viewing images of 'ideal' and 'average' women. RESULTS: Neither group showed any change in satisfaction with appearance after viewing either set of images. Patients showed lower satisfaction with facial appearance than controls, but did not differ on other personality measures. CONCLUSIONS: Viewing 'ideal' images of other women has no significant impact on satisfaction with appearance compared to viewing images of 'average' women. These results may help inform the development of a psycho-educational intervention to protect women against the negative effects of viewing idealised images in the media.

Case report: dental infection leading to orbital cellulitis.

UNLABELLED: Orbital cellulitis is a rare but serious sequel of infection from a dental origin. Without prompt treatment, further spread of infection is likely to occur, resulting in loss of vision and possibly death. We report a case of orbital cellulitis secondary to infection originating in a recently endodontically-treated upper first molar tooth. The case was successfully treated by intravenous antibiotics. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Odontogenic causes of orbital cellulitis and sinusitis should always be considered in the differential diagnosis. The importance of aggressive treatment of infections in maxillary teeth cannot be over emphasized. Correct diagnosis is vital to the success of therapy.