Systemic propolis stimulates new bone formation at the expanded suture: a histomorphometric study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of systemically given propolis on the expanded premaxillary suture in a rat study model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 24 rats were randomly divided into three groups-only expansion (OE), expansion plus propolis (PRO), and nonexpansion (control) groups. After the 5-day expansion period was completed, the OE and PRO groups underwent 12 days of mechanical retention. At the end of this period, the animals were euthanatized and their pre-maxillae were dissected and fixed. Histomorphometric examination was performed to determine the number of osteoclasts, osteoblasts, and capillaries as well as the intensity of inflammatory cells and amount of new bone formation. RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed that the intensities of inflammatory cells, number of osteoblasts, and amount of new bone formation were greater in the PRO group than in the other groups. The PRO group also had more osteoclasts and new capillaries. CONCLUSION: Systemic use of propolis may hasten new bone formation at the expanded suture in rats.

Experience of maxillary sinus floor augmentation in the presence of antral pseudocysts.

Sinus floor elevation is increasingly being used with implant placement procedures. However, certain surgical difficulties can develop, such as sinus membrane perforation, bleeding, anatomic variations, or some pathologies of the maxillary sinus. Maxillary antral pseudocysts are one of the most common benign pathologies of the maxillary sinus. Although some investigators have described the presence of this pathology as a contraindication, recent reports have demonstrated that pseudocysts of the maxillary sinus are not a contraindication for sinus augmentation. In these reports, maxillary sinus augmentations related to antral pseudocyst experiences are presented.

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of oxaprozin and naproxen sodium after removal of impacted lower third molars: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study.

PURPOSE: In this study, oxaprozin, a long-acting nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and naproxen sodium were compared in terms of their effects on edema, pain, and trismus after surgery for impacted mandibular third molars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty healthy patients with bilaterally impacted mandibular third molars were included in this randomized, cross-over, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Patients were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 surgery groups and received postoperatively 1,200 mg oxaprozin, 550 mg naproxen sodium, or a placebo. Postoperative edema was measured with ultrasonography performed before and after surgery. Trismus was measured by comparison of preoperative and postoperative maximum interincisal mouth opening measurements by caliper. Pain was assessed by a visual analog scale (VAS) and by recording the number of rescue analgesic pills taken. RESULTS: After removal of impacted third molars, the patients administered oxaprozin and naproxen showed superior results over those given placebo in terms of pain parameters (P < .05), but these treatments had no statistically significant effect on facial swelling. Comparing the oxaprozin and naproxen groups, there were no differences in the mouth opening measurements, but naproxen showed a statistically superior effect over the placebo (P < .05). Although not statistically significant, oxaprozin showed a more pronounced effect in reducing trismus than did the placebo (P = .07). CONCLUSIONS: Administration of either oxaprozin or naproxen sodium during the postoperative period is effective and has similar effects in reducing pain but questionable benefit for the management of trismus. However, neither agent has clinical benefit in terms of reducing edema.