Periodontal Status as Mediator of the Association between Socioeconomic Status and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Pregnant Women.

OBJECTIVE: To test periodontal status as a mediator between socioeconomic status (SES) and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in pregnant women. BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN: Secondary cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a randomised clinical trial with 303 pregnant women. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic variables, SES, smoking, interproximal hygiene, and self-reported gingival bleeding were collected as independent variables. The Oral Health Impact Profile-14 was used to assess OHRQoL. The relationship between SES, periodontal status and OHRQoL was investigated in structural equation modelling. RESULTS: There was a moderate association of SES with periodontal status (standardised coefficient SC = -0.26, p⟨0.01) and number of teeth (SC = 0.24, p⟨0.01). Periodontal status and the number of teeth were also associated with OHRQoL (respectively, SC = 0.25, p⟨0.01 and SC = -0.31, p⟨0.01), but SES was only indirectly related to OHRQoL (SC = -0.17, p⟨0.01). Socioeconomic inequalities in quality of life were mainly explained by the remaining number of teeth, contributing to about 47%, and periodontal status, contributing to about 41%. CONCLUSIONS: There was no direct effect of SES on OHRQoL in pregnant women. Periodontal status and missing teeth each explained almost half of the total indirect association.

In vitro study of a modified sagittal split osteotomy fixation technique of the mandible: a mechanical test.

This study was performed to evaluate the compressive mechanical strength of rigid internal fixation (RIF) using 1.5-mm L-shaped plates fixed with monocortical screws in sagittal split osteotomy (SSO). Thirty synthetic hemimandibles, which had all undergone a 5-mm advancement, were divided into three groups: three 12-mm bicortical titanium screws were placed in an inverted L pattern in group A; one straight 2.0-mm system spaced titanium plate fixed with four 5-mm monocortical screws was used in group B; two 1.5-mm system L-shaped titanium plates, each fixed with four 5-mm monocortical screws, were used in group C. The models were subjected to compressive and progressive mechanical tests with forces applied in the area between the second premolar and first molar to verify resistance in Newtons (N). A displacement speed of 1mm/min was applied, with a maximum 10mm displacement of the distal segment or until disruption of the fixation. The deformity and/or eventual rupture of the plates were evaluated, and consequently their technical stability was determined. The results showed that the modified fixation technique tested in this study on synthetic mandibles resulted in adequate stability and superior mechanical behaviour compared to simulated osteosynthesis with the use of a straight 2.0-mm titanium plate.

Complications associated with the treatment of fractures of the dentate portion of the mandible in paediatric patients: a systematic review.

This study aimed to answer the following question: What is the best treatment option for fractures of the dentate portion of the mandible in paediatric patients when considering the occurrence of postoperative complications? A systematic literature review was done using the PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases, and 1186 articles on the topic were found. Twelve of these articles were included in the final review after the full texts had been read. A sample of 178 paediatric patients was obtained. In the six cases in which treatment was surgery with titanium plate fixation, there were no postoperative complications, whereas in the 141 cases in which treatment was surgery with biodegradable plates, there were 12 postoperative complications, and in the 31 cases in which treatment was non-surgical, there were three postoperative complications. A connection between the best treatment and the number of postoperative complications in fractures of the dentate portion of the mandible in paediatric patients could not be established; however, the occurrence of postoperative complications was low for both surgical and non-surgical treatments.

Complications associated with inferior alveolar nerve repositioning for dental implant placement: a systematic review.

Inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) repositioning has been used widely in recent years as an alternative approach for dental implant placement in the atrophic posterior mandible. The aim of this study was to answer the question: What are the complications associated with IAN repositioning? A systematic literature review performed in accordance with the PRISMA statement, using the PubMed (MEDLINE), Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases, identified a total of 116 articles related to this technique. Of those articles, 24 were included in the final review. Lateralization was the chosen technique in seven studies, transposition in 15 studies, and two studies reported both techniques. The longest follow-up period was 49.1 months and the shortest 6 months. Of the patients who underwent lateralization, 95.9% initially showed a neurosensory disturbance, and the condition remained at the end of the study for 3.4% of those patients. With regard to the patients who underwent transposition, neurosensory alterations were observed in 58.9% of patients initially, and the condition remained for 22.1% of those affected at the end of the study. Only one study found no neurosensory disturbance at any time. More data consolidation is necessary to determine scientifically if, which, and when the IAN repositioning technique can be recommended.

Aesthetic and functional implications following rotation of the maxillomandibular complex in orthognathic surgery: a systematic review.

The manipulation of the maxillomandibular complex (MMC) in orthognathic surgery has been used widely in the treatment of dentofacial deformities so as to optimize aesthetic and functional results, making these more stable in the long term. The aim of the present study was to perform a systematic literature review of the aesthetic and functional implications following rotation of the occlusal plane in orthognathic surgery, by evaluating skeletal stability, facial harmony, respiratory function, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) function after clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the MMC. A survey of Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane databases was performed through which 10 papers were selected for the final review. From this review, it could be concluded that facial aesthetics, TMJ function, and skeletal and occlusal stability in the orthosurgical treatment of dentofacial deformities may be influenced by the surgical manipulation of the MMC (clockwise or counterclockwise rotation). However, although this treatment technique is used widely today, the results of the present study do not provide sufficient scientific evidence with regard to the choice of this approach.

Postoperative infection associated with mandibular angle fracture treatment in the presence of teeth on the fracture line: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aim of this review was to answer the question: Which is the best procedure to follow when there is tooth involvement in the line of mandibular angle fracture, taking into consideration the occurrence of postoperative infection? A systematic literature review using the PubMed (MEDLINE), Virtual Health Library (VHL), Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases was done, and a total of 1007 articles were found. Among these, 13 articles were included in the final review after the papers were read. A series of 1542 mandibular angle fractures with the presence of teeth in the fracture line was obtained. Of 788 cases where the tooth was removed, a postoperative infection occurred in 84 cases; of 754 cases where the tooth was retained, postoperative infection also occurred in 84 cases. Through this review it was observed that there was no significant statistical difference between removing or retaining the tooth in the line of fracture and the occurrence of postoperative infection.