Association between condylar asymmetry and temporo- mandibular disorders using 3D-CT
Objectives: Using reconstructed three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) models, the purpose of this study was to analyze and compare mandibular condyle morphology in patients with and without temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Study Design: Thirty-two patients were divided into two groups: the first comprised those with TMD (n=18), and the second those who did not have TMD (n=14). A CT of each patient was obtained and reconstructed as a 3D model. The 64 resulting 3D condylar models were evaluated for possible TMD-associated length, width and height asymmetries of the condylar process. Descriptive statistics were used to assess the results and student’s t tests applied to compare the tw…
Diagnostic of craniofacial asymmetry : literature review
Facial asymmetry is a common feature in many syndromes, and requires surgery as the only valid treatment option. Routine diagnostic methods (frontal RX, panoramic RX and submentovertex RX) have serious limitations mainly due to the transfer from a three dimensional image to a two dimensional plane. The feasibility of such methods is poorly supported due to inherent projection errors (image magnification, cranial rotation) and identification errors (image quality, precision and reproducibility). The use of computer tomographies represents a substantial improvement in the sense of skeletal and soft tissue structures? reproduction precision. The interpretation of this new data source makes evi…
Confocal microscopy: a valid approach to evaluate the three-dimensional characteristics of root-end cavities
Objective: To analyze, using confocal microscope, the three-dimensional characteristics of the root-end cavity preparations completed in root apices of extracted teeth determining their area, perimeter, circularity and cavo-surface angle. Study design: Thirty-two single-rooted extracted teeth underwent endodontic treatment and apical resection. Root-end cavities were prepared according to 4 protocols, as follows: Group1, stainless steel ultrasonic tips (SST) at 33 KHz power; Group 2, SST at 30 KHz power; Group 3, diamond-coated ultrasonic tips (DCT) at 30 KHz power; and Group 4, DCT at 33 KHz power. Finally, root-end cavity was evaluated using a confocal microscope, recording its area, peri…
Comparative trial between the use of amoxicillin and amoxicillin clavulanate in the removal of third molars
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the use of amoxicillin (1g) vs amoxicillin and clavulanate (875/125mg) after extraction of retained third molars for prevention of infectious complications. Study Design: The study involved 546 patients attending for removal a retained third molar and divided in to two groups: Group 1 - amoxicillin and clavunate (875/125mg) group (n=257) and Group 2 - amoxicillin (1g) group (n=289). All patients were recalled for investigating the possibility of infection, presence of diarrhea and further analgesic intake. Results: From a total of 546 patients, the frequency of infection was 1.4%, without no statistically differences be - tween the two gr…