Physicochemical and biocompatibility characterisation of a 3D lyophilised platelet-rich fibrin scaffold for cleft lip and palate repair.

Craniofacial bone defects result from various disorders such as trauma, congenital malformations and infections. Cleft lip and palate are the most prevalent congenital craniofacial birth defect in humans. Growth factors (GFs) are soluble proteins secreted by cells that regulate various cellular processes and tissue regeneration.

Assessing Head Acceleration Events in Female Community Rugby Union Players: A Cohort Study Using Instrumented Mouthguards.

Background: The rapid growth of women's rugby union has underscored the need for female-specific player welfare protocols, particularly regarding the risk of head injuries. Instrumented mouthguards (iMGs) play a vital role in gathering comprehensive data on head acceleration events (HAEs), including their frequency, magnitude, and spatial distribution during games and training. By doing so, iMGs offer valuable context for circumstances in women's matches that may increase player risk.

Effect of Advanced Platelet-Rich Fibrin (A-PRF) on Postoperative Level of Pain and Swelling Following Third Molar Surgery.

Background: Postoperative pain and swelling following third molar (M3) removal can be debilitating, and there is interest in using advanced platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF) to reduce their severity.

Purpose: This study compared postoperative pain and swelling between A-PRF and gelatin dressing in extraction sockets following mandibular M3 removal.

Methods, Setting, Sample: This split-mouth, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial was completed at the Oral Surgery clinic of University of Otago between November 2020 and July 2021.

Influence of the frame of reference on head acceleration events recorded by instrumented mouthguards in community rugby players.

Objectives: To highlight the need for standardisation in the communication of head impact telemetry from instrumented mouthguards (iMG). The purpose of this study is to examine how the frame of reference for reporting head acceleration events (HAE) may affect the interpretation of head impacts recorded from iMGs in community rugby players.

Methods: An analytical investigation of 825 video verified HAEs recorded from male community players during 5 rugby match exposures.

Trends in maxillofacial fractures in Otago-Southland, New Zealand: 2009 to 2020.

Aims: Fractures to the maxillofacial region can have a serious impact on quality of life. The over-representation of males in the occurrence of almost all types and mechanisms of these injuries has tended to divert attention away from maxillofacial fractures in females. This study aimed to describe trends in maxillofacial trauma in a New Zealand tertiary trauma centre over a 12 year period, with a particular focus on gender differences.

Lyophilised Platelet-Rich Fibrin: Physical and Biological Characterisation.

Background: Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) has gained popularity in craniofacial surgery, as it provides an excellent reservoir of autologous growth factors (GFs) that are essential for bone regeneration. However, the low elastic modulus, short-term clinical application, poor storage potential and limitations in emergency therapy use restrict its more widespread clinical application. This study fabricates lyophilised PRF (Ly-PRF), evaluates its physical and biological properties, and explores its application for craniofacial tissue engineering purposes.

Potential of Lyophilized Platelet Concentrates for Craniofacial Tissue Regenerative Therapies.

Objective: The use of platelet concentrates (PCs) in oral and maxillofacial surgery, periodontology, and craniofacial surgery has been reported. While PCs provide a rich reservoir of autologous bioactive growth factors for tissue regeneration, their drawbacks include lack of utility for long-term application, low elastic modulus and strength, and limited storage capability. These issues restrict their broader application.

An Investigation on the Correlation between the Mechanical Properties of Human Skull Bone, Its Geometry, Microarchitectural Properties, and Water Content.

With increasingly detailed imaging and mechanical analysis, modalities need arises to update methodology and assessment criteria for skull bone analysis to understand how bone microarchitecture and the presence of attached tissues may affect the response to mechanical load. The main aim was to analyze the effect of macroscopic and microstructural features, as well as periosteal attachment, on the mechanical properties of human skull bone. Fifty-six skull specimens from ethanol-phenoxyethanol-embalmed cadavers were prepared from two human cadavers.

A biomechanical comparison between human calvarial bone and a skull simulant considering the role of attached periosteum and dura mater.

Purpose: Current forensic analysis of blunt force trauma relies on the use of cadaveric or animal tissues, posing ethical and reproducibility concerns. Artificial substitutes may help overcome such issues. However, existing substitutes exhibit poor anatomic and mechanical biofidelity, especially in the choice of skull simulant material.

Mechanical properties of the human scalp in tension.

Mechanical properties of the human scalp have not been investigated to a great extent with limited information available. The purpose of this study was to provide new baseline material data for human scalp tissue of various ages, which can be applied to experimental and constitutive models, such as in the area of impact biomechanics. This study used specimens from the left and right temporal, fronto-parietal and occipital regions of the human scalp.

Elastic behavior of brain simulants in comparison to porcine brain at different loading velocities.

Blunt force impacts to the head and the resulting internal force transmission to the brain and other cranial tissue are difficult to measure. To model blunt force impact scenarios, the compressive properties resembling tissue elasticity are of importance. Therefore, this study investigated and compared the elastic behavior of gelatin, alginate, agar/glycerol and agar/glycerol/water simulant materials to that of porcine brain in a fresh and unfixed condition.

Efficacy of Codeine When Added to Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) and Ibuprofen for Relief of Postoperative Pain After Surgical Removal of Impacted Third Molars: A Double-Blinded Randomized Control Trial.

Purpose: The use of opioids in combination with nonopioids is common practice for acute pain management after third molar surgery. One such combination is paracetamol, ibuprofen, and codeine. The authors assessed the efficacy of codeine when added to a regimen of paracetamol and ibuprofen for pain relief after third molar surgery.

Surgical management in dentistry: the interdisciplinary relationship between periodontology and oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Surgical procedures of the oral cavity can be performed by a number of dental specialists and clinicians. Because of the limited number of surgical procedures that can be performed inside the oral cavity, the boundaries between specialties may become indistinct and lead to confusion for general dentists in terms of patient referrals. In this article, what the two surgical specialties of dentistry (i.

Investigation of the elastic modulus, tensile and flexural strength of five skull simulant materials for impact testing of a forensic skin/skull/brain model.

Conducting in vitro research for forensic, impact and injury simulation modelling generally involves the use of a skull simulant with mechanical properties similar to those found in the human skull. For this study epoxy resin, fibre filled epoxy resin, 3D-printing filaments (PETG, PLA) and self-cure acrylic denture base resin were used to fabricate the specimens (n=20 per material group), according to ISO 527-2 IBB and ISO20795-1. Tensile and flexural testing in a universal testing machine was used to measure their tensile/flexural elastic modulus and strength.

Use of agar/glycerol and agar/glycerol/water as a translucent brain simulant for ballistic testing.

The suitability of agar/glycerol/water and agar/glycerol mixtures as brain simulants was investigated. Test specimens (n=15) (50x27×37mm) were fabricated for these different mixtures and conditioned to 12°C, 22°C, and 26°C prior to testing. For comparison, fresh deer brain specimens (n=20) were sourced and prepared to the same dimensions as the agar/glycerol(/water) mixtures and conditioned to 12°C and 37°C.

Health conditions in a cohort of New Zealand Vietnam veterans: hospital admissions between 1988 and 2009.

Objectives: To inform the provision of support to veterans by analysing hospital discharge data, thereby identifying which conditions show an excess risk, require specific management strategies and deserve further investigation.

Setting: Tertiary level care, including all public and private New Zealand hospitals.

Participants: All New Zealand Vietnam veterans with service between 1964 and 1972.

Damage control surgery and combat-related maxillofacial and cervical injuries: a systematic review.

Damage control surgery involves rapid assessment, life-saving resuscitation, and abbreviated surgery for a patient with severe injuries. Traditionally the concept of damage control surgery has been restricted to penetrating abdominal injuries, but more recently it has been expanded to areas outside of the abdomen including the maxillofacial and neck regions. However, we know of little evidence that, when applied to injuries to the face and neck, it changes outcomes.

Investigation of dental materials as skin simulants for forensic skin/skull/brain model impact testing.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to measure the tear strength and hardness of four different dental silicones in comparison to that of porcine skin.

Methods: Specimens were prepared (n = 20/group) according to ASTM D624-00, using three hydrophilic vinyl polysiloxane impression materials, one duplication silicone, and fresh porcine skin. A universal testing machine was used to strain each test specimen until complete rupture and calculate its tear strength (kNm(-1)).

Post-operative complications following dental extractions at the School of Dentistry, University of Otago.

Objectives: To determine the frequency and correlates associations of post-extraction complications at a dental school.

Design: Retrospective review of patient records.

Setting: Exodontia clinic at the School of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin.

The thickness of parietal bones in a new zealand sample of cadaveric skulls in relation to calvarial bone graft.

Objectives To evaluate the average thickness of the parietal bones in their different regions to identify the ideal site(s) for calvarial bone graft harvest. Methods and Materials Thickness of the parietal bones of 25 wet cranial vaults of New Zealand European origin was measured in 135 different locations using an electronic caliper. Analyses to identify the ideal harvest sites were conducted so that the sites fit the features of an ideal harvest site described in the literature as: (1) 6 mm of minimum thickness and (2) 2 cm away from the midline.

The mortality and cancer experience of New Zealand Vietnam war veterans: a cohort study.

Objectives: The aim was to observe the patterns of mortality and cancer incidence in New Zealand Vietnam veterans. The objectives were to assess whether the patterns of disease observed were consistent with those associated with military service in Vietnam, and similar to the patterns identified in other groups of Vietnam veterans.

Design: A historical cohort study.

Combat body armor and injuries to the head, face, and neck region: a systematic review.

There has been a reported increase in combat-related head, face, and neck (HFN) injuries among service personnel wearing combat body armor (CBA) that have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Modern ceramic plate CBA has decreased the incidence of fatal-penetrating injuries to the torso but offers no protection to the limbs and face which remain exposed to gunshot wounds and fragments from explosive devices. The aim of this review was to systematically summarize the literature reporting on HFN injuries sustained by combat personnel wearing CBA and to highlight recommendations for increased protection to the facial region.

Common medications among dental outpatients: considerations in general dental practice.

Objectives: To provide information about the most common medications listed as being taken by dental patients presenting to an outpatient setting at a tertiary institution and to establish a list of the most common medications for review for the general dental practitioner.

Methods: A retrospective review was undertaken of 300 dental outpatient notes chosen from patients seen in the urgent dental care and exodontia clinics at the School of Dentistry in Dunedin. Data were recorded on patient age, medication list reported at the time of presentation and the number of medications.