Adhesive Hydrogels for Maxillofacial Tissue Regeneration Using Minimally Invasive Procedures.

Minimally invasive surgical procedures aiming to repair damaged maxillofacial tissues are hampered by its small, complex structures and difficult surgical access. Indeed, while arthroscopic procedures that deliver regenerative materials and/or cells are common in articulating joints such as the knee, there are currently no treatments that surgically place cells, regenerative factors or materials into maxillofacial tissues to foster bone, cartilage or muscle repair. Here, hyaluronic acid (HA)-based hydrogels are developed, which are suitable for use in minimally invasive procedures, that can adhere to the surrounding tissue, and deliver cells and potentially drugs.

Matrix-associated chondrocyte transplantation for reconstruction of articulating surfaces in the temporomandibular joint: a pilot study covering medium- and long-term outcomes of 6 patients.

Objective: Matrix-associated chondrocyte transplantation is routinely used in joints of the extremities but not in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

Study Design: We report the first case series in 7 patients of a tissue engineering approach to regenerate severely degraded articulating surfaces in the TMJ by simultaneously completely resurfacing both the mandibular condyle and the articular eminence/glenoid fossa with a commercially available collagen sponge seeded with autologous cells stabilized within a fibrin matrix. To facilitate healing, we temporarily employed a silicone membrane to protect the engineered tissues.

The frequency of dental abscesses increases in periods of low barometric pressure.

Bioclimatic conditions are thought to have an impact on the frequency of dental abscesses but previous studies have suffered from small patient cohorts, methodological obstacles, and restriction to a single site resulting in limited geographic and meteorological variability. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of environmental temperature and barometric pressure on the frequency of dental abscesses. Three maxillofacial and two dental clinics in Vienna retrospectively provided a total of 19,218 patients with dentoalveolar abscesses who were treated by intraoral incision between 1998 and 2011.

Management and outcome of condylar fractures in children and adolescents: a review of the literature.

Objective: The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive review of all kinds of case reports and clinical studies focusing on management and outcome of mandibular condylar fractures (CFs) in children and adolescents.

Study Design: A PubMed search of the international literature was done, completed by an additional hand search based on the available references of the publications found.

Results: In total, 73 articles were included in this review: 7 case reports and 2 retrospective clinical studies regarding surgical management, 1 publication with case reports, 1 prospective and 3 retrospective clinical studies comparing operative and conservative treatment, 20 publications with case reports, and 35 retrospective and 4 prospective clinical studies dealing with conservative management of CFs in children and adolescents.

Expression of VEGF-receptors in TMJ synovium of rabbits with experimentally induced internal derangement.

Our aim was to evaluate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs) in the synovium of the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) of rabbits with experimentally induced internal derangement. Internal derangement was experimentally induced in 52 rabbit TMJ, and established on the right side of TMJ while the left side was used as the control. Each joint and its control was evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and endoscopy.

Arthroscopic treatment for intra-articular adhesions of the temporomandibular joint.

Purpose: To introduce arthroscopic surgery of intra-articulator adhesion of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) upper compartment and evaluate its effect.

Patients And Methods: One hundred forty-two patients (159 joints) with intra-articular adhesions confirmed by arthroscope were treated with lysis of the adhesions, intra-articular cleanup surgery, or capsule radiofrequency catheter ablation. One hundred ten patients (123 joints) with disc displacement were treated with the disc repositioning and suturing technique.

Application of rapid prototyping for temporomandibular joint reconstruction.

Purpose: To introduce the preliminary application of rapid prototyping (RP) for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgery.

Materials And Methods: This study included 11 consecutive patients (13 joints) seeking TMJ replacement. All patients had previously undergone 3-dimensional computed tomography (CT) scanning (0.

Clinical evaluation of tele-endoscopy using UMTS cellphones.

Background: In the past years, various applications of telemedicine have been found. Especially teleconsulting or telementoring has been accepted as a possible answer to upcoming higher quality demands utilizing expert knowledge in everyday clinical routine. In this work we investigate whether video transmission based on universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS) by means of arthroscopic videos is clinically reasonable.

Pseudodynamic MRI differs from natural opening of the temporomandibular joint.

Objective: One step toward motion analysis of the temporomandibular joint is pseudodynamic magnetic resonance imaging (i.e., with stepwise mouth opening controlled by a Burnett device).

Surface area analysis of dental implants using micro-computed tomography.

Objectives: In this study, we present and evaluate a micro-computed tomography (micro-CT)-based method for the calculation of the potential bone/implant contact area (p-BICA) on the surface of dental implants.

Material And Methods: For seven commercially available implants (Ankylos implant, Brånemark System, Frialit CELLplus, Replace((R)) Select Tapered, Straumann Solid screw, XiVE S CELLplus, 3i Osseotite XP Threaded Miniplant, the p-BICA surface is determined by means of three-dimensional X-ray computed-tomography and computer-based data processing. Measurements were repeated two times, and the stability and repeatability of the measurement method were evaluated.

High condylectomy and disc repositioning compared to arthroscopic lysis, lavage, and capsular stretch for the treatment of chronic closed lock of the temporomandibular joint.

Objective: The article shows the 1-yr results comparing the efficacy of open-surgery high condylectomy and disc repositioning and the arthroscopic procedure of lysis, lavage and capsular stretch in patients with chronic closed lock of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

Study Design: Twenty patients with a clinical and radiologic diagnosis of chronic closed lock were randomly chosen to be treated with either open surgery or arthroscopy. Each patient was evaluated with a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and a mandibular functional impairment questionnaire (MFIQ).

Particle size of hydroxyapatite granules calcified from red algae affects the osteogenic potential of human mesenchymal stem cells in vitro.

Hydroxyapatite (HA) microparticles as a carrier in an injectable tissue-engineered bone filler are considered promising candidates for the treatment of small bone defects in the craniomaxillofacial region. HA granules calcified from red algae, varying in size, were evaluated in vitro for their suitability to be used as a carrier for human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Three groups of granules were produced in grain sizes of 10-100, 200-500 and 600-1,000 mum.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the JPF-Questionnaire for German-speaking patients with functional temporomandibular joint disorders.

Objectives: Clinical research related to the management of the syndrome of temporomandibular joint pain and dysfunction would be facilitated enormously between researchers in different locations around the world if a small number of patient-oriented questionnaires were to achieve wide acceptance. It would make comparison of therapeutic results possible. For this reason, a cross-cultural version of the Jaw Pain and Function (JPF)-Questionnaire was developed and validated for use in German-speaking patients with functional temporomandibular disorders.

Open versus arthroscopic surgery for internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint: a retrospective study comparing two centres' results using the Jaw Pain and Function Questionnaire.

Objectives: Surgical procedures currently used for treating of internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint vary widely. Although different studies present favourable results following open or arthroscopic TMJ surgery, the criteria for a successful treatment outcome are not always defined identically. In a retrospective study, two groups of patients who underwent either open or arthroscopic surgery for internal derangement (stages III-V according to Wilkes' classification) were investigated using the so-called JPF-Questionnaire.

Seven years of clinical experience with teleconsultation in craniomaxillofacial surgery.

Purpose: In this work the experiences from 50 telemedically supported treatments in craniomaxillofacial surgery are summarized and different setups for their technical realization are described. Furthermore, for the first time the innovative UMTS (universal mobile telecommunication system) is applied for the transmission of arthroscopic videos of the temporomandibular joint and other craniomaxillofacial structures.

Materials And Methods: The combination of computer-assisted navigation technology in augmented reality environments with telecommunication is used for execution of interactive stereotaxic teleconsultation.

Biodegradable fixation of mandibular fractures in children: stability and early results.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficiency of biodegradable self-reinforced (SR-PLDLA) bone plates and screws in open reduction and internal fixation of mandible fractures in children.

Study Design: Thirteen patients (5 female, 8 male; mean age 12 years, range 5-16 years) were operated on various fractures of the mandible (2 symphyseal, 6 parasymphyseal, 4 body, 3 angle, 1 ramus, 2 condylar fractures). The mean follow-up time was 26.

Stability of biodegradable implants in treatment of mandibular fractures.

Background: Biodegradable implants have not been used on a large scale for internal fixation of mandibular fractures because of presumed inferior mechanical properties. This prospective clinical trial was designed to elucidate the stability and biocompatibility of self-reinforced poly-L/D-lactide plates and screws used to stabilize a variety of mandible fractures by open reduction and internal fixation.

Methods: Sixty-six consecutive patients (22 female, 44 male; mean age, 23.

A 3-dimensional finite-element analysis investigating the biomechanical behavior of the mandible and plate osteosynthesis in cases of fractures of the condylar process.

Objective: The condylar region is one of the most frequent sites for mandibular fractures, with direct application of miniplates being the most commonly used open-fixation technique today. Yet, anatomic and biomechanical limitations continue to make this application technically challenging with a considerable complication rate. We sought to analyze such incongruencies with respect to the complex biomechanical behavior of the mandible.

Interactive stereotaxic teleassistance of remote experts during arthroscopic procedures.

This article describes the technical setup for stereotaxic telesurgical assistance for arthroscopic procedures. It also outlines the current state, limitations, and feasibility of this technical development. Teleassistance or teleconsultation implemented in endoscopic or arthroscopic procedures have not yet been reported.