A 10-year comparative study of the incidence of third molar removal in the aging population.

Purpose: The study goal was to evaluate the incidence of patients older than 40 years who required third molar removal.

Patients And Methods: Two prospective 5-year studies were compared over a 10-year period of 1992 to 1997 and 1997 to 2002. The study was initiated to evaluate how the large increase in the older population with longer life expectancies is reflected in the third molar population.

New considerations in the treatment of compromised third molars.

Management of asymptomatic malposed third molars is a controversial topic. As a result, many malposed or mildly pathologic third molars are not removed. Historical pro and con arguments regarding removal centered around cost and the aspects of the surgical removal itself.

Tissue engineering in dentistry.

Advances in tissue engineering provide an increased level of understanding of the mechanical and chemical stimuli that regulate tissue responses. Oral tissue engineering can be applied to recreate missing osseous or dental structures or correct orofacial deformities, changing the patient's smile, midfacial height, and the soft tissue drape. Biomechanical principles can also be applied to tissue engineering to enhance the bone/tooth or bone/implant functionality and long-term stability.

Using restorations borne totally by anterior implants to preserve the edentulous mandible.

Background: This study quantifies the changes in bone height of the posterior area of the edentulous mandible when the load of complete dentures is borne entirely by anteriorly placed osseointegrated implants.

Methods: Thirty-three patients, of whom there were radiographs from the beginning of implant loading and from a follow-up visit at least three years later (a mean of 6.6 years later), were included in the study.

Predicting soft tissue changes in maxillary impaction surgery: a comparison of two video imaging systems.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the accuracy of two video imaging systems, Orthognathic Treatment Planner (OTP) and Prescription Portrait (Portrait), in predicting soft tissue profile changes after maxillary impaction surgery. Computer-generated line drawing predictions were compared with actual postsurgical profiles. Neither program was very accurate with vertical measures and lower lip contour.

Predicting soft tissue changes in mandibular advancement surgery: a comparison of two video imaging systems.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of two video imaging systems, Prescription Portrait and Orthognathic Treatment Planner, in predicting the soft tissue profiles of 39 patients who underwent mandibular advancement surgery. Presurgical cephalograms and profile photographs were entered into a computer. Computerized cephalometric line and video image predictions were generated and compared with the actual postsurgical results.

Arthroscopic surgery for treatment of closed lock.

This study evaluates the first 51 consecutive cases treated for limitation of mandibular movement due to closed lock. Eighty joints (22 unilateral, 29 bilateral) were treated with arthroscopic surgery. The mean follow-up was 29.

Arthroscopic surgery for treatment of temporomandibular joint hypomobility after mandibular sagittal osteotomy.

Arthroscopic surgery is an effective method for treating painful hypomobility of the temporomandibular joint. Decreased range of motion after sagittal ramus osteotomies of the mandible has been reported. Causes may include intra-articular factors.

Reconstruction of alveolar width for orthodontic tooth movement: a case report.

A problem that has limited orthodontic treatment is lack of buccal-lingual alveolar width into which teeth can be moved. Causes may range from surgical obliteration to physiologic constriction after tooth removal. Lack of buccal-lingual alveolar width does not have to be an orthodontic limitation anymore.

Long-term follow up of transoral rib grafts for mandibular atrophy.

Nineteen patients who had autologous rib grafts for mandibular augmentation were monitored for six to 13 years to evaluate the rate of resorption as a function of time. Data were collected from panoramic radiographs that were corrected for distortion. The findings indicated that rapid resorption occurs during the first two years after grafting and decreases markedly thereafter.

Modified distolingual splitting technique for removal of impacted mandibular third molars: technique.

This first of two articles describes a modified distolingual splitting technique for removal of impaction of various classes. The second article evaluates the efficacy of the technique by reporting and comparing the incidence of postoperative sequelae with earlier research findings. In this technique, the lingual soft tissue is not separated from the bone.

Improved maxillary stability with modified Lefort I technique.

This modification of the LeFort I osteotomy places the horizontal bony cut higher and into the dense cortical bone of the maxillozygomatic complex. It gives greater stability and also provides a more solid bony base for intraosseous wiring of the mobilized segment. This usually eliminates the need for dento-osseous or maxillomandibular fixation, and the segments appear to solidify more quickly.

Postoperative stabilization and intrusion of midface osteotomies with high-pull headgear.

The two cases presented here illustrate advantageous uses of orthopedic-type craniomandibular headgear. Both cases demonstrate the use of headgear for postoperative cephalad movement of the maxilla. In Case 1 the use of headgear accomplished 6 mm.