Abstract Introduction Direct pulp capping is a treatment option for teeth with carious-exposed pulp. Because pulp capping studies have exhibited fluctuations in success rates according to different ...follow-up times, investigating the clinical pulpal survival rate and the potential factors contributing to the survival with respect to time is necessary. Methods A total of 175 patients treated between November 2007 and August 2010 met the inclusion criteria. During the follow-up, we investigated 7 clinical variables with respect to the survival of the pulp capping treatment: sex, age, maxilla versus mandible, tooth position, capping materials, temporary filling materials, and exposure site. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazard regression model. Results The Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log-rank tests revealed that only age, exposure site, and capping material had significant effects on the pulpal survival rate ( P < .05). A Cox regression model showed that mineral trioxide aggregate was the sole factor affecting the survival of the treated pulps ( P < .05). In the analyses performed separately according to time, there was no conspicuous factor that affected the survival rate before 100 days. However, after 100 days, the type of pulp capping material was the single most important factor influencing the survival rate ( P < .05). Conclusions The results of this study indicated that careful patient selection and the type of pulp capping material should be taken into consideration when performing a pulp capping treatment.
Abstract Purpose Ensuring that the condyle is appropriately positioned and that positional changes are minimal is considered crucial for the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) to function without symptoms ...after orthognathic surgery. The purposes of this study were to evaluate condylar changes after surgery and to examine the association between these changes and TMJ symptoms. Patients and Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted in mandibular prognathism patients who had previously undergone orthognathic surgery. Linear and angular changes in the positioning of the condyle were measured by superimposing three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) images taken before surgery and 3 months after surgery. The clinical symptoms of TMJ pain and sound were recorded at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after surgery. The possible associations between TMJ symptoms and clinical variables such as postoperative condylar changes were investigated using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results Linear condylar displacement after orthognathic surgery was found to have occurred predominantly in the anterior, medial, and inferior directions, with minimal changes (smaller than 1 mm) observed. Most of the angular condylar changes were smaller than 4 degrees, and occurred in the inward direction in the axial plane and the posterior direction in the sagittal plane. The best predictor of postoperative TMJ signs and symptoms was the preoperative status of TMJ signs and symptoms. Neither the linear nor the angular condylar displacement significantly influenced on the postoperative pain and sound. Conclusions Within the ranges of linear (<1 mm) and angular condylar displacement (<4 degrees) noted in this study, displacement was not associated with postoperative TMJ pain and sound.
Inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) anesthesia is one of the most common procedures in the dental clinic. Although this procedure is well known for its safety, complications can still occur. An ...ocular complication such as diplopia, loss of vision, or ophthalmoplegia is very rare, but once it happens, both the dentist and patient can be perplexed by the unexpected circumstance, and the doctor-patient trust may be harmed. We experienced 2 cases of diplopia after IANB anesthesia. This report describes the cause and diagnosis of the associated symptoms and includes a review of the literature.
Objectives Increased attention has been focused on determining the most efficacious materials for generalized bone grafts. This article presents the results of a histomorphometric analysis of bone ...healing in the calvaria of rabbits. The study compared the use of a tooth ash and plaster of Paris mixture alone, in association with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and in association with fibrin sealant. Study design Twelve rabbits were divided into control (group 1) and experimental groups (groups 2, 3, and 4). Group 1 was maintained as an unfilled control, and tooth ash and plaster of Paris were used in group 2, tooth ash and plaster of Paris with PRP were used in group 3, and tooth ash and plaster of Paris with fibrin sealant (Tissucol Duo Quick) were used in group 4. One-half of the animals were killed after 4 weeks, and the rest were killed after 8 weeks. Bone samples were taken from the defect areas, and newly formed bone was analyzed histomorphometrically. Results The rate of new bone formation in groups 2, 3, and 4 was significantly higher than the rate in the control group. The rate of new bone formation in groups 3 and 4 was higher than the rate in group 2, but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion The concomitant use of PRP or fibrin sealant with tooth ash and plaster of Paris graft materials may have a positive effect on bone healing.
