The reconstruction of the palate has been a challenge for the reconstructive surgeon, due to the multiple complications that arise, such as infection, dehiscence, and fall of the flap used. We present the description of a new radial free flap fixation technique, commonly used for this type of reconstruction. This transosteal fixation technique prevents dehiscence and flap descent in all cases performed, by combining two widely used procedures, the radial free flap, and the Lefort I osteotomy, with excellent results.

Purposes: 1. to measure Gingival Thickness (GT) both directly and with CBCT using various exposure times, and compare them. 2. to compare hard tissue measurements between different exposure times within each CBCT system. The study hypothesis was that accuracy of CBCT GT measurement is impaired when reducing exposure time. Methods: 8 fresh pig maxillae were utilized for each of two CBCT scan systems (SysA and SysB). Eight disposable dental needles were inserted into the gingival tissue of each jaw until reaching resistance from the underlying bone. A mark on each needle at its entrance point into the soft tissue was created using a permanent marker. Jaws were scanned twice, using low (RadL) and high (RadH) exposure times. The needles were extruded, and an electronic caliper was used to measure the length of the penetrated portion of the needle in mm (Cli). Radiographic GT was measured on cross sectional images, produced in the axial direcion of the 3D location of the needles (Rad) in two software systems (R and I). Descriptive statistics, t-test and ANOVA were performed. Significance was set at 5%. Results: Software I mean Cli was 2.22mm ± 0.54mm, RadL and RadH were 2.34mm ± 0.47mm and 2.34mm ± 0.52mm. Software R RadL and RadH were 2.16mm ± 0.50mm and 2.23mm ± 0.49mm, respectively. Using pairwise comparisons, both soft and hard tissue RadL and RadH were not statistically different. There was a good correlation between clinical and radiographic measurements of gingival thickness and essentially no significant difference between higher and lower radiation doses. Conclusions: Reducing CBCT radiation may be possible without affecting accuracy of radiographic gingival thickness measurements , thus opening the way to a wider utilization of CBCT in dentistry. Clinical relevance: Reducing radiation dose may enable a wider utilization of CBCT in dentistry.

It is common to observe anterior teeth that present white opacities of enamel in relation to hypomineralization. These lesions alter social life of children and adults. There is a recent non-invasive treatment that can remove these stains without loss of substance, keeping tooth structure intact. This treatment modifies the optical properties of the white spot by infiltrating a polymer based on trimethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA). This short article presents a method called erosion/ infiltration, which our team first described. Dentists must be aware of it, in order to treat patients with either fluorosis, MIH or trauma, so that much more invasive treatments such as veneers and crown can be avoided.

Sjögren syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of salivary and lacrymal glands, causing oral and ocular dryness [1]. The syndrome was named by Swedish ophthalmologist Henrik Sjögren, who identified it in 1933. SS prevalence ranges between 0. 5 % and 3 % and the syndrome is more likely to affect females over 40 years old, especially in menopause [2, 3]. It is a slowly progressing, non-life-threatening disease with a 10-year cumulative survival rate of over 90 % [4].

New technological developments in modern dental medicine offer clinicians insight and treatment advances to many outdated, dogmatic concepts that have been widely believed for many years, despite there being a lack of scientific evidence to support them. This is especially true in the field of Dental Occlusion, whose scientific development has been hampered by the use of traditional, non-digital occlusal indicators that do not quantify occlusion, other than possibly describing “contact area”.

Background: To assess the oral health knowledge and awareness among urban and rural school teachers in and around Bareilly. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 279 school teachers of rural and urban, Bareilly using a questionnaire to assess the knowledge, and awareness regarding oral health. Descriptive analysis was done and data were analyzed using chi-square and ANOVA test. Results: The age of the teachers ranged from 19-50 years with a mean age of 36.73±10.5 years. Among them, 17.20%(48) were males and 82.7% (231) females, among which 75% of the population brushed their teeth twice daily. Most of the teachers (40.38%) used a brush and paste and 57% of teachers changed their brushes every 3mnths, 10% in every 6 months while 27% were those who changes their brush when their bristles get frayed up. Conclusion: From the results of the study, it is evident that school teachers in both urban and rural areas, with more emphasis on the rural area, need to be provided with adequate training on effective oral hygiene practices.

Background: The purpose of this article is to verify the possible correlation between TMD (Temporomandibular Disorders) and different types of malocclusions in adult subjects and subsequently that between TMD and previous orthodontic treatment. Materials and methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted in San Paolo e Carlo Hospital, associates of the University of Milan, for a period of 2 years (1st February 2019 – 3rd March 2020), on 374 adult patients (244 females and 130 males). The subjects underwent an intraoral examination with a gnathological assessment, in order to distinguish those who suffered from TMD and those who did not. Secondly, the patients were subjected to orthodontic examination to identify those who had previously undergone orthodontic treatment, assessing through an extraoral and intraoral examination, the dental class, the type of dental bite and the presence or absence of a midline deviation. Results: The data analysis revealed a statistically significant association between TMD and gender (p= 0.023, OR= 1.66). The association between class I, II, III malocclusions and the presence of TMD was found to be statistically significant: p<0.0001 (OR= 4.04) and that between open/deep bite and the presence of TMD too: p= 0.003 (OR= 1.89). Moreover, the correlation between midline deviation and the presence of TMD was statistically significant: p<0.0001 (OR=7.48). On the other hand, no correlation was found between TMD and previous orthodontic treatment (p= 0.918). Conclusions: The available data revealed a statistically significant association between TMD and malocclusions, related to dental class and bite and midline deviation, although the existing results in the literature are controversial regarding this association. While no statistically significant correlation was found between TMD and previous orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic therapy, therefore, by correcting occlusion anomalies, could reduce the risk of TMD incidence. Finally, longitudinal studies with adequate statistical power are needed to clarify the possible interrelationships between TMD and malocclusions.

Introduction: Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) has transformed the manner in which radiological evaluation is performed. Methods: This article discusses the different aspects of CBCT, common dental applications of CBCT for diagnosis and treatment in different dental specialties from the current literature. Results: CBCT has been widely accepted into different dental practices. The main reasons are the decreased size, low cost, less exposure to radiation as compared to computed tomography. CBCT enables the three dimensional assessment of the region of maxilla, mandible, cranium, and associated structures. Conclusions: Dentists and dental specialists can utilize three dimensional radiography- CBCT for a comprehensive diagnosis. CBCT can also help in identifying the structures such as root canals, bifurcated canals, supernumerary teeth, impacted teeth in different planes and thus are a valuable tool for dental treatment planning.