Alp Saruhanoglu

Removal of a Maxillary Third Molar Displaced into Pterygopalatine Fossa via Intraoral Approach

The removal of impacted maxillary third molars is one of the most common procedures performed in oral and maxillofacial surgery units with low rates of complications and morbidity. A few cases of accidental displacement of third molars into adjacent anatomical spaces, such as the infratemporal fossa, the pterygomandibular space, the maxillary sinus, buccal space, or the lateral pharyngeal space, during surgical interventions have been reported. In this paper, a case of a maxillary third molar accidentally displaced into the pterygopalatine fossa is presented, and the removal of the tooth via intraoral approach is described.

Refractory Pigmentation Associated with Laugier-Hunziker Syndrome following Er:YAG Laser Treatment

The present report describes a case of Laugier-Hunziker syndrome (LHS), a rare benign condition. A patient with LHS develops acquired melanotic pigmentation of the lips and buccal mucosa, often with pigmentation of the nails occurring. No systemic symptoms are associated with this syndrome. Normally, no treatment is required for this condition, unless for aesthetic reason, mainly due to pigmentation on the lip mucosa. We present a case of LHS, 37-year-old female, whose pigmentations on her lip and in the oral cavity were treated with an Er:YAG laser. At the postoperative 12th month followup, the lesions recurred. The effects of any surgical attempt to treat pigmentations associated with LHS were discussed.

Comparison of two different labial salivary gland biopsy incision techniques: a randomized clinical trial.

Objectives: To compare the reliability of two different labial salivary gland biopsy (LSGB) incision techniques (vertical versus horizontal incision techniques) and to report the related complications and discomfort. Study Design: 163 patients who underwent LSGB were included in this study. Patients were randomly divided as vertical incision group (n=81) and horizontal incision group (n=82). Demographic and clinical information of each patient were recorded. A questionnaire was prepared and applied together with Visual Analog Scale (VAS) on the subjects verbally at the 7th day, postoperatively. Intraoperative, short- term and delayed complications were evaluated. Results: The mean age of patients (117 female, 46 male) was 47.3 years (range 19-79 years). Vertical incision technique was associated with less pain (p<0.001), less swelling (p<0.05), less scar formation (p<0.05) and less difficulty in eating (p<0.05) when compared with horizontal incision technique. No statistically significant differences were observed between the 2 groups in terms of hematoma, parasthesia and speech difficulty (p>0.05). Additionally, two subjects in the horizontal incision group revealed permanent paresthesia during the follow-up period of two years. Conclusions: This prospective study demonstrated that the subjects in the vertical incision group had less complication rates and discomfort after labial salivary gland procedure than those in the horizontal incision group. Key words:Salivary gland, biopsy, incision.

Frequency of temporomandibular disorder signs and symptoms among call center employees

Abstract Objective: The current study aimed to investigate the frequency of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) among call center employees. Methods: Workers from four call centers (CC) were invited to participate in this study. The examination was based on the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorder (RDC/TMD). The tenderness of the masticator muscles was assessed on both sides by bilateral palpation. The mobility of the mandible was measured with a plastic millimeter ruler on opening, lateral excursions, and protrusion. Results: In total, 124 call center employees with a mean age of 28.61 ± 4.71 (between 22 and 47 years of age) were enrolled in this study. There was no statistically significant relation between the numbers of calls answered in a day and teeth clenching, teeth grinding, earache, tinnitus, or pain on yawning/chewing. Only protrusive movement pain and joint noise were significantly higher among employees who answered more than 140 calls/day (p < 0.01). An evaluation of the TMD signs and symptoms in relation to job stress level revealed that job stress level significantly affected the incidence of headaches among call center employees (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The present study demonstrated no statistically significant relation between TMD signs and symptoms and call center employees except protrusive movement pain and joint noise. This relation was seen only in the employees who answered more than 140 calls per day. Headache, teeth clenching, and TMJ noise were the signs and symptoms encountered most often in this study. Multicentered studies in different geographic locations should be conducted to eliminate the limitation of this study.