Bruno Ella

Septa within the sinus: effect on elevation of the sinus floor

Elevation of the sinus floor allows the correct number and length of oral implants to be placed. The sinus membrane is dissected blindly, usually by a crestal approach, but several internal configurations of the maxillary sinus or intrasinus septa can cause problems. We studied 150 sinuses from 40 male cadavers, and 35 randomised male patients by anatomical dissection and computed tomography. Forty-six subjects (61%) had no bony septa or had septa less than 4mm. Twenty-nine (39%) had bony septa of which seven were incomplete, one had a complete bony septum in each maxillary sinus, and 20 had symmetrical bony septa. We present the results of a study of bony intramaxillary sinus septa and the potential problems they can cause during elevation of the sinus floor.

Results of oral implant-supported prostheses after mandibular vertical alveolar ridge distraction: a propos of 54 sites.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to present retrospective long-term results of oral implant-supported prostheses after mandibular vertical alveolar ridge distraction. STUDY DESIGN Patients who had alveolar mandibular distraction before oral rehabilitation from 1999 to 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS Fifty-four distractions were performed in 25 women and 12 men with a mean age of 51.7 years. Seventeen patients had bilateral distraction. Most of the distracted sites were posterior. Global major complications were major misdirection (3.7%), fracture (3.7%), and permanent alveolar nerve paresthesia (1 patient). All of the patients experienced osseous improvement. Mean height of the distraction was 11.7 mm. A total of 127 implants were inserted with survival and success rates, respectively, of 100% and 96.2% (mean follow-up of 62 months). All of the patients had satisfactory oral rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS Mandibular alveolar vertical distraction could be a reliable and effective procedure with precise indications. A less complicated implant distractor may simplify the procedure.

Transverse cervical and great auricular nerve distribution in the mandibular area: A study in human cadavers

The angle of the jaw is innervated by the auricular branch of the superficial cervical plexus (SCP). Cervical cutaneous nerves of the CP carry the sensation from the antero‐lateral cervical skin. It is clinically relevant to identify the cervical cutaneous nerve distribution and the nerve point using superficial landmarks but published studies describing the emerging patterns and cervical cutaneous nerve branch distributions in the mandible are rare. The overlap between the cervical and trigeminal and facial nerve distributions and anastomoses is highly variable. The objective of this study was to characterize the distribution of the SCP nerves in the different parts of the mandible. Two hundred and fifty fresh and formalin‐fixed human cadaver heads were microdissected to observe the distribution of the transverse cervical (TCN) and great auricular (GAN) nerves. Two main groups (G1 and G2) based on the emergence of the TCN and GAN behind the posterior edge of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and three types (T1, T2, and T3) based on their distribution in the different mandibular parts were observed. Statistical analysis showed that parameters related to the mandibular side (P = 0.307), gender (P = 0.218), and group (P = 0.111) did not influence the facial distribution of these nerves. The only parameter influencing the distribution was the type of nerve (GAN and TCN) (P < 0.001). In the face, the SCP reached the mandible in 97% of cases, its distribution and extent were subject‐dependent. These results confirmed that the SCP could supply accessory innervation to the mandible through the TCN. Clin. Anat. 28:109–117, 2015.

Bruxism in Movement Disorders: A Comprehensive Review.

Bruxism is an abnormal repetitive movement disorder characterized by jaw clenching and tooth gnashing or grinding. It is classified into two overlapping types: awake bruxism (AB) and sleep bruxism (SB). Theories on factors causing bruxism are a matter of controversy, but a line of evidence suggests that it may to some extent be linked to basal ganglia dysfunction although so far, this topic has received little attention. The purpose of this article was to review cases of bruxism reported in various movement disorders. The biomedical literature was searched for publications reporting the association of bruxism with various types of movement disorders. As a whole, very few series were found, and most papers corresponded to clinical reports. In Parkinsonian syndromes, AB was rarely reported, but seems to be exacerbated by medical treatment, whereas SB is mainly observed during non-REM sleep, as in restless leg syndrome. AB is occasionally reported in Huntingtons disease, primary dystonia, and secondary dystonia; however, its highest incidence and severity is reported in syndromes combining stereotypies and cognitive impairment, such as Retts syndrome (97%), Down syndrome (42%), and autistic spectrum disorders (32%). Taken as a whole, AB seems to be more frequent in hyperkinetic movement disorders, notably those with stereotypies, and is influenced by anxiety, suggesting an involvement of the limbic part of the basal ganglia in its pathophysiology.

Bilateral absence of mental foramen in a living human subject

The mental foramen, through which the mental nerve emerges, is an important anatomic landmark in odonto-stomatology. Knowing its anatomic variations, according to the ethnic group or age, is essential when performing local anesthesia or implant and orthognathic surgeries. Besides the presence of a supernumerary foramen and variations in its location, numerous topographies have been described such as unilateral or bilateral triple foramina, hypoplasia or agenesis. The case reported here is extremely rare because it has been observed in a living and asymptomatic patient whose scan shows a bilateral absence of mental foramen.

Bruxism in craniocervical dystonia: a prospective study.

Aims: Bruxism pathophysiology remains unclear, and its occurrence has been poorly investigated in movement disorders. The aim of this study was to compare the frequency of bruxism in patients with craniocervical dystonia vs. normal controls and to determine its associated clinical features. Method: This is a prospective-control study. A total of 114 dystonic subjects (45 facial dystonia, 69 cervical dystonia) and 182 controls were included. Bruxism was diagnosed using a hetero-questionnaire and a clinical examination performed by trained dentists. Occurrence of bruxism was compared between the different study populations. A binomial logistic regression analysis was used to determine which clinical features influenced bruxism occurrence in each population. Results: The frequency of bruxism was significantly higher in the dystonic group than in normal controls but there was no difference between facial and cervical dystonia. It was also higher in women than in men. Bruxism features were similar between normal controls and dystonic patients except for a higher score of temporomandibular jaw pain in the dystonic group. Discussion: The higher frequency of bruxism in dystonic patients suggests that bruxism is increased in patients with basal ganglia dysfunction but that its nature does not differ from that seen in bruxers from the normal population.

Orthodontic reduction of a displaced alveolar fracture: a case study

A 42-year-old woman had sustained a severe dental trauma with an alveolar fracture after an epileptic attack. A tooth block 31, 32, 33 and 34 was dislocated about 7 mm in buccal direction. Panoramic X-rays and CT-scan disclosed the alveolar fracture without total disjunction of the fragment. An orthodontic appliance was used to reduce the fracture with gentle forces during a 5-month period. Normal function was established and the teeth remained vital.

Assessment of the Correlation between the Implant Distance and Primary Stability by Resonance Frequency Analysis

Objective. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of the interimplant distance on the implant primary stability (ISQ) by Resonance Frequency Analysis (RFA). Method. Forty-five implants were placed in the mandible of human cadavers and 108 in artificial bone substrates in the form of polyurethane foam blocks. Primary implant stability was successively measured first by RFA immediately after the placement of the first implant (A) and then after two other implants (B and C) proximal and distal to the first implant. The interimplant distances were defined from 1 to 6 mm and the three primary stability values measured were compared. Results. On the mandibles, no correlation was observed between the interimplant distances and primary stability. On the polyurethane foam block, the primary stability of implant A increased significantly () after the placement of implant B but remained constant after placement of implant C. Conclusion. Reducing the interimplant distance does not affect the primary stability on dry bone or artificial substrate.

Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) of the maxilla complicated by a local pathogen infection

Arteriovenous malformations (AVM) are usually observed on the skin, but they can also rarely affect the visceral organs and the maxillofacial area. In the maxillofacial area, these lesions can spread and they are potentially dangerous, as a biopsy or even a simple tooth extraction can lead to a catastrophic haemorrhage that may eventually cause death. There are several indications for the treatment, including age, size and type of vascular malformation. The purpose of this report is to describe an AVM on the maxilla, first diagnosed as an epulis, which has been treated for several years as a chronic local periodontitis. The lesion was finally stabilised after an antibiotic therapy. Improved knowledge of the development of these lesions and collaboration between dentists, radiologists and surgeons are necessary to improve the diagnosis and treatment of vascular malformations.