Hak-Kyun Kim

Comparison of Titanium and Biodegradable Miniplates for Fixation of Mandibular Fractures

PURPOSE The purpose of the present study was to compare the use of biodegradable miniplates and titanium miniplates for the fixation of mandibular fractures. PATIENTS AND METHODS BioSorb FX biodegradable plates and screws and titanium miniplates were used in 91 patients (65 males and 26 females; age range 11 to 69 years) for the treatment of mandibular fractures. The clinical and radiographic findings were recorded at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS The overall complication rate was 4.41%. In the biodegradable plate group, infection occurred in 2 cases (4.26%) and was resolved by incision and drainage and antibiotics. In the titanium plate group, infection occurred in 1 case and plate fracture in 1 case (4.56%). The fractured plate was removed, and a new titanium miniplate was applied using a trocar. The infection was resolved with antibiotics. No adverse tissue reactions, malocclusions, or malunions occurred during the observation period. CONCLUSIONS Our results have shown that the rate of morbidity is very low with the use of biodegradable plates and titanium plates, suggesting that biodegradable and titanium plates have the potential for successful use in the fixation of mandibular fractures.

Effects of decortication in the treatment of bone defect around particulate dentin-coated implants: an experimental pilot study.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of decortication during bone grafting in defect areas surrounding particulate dentin-coated implants. STUDY DESIGN Six dogs were randomly assigned to 3 groups, and each group was further divided into 2 subgroups. The subgroups consisted of dogs that received particulate dentin-coated implants after 4 or 8 weeks. The defects were treated as follows: control group, unfilled defect; experimental group 1, defect filled with Tutoplast without decortication; experimental group 2, defect filled with Tutoplast with decortication. Histologic sections and histomorphometric analysis were obtained 4 and 8 weeks after surgery. RESULTS Compared to the 4-week subgroup, statistically significant new bone formation was observed in the 8-week subgroup. In the 4-week subgroup, the area of new bone formation was larger in the group that underwent cortical bone perforation with bone grafting; however, no significant difference was detected within the 8-week subgroup. CONCLUSION According to these results, decortication increases early bone formation after implant placement.