Marcello Roberto Manzi

Lateralization Technique and Inferior Alveolar Nerve Transposition

Bone resorption of the posterior mandible can result in diminished bone edge and, therefore, the installation of implants in these regions becomes a challenge, especially in the presence of the mandibular canal and its contents, the inferior alveolar nerve. Several treatment alternatives are suggested: the use of short implants, guided bone regeneration, appositional bone grafting, distraction osteogenesis, inclined implants tangential to the mandibular canal, and the lateralization of the inferior alveolar nerve. The aim was to elucidate the success rate of implants in the lateralization technique and in inferior alveolar nerve transposition and to determine the most effective sensory test. We conclude that the success rate is linked to the possibility of installing implants with long bicortical anchor which favors primary stability and biomechanics.

Photoelastic Analysis on Different Retention Methods of Implant-Supported Prosthesis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the stress distribution of different retention systems (screwed, cemented, and mixed) in 5-unit implant-supported fixed partial dentures through the photoelasticity method. Twenty standardized titanium suprastructures were manufactured, of which 5 were screw retained, 5 were cement retained, and 10 were mixed (with an alternating sequence of abutments), each supported by 5 external hexagon (4.0 mm × 11.5 mm) implants. A circular polariscope was used, and an axial compressive load of 100 N was applied on a universal testing machine. The results were photographed and qualitatively analyzed. We observed the formation of isochromatic fringes as a result of the stresses generated around the implant after installation of the different suprastructures and after the application of a compressive axial load of 100 N. We conclude that a lack of passive adaptation was observed in all suprastructures with the formation of low-magnitude stress in some implants. When cemented and mixed suprastructures were subjected to a compressive load, they displayed lower levels of stress distribution and lower intensity fringes compared to the screwed prosthesis.

Manual reduction of articular disc after traumatic extraction of mandibular third molar: a case report

Introduction: Disc displacement without reduction with limited opening is an intracapsular biomechanical disorder involving the condyle-disc complex. With the mouth closed, the disc is in an anterior position in relation to the condylar head and does not reduce with mouth opening. This disorder is associated with persistent limited mandibular opening. Case report: The patient presented severe limitation to fully open the mouth, interfering in her ability to eat. Clinical examination also revealed maximum assisted jaw opening (passive stretch) with less than 40 mm of maximum interincisal opening. Magnetic resonance imaging was the method of choice to identify the temporomandibular disorders. Conclusion: By means of reporting this rare case of anterior disc displacement without reduction with limited opening, after traumatic extraction of a mandibular third molar, in which manual reduction of temporomandibular joint articular disc was performed, it was possible to prove that this technique is effective in the prompt restoration of mandibular movements.