The healing of surgical defects in alveolar bone produced with ultrasonic instrumentation, chisel, and rotary bur

Extraction of an ectopic supernumerary tooth through nasal cavity with piezosurgery under local anesthesia: A case report

Key Clinical Message

The ectopic supernumerary teeth (ST) commonly occur in the oral cavity. Ectopic ST in the maxilla can be extracted not only through an intraoral approach but also through a nasal approach.

Abstract

The ectopic supernumerary teeth (ST) commonly occur in the oral cavity. We are reporting a case of a 23-year-old female patient with one ectopic ST in the anterior midmaxillary region. We extracted the ectopic ST under local tissue anesthesia through the nasal cavity using piezosurgery and minimally invasive extraction tools. During the operation, the adjacent structures remained intact, and the patient discomfort. This case indicates that ectopic ST in the maxilla can be extracted not only through an intraoral approach but also through a nasal approach.

Tissue changes and tissue reactivity following osteotomy by a conventional rotary device, an ultrasonic unit, and an Er: YAG laser - A comparative study in humans

INTRODUCTION

Innovative technologies from other fields of science are constantly being introduced in medicine. Research works on animals strongly confirm the belief in better results following ultrasound and laser surgery. The main conclusions are based on observations from different animal species, whose biological characteristics differ from those of humans. This requires scientific experiments to be performed and confirmed in humans.

MATERIAL & METHODS

Human mandible specimens harvested in vivo by a conventional low-speed rotary device, an ultrasonic unit, or an Er: YAG laser were studied and analyzed to compare their effects on bone morphology and tissue response following surgery.

RESULTS

The cutting surface of eighty biopsies was studied, as well the facial edema, pain levels, and jaw dysfunction were followed up in the same eighty patients from whom the slices were obtained. In the piezosurgery and drill groups, the borders exhibited irregular edges full of bone fragments and debris. Thermal alterations within the superficial surface in all bone samples were generally minimal. In all specimens, intact osteocytes were detectable away from the area of direct action of the bone-cutting device. It was established, that the reactive facial edema, pain levels, and jaw disfunction were with milder values following in vivo osteotomy by an ultrasonic unit and Er: YAG laser compared to the conventional drilling. Moreover, the recovery of the patients in these two groups was more pronounced. The observed tissue changes proved to affect the follow-up tissue reactions in the postoperative period (p ≤ 0.05).

DISCUSSION

Based on the established effects on human bone by its in vivo cutting, it can be concluded that laser and ultrasonic bone surgery was a superior alternative osteotomy method in humans to conventional drilling.

Influence of Surgical Technique on Post-Operative Complications in the Extraction of the Lower Third Molar: A Retrospective Study

The surgical extraction of the impacted third molar is frequently associated with several complications. The purpose of this study is to assess how two different surgical protocols affect post-operative complications during the extraction of the lower impacted third molars. In order to compare and evaluate two different techniques (triangular flap vs. envelope flap), and the relative post-extraction complications, two groups of 150 patients each underwent to surgical impacted third molar extraction and 60 days of follow-up. The complication rate in the two groups was 14.00% in group A and 17.33% in group B. There was a strong association between smoking (OR: 2.8) and the use of oral contraceptives (OR: 1.75) with complications. The age- and sex-related incidence of complications in hard tissue healing has great variability in the literature; the analysis performed on our data did not show a statistically significant association between them. Even though related to a higher incidence of transient changes in sensitivity, it was found that the envelope flap saw a lower percentage of complications. There is still no clarity on which is the best protocol for the extraction of the lower impacted third molar, and the choice often depends on the surgeon's experience.

A Clinical Comparison of Er:YAG Laser, Piezosurgery, and Conventional Bur Methods in the Impacted Third Molar Surgery

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate whether Er:YAG laser and piezosurgery methods can be an alternative to the conventional bur method. Background: The purpose of this study is to compare the postoperative pain, swelling, trismus and patient satisfaction between Er:YAG laser, piezosurgery device, and conventional bur methods that are used to remove bone barrier during extraction of the impacted lower third molar. Methods: Thirty healthy patients who have bilateral, asymptomatic, vertically impacted mandibular third molar teeth according to Pell and Gregory classification Class II and Winter Class B were selected. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. In 30 patients one side of the bony cover around the tooth was removed by the conventional bur technique, on the other side 15 patients were treated with the Er:YAG laser (VersaWave dental laser; HOYA ConBio) 200 mJ, 30 Hz, 4.5-6 W, noncontact mode, SP and R-14 handpiece tip, under air and saline solution, and 15 patients with the piezosurgery technique (VarioSurg Piezo; NSK) with frequency 20-100 kHz, 10-80% power range in Surgery (S), continuous mode, with SG17 and SG5 handpiece tip blade. Preoperative, 48th hour and 7th day measurements were made and recorded about pain, swelling, and trismus. At the end of the treatment, patients were asked to fill out a satisfaction questionnaire. Results: The pain observed at the postoperative 24th hour was statistically significantly lower in the laser group than in the piezosurgery group (p < 0.05). Only in the laser group swelling was seen with statistically significant differences between preoperative and postoperative 48th h (p < 0.05). Postoperative 48th h trismus value was seen as the highest in the laser group than others. Patient satisfaction was found to be higher in the laser and piezo technique compared with the bur technique. Conclusions: Er:YAG laser and piezo methods can be a good alternative to the conventional bur method when postoperative complications are compared. We believe that laser and piezo methods will be preferred for patients due to increased patient satisfaction. Clinical Trial Registration number: B.30.2.ANK.0.21.63.00/08 date: 28.01.10 no:150/3.

A clinical study of the piezosurgery, high-speed contra-angle handpiece, and the combined application of both for extraction of embedded supernumerary teeth

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effectiveness of three methods: high-speed contra-angle handpiece (HSCAH), piezosurgery, and combined in the extraction of different locations and types of embedded supernumerary teeth.

METHODS

Sixty cases with different locations and different types of embedded supernumerary teeth were randomly divided into three groups for extraction by HSCAH, piezosurgery, and the combination of both, and the intraoperative and postoperative conditions of the three groups were compared and analyzed.

RESULTS

In the extraction of embedded supernumerary teeth in the inverted, horizontal, and root tip positions, the piezosurgery group required significantly longer operative time and reduced intraoperative bleeding compared with the HSCAH and the piezosurgery combined with the HSCAH; it could effectively relieve postoperative pain and facial swelling. In the extraction of oblique, orthodontic, middle, and crown segments of embedded supernumerary teeth, the use of a piezosurgery combined with an HSCAH can effectively reduce the operative time, while the factors of bleeding, postoperative pain, and facial swelling not statistically significant when compared with a piezosurgery. Compared with the HSCAH and combined piezosurgery, piezosurgery can significantly reduce the fear of patients.

CONCLUSION

Piezosurgery is effective in extracting embedded supernumerary teeth in inverted, horizontal, and apical positions, effectively reducing intraoperative and postoperative trauma and shortening the time required for healing. The piezosurgery combined with an HSCAH can effectively reduce intraoperative and postoperative trauma when extracting embedded supernumerary teeth in oblique, orthodontic, middle, and crown positions. piezosurgery is a technique suitable for the treatment of patients with fear.

Postoperative Periorbital Edema and Ecchymosis After External Lateral Osteotomy "Comparing Conventional Osteotome and Piezo Scalpel in Rhinoplasty"

The piezo surgery was reported to cause minimal trauma to the soft tissue. The aim of this study was to compare the periorbital edema and ecchymosis after transcutaneous lateral osteotomy in rhinoplasty using 2-mm osteotome versus Piezo scalpel respectively. In a randomized clinical trial and split-mouth-design, we performed primary rhinoplasty in 15 patients (7 men, 8 women; age 18-35 years, mean age 26.6 ± 5.7 years). Transcutaneous lateral osteotomy was performed using a 2-mm osteotome on the one side and a piezo scalpel on the opposite side. We took digital photographs of the face on 1, 3, 7 and 14 postoperative days. Three examiners used a standard 5-point Kara-Gokalan scale to assess the early postoperative periorbital edema and ecchymosis on each side. We found more difficult to use the piezo scalpel via only one incision and found easier to use two stab incisions for inserting the piezo scalpel. The time spend for each osteotomy was similar (P > 0.05). The inter-observer agreement was high (> 0.676). The postoperative edema showed to be significantly different on day 1, 3 and 7 (P-value < 0.05), ecchymosis was much less on piezo side but not significantly. It was more difficult to use piezo scalpel via only one incision. The piezo scalpel showed to reduce the postoperative edema significantly and improved the ecchymosis. Swelling and bleeding could have crossed the midline and blurred the comparison of two sides. However, this is the best design to achieve the highest similarity in study condition. Level of Evidence Level I, therapeutic study.

Powered versus Cold Instruments in Rhinoplasty: A Perspective

Rhinoplasty surgeons must continually strive to refine and improve their results. Improvement may be borne out of new surgical techniques, alternative perioperative medicines, or through the application of new technologies. One technology that has recently gained popularity are piezoelectric osteotomes (POs). These instruments offer a powered alternative to the traditional chisel osteotome. This article provides a history of these two modalities, reviews the most recent data surrounding piezoelectric osteotomy, and provides a framework to compare the pros and cons of each osteotomy option.

Evaluation of root surface roughness produced by hand instruments and ultrasonic scalers: An in vivo study

Background. The aim of periodontal treatment is to remove bacterial plaque and dental calculus by hand and power-driven instruments. However, the comparison of the effectiveness of these instruments has always been controversial. Therefore, this in vivo study investigated and compared the effects of hand and ultrasonic piezoelectric instruments on the roughness of dental surfaces under an atomic force microscope (AFM). Methods. In this study, 35 periodontally hopeless teeth were selected and randomly divided into four groups (n=7). The control group consisted of teeth that had to be extracted for orthodontic or prosthetic treatment (n=7). In group one, scaling and root planing were performed using hand instruments. In other groups, scaling and root planing were performed using piezoelectric ultrasonic instruments with low to high power, respectively. Then the scaled teeth were extracted for analysis under an atomic force microscope. Results. This study showed that root roughness significantly differed between different experimental groups (P<0.027). The root roughness (Rq) in the SRP2 group significantly differed from the control group (P<0.05), while no significant differences were observed between the other groups. Furthermore, the least roughness was observed in the SRP3 group, with the highest roughness in the SRP2 group. Conclusion. Within the limitation of this study, there were no significant differences in surface roughness between different powers of the ultrasonic device.

Present Status and Future Directions - Surgical Endodontics

Endodontic surgery encompasses several procedures for the treatment of teeth with a history of failed root canal treatment, such as root-end surgery, crown- and root resections, surgical perforation repair, and intentional replantation. Endodontic microsurgery is the evolution of the traditional apicoectomy techniques and incorporates high magnification, ultrasonic root-end preparation and root-end filling with biocompatible filling materials. Modern endodontic surgery uses the dental operating microscope, incorporates cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) for preoperative diagnosis and treatment planning, and has adopted piezoelectric approaches to osteotomy and root manipulation. Crown- and root resection techniques have benefitted from the same technological advances. This review focuses on the current state of root-end surgery by comparing the techniques and materials applied during endodontic microsurgery to the most widely used earlier methods and materials. The most recent additions to the clinical protocol and technical improvements are discussed, and an outlook on future directions is given. While non-surgical retreatment remains the first choice to address most cases with a history of endodontic failure, modern endodontic microsurgery has become a predictable and minimally invasive alternative for the retention of natural teeth.

The Comparison of Conventional Osteotomes and Magic Saws in Terms of Edema and Ecchymosis After Rhinoplasty

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to compare conventional osteotomes and Magic Saws in terms of edema and ecchymosis, in rhinoplasty patients.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective, case-control study.

METHODS

In this prospective, randomized study, we evaluated the results of 258 rhinoplasty patients who underwent osteotomy by either conventional osteotomes or new designed saws called; "Magic Saws." On postoperative days 2 and 7, the patients were photographed by the surgeon; photographs were evaluated by another otolaryngologist, blinded from the osteotomy procedure.

RESULTS

There were no statistically differences between the groups, in terms of age, sex, weight, or average arterial blood pressure (P > 0.05). The postoperative periorbital edema (days 2 and 7) and ecchymosis (day 2) scores were significantly higher in the conventional osteotomy group, as compared to Magic Saw group (P < 0.05). However, on postoperative day 7, the differences in the periorbital ecchymosis scores between the groups, were not statistically significant (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

As compared to conventional osteotomes, Magic Saws were reported to be associated with minimal soft tissue injury, as well as decreased edema and ecchymosis, in the early postoperative period after rhinoplasty.

A comparison of piezo surgery osteotomies with conventional internal osteotomies as performed by trainee surgeons: a cadaveric study

INTRODUCTION

Aesthetic rhinoplasty remains a challenging procedure with high expectations and narrow tolerance for errors. Considerable training is required to achieve controlled and reliable results. Use of the Piezotome is gaining popularity for performing the nasal osteotomies, a key step in rhinoplasty, where it is reported to improve precision and predictability and to keep tissue damage to a minimum. We compare the outcomes of conventional osteotomy techniques to piezosurgery in human cadavers as undertaken by surgical trainees.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seven human cadavers were used and a total of 14 osteotomies were performed. Conventional osteotomies and piezosurgery were carried out each on one side of the cadaver. A number of fragments and a blinded assessment of the accuracy of the osteotomy compared with the preprocedure skin markings were carried out by two experienced rhinoplasty surgeons. The Mann-Whitney test for statistical analysis was used.

RESULTS

The mean number of fragments was 1.57 in the piezosurgery osteotomy and 2.14 using conventional osteotomies. Four of seven piezosurgery osteotomies achieved an accuracy within 1mm. The conventional osteotomies as performed by the trainees showed a significant mismatch of more than 3mm in three of seven of cases. Accuracy within 1mm was achieved in one of seven cases.

DISCUSSION

Piezosurgery offers a safe, reliable and precise method of performing lateral nasal osteotomies. This human cadaver study shows a high accuracy of osteotomy and fewer comminuted fractures using this technique compared with conventional osteotomy techniques.

Periodontal evaluation of palatally impacted maxillary canines treated by closed approach with ultrasonic surgery and orthodontic treatment: a retrospective pilot study

Aim of this study is the evaluation of the periodontal status of impacted canines treated by closed approach with ultrasonic surgery and orthodontic treatment compared with contralateral spontaneously erupted teeth. The periodontal conditions of the teeth adjacent to the canines (lateral incisors and first premolar) were also considered. 17 patients (9 females and 8 males; mean age: 15.2 years) with unilateral palatal impaction of maxillary canine were selected. All patients were treated by closed-flap surgery with ultrasonic instruments. Periodontal status was evaluated by assessing probing depth (PD), gingival recession and width of keratinized tissue (KT) 4.6 months after the end of the orthodontic treatment, on average. Test group was composed by impacted elements and adjacent teeth and control group by contralateral spontaneously erupted canines and adjacent teeth. Student's t-test was used to compare test and control group values of PD and width of KT. Significance threshold for Student's t-test was set at p < 0.05. The average probing depth values show no significant clinical differences between the test and control groups. Probing depths recorded at the mesiovestibular and distopalatal sides of the impacted canine were statistically significant compared to the control elements (p < 0.05). No gingival recession was detected on the treated canines. The measurement of KT did not differ significantly between the test and the control groups. In conclusion, the ultrasonic surgery for disinclusion associated with a closed approach and orthodontic traction allows the alignment of an impacted palatal canine without damaging the periodontium.

Bone Healing Evaluation Following Different Osteotomic Techniques in Animal Models: A Suitable Method for Clinical Insights

Osteotomy is a common step in oncological, reconstructive, and trauma surgery. Drilling and elevated temperature during osteotomy produce thermal osteonecrosis. Heat and associated mechanical damage during osteotomy can impair bone healing, with consequent failure of fracture fixation or dental implants. Several ex vivo studies on animal bone were recently focused on heating production during osteotomy with conventional drill and piezoelectric devices, particularly in endosseous dental implant sites. The current literature on bone drilling and osteotomic surface analysis is here reviewed and the dynamics of bone healing after osteotomy with traditional and piezoelectric devices are discussed. Moreover, the methodologies involved in the experimental osteotomy and clinical studies are compared, focusing on ex vivo and in vivo findings.

Minimal Invasive Piezoelectric Osteotomy in Neurosurgery: Technic, Applications, and Clinical Outcomes of a Retrospective Case Series

Objective: To report the physical and technical principles, clinical applications, and outcomes of the minimal invasive piezoelectric osteotomy in a consecutive veterinary neurosurgical series.

METHODS

A series of 292 dogs and 32 cats underwent an osteotomy because a neurosurgical pathology performed with a Mectron Piezosurgery^® bone scalpel (Mectron Medical Technology, Genoa, Italy) was retrospectively reviewed. Efficacy, precision, safety, and blood loss were evaluated intraoperatively by two different surgeons, on a case-by-case basis. Postoperative Rx and CT scans were used to assess the selectivity and precision of the osteotomy. A histological study on bony specimens at the osteotomized surface was carried out to evaluate the effects of piezoelectric cutting on the osteocytes and osteoblasts. All the patients underwent a six-months follow-up. A series of illustrative cases was reported.

RESULTS

All the osteotomies were clear-cut and precise. A complete sparing of soft and nervous tissues and vasculature was observed. The operative field was blood- and heat-free in all cases. A range of inserts, largely different in shape and length, were allowed to treat deep and difficult-to-reach sites. Two mechanical complications occurred. Average blood loss in dogs' group was 52, 47, and 56 mL for traumatic, degenerative, and neoplastic lesions, respectively, whereas it was 25 mL for traumatized cats. A fast recovery of functions was observed in most of the treated cases, early on, at the first sixth-month evaluation. Histology on bone flaps showed the presence of live osteocytes and osteoblasts at the osteotomized surface in 92% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Piezosurgery is based on the physical principle of the indirect piezo effect. Piezoelectric osteotomy is selective, effective, and safe in bone cutting during neurosurgical veterinary procedures. It can be considered a minimal invasive technique, as it is able to spare the neighboring soft tissues and neurovascular structures.

Piezoelectric or Conventional Osteotomy in Rhinoplasty? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Outcomes

INTRODUCTION

Osteotomy of nasal bones in rhinoplasty is associated with postsurgical morbidities. Recent evidence has suggested that a surgical method applying piezoelectric ultrasound waves for nasal osteotomies in rhinoplasty reduces soft tissue damage and causes less postsurgical morbidities compared to conventional methods. The purpose of this study is to compare clinical outcomes of piezoelectric and conventional lateral nasal osteotomies in rhinoplasty.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, CENTRAL, and Web of Science up to 17 August 2019 for studies comparing postoperative outcomes of piezoelectric and conventional lateral osteotomies in rhinoplasty. We included studies comparing results of patients subjected to piezoelectric or conventional lateral nasal osteotomies in rhinoplasty. For outcomes, we considered postoperative pain, eyelid edema, periorbital ecchymosis, and intraoperative mucosal injury.

RESULTS

For eyelid edema, a statistically significant difference in favor of piezoelectric osteotomy was documented within the first 3 postoperative days (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.65; 95% CI = -1.18, -0.12, p = 0.02; I2 = 69%) and on postoperative day 7 (SMD = -0.69; 95% CI = -1.47, -0.09; p = 0.08; I2 = 85%). This was also the case for periorbital ecchymosis within the first 3 postoperative days (SMD = -0.85; 95% CI = -1.42, -0.28; p = 0.004; I2 = 72%) and on postoperative day 7 (SMD = -0.52; 95% CI = -0.79, -0.24; p = 0.0003; I2 = 71%). Intraoperative mucosal injury (OR = 0.06; 95% CI = 0.01, 0.53; p = 0.01; Ι2 = 0%) and postoperative pain (SMD = -0.99; 95% CI = -1.78, -0.11; p = 0.01; I2 = 49%) were also statistically lower during piezoelectric osteotomies.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that lateral piezoelectric osteotomy in rhinoplasty decreases postoperative pain, edema, ecchymosis, and intraoperative mucosa injuries compared to the conventional osteotomy technique with a chisel. Piezoelectric osteotomies are especially associated with less postoperative edema and ecchymosis in osteotomies not executed under direct vision.

Is Piezoelectric Surgery Really Harmless to Soft Tissue?

AIM

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of piezoelectric surgery (piezosurgery) on soft tissue in open septorhinoplasty.

METHODS

A total of 30 patients (21 females, 9 males; mean age 29.16 ± 8.17 years; range, 18-43 years) who underwent open septorhinoplasty between January 2019 and February 2019 were randomly divided into 2 groups. After the nasal dorsum was opened in all groups, 1 mm tissue under the skin in radix region was taken as punch biopsy. In the first group (classical group, n =  15), the cartilage hump was resected with number 15 scalpel and the bone hump with the help of a chisel. Lateral and median osteotomies were conducted using 4 mm sharp osteotomes. Rasping was performed to dorsum to correct bone deformities. Then, 1 mm punch biopsy was taken from under the skin tissue of the nose back near the radix. In the second group (piezo group, n = 15) hump excision, osteotomies and rasping were performed by piezoelectric surgery. Then, 1 mm punch biopsy was taken from the subcutaneous tissue of the nose back near the radix. Biopsies were examined histopathologically in the light microscope for edema, necrosis, and inflammation.

RESULTS

Of the 30 patients presented in this series, 21 were female and 9 were male. In the classical group, edema in the soft tissue was seen in 86.7% of the cases after osteotomy, while this rate was 26.7% in the piezosurgery group. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Although necrosis was not seen prior to the osteotomy in both groups, the rate of necrosis in the classical group was 13.3% and in the piezo group it was 66.7%. Necrosis was significantly different in the piezosurgery group compared with the classical osteotomy group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Piezosurgery is not completely harmless to soft tissue. A statistically significant increase in subcutaneous necrosis compared with the classical group can be explained by long-term soft tissue trauma caused by piezoelectric vibrations. We think that developing necrosis may cause problems in late period, especially in patients with thin skin.

Randomized clinical study comparing Piezoelectric Surgery with conventional rotatory osteotomy in mandibular third molars surgeries

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance and to assess the postoperative sequel and quality of life after removal of impacted mandibular third molars using piezoelectric surgery compared with conventional rotatory osteotomy.

Patients and methods

A single blinded, randomized, control clinical study was performed. Sixty-three patients (44 males, 19 females) who presented with bilaterally asymptomatic impacted mandibular third molars were included in this analysis. Each patient was treated, at two separate sessions approximately 4 weeks apart, with a conventional rotatory hand piece on one side of the mandible and a piezoelectric device on the contralateral side. Patients were followed up on postoperative days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 15 to rate the pain, swelling and trismus. Inferior alveolar nerve paresthesia was evaluated up to 12 months postoperatively.

Results

The severity of the pain, trismus and swelling using the piezosurgery were significantly different from the rotary group. In both groups, pain was most intense and peaked during the first post-operative day, while swelling and trismus reached peak levels on the third postoperative day. The piezoelectric procedure resulted in a significantly longer procedural duration compared to the rotatory surgery (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Piezoelectric surgery is considered a viable alternative technique compared to the conventional rotary systems and can improve a patient’s quality of life. Thus, piezoelectric surgery might be a preferred modality for patients undergoing complicated surgical extraction of impacted lower third molars.

[Advantages of piezoelectric technology in rhinoplasty]

BACKGROUND

Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery requires delicate, atraumatic handling of cartilage, bone and the surrounding soft tissue. Piezoelectric instrumentation (PEI) has previously been shown to be a precise and safe surgical instrument in rhinoplasty. It offers good preservation of surrounding soft tissue and high cutting precision and thus a good surgical applicability in rhinoplasty.

OBJECTIVE

This article presents experiences using PEI for cartilage preparation and modelling for various indications in facial plastic surgery. The use of PEI in rhinoplasty, its safety and preciseness were evaluated and postoperative results are discussed with respect to facial swelling and bruising.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 35 patients undergoing rhinoplasty and follow-up. Surgery was conducted by two expert surgeons in rhinoplasty in the department of otorhinolaryngology at the University Clinic of LMU Munich. Surgical performance of PEI in comparison with conventional instruments was evaluated by a customized questionnaire. The postoperative assessment of pain, facial swelling and bruising was documented.

RESULTS

This article presents the different options for the use of PEI in rhinoplasty. In bone modelling procedures, such as hump removal, osteotomy and bony fixations, PEI was evaluated as being superior to conventional instruments. Intraoperative bleeding was reduced, which led to reduced facial swelling and/or bruising. Postoperative pain assessment showed no or only mild pain in two thirds of the patients.

CONCLUSION

The results show that PEI enables a safe and very precise operation. Further development of surgical inserts will enable new surgical steps and facilitate the handling.

Piezoelectric Drilling Hole Technique in Septal Fixation

OBJECTIVES

The act of securing the septum to the midline is very important for the success of the operation during septoplasty and septorhinoplasty operations. The authors' aim in this study is to open a hole in the anterior nasal spine with the Piezoelectric drilling hole technique so as to fix the septum to the midline with a suture passing through that hole.

METHODS

Patients with anterior segmental deviation on whom we performed septoplasty or closed technique septorhinoplasty were included in the study. The patients were divided into 2 groups, as the Classic and Piezo Groups. A total of 63 patients were included in the study; in the Classic Group, we performed septum fixation with suture of the nasal spine to the mucoperiosteum in 27 patients; whereas in the Piezo Group, fixation was performed on 36 patients using the piezo-surgical suture through a nasal spinal opening. Patients were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively by VAS and NOSE scores, and also by postoperative examinations.

RESULTS

Preoperative and postoperative VAS-NOSE scores were found to be statistically significantly different in both groups (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001). Redeviation with no need for revision surgery was reported to develop in 1 patient of the classical group (3.7%).

CONCLUSION

Piezoelectric drilling hole technique provides stronger fixation in the midline and prevents postoperative redeviation. Its most important superiority over the other methods used in fixing the septum to the nasal spine is its ability to provide adequate stabilization without damaging soft tissue.

Observational Study on the Preparation of the Implant Site with Piezosurgery vs. Drill: Comparison between the Two Methods in terms of Postoperative Pain, Surgical Times, and Operational Advantages

Purpose

Recent advances show that ultrasonic implant site osteotomy is related to a decreased trauma and a better postoperative healing of the surgical site when compared to traditional drilling techniques. The micrometric bone cutting control and the operative advantages related to the piezoelectric approach are also characterized by a learning curve for the clinician in surgical practice and an increased operative duration of the procedure. The aim of this investigation is to compare the operative time, the postoperative pain, and the amount of painkillers taken by the patient during the healing period.

Methods

A total of 65 patients were treated at the Unit of Oral Surgery (Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Health, University of Trieste, Italy) using a split mouth model: 75 drill-inserted implants (G1) and 75 piezoelectric device-inserted implants (G2) were placed. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was performed to evaluate the postoperative pain at 15 days from surgery. The operative time and frequency of intake of painkillers were measured.

Results

The G1 and G2 groups showed a significant difference with a higher use of painkillers observed for G1. The G2 patients showed a lower level of pain (VAS) at all experimental times between 8 hours to 7 days (p < 0.01) postsurgery. At 15 days, the pain levels were similar for both groups. No differences were found in site preparation duration between the study groups.

Conclusions

The evidence supports the application of the piezoelectric approach compared to the drill's osteotomy as a useful technique for implant site preparation. This trial is registered with NCT03978923.

[The application of ultrasonic bone curette in laminoplasty of spinal canal after resection of intraspinal tumors]

Objective

To explore the practicability and safety of ultrasonic bone curette in the laminoplasty of spinal canal after resection of intraspinal tumors.

Methods

The clinical data of 17 patients with thoracolumbar intraspinal tumors treated with ultrasonic bone curette after resection of intraspinal tumors between December 2015 and April 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were male, aged 42-73 years with an average of 57.4 years. The disease duration was 2-47 months with an average of 21.1 months. Among them, there were 4 cases of thoracic intrathoracic tumors (T ₁₀ in 1, T ₁₂ in 3) and 13 cases of lumbar intrathoracic tumors (L ₁ in 5, L ₂ in 4, L ₃ in 2, and L ₄ in 2). Postoperative pathological diagnosis showed that 8 cases were schwannoma, 4 cases were meningioma, 2 cases were neurofibroma, 2 cases were dermoid cyst, and 1 case was ependymoma. Spinal nerve function was evaluated preoperatively according to Frankel classification criteria, with 2 cases of grade B, 7 cases of grade C, and 8 cases of grade D. During the operation, the time of single segmental vertebral canal posterior wall incision, the overall operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative dural injury, and cerebrospinal fluid leakage, spinal cord and nerve root injury were recorded. At 3-6 months after operation, the tumor and bone healing were observed according to MRI and CT three-dimensional reconstruction, and the spinal nerve function was evaluated by Frankel classification.

Results

The time of ultrasonic osteotomy for the posterior wall of a single segmental vertebral canal was 3.4-5.7 minutes, with an average of 4.1 minutes. The overall operation time was 135-182 minutes, with an average of 157.3 minutes. The intraoperative blood loss was 300-500 mL, with an average of 342.6 mL. There was no accidental dural injury, and cerebrospinal fluid leakage, nerve root injury, or spinal cord injury. The incision healed by first intention after operation. All the 17 patients were followed up 9-18 months, with an average of 12.7 months. MRI examination showed no tumor recurrence, and CT three-dimensional reconstruction showed good bone healing in all patients. During the follow-up, there was no loosening or rupture of the internal fixator and there was no re-compression of the spinal cord. At last follow-up, according to Frankel classification, there were 1 case as grade B, 5 cases as grade C, 7 cases as grade D, and 4 cases as grade E.

Conclusion

The application of ultrasonic bone curette in laminoplasty of spinal canal after resection of intraspinal tumors can preserve the integrity of the bone ligament structure of posterior column, maintain the volume of vertebral canal, and has high safety, practicability, and good postoperative effectiveness.

Ultrasonic vs Drill Implant Site Preparation: Post-Operative Pain Measurement Through VAS, Swelling and Crestal Bone Remodeling: A Randomized Clinical Study

Background: Piezosurgery is a surgical procedure that is able to perform osteotomies by a micrometric and selective cut of the bone tissue. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate two different techniques; an ultrasonic device, and a drill approach for implant site preparation. Methods: A total of fifty patients were recruited for the randomized clinical trial to receive dental implants for fixed prosthetic restoration in the posterior mandible and were allotted to two groups. In Group A the implant site was prepared following a drilling technique, while in Group B the implant site was prepared using an ultrasonic device; moreover, the operative duration was recorded. Postoperative pain and swelling were evaluated at 1, 2, 4, and 6 days. The crestal bone resorption was measured at 3 months from implant placement by a three-dimensional tomography evaluation. Results: The findings suggest that osteotomies performed by an ultrasonic device cause less pain and swelling. On the other hand, the piezoelectric preparation was characterized by a significative increase in the operative time. No statistical differences in crestal bone resorption were evident in the two different approaches. Conclusions: According to the outcome of the study, ultrasonic implant bed preparation can be used with success in implantology and could be considered a suitable alternative to traditional drilling techniques for dental fixture placement.

Bone Flap Technique With Piezosurgery for Impacted Teeth Extraction and Bone Cysts Removal Without Additional Fixation

To explore a new surgical approach for impacted teeth extraction and cystectomy using piezosurgery that provides proper bone healing in normal anatomical structure without additional fixation and graft materials.In cases with intact and relatively thicker vestibular compact bone, a bone flap design was used with converging osteotomy lines made with piezosurgery tips which allow proper stabilization after enucleation or extraction.Procedure was performed in 10 patients with 9 to 36 months follow-up resulted in satisfactory healing without any complications.Comparing to traditional techniques, effective enucleation and accelerated bone regeneration are achieved, with reduced risk of complications, operation time, and costs.

Experimental Comparison of the Performance of Cutting Bone and Soft Tissue between Piezosurgery and Conventional Rotary Instruments

Piezosurgery is an innovative technique widely used for osteotomies in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery. The surgical technique has been clinically supposed to cut mineralized bone selectively with reducing the risk of damage to adjacent soft tissues. However, none of the previous literature has reported any evidence of scientific experiments to examine performance of the piezoelectric device, i.e. the time required for cutting bone and the effect on soft tissues under the standardized conditions. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that cutting time of the piezoelectric device is longer than that of rotary instruments while the cut surface of bone is smoother and soft tissues are less damaged with piezosurgery under the standardized experimental system. We measured the time for cutting bone and soft tissues of rats with the piezoelectric device and rotary instruments. Damage to soft tissues was examined histologically, and the cut surface of bone was investigated using scanning electron microscopy. Our study demonstrated experimentally that piezosurgery provides a smooth cut bony surface with no damage to soft tissues and takes longer time to cut bone than conventional drillings. We propose that piezosurgery is beneficial for medical safety and usability.

Piezosurgery vs conventional rotary instrument in the third molar surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background/purpose

The surgical removal of mandibular third molars is frequently accompanied by significant postsurgical sequelae. Different instruments such as piezosurgery and conventional rotary handpiece have been used to decrease such adverse events. There are controversial results from randomized controlled trials evaluating the effects of Piezosurgery in the mandibular third molar extraction, compared with conventional rotary instrument. This study was performed to determine the impact of piezosurgery versus conventional rotary instrument on postoperative reactions after extraction.

Materials and methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to combine relevant RCTs results.

Results

Five RCTs were eligible for this study, enrolling a total of 402 patients. Compared with conventional rotary instrument, pain score at 6 or 7 days and mouth opening at 1 day after surgery was significantly lower in Piezosurgery group (SMD -0.33, 95% CI: −0.56 to −0.10, P = 0.005), as well as swelling score at 7 days after surgery (SMD -1.95, 95% CI: −3.22 to −0.67, P = 0.003). Furthermore, mouth opening at 1 day after surgery was significantly better in patients treated with Piezosurgery (SMD 0.84, 95% CI: 0.19 to 1.49, P = 0.01). However, more operation time will be required for Piezosurgery (MD 6.23, 95% CI: 3.32 to 9.14, P < 0.0001). With regard to analgesic dosage, pooled results from two RCTs suggested there were no significant differences between Piezosurgery and conventional rotary instrument (SMD -1.45, 95% CI: −4.39 to 1.49, P = 0.33).

Conclusion

There might be some advantages on third mandibular molar extraction with piezosurgery compared to conventional rotary instrument. More multi-centre trials are required to get more conclusive results.

The Usefulness of Piezoelectric Surgery in Sagittal Split Ramus Osteotomy

Mandibular osteotomy carries with it a risk of damaging blood vessels and nerves when using traditional surgical techniques. Piezosurgery^®, is a new technique that uses ultrasonic vibration to enable bone-selective sectioning without damage to the surrounding soft tissues. However, paralysis may not be completely eliminated using Piezosurgery^® for osteotomy. We investigated how piezoelectric surgery in bilateral sagittal splitting ramus osteotomy (BSSRO) affected the surrounding soft tissue. Forty-four patients with skeletal mandibular prognathism underwent mandibular setback with BSSRO. Patients were divided into two groups, those treated by the conventional chisel technique and those treated by Piezosurgery^®. Osteotomy time, blood loss, and incidence of paresthesia were compared retrospectively. Osteotomy time and blood loss in the piezo group were significantly reduced compared to the chisel group. Interestingly, whereas paresthesia incidence immediately after the operation did not differ between the groups, paresthesia in the piezo group 3 months postoperatively was significantly less than in the chisel group. However, a few cases of paralysis did not recover even in the piezo group. Blood loss and osteotomy time did not correlate with the paralysis. This study demonstrates that while piezoelectric surgery does impact the nerve tissue, the use of piezoelectric surgery in BSSRO leads to significantly less long term paralysis compared to surgery done by chisel.

Relationship Between the Quantity of Nerve Exposure During Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy Surgery and Sensitive Recovery

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate how different exposures of the V3 nerves during orthognathic surgery impact neurosensory disturbances.

METHODS

The study included 127 patients who underwent either bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) or BSSO with maxillary le Fort 1. They were divided into 6 groups, identified by the quantity of V3 nerve exposure. All patients were examined in a pre-op period and again after 1, 3, 6 months post-op. The standardized tests used were to clarify the objective and subjective neurosensory status of the exposed nerve. Neurosensory evaluation included; a pin prick test, the 2 points discriminator, light touch, warm and cold tests, and blunt discrimination. They were all done bilaterally on the lower lip area.

RESULTS

In only 2 patients the nerve was damaged during surgery and thus they were not included in this study. In 10.2% of patients there was no nerve exposure, 25.2% had longitudinal vestibular segment nerve exposed, 22.8% had the longitudinal upper-vestibular segment exposed, 20.5% had the longitudinal lower-vestibular segment exposed, 14.2% had the longitudinal upper-lower-vestibular segment exposed, and in 7.1% of patients the nerve was totally exposed. Given the estimated time of 1 month there was 100% recovery in patients whose nerve was unexposed. Considering the other patients, the authors had a variable number of patients who did not recover completely.

CONCLUSION

The authors estimate a correlation between the recovery time and the quantity of the exposed nerve. There is a high incidence of neurosensory disturbance in the lower lip and chin after BSSO and intraoperative quantity of nerve exposure.

Osseous outgrowth on the buccal maxilla associated with piezosurgery-assisted en-masse retraction: A case series

Piezoelectric surgery is a novel surgical approach used in orthodontic treatment for rapid tooth movement. This paper presents a case series wherein osseous outgrowths were observed in response to piezosurgery-assisted en-masse retraction. Sixteen patients requiring upper premolar extractions were treated with miniscrew-supported en-masse retraction and received minimally invasive decortication via piezosurgery. Computed tomography (CT) of the maxillary anterior region was performed to investigate the nature of the outgrowths. In 8 of the 16 patients, hemispheric or disc-shaped osseous outgrowths were observed on the sites where piezosurgery was performed during retraction. CT images revealed that these outgrowths were alveolar bone. This case series presents a previously unreported osseous response to piezosurgery-assisted tooth movement during orthodontic treatment. The response is mostly transient and is observed in 50% of the treated patients, suggesting a bone turnover that can be assessed clinically and radiographically.

Comparison of Surgical Outcome after Impacted Third Molar Surgery Using Piezotome and a Conventional Rotary Handpiece

Background and Aim:

One of the most commonly performed surgical procedures by oral and maxillofacial surgeons all over the world is the removal of impacted teeth. The most critical and important steps in third molar extraction are bone cutting or osteotomy. Many techniques are used for this purpose including chisels and mallet, rotary instruments, and ultrasonic-based bone cutting instruments. Piezotome is newer and innovative device for osteotomy based on piezoelectric vibrations. Piezotome is considered very efficient in performing osteotomy because of its selective cutting; being inert against soft tissues, including nerves and blood vessels. The aim of this study was to compare the surgical outcome of third molar surgery using conventional handpiece and piezotome with all other criteria remaining same for all the individuals.

Materials and Methods:

All patients reporting to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, for impacted mandibular third molar removal were screened. A total of 30 patients with same Pederson difficulty index for bilateral impacted third molar were selected for the study. The study involved the use of piezotome on one side (Side A) and rotary technique (Side B) on the other side for osteotomy on the same patient with an interval of 1 month. Therapeutic management was same for both the sides. Operating time was recorded in each surgery. Patients were examined postoperatively on 1^st, 3^rd, and 7^th day and pain, edema, trismus, paresthesia, and dry socket were evaluated and compared on both the sides. Data collected were analyzed statistically.

Results:

The mean operating time was 48.13 min in piezotome (Side A) and 32.90 min in conventional handpiece (Side B) which was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Furthermore, there was statistically significant difference (P < 0.001) in the level of pain (P < 0.001), number of analgesics taken (P < 0.001), and trismus (P < 0.01) on 1^st, 3^rd, and 7^th days postoperatively. There was no statistically significant difference in edema between the two sides. Paresthesia was present in one patient (3.3%) in Side B, while no paresthesia was present in Side A. No incidence of alveolar osteitis was reported on both the sides.

Conclusion:

Operating time with piezotome was more than that of conventional handpiece, but the postoperative responses such as pain, trismus, and edema were less in piezotome. Hence, despite being a slower procedure, piezotome can be an effective alternative for osteotomy in impacted third molar surgery. We recommend using piezotome for bone cutting and conventional rotary handpiece for tooth sectioning in order to obtain favorable outcomes as well as decreasing the operating time.

Reduction Gonioplasty: Bone Regeneration and Soft Tissue Response

BACKGROUND

Reduction gonioplasty is frequently used to achieve an oval-shaped face in Asia. However, the soft tissue response and bone regeneration of reduction gonioplasty which are keys to the outcome are still unclear. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of bone regeneration on facial width and the soft tissue response of reduction gonioplasty.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent reduction gonioplasty from 2009 to 2013. A high-speed rotary cutting bur without a water coolant was routinely used from the new gonial point to the inferior mandibular rim under the second premolar, whereas the elongated osteotomy line (mandibular-chin body osteotomy) was performed with a reciprocating saw. Forty-nine patients with preoperative, immediate postoperative, and 12-month postoperative frontal cephalograms were included in our study. Mandible and soft tissue profiles were measured on cephalograms.

RESULTS

Bone regeneration in high-speed rotary cutting bur ostectomy region was -0.79 ± 1.76 mm (1 cm above Go-Go), -0.75 ± 1.46 mm (Go-Go, bigonial line), and -0.77 ± 2.10 mm (1 cm below Go-Go), whereas 0.07 ± 1.79 mm (2 cm below Go-Go) in ostectomy region performed by reciprocating saw. The soft tissue response ratios were 76.72 ± 30.70% (Go-Go), 108.8 ± 54.11% (1 cm below Go-Go), and 155.9 ± 66.82% (2 cm below Go-Go).

CONCLUSIONS

Bone regeneration does not lead to an increase in facial width after reduction gonioplasty with our technique, and the use of a high-speed rotary cutting bur without a water coolant decreases bone regeneration. The soft tissue response ratio is higher in the anterior mandible, and the outcome of reduction gonioplasty is a sharper lower face with a full cheek. Reduction gonioplasty is an effective and predictable lower face reshaping surgery.

The application of a delayed expansion technique for horizontal alveolar ridge augmentation in dental implantation

The aim of this study was to evaluate the application of delayed expansion of the alveolar ridge in dental implantation. This method avoids the need to harvest autogenous bone and the requirement to fix a block with screws, and could help prevent the uncontrolled fracture and avascular necrosis that may result from the traditional alveolar split. Eighteen patients and 43 implants were included in this retrospective study. The width of the alveolar ridge was measured before implantation, immediately after implantation, and after the final restoration. The width increased significantly after the insertion of implants and decreased slightly after bone remodelling. Overall, the width of the alveolar ridge increased by 2.37±1.44mm on average, ranging from -0.20mm to 5.75mm. The results suggest the use of delayed expansion for horizontal alveolar bone augmentation; however, the maxillary premolar area may not be a suitable site.

Influence of Piezosurgery on Bone Healing around Titanium Implants: A Histological Study in Rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate histomorphometrically the influence of two techniques of dental implant site preparation on bone healing around titanium implants. Fifteen male Wistar rats (±300 g) were used in the study. Each tibia was randomly assigned to receive the implant site preparation either with a conventional drilling technique (control - DRILL group) or with a piezoelectric device (PIEZO group). The animals were sacrificed after 30 days and then the following histomorphometric parameters were evaluated (percentage) separately for cortical and cancellous regions: proportion of mineralized tissue (PMT) adjacent to implant threads (500 μm adjacent); bone area within the threads (BA) and bone-implant contact (BIC). The results demonstrated that there were no statistically significant differences between both groups for cancellous BIC (p>0.05) and cortical PMT (p>0.05). On the other hand, a higher percentage of BA was observed in the PIEZO group in the cortical (71.50±6.91 and 78.28±4.38 for DRILL and PIEZO groups, respectively; p<0.05) and cancellous regions (9.62±4.06 and 19.94±14.18 for DRILL and PIEZO groups, respectively; p<0.05). The piezosurgery also showed higher PMT values in the cancellous zone (9.35±5.54 and 18.72±13.21 for DRILL and PIEZO groups, respectively; p<0.05). However, the DRILL group presented better results for BIC in cortical region (80.42±10.88 and 70.25±16.93 for DRILL and PIEZO groups, respectively; p<0.05). In conclusion, for the implant site preparation, the piezosurgery was beneficial to bone healing rates in the cancellous bone region, while the drill technique produced better results in the cortical bone.

Piezosurgery: A Boon for Modern Periodontics

Dentistry has undergone significant advancement and has seen several changing concepts over a decade. One such novel innovation is piezosurgery. Piezoelectric bone surgery or otherwise known as piezosurgery is a novel technique invented by Professor Vercellotti in 1988 to overcome the limitations of traditional instrumentation in oral bone surgery by modifying and improving conventional ultrasound technology. It is a promising, meticulous, and soft tissue sparing system for bone cutting based on low frequency ultrasonic microvibrations. The absence of macrovibration makes the instrument more manageable and allows greater intraoperative control with a significant increase in cutting safety in the more difficult anatomical cutting zone. The present review compares piezosurgery with the traditional tools and emphasizes on its mechanism of action, instruments, biologic effects, advantages, and limitations, as well as its various applications in the field of dentistry.

Ultrasonic Needles for Bone Biopsy

Bone biopsy is an invasive clinical procedure, where a bone sample is recovered for analysis during the diagnosis of a medical condition. When the architecture of the bone tissue is required to be preserved, a core-needle biopsy is taken. Although this procedure is performed while the patient is under local anaesthesia, the patient can still experience significant discomfort. Additionally, large haematoma can be induced in the soft tissue surrounding the biopsy site due to the large axial and rotational forces, which are applied through the needle to penetrate bone. It is well documented that power ultrasonic surgical devices offer the advantages of low cutting force, high accuracy, and preservation of soft tissues. This paper reports a study of the design, analysis, and test of two novel power ultrasonic needles for bone biopsy that operate using different configurations to penetrate bone. The first utilizes micrometric vibrations generated at the distil tip of a full-wavelength resonant ultrasonic device, while the second utilizes an ultrasonic-sonic approach, where vibrational energy generated by a resonant ultrasonic horn is transferred to a needle via the chaotic motion of a free-mass. It is shown that the dynamic behavior of the devices identified through experimental techniques closely match the behavior calculated through numerical and finite-element analysis methods, demonstrating that they are effective design tools for these devices. Both devices were able to recover trabecular bone from the metaphysis of an ovine femur, and the biopsy samples were found to be comparable to a sample extracted using a conventional biopsy needle. Furthermore, the resonant needle device was also able to extract a cortical bone sample from the central diaphysis, which is the strongest part of the bone, and the biopsy was found to be superior to the sample recovered by a conventional bone biopsy needle.

Periodontal and peri-implant wound healing following laser therapy

Laser irradiation has numerous favorable characteristics, such as ablation or vaporization, hemostasis, biostimulation (photobiomodulation) and microbial inhibition and destruction, which induce various beneficial therapeutic effects and biological responses. Therefore, the use of lasers is considered effective and suitable for treating a variety of inflammatory and infectious oral conditions. The CO2 , neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Nd:YAG) and diode lasers have mainly been used for periodontal soft-tissue management. With development of the erbium-doped yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Er:YAG) and erbium, chromium-doped yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) lasers, which can be applied not only on soft tissues but also on dental hard tissues, the application of lasers dramatically expanded from periodontal soft-tissue management to hard-tissue treatment. Currently, various periodontal tissues (such as gingiva, tooth roots and bone tissue), as well as titanium implant surfaces, can be treated with lasers, and a variety of dental laser systems are being employed for the management of periodontal and peri-implant diseases. In periodontics, mechanical therapy has conventionally been the mainstream of treatment; however, complete bacterial eradication and/or optimal wound healing may not be necessarily achieved with conventional mechanical therapy alone. Consequently, in addition to chemotherapy consisting of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory agents, phototherapy using lasers and light-emitting diodes has been gradually integrated with mechanical therapy to enhance subsequent wound healing by achieving thorough debridement, decontamination and tissue stimulation. With increasing evidence of benefits, therapies with low- and high-level lasers play an important role in wound healing/tissue regeneration in the treatment of periodontal and peri-implant diseases. This article discusses the outcomes of laser therapy in soft-tissue management, periodontal nonsurgical and surgical treatment, osseous surgery and peri-implant treatment, focusing on postoperative wound healing of periodontal and peri-implant tissues, based on scientific evidence from currently available basic and clinical studies, as well as on case reports.

Piezoelectric compared with conventional rotary osteotomy for the prevention of postoperative sequelae and complications after surgical extraction of mandibular third molars: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The purpose of this review was to determine if postoperative sequelae (facial swelling, trismus, pain) and neurological complications are reduced when mandibular third molars are surgically extracted using a piezoelectric device for osteotomy compared with conventional rotary burs, and to determine if there is a difference in operating time between the two techniques. Clinical trials were identified through a search (April 2015) on the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and Google Scholar databases. Studies were assessed by study type, characteristics of participants, sample size, surgical technique, cointerventions, outcomes, risk of bias, and findings. We calculated a Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) rating of confidence in the effect estimates. We identified 2515 citations and found 15 eligible clinical trials. Patients who had osteotomies with the piezoelectric device had less facial swelling (standard mean difference -1.15; 95% CI -2.02 to -0.27; p<0.0001), trismus (greater maximum mouth opening, standard mean difference 0.78; 95% CI 0.56 to 1.00; p=0.33) and pain (standard mean difference -0.84; 95% CI -1.55 to -0.13; p<0.0001) at day 1, less facial swelling at day 7 (standard mean difference -0.98; 95% CI -1.52 to -0.44; p=0.05), and a reduced risk of neurological complications (odds ratio (OR) 0.28; 95% CI 0.09 to 0.89; p=0.79). Trismus at day 7 and pain at day 5 did not differ significantly between the two methods. Operating time was longer with the piezoelectric device (standard mean difference 0.83; 95% CI 0.57 to 1.09; p=0.001). The confidence in the effect estimates was low or very low across all outcomes. The findings raise the possibility of an improved clinical healing response to osteotomy with the piezoelectric device compared with one done with conventional rotary burs for surgical extractions of mandibular third molars.

Double-Blind Comparison of Ultrasonic and Conventional Osteotomy in Terms of Early Postoperative Edema and Ecchymosis

BACKGROUND

Edema and ecchymosis are common complications of rhinoplasty. Modifications to osteotomy may reduce edema and ecchymosis and ameliorate postoperative discomfort in patients who undergo rhinoplasty.

OBJECTIVES

The authors performed osteotomy with conventional instruments or with an ultrasonic device and compared these methods with respect to the severities of ecchymosis and edema in the early postoperative period.

METHODS

Fifty-six patients who underwent primary rhinoplasty with medial oblique, low-to-high internal osteotomy performed conventionally or with an ultrasonic device were evaluated in a prospective study. Photographs of the patients on postoperative days 3 and 7 were scored for ecchymosis and edema by 2 physicians who did not perform the operations and were blinded to the osteotomy procedure.

RESULTS

Ecchymosis scores on postoperative days 3 and 7 and edema scores on postoperative day 3 were significantly higher for the 22 patients who underwent conventional osteotomy than for the 34 patients who underwent ultrasonic osteotomy, as scored by both examiners. Edema scores on postoperative day 7 were significantly higher for conventional than for ultrasonic osteotomy as assessed by 1 examiner but were not significantly different as determined by the other examiner.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this comparative study suggest that rhinoplasty with ultrasonic osteotomy is associated with less edema and ecchymosis in the early postoperative period than is rhinoplasty with conventional osteotomy.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3 Therapeutic.

Postsurgical consequences in lower third molar surgical extraction using micromotor and piezosurgery

Background:

One of the most critical and crucial steps in surgical extraction is cutting the bone or osteotomy, for which many techniques are used, e.g., chisels and mallet, rotary instruments, and ultrasound bone-cutting instruments. If they are not used judiciously, they can be hazardous.

Objectives:

To assess the efficiency of piezosurgery unit over micromotor while performing surgical extraction of lower third molars by assessing the time taken for the surgery and measuring postoperative parameters such as pain, trismus, and swelling.

Materials and Methods:

Thirty patients having bilateral impacted third molars with the same difficulty index were selected for the study. One side surgical removal was done using micromotor and other side by piezosurgery with an interval of 15 days. After each surgery, time taken to finish was measured and patients were followed up on postoperative days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 15 for assessing pain, trismus, and swelling. Data obtained were statistically analyzed.

Results:

The mean time taken for the micromotor group is 37.90 min whereas by the piezosurgery group is 54.63 min, showing a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). Furthermore, there is statistically significant difference (P < 0.001) in the level of pain, trismus, and swelling on postoperative days 1, 3, 5, and 7. Even the intragroup comparison of piezosurgical group for trismus and swelling showed no statistically significant difference on postoperative day 7, indicating faster recovery of trismus and swelling. On postoperative day 15, there was no difference in any parameter in both groups indicating complete symptom-free recovery in both groups.

Conclusion:

It takes more time to perform surgical extraction of third molars when piezosurgical unit is used. Despite that, it causes less pain postoperatively with faster improvement in trismus and quicker reduction in swelling.

Piezosurgery in implant dentistry

Piezosurgery, or the use of piezoelectric devices, is being applied increasingly in oral and maxillofacial surgery. The main advantages of this technique are precise and selective cuttings, the avoidance of thermal damage, and the preservation of soft-tissue structures. Through the application of piezoelectric surgery, implant-site preparation, bone grafting, sinus-floor elevation, edentulous ridge splitting or the lateralization of the inferior alveolar nerve are very technically feasible. This clinical overview gives a short summary of the current literature and outlines the advantages and disadvantages of piezoelectric bone surgery in implant dentistry. Overall, piezoelectric surgery is superior to other methods that utilize mechanical instruments. Handling of delicate or compromised hard- and soft-tissue conditions can be performed with less risk for the patient. With respect to current and future innovative surgical concepts, piezoelectric surgery offers a wide range of new possibilities to perform customized and minimally invasive osteotomies.

Morphological characteristics of osteotomies using different piezosurgical devices. A scanning electron microscopic evaluation

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to compare morphological characteristics of osteotomies performed by 6 Piezosurgical devices.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The 6 Piezosurgical units were: (a) Piezotom, (b) SurgySonic, (c) Piezon Master Surgery, (d) VarioSurg, (e) Surgybone, and (f) Piezosurgery 3. Osteotomies on 9 freshly slaughtered cattle ribs (2 cuts by each unit, per rib) from the cortical (first cut at 5 mm) to the cancellous (second cut at 3 mm) bone layer were performed. The osteotomy margins were compared using scanning electron microscopy analysis. The cutting areas, osteotomy bottoms, and osteotomy margins were analyzed morphologically. Statistical evaluation of the 2 cuts regarding the design of the tips (a-d: tapered tool shanks, f: parallel tool shank) was performed by an unpaired t test.

RESULTS

Morphological characteristics were different for each Piezosurgical unit and each examined area. A significant difference (P = 0.0209) of the upper width of the first cut between tapered and parallel tips was shown.

CONCLUSIONS

The morphological characteristics of the produced Piezosurgical osteotomies vary and depend on the Piezosurgical unit and tip.