Neurosensory recovery of inferior alveolar nerve gap reconstruction: a systematic review

Numerous procedures can potentially injure the inferior alveolar nerve during oral and maxillofacial surgery, eventually causing loss or alteration of local sensitivity. When its total rupture occurs, a conduit, such as an autogenous graft, can be used to join it. Due to the morbidity resulting from this technique, alternative forms of sensorineural repair have been investigated. This systematic review includes an electronic search of PubMed, Embase, LILACS, and Web of Science databases, in addition to a grey literature and manual search. Article selection was performed by two independent researchers following a predetermined inclusion criterion: human studies evaluating the regression of sensorineural disorders after any form of grafting (autogenous, allogeneic, and synthetic). Of the 789 studies, 648 were analysed. Only 11 articles met the eligibility criteria. After analysing the results, it was noted that regaining normal sensitivity was uncommon, but the majority of reconstructed nerves recovered their protective abilities. Allografts showed success rates similar to autogenous grafts, making them a viable alternative. However, clinical trials are still needed to provide solid evidence. Prognosis for sensory recovery was impacted by grafting time and patient age.

Autogenous particulated dentin for alveolar ridge preservation. A systematic review

PURPOSE

This review aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of autogenous particulated dentin (APD) used for alveolar ridge preservation (ARP), evaluating volume gain, histologic/histomorphometric data, and associated complications.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The review followed PRISMA guidelines and was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). An automated search was made in four databases (Medline/Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) supplemented by a manual search for relevant clinical articles published before March 10th, 2022. The review included human studies of at least four patients in which extraction and subsequent ARP were performed in a single surgery. Both comparative studies and studies that assessed ARP with APD exclusively were admitted. The quality of evidence was assessed with the Cochrane bias assessment tool, the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale, and the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tool.

RESULTS

Eleven studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included for descriptive analysis, with a total of 215 patients, and 337 alveoli preserved by APD, spontaneous healing (blood clot), or other bone substitutes, obtaining comparatively less vertical and horizontal resorption when APD was used.

CONCLUSIONS

After dental extraction, autogenous dentin was effective in terms of volume maintenance, showing promising results in histologic/histomorphometric analysis, and a low complication rate. Nevertheless, few comparative studies with comparable parameters have been published and so more research providing long-term data is needed to confirm these findings.

Retrospective case series analysis of vestibuloplasty with free gingival graft and titanium mesh around dental implant

Objectives

The purpose of this paper is to introduce an effective technique to easily obtain adequate amounts of keratinized gingiva and vestibular depth.

Materials and Methods

Free gingiva (vertical height 10 mm) was harvested on the palatal mucosa and a partial thickness flap was elevated on the recipient site with same width as the free gingiva graft. After a conventional suture, a titanium mesh covered the graft and was fixed with miniscrews. Titanium mesh was removed 4.1±2.5 weeks after surgery. The amount of keratinized gingiva and vestibular depth was measured at the final follow-up.

Results

Nine patients (males 4, females 5; 53.9±14.1 years) who underwent bone graft surgery before vestibuloplasty were included. No free gingival graft failure or complications were encountered in any of the patients. The relapse rate for vestibular depth (23.3%) was lower than that for keratinized gingiva (48.3%) after 34.4±14.4 months (P=0.010).

Conclusion

Vestibuloplasty with a free gingival graft using titanium mesh could be achieved with an acceptable amount of keratinized gingiva and an appropriate vestibular depth around dental implant.

Update on the supply and use of allografts in locomotor system pathologies in France

Allografts are increasingly used in orthopedics. The main aim of the present study was to map the use of locomotor system allografts in France between 2012 and 2016. The study hypothesis was that there are great differences in the distribution and activity of tissue banks and graft preservation procedure quality, failing to meet national requirements.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Data from activity reports of the French Biomedicine Agency (ABM) were collected for the period 2012-2016. Existing viral inactivation procedures were described. Preliminary results from a study of allograft requirements by the French Society of Arthroscopy (SFA) were reported.

RESULTS

Nineteen tissue banks were located. Four dealt exclusively with cryopreserved tissue, 3 exclusively with virus-inactivated bone, and 12 with both. Distribution analysis found wide disparities in geographic location and in type of activity. Viral inactivation is presently implemented only for femoral heads derived from hip replacement. Stocks of long bones, femoral heads and ligaments/tendons increased constantly over the study period, by 8.3%, 50.8% and 316.2% respectively. The SFA questionnaire confirmed a serious shortage of tissues, necessitating importation of allografts.

DISCUSSION

Each tissue bank had its own specificities and specialization. They should probably be coalesced, so as to centralize both supply and demand and improve nationwide response to requirements. Locomotor system tissue harvesting also needs to be expanded to meet increasing demand.

Modified approach for keratinized tissue augmentation in multiple teeth

This case report demonstrated a modified technique of free gingival graft (FGG) aiming to increase keratinized attached tissue in large recipient areas. A FGG to increase the amount of attached gingival tissue, facilitate oral hygiene, and prevent further clinical attachment loss was realized in two patients. Because the extensive recipient area, a modified technique was performed to obtain a smaller graft of the donor area. A template of the graft was made about 25%–30% smaller than the total recipient area. After graft removal, interspersed incisions were made in the upper and lower edges of it. After 9–24 months of follow-up, the final width of the keratinized tissue was 4.0–4.4 times larger in comparison to initial clinical condition. In conclusion, this FGG technique can be considered an alternative to gain sufficient amount of keratinized gingival tissue using a smaller graft.

[Micro-re-injection of autologous fat]

INTRODUCTION

Autologous fat graft has become the gold-standard defect filling technique. "Lipostructure(©)" was described by Colman in 1994. It is perfectly codified and gives excellent results. The filling of superficial skin layers with the routine technique is difficult. It can be performed with a new technique developed by G. Magalon called micro-re-injection of autologous fat.

TECHNIQUE

The adipose tissue is harvested without any incision, using a specific 2 mm cannula. The harvested fat tissue is centrifuged according to Coleman's recommendations. Re-injection of purified fat is performed with 0.8 mm specific cannulas, without any incision. 500-micron grafts are injected in multiple layers in the subdermal stratum.

DISCUSSION

This autologous fat graft respects Coleman's procedure principles and preserves the histological structure. This technique is well adapted for facial defects, especially for the lips. It is more precise because the fat deposits are thinner. It does not require any skin incision. It proved to be less painful for our patients, and there was less postoperative edema than with the reference technique. Micro re-injection broadens the indications of autologous fat tissue graft in the fields of plastic (lip, eyelids) and reconstructive (retractile scar) surgery.