The Treatment Perspective of Pediatric Condyle Fractures and Long-Term Outcomes

PURPOSE

In our study, the characteristics, treatment approach and long-term outcomes of condyle fractures treated in the pediatric plastic surgery and reconstruction unit in the last 10 years were evaluated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study consisted of two retrospective and prospective sections with the participation of pediatric patients with condylar fractures who were treated in the Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery clinic of a university hospital in the last 10 years. In the retrospective section, data were obtained from the electronic patient records and patient files regarding the treatment applied, as well as the characteristics of the patient and condyle fractures. In the perspective section, patients were invited to the clinic and the effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) for IBM 25 package program.

RESULTS

It was determined that 55.8% of the pediatric patients had accompanying facial fractures, and 72.4% had unilateral condyle fractures. It was determined that 59.5% of the pediatric patients underwent intermaxillary fixation (IMF). Physical complications were seen in 6.75% in the long term after treatment.

CONCLUSION

Falling from height and traffic accidents, which are the most important factors in the occurrence of condyle fractures, should be eliminated by increasing parental attention and awareness. Surgical treatment should be considered in the treatment of pediatric condyle fractures, especially if there are accompanying facial and mandible bone fractures.

The Effect of Joint Surface Preparations and Chemical Surface Treatment on the Transverse Strength of Repaired Denture Base Resin

AIM

The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of joint surface preparations and chemical surface treatment given to prepared surface on the transverse strength of repaired denture base resin.

METHODOLOGY

Two hundred and twenty specimens (DPI India) were randomly allocated into eight groups (n = 10), according to the combination of joint surface preparation (Butt joint, 45° bevel, and rounded joint) and chemical surface treatment (methylene chloride, ethyl acetate, and methyl methacrylate) for 30 and 60 s each. Specimens, after surface treatment, were repaired with self-cured resin (DPI India) and then subjected to 3-point bending test to measure transverse strength. Fractured surfaces were viewed under stereomicroscope and subjected to AutoCAD analysis to determine type of failure (adhesive or cohesive) and measure their area. Measurement data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance, paired t-test, Dunnett's D test, and multiple comparison Bonferroni t-test, with a 5% significance level.

RESULTS

Most of the comparisons between the test specimens were statistically significant. Specimens (methylene chloride for 60 s and rounded joint) show 60%-70% gain of strength.

CONCLUSIONS

For providing better bond strength to a repaired specimen, the segment of fractured specimens to be provided "Rounded joint" preparation with etching by methylene chloride for 60 s.

Influence of Different Repair Acrylic Resin and Thermocycling on the Flexural Strength of Denture Base Resin

Background and Objectives: Fractured acrylic denture base is a common occurrence in clinical practice. The effective denture repair procedure is cost-effective, time conserving, and results in lesser time without denture for the patient. Along with various reinforcements and surface modifications; different acrylic resins are investigated in improving the flexural strength of the fractured site. The aim of this study was to evaluate the flexural strength of a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) denture base repaired with heat-polymerized (HPA), auto-polymerized (APA) and light-polymerized acrylic (LPA) resins after thermocycling. Materials and Methods: Forty rectangular shaped (50 mm × 25 mm × 3 mm) PMMA specimens were fabricated. Group 1 specimens (n = 10) were kept as controls and the remaining 30 samples were sectioned at the center with a repair site dimension of 3 mm. The samples from three groups (n = 10) were repaired with HPA, APA, and LPA resins, respectively. The specimens were thermocycled for 5000 cycles and subjected to a three-point flexural test. The maximum load required to fracture the specimens was recorded, and further analyzed with ANOVA and the Games-Howell Post hoc test at the significance level p = 0.05. Results: The average maximum load and flexural strength of the control group was 173.60 N and 13.02 Mpa and corresponding values for denture repaired with HPA was 87.36 N and 6.55 Mpa. The corresponding values for APA resin and LPA resins were 62.94 N, 57.51 N, and 4.72 Mpa, 4.06 Mpa, respectively. Conclusions: The PMMA specimens repaired with HPA resins resulted in a significantly higher load to fracture compared to APA resin and LPA resin.