Resection of the mandible with immediate or delayed graft reconstruction is widely used in the treatment of ameloblastoma involving a large portion of the mandible. The purpose of reconstruction is mainly to restore the esthetic appearance and mandibular function of the patient. Spontaneous regeneration of the mandible after resection is rarely encountered. This article reports a rare case of spontaneous regeneration of the mandible after hemimandibulectomy for ameloblastoma in a 16-year-old male patient. We discuss the theories pertaining to the mechanism and source of the new bone formation in this case and review the English literature.

Large clefts in the lip and palate are common congenital anomalies. If the cleft palate is large enough, conventional feeding techniques may not provide proper nutrition for the infant. Feeding obturators will aid in the ability of the infant to attain suction and help the infant to feed adequately. It is necessary for the infant to have sustained weight gain prior to surgery to correct the cleft lip and/or palate. Fabrication of an infant feeding obturator is a simple technique using materials found in every dental office. An impression is made using modeling plastic impression compound. This impression is relined using irreversible hydrocolloid, and the resulting cast is used to enable a vacuum-formed obturator to be fabricated. The vacuum-formed obturator is smoothed and adjusted in the infant's mouth to ensure closure of the palate but allows pace posteriorly to allow normal breathing. The resulting obturator is well retained in the infant's mouth, allowing feeding.

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