The posterior maxilla is challenged with postextraction alveolar bone resorption and pneumatization drive of the Schneiderian membrane that reduces the subantral distance. To overcome such anatomic obstacle a sinus augmentation procedure was introduced either via lateral or crestal approach depending on residual ridge height. The current study evaluated oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) as a grafting material versus osteon II by measuring bone gain and graft density, 24 weeks postoperatively. Twenty consecutive patients (24 cases) aged from 20 to 65 years were considered eligible after clinical and radiographic evaluation. These patients were allocated in 2 groups (study and control) that underwent transcrestal osteotome antral membrane balloon elevation and surgical void augmentation with ORC in the study group, while the control group grafted with collagen membrane and osteon II with simultaneous dental implant placement in both groups and were followed up for 1 year. Cone beam computed tomography was taken for all patients preoperatively and postoperatively to verify neoformed bone and density in Hounsfield units (HU). The mean gained height of the bone was 6.48 mm (5.94 mm in the study and 7.02 mm in the control). The mean density of graft above implant apex was 497.99 HU (434.23 HU in the study and 561.75 HU in the control). Apart from Schneider membrane thickening in 2 patients from the control group, there were no serious complications reported throughout the study. These results demonstrate that ORC is a reasonable grafting material with comparable outcomes when compared to osteon II with less postoperative complications.

Background: Maxillofacial fractures require stable fixation for uneventful bony healing and optimal remodeling. Conventional titanium plates considered the gold standard of rigid internal fixation for many years, however due to the inherent drawbacks associated with metal devices biodegradable plates have been developed. Aim of the Study: To evaluate the efficacy of biodegradable plates as a treatment modality of rigid internal fixation for facial fractures and to assess the perioperative complications experienced with their utilization. Patients and Methods: This prospective clinical study included 10 Iraqi patients, met the eligibility criteria and subjected to open reduction and internal fixation with biodegradable plates system. The data were analyzed according to the age, gender, etiology of the fracture, fracture site, surgical approach, plate application time, fracture reduction, screw holes ossification, and patient's satisfaction. The patients were radiographically followed up with either computed tomography or CBCT at 3, 24, and 48 weeks with regular follow up intervals. The statistical analysis was performed using percentages, the mean AE standard deviation, Shapiro-Wilk test and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: The age of patients ranged from 9 to 65 years with an average of 26.1 years and a standard deviation of AE 12.9. Regarding gender, males showed a higher percentage than female (80% versus 20%), respectively. There was a significant difference between the mean time of plate application in midface and mandible (53 versus 32.9 minutes), respectively. All cases end up with complete screw holes ossification. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that biodegradable plating system was a sensitive procedure and greatly depended upon surgeon's experience and improvement of the learning curve.

Background: Cone beam computerized computed tomography (CBCT) has been widely indicated in dental implant procedure. The first step that the doctors should perform in local hospitals is to use orthopantomography for surgical planning to avoid and limit the risk of complications. As a result, determining the magnification amount of orthopantomography to achieve a precise diagnosis is clinically important. This study investigated the difference in measurement of the mental foramen (MF) position before dental surgery using 2 views of CBCT. Materials and Methods: Cone beam computed tomography scan was performed for 100 patients who required implant placement. In the panoramic and three-dimensional views of CBCT, the vertical distance between the margin of the mandible and the lower border of MF, and the horizontal distance between the mandibular symphysis and the mesial anterior border of MF were calculated. The differences between the 2 views were compared using Wilcoxonrank U test with P value 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The findings of this study showed a substantial statistical difference in the horizontal distance for the dentate patients in panoramic and three-dimensional views (22.7 AE 3.04 versus 21.1 AE 1.6), (22.5 AE 2.4 versus 20.9 AE 1.5) and left side (22.4 AE 2.8 versus 21.2 AE 1.6), (22.4 AE 2.8 versus 20.6 AE 1.4) of both genders. Concerning the vertical distance, a significant difference was also observed in the dentate (12.1 AE 2.1 versus 11.1 AE 1.4), (10.6 AE 1.4 versus 9.6 AE 1.3) and left side of the jaw (11.6 AE 1.95 versus 10.9 AE 1.2), (10.5 AE 1.2 versus 9.96 AE 1.4) for both genders in both views. In the edentulous and right side of the jaw, however no statistical difference was observed between male and female patients in terms of horizontal and vertical measurements.

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