Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons Research Articles

Decision-Making in Endodontics Prior to the Surgical Removal of Large Cysts Involving Vital Teeth.

Introduction Maintaining pulp vitality is crucial; however, treatment options forlarge lesions may hinder the vitality of the teeth involved within the lesion.Some clinicians are not updated about the diagnostic terminology of the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) which may affect their decision-making. In the literature, there was no absolute treatment to manage such cases. The purpose of this study is to explore different opinions, identify the evidence of practice and treatment options to help in decision-makingand assess if clinicians are acknowledged by the AAE guidelines. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study was conducted through a qualitative survey designed to interview randomly selected endodontists, oral maxillofacial surgeons, oral medicine specialists, oral pathologists, and general partitioners to record their decisions and management about a structured case scenario. Atotal of 120 participants were included in the study.The interviewswere conducted bya single investigator, and the answers were recorded by another investigator. Finally, the responses of the interviewees were collected using Google Forms (Google, Mountain View, California). Results We found that there are dissimilarities between the different groups in decision-making concerning the management of teeth involved in large cystic lesions. Regarding the AEE guidelines, almost all the endodontics and general dentists were aware of the guidelines when compared with the other groups. Conclusion The management of teeth involved in large cystic lesions is controversial. Furthermore, the AEE guidelines are not a common language between the different disciplines. Randomized clinical trials are needed to investigate the prognosis and management of teeth associated with large cystic lesions.

A PhD completed. More insight into the origin and composition of salivary stones

Salivary stones are hardened, stony calcifications that primarily develop in the drainage duct of a salivary gland. They can lead to obstruction of the saliva flow, resulting in swelling and pain. Since the aetiology of salivary stones remains largely unclear, this was further investigated in this PhD study. A case-control review of patient records showed that systemic diseases and lifestyle factors most likely do not play a role in their occurrence. The biochemical composition of salivary stones removed by oral-maxillofacial surgeons was examined, revealing that large salivary stones have a different inorganic composition than small salivary stones. Several salivary proteins were detected in submandibular salivary stones, including lysozyme, s-IgA, and -amylase. Clumping together of these proteins may play a role in the initial formation of salivary stones.

Odontogenic Cutaneous Fistula: A Zombie Diagnosis.

Odontogenic cutaneous fistula (OCF) is a pathologic communication between the cutaneous surface of the face and oral cavity. Majority of oral cutaneous fistulas are reported to arise from chronic dental infection. Delay in treatment may result in chronic tissue injury as well as cosmetic deformities. Lesions are often misdiagnosed, leading to delayed management. Misdiagnosis may be the result of the variability of clinical morphological presentation and location of lesions compounded by the lack of knowledge that these lesions can have dental etiology. It is estimated that half of patients with OCF undergo multiple dermatologic surgical operations, antibiotic regimens, and other excisions and biopsies before a correct diagnosis is made. Herein, we present a systematic review to detail cases of odontogenic cutaneous lesions that had been previously misdiagnosed or managed inappropriately. In addition, we include a case report from our own institution. The aims are to demonstrate various presentations of OCF, increase awareness of plastic surgeons and oral maxillofacial surgeons to this pathological condition, and reinforce the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment. The study was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases from January 1, 2013 to July 24, 2023. The following search terms were utilized: "odontogenic cutaneous fistula" OR "odontogenic cutaneous sinus." Twenty-three articles published between 2013 and 2023 were included in this review. In addition, we report a case from our own institution. A total of 28 cases were included in the review. Diagnosis of OCF is challenging for numerous reasons. Misdiagnosis can lead to multiple trials of antibiotics and surgical procedures as well as reoccurrence of the lesion. Cases summarized highlight the importance of communication between oral maxillofacial surgery, plastic surgery, other medical subspecialists, and dentists in the evaluation of patients with head and neck lesions. Physicians should consider dental etiology in the differential diagnosis of orofacial skin lesions, even if teeth appear normal on oral examination.

Periodontists and oral surgeons' peri-implantitis-related education, knowledge, attitudes, and professional behavior: A national survey.

Each year, approximately 5 million dental implants are placed in the United States and one out of three patients is likely to experience peri-implantitis (PI). The objectives were to compare the PI-related education, knowledge, attitudes, and professional behavior of periodontists and oral maxillofacial surgeons (OMS), and to explore relationships between these constructs of interest. A total of 389 periodontists and 161 OMS responded to a web-based survey. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses (independent sample t-tests, chi-square tests, and correlational analyses) were conducted. On average, periodontists reported a higher percentage of time spent in residency on implant surgery (21.02% vs. 7.27%; p<0.001), better education about PI (5-point scale with 1=not at all well: means: 2.86 vs. 2.59; p<0.001), and better knowledge of risk factors (4.07 vs. 3.86; p<0.001) than OMS. Periodontists argued that oral hygiene-related treatment (4.45 vs. 4.22; p=0.001) and regeneration-focused treatments such as guided tissue regeneration (3.62 vs. 3.20; p<0.001) contributed more to successfully treating PI and used these treatments more in their practices (4.86 vs. 4.56; p<0.001/3.06 vs. 2.68; p<0.001) than OMS. They also considered PI as a more serious problem than OMS (4.55 vs. 3.80; p<0.001). The better the respondents' PI-related knowledge was, the more they considered PI as a serious problem (r=0.19; p<0.001). The more cases they treated per month, the more they considered PI as a serious problem (r=0.19; p<0.001). The results of the present study highlight the lack of standardization in the specialty training of periodontists and OMS. Best practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of PI are needed to optimize graduate education about this important topic.

Applying artificial intelligence to predict the outcome of orthodontic treatment

Objectives: The study aimed to train an algorithm to predict facial and dental outcomes following orthodontic treatment using artificial intelligence (AI). In addition, the accuracy of the algorithm was evaluated by four distinct groups of evaluators. Material and Methods: The algorithm was trained using pre-treatment and post-treatment frontal smiling and intraoral photographs of 50 bimaxillary patients who underwent all first bicuspid extraction and orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances. A questionnaire was created through Google form and it included 10 actual post-treatment and AI-predicted post-treatment images. The accuracy and acceptability of the AI-predicted outcomes were analyzed by four groups of 140 evaluators (35 orthodontists, 35 oral maxillofacial surgeons, 35 other specialty dentists, and 35 laypersons). Results: The Style-based Generative Adversarial Network-2 algorithm used in this study proved effective in predicting post-treatment outcomes using pre-treatment frontal facial photographs of bimaxillary patients who underwent extraction of all first bicuspids as part of their treatment regimen. The responses from the four different groups of evaluators varied. Laypersons exhibited greater acceptance of the AI-predicted images, whereas oral maxillofacial surgeons showed the least agreement. The base of the nose and the chin demonstrated the most accurate predictions, while gingival visibility and the upper lip-to-teeth relationship exhibited the least prediction accuracy. Conclusion: The outcomes underscore the potential of the method, with a majority of evaluators finding predictions made by the AI algorithm to be generally reliable. Nonetheless, further research is warranted to address constraints such as image tonicity and the proportional accuracy of the predicted images.

Trends in Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Search Activity and Opioid Prescribing by Oral-Maxillofacial Surgeons in Massachusetts 2016-2022

Trends in Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Search Activity and Opioid Prescribing by Oral-Maxillofacial Surgeons in Massachusetts 2016-2022

WHAT WE SHOULD DO FOR CROUZON SYNDROME ?

Introduction : Crouzon syndrome is a rare genetically disease characterized by craniosynostosis resulting in skull and facial deformities. Fortunately, not all patient requires surgery so we will review the workup of Crouzon syndrome and describes the collaboration of health professionals needed to manage this condition.&#x0D; Case Illustration : A 10 years old boy came to hospital with exophthalmos since birth. There is decreasing of visual acuity on RE caused by atrophy papil and leads to sensoric exotropia. There is also lagophthalmos 1 mm on the both eyes. Brain CT shown there are craniosynostosis and thickening of the rectus muscles. This patient also do a bone Survey with the result are asymmetrical calvarial thickening, cooper beaten skull, shallow orbits, depressed nasal bridge and hypoplasia maxilla. This case is managed by multidisciplinary to correct the maldevelopment of the midface and orbits to prevent blindness, airways obstruction and intellectual disability related.&#x0D; Discussion : The combination of detailed family history, the use of various imaging modalities and genetic testing help differentiate the spectrum of craniosynostosis syndromes. The management is complex and requires a team of subspecialists including pediatricians, oral maxillofacial surgeons, plastic surgeons, neurosurgeons, otorhinolaryngology, and ophthalmologists (pediatric and oculoplastics). Long-term follow up needed to monitor ocular development due to the propensity strabismic amblyopia and atrophy optic.&#x0D; Conclusion : An interprofessional team approach will provide the best outcomes and recognizing possible complications for crouzon syndrome.

Oral maxillofacial surgeons and Orthodontists' perceptions about anterior inferior crowding and indications of mandibular third molar extraction.

There are still many doubts about anterior inferior crowding and indications of mandibular third molar extraction, although it is very studied subject in the literature. The aim of this study was to evaluate the perceptions of oral maxillofacial surgeons (OMFSs) and orthodontists about anterior inferior crowding and indications of mandibular third molar extraction. A web-based survey was developed and sent to professionals in order to collect their opinion about the fact that third lower molars cause crowding and questions about the indication of third molars for orthodontic treatment. Descriptive analysis was performed and Chi-square or G tests were applied with a 95% confidence interval. The study included a total of 218 participants, of whom 115 were OMFSs and 103 were orthodontists. The results showed that 56.5% of OMFSs and 35.0% of orthodontists believe that the lower third molars cause anterior inferior crowding (p<0.001). A total of 91.3% of OMFSs and 70.9% of orthodontists indicate the extraction of lower third molars to aid orthodontic treatment (p<0.001). It can be concluded that in being an oral maxillofacial surgeon, a higher odds ratio is observed to consider that lower third molars cause dental crowding compared to those who are orthodontist. The indication of exodontia of lower third molars for orthodontic treatment was more frequent among OMFSs when compared to orthodontists.

The vital role of mentors and networking in the professional growth of dentists and oral-maxillofacial surgeons

The vital role of mentors and networking in the professional growth of dentists and oral-maxillofacial surgeons

The Influence of the Hourglass Form of the Neck on Perceptions of Frontal Esthetics.

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of the neck concavity angle (NCA) on different occupational groups' perceptions of frontal esthetics. An online survey was developed using Google Forms and sent to the observers through WhatsApp. Male and female frontal silhouettes were created, and NCAs that comprise the hourglass form of the neck were altered in 5 degrees increments from 120 degrees to 170 degrees. Observers were asked to score the images using 0 to 10 numerical rating scale. In all, 279 observers (97 orthodontists, 92 oral-maxillofacial surgeons, and 90 laypeople) participated in this study. For the male and female silhouettes, an NCA of 145 degrees was perceived as the most esthetic, while an NCA of 170 degrees was perceived as the least esthetic by all groups. Generally, an NCA greater than 145 degrees was perceived as less esthetic than an NCA smaller than 145 degrees. There was no significant difference between the scores of the observer groups for the silhouettes except for the female silhouettes with an NCA of 125 degrees or 150 degrees and the male silhouettes with an NCA of 145 degrees or 150 degrees. For both the female and male silhouettes, the further the NCA increased or decreased from 145 degrees, the less esthetic it was perceived to be. A significant increase in NCA was perceived as less esthetic than a significant decrease. The range of NCAs perceived as esthetic varied between 120 degrees and 145 degrees for women and between 130 degrees and 150 degrees for men. These ranges of variability of NCA may provide clinicians with useful information for orthognathic surgical planning.

Syncope as a symptom of COVID-19 infection related to maxillofacial trauma at the emergency room door

This article presents the case of an 84-year-old female patient who experienced syncope as a symptom of COVID-19 infection. The patient was admitted to the emergency room with maxillofacial trauma resulting from the syncope episode. The study highlights the importance of considering syncope as a possible indicator of COVID-19, even in the absence of typical symptoms. Collaboration between medical specialties, particularly oral-maxillofacial surgeons, is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management of such cases. This case underscores the connection between syncope, maxillofacial trauma, and COVID-19 infection, emphasizing the need for awareness and collaboration in these scenarios.

Orofacial Uses of Botox in Dentistry and their Associated Risks: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia.

Various healthcare professionals, including dentists, provide botulinum toxin (Botox) for cosmetic and therapeutic treatment. In dentistry, it has multiple uses, such as gummy smile, bruxism, sialorrhea, muscle spasm, and orofacial pain, yet unwanted side effects may arise. This study aimed to investigate the participants' perspective regarding the scope of Botox in dentistry and its associated risk, provider involvement, and factors affecting the choice of which healthcare professions administer Botox injections in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study using an online self-administered survey distributed through social media accounts among adults living in the Makkah region of Saudi Arabia. Four hundred male and female adults were invited to participate. Descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test were used in the study. A total of 256 responses were collected from 204 females and 51 males with a mean age of 33.86 (SD = 10.5) years. Collected data demonstrated knowledge of various Botox indications, which include wrinkle reduction (216 (84.4%)), treatment of muscle spasms (186 (72.7%)), and management of gummy smile (178 (69.5%)). Regarding the side effects, participants chose infections (182 (71.1%)), bruising (180 (70.3%)), and drooping in the eye (176 (68.7%)). Participants selected family and friends as the primary source of their information on Botox treatment. The majority preferred a plastic surgeon, followed by an oral maxillofacial surgeon, to provide the Botox treatment. The usage of Botox therapy in the field of dentistry has increased significantly. Participants had an acceptable level of knowledge regarding the use of Botox in esthetic practices but lacked knowledge of the therapeutic scope of Botox therapy. The majority of participants had no doubt about the medical professionals administering Botox. It is advised to educate the public about the extent of Botox treatment and offer a trustworthy source of information required.

Decision-making patterns among expert and novice orthodontists and oral maxillofacial surgeons in the management of adults with Class III malocclusions and moderate degree of skeletal discrepancies.

To explore the decision-making patterns among expert and novice orthodontists and oral maxillofacial surgeons in the management of adults with Class III malocclusions and moderate skeletal discrepancies. Self-administered questionnaire survey. Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore and the University Dental Cluster, National University Hospital, Singapore. A total of 55 clinicians, comprising 13 expert orthodontists, 20 novice orthodontists, 10 expert oral maxillofacial surgeons and 12 novice oral maxillofacial surgeons. Clinicians assessed six adults with a Class III malocclusion and moderate skeletal discrepancy. They were asked to decide who could be managed exclusively by orthodontic camouflage, who would require combined orthodontic-orthognathic surgery as the only viable treatment, or who could be offered both treatment options. The study found variable decision-making patterns among the clinicians in each case. Only 18.2%-40.0% of clinicians agreed that the cases selected were of moderate skeletal discrepancies and could be offered both treatment options whereas the rest were either more inclined to recommend orthodontic camouflage or orthognathic surgery. Intra-clinician agreement (n = 20) was only fair (Kappa value = 0.31). There was only slight inter-clinician agreement (n = 55) on their clinical decisions (Kappa value = 0.10). Clinical experience and dental specialty did not significantly influence clinicians' decisions. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons were 1.98 times more likely to indicate orthognathic surgery as the only viable treatment compared to the orthodontists (95% confidence interval = 1.15-3.42). Variability in the patterns of decision-making for adults with a Class III malocclusion and moderate skeletal discrepancy was observed among the clinicians with low repeatability and agreement.

Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon – A Hidden Weapon in Head and Neck Oncology

Oral squamous cell carcinoma dominates all the oral cancer cases with potentially malignant disorders which are also recognised as detectable pre-clinical phase of oral cancer. Patients with head and neck cancer should get a thorough dental oncologic examination as part of their pre-treatment evaluation. Dental professionals that specialise in oral and maxillofacial (OMF) surgery are the best people to manage patients with tumours in this area. This study discusses the significance of having these oncology-trained surgeons on the head and neck surgical teams, their underappreciated contributions to raising awareness of oral cancer and its negative effects among the general public as well as teaching oral cancer patients proper oral hygiene techniques. It also discusses the difficulties they face today to practise oncosurgery and be respected by their medical colleagues and provides an answer to the question of whether OMF surgeons have any role in such surgical setups.

Relationship Between Temporomandibular Ankylosis And Maximum Mouth Opening In Children.

Pediatric dentists should have information regarding whether mouth opening is limited. In clinical practice, these professionals should collect and record oral area measurements at the pediatric patient's first medical examination. The study's aim developed the standard mouth opening measurement in children by using ordinary least squares regression to develop a clinical prediction model in children with Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis before preoperative surgery. All participants completed their age, gender, and calculated height, weight, body mass index, and birth weight. Pediatric dentist performed all mouth-opening measurements. The oral-maxillofacial surgeon marked subnasal and pogonion points for the lower facial length of soft tissue. It was measured using the distance between the subnasal and pogonion with a digital vernier caliper. The widths of the three fingers (index, middle, and ring fingers) and four fingers (index, middle, ring, and little fingers) were also measured using a digital vernier caliper. Maximum mouth opening showed that three-finger width (R2 = 0.566, F = 185.479) and four-finger width (R2 = 0.462, F = 122.209) had a significant influence on the Maximum mouth opening (MMO) (p < 0.001). Pediatric dentists should collaborate with the treating maxillofacial surgeon to manage long-term treatment needs for individuals with Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis.

Risk Factors for Delayed-Onset Infection after Mandibular Wisdom Tooth Extractions

Wisdom tooth extraction is one of the most commonly performed procedures by oral maxillofacial surgeons. Delayed-onset infection (DOI) is a rare complication of wisdom tooth extraction, and it occurs ~1-4 weeks after the extraction. In the present study, risk factors for DOI were investigated by retrospectively analyzing the cases of 1400 mandibular wisdom tooth extractions performed at Kagawa University Hospital from April 2015 to June 2022. Inclusion criteria were patients aged >15 years with a wisdom tooth extraction per our procedure. The exclusion criteria were patients with insufficient medical records, a >30-mm lesion around the wisdom tooth shown via X-ray, colonectomy, radiotherapy treatment of the mandible, the lack of panoramic images, and lesions other than a follicular cyst. The DOI incidence was 1.1% (16 cases), and univariate analyses revealed that the development of DOI was significantly associated with the Winter classification (p = 0.003), position (p = 0.003), hypertension (p = 0.011), and hemostatic agent use (p = 0.004). A multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that position (OR = B for A, 7.75; p = 0.0163), hypertension (OR = 7.60, p = 0.013), and hemostatic agent use (OR = 6.87, p = 0.0022) were significantly associated with DOI development. Hypertension, hemostatic use, and position were found to be key factors for DOI; long-term observation may thus be necessary for patients with these risk factors.

Are There Differences in Opioid Prescriptions to Urban and Rural Patients by Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in Massachusetts From 2011 to 2021?

Oral-maxillofacial surgeons (OMSs) are frequent prescribers of opioid analgesics. It remains unclear if prescription patterns differ for urban versus rural patients, given potential differences in access to and delivery of care. This study aimed to characterize urban-rural differences in opioid analgesic prescriptions to patients in Massachusetts by OMSs from 2011 to2021. This retrospective cohort study used the Massachusetts Prescription Monitoring Program database to identify Schedule II and III opioid prescriptions by providers with specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery from 2011 to 2021. The primary predictor variable was patient geography (urban/rural) and secondary predictor was year (2011-2021). The primary outcome variable was milligram morphine equivalent (MME) per prescription. Secondary outcome variables were days' supply per prescription and number of prescriptions received per patient. Descriptive and linear regression statistics were performed to analyze differences in prescriptions to urban and rural patients each year and throughout the study period. The study data, which includes OMS opioid prescriptions (n=1,057,412) in Massachusetts from 2011 to 2021, ranged annually between 63,678 and 116,000 prescriptions to between 58,000 and 100,000 unique patients. The cohorts each year ranged between 48 and 56% female with mean ages between 37 and 44years. There were no differences in the mean number of patients per provider in urban and rural populations in any year. The study sample had a large majority of urban patients (>98%). MME per prescription, days' supply per prescription, and prescriptions received per patient were all generally similar between urban and rural patients each year, with the largest MME per prescription difference in 2019 (87.3 for rural to 73.9 for urban patients, P<.01). From 2011 to 2021, all patients had a steady decrease in MME per prescription (β=-6.64, 95% confidence interval: -6.81, -6.48; R2=0.39) and day's supply per prescription (β=-0.1, 95% confidence interval: -0.1, -0.09; R2=0.37). In Massachusetts, there were similar opioid prescribing patterns by oral and maxillofacial surgeons to urban and rural patients from 2011 to 2021. There has also been a steady decrease in the duration and total dosage of opioid prescriptions to all patients. These results are consistent with multiple statewide policies over the last several years aimed at curbing opioid overprescribing.

Assessing the Need for Transfer to a Trauma Center for Isolated Craniofacial Injury in a Rural State.

Management of craniofacial injuries typically defaults to plastic, ophthalmology, and oral maxillofacial surgeons which can challenge these surgical subspecialists' capacity to care for both trauma victims and non-trauma patients. Evaluating the need to transfer patients to a higher level of trauma care for isolated craniofacial injuries warrants investigation. Our 5-year retrospective study measured the frequency of craniofacial injuries and subsequent surgical interventions in elderly trauma patients' ≥65 years old. Eighty-one percent of patients consulted with plastic surgeons and 28% with ophthalmology. Twenty percent had craniofacial surgery with the majority of surgical interventions were in soft tissue (97%), mandible (48%), and Le Fort III (29%) injuries. A patient's ISS, GCS, head and face AIS, and presents of spinal or brain injury had no statistically significant impact on injury repair. Elderly patients with isolated craniofacial trauma may be better served by pretransfer consultation with a surgical subspecialist to determine the necessity.

Management of Impacted Mandibular Second Molar: A Case Report

Introduction: In rare cases, impacted second molars may create additional problems for orthodontic treatment. Both parents and the orthodontist should be aware of this problem early to prevent further complications. Good teamwork between the orthodontist and oral maxillofacial surgeon is needed in handling these cases, especially if it involves removing the impacted second molar. The right time to treat an impacted second molar is between the age of 11 to 14 years old. An impacted second molar can lead to a lack of arch length in the patient. Objective: The case report described the management of a female patient with a treated left-and-right impacted second molar in the mandible. The chief complaint of the patient was a protrusive mouth and having two impacted second molars, as told by her general dentist. Case Report: A 15-years-old female patient with Class I molar relationship, bilateral second molar impaction, and bimaxillary protrusion visited the clinic for orthodontic treatment. Extraction of four first premolar and mandibular second molar was completed. Both mandibular third molars were moved anteriorly to help close the space. Conclusion: Good cooperation from various disciplines and treatment planning to resolve the case can produce excellent and ideal results.

A Case of Impacted Foreign Body in Zygomatic Region- A Missed Diagnosis

Foreign body impaction in the soft tissues is not uncommon following maxillofacial trauma. Traumatic injuries in this region often cause penetrative injury of the soft tissues. Immediate closure of the soft tissue wound becomes the primary management strategy for control of haemorrhage. Foreign bodies may sometimes remain unnoticed in these wounds. Here, the authors present a case of retained metallic foreign body in the left zygomatic region in a 21-year-old male patient with history of simple slip and fall from staircase at home. Clinical evaluation and primary management of the facial wounds were done in a nearby healthcare centre by a general physician where the facial wounds were closed primarily using cyanoacrylate tissue glue to control the bleeding. Further, on clinical and radiographic examination by an oral maxillofacial surgeon, a 2×1 cm metallic foreign body was noted in the left zygomatic region. Immediate surgical removal under local anaesthesia was planned and performed. The purpose of reporting this case is to highlight the importance of thorough clinical and radiographic assessment as well as the need for an oral maxillofacial surgeon for prompt assessment, diagnosis, and management of these facial injuries.