Simvastatin granules allowed for osteogenesis around immediate implants, resulting in their osseointegration.

INTRODUCTION: Computerized scanning technology has been in use for 30 years. Originally, it was called Computerized Axial Tomography or CAT. Today, with advances in miniaturization and computer software and a revolution in imaging, CAT scan technology has been moved from the hospital to the private dental office in the form of Cone Beam Computerized Tomography (CBCT), which will be an alternative radiographic study over the standard panoramic images. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the advantage of CBCT over panoramic X-ray in surgical removal of horizontally impacted mandibular third molars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on twenty patients selected from the Outpatient Clinic of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University, diagnosed by horizontally impacted mandibular third molar class II position B. All patients were diagnosed clinically and radiographically. Patients were divided randomly in two groups, 10 patients were diagnosed preoperatively by CBCT film (study group) and the other 10 patients were diagnosed by panoramic radiographic film (control group). Intraoperative and postoperative evaluation was carried out to monitor postoperative pain, inferior alveolar nerve paresthesia, trismus and postoperative edema at 3 rd , 7 th and 15 th day. RESULTS: Patients in the study group experienced statistically significant less pain and less postoperative edema than those in the control group (p=0.05, and p=0.048 respectively). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding the trismus and no patients in both groups suffered of alveolar nerve paresthesia. Less postoperative pain was diagnosed in the study group than in the control group. No inferior alveolar nerve paresthesia was found in the two groups. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the trismus. Less postoperative edema was found in the study group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: CBCT showed higher specificity to the inferior alveolar nerve localization as compared to panoramic x-ray. Hence, it is recommended that CBCT imaging is to be considered included in the diagnostic work-up prior to surgical removal of deeply impacted third molars.

INTRODUCTION: Following the immediate implant placement, there is a gap called jumping space which increases the risk of implant failure. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic efficiency of platelet-rich fibrin membrane (PRF) combined with bone graft surrounding immediate implants in fresh extraction sockets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A clinical and radiographic study was carried out on ten fresh extraction sockets with age range from 20 to 50 years. Sockets were occupied by immediate endosseous implant and grafted with allogenous bone graft and PRF. After placement all implants were evaluated clinically after 6 months (modified sulcus bleeding index, probing pocket depth and degree of mobility) and radiographically to evaluate marginal bone loss. RESULTS: There was less pain, edema, bleeding and probing depth in the study group than in the control group but the difference among them was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). There was significantly more bone density and less marginal bone loss in the study group than in the control group on the sixth postoperative month (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It is clear that PRF is biocompatible and can improve both soft tissue healing and bone regeneration after immediate implant placement.

INTRODUCTION:Alveolar ridge atrophy following tooth extraction remains a challenge for future implant placement. Post-extraction socket preservation and implant placement are two methods that are used to prevent significant post-extraction bone loss. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of hyaluronic acid when mixed with autogenous bone graft in alveolar socket preservation for future implant placement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A split mouth randomized clinical trial was carried out in 10 patients, 20 mandibular extraction sockets of single rooted teeth with age ranged between 25-55 years, 10 sockets were grafted with autogenous bone graft only using Auto-Max TM bone harvester and the other 10 sockets were grafted with autogenous bone graft mixed with hyaluronic acid (Hyadent TM ). All sockets were evaluated clinically, radiographically, and histologically (after 2 months, core biopsy was taken before implant placement) then histomophometric analysis and delayed implant insertion were done followed by implant stability assessment. After 4 months, final prosthesis was delivered. RESULTS: Histological evaluation revealed rapid thick bone deposition with many well organized osteocytes as well as osteoblast lining of the bone surfaces in the study group and increased mean area percent of formed bone. Radiographic bone density changes were found to be statistically significant between the two studied groups. (P2= <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of autogenous bone graft with hyaluronic acid appears to be more efficient in osteoconduction when compared with autogenous bone graft alone and could be a promising strategy for preservation of alveolar sockets.

INTRODUCTION:Soft tissue defects in Maxillofacial region remain significant health problems. The correct architecture and function of the vastly diverse tissues of this important anatomical region is mandatory. Amniotic membrane (AM) has been recently proposed as costeffective alternative skin graft. It provides significant benefits by improving the process of wound healing and minimizing scar formation. OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study was to assess clinically and histologically the effect of the use of the human amniotic membrane in healing of surgically induced skin defects in rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS:This study was performed on 14 White New Zealand rabbits on which skin defects were created on both sides of their back. The right side was grafted with human amniotic membrane (AM) freshly obtained and cryopreserved (side A), and the left side was left to heal spontaneously by secondary intention (side B). The rabbits were divided later in to three groups according to intervals of evaluation and sacrification (1st week, 2nd and 3rd week postoperative). The wounds were examined for gross morphological evaluation, histological and immunohistochemical studies. RESULTS Percentage of wound closure in AM grafted wounds was significantly higher than control wounds at 1st and 2nd week, but not significant at 3rd week healing wound (P<0.061). Histologically, the wounds of side (A) showed less inflammatory reaction and thicker newly formed epidermis layer. Collagen fibers were arranged in many directions and had higher density than those found in control wounds. Immunohistochemical evaluation showed higher expression of CD31 in side (A) than side (B) wounds indicating better angiogenesis in AM grafted wounds. CONCLUSIONS: AM graft enhanced and speeded up the healing process and wound closure with less scar healthy tissue.