The aim of this study was to systematically review the existing scientific literature and evidence about (a) the validation of masseter muscle ultrasonography for accurate assessment of muscle thickness and (b) the reproducibility of masseter muscle thickness measures. An electronic literature search was conducted using determined keywords on specific databases. Preliminary search revealed 298 articles listed in Medline, Scopus and Web of Science. 60 duplicates were rejected, leaving 238 articles for review. After reading titles and abstracts, 31 articles remained. 23 articles were assessed for eligibility. These articles were categorized as follows: thickness, cross-section, volume and the length of the masseter muscle measured by ultrasonography. It is possible to verify the thickness of the masseter muscle in males and females in relaxation (10-15 and 9-13 mm, respectively) and contraction (14-19 and 12-15 mm, respectively). A similar tendency can also be evidenced in other measurements. Many studies evaluate masseter muscle dimensions to relate it to cephalometric analysis as such to evaluate morphological variations. It can be concluded that ultrasound is a reliable clinical tool for masseter muscle measurements, yet there is a need for standardization of methods and parameters to be recorded.

PurposeThe aim this study was to compare the accuracy of orthodontists and dentomaxillofacial radiologists in identifying 17 commonly used cephalometric landmarks, and to determine the extent of variability associated with each of those landmarks.Materials and MethodsTwenty digital lateral cephalometric radiographs were evaluated by two groups of dental specialists, and 17 cephalometric landmarks were identified. The x and y coordinates of each landmark were recorded. The mean value for each landmark was considered the best estimate and used as the standard. Variation in measurements of the distance between landmarks and measurements of the angles associated with certain landmarks was also assessed by a subset of two observers, and intraobserver and interobserver agreement were evaluated.ResultsIntraclass correlation coefficients were excellent for intraobserver agreement, but only good for interobserver agreement. The least reliable landmark for orthodontists was the gnathion (Gn) point (standard deviation [SD], 5.92 mm), while the orbitale (Or) was the least reliable landmark (SD, 4.41 mm) for dentomaxillofacial radiologists. Furthermore, the condylion (Co)-Gn plane was the least consistent (SD, 4.43 mm).ConclusionWe established that some landmarks were not as reproducible as others, both horizontally and vertically. The most consistently identified landmark in both groups was the lower incisor border, while the least reliable points were Co, Gn, Or, and the anterior nasal spine. Overall, a lower level of reproducibility in the identification of cephalometric landmarks was observed among orthodontists.

ABSTRACT:The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the autogenous demineralized dentin matrix (ADDM) on the third molar socket wound healing process in humans, using the guided bone regeneration technique and a polytetrafluoroethylene barrier (PTFE). Twenty-seven dental sockets were divided into three groups: dental socket (Control), dental socket with PTFE barrier (PTFE), and dental socket with ADDM slices associated to PTFE barrier (ADDM + PTFE). The dental sockets were submitted to radiographic bone densitometry analysis and statistical analysis on the 15 th , 30 th , 60 th and 90 th days using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test (p ≤ 0.05). The radiographic analysis of the ADDM + PTFE group showed greater homogeneity of bone radiopacity than the Control group and the PTFE group, during all the observation times. The dentin matrix gradually disappeared from the dental socket during the course of the repair process, suggesting its resorption during the bone remodeling process. It was concluded that the radiographic bone density of the dental sockets treated with ADDM was similar to that of the surrounding normal bone on the 90 th day. The ADDM was biocompatible with the bone tissue of the surgical wounds of human dental sockets. The radiographic analysis revealed that the repair process was discreetly faster in the ADDM + PTFE group than in the Control and PTFE groups, although the difference was not statistically significant. In addition, the radiographic image of the ADDM + PTFE group suggested that its bone architecture was better than that of the Control and PFTE groups. DESCRIPTORS: Bone regeneration; Dentin; Tissue engineering. RESUMO:O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a reparação óssea em alvéolos dentários após exodontia dos terceiros molares inferiores em humanos, com implantação de matriz dentinária desmineralizada autógena (MDDA) na cavidade e cobertura desta com barreira de politetrafluoretileno (PTFE). Foram selecionados 27 dentes, os quais foram divididos em três grupos: alvéolo dentário (Controle), alvéolo dentário com barreira de PTFE (PTFE) e alvé-olo dentário com fatias de MDDA associada à barreira de PTFE (MDDA + PTFE). O alvéolo dentário foi submetido à análise de densitometria radiográfica e à análise estatística no 15º, 30º, 60º e 90º dias, utilizando-se a análise de variância (ANOVA) e teste de Tukey (p ≤ 0,05). A análise radiográfica do grupo MDDA + PTFE mostrou maior homogeneidade na radiopacidade do trabeculado ósseo do que no grupo controle e grupo PTFE, durante todos os períodos de observação. A matriz dentinária foi desaparecendo do alvéolo dentário durante a evolução do processo de reparo, sugerindo sua reabsorção durante o processo de remodelação óssea. Concluiu-se que a densidade óssea radiográfica do alvéolo dentário tratado com MDDA foi similar à do osso normal circunjacente no 90º dia. A MDDA foi biocompatível com o tecido ósseo, quando implantada nos alvéolos dentários cruentos de humanos. Na análise radiográfica, pode-se verificar que o processo de r...

This research evaluated the bone repair process after implantation of homogenous demineralized dentin matrix (HDDM) in surgical defects in the parietal bone of rabbits with alloxan-induced diabetes, using a polytetrafluorethylene (PTFe) barrier for guided bone regeneration. Thirty-six rabbits were used and divided into four groups: control (C, n = 12), diabetic (D, n = 12, left parietal bone), diabetic with PTFe (DPTFe, same 12 rabbits, right parietal bone), and diabetic with PTFe associated to HDDM (D-PTFe+HDDM, n = 12). Bone defects were created in the parietal bone of the rabbits and the experimental treatments were performed, where applicable. The rabbits were sacrificed after 15, 30, 60 and 90 days. The bone defects were examined radiographically and by optical density (ANOVA and Tukey test, p < .05). The radiographic findings showed that the D-PTFe+HDDM group presented greater radiopacity and better trabecular bone arrangement when compared to that of the C, D and D-PTFe groups. The statistical analysis showed significant differences in the optical density of the newly formed bone among the studied groups. It was possible to conclude that HDDM was biocompatible in diabetic rabbits.

Ranula is a mucous extravasation cyst which appears as a swelling in the submental and submandibular regions. Several surgical techniques to manage ranula have been described in the literature, these techniques include the CO2 laser radiation excision. Four patients were treated for intraoral ranula in the floor of the mouth by marsupialization with carbon dioxide laser radiation with defocused beam, continuous mode and 4 watts of power. There were no complications and no recurrences have occurred to date. The results showed that carbon dioxide laser radiation gives optimal results with no need for suture and good wound healing.

Keloids are considered to be benign hyperproliferative growths of dense fibrous tissue and overabundant deposition of disorganized, thick, hyalinized collagen that result from an abnormal tissue response to cutaneous injury. Keloids do not have a specific cause, although genetic predisposition is heavily implicated. We present a case report of a patient with an earlobe keloid that was treated with carbon dioxide laser radiation (CO(2)) with an 0.8-mm focus, 7 W, a power density of 2.5 W/cm(2), in a continuous mode. The patient was seen for follow-up 6 months later. An intact hole for placement of an earring was observed with a very good esthetic and functional result.

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the healing process after surgical treatment of chemically induced lesions in the lateral edge of tongue of hamsters performed with scalpel, electrocautery, carbon dioxide (CO(2)) laser radiation or neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser radiation. Eighty hamsters of both sexes were used and examined at postoperative days 7, 14, 21 and 28 by histological and histomorphometric analysis of the skeletal muscle fibers. In the histological analysis it was observed that the dynamics of the healing process was faster in the group treated by scalpel than in the other groups. The histomorphometric observation of the skeletal muscle fibers was submitted to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's multiple comparison test, with a level of significance set at P < 0.05, which showed that the amount of skeletal muscle fiber formed had significantly increased in the group treated by scalpel in comparison with that in the groups treated by electrocautery (P < 0.01), CO(2) laser irradiation (P < 0.001) and Nd:YAG laser irradiation (P < 0.01) on the 14th postoperative day. A gradual increase in skeletal muscle fibers formed during the healing process was observed in all groups. When the laser irradiated groups were compared, it was possible to conclude that tissue organization and vascularization were faster and more intense in the Nd:YAG laser irradiated group than in the CO(2) laser irradiated group.

Erythroplakia is considered to represent a premalignant condition and is felt to be at high risk to progress to oral cancer development. When the lesion presents with red and white mucosal alterations concomitantly, the term erythroleukoplakia is used. However, in erythroleukoplakia lesions, the red or erythroplakia areas have been shown to be most likely to demonstrate dysplastic changes compared to the white hyperkeratotic areas. We present a case of patient with erythroleukoplakia involving the lower lip that was treating with carbon dioxide laser radiation (CO2) with 0.8 mm focus, 5 W, power density of 2.5 W/cm2 in continuous. After the surgery, the vaporized surface was protected with a fibrinolisine + chloramphenicol cream. To date, after 6 months, there has been no clinically evident recurrence on the vermilion area. The functional and esthetic results observed were judged to be excellent.