The aim of this study was to clarify the arrangement of the anatomic courses and distribution of the intraosseous branch (IObr) of posterior superior alveolar artery. The anatomic variations in the topographic relationships were described to provide beneficial data to minimize injury to the IObr during surgical procedure of the buccal wall of the maxillary sinus. The IObrs in 42 hemifaces of embalmed Korean cadavers were examined. The courses of the IObr of the posterior superior alveolar artery were classified into 2 categories: the straight (type 1) and the U-shaped (type 2). The type 1 was the most common (78.1%), and the type 2 was observed in 21.9% of the specimens. The minimum mean height from the cervix to the IObr was 21.1 mm in the first molar region. The IObr ran at the lowest level from the maxillary sinus floor at the first premolar region. These anatomic findings in the current study could represent useful information for the various surgical procedures of the maxilla.

These observations indicate that anatomical characteristics of the buccofacial wall thickness of the maxillary sinus need to be considered when performing a window opening procedure for sinus augmentation.

The aim was to test the hypothesis that inaudible vibrations with significant amounts of energy increasing during jaw movements can be recorded in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) area. Twenty one subjects, who could perform wide opening movements without feeling discomfort, 12 with and 9 without TMJ sounds audible at conventional auscultation with a stethoscope, were included. Recordings were made during opening-closing, 2/s without tooth contact, and during mandibular rest, using accelerometers with a flat frequency response between the filter cutoff frequencies 0.1 Hz and 1000 Hz. The signals were digitized using a 24 bits card and sampled with the rate 96000 Hz. Power spectral analyses, and independent and paired samples t-tests were used in the analysis of the vibration power observed in frequency bands corresponding to audible and inaudible frequencies. An alpha-level of 5% was chosen for accepting a difference as being significant. In the group with audible sounds, about 47% of the total vibration energy was in the inaudible area below 20 Hz during opening-closing and about 76% during mandibular rest. In the group without audible sounds, the corresponding proportions were significantly different, 85% vs. 69%. The energy content of the vibrations, both those below and those above 20 Hz, increased significantly during jaw movement in both groups. Furthermore, percentage of signal energy above 20 Hz showed a noticeable increase in the group of subjects with audible sounds. This can physically be explained by decreased damping properties of damaged tissues surrounding the TMJ. Vibrations in the TMJ area can be observed with significant portions in the inaudible area below 20 Hz both during mandibular rest and during jaw movements whether or not the subjects have audible joint sounds. Further studies are needed to identify sources and evaluate possible diagnostic value.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM:Loss of the marginal bone to the first thread have been accepted but continuous effort have been made to reduce this bone loss by varying implant design and surface texture. PURPOSE: This animal study has examined the histomorphometric variations between implants with micro-thread, micro-grooved and turned surfaced neck designs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four mongrel dogs have been used the premolars removed and left to heal for three months. One of each implant systems with turned neck, micro-thread and micro-grooved were placed according to the manufacturers'protocol and left submerged for 8 and 12 weeks. These were then harvested for histological examination. RESULTS: The histologically all samples were successfully ossointegrated and active bone remodelling adjacent to implants. With the micro-grooved implants 0.40 mm and 0.26 mm of the marginal bone level changes were observed at 8 and 12 weeks respectively. The micro-threaded implants had changes of 0.79 mm and 0.56 mm at 8 and 12 weeks respectably. The turned neck designed implants had marginal bone level changes of 1.61 mm and 1.63 mm in 8 and 12 weeks specimens. A complex soft tissue arrangement could be observed against micro-threaded and micro-grooved implant surfaces. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, it could be concluded that implants with micro-grooved had the least and the turned neck designed implants had the most changes in the marginal bone level. The textured implant surfaces affect soft tissue responses.

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