Background: Computer-assisted mandibular reconstruction facilitates preoperative surgery simulation and transfers the virtual plan to a real operation. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the accuracy, efficiency, postoperative complications, and economic viability between computer-assisted mandibular reconstruction and conventional freehand mandibular reconstruction. Methods: The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases were searched up to November of 2018. The accuracy, efficiency, postoperative complications, and economic viability of computer-assisted mandibular reconstruction compared to conventional freehand mandibular reconstruction were systematically reviewed. Continuous and dichotomous data were pooled in mean difference (or standardized mean difference if necessary) and odds ratio, subsequently, with 95 percent confidence interval. Results: A total of 12 studies were included in the systematic review, and data extracted from 11 of them were combined in meta-analysis. The accuracy of computer-assisted mandibular reconstruction was better than or equal to that of conventional freehand mandibular reconstruction according to qualitative analysis, although the quantitative comparison from meta-analysis was excluded because of the diversity of measurements. As for efficiency, computer-assisted mandibular reconstruction, when compared to conventional freehand mandibular reconstruction, revealed a shorter ischemic time, reconstructive time, total operative time, and length of stay. There was no difference in postoperative complication rate. Conclusions: Computer-assisted mandibular reconstruction showed increased efficiency considering the reduced ischemic time, total operative time, reconstructive time, and length of stay. However, the accuracy, reconstruction outcomes, and perioperative cost should be further elucidated because of diverse measurements and the lack of included studies.

BackgroundThe development of primary dentition can be affected by oral sucking habits. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the association of nutritive and non-nutritive sucking habits with primary dentition development.MethodsOne thousand one hundred and fourteen children aged 2 to 5 years old in Hong Kong were recruited in a cross-sectional study. Information on their nutritive (e.g. breastfeeding and bottle feeding) and non-nutritive sucking habits (e.g. pacifier use and thumb/digit sucking) was collected via questionnaires. The children’s primary occlusions were examined in three dimensions.ResultsChildren who were breastfed for more than 6 months had a lower proportion of daily pacifier use (p < 0.05). Children who used pacifiers daily had a higher proportion of thumb/digit sucking (p < 0.05). Children who used pacifiers daily for more than one year had higher chances of developing an anterior open bite (p < 0.05) and a reduced overbite (p < 0.05). Those exhibiting daily thumb/digit sucking for more than one year had higher chances of developing Class II incisor and Class II canine relationships, an increased overjet and anterior open bite (p < 0.05).ConclusionPure breastfeeding for more than 6 months is inversely associated with daily pacifier use and daily pacifier use is positively associated with daily thumb/digit sucking. Children with more than one year of daily pacifier use and thumb/digit sucking have higher chances of developing abnormal dental relationships in the sagittal (i.e. Class II incisor and Class II canine relationships and increased overjet) and vertical (i.e. anterior open bite) dimensions, respectively.

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FRC FPDs are viable medium-term management alternatives for replacing single anterior or posterior teeth in patients.