Objective. To determine the effects of various implant retained and/or supported prostheses on number of occlusal contacts (NOC), occlusal contact area (OCA)and maximum bite force (BF). Patients and methods: In total, 56 patients were included in the study; five test groups and two control groups. The patients in the treatment groups received implant-supported/retained prosthesis; over-dentures retained with two individual attachments in occlusion with complete denture, with four individual attachments in occlusion with complete denture, with four individual attachments in occlusion with fixed partial dentures or natural dentition, 6-implant retained fixed bridges in occlusion with natural dentition and 8-implant retained fixed bridges in occlusion with natural dentition. The patients in control group 1 were wearing conventional complete maxillary and mandibular dentures, whereas in control group 2 they had fixed full-arch porcelain-fused to metal restorations prostheses for both arches. Dental Pre-scale was used measure the NOC, BF and OCA. Results. There was no statistically significant difference between the treatment and control groups, among the groups with regards to NOC. OCA demonstrated different results among the removable and fixed reconstruction groups. With regards to BF, removable dentures supported with four implants showed higher bite force values than controls and two implant over-dentures. Also, a fixed reconstruction using eight implants showed higher BF values than a fixed reconstruction using six implants. Conclusion. Use of implants for removable dentures and fixed reconstructions improve occlusal contact area and bite force.

Objective. To evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy on occlusal contact area, occlusal pressure and bite force in temporomandibular disorder patients. Patients and method. Twenty patients (14 women, six men, mean age 33.1 ± 3.8 years) diagnosed with myofascial pain according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorder (RDC/TMD) participated in the study. Twenty healthy individuals, matched in age and gender, served as a control group. Low-level laser was applied to the mastication muscles three times per week, for a total of 10 sessions. The mandibular mobility range was evaluated. The maximum bite force, occlusal contact area and occlusal pressure were measured bilaterally with a dental pre-scale before and after treatment. All variables were analyzed descriptively. Changes in the masticatory muscle tenderness, mandibular movements, maximum bite force, occlusal contact area and occlusal pressure were compared by paired-sample Student's t-tests. Results. There was a significant increase in the pressure pain threshold of the examined muscles. Mandibular movements were significantly improved in all patients. There was also a significant decrease in pain by palpation after laser exposure. However, no significant change was found in the maximum bite force, occlusal contact area or occlusal pressure after the treatment and also the values after the treatment were still significantly lower than those of the healthy individuals. Conclusion. This particular type of LLLT is effective at relieving pain but does not provide physical improvement.

Injuries to the orofacial region may vary from localized injuries to extensive soft and hard tissue loss. In addition to physical and psychologic damages, functional and aesthetic aspects must be restored. This clinical report describes the rehabilitation of a patient with a mandibular defect caused by a gunshot wound. Rehabilitation of this patient, with the use of an overdenture prosthesis, was performed after mandibular surgical hard and soft tissue reconstruction. A maxillary total prosthesis and an implant-supported mandibular overdenture supported by 4 osseointegrated implants were fabricated. Despite limited mouth opening and anatomic deficiencies, the patient's aesthetic and functional demands were fulfilled.

Colour degradation is a major problem in maxillofacial silicone elastomers. Recent studies have focused on colour stability and the mechanical properties of the silicone elastomers. A colour match is also essential for the acceptance of the prosthesis by the patient. The aim of this study is to assess the colour degradation of the silicone elastomer after being moulded in different colours of dental stones at two different vulcanization temperatures. Five different colours of dental stones were used to fabricate a total of 120 silicone blocks using a Cosmesil M511 maxillofacial silicone elastomer. Vulcanization was completed at two different temperatures (25 and 100° Celsius). Colour measurements were obtained with a Conica Minolta spectrophotometer. The CIEDE2000 formula was used to calculate the colour differences (∆E00). Two-way ANOVA, one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni corrected post-hoc p values and independent samples t-test were used for the statistical analyses. High temperature vulcanization causes lightening of the maxillofacial silicone elastomers without regard to the dental stone colour (p = 0.001). Specimens moulded in green stone lightened least at room temperature (p = 0.999). Compared to the control group, at high temperature, all specimens moulded in coloured dental stones darkened significantly (p < 0.001 for white, blue and yellow; p = 0.006 for green; p = 0.045 for reddish-brown). In the high temperature group, the shift to a green chroma was significant in the white, yellow and green dental stones groups (p = 0.001, p = 0.002, p < 0.001, respectively). The mean b* of the high temperature control group was higher than that of the room temperature control group (p < 0.001). The only ∆E00 score lower than the perceptibility threshold for dental materials (∆E00 = 1.30) was between the room temperature control group and the room temperature green dental stone group (∆E00 = 0.96). Green and blue dental stones cause less colour degradation in silicone elastomers. Reddish-brown dental stones cause the most colour degradation in silicone elastomers. At 100 °C, the colour of the silicone elastomer lightens and yellows even if the elastomer is vulcanized in a stainless steel mould. White, yellow and reddish-brown dental stones make the silicone elastomer appear more yellow even if the elastomer is vulcanized at room temperature.

An odontogenic keratocyst is a unique cyst because of its locally aggressive behavior, high recurrence rate, and characteristic histologic appearance. In this article we present the case of a 22-year-old male patient with a large odontogenic keratocyst and describe his treatment with immediate dental implants.

Objective: This study investigated on the incidence of Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus adhesion onto maxillary obturator prostheses with soft lining materials placed by prosthodontists. Material and Methods: Between years 2013 and 2014, patients with maxillary defects due to maxillary tumor surgery and acquired obturator prostheses (n = 21, study group) were clinically evaluated and microbiological outcomes were compared with complete maxillary denture wearers (n = 21, control group). Data were collected on demographic features, histological type of cancer, presence of chemotherapy or radiotherapy, identification of soft lining materials used on obturator prostheses, cleansing methods practiced for obturator and maxillary complete prostheses. The presence of Candida albicans was determined on soft lining materials or polymethylmethacrylate surfaces and in the oral cavity, and Staphylococcus aureus in nasal mucosa and saliva. Data were analyzed using Kruskal Wallis, Fisher-Freeman-Halton tests (p < 0.05). Results: The highest amount of Candida albicans was found on surfaces of prostheses, in the saliva and on maxillary defects on the hard palate and on definitive soft lining material with 90%, 90%, and 70%, respectively. The highest amount of Staphylococcus aureus was observed in the saliva and nasal cavity in the definitive soft lining material group (50%). Conclusion: Short renewal period of lining materials may cause less Candida albicans colonisation and denture stomatitis in the oral cavity. Patients who have undergone maxillectomy were more prone to Staphylococcus aureus colonisation.KeywordsCandida albicans; Denture liners; Maxillary prosthesis; Palatal obturators; Staphylococcus aureus.