Assessment of the Availability of Bone Volume for Grafting in the Donor Retromolar Region Using Computed Tomography: A Pilot Study

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the area and volume of bone available for grafting in a donor retromolar region using computed tomography (CT). Materials and Methods: Ten patients previously scanned by multislice CT were selected for evaluation. Images from partially and completely dentate patients at least 18 years of age were included in the study; those from patients with impacted or erupted third molars or intrabony lesions in the study area were not included. Computer software with appropriate tools was used to handle the images. Two calibrated observers made measurements separately. Safety margins in relation to the lingual cortex, the base of mandible, and the alveolar canal were established in each cross-section of the CTs. Measurements were done by using cross-sectional views, and the results were calculated after three-dimensional reconstruction, providing area and volume data. Results: The mean area of bone available for grafting was 8.12 cm(2) ( range, 0.00 to 13.60 cm(2)) and 8.32 cm(2) ( range, 0.00 to 14.30 cm(2)) for observers 1 and 2, respectively. Mean available bone volume for grafting was 0.79 cm(3) ( range, 0.00 to 1.50 cm(3)) for observer 1 and 0.85 cm(3) ( range, 0.00 to 1.60 cm(3)) for observer 2. Interobserver analysis showed substantial agreement. Conclusion: The retromolar region showed a wide variety of anatomic differences among patients. Three-dimensional multislice CT allows reproducible measurements of the area and volume of the retromolar region. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants 2010; 25: 374-378

In vitro antimicrobial activity of Caesalpinia ferrea Martius fruits against oral pathogens

Aim: In the Amazon region of Brazil, the fruits of Caesalpinia ferrea Martius (Brazilian ironwood) are widely used as an antimicrobial and healing medicine in many situations including oral infections. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Caesalpinia ferrea Martius fruit extract against oral pathogens. Materials and methods: Polyphenols estimation and spectral analysis ((1)H NMR) of the methanol extract were carried out. The microorganisms Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus oralis and Lactobacillus casei were tested using the microdilution method for planktonic cells (MIC) and a multispecies biofilm model. Chlorhexidine was used as positive control. Results: Polyphenols in the extract were estimated at 7.3% and (1)H NMR analysis revealed hydroxy phenols and methoxilated compounds. MIC values for Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus oralis and Lactobacillus casei were 25.0, 40.0, 66.0, 100.0, 66.0 mu g/mL, respectively. For the biofilm assay, chlorhexidine and plant extract showed no growth at 10(-4) and 10(-5) microbial dilution, respectively. At 10-4 and 10-5 the growth values (mean +/- SD) of the negative controls (DMSO and saline solution) for Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sp. and Candida albicans were 8.1 +/- 0.7, 7.0 +/- 0.6 and 5.9 +/- 0.9 x 10(6) CFU, respectively. Conclusion: Caesalpinia ferrea fruit extract can inhibit in vitro growth of oral pathogens in planktonic and biofilm models supporting its use for oral infections. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.