Changes in Soft Tissue Dimensions Following Three Different Techniques of Stage-Two Surgery: A Case Series Report.

Changes in Soft Tissue Dimensions Following Three Different Techniques of Stage-Two Surgery: A Case Series Report.

Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent. 2013 Apr 9;
Tunkel J, de Stavola L, Khoury F

The aim of this case series report is to compare the results of the increase in keratinized mucosa using three different techniques of stage-two surgery. Thirty-two patients with one to eight dental implants who received prosthetic rehabilitation of the maxilla were included. Patients were divided into three groups based on preoperative anatomical considerations. Stage-two surgery was performed using either the apically repositioned flap (ARF; n = 14), the roll flap (RF; n = 10), or an apically repositioned flap combined with a connective tissue graft (ARFCT; n = 8). The height of the keratinized mucosa and relative tissue thickness were measured preoperatively and postoperatively at 2 weeks and 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. The mean gains of keratinized mucosa and tissue thickness were calculated from these measurements. After 1 year, the mean gains in tissue thickness and keratinized tissue were 1.37 and 4.63 mm in the ARF group, 2.41 and 1.35 mm in the RF group, and 3.10 and 4.10 mm in the ARFCT group, respectively. There was no significant statistical difference between the 12-month and postoperative measurements (P > .05). In patients with deficient tissue thickness, a roll flap or an apically repositioned flap should be performed, while a lack of keratinized mucosa indicates the use of an apically repositioned flap with or without a connective tissue graft. When an increase in both keratinized mucosa and tissue thickness is necessary, an apically repositioned flap combined with a free connective tissue graft can be recommended. After a 12-month healing period, the obtained results showed excellent stability. HubMed – rehab

 

Recreating an Esthetically and Functionally Acceptable Dentition: A Multidisciplinary Approach.

Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent. 2013 Apr 9;
Goyal MK, Goyal S, Hegde V, Balkrishana D, Narayana AI

Patients today demand a youthful, attractive smile with comfortable functional acceptance. The complete oral rehabilitation of patients with a functionally compromised dentition frequently involves a multidisciplinary approach and presents a considerable clinical challenge. To a great extent, proper patient selection and careful interdisciplinary treatment planning, including acknowledgment of the patient’s perceived needs, reasons for seeking services, financial ability, and socioeconomic profile, can govern the predictability of successful restorations. This clinical report describes a successful interdisciplinary approach for the management of a severely worn dentition with reduced vertical dimension of occlusion. Treatment modalities included periodontal crown lengthening procedures, endodontic treatment followed by post and core restorations, and prosthetic rehabilitation for severe tooth surface loss and reduced vertical dimension of occlusion comprising metal-ceramic restorations in esthetic zones and full-metal restorations in posterior regions. HubMed – rehab

 

Rehabilitation Interventions for Unilateral Neglect after Stroke: A Systematic Review from 1997 through 2012.

Front Hum Neurosci. 2013; 7: 187
Yang NY, Zhou D, Chung RC, Li-Tsang CW, Fong KN

A systematic review of the effectiveness of rehabilitation for persons with unilateral neglect (UN) after stroke was conducted by searching the computerized databases from 1997 through 2012. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of neglect treatment strategies for stroke patients which used the Behavioral Inattention Test (BIT) as the primary outcome measure were eligible for inclusion. Out of 201 studies initially identified, 12 RCTs covering 277 participants were selected for analysis. All had the same weakness of low power with smaller samples and limitation in the blinding of the design. Prism Adaptation (PA) was the most commonly used intervention while continuous Theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) appeared to be a new approach. Meta-analysis showed that for immediate effects, the BIT conventional subscore had a significant and large mean effect size (ES?=?0.76; 95% CI 0.28-1.23; p?=?0.002) whereas the BIT total score showed a modestly significant mean ES (ES?=?0.55; 95% CI 0.16-0.94; p?=?0.006). No significant mean ES in sensitivity analysis was found for long-lasting effects across all BIT outcomes. PA appeared to be the most effective intervention based on the results of pooled analysis. More rigorous studies should be done on repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) before it can be concluded that it is a promising treatment for UN. HubMed – rehab

 

Predicting Functional Outcome after Stroke: The Influence of Neglect on Basic Activities in Daily Living.

Front Hum Neurosci. 2013; 7: 182
Nijboer T, van de Port I, Schepers V, Post M, Visser-Meily A

One prominent deficit resulting from stroke is visuo-spatial neglect, which has been associated with slower and more attenuated recovery patterns of sensory-motor impairment as well as limitations in activities of daily living (ADL). The aim of the current study was to further specify the relationship between neglect and recovery of different domains of ADL. One hundred eighty four patients were assessed with the Functional Independence Measure in the first week of inpatient rehabilitation, and again at 6, 12, and 36?months post-stroke. On average, neglect patients scored significantly lower on Self-care, Transfers, and Locomotion compared to non-neglect patients, but these differences became smaller with progress of time. Overall, no differences between groups were found for Sphincter control and Cognition. Patients with more severe neglect scored significantly lower on Self-care and Transfers compared to patients with mild neglect. During rehabilitation, it would be of importance to test for independence in ADL domains in neglect in order to define realistic treatment goals. The current findings could be taken into account in early multidisciplinary intervention planning in the sub-acute phase, to optimize regaining ADL. HubMed – rehab

 

Broca’s area and its striatal and thalamic connections: a diffusion-MRI tractography study.

Front Neuroanat. 2013; 7: 8
Ford AA, Triplett W, Sudhyadhom A, Gullett J, McGregor K, Fitzgerald DB, Mareci T, White K, Crosson B

In the recent decades structural connectivity between Broca’s area and the basal ganglia has been postulated in the literature, though no direct evidence of this connectivity has yet been presented. The current study investigates this connectivity using a novel diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) fiber tracking method in humans in vivo. Our findings suggest direct connections between sub-regions of Broca’s area and the anterior one-third of the putamen, as well as the ventral anterior nucleus of the thalamus. Thus, we are the first to provide a detailed account of inferred circuitry involving basal ganglia, thalamus, and Broca’s area, which would be a prerequisite to substantiate their support of language processing. HubMed – rehab