• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.480-488
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• 2008

Orthodontists often treat cases which are difficult to treat with conventional orthodontics. In such cases, it could be treated with surgical procedures with the help of an oral surgeon. Especially, transverse deficiency of the mandible can be corrected by widening the transverse width of mandibular symphysis, using distraction osteogenesis. Transverse widening of mandibular sympysis is known as a safe treatment but still complications could occur during the treatment. We are reporting some complications of cases that mandibular symphysis transverse widening were applied. Some cases showed complications because of the inappropriate osteotomy line. Since straight vertical osteotomy line was inclined to the left, only the left bony segment was likely to expand. According to bio-mechanical considerations, it will be better to perform a step osteotomy, cutting the eccentric area of the alveolar crest and the centric area of the basal symphyseal area. Complications could also occur by the failure of the distraction device. The tooth borne distraction device was attached on the lingual side of the tooth with composite resin. During the distraction period, it was impossible to obtain appropriate distraction speed and rhythm because of frequent fall off of the distraction device. Therefore, distraction device should be attached firmly with orthodontic band or bone screw, etc. Tooth mobility increasement could also occur as a complication. 'Walking teeth phenomenon' was observed during the distraction period, showing severe teeth mobility and pain during mastication. These symptoms fade out during the consolidation period. Since the patient could feel insecure and uncomfortable, it should be notified to the patient before the procedure. Finally, alveolar crestal bone loss could occur. Alveolar crestal bone loss occurred because of lack of distraction device firmness and teeth trauma caused by lower lip biting habit. Therefore, adequate firmness of the distraction device and habit control will be needed.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.133-136
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• 2011

Cystic lesions on the jaws with expansion can invade the adjacent anatomical structure, infiltrate and expand the jaws, cause facial deformity, etc. There is great potential for pathologic fractures after cyst enucleation, and damage to the major structures like the nerve, artery. For these reasons, marsupialization and decompression are commonly used to reduce the cystic size. In 1947, Thomas first mentioned decompression that reduces the osmotic pressure in a cyst by making a hole in the cyst and insert a drain. In our cases, a large sized cystic lesion was treated with a specific device made from an orthodontic band and spinal needle. This device is easy and effective for applications and self irrigation.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.126-132
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• 2009

Injuries of permanent teeth by trauma occur frequently in childhood and adolescence. Crown fractures are as frequent as 25-76% and especially maxillary incisors are prone to fractures. There have been numerous efforts to achieve both aesthetically and functionally satisfying restoration. When a mature tooth is fractured, porcelain crown or laminate veneer could be a choice of prosthodontic treatment. However, in a case of immature permanent incisor fracture, prosthodontic treatment is more complicated due to the immaturity of the tooth. Moreover, if endodontic treatment is accompanied with the prosthodontic treatment, the treatment period is prolonged. In the past, restoration using an orthodontic band, a ready-made crown, or glass ionomer cement did not exhibit esthetically satisfying result. As restorational materials have been improved, now more esthetic restoration is possible by reattaching fractured fragments or light-curing composite resin restoration. We reports cases of patients with fractured maxillary incisors and their successful treatment results through reattachment of fractured fragments and composite resin restoration.