Background: In this article, a facial reconstruction with implant-supported craniofacial epitheses and our clinical experience with the substitution of auricular and orbital region are described. Materials and methods: In this case series, 9 patients with 28 endosseous implants performed in the period between 2006 and 2013 were included. Two-stage and one-stage procedures were opted for; the former in six patients, and the latter in three patients. There were four patients with congenital defects of facial structures, and five patients who had undergone ablative oncological surgery; three among them received postoperative radiotherapy. In two patients adjuvant therapy with hyperbaric oxygen was used before and after implantation. We analysed the success of combined surgical-prosthodontic treatment. Results: We placed 28 titanium implants in 9 patients. A successful osseointegration was observed in 27 implants; only one endosseous implant failed to integrate and fell out of the bone (in an irradiated patient). The final implantsupported epithesis was achieved in six patients. Among them there were five ear-substituting epitheses and one epithesis substituting the eye and periorbital region. The final epithesis could not be made in three patients; in one patient too much keloid formed to fix a prosthodontic bar to the implants, the other two patients died because of the progression of malignancy. Conclusion: The surgical technique for rehabilitation using implant-supported facial epitheses is simple and reliable. In certain indications, it is the only proper option for aesthetic and socially acceptable rehabilitation. The major problem remains soft tissues surrounding the implants. Due to their stability and appearance, the implantsupported epitheses are superior to the adhesiveretained epitheses.
B.03 Paper at an international scientific conference
COBISS.SI-ID: 2036585The book is based on L. Andrews philosophy of the Straight wire appliance. It includes a historical background as well as the development of fixed appliance techniques and treatment planning of different malocclusion such as Class I, II and III according to Angle. The six keys of ideal occlusion are presented as the goal of every treatment using the straight wire appliance.
C.07 Other editorial board
COBISS.SI-ID: 214417932Background: Correlation between morphology and orofacial function is already known, however their influence on each other has not been yet determined. Despite the early orthodontic treatment of morphology, crossbite can often relapse, which could be the consequence of persistent incorrect orofacial functions. Unilateral functional crossbite (UFCB) is a discrepancy of both teeth and jaws. It is related to morphological irregularities of both upper and lower jaw and incorrect orofacial functions including tongue posture on the mouth floor. Aim: Aim of the research project was to determine jaw morphology, to figure tongue posture and to note possible correlation between tongue posture and jaw morphology in UFCB and control group. Subjects and Methods: 55 children, from 4 to 6 years old, have been included in a retrospective longitudinal research. 3D models have been scanned with 3D scanner. Jaw morphology has been measured and evaluated. Tongue posture has been determined from ultrasound images, taken with 3D ultrasound sistem. Results: At the beginning of the research project, children with UFCB had statistically significantly smaller upper jaw (P=0,008), larger lower jaw (P=0,006) and tongue posture on the mouth floor (P=0,002) compared to control group. After orthodontic treatment of UFCB, the difference in jaw size was no longer present, the percentage of treated children with incorrect tongue posture has also decreased. At the end of treatment period and a year after it, the differences in morphologies could not be determined, however incorrect tongue posture has once again been statistically significantly higher, especially in children who relapsed. Conclusions: Children with UFCB have smaller upper jaw, larger lower jaw and also have irregular tongue posture on mouth floor more frequently. Early orthodontic treatment of UFCB eliminates discrepancies in jaw morphology and also has short-term influence on tongue posture. Tongue adjusts itself to more spacious palate, therefore being able to rise, which is a beneficial influence to further growth and development of jaws.
B.04 Guest lecture
COBISS.SI-ID: 32020697Background: The aim of the study was to compare facial asymmetry in unilateral functional crossbite subjects after maxillary expansion performed either in the primary or early mixed dentition phase. Subjects and Methods: A group of 28 subjects (21 females and 7 males, aged 6.3±1.8 years) with unilateral functional crossbite were included and divided according to the dentition phase into the primary (pXB; aged 4.7±1.8 years) and early mixed (emXB; aged 7.8±1.3 years) dentition groups. The subjects were treated by not more than 1 month rapid palatal expansion followed by a retention period of up to 6 months. Three‐dimensional (3D) facial images were collected with non‐invasive stereophotogrametric cameras at baseline and at 1 year follow‐up. Results: At baseline, no significant differences (p)0.05) in facial asymmetry were observed between the two groups, although the percentage of facial asymmetry in the lower part of the face was smaller in the pXB (39.90±29.5%) as compared to the emXB (50.36±24.4%) group. Furthermore, the lower part was significantly more asymmetric (p(0.01) in comparison to the upper and middle parts of the face. At 1 year follow up, asymmetry of the lower part of the face decreased in both groups equally and no significant differences were observed between the two groups after treatment. Conclusions: Maxillary expansion in unilateral functional crossbite in either the primary or early mixed dentition phase appears to be equally effective in terms of facial asymmetry correction, particularly in the lower part of the face.
B.03 Paper at an international scientific conference
COBISS.SI-ID: 32043737In summer 2015 a book by Alenka Pavlič and Maja Šoštarič: Prevention of fear and pain in children and adolescents at the dentist was published. The book presents a variety of techniques, pharmacological and non-pharmacological, the purpose of which is to facilitate dental treatment also to less cooperative and non-cooperative children and adolescents. Individual chapters treat the following: various non-pharmacological approaches which have a favourable effect on the behaviour of the patient, the use of local anaesthetics for preventing pain, the use of different sedation techniques with particular emphasis on outpatient sedation with nitrous oxide and oxygen, dental treatment of patients who have been introduced under general anaesthesia, and emergency measures to be carried out in dental practices in cases when the patient’s life is in danger. The book was reviewed by Prof. Dr. Janja Jan, DMD, and Prof. Dr. Mirt Kamenik, MD. The book is also a mandatory textbook for students of dental medicine at the Medical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana.
C.05 Editorial board of a national magazine
COBISS.SI-ID: 280487424