Multiple Radiopaque Mandibular Lesions in a Patient with Apert Syndrome

Introduction

Apert syndrome (acrocephalosyndactyly) is a rare congenital malformation characterized by craniosynostosis, craniofacial anomalies, and symmetric syndactyly of the hands and feet. Oral manifestations usually include bifid uvula, a Byzantine arch palate associated with lateral swellings of the palatine processes, severe maxillary dental crowding associated with teeth malposition, severe open bite, dental caries, and gingival and periodontal disorders. Florid osseous dysplasia is an asymptomatic lesion mostly encountered during casual dental radiographic examinations as multiple sclerotic masses in 2 or more quadrants, usually in tooth-bearing regions.

Methods

A 32-year-old woman diagnosed with Apert syndrome was seen in our department for a routine dental examination. Radiographic evaluation showed multiple radiopaque lesions in the mandible. All teeth with radiopaque lesions gave positive responses to vitality tests, and the patient did not report any symptoms. Based on the clinical and radiographic findings, the diagnosis of florid osseous dysplasia in a patient with Apert syndrome was made. Because there were no signs of an intraoral infectious process or endodontic needs, the patient was followed during revisions for Apert syndrome, and the only treatment provided was conservative management of the many carious lesions observed during the clinical examination.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the occurrence of florid osseous dysplasia in a patient with Apert syndrome. Conservative management should be performed in asymptomatic cases. Although rare, our case report highlights the importance of florid osseous dysplasia as a condition that may mimic lesions with an endodontic origin in patients with Apert syndrome.     

Anterior Mandibular Repositioning in a Patient with Temporomandibular Disorders: A Clinical and Tomographic Follow-up Case Report

A 42 year old female with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) was treated by anterior mandibular repositioning which was followed-up clinically and tomographically. The authors tomographically reconfirmed the mandibular repositioning and discovered a type of condyle remodeling which they had not seen previously. Although clinical signs and symptoms of TMD were removed and the condyle was centered tomographically by the anterior repositioning, the MRI image indicated the disk was displaced anteriorly and laterally. The results suggest that image analysis of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is beneficial and careful application of the treatment for anterior repositioning is recommended.     

External Mandibular Distraction in Unusual Pediatric Syndromes with Micrognathia and Airway Obstruction

Mandibular hypoplasia is a craniofacial malformation that can cause airway obstruction and may affect the eating process. This anomaly is common in many polimalformed Syndromes, including the Pierre Robin Sequence and the Moebius Syndrome. It is also common in cases related to the dysgenesis of the brainstem. In order to avoid tracheostomy, or to allow for early decannulation in severely affected children, external distraction devices were employed in 3 clinical cases to repair mandibular deficiencies. A successful external mandibular distraction induces the removal of the airway obstruction, allowing spontaneous ventilation without devices, an independent eating process with no need of nasogastric or gastrostomy tubes, apart from the linguistic and facial asymmetry improvement.     

Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea with a Mandibular and Tongue Advancement Splint (MTAS) in a Completely Edentulous Patient. A Clinical Report

Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in dentate patients using a mandibular advancement splint (MAS) from mandibular repositioners has been documented in detail. Nevertheless, studies about completely edentulous patients with OSA are sparse. This clinical report describes a clinical and laboratory method for producing a functional splint combining an MAS and a tongue-retaining device with an individualized tongue tip housing and discusses the rationale for using such a device.     

正畸治疗中拔除下颌第一磨牙的临床疗效观察

目的探讨拔除下颌第一磨牙病例的正畸治疗方法。方法对28例下颌第一磨牙严重龋坏的错[牙合]畸形患者，拔除1—2颗下颌第一磨牙，选用0．56mm槽沟直丝弓矫治器进行治疗。结果矫治完成时间为13—39月，平均为27．6月。矫治后前牙覆盖、覆[牙合]正常；后牙[牙合]关系良好，所有拔牙间隙关闭，牙根平行，面部侧貌协调。结论在拔除下颌第一磨牙病例中，精心设计、力量合适和方法得当可有效控制下颌第二磨牙近中倾斜或近中舌向扭转。拔除严重龋坏的下颌第一磨牙，同时直立阻生的下颌第三磨牙是保持牙弓完整性的良好选择。