title: The closure of oroantral communications with resorbable PLGA-coated beta-TCP root analogs, hemostatic gauze, or buccal flaps: a prospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare the treatment of oroantral communications (OACs) with bioresorbable root analogs made of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)-coated beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP), hemostatic gauze or a buccal flap technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective clinical study, 30 patients with oroantral communications were randomly assigned to a treatment. Clinical success, vestibular depth at the defect site, pain, and swelling were monitored.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The OAC closure was successful in all cases. The vestibular depth stayed constant in the groups treated with the PLGA-beta-TCP composite or hemostatic gauze. In contrast, a vestibular depth reduction of 1.2 +/- 0.2 mm was observed in the buccal flap group, indicating atrophy of the alveolar ridge in these patients. Furthermore, pain and swelling were more pronounced in this group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Closures of OACs with PLGA-beta-TCP composite or hemostatic gauze are reliable minimally invasive methods that minimize atrophy of the alveolar ridge, swelling, and pain compared with a buccal flap technique.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Oral Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Bojan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gacic
authors.forename: Ljubomir
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Todorovic
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kokovic
authors.forename: Vesna
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Danilovic
authors.forename: Ljiljana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stojcev-Stajcic
authors.forename: Radojica
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Drazic
authors.forename: Aleksa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Markovic
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants / Q000145:classification*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002610:Cheek / Q000601:surgery; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006489:Hemostatic Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000637:transplantation; D009779:Occlusive Dressings; D009957:Oroantral Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D056948:Orthognathic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018786:Bone Substitutes; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006490:Hemostatics; C485817:beta-tricalcium phosphate; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid