Faculty Bibliography

The positive results of the performance of zirconia for orthopedics devices have led the dental community to explore possible esthetical and mechanical outcomes using this material. However, questions regarding long-term results have opened strong and controversial discussions regarding the utilization of zirconia as a substitute for alloys for restorations and implants. This narrative review presents the current knowledge on zirconia utilized for dental restorations, oral implant components, and zirconia oral implants, and also addresses laboratory tests and developments, clinical performance, and possible future trends of this material for dental healthcare.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to describe the orthognathic surgery techniques for the treatment of occlusal anomalies in those patients who underwent complex maxillomandibular reconstruction with bony free flap. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors describe their personal technique developed over years of experience with reconstruction of mandibular defects with bony free flaps. RESULTS: The outcomes in these patients who were treated according to our surgical planning were completely satisfying, with a 100% stability of the treated bones. CONCLUSIONS: Orthognathic procedure on bony free flaps for the reconstruction of mandibular defects is nowadays accepted. Patients who underwent major mandibular destruction due to oncologic disease or trauma outcomes can now benefit from this technique.

Few areas of translational medicine carry as much excitement and hope as stem cell therapies. Because of recent advances in material science and stem cell and developmental biology that help to target molecules and pathways to restore the body's regenerative capacity, the "engineering" of missing tissue is quickly becoming a reality. Classically, tissue engineering has been thought to require external regenerative resources including a scaffold, cells, and growth factors. The allure of providing an exact replica of a missing bone that incorporates to become indistinguishable from self, has the capacity to heal and grow, is resistant to infection, and has minimal morbidity is a "holy grail" to all surgeons who work with bone. This article attempts to shed light on the use of stem cells for craniofacial reconstruction, including important principles learned from other scientific disciplines, relevant animal models for tissue engineering, early clinical reports from our experience and that of others, and future directions.