Oral mucosal lesions in electronic cigarettes consumers versus former smokers

Electronic cigarettes (ECs) have become very popular in recent years. However, many uncertainties remain about their side effects. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of oral mucosal lesions (OMLs) in former smokers compared to ECs consumers

Oral mucosal lesions in teenagers: a cross-sectional study

Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of oral mucosal lesions (OMLs) in a wide sample of adolescents. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out examining all medical records of adolescents (aged 13-18 years) treated at the Dental Clinic of the University of Brescia (Italy) in the period from 2008 to 2014. Cases with OMLs were selected. Data regarding age, gender, type of OML, bad habits, systemic chronic diseases were collected. Results A total of 6.374 medical records (mean age 15.2+-1.7 years) were examined. We found 1544 cases (31.7%) of oral mucosal lesions; 36 different types of mucosal alterations were detected and the most frequent were: aphthous ulcers (18%), traumatic ulcerations (14.3%), herpes simplex virus (11%), geographic tongue (9.6%), candidiasis (5.5%), and morsicatio buccarum (4.7%). Papilloma virus lesions (1.7%), piercing-related lesions (4%), multiform erythema (0.13%), oral lichen planus (0.13%) and granular cell tumour (0.06%) were also diagnosed. Conclusions The prevalence of OMLs in adolescents are different from those in children and, in some conditions, it could increase with age

Dental Anomalies in Permanent Teeth after Trauma in Primary Dentition

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study aims to evaluate the prevalence of dental anomalies in permanent teeth as a result of a trauma concerning the predecessor primary teeth. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 241 records of children (118 males and 123 females, mean age 3.62 ± 1.40) affected by trauma on primary teeth were analyzed. All patients were recalled to evaluate the status of the permanent successor teeth by clinical and radiographic investigations. RESULTS: Out of 241 patients, 106 patients (for a total of 179 traumatized primary teeth) presented at the recall. Dental anomalies on successor permanent teeth were detected in 21 patients (19.8%), for a total of 26 teeth (14.5%) and 28 anomalies. Anomalies of the eruptive process were the most observed disturbances (60.7%), followed by enamel hypoplasia (25%) and white spots (14.3%). A higher percentage of anomalies on permanent teeth was observed when trauma occurred at an age less than 36 months (38.5% of cases). Intrusive and extrusive luxation were related with the most cases of clinical disturbances in the successor permanent teeth. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study highlight the risk of dental anomalies after a trauma in primary dentition, especially in early-aged children and in case of intrusive luxation

Photobiomodulation laser therapy in pemphigus vulgaris oral lesions: A randomized, double-blind, controlled study

Objective: Systemic corticosteroids are the mainstay treatment for PV oral lesions; the aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of PBMT with a 645 nm diode laser as a supportive topical therapy in patients with PV induced erosive-ulcerative oral lesions. Materials and methods: This double-blind placebo-controlled study divided patients into two groups: A, patients receiving laser therapy (Raffaello 980 Bio, Dental Medical Technologies, Italy with the following parameters: 100 mW power, 645 nm wave length, irradiation area 1 cm2, application time 30 sec/cm2, energy density 3 J/cm2, scanning modality) and B, receiving sham therapy (placebo). All patients were being treated also with a systemic corticosteroid therapy i.e. prednisone 0.5 mg/Kg per day. Size of lesions, VAS and satisfaction were evaluated before the treatment (T0), after 4 weeks (T1) and after 8 weeks as a follow-up (T2). Results: A total of 50 lesions were evaluated. About lesions size, there was a statistical significative difference between the two groups just at T2 (p=0.0193), though VAS significantly decreased both at T1 (p=0.0198) and at T2 (p=0.0087). In general, all patients were satisfied of the treatment received. Conclusion: PBMT can be considered a validate supportive therapeutic option, even if further RCTs studies with wide sample sizes and standardized management protocols are suggested

Efficacy of the photobiomodulation therapy in the treatment of the burning mouth syndrome

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of the photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) - in terms of pain and of quality of life- in patients affected by burning mouth syndrome (BMS). This study was designed as a randomised double-blinded prospective study. Patients diagnosed with BMS in the period from June 2015 to June 2018 were recruited. The patients were randomised into two groups and each received treatment once a week for ten weeks: group A received laser therapy (K Laser Cube 3®) while group B was given sham therapy (placebo). Pain was evaluated through the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and quality of life was assessed with the short form of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). Assessment was done at baseline and after every therapy session. The researchers were blind to the randomised allocations. A total of 85 patients were analysed. Group A (laser treatment) was composed of 43 patients while group B (sham therapy) of 42 patients. Patients treated with PBMT showed a significant decrease in symptoms (p=0.0008) and improved quality of life related to oral health (p=0.0002). PBMT has demonstrated to have a positive effect in relieving BMS symptoms and in improving a patient?s overall quality of life

Timetable for oral prevention in childhood--developing dentition and oral habits: a current opinion

As most of the etiologic factors of malocclusion are of genetic origin and thus cannot be prevented, environmental causative factors have become the focus for correction. Early interception of oral habits may be an important step in order to prevent occlusal disturbances in children. The identification of an abnormal habit and the assessment of its potential immediate and long-term effects on the dentition and potentially on the craniofacial complex should be made at an early stage. This paper focuses on the most common oral habits influencing dentofacial growth in childhood and management of these habits in the developing dentition

Effectiveness of a spray containing 1% malic acid in patients with xerostomia induced by graft-versus-host disease

To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of a topical sialogogue spray (malic acid, 1%) in the treatment of xerostomia in patients with chronic Graft versus Host Disease (cGVHD). This study was designed as a randomized double-blind clinical study. Twenty-eight patients with cGVHD suffering from xerostomia were divided into 2 groups: the first group (14 patients) received a topical sialagogue spray containing malic acid 1% (SalivAktive®) whereas the second group (14 patients) received a placebo. Both groups received treatment for 2 weeks. Dry Mouth Questionnaire (DMQ) scores and unstimulated salivary flows rate were collected before and after treatment. DMQ scores increased significantly from 1.3 ± 0.4 to 3.5 ± 0.4 points (p 0.05). The unstimulated salivary flow rate in patients treated with malic acid increased significantly from 0.15 ± 0.06 mL/min to 0.24± 0.08 mL/min, while that of the patients treated with placebo went from 0.16 ± 0.07 mL/min to 0.17 ± 0.09 mL/min (p >0.05). Malic acid 1% spray can be considered effective in the treatment of GVHD induced xerostomia

Photobiomodulation therapy for the management of recurrent aphthous stomatitis in children : clinical effectiveness and parental satisfaction

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) in the treatment of minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis (MiRAS) in children, in terms of pain relief, lesion size reduction and the parental satisfaction of the therapy. This randomized controlled study was carried out on 60 children with clinical diagnosis of MiRAS. Patients were randomized into two groups: group A receiving laser therapy and group B receiving sham therapy (placebo). Laser therapy (diode laser, ?: 645 nm) was administered on day 1 (T0) for three consecutive days. Patients were evaluated also on day 4 (T1), on day 7 (T2) and on day 10 (T3). Oral aphthous lesions size was assessed through a periodontal probe to measure the diameter length (mm); pain was evaluated through the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS); parental satisfaction was assessed through a questionnaire. The difference in the reduction of ulcers diameters between the two groups resulted statistically significant at T1 and at T2 (p<0.05). A statistically significant difference in pain reduction between two groups was found at T1 (p<0.05). No statistically significant difference between the two groups of parents was found as concerns the parental acceptance of the procedure and the discomfort for the need of multiple appointments. PBMT is to be considered effective in the treatment of MiRAS in children and well- accepted by the parents of the children themselves

Efficacy of ozonized water for the treatment of erosive oral lichen planus : a randomized controlled study

Management of erosive Oral Lichen Planus (eOLP) is challenging. Currently, topical corticosteroids are widely used as first-line therapy, but they might be associated with side-effects and incomplete clinical response. Among non-pharmacological strategies, ozone at low medical concentration has proven to induce a mild activation of protective anti-oxidant pathways, thus exerting therapeutic effects in many inflammatory diseases. The aim of this randomized controlled study was to investigate the effectiveness of ozonized water in association with conventional topical corticosteroids for the treatment of eOLP. Fifty-one patients were included in the study and randomized into 2 groups: study group (n=26) included patients receiving ozonized water treatment; control group (n=25) included patients receiving placebo treatment (i.e. double-distilled water). Treatment protocol consisted of 1-minute oral rinses, repeated for 4 times, twice a week for 4 weeks. All patients received conventional corticosteroid topical therapy (betamethasone soluble tablets, 2 rinses/day for 4 weeks). Assessment of size of lesions, sign and pain scores was performed before treatment, after 2 weeks of treatment (T1) and at the end of 4-week treatment (T2). Efficacy Index (EI) of treatment, candidiasis and relapse rates were also recorded. All patients experienced significant improvement of sign and pain scores with a higher rate of improvement in ozone-treated group (T1 improvement rates: Thongprasom 92.2% vs 28%; VAS pain 76.9% vs 32%; p<0.05). Pain and size reduction were significantly higher in ozone-treated group both at T1 and T2 (p<0.05). Ozone-treated group showed a higher EI at every time point (T0-T2: 72.77% vs 37.66%, p<0.01). Candidiasis (32% vs 11.5%) and relapse (40% vs 34.6%) rates were higher in control group, however the differences were not statistically significant. Within the limitations of this study, ozonized water seems to be effective as an adjunct therapy, in combination with topical corticosteroids, for the treatment of eOLP