The Effect of Low-level Laser Therapy on Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Review of Literature

The effect of low intensity laser radiation in the treatment of acute and chronic pain is now established in many studies. Trigeminal neuralgia is a pain passes through nerve’s branches and its trigger is located in skin or mucosa that could lead to pain with a trigger stimulus. The pain involved branches of trigeminal nerve that sometimes has patients to seek the treatment for several years. Nowadays different treatments are used for relief of pain that most of them cause tolerance and various side effects. This paper reviews and summarizes scientific papers available in English literature published in PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Inter science, and Iran Medex from 1986 until July 2011 about the effect of these types of lasers on trigeminal neuralgia which is one of the most painful afflictions known. In different studies, the effect of laser therapy has been compared with placebo irradiation or medicinal and surgical treatment modalities. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a treatment strategy which uses a single wavelength light source. Laser radiation and monochromatic light may alter cell and tissue function. However, in most studies laser therapy was associated with significant reduction in the intensity and frequency of pain compared with other treatment strategies, a few studies revealed that between laser and placebo group there was not any significant difference according to the analgesic effect. Low-level laser therapy could be considered in treatment of trigeminal neuralgia without any side effects

Platelet-Rich Fibrin: An Autologous Fibrin Matrix in Surgical Procedures: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Introduction: The healing process after surgery is a challenging issue for surgeons. Various materials and techniques have been developed to facilitate this process and reduce its period. Fibrin adhesives are often used in cardiothoracic and vascular surgery to seal diffuse microvascular bleeding and in general and plastic surgery to seal wound borders. This Case report and literature review will introduce the various usages of platelet-rich fibrin in different surgical procedures and the method of producing the matrix. Case Report: A 24-year old man with periorbital skin avulsion treated with PRF membrane has been reported and discussed in this paper.  Conclusion: Platelet-rich fibrin is a natural autologous fibrin matrix, which can be produced with a simple blood sample and a table centrifuge. The material has been used in a wide range of surgical procedures to shorten the healing period and reduce post-surgical complications

Periodontal problems following surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molar teeth

Introduction:There are conflicting reports on the effects of surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars on the periodontium of the adjacent teeth. The aim of this study was to compare the condition of the periodontium six months after extraction of impacted mandibular third molars with baseline values. Methods: Fifty patients with mesioangular impacted mandibular third molarsparticipated in this study. Probing depth (PD), Leo and Sillness' gingival index (GI), and clinical attachment level (CAL) in distobuccal, mid-distal, and distolingual surfaces of second molar teeth were assessed before surgical extraction of the third molars and 6 months later. To evaluate the changes in alveolar bone height (BH), two parallel PA radiographs obtained at the baseline and follow-up session. Data was analyzed with SPSS 11.0 software atthe confidence interval of 95%. Results: Thirty-eight females and 12 males participated in this study. Twenty-eight(56%) of impacted molar teeth were in the right side and 22 (44%) were in the left side. Baseline values of PD, CAL, and GI at three points of the distal surface of the mandibular second molar tooth had no significant differences with follow-up values (P-value> 0.05). According to the radiographs, baseline BH also had insignificant difference with follow-up height (P-value>0.05). Conclusion: Surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molar does not affect periodontium after 6 months

Complications of Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy in Patients with Mandibular Prognathism

Introduction: Bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) of mandible is vastly used in treatment of mandibular deficiencies and discrepancies. Since this method could affect esthetic as well as function, evaluating these effects from various aspects is crucial. This study assessed the effects of this technique on the function of masseter muscle, jaw movements, and sensory changes along with failures in screws used for fixation. Methods: 48 patients with mandibular prognathism participated. Electromyography (EMG) of the masseter muscle; limits of jaw movements including maximum opening (MIO), protrusive (PM), lateral movements (LLE and LRE); presences of sensory changes and two point discrimination test; and number of removed screws were recorded at the baseline, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery. Results: EMG activity of masseter decreased significantly 3 months after the surgery. However, after 6 months the masseter activity revealed no statistically significant difference with baseline activity. There was a significant decrease in MIO and PM after 3 months. The 6 month measurement of MIO and PM was also lower than baseline. However, no difference was observed between LRE and LLE in both follow up sessions. Among 46 patients, 27 patients developed lip paresthesia 3 months after surgery. After 6 month, lip paresthesia remained in 11 patients. Among 276 screws used for fixation 3 screws removed due to exposure to oral cavity and 2 due to patient discomfort. Conclusion: As BSSO in patients with mandibular prognathism revealed temporary functional and sensory changes, it is a safe and appropriate method in orthognathic surgery

Hemodynamic Effect of 2% Lidocaine with 1:80,000 Epinephrine Infiltration in Maxillofacial Surgeries under General Anesthesia

Introduction: Epinephrine-containing lidocaine is the most used anestheic drug in dentistry. The aim of this study was to investigate the hemodynamic changes following local infiltration of 2% lidocaine with 1:80,000 epinephrine in subjects undergoing orthognatic surgery under general anesthesia. Methods: Twenty five patients without any systemic disease participated. After general anesthesia, two cartridges of 2% lidocaine + 1:80,000 epinephrine were infiltrated around the surgery site. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and blood sugar (BS) were measured in three stages: before the injection (M1), at the end of injection (M2), and 10 min after injection (M3). Results: No significant difference observed in SBP, DBP, and MAP at the end of injection and 10 min later. HR was increased significantly after injection and remained significantly higher than baseline after 10 min. BS increased slightly at the end of injection and continued to increase after 10 min. However, changes in BS were not significant. Conclusion: Using two cartridges of epinephrine-containing lidocaine have slight systemic changes in healthy subjects; as a result, this dosage could be used in patients with cardiovascular complications undergoing general anesthesia

Bond Strength of Reline Materials to 3D-Printed Provisional Crown Resins

(1) Purpose: The aim of the present study was to compare the bond strength between two 3D-printed resins designed for long-term provisional crowns and three different reline materials. (2) Materials and Methods: Rectangular specimens were prepared from two 3D-printed resins (Envision Tech and NextDent C&B) and a conventional self-cure PMMA. Transparent tubes filled with three different reline materials including composite resin, Bis-acryl, and PMMA were bonded to the 3D-printed specimens (n = 11 per group, total of 6 study groups). Tubes filled with PMMA were bonded to the prepared PMMA specimens which served as the control group (n = 11, control group). The specimens were subjected to a shear bond strength (SBS) test, and mode of failure was recorded using light microscopy. Statistical analysis was performed using a one-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey’s tests (alpha = 0.05). (3) Results: The highest SBS value was achieved to both 3D-printed materials with the PMMA reline material. The bond to both 3D-printed materials was lower with Bis-acrylic or composite resin relines in comparison to that with PMMA (p-value p-value > 0.05). (4) Conclusion: The tested 3D-printed resins achieved a clinically acceptable bond strength when relined with PMMA