Atypical clinical features of post COVID‐19 mucormycosis: A case series

Abstract Objectives This case series aims to evaluate patients affected with post COVID‐19 mucormycosis from clinical presentation to surgical and pharmacological treatment to improve the disease prognosis. Material and Methods This case series was conducted at a specialized surgery hospital in Baghdad Medical City for over 10 months. Fifteen cases who had mild to severe COVID‐19 infections followed by symptoms similar to aggressive periodontitis, such as mobility and bone resorption around the multiple maxillary teeth, were included in this case series. Results All patients did not receive COVID‐19 vaccination; seven had a history of diabetes mellitus type 2, another five patients had a history of diabetes‐like syndrome during the COVID‐19 infection, and the remaining three patients had no history of any systemic diseases. No intracranial involvement was seen in all patients, and bilateral sinus involvement was seen in three patients. Conclusion Being highly suspicious of all patients affected with COVID‐19 is highly recommended to avoid the complications of the late diagnosis of mucormycosis. In addition, our knowledge and methods in diagnosing and treating classical mucormycosis should be modified regarding post COVID‐19 mucormycosis

Congenital bilateral zygomatico-maxillo-mandibular fusion associated with gum fusion

A congenial syngnathia is very rare condition. It can be simple mucosal fusion (synechiae), or complete bony fusion (synostosis) between the maxilla or zygoma and the mandible. Fusion of the ascending ramus of mandible to maxilla and zygoma is less common than fusions of the alveolar ridges of the mandible to the maxilla. Bony syngnathia is either isolated or complex in form. There are 59 cases of congenital bony syngnathia reported in the literature: the first report was by Burket in 1936. There are 16 reported cases of zygomatico-maxillo-mandibular fusion. In the reported cases, women expressed the isolated form more commonly whereas men demonstrated a more complex pattern of disease. The authors present another patient of bony syngnathia involving bilateral fusion of the ascending ramus and body of the mandible with the maxillary complex in a young man. Early surgery was performed to release the bony and soft tissue fusion on the eighth day from the baby's birth. A second operation was performed for recurrence when the baby was 2.5 months old. A customized splint, an intense postoperative program of mouth exercises, and close follow-up aims to prevent further refusion

The Combination of Laser and Nanoparticles for Enamel Protection: An In Vitro Study: Laser/NPs Protection of Enamel

Introduction: Dental decay is caused by the fermentation of carbohydrates and the production of acids that demineralize teeth. The fermented food debris lowers the pH under 5.5, resulting in the mineral loss of teeth. Anti-decay factors are used to reduce decay rates and increase dental protection.Methods: Fifteen sectioned teeth samples were immersed in Ag NPs solution and then irradiated with laser pulses. Structures, morphologies, chemical compositions and microhardness were studied using the Vickers micro-hardness tester, energy dispersive x-ray machine, atomic force microscope and scanning electron microscopes.Results: Nine mature extracted human third molars, cleaned and placed in plastic molds then filled with a warm epoxy resin, were sectioned longitudinally and polished. The samples were then cleaned ultrasonically and stored in distilled water and taken immediately one by one for laser treatment. Sharper, overlapping, interconnected rods, and higher resistance against enamel decay were demonstrated with little alterations of the mineral percentages of the teeth samples.Conclusion: The combination of laser light and silver annoparticles improved the decay resistance;where regular inter-connected chain-like merged grains were formed. These laser-induced modifications in enamel components have reduced the lattice stress and enamel solubility and improved resistance against decay. The computer model indicated a possible prediction of the laser-treated profile prior to laser treatment. DOI: 10.34172/jlms.2021.82