Effect of a Preventive Oral Health Program Starting during Pregnancy: A Case-Control Study Comparing Immigrant and Native Women and Their Children.

The objective was to evaluate whether including pregnant women in a preventive dental program prevented the appearance of caries in their children up to the age of 6, and whether the effect was similar in children of immigrant and non-immigrant women. In phase I, 90 pregnant women, 45 immigrants and 45 natives, were taught about the development and prevention of caries. In phase II the oral health of their children at the age of 6 (n = 90) was evaluated, along with a control group of children of natives and immigrants of the same age (n = 90). A survey was used to determine participants' backgrounds and habits. A multivariate study of the results was performed using R-core software. The number of children without caries was 128 (71.1%), whereas 52 (28.9%) had caries, 15 from the protocol (16.67%) and 37 from the control group (41.11%), with statistically significant differences (p < 0.001). The mean number of caries for the children in the protocol was 0.62 ± 2 and in the control group it was 1.88 ± 2.9 (p = 0.001). In the multivariate analysis the risk of developing caries was higher for the condition of being the child of an immigrant (OR = 11.137), inadequate oral health (OR = 4.993), the children being overweight at the age of 6 (OR = 10.680), and the consumption of candies (OR = 5.042). In conclusion, the preventive protocols started during pregnancy reduced caries in participants' children, which suggests that these protocols should be encouraged. Because immigrant children are more vulnerable to caries, they and their parents should be included in preventive programs once they arrive in the host country.

Thyroid Disease and Oral Lichen Planus as Comorbidity: A Prospective Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid disease has been mentioned to have a possible relation to the development of oral lichen planus (OLP). OBJECTIVE: Because goiter is considered endemic in many countries, we proposed to determine whether thyroid disease constitutes a comorbidity of OLP. METHODS: Two hundred and fifteen patients diagnosed as having OLP were evaluated concerning their serum thyroid-stimulating hormone and thyroxine (T4) levels. The results were contrasted with those obtained in control series of the same number of subjects matched for age and sex. RESULTS: Diagnosis of thyroid disease was present in 15.3% of OLP patients (33/215) and in 5.2% (12/215) of the control group. In relation to OLP patients, the odds ratio of presence of thyroid disorders was 3.06 and that of using levothyroxine medication 3.21. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, OLP patients were associated with thyroid disease, specifically with hypothyroidism. Because most thyroid patients need T4 treatment, our findings confirmed that OLP and thyroid disease could be comorbidities.

Pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia after diode laser oral surgery. An experimental study.

BACKGROUND: to examine the process of epithelial reparation in a surgical wound caused by diode laser. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An experimental study with 27 Sprage-Dawley rats was undertaken. The animals were randomly allocated to two experimental groups, whose individuals underwent glossectomy by means of a diode laser at different wattages, and a control group treated using a number 15 scalpel blade. The animals were slaughtered at the 2nd, 7th, and 14th day after glossectomy. The specimens were independently studied by two pathologists (blinded for the specimens' group). RESULTS: at the 7th day, re-epithelisation was slightly faster for the control group (conventional scalpel) (p=0.011). At the 14th day, complete re-epithelization was observed for all groups. The experimental groups displayed a pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia. CONCLUSIONS: it is concluded that, considering the limitations of this kind of experimental studies, early re-epithelisation occurs slightly faster when a conventional scalpel is used for incision, although re-epithelisation is completed in two weeks no matter the instrument used. In addition, pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia is a potential event after oral mucosa surgery with diode laser. Knowledge about this phenomenon (not previously described) may prevent diagnostic mistakes and inadequate treatment approaches, particularly when dealing with potentially malignant oral lesions.

Prevalence of black stain and associated risk factors in preschool Spanish children.

BACKGROUND: In pediatric clinical practice, it is common to be asked about the presence of black stains on teeth in children and teenagers. According to controversial etiology, it is known to be related to a low rate of caries. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of black stain and associated risk factors in Spanish preschool children. METHODS: A total of 3272 children aged 6 years old (3058 non-emigrant and 214 immigrant children) living in Oviedo (Spain), were enrolled in the present study. RESULTS: The prevalence of black stain was 3.1% in the whole group. The index of primary decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft index) associated with black stain was 0.35 ± 1.123. A statistical association between black stain and the consumption of iron supplements was noted. CONCLUSIONS: The regular consumption of foods rich in iron and the use of iron supplements during pregnancy and early childhood, could favor the development of chromogenic microbiota. The prevalence of black stain did not differ significantly between non-emigrant and immigrant children in Spain.

Oral and facial piercing: associated complications and clinical repercussion.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the complications of oral and facial piercing and its frequency in an extensive series of cases. METHOD AND MATERIALS: A sample of 2,266 consecutive patients requiring dental care over a period of 1 year was included in this cross-sectional observational study. A total of 83 piercing wearers were identified. Demographics, piercing site, clinical complications, adverse effects of piercing, motivation, and setting of piercing were determined through an interview and intraoral examination. RESULTS: The 18- to 27-year age bracket showed a significantly higher prevalence of piercing wearers (mean years of wear 2.9 +/- 3.8). Esthetic reasons were the most frequent stimulus for piercing insertion (86.7%). Up to an 80.8% of the devices were inserted in a tattooing studio. Forty-nine patients (59.0%) reported postoperative or late piercing complications. Postoperative pain (40.9%; 95% CI = 29.7 to 52.1) was significantly more frequent than infection (10.8%; 95% CI = 3.5 to 18.1) or postpiercing bleeding (7.2%; 95% CI = 1.0 to 13.4). When oral locations were compared to facial sites, the former had caused significantly more problems (X2 = 10.1; P = .001), pain (OR = 0.96; 95% CI = 0.08 to 0.97) and swelling (OR = 0.20; 95% CI = 0.06 to 0.68) being the most frequent undesirable effects associated with oral piercing. CONCLUSIONS: Complications associated with oral and facial piercing are frequent, and many of them might well be avoided if effective legal and hygienic measures were adopted. Educational interventions targeted to the population between 18 and 27 years of age are advisable, particularly when dealing with oral piercing.

A study of pathology associated with short lingual frenum.

Ankyloglossia is a developmental anomaly of the tongue characterized by a short, thick, lingual frenum resulting in limitation of tongue movement. The frenum is attached to the tip of the tongue in varying degrees. This study evaluates short lingual frenum and other associated pathologies (dentofacial anomalies and lingual dysglossia) and investigates whether ankyloglossia is related to speech problems. A thorough intraoral examination was carried out using the WHO regulations for dentofacial anomalies and occlusion problems and a new scale of lingual mobility. This article also discusses the difficulty in diagnosing this condition and finally following to the results of our study, describes the indications for nonsurgical and surgical treatment of this anomaly.