Three-Dimensional Assessment of Temporomandibular Joint Morphology and Facial Asymmetry in Individuals with Different Vertical Skeletal Growth Patterns.

The aim of the current study was to investigate, by means of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), condyle−fossa relationship, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) morphology and facial asymmetry in subjects with different vertical skeletal growth patterns. CBCT of 56 patients (112 TMJs) were categorized into three groups according to the mandibular plane angle (MP): Hypodivergent (MP ≤ 23°), Normodivergent (23° < MP < 30°), and Hyperdivergent (MP ≥ 30°). TMJ spaces, width and depth of the condyle and thickness of the fossa were measured. Horizontal and vertical measurements were used to assess facial asymmetry. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc Turkey tests were computed for the between-groups comparison. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Larger anterior joint space and smaller condylar dimensions (medio-lateral diameter and medio-lateral thickness) were observed in the hyperdivergent group compared to the normodivergent and hypodivergent groups. Right condylar distances to midsagittal plane were significantly larger than left distances in all the three groups. A vertical pattern of growth in healthy individuals seems to be associated with condylar position and dimension, while facial asymmetry values do not differ among different vertical groups.

Effect of orthopedic and functional orthodontic treatment in children with obstructive sleep apnea: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Orthodontic treatment is suggested in growing individuals to correct transverse maxillary deficiency and mandibular retrusion. Since, as a secondary effect, these orthodontic procedures may improve pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), this systematic review assessed their effects on apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and oxygen saturation (SaO2). Twenty-five (25) manuscripts were included for qualitative synthesis, 19 were selected for quantitative synthesis. Five interventions were analyzed: rapid maxillary expansion (RME, 15 studies), mandibular advancement (MAA, five studies), myofunctional therapy (MT, four studies), and RME combined with MAA (one study). RME produced a significant AHI reduction and minimum SaO2 increase immediately after active treatment, at six and 12 months from baseline. A significant AHI reduction was also observed six and 12 months after the beginning of MAA treatment. MT showed positive effects, with different protocols. In this systematic review and meta-analysis of data from mainly uncontrolled studies, interceptive orthodontic treatments showed overall favorable effects on respiratory outcomes in pediatric OSA. However, due to the low to very low level of the body evidence, this treatment cannot be suggested as elective for OSA treatment. An orthodontic indication is needed to support this therapy and a careful monitoring is required to ensure positive improvement in OSA parameters.

Pitfalls and Challenges in Oral Plasma Cell Mucositis: A Systematic Review.

Plasma cell mucositis (PCM) is an unusual idiopathic disorder characterized by dense infiltrates of plasma cells in submucosa. Clinical phenotypes of oral plasma cell mucositis (o-PMC) are heterogenous. A systematic review has been conducted, aiming to synthesize the available evidence on o-PCM. Literature search, study design, and data analysis were performed following PRISMA guidelines. The SPIDER and the PICO tools were used to structure the research question. In all, 79 case reports and 19 case series on a total of 158 patients (85 females and 73 males; average age: 44.1 years) were identified. Among oral sites involved, gingiva (65.82%) was the most frequent site. The main clinical phenotype was erythema (99.37%). In relation to symptoms, pain (60.76%) was the most reported. On histological examination, all samples showed a dense inflammatory infiltration with predominant plasma cells. The treatment regimens of o-PCM were summarized in six groups: irritant removal; topical/systemic corticosteroids; topical/systemic immunosuppressants/immunomodulators; surgery and similar treatments; radiotherapy and chemotherapy; other therapies, such as antifungals, antibiotics, and antivirals drugs. This is the first systematic review aimed to synthesize the findings of studies on o-PCM. The lack of universally shared information on etiological factors and the absence of international consensus of pharmacological protocols make o-PCM a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.

Effectiveness of surgical procedures in the acceleration of orthodontic tooth movement: Findings from systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

The current overview aimed to summarise the findings provided by systematic reviews (SRs) on the effect of surgical procedures in the acceleration of tooth movement and to assess the methodological quality of the included SRs. Three electronic databases have been explored. SRs addressing the effects of surgical procedures on the acceleration of tooth movement were included. The methodological quality of the included SRs was assessed using the updated version of "A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Review" (AMSTAR-2). Twenty-eight (28) SRs were included. The methodological quality of the included reviews ranged between critically low (6 studies) and high (12 studies). The most common critical weakness in the included reviews was the absence of clearly a-prior established review methods and any significant deviations from the protocol. The most studied surgical procedure was corticotomy, followed by micro-osteoperforation, piezocision and periodontally accelerated osteogenic orthodontics. The majority of the included SRs supported short-term favourable effects of corticotomy on treatment time and tooth movement rate, in the short-term. However, the authors of the included SRs reported that results were based on weak quality evidence. Conflicting results arise from the existent SRs with regards to the effectiveness of piezocision and micro-osteoperforation. Few SRs summarised complications and side effects of surgical techniques, supporting absence of loss of tooth vitality, periodontal problems, or severe root resorption. The current overview of SRs highlighted the need of high quality SRs comparing different surgical approaches for tooth movement acceleration though network meta-analysis, in order to determine the most efficient instrument for orthodontic movement acceleration.

Oral Mucosa and Nails in Genodermatoses: A Diagnostic Challenge.

Genodermatoses represent a group of uncommon, hereditary, single-gene skin disorders, characterized by multisystem involvement, heterogeneous clinical manifestations and different degrees of morbidity and mortality. Some genodermatoses may have oral mucosa and nail involvement, since the oral cavity and cutaneous organ system, including nails, share a close embryologic origin. Nail disorders can manifest with nail hypoplasia or nail hypertrophy. Clinical pictures of affected oral mucosa can be extremely heterogeneous, ranging from asymptomatic papules to painful blisters, leukokeratosis, oral papillomas and fibromas to oral potentially malignant disorders and cancerous lesions. Oral mucosa and nails pathological features may occur synchronously or not and are usually associated with other systemic and skin manifestations. In some cases, oral mucosa and nails diseases may be distinct and constitute the principal sign of the genetic disorder, in other cases they represent only a part of the puzzle for the confirmation of the diagnosis. Continued awareness of the correlation between oral mucosa and nails findings can help physicians to diagnose genodermatosis in a timely manner, allowing more effective clinical management and prevention and/or early detection of complications. This article provides an overview of all specific genodermatoses affecting both oral mucosa and nails. Moreover, the correlation between teeth and nails is summarized in tabular form.

Dimensional changes following alveolar ridge preservation in the posterior area using bovine-derived xenografts and collagen membrane compared to spontaneous healing: a 6-month randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: To assess dimensional changes following alveolar ridge preservation using bovine-derived xenograft with 10% collagen and collagen membrane compared to ridge preservation by means of bovine-derived xenograft particles and collagen membrane or spontaneous healing in posterior sites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty subjects with 40 posterior teeth or roots candidate to extraction and presenting integrity of alveolar bone walls were randomly allocated into three groups. Patients of test group were treated by ridge preservation technique using bovine-derived xenograft with 10% collagen and collagen membrane; patients of control group 1 were treated by means of bovine-derived xenograft particles and collagen membrane while in patients of control group 2, no grafting was performed. Changes in vertical and horizontal bone dimensions were compared at baseline and after 6-month observation time. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences between baseline and 6 month were observed in all groups in terms of vertical and horizontal bone resorption (p < 0.001), except for vertical resorption in control group 2. After 6-month intergroup comparisons showed not statistically significant changes between test and control groups in terms of alveolar bone changes (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Within the limits of this study, the sites grafted using bovine-derived xenograft with 10% collagen in combination with a collagen membrane showed no statistical differences in terms of vertical and horizontal bone resorption compared to control groups. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ridge preservation in posterior area failed to show clinically relevant benefits in sites presenting integrity of alveolar bone walls and adequate buccal bone wall thickness.

Expression and clinical implication of cyclooxygenase-2 and E-cadherin in oral squamous cell carcinomas.

Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) and angiogenesis are crucial events for development of aggressive and often fatal Oral Squamous Cell Carcinomas (OSCCs). Both promote cancer progression and metastasis development, but while the former induces the loss of E-cadherin expression and, hence cadherin switching; the latter produces hematic blood vessel neo-formation and contribute to OSCC cell growth, tumor mass development, and dissemination. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has an important role, not only in angiogenic mechanisms, but also in favoring cancer invasion. Indeed it decreases the expression of E-cadherin and leads to phenotypic changes in epithelial cells (EMT) enhancing their carcinogenic potential. Our aim is to evaluate the interplay between E-cadherin cytoplasmic delocalization, COX-2 up-regulation and COX-2 induced neo-angiogenesis in 120 cases of OSCC. We have analyzed the distribution and the number of neo-formed endothelial buds surrounding infiltrating cells that express COX-2, as well as the neo-formed vessels in chronic inflammatory infiltrate, which surround the tumor. A double immunostaining method was employed in order to verify co-localization of endothelial cell marker (CD34) and COX-2. IHC has also been used to assess E-cadherin expression. Our data demonstrate that the OSCC cells, which lose membranous E-cadherin staining, acquiring a cytoplasmic delocalization, overexpress COX-2. Moreover, we find a new CD34+ vessel formation (sprouting angiogenesis). Only basaloid type of OSCC showes low level of COX-2 expression together with very low level of neo-angiogenesis and consequent tumor necrosis. The well-known anti-metastatic effect of certain COX-2 inhibitors suggests that these molecules might have clinical utility in the management of advanced cancers.

One-Piece Implants with Smooth Concave Neck to Enhance Soft Tissue Development and Preserve Marginal Bone Levels: A Retrospective Study with 1- to 6-Year Follow-Up.

Novel one-piece implants with concave smooth neck have been introduced to promote the formation of a thick mucosal layer and preserve marginal bone. A retrospective study on 70 patients with 1- to 6-year follow-up was carried out. Cumulative survival rates were assessed. Variations of marginal bone level were measured on periapical radiographs as distance of the implant-abutment junction from the bone crest. Influence of different variables on treatment outcome was evaluated. Cumulative success rate after 6 years was 99.4 % at implant level and 98.6 % at patient level. Marginal bone level changed in a significant way over time. After 4 months, an increase of radiographic bone level of 0.173 ± 1.088 mm at implant level and 0.18 ± 1.019 mm at patient level was recorded. Mean marginal bone loss after 5 years was 0.573 ± 0.966 mm at implant level and 0.783 ± 1.213 mm at patient level. Age, sex, smoking habits, implant sites, implant lengths and diameters, prosthetic retentions, and timing of loading did not influence marginal bone remodeling in a statistically significant way. At 4-year follow-up partial restorations lost a mean of 0.96 mm of more marginal bone compared with single restorations. This difference was statistically significant.

Lichen planus of the lips: an intermediate disease between the skin and mucosa? Retrospective clinical study and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Lichen planus of the lips (LPL) is not frequently described in the literature. The objective of this study is to investigate the clinical outline, behavior, and prognosis of LPL. METHODS: Clinical data of patients with true oral lichen planus (LP) involving the lips, diagnosed and treated at our Oral Medicine Unit (University Federico II of Naples, Italy), have been collected and analyzed. Concurrently, a PubMed search was carried out from 1950 to March 2014 to assess epidemiological and clinical data about LPL. RESULTS: Our case series revealed 13 patients (female/male ratio 0.4) with a mean (± SD) age of 71.85 years (± 6.72). The lower/upper lip involvement ratio was 9, mainly with mixed clinical patterns (76.9%), generally including erosion and mild keratosis. In most cases, the lips were involved with other oral sites but displayed a better evolution of the lesions. The literature review showed 21 reports of LPL (35 patients, female/male ratio 0.4) with a mean (± SD) age of 45.35 years (± 16.19). CONCLUSIONS: In the literature, erosive (28.57%) lower lip lesions showed a clear predominance (lower/upper lip ratio 6.5). One case of malignant transformation was also reported. The prevalence of isolated LPL was clearly reported only in two studies, ranging from 0.51% to 8.9%. In our patients, lesions were mostly found at the inner border of the lower vermillion and presented a tendency for self-limitation, or to regression after treatment, like cutaneous lesions. The lip lesions were small and easy to overlook, and therefore the prevalence of these lesions may have been underestimated.

TLR4 down-regulation identifies high risk HPV infection and integration in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

TLRs are main actors of the innate immune response against HPV. There are very few studies on the role of TLRs mediated HPV clearance in Head and Neck oncology. Our aim was to evaluate whether TLR4 expression identifies HPV infection and/or HR-HPV integration status in oral and oropharyngeal cancers. By immunohistochemistry we assessed TLR4 levels in OSCC/OPSCC. To detect viral integration or episomic status In situ hybridization for HPV-DNA and Pyro-sequencing techniques have been performed. The relationship between TLR4 expression with HPV infection status has been investigated. ISH HPV positive samples have reported lower levels of TLR4 intensity than negative samples (p = .002). There was no statistical correlation between TLR4 intensity and PCR HPV results (p more than 0.0.5). Point-biserial correlation coefficient revealed significant association between TLR4 expression and HR-HPV integration status (p = .0001) and between TLR4 expression index and HR-HPV infection (p = .001). These data have shown that TLR4 down-regulation is strongly associated to both HPV-16 infection and its integration into the host DNA.

Relationship between CK19 expression, deregulation of normal keratinocyte differentiation pattern and high risk-human papilloma virus infection in oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Simple epithelial keratins appear early during embryonic development and are expressed in non-stratified, ductal and pseudo-stratified epithelial tissues. CK19, the lowest molecular weight keratin, is also expressed in basal layer of squamous epithelia of mucosal surfaces. Previous studies have shown that High Risk-Human Papilloma Virus (HR-HPV) epithelial infection induces cell immortalization via E6 and E7 viral proteins and this, in turn, impairs cytokeratin expression in cancerous cells lines derived from uterine cervix. Here, we demonstrate the possible relationship between HR-HPV(+) oral/oropharyngeal cancer and the high levels of CK19 expression. METHODS: We analyzed 38 cases of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinomas/ Oro-Pharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinomas (OSCCs/OPSCCs) by Immunohistochemistry (IHC) using specific antibody (Ab) detecting CK19, by In Situ Hybridization (ISH) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) based methods in order to define the HPV infectious status. We also evaluated the variation of CK19 expression in UPCI-SCC-131 (HPV(-)) and UPCI-SCC-154 (HPV(+)) cell lines by immunocytochemistry (ICC) and flow cytometry. RESULTS: CK19 OSCC/OPSCC score has been identified multiplying percentage of cancer expressing cells to staining intensity. CK19 expression score in OSCCs/OPSCCs was very different between HPV(+) (mean: 288.0 ± 24.3) and HPV(-) cancers (mean: 66.2 ± 96.9). This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001) with a strong evidence of correlation (p < 0.001; Spearman's R: +0.72). ROC curve analysis was performed on CK19 expression index related to HPV positivity. Heterogeneous areas of immunoreactivity varying in percentage value, intensity and/or localization were observed in normal epithelium, both perilesional and distant from the tumor with important differences between HR-HPV(+) and HR-HPV(-) carcinomas. By ICC and flow cytometry, the two analyzed cell lines were both CK19 positive but showed a different level of expression, in particular it should be noted that the UPCI-SCC-154 (HPV(+)) cell line had a higher expression than UPCI-SCC-131 (HPV(-)). CONCLUSIONS: In this study we demonstrated, for the first time, strong association between CK19 up-regulation and HR-HPV(+) OSCCs/OPSCCs. This test has a good accuracy. We identified ROC curve with a cut-off > 195 for HR-HPV positive results (Sensitivity: 92.3 %; Specificity: 89.3 %). Furthermore, in OSCC/OPSCC, the CK19 test may be useful in identifying HR-HPV infection, the latter being related to HPV E7 potential to disrupt normal cytokeratin expression pattern.

The role of EBV in the pathogenesis of Burkitt's Lymphoma: an Italian hospital based survey.

The exact worldwide incidence of Burkitt's lymphoma is not known. There are three distinct clinical variants of Burkitt's lymphoma, each manifesting differences in epidemiology, clinical presentation, morphology, biology and genetic features: the endemic (African), the sporadic (non-endemic), and the immunodeficiency-associated form. In particular, we reported data regarding Burkitt's lymphoma incidence in the world and across different European countries. Finally, we described clinic-pathological data of 48 Burkitt's lymphomas occurred in Italy from 2003 to 2013, in 4 different hospitals, two of which located in east side, and the other ones located in the west-coast. Forty Burkitt's lymphomas occurs in children (age range 3-12), and 8 were adulthood Burkitt's lymphomas (age range 18-87). In the pediatric group the Male:Female ratio (M:F) was of 4:1, whereas the group of the adult patients has a M:F of 1:1.67. Immunohistochemical detection of Latent Membrane Protein 1 (LMP1) expression and Epstein-Barr virus Encoded RNA (EBER) In Situ Hybridization (ISH) procedures have been performed. Lymphocyte B monoclonal spread has been demonstrated using a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) based method to amplify Fragment Restriction FR1, FR2 and FR3 immunoglobulin heavy chains DNA fragments. Only 38 cases out of 48 were analyzed for LMP-1 showing various percentage of stained cells in 47.4% of the patients. Considering ISH for EBER detection results: 1 out 2 (50%) adult analyzed cases was positive, with 50% of stained tumor cells (this patient was a 22 years old female, coming from Napoli);15 out 24 (62.5%) children analyzed Burkitt's lymphomas resulted as positive for EBER;the overall positivity has been observed in 16/26 Burkitt's lymphomas (61.53%).Finally, EBV has been detected in children and adult patients, one of them with deregulation of the oncogene c-MYC by chromosomal translocation.

Localized amyloidosis of the upper gingiva: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Localized amyloidosis in the head and neck is a rare and generally benign condition. In the oral cavity, amyloidosis usually involves the tongue or buccal mucosa. We present the second case of oral amyloidosis arising in the gingiva ever reported, to the best of our knowledge. CASE PRESENTATION: A 73-year-old White Spanish man presented a persistent nodular mass involving his upper gingiva. The lesion was surgically resected and the histological examination revealed a subepithelial, multinodular amorphous and fibrillar accumulation. Staining of the specimen for Congo red proved positive, exhibiting a reddish colour under light microscopy and apple-green birefringence under polarized light. With immunohistochemical tests, pentagonal amyloid component was demonstrated. An extensive study excluded any systemic involvement; a diagnosis of localized primary amyloidosis was made. After 2 years of follow-up, no clinical progression to systemic amyloidosis or local recurrence was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Localized amyloidosis of the gingiva is an extremely rare condition that seems to show no clinically distinct feature. Histologic examination is the first step towards diagnosis, followed by immunohistochemical tests. The diagnosis of localized amyloidosis should always be integrated with blood tests, a bone marrow biopsy, echocardiography and digestive endoscopy to intercept systemic involvement.

Safe approach in "All-on-four" technique: a case report.

The "All-on-Four" concept is based on the placement of four implants in the anterior part of fully edentulous jaws to support a provisional, fixed, and immediately loaded full-arch prosthesis. Combining tilted and straight implants for supporting fixed prostheses can be considered a viable treatment modality resulting in a more simple and less time consuming procedure, in significantly less morbidity, in decreased financial costs and a more comfortable postsurgical period for the patients. The authors present a case report with mandibular atrophy and left mental foramina on the top of the residual crest.

Prevention of hemorrhagic complications after dental extractions into open heart surgery patients under anticoagulant therapy: the use of leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin.

Leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) is a biomaterial commonly used in periodontology and implant dentistry to improve healing and tissue regeneration, particularly as filling material in alveolar sockets to regenerate bone for optimal dental implant placement. The objective of this work was to evaluate the use of L-PRF as a safe filling and hemostatic material after dental extractions (or avulsions) for the prevention of hemorrhagic complications in heart surgery patients without modification of the anticoagulant oral therapy. Fifty heart surgery patients under oral anticoagulant therapy who needed dental extractions were selected for the study. Patients were treated with L-PRF clots placed into 168 postextraction sockets without modification of anticoagulant therapy (mean international normalized ratio  =  3.16 ± 0.39). Only 2 patients reported hemorrhagic complications (4%), all of which resolved a few hours after the surgery by compression and hemostatic topical agents. Ten patients (20%) showed mild bleeding, which spontaneously resolved or was resolved by minimal compression less than 2 hours after surgery. No case of delayed bleeding was reported. The remaining 38 patients (76%) showed an adequate hemostasis after the dental extractions. In all cases, no alveolitis or painful events were reported, soft tissue healing was quick, and wound closure was always complete at the time of suture removal one week after surgery. The proposed protocol is a reliable therapeutic option to avoid significant bleeding after dental extractions without the suspension of the continuous oral anticoagulant therapy in heart surgery patients. Other applications of the hemostatic and healing properties of L-PRF should be investigated in oral implantology.

Oral aphthous ulcers and dental enamel defects in children with coeliac disease.

AIM: Coeliac disease is characterized by oral manifestations, such as dental enamel defects and recurrent oral aphthae. In this study we compared the prevalence of enamel defects and recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) between patients diagnosed with coeliac disease and healthy controls. METHODS: A total of 72 patients with coeliac disease were studied together with 162 normal healthy subjects as controls to individualize the prevalence of enamel defects and recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) in this disease. RESULTS: Dental enamel defects were found in 14/70 (20%) coeliac patients and in 9/159 (5.6%) controls. In particular, 13/53 (24.5%) coeliac patients with mixed or permanent dentition and 1/17 (5.8%) coeliac children with deciduous dentition had enamel defects. Altogether, 9/145 (6.2%) control subjects with mixed or permanent dentition had dental enamel defects. None of the controls with deciduous dentition had enamel defects. Thus, the enamel defects occurred more frequently in coeliac patients (p < 0.001). Regarding RAS, 24/72 (33.3%) coeliac patients and 38/162 (23.4%) control subjects had aphthous ulcers. Statistically significant differences were not observed between the two groups (p > 0.05). One in three coeliac subjects suffering from RAS received benefit from a gluten-free diet. CONCLUSION: In the present study, the prevalence of enamel defects was found to be greater in coeliac patients than healthy controls. Even though the prevalence of RAS in coeliac subjects varied from healthy controls, the difference was not statistically significant. However, more than 1/3 coeliac subjects suffering from RAS benefited from a gluten-free diet.

Prosthetic rehabilitation of a child affected from anhydrotic ectodermal dysplasia: a case report.

The aim of this clinical report is to describe the management of a young patient, affected by ectodermal dysplasia, during a nine-year period. Dental treatment can vary depending on the severity of the disease (tooth size, morphology, and amount of available alveolar bone). New technologies, such as adhesive dentistry, and new materials, such as composite resin, represent current options in the management of the dental rehabilitation of patients affected by ectodermal dysplasia. Removable partial dentures were used to replace congenitally missing teeth, and composite resin materials were used to restore conical-shaped maxillary teeth to achieve a favorable esthetic result. This option minimized the sacrifice of healthy dental tissue. Prosthodontic and restorative treatment was provided for the psychological and social comfort of the young patient.