Are individuals with orofacial pain more prone to psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic?

BACKGROUND: It is of utmost importance to identify and treat groups susceptible to psychological problems during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the psychological status between the general population and subjects with orofacial pain (OFP) during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 509 young adults were recruited based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, using the convenient sampling approach. They were assigned to 2 study groups: group 1 - individuals with OFP; and group 2 - the general population. Their background variables, knowledge, perception, attitude, concerns, and Kessler scale scores were recorded through an online questionnaire. Student's t test, the χ2 test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Some of the background variables were significantly different between the study groups (p < 0.05). The knowledge, perception and attitude scores of the respondents were not significantly different between the study groups (p > 0.05). Females exhibited significantly higher adjusted Kessler scores as compared to males (p < 0.05). Group 1 exhibited the highest adjusted Kessler scores (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with OFP exhibited higher psychological distress, depressive symptoms and anxiety during the rapid rise of the COVID-19 outbreak, representing a moderate psychological disorder. Females suffered more from psychological distress as compared to males. Therefore, psychological interventions should be focused on this group.

Hyalinization and Molecular Pathways Involved in Orthodontic Tooth Movement: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract Objective: To systematically review the hyalinization of experimental tooth movement in humans and animals. Material and Methods: The electronic databases of MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Institute for Scientific Information, and Google Scholar were searched for performing a systematic review of the related literature published until 2019. Moreover, Endnote X9 software was utilized to manage electronic titles. The searches were fulfilled using keywords of "hyalinization," "orthodontic tooth movement" OR "OTM" AND "periodontal ligament" OR "PDL," "molecular pathways," AND "mechanical cell." Therefore, this systematic review was conducted based on the key consideration of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Results: Forces ranged between 2.3 and 50 CN had been applied. According to the research design, incisors had been included in two experiments, whereas maxillary molars had been displaced by tipping forces in another rat examination. However, a majority of investigations had stated that hyalinization had firstly appeared within the first 24 hours. Moreover, the amount of prostaglandin-end peroxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) had been positively related to force term and size utilizing Western blotching. As PTGS2 had been included in the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) metabolism, the up-regulation of PTGS2 gene expression could be connected with that of PGE2 emission. Conclusion: Gene expression in connection with force term and size and also the first signalling pathways were recognized utilizing protein-protein interactions (PPIs).

Comparison of the effect of photodynamic therapy and topical corticosteroid on oral lichen planus lesions.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, the effect of photodynamic therapy with topical corticosteroid in oral lichen planus patients was compared. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind clinical trial, eight patients with bilateral oral OLP lesions were recruited. Toluidine blue was applied on the lesions of both sides; a 660-nm diode laser InGaAlP was irradiated for 10 min (power: 25 mW, fluence: 19.23 J/cm2 , probe cross section: 0.78 cm2 ) for three sessions. In the control side of the oral mucosa, only sham laser was used. Follow-up sessions were held on weeks 3 and 7. In week 3, oral paste triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% was prescribed. Response rates were assessed clinically by VAS, Thongprasom sign scoring, clinical severity index, efficacy indices, and the amount of reduction in the size of the lesions. The Mann-Whitney test was used to evaluate the treatment outcomes. RESULTS: In spite of the control side, all scores improved significantly between sessions 0 and 4 for the intervention side. The differences between the changes in almost all scores between sessions 0 and 4 in both the intervention and control sides were significantly considerable (p value < .05). CONCLUSION: Photodynamic therapy can be used as an alternative therapy alongside standard methods or as a new modality for refractory OLP.