Explaining pain after lower third molar extraction by preoperative pain assessment.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether preoperative pain sensitivity testing and emotional perception of pain could explain the level of postoperative pain after lower third molar extraction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients (16 women, 7 men) scheduled for lower third molar extraction were enrolled in the study. Patients preoperatively were submitted to a nociceptive stimulus by a cold pressor test (immersion of the hand into ice water). Preoperative pain tolerance (seconds), algosity and unpleasantness (visual analog scale), and dental anxiety (Modified Dental Anxiety Scale) were assessed. The duration of surgery was recorded (minutes). Postoperative pain ratings were taken by self-reported registrations on a 100-mm visual analog scale during the 6 days after surgery. Separate stepwise regression analyses were performed to evaluate the usefulness of preoperative scores in explaining the overall maximum postoperative pain level and postoperative pain rates at different intervals. RESULTS: Preoperative unpleasantness related to the nociceptive stimulus was found to be the best predictor of maximum postoperative pain (adjusted R(2) = 0.39, P = .001). Demographic information (age) and preoperative (dental anxiety, pain tolerance, algosity) and intraoperative (duration of surgery) factors were not correlated with postoperative pain. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that a simple preoperative test is useful to identify patients at risk of developing greater pain after third molar surgery. They are characterized by a higher level of reported pain or unpleasantness after exposure to a nociceptive stimulus. This test may be tailored to specific patient needs for postoperative treatment.

Interleukin-1 beta levels in gingival crevicular fluid and serum under naturally occurring and experimentally induced gingivitis.

AIMS: To evaluate the interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum in either naturally occurring (N-O) or experimentally induced (E-I) plaque-associated gingivitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-seven periodontally healthy subjects were evaluated in real life conditions (N-O gingivitis) as well as after 21 days of experimental gingivitis trial (E-I gingivitis). During the experimental gingivitis trial, in one maxillary quadrant (test quadrant), gingival inflammation was induced by oral hygiene abstention, while in the contralateral (control) quadrant, oral hygiene was routinely continued. IL-1 beta concentrations in N-O and E-I gingivitis were investigated for IL-1B(+3954) and IL-1B(-511) gene polymorphisms. RESULTS: (i) GCF IL-1 beta concentrations in E-I gingivitis were significantly higher compared with N-O gingivitis; (ii) an intra-individual correlation between GCF concentrations of IL-1 beta detected in N-O and E-I gingivitis was observed in control quadrants, but not in test quadrants; (iii) IL-1 beta concentration in GCF was associated with IL-1B(+3954) genotype only at test quadrants; (iv) IL-1 beta was detectable in serum only at low levels in a limited number of subjects, without difference between gingivitis conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Aspects of the bacterial challenge to the gingival tissues, such as the amount of plaque deposits and plaque accumulation rate, appear to affect the IL-1 beta levels in GCF in subjects with a specific IL-1B genotype.

Influence of obstetric factors on osteogenic potential of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Wharton's jelly from the umbilical cord is a noncontroversial source of mesenchymal stem cells (WJMSCs) with high plasticity, proliferation rate and ability to differentiate towards multiple lineages. WJMSCs from different donors have been characterized for their osteogenic potential. Although there is large evidence of WJMSCs plasticity, recently scientific debate has focused on MSCs selection, establishing predictable elements to discriminate the cells with most promising osteoprogenitor cell potential.In the present study a comparative study between the presence of osteoblastic markers and different parameters that pertain to both the newborn and the mother was performed. Umbilical cords were collected after all patients signed the informed consent and local ethical commettee approved the study. Obstetric parameters, including baby's gender and birth weight, mother's age at delivery, gestational stage at parturition and mode of delivery were examined. After characterization and expansion, WJMSCs were analyzed for two osteoblastic markers, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and the expression level of RUNX-2 transcription factor, and for their ability to deposit mineralized matrix after osteogenic induction.We found that osteoblastic potential was not influenced by baby's gender and mode of delivery. On the contrary, the highest degree of osteoblastic potential has been shown by WJMSCs with RUNX-2 high basal levels, selected from umbilical cords of the heaviest term babies.Even if further evaluation is required, our hypothesis is that our findings may help in selecting the optimal umbilical cord donors and in collecting high potential Wharton's jelly-derived osteoprogenitors efficiently.

Single-flap approach with buccal access in periodontal reconstructive procedures.

BACKGROUND: New surgical techniques have been developed to optimize primary closure as well as to minimize the surgical trauma in the reconstructive procedures of periodontal intraosseous defects. Recently, we proposed a minimally invasive procedure, the single-flap approach (SFA), specifically indicated when the defect extension is prevalent on the buccal or oral side. The basic principle of the SFA is the elevation of a flap to access the defect only on one side (buccal or oral), leaving the opposite side intact. The present case series reports preliminary data on the clinical effectiveness of SFA with buccal access in conjunction with a collagen membrane and a hydroxyapatite (HA)-based biomaterial in the reconstructive treatment of deep periodontal intraosseous defects. METHODS: Ten intraosseous defects in 10 patients were accessed with a buccal SFA and treated with a collagen membrane and an HA-based graft biomaterial. The follow-up period following the regenerative procedure ranged from 6 to 14 months (mean: 10.0 +/- 3.0 months). RESULTS: Clinical attachment level (CAL) decreased from 11.2 +/- 2.6 mm presurgery to 6.4 +/- 1.9 mm post-surgery. Probing depth was 9.0 +/- 2.8 mm before surgery and 3.8 +/- 1.5 mm post-surgery. Gingival recession increased from 2.2 +/- 1.9 mm presurgery to 2.6 +/- 1.3 mm post-surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Challenging intraosseous defects, surgically accessed with a buccal SFA and treated with a combined graft/guided tissue regeneration technique, may heal with a substantial CAL gain. Limited postsurgical recession indicates that SFA may represent a suitable option to surgically treat defects in areas with high esthetic demands.

Milled bar-supported implant overdenture after mandibular resection: a case report.

After surgical treatment for oral cancer, patients often are affected by disfigurements, thwarted function, and psychological and social problems. Prosthodontic rehabilitation has the aim of restoring function and esthetics. Implant-supported prosthodontic rehabilitation is useful for patients with compromised residual ridge anatomy, such as patients with oral cancer following treatment. This clinical report describes the rehabilitation of a patient after mandibular resection with a milled bar-supported implant overdenture. Overdenture achieves best hygienic maintenance, easy soft tissue follow-up, and low realization cost. This rehabilitation increased prosthesis retention and stability and improved oral conditions and the patient's quality of life.

GBR and autogenous cortical bone particulate by bone scraper for alveolar ridge augmentation: a 2-case report.

Scientific literature describes autogenous bone as the gold standard among graft materials for alveolar reconstructive procedures. Alveolar ridge augmentation has been clinically achieved with different forms of autogenous bone, including autogenous cortical bone particulate (ACBP). However, few histologic studies demonstrating the biologic potential and healing dynamics following the use of ACBP are currently available. This case report presents 2 patients in whom atrophic edentulous alveolar crests were submitted to a vertical/lateral ridge augmentation prior to implant placement. The technique was performed through the use of a titanium-reinforced expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) membrane with an ACBP graft obtained from the retromolar region with a specially designed bone scraper. Bone biopsy specimens were harvested at 9 months after graft placement. Analysis of the reconstructed bone revealed bone with a lamellar quality characterized by a mature osteonic structure. Sparse particles of grafted bone were evident in direct contact with the regenerated bone. Marrow spaces showed a normal stromal component with limited grafted particles.

Effect of flap design and duration of surgery on acute postoperative symptoms and signs after extraction of lower third molars: A randomized prospective study.

Background. Different surgical variables are assumed to play a role in postoperative course after lower third molar extraction. The aim of study was to assess whether flap design and duration of surgery can influence acute postoperative symptoms and signs after lower third molar extraction. Methods. Twenty-five patients scheduled for lower third molar extraction were included in this study and randomly assigned to two groups in terms of flap design: group A (envelope flap) and group B (triangular flap). Swelling and trismus were assessed before and after surgery on days 0, 2 and 7. Pain was assessed for seven days after surgery. Maximum postoperative pain was chosen as the main outcome variable. ANOVA was used to assess differences between the groups regarding maximum postoperative pain, trismus and swelling at 2- and 7-day intervals. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to assess correlation between duration of surgery and postoperative symptoms and signs. Results. No significant difference was found between the two flap designs for any postoperative symptoms and signs. The duration of surgery was found to be correlated with both trismus (r = -0.44, P = 0.04) and swelling (r = 0.59, P = 0.004) as assessed 2 days after surgery. No associations were found between duration of surgery and maximum postoperative pain and trismus and swelling at 7-day interval. Conclusion. Within the limits of the present study, the duration of surgery, and not the flap design, affected the acute postoperative symptoms and signs after lower third molar extraction.

Alveolar ridge augmentation: a comparative longitudinal study between calvaria and iliac crest bone grafrs.

Insertion of endosseous implants is often difficult because of lack of supporting bone. In the case of severe atrophy of the jaws, a large volume of autogenous bone can be harvested from the iliac crest and calvaria. Both grafts undergo partial resorption with time, but the rate of bone loss has not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the alveolar bone height gain (ABHG) obtained with iliac crest and calvaria bone grafts. Twenty-five patients had mandibular bone grafts, 32 had maxillary bone grafts, and 11 had both mandibular and maxillary bone grafts. Measures were made on preoperative, postoperative, and follow-up radiographs. A general linear model was used to evaluate the rate of ABHG plotted against months elapsed from the time of the operation to the time of follow-up. General linear model output showed a statistically significant effect for only the type of donor bone graft (P =.004), with a better ABHG for calvaria. The iliac crest bone grafts lost most of the ABHG in the first 6 months, whereas calvaria bone grafts lost ABHG over a greater interval of time. The type of bone graft is the strongest predictor of ABHG, and calvaria bone graft had a higher stability than did iliac bone graft. However, the gap in ABHG between the 2 grafts tended to decrease over time.

The timing and operational management of the variables of bleaching in cases of rehabilitation in the esthetic field.

Managing esthetic restoration in the presence of discolored teeth is a challenge for both the clinical team and clinician, whose aim is to use methods that are as minimally invasive as possible, and materials that allow the preservation of dental tissue. Should one wish to act on the discoloration of teeth that are to be restored, or on adjacent ones, it becomes essential to take action on dental tissues. This is done through bleaching and dental restoration, using materials that allow various clinical situations to be managed, such as those with different tonalities between the teeth: prosthetic materials that offer adequate uniformity in their results in those areas where it is necessary to mask the discoloration. The use of technology such as bleaching, and ceramic materials simultaneously can achieve excellent cosmetic results. This article explains how to integrate bleaching compared to prosthetic treatment, in terms of time, in the various cases of discoloration, and what factors to consider when choosing the timing.

Implant-prosthetic rehabilitation for a patient with monolateral cleft lip and palate: a clinical report.

Cleft lip and palate (CLP) is a malformation of genetic derivation. For patients affected by CLP, procedures of guided bone regeneration by autologous bone grafting are recognized as the most effective to close oronasal communication. The residual gap of alveolar ridge, determined by the absence of 1 or more permanent teeth, can be completed by implant-prosthetic rehabilitation. This kind of rehabilitation for patients with CLP has the aim of completing dental reconstruction by avoiding sacrifice of adjacent teeth and preserving symmetric appearance. This article describes the rehabilitation of an 18-year-old patient affected by right unilateral CLP with use of a titanium implant supporting a single crown to replace the lateral incisor. The technique used was particularly helpful for this cleft case, in which a bone deficit subsisted after secondary bone grafting. An additional bone grafting procedure was performed at the time of implant placement to achieve the best functional and esthetic results.

Time as a factor in the identification of subjects with different susceptibility to plaque-induced gingivitis.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess whether identification of subjects with different susceptibility to plaque-induced gingival inflammation is dependent on the length of time of de novo plaque accumulation. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of data obtained from a recently reported randomized split-mouth localized experimental gingivitis trial involving 96 healthy non-smokers. Gingival and plaque index, gingival crevicular fluid volume (GCF), angulated bleeding score, and the derived parameter cumulative plaque exposure (CPE) were recorded at days 0, 7, 14, and 21. The primary outcome variable to express severity of inflammation was GCF and each subject was a statistical unit. Based on subject distribution of GCF-day 21 residuals after standardization for CPE-day 21, two sub-populations (upper and lower distribution quartiles) were selected. They were, respectively, defined as "high responders" (HR) (n=24) and "low responders" (LR) (n=24) and characterized by significantly different severity of gingivitis to similar amounts of plaque deposits. The same analysis was repeated at days 7 and 14. Prevalence of HR and LR was compared between days using the chi(2) [ML] test. RESULTS: For both day 7 and day 14, the quartile distribution of LR and HR was statistically significant (p=0.02). Fifty percent of LR and 71% of HR presented a consistent level of susceptibility to plaque-induced gingival inflammation even after only 7 and/or 14 days of plaque accumulation. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the concept that the subject-based susceptibility to plaque-induced gingival inflammation is an individual trait, only partly related to the length of time of exposure to plaque.