Probiotics diminish the post-operatory pain following mandibular third molar extraction: a randomised double-blind controlled trial (pilot study).

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a probiotic in preventing infections after third molar surgery. Thirty-eight patients were consecutively enrolled to a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial. Patients were asked to take one tablet two times a day containing a mixture of Levilactobacillus brevis CECT7480 (KABP-052) and Lactoplantibacillus plantarum CECT7481 (KABP-051) or placebo for the first post-intervention week. The primary outcome was the postoperative infection rate. Secondary outcomes included swelling, eating difficulties and postoperative pain recorded by the patient using a visual analogue scale (VAS) during the first postoperative week. No statistically significant difference in the infection rate between the groups was found; with only three cases of infections reported (one in the probiotic group and two in the placebo group) on the first week. Compared to placebo, treatment with the probiotic showed a significantly higher reduction in pain and eating difficulties scores at 5, 6 and 7 days post-surgery. Swelling values were not significantly different between the groups at any time point. The findings of this pilot study justify a larger study to clarify the possible role of these bacterial strains on the post-operative pain management following third molar surgery.

The prevalence of ankyloglossia in 302 newborns with breastfeeding problems and sucking difficulties in Barcelona: a descriptive study.

AIM: Oral and maxillofacial development is influenced by the lingual frenulum and also affects breathing, occlusion, sucking, swallowing, speech, among others. Ankyloglossia in the newborn may result in breastfeeding difficulties: maternal nipple pain and/or erosion or mastitis, poor weight gain and excessively long breastfeeds. The main objective of this work is to study the prevalence of ankyloglossia in newborns with breastfeeding difficulties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a transversal descriptive study of 302 patients, between 0 and 6 months, who attended the hospital as a result of breastfeeding difficulties. All patients with sucking problems and ankyloglossia were included in this study and followed the multidisciplinary treatment protocol made up of the services of Breastfeeding, Speech Therapy and Orofacial Rehabilitation and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. RESULTS: 1,102 newborns were seen at the paediatric service of Hospital de Nens, Barcelona (Spain) during 2 years; 302 had breastfeeding difficulties and of these, 171 were diagnosed with ankyloglossia (60 girls and 111 boys). Coryllos Grade 3 ankyloglossia was the most prevalent (59.6%) type; 85 infants (49.7%) were exclusively breastfed and 26 (50.35%) were mixed fed (formula and breastfeeding). Only 43 patients had a family history of tongue-tie (25.1%). CONCLUSION: Ankyloglossia linked to breastfeeding difficulties must be treated by a multidisciplinary team. We have found a high prevalence of the condition since the population studied are newborns with sucking problems. If a frenotomy is necessary, we recommend stimulating suction with myofunctional therapy before and after surgery to avoid scar retraction.