Association between the Mediterranean Diet and Vitamin C and the Risk of Head and Neck Cancer.

Diet may modulate the risk of head and neck cancer (HNC) through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. To date, there is limited evidence regarding the effects of the Mediterranean diet on HNC risk. The purpose of the study was to assess the association between Mediterranean diet adherence, type of diet, and vitamin C and the risk of HNC. A case-control study was conducted at the Dentistry Hospital, University of Barcelona, including 101 cases of HNC and 101 controls matched by age and sex. Dietary habits were assessed using a 14-question Mediterranean diet score that classified the type of diet into healthy diet (10-14 points), regular diet (5-9 points), and unhealthy diet (≤4 points). Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the association between Mediterranean diet adherence, type of diet, and vitamin C and the risk of HNC. Higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet was significantly associated with a lower risk of HNC (OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.79-0.98). A healthy diet (OR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.10-0.84) and vitamin C intake (OR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.10-0.62) were strongly associated with lower odds of HNC. Moderate egg intake was the only type of food significantly associated with a lower risk of HNC. Dietary patterns that emphasize a high intake of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory bioactive components may have a protective effect on the risk of HNC.

Effects of the Prior Use of Statins on Head and Neck Cancer Risk: A Hospital-Based Case-Control Study.

Mechanisms related to the potential beneficial effects of statins on cancer are mainly related to the inhibition of the mevalonate pathway. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between prior use of statins and the risk of head and neck cancer. A hospital-based case-control study was conducted at the Dentistry Hospital of the University of Barcelona, including 101 incident cases of head and neck cancer and 101 controls matched to cases by age and sex. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the association between prior statin exposure and head and neck cancer risk. Of the 202 patients included in total, 28.2% had previously received prescriptions for statins. Prior use of statins was found in 25.7% of cases and 30.7% of controls. Exposure to statins was not associated with head and neck cancer risk (OR = 0.72; 95% CI 0.28-1.84; p = 0.49). There was also no time- or dose-dependent association. Similar trends were observed when analyzed by subsites of cancer and recurrence rate. Our findings do not support a beneficial effect of prior statin exposure on head and neck cancer risk. Future research relying on observational data should emulate randomized clinical trials before clinical implications for repurposing drugs can be drawn.

Periapical and endodontic status of patients with inflammatory bowel disease: Age- and sex-matched case-control study.

AIM: Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are two chronic recurrent inflammatory processes of the gastrointestinal tract, grouped under the name inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), causing clinical episodes of intestinal inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible association between IBD and the prevalence of apical periodontitis (AP) and root canal treatment. METHODOLOGY: A case-control study design matched to age and sex was used. The study group (SG) included 28 patients with IBD (13 with CD, 15 with UC). Another 28 healthy subjects, without IBD and age- and sex-matched, were included in the control group (CG). Radiographic records were analysed and AP was diagnosed as radiolucent periapical lesions (RPLs), using the periapical index score. Student's t-test, χ2 test and multivariate logistic regression were used in the statistical analysis. RESULTS: In the CG, only 17 subjects (61%) had at least one tooth with AP, whilst in the SG group they were 23 patients (82%; OR = 2.98; 95% CI = 0.87-10.87; p = .08). The number of subjects with one or more root filled teeth (RFT) in the CG was 14 (50%), whilst in the SG they were 22 (79%; OR = 3.67; 95% CI = 1.14-11.79; p = .026). At least one RFT with AP was evident in three subjects (10.7%) in the CG, whilst in the SG 15 patients (53.6%) showed RFT with AP (OR = 9.60; 95% CI = 2.35-39.35; p = .001). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, only endodontic status was found to be associated with IBD (OR = 1.86; 95% CI = 1.24-2.80; p = .003). CONCLUSION: IBD, UC and Crohn's disease are associated with higher prevalence of RFT and higher percentage of RFT with periapical lesions. Dentists should consider these findings when caring for IBD patients by monitoring the evolution of periapical lesions of endodontically treated teeth.

Frequency and type of digital procedures used for the intraoral prosthetic rehabilitation of patients with head and neck cancer: A systematic review.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: In spite of a digital workflow playing an important role in the intraoral prosthetic rehabilitation of patients with head and neck cancer, information about how it has been implemented and its clinical implications is sparse. PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the use of a digital workflow in the intraoral prosthetic rehabilitation of patients with head and neck cancer by analyzing the frequency and type of the digital procedures used. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. The following terms were applied for the search conducted in the MEDLINE-PubMed, Cochrane, and SciELO databases: (prosthesis OR dental OR rehabilitation) AND (digital OR CAD-CAM OR intraoral scanner) AND (Cancer OR head neck). Articles that specified data on intraoral prosthetic treatment and analyzed the use of a digital workflow in the different prosthetic phases such as digital scanning and computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) in patients with head and neck cancer were included. Data from the frequency and type of digital procedures were analyzed. RESULTS: Thirteen articles were included, and all had incorporated CAD-CAM techniques in at least 1 of the prosthetic treatment stages (scanning, design, and/or fabrication). Only 1 patient was rehabilitated by using a completely digital workflow. The most frequent prosthetic treatment was an obturator (82.6%). Regarding the image capture method, the most used method was cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) (60.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Most reports described the partial use of a digital workflow in the intraoral prosthetic rehabilitation of patients treated for head and neck cancer. A digital workflow is used for specific stages but not for the entire process. More studies are needed to evaluate digital systems, ideally comparing parameters with the conventional method, and to determine whether this technique has more relevant clinical implications.

Update on the management of anticoagulated and antiaggregated patients in dental practice: Literature review.

BACKGROUND: Oral antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs are widely used in a large number of patients visiting the dentist, and there has been much controversy over the years towards their clinical management. The aim to carry out a literature review in order to develop an update on dental management in anticoagulated and / or anti aggregated patients, focusing on oral surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A bibliographic search was carried out in PubMed on studies published between January 1, 2018, until December 10, 2020, using the keywords ("antiplatelet" OR "antiplatelets") AND ("dentistry"), and ("anticoagulant" OR "anticoagulants") AND ("dentistry"). RESULTS: The number of studies included in this review was 13, and the number of patients among all of them was 3.497 patients under treatment with some type of antithrombotic drug, who underwent different oral surgery treatments. CONCLUSIONS: There is a low risk of peri- and postoperative bleeding events during basic oral surgery treatments in antiplatelet or anticoagulated patients, which can be easily managed through the use of local haemostatic measures. Key words:Oral surgery, antiplatelet drugs, anticoagulant drugs, dental treatment.

Time-to-Treatment in Oral Cancer: Causes and Implications for Survival.

The purpose of this review was to identify and describe the causes that influence the time-intervals in the pathway of diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer and to assess its impact on prognosis and survival. The review was structured according to the recommendations of the Aarhus statement, considering original data from individual studies and systematic reviews that reported outcomes related to the patient, diagnostic and pre-treatment intervals. The patient interval is the major contributor to the total time-interval. Unawareness of signs and/or symptoms, denial and lack of knowledge about oral cancer are the major contributors to the process of seeking medical attention. The diagnostic interval is influenced by tumor factors, delays in referral due to higher number of consultations and previous treatment with different medicines or dental procedures and by professional factors such as experience and lack of knowledge related to the disease and diagnostic procedures. Patients with advanced stage disease, primary treatment with radiotherapy, treatment at an academic facility and transitions in care are associated with prolonged pre-treatment intervals. An emerging body of evidence supports the impact of prolonged pre-treatment and treatment intervals with poorer survival from oral cancer.

An analysis of the prevalence of peripheral giant cell granuloma and pyogenic granuloma in relation to a dental implant.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the literature recurrence of peripheral giant cell granuloma and pyogenic granuloma associated with dental implants. It's important to know the characteristics present in these lesions and possible effects on the prognosis of dental implants. METHODS: An electronic search without time restrictions was done in the databases: PubMed/Medline. With the keywords "Granuloma" OR "Granuloma, Giant Cell" OR "peripheral giant cell" OR "Granuloma, Pyogenic" AND "Dental implants" OR "Oral implants". RESULTS: After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 20 articles were included, which reported 32 lesions (10 pyogenic granulomas, 21 peripheral giant cell granulomas and one peripheral giant cell granuloma combined with peripheral ossifying fibroma, all associated with implants). According to our review, these lesions are more frequent in males and in the posterior region of the mandible. Both excision and curettage of the lesion, compared to only excision, presented similar recurrences (40%). Explantation of the implant was performed in 41% of cases without additional recurrences. The results are not statistically significant when comparing one lesion to the other in terms of explantation (p = 0.97), recurrence (p = 0.57) or bone loss (p = 0.67). CONCLUSIONS: The main therapeutic approach is tissue excision. The lesions show a high recurrence rate (34.4%), which often requires explantation of the associated implant. This recurrence rate is not affected by curettage after excision.

Head and neck cancer and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

The objective was to assess the effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on head and neck cancer (HNC) outcomes. A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. The MEDLINE and the Cochrane Central Register databases were searched. Risk of bias was assessed by the Cochrane Collaboration's tool and by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Meta-analyses were performed with the RevMan software. Seventeen articles met the inclusion criteria. Quality scores for observational studies ranged between 5 and 8 stars and the RCT was assessed as high risk of bias. NSAIDs use was associated with a 13% risk reduction of HNC (OR: 0.87 95% CI 0.77-0.99). NSAIDs use was associated with a 30% reduced cancer-specific mortality and with a 40% decreased risk on disease-recurrence. NSAIDs may have a modest protective effect on HNC risk and a positive impact on cancer-specific survival and disease-recurrence. The findings do not support a protective role of aspirin on HNC outcomes.

Survival of Dental Implants in Oncology Patients versus Non-Oncology Patients: A 5-Year Retrospective Study.

Patients with a history of cancer are increasingly common in the dental office. Treating cancer patients requires a multidisciplinary team, which should include the dentist, in order to control the complications that occur in the oral cavity and also to recover the patient undergoing treatment in any of its types: surgical, medical, radiotherapeutic, or its possible combinations. Dental implants can be a safe and predictable treatment option for prosthetic rehabilitation. The aim of this paper is to describe in retrospect the success rate of osseointegrated implants in oncology and non-oncology patients placed by the Master of Dentistry in Oncology and Immunocompromised Patients, as well as the Master of Medicine, Surgery and Oral Implantology of the University of Barcelona Dental Hospital, between July 2011 and March 2016. 466 patients were reviewed, with a total of 1405 implants placed, considering the oncological history of the patients and the implant success rate. The total success rate in the concerned period was 96.65%. When comparing cancer patients with healthy ones, the success rate has been 93.02% in the first case, and 97.16% in the latter. According to the literature review, our results encourage implant placement in cancer patients, it is important to recognize that this is an analysis of a complex care pathway with a large number of confounding variables. However, the findings should not be considered as generalizable.

Survival of dental implants in oncology patients versus non-oncology patients: a 5-year retrospective study

Abstract Patients with a history of cancer are increasingly common in the dental office. Treating cancer patients requires a multidisciplinary team, which should include the dentist, in order to control the complications that occur in the oral cavity and also to recover the patient undergoing treatment in any of its types: surgical, medical, radiotherapeutic, or its possible combinations. Dental implants can be a safe and predictable treatment option for prosthetic rehabilitation. The aim of this paper is to describe in retrospect the success rate of osseointegrated implants in oncology and non-oncology patients placed by the Master of Dentistry in Oncology and Immunocompromised Patients, as well as the Master of Medicine, Surgery and Oral Implantology of the University of Barcelona Dental Hospital, between July 2011 and March 2016. 466 patients were reviewed, with a total of 1405 implants placed, considering the oncological history of the patients and the implant success rate. The total success rate in the concerned period was 96.65%. When comparing cancer patients with healthy ones, the success rate has been 93.02% in the first case, and 97.16% in the latter. According to the literature review, our results encourage implant placement in cancer patients, it is important to recognize that this is an analysis of a complex care pathway with a large number of confounding variables. However, the findings should not be considered as generalizable.

Resumo Pacientes com histórico de câncer são cada vez mais comuns no consultório odontológico. O tratamento de pacientes com câncer requer uma equipe multidisciplinar, que deve incluir o dentista, a fim de controlar as complicações que ocorrem na cavidade oral e também para tratar o paciente com qualquer uma das modalidades de tratamento: cirúrgica, médica, radioterápica ou suas possíveis combinações. Os implantes dentários podem ser uma opção de tratamento segura e previsível para reabilitação protética. O objetivo deste artigo é propor um estudo retrospectivo sobre a taxa de sucesso de implantes osseointegrados em pacientes oncológicos e não oncológicos atendidos no Mestrado em Odontologia em Pacientes Oncológicos e Imunodeprimidos, bem como no Mestrado em Medicina, Cirurgia e Implantodontia Oral do Hospital Odontológico da Universidade de Barcelona, entre julho de 2011 e março de 2016. Foram revisados 466 pacientes, com um total de 1405 implantes instalados, considerando o histórico oncológico dos pacientes e a taxa de sucesso do implante. Resultados: A taxa de sucesso total no período em questão foi de 96,65%. Na comparação entre pacientes com câncer e saudáveis, a taxa de sucesso foi de 93,02% no primeiro caso e 97,16% no segundo. Conclusão: De acordo com a revisão da literatura, nossos resultados encorajam a colocação de implantes em pacientes com câncer, é importante reconhecer que esta é uma análise complexa que requer cuidado devido ao grande número de variáveis. No entanto, os resultados não devem ser considerados de forma generalizada.

Corticotomy in orthodontic treatment: systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate corticotomies effects to accelerate or facilitate dental movements in different kind of orthodontic treatments. DATA: This report followed the PRISMA Statement. A total of 9 articles were included in review. SOURCES: Two reviewers performed a literature search up to December 2018 in four databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and SciELO. STUDY SELECTION: Controlled clinical trials and randomized controlled clinical trials conducted in human patients and published during the last 10 years in English were eligible to be selected. The articles should give detailed information about the results and treatment parameters. There were no limitations established in terms of the type of malocclusion to be corrected or the type of orthodontic treatment performed. RESULTS: The methodological quality and evidence of the selected studies was low. Most of the studies observed a statistically significant increase in the rate of dental movement, when performing alveolar corticotomies as coadjuvants of orthodontic treatment; either with the conventional technique or with piezocision. The effect of combining corticotomy with bone grafts was assessed. CONCLUSIONS: High heterogeneity among studies made it difficult to draw clear conclusions. However, within the limitations of this review, the corticotomy procedures were able to statistically and clinically produce significant temporary decrease in orthodontic tooth movement rate. This technique does not seem to involve major complications compared to conventional orthodontic treatments. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The use of this technique can reduce treatment time and therefore the undesirable effects associated with prolonged treatments.

The Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Approach and Quality of Care.

The core function of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) is to bring together a group of healthcare professionals from different fields in order to determine patients' treatment plan. Most of head and neck cancer (HNC) units are currently led by MDTs that at least include ENT and maxillofacial surgeons, radiation and medical oncologists. HNC often compromise relevant structures of the upper aerodigestive tract involving functions such as speech, swallowing and breathing, among others. The impairment of these functions can significantly impact patients' quality of life and psychosocial status, and highlights the crucial role of specialized nurses, dietitians, psycho-oncologists, social workers, and onco-geriatricians, among others. Hence, these professionals should be integrated in HNC MDTs. In addition, involving translational research teams should also be considered, as it will help reducing the existing gap between basic research and the daily clinical practice. The aim of this comprehensive review is to assess the role of the different supportive disciplines integrated in an MDT and how they help providing a better care to HNC patients during diagnosis, treatment and follow up.

Clinical manifestations of oral proliferative verrucous leukoplakia: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review was to gather the available evidence about proliferative verrucous leukoplakia. This systematic review was conducted to answer the question: "What are the main clinical features of PVL patients?". MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was done following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statements. An electronic research was carried out using different electronic databases; PubMed, and Scopus. Inclusion criteria were papers which reported at least 10 patients with proliferative verrucous leukoplakia and were published not more than 10 years ago. RESULTS: A total of 285 records were identified through databases, although only 6 of them were eligible. Most patients were women, above 60 years of age (67.4). Additionally, 28 of them were non-smokers (66.6%) and 24 were non-habitual drinkers (57.1%). The most common locations were gingiva (50.9%), buccal mucosa (44.9%), and tongue (40.6%) CONCLUSION: Level C can be established to conclude the proliferative verrucous leukoplakia demographic data, risk factors, malignant transformation, and location. A strict follow-up on these patients should be mandatory, even after surgical management since they have a high recurrence rate and a malignant transformation.

Relationship of human papillomavirus with diseases of the oral cavity. / El virus del papiloma humano y su relación con la patología de la cavidad oral.

Over the last few decades, the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has emerged as a new epidemic and become a health issue due to its involvement in several cancers affecting the cervix, the anogenital region and the oropharynx. In this review, we aim to understand and explain the distinctive features of HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma based on its epidemiological data, risk factors, specific topography, HPV subtypes most frequently involved, HPV-status diagnosis, clinical behaviour, prognosis, treatment, and preventive measures. In addition, the relationship of HPV with the development of other head and neck carcinomas and benign lesions of the oral cavity will also be discussed.

Protective effects of metformin, statins and anti-inflammatory drugs on head and neck cancer: A systematic review.

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of metformin, statins and anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on head and neck cancer (HNC). Specifically, the potential beneficial effects on risk, survival and recurrence based on epidemiological studies. PRISMA guidelines were followed. After searching MEDLINE (PubMed), IBECS, LILACS and the Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials, 13 studies met the inclusion criteria and so underwent qualitative synthesis (six studies for metformin and seven for NSAIDs). No studies were found for statins. Studies varied in their methodological quality. Meta-analyses showed that metformin exerts significant beneficial effects on HNC risk (RR = 0.71 95% CI 0.61-0.84) and overall survival (RR = 1.71 95% CI 1.20-2.42). Qualitative synthesis also suggests an apparently dose-response relationship and increased benefit when administered alone. The pooled-analyses yielded an almost significant effect of NSAIDs on HNC risk (RR = 0.86 95% CI 0.74-1.01). No associations were found between aspirin use and the risk of HNC (RR = 0.98 95% CI 0.77-1.24) and overall survival (RR = 1.10 95% CI 0.89-1.36). Metformin appears to have beneficial effects on HNC risk and overall survival, with an apparently dose-response relationship and increased benefit when administered alone. NSAIDs also seem to have a modest beneficial effect on HNC risk. No definitive conclusions can be reached for aspirin as the evidence available was proved inconsistent. Further research by means of well designed and conducted studies are needed to determine firm clinical implications. Standardized assessment methods for HNC outcomes should be established and account for known confounding factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption.

Associations between self-reported periodontal disease, assessed using a very short questionnaire, cardiovascular disease events and all-cause mortality in a contemporary multi-ethnic population: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Periodontal disease (PD) is believed to be associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. Nevertheless, the additive prognostic value of PD for the prediction of CVD events beyond traditional risk factors is unclear, particularly when self-reported using a short questionnaire. METHODS: In the community-based, multicenter, prospective, Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), PD was assessed at baseline using a two-item questionnaire. We used Cox proportional hazards regression models to evaluate the independent associations between self-reported PD and coronary heart disease (CHD), CVD events, and all-cause death. In addition, the area under the receiver-operator characteristic curve (AUC) was calculated for each of the study endpoints, for models including traditional CVD risk factors alone and models including traditional CVD risk factors plus information on PD. Subgroup analyses were performed stratifying by age and tobacco use. RESULTS: Among the 6640 MESA participants, high education level, high income, and access to healthcare were more frequent among individuals who self-reported PD. In multivariable analyses, null associations were observed between self-reported PD and incident CVD events, CHD events, and all-cause mortality; and self-reported PD did not improve risk prediction beyond traditional CVD risk factors in terms of AUC, for any of the three study endpoints. Subgroup analyses were consistent with the overall results. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the prevalence of self-reported PD may be strongly influenced by educational status and other socioeconomic features. In this context, self-reported PD does not improve CVD risk assessment when evaluated using a brief questionnaire. Future studies should prioritize objective, dental health-expert assessments of PD.

Correlation between mandibular bone density and skeletal bone density in a Catalonian postmenopausal population.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine if the mandible (MD) experiences reductions in bone mineral density (BMD) similar to the lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN) in a postmenopausal population. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 137 postmenopausal women underwent 3 types of densitometric examinations: LS, FN, and MD as measured in 3 regions (MD-R1, MD-R2, and MD-R3), as well as the entire mandible (MD-Net) using a dual photon bone X-ray densitometer. Densitometry of the LS and FN were performed according to the protocol of the International Society for Clinical Densitometry. Mandibular densitometry was performed using a modification of a previous technique, placing the patient in the left lateral decubitus position, with the head supported by a 13-cm-thick cushion above the temporomandibular joint. RESULTS: Significant correlations were found between densitometry results for the LS and the MD, with P values of .021 at MD-R1 (ramus); .001 at MD-R2 (body); .050 at MD-R3 (symphysis), and .001 at MD-Net (total mandibular density). No correlation was found between mandibular and FN densitometry (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: According to the results, for this population, it can be affirmed that the MD responds to osteoporosis in ways similar to the LS.

Bacteremia Associated With Oral Surgery: A Review.

OBJECTIVES: Bacterial (infective) endocarditis, a microbial infection of the endocardium surfaces after bacteremia, causes significant morbidity and mortality. Recent epidemiologic studies have reported a prevalence of 2-8 cases per 100,000 individuals per year, with the highest incidence in those aged 70-80 years and those living in developed countries. We systematically reviewed the literature on several critical aspects regarding the development of bacteremia after oral surgery. The purpose of this work is to assess the controversy regarding antibiotic prophylaxis before oral surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Publications between 1976 and 2015 were included. Clinical studies focusing on oral surgery as the underlying cause were included. RESULTS: Among the 32 clinical studies reviewed, 3564 cases, accounting for 12,839 blood cultures, were evaluated. In 10 of these studies, amoxicillin usefulness was studied. Antimicrobial prophylaxis before an invasive dental procedure does not prevent bacteremia, although it can decrease both its magnitude and its persistence. CONCLUSIONS: The highly conflicting data and conclusions of the analyzed work highlight the need for new approaches to the study of bacteremia that would provide reliable evidence and thus appropriate prophylactic and therapeutic standards. Many reports have explored the occurrence of bacteremia after dental procedures, but the results have been conflicting.

Xerostomia y radioterapia de cabeza y cuello: actualización / Radiation-induced xerostomia: update

Resumen En la radioterapia de cabeza y cuello las glándulas salivales suelen recibir una dosis elevada de radiación, lo que provoca una disminución progresiva y, a partir de determinada dosis, irreversible de la secreción salival, entre otros efectos. La xerostomía o sensación de boca seca es el efecto secundario más frecuente tras la radioterapia de cabeza y cuello, el cual disminuye la calidad de vida de los pacientes al dificultar funciones como la fonación y la deglución. Dada la complejidad y la temprana aparición de este síntoma, su prevención es la solución más eficaz. Los avances de las últimas décadas tienen un papel imprescindible: la radioterapia de intensidad modulada, la administración de sustancias citoprotectoras y el autotransplante de glándula submandibular parecen limitar en cierta medida el efecto de la radiación y disminuir así la sensación de sequedad bucal.

Abstract Radiation therapy is a key component in the multidisciplinary treatment of head-and-neck malignancies. In these cases, salivary glands are irradiated with high-level doses, which, among other side effects, results in a progressive and irreversible decrease in the salivary output. Radiation-induced xerostomia is the most common side effect of the head and neck region after radiotherapy treatment, and highly impairs the patients' long-term quality of life, threatening physiological functions, essentially speaking and swallowing. Given the complexity and early appearance of this symptom, its prevention is the most effective solution. In the past decades, the development of new radiation delivery techniques, such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), along with the administration of radioprotective drugs and autologous submandibular gland transplantation, seem to reduce the dose reaching the salivary glands, which in turn improves the patients' perception of dry mouth.

Analytical parameters and vital signs in patients subjected to dental extraction.

BACKGROUND: Dental consultation may provoke stress to the patient, especially when a dental surgery is going to be performed, stressful situations can cause a reaction in the sympathetic nervous system that could lead to cardiovascular alterations. Blood pressure and cardiac frequency are used often as an indirect measurement and this parameters combined can serve as good indicators of stress. Objective: Analyze the changes in vital signs and analytical parameters induced by a dental extraction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 24 healthy patients who required a simple dental extraction underwent to a blood test and motorization of their pre- and post-extraction vital signs before, at 2 and 48 hours after the procedure. Data analysis was performed by means of repeated measures one way ANOVA followed by multiple comparisons Bonferroni's Post-hoc test. RESULTS: The evaluated patients were 13 women and 11 men with an average age of 35.1. Thirteen patients (54.17% of the sample) were smokers and five were regular drinkers (20.8%). No significant differences were observed in the vital signs with the exception of diastolic blood pressure and cardiac rate that were slightly lower after extraction. Only two analytical parameters showed statistical significant changes. Total bilirubin was significantly higher at 48 hours after extraction and leukocyte count was significantly lower at this time. In any case, the magnitude of the changes observed was very low. The analytical parameters and the vital signs did not show any relevant change. CONCLUSIONS: Eventual alterations found after simple tooth extraction should not be attributed to the procedure. Key words:Blood pressure, heart rate, monitoring physiologic, oxygen saturation, tooth extraction.