Histopathological evaluation of dental follicles associated with impacted third molars

Aim: To histologically evaluate dental follicles of impacted third molars with no radiographic evidence of pathology. Methods: We carried out both a quantitative and qualitative analysis of pericoronal follicles removed from impacted third molars and investigated the association with clinical data. The sample included 36 extracted dental follicles of impacted third molars, obtained from 28 patients, which presented with no radiographic evidence of pathologies. Results: None of the follicles analyzed showed any pathological entity. The epithelial lining was observed in 61.1% of samples, being identified as reduced enamel epithelium. We found a significant relation between the the presence of inflammatory infiltrate and the group aged over 21 years (64.3%; p<0.05). Conclusions: Considering the absence of pathological lesions, we suggest that impacted third molars should only be extracted in young-aged individuals due to specific pathologies or indications

Factors affecting hospital discharge in maxillofacial trauma patients: a retrospective study

Aim: To determine factors that may affect the time of discharge from hospital in patients who underwent maxillofacial trauma. Methods: The sample included 115 patients seen at a public hospital in Brazil, to whom surgical maxillofacial treatment was delivered. Data were obtained from patients' medical records and then followed by a statistical analysis using a 5% significance level. Results: The location of fractures and other clinical features such as the presence of edema and ecchymosis were found to be significantly associated with increased time of discharge from hospital (P < 0.05). When data were modeled using a GML approach, male gender was associated with a lower likelihood of prolonged hospital discharge (OR = 0.84; 95% CI: 0.72­0.98; P < 0.05), while the presence of edema was associated with greater time of hospital discharge (OR = 1.30; 95% CI: 1.14­1.49; P < 0.001). No significant association with age, etiology of trauma, and number of fractures was observed (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Female gender was associated with greater time of hospital discharge, and further concerns should be addressed to the management of lesions following maxillofacial trauma surgical interventions (AU)

Morning salivary cortisol with regard to gender in individuals with perceived facial pain / Cortisol salivar matutino em relação ao sexo em indivíduos com sintomas de dor facial

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Facial pain seems to be related to physiological responses to stress and sexual dimorphism. However, the relationship among facial pain, cortisol secretion and gender has been poorly investigated. This study aimed to investigate differences in morning salivary cortisol profile between males and females either with or without perceived facial pain symptoms. METHODS: Participated in the study 39 individuals reporting facial pain and 33 painless controls of both genders. Facial pain symptoms were evaluated with Axis II Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders, which has supplied chronic pain scores. Saliva was collected in the morning to obtain cortisol peaks, being stored for further use. Salivary cortisol levels were evaluated by immunosorbent assay. Statistical analysis has included hypotheses tests and ANOVA with significance level of 5% and a binary logistic regression, which has tested the association between gender, cortisol and each facial pain symptom. RESULTS: There has been no association between facial pain and gender. Cortisol levels were similar among individuals with and without facial pain, regardless of gender. The adjusted model has shown that most symptoms were not associated to gender, regardless of cortisol levels. CONCLUSION: In individuals with and without facial pain symptoms, morning salivary cortisol levels regulation has been similar for both genders.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A percepção da dor facial parece estar relacionada com respostas fisiológicas ao estresse e com o dimorfismo sexual. No entanto, a relação entre dor facial, secreção de cortisol e o sexo ainda foi pouco investigada. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar as diferenças nos perfis de cortisol salivar matutino em homens e mulheres com ou sem sintomas de dor facial. MÉTODOS: Trinta e nove indivíduos que relataram dor facial e 33 controles sem dor, de ambos os sexos, participaram deste estudo. Os sintomas de dor facial foram avaliados utilizando o Eixo II do Critério de Diagnóstico para Pesquisa das Disfunções Temporomandibulares, que forneceu os escores de dor crônica. A saliva foi coletada dos participantes no turno matutino a fim de obter os picos de cortisol, sendo armazenada até utilização posterior. Os níveis salivares de cortisol foram avaliados por ensaio imunoenzimático. A análise estatística incluiu testes de hipóteses e ANOVA com nível de significância de 5%, e uma regressão logística binária que testou a associação entre o sexo, cortisol, e cada sintoma de dor facial. RESULTADOS: Não foi observada associação entre dor facial e o sexo. Os níveis de cortisol foram semelhantes entre indivíduos com ou sem dor facial, independentemente do sexo. O modelo ajustado mostrou que a maioria dos sintomas não teve associação com o sexo, independentemente dos níveis de cortisol. CONCLUSÃO: Nos indivíduos com e sem dor facial, a regulação dos níveis de cortisol salivar matutino ocorreu de forma semelhante em ambos os sexos.