Use of 532-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser for smoker's gingival hyperpigmentation.

Laser treatments using 532-/1064-nm Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) lasers are popular non-ablative and selective photothermolysis therapies for pigmentary disorders. We treated three male Korean patients (aged 23, 27 and 24 years) for smoker's gingival hyperpigmentation using a 532-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. At each treatment session, the laser was delivered at 1.2 J/cm(2) with a 5-mm spot size and appropriate overlap. Clinical improvement as well as complete healing of the treated gingiva was noted within 2 weeks after each treatment. We also observed that the therapeutic effects lasted more than 6 months.

The mechanism of gingiva metallic pigmentations formation.

The occurrence of blue-grey areas in the soft tissue represents one of the problems affecting patients whose teeth have been restored using metallic materials. It is generally accepted that it is caused by mechanical penetration of a metallic material into the soft tissue. Several facts indicate that this mechanism is not general. The aim of the study was to determine an alternative mechanism of the origin of pigmentations, based on the corrosion interaction of metallic materials used in prosthodontics with the oral environment. The study was comprised of an analysis of pigment particles, determination of exposure conditions of metallic materials in vivo and laboratory evaluation of corrosion properties of the studied materials. Particles containing silver, sulphur and/or selenium could be seen in ultra-thin sections in the lamina propria gingivae. Comparison of the corrosion laboratory results with the results of in vivo measurements indicated the intensification of corrosion under these conditions. Amalgams and silver-containing alloys used for teeth restorations may release silver under the conditions of the oral cavity. The formation of soluble silver compounds in the sulcular area or in a crevice between the crown and the cast post-and-core reconstruction facilitates their transport to the soft tissue and subsequent deposition.

Facial erythema ab igne of rapid onset.

BACKGROUND: Erythema ab igne is a rare condition with a carcinogenic potential produced by chronic exposure to a heat source. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present the first case of rapid-onset erythema ab igne in the setting of a dental practice. CLINICAL IMPLICATION: Physicians and dentists should be aware of this disease following short-term local application of heat.

[Epidemiologic examination on the prevalence of the periodontal diseases and oral pigmentation in Yusho patients in 2006].

An epidemiologic examination was carried out to reveal the prevalence of the periodontal diseases and oral pigmentation in patients with Yusho in 2006. The results obtained were as follows. (1) 98 patients out of 106 patients with Yusho, who were measured periodontal pocket depth according to Ramfjord' methods, had at least one tooth with periodontal pocket deeper than 3 mm. Similarly, 343 teeth out of a total 494 examined teeth showed periodontal pocket with more than 3 mm depth. (2) Oral pigmentation was observed in 61 patients out of 116 patients with Yusho. In this study, gingival pigmentation was most predominant among oral pigmentation. The prevalence of oral pigmentation in male patients seemed to be somewhat higher than that in female patients. In addition, this examination revealed that the patients below the age of sixty had a high prevalence of oral pigmentation. These results indicated that PCB-related compounds may be responsible for the higher prevalence of both periodontal diseases and oral pigmentation.

Efeito clínico de solução anti-septica à base de própolis em crianças cáries ativa / Evaluation clinical effects of anti-septic solution based on propolis in caries-active children

Objetivo: Avaliar a ação de uma solução anti-séptica do extratode própolis sobre os índices clínicos: e contagem de S. mutans.Método: A atividade antimicrobiana do extrato foi realizada emmeio de cultura sólido para determinar a ConcentraçãoInibitória Mínima (CIM) utilizando cepas de S. mutans. A partirda CIM do extrato foi confeccionada uma solução parabochecho de própolis (6,25 porcento), a qual foi utilizada como soluçãoteste e comparada com um controle positivo, clorexidina(0,12 porcentoutilizaram a solução para bochecho de própolis durante 15 diasconsecutivos, e com intervalo de 21 dias, fizeram uso dobochecho de clorexidina. Foram coletados os índices paraacúmulo de biofilme oral (IHO-S) e doença gengival (IG) antes(T ) e 24 horas após (T ) o uso das soluções realizou-se a 0 1contagem de S. mutans de amostra da saliva antes (T ) e 24 0horas (T ), 7 dias (T ), 15 dias (T ) e 21 dias (T ) depois do final 0 7 15 21de ambos os bochechos. Resultados: Os resultadosdemonstraram significância redução do número de S. mutansnos tempos 24 horas (p<0,001), 7 dias (p<0,05) e 15 dias(p<0,05) após o uso da solução de própolis, não diferindo dasolução de clorexidina (p>0,05). Conclusão: A solução doextrato de própolis apresentou satisfatória atividadeantimicrobiana e semelhante ação da clorexidina, além deatuar sobre condições clínicas como a presença de biofilmeoral e doença gengival, podendo ser empregado como agente terapeutico.

The effect of hyperbaric oxygen on irradiated oral tissues: transmucosal oxygen tension measurements.

PURPOSE: This study measured the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment on transmucosal oxygen tension in irradiated human oral mucosa. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten patients received 30 dives of HBO as part of their treatment for mandibular osteoradionecrosis. A noninvasive, nonheated oxygen electrode was used to measure the tissue surface transmucosal oxygen tension directly on the attached gingiva. Measurements were done before, during, and after HBO treatment. The normal level of gingival surface transmucosal oxygen tension was measured in five healthy volunteers. RESULTS: During HBO treatment, the transmucosal oxygen tension increased significantly after five dives of HBO (P < .05). After 30 dives, the increases were from a mean of 50% to a mean of 86% of the transmucosal oxygen tension of normal healthy gingiva. CONCLUSION: An increase in the transmucosal oxygen tension is based on neo-angiogenesis. Patients with subischemic tissues, such as the study population with postirradiation mucosal and osseous necrosis, therefore may benefit from treatment with HBO.

Clinical evaluation of the gingiva around single-crystal sapphire endosseous implant after experimental ligature-induced plaque accumulation in monkeys.

This study was performed to evaluate clinical changes of the gingiva with plaque accumulation around the single-crystal sapphire implant. Four implants were inserted into mandibular and maxillary edentulous regions, and the superstructure was inserted 1 month after insertion of the implants in each of nine monkeys. Plaque control was maintained for 3 months after insertion to set up the baseline. Plaque was allowed to accumulate on one side by placing the ligature around the implant and natural teeth without any plaque control, and on the other side plaque control was continued for 9 months. Both the implant and natural teeth on the ligature side showed a significant increase in the clinical parameters of plaque index, gingival index, and probing depth. No significant difference was obtained between the implant and natural teeth. These findings indicate that plaque control is of great importance for maintaining the health of peri-implant gingiva.

Dental abrasion pattern in a selected group of Malaysians.

Among 350 inhabitants of two villages, 31 (8.9%) cleaned their teeth using table salt and charcoal applied to their forefinger or a Melastoma brush. As a result, all had distinct forms of abrasion cavity on the labial surfaces of their teeth. All of the above three agents are highly abrasive and injurious to both the hard and soft oral tissues. This dying practice is only popular among a very small number of persons in the older age group, and should be discouraged.

Experimental vitamin C depletion and supplementation in young men. Nutrient interactions and dental health effects.

Biochemical indices of AA clearly showed that the young men in this study were brought into various states of AA depletion and repletion according to their dietary AA intakes. While previous studies have postulated that supplemental intakes of AA may adversely affect body status of vitamins B6 and B12, we found no changes in the B vitamin status of the young men receiving varying AA intakes. Moderate AA supplementation (605 mg/day) showed no antagonistic effect on markers of vitamins B6 and B12. Blood markers of fat-soluble vitamins A and E and iron status were not affected by AA intakes. The propensity of the gingiva to become inflamed or bleed on probing was reduced after normal (65 mg/day) AA intakes as compared to deficient (5 mg/day) intakes and upon supplementary (605 mg/day) AA intakes as compared to normal intakes. The results suggest that AA status may influence early stages of gingival inflammation and crevicular bleeding, and warrant further study of the relationship between AA and periodontal health.

Unusual pigmentation of the gingiva. Report of two different types.

Two unusual types of oral mucosal pigmentation are reported. The first type is due to the use of an oral hygiene aid that is obtained from the bark of a plant, Juglans regia, that is known as Derum or Dendasa. The second type is that of a self-induced tattoo of the buccal maxillary gingiva created with soot obtained from burned wood in clay ovens.

Postanesthetic necrotic defect.

An unusual defect was noted in a 10-year-old girl near the usual site of administration for an inferior nerve block. It was interpreted to be the result of a local anesthetic having been administered 2 months previously.