Mini Crestal Sinus Lift With Bone Grafting and Simultaneous Insertion of Implants in Severe Maxillary Conditions as an Alternative to Lateral Sinus Lift: Multicase Study Report of Different Techniques.

The present study evaluates the efficacy and clinical outcomes of crestal sinus lift techniques used to elevate the sinus floor simultaneously with bone grafting and implant placement as a possible and reproducible alternative to lateral sinus lift. Patients underwent different crestal sinus elevation techniques. The heterologous biomaterial was used as graft material, and multiple implants were placed simultaneously after sinus augmentation. Radiographic and clinical examinations were performed during follow-up. All procedures were successfully performed without any apparent perforation of the Schneider membrane. The sinus floor was augmented with an average height of 5 mm (range: 2.8-7.4 mm). The implants healed smoothly with healing screws. Peri-implant marginal bone was stable with a mean follow-up of 50 months (range: 33-71 mo). No complications were observed during the follow-up. Based on the limited data collected in this study, the new crestal sinus elevation approach can effectively raise the sinus floor and reduce the incidence of postoperative complications. Other cases with long-term follow-up are needed to confirm and improve this crestal sinus lift technique.

The role of anxiety in patients with hereditary angioedema during oral treatment: a narrative review.

Objective: The present study investigated the clinical potential of managing anxiety during dental procedures to reduce acute attacks in patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE). HAE is a rare disease, little known to physicians and dentists, but with an increased hospitalization rate over the years. HAE is due to a deficiency/dysfunction of the C1 esterase inhibitor, leading to increased vascular permeability. Recommendations for HAE management include long-term and short-term prophylaxis and treatment of acute attacks, but the importance of anxiety control is underestimated. Materials and methods: The authors reviewed the literature to provide the scientific community with an overview of possible protocols for managing anxiety in dental practice and their effectiveness. Management can be used in prosthetics, periodontal and implant surgery, endodontics, and oral surgery. Discussions: Our analysis shows that although there are few articles in the indexed literature, protocols for managing anxiety in HAE patients in dentistry will become increasingly prevalent in the daily clinical practice of dentists due to its benefits. Conclusions: The benefits and better control of intraoperative complications and risks may lead clinicians to use sedation, assessment, or anxiety control techniques in daily clinical practice to reduce such attacks. Clinical relevance: This study suggests that controlling and managing anxiety can help prevent and reduce acute angioedema attacks.

Managing Dental Phobia in Children with the Use of Virtual Reality: A Systematic Review of the Current Literature.

BACKGROUND: It is common today to encounter anxiety in patients facing dental treatment. Virtual reality (VR) is presented as a high-performing and innovative procedure because it can distract patients undergoing dental procedures or prepare them for such treatments. In addition, this meta-analysis has gathered evidence on VR and its ability to reduce dental anxiety in pediatric patients undergoing different treatments. METHODS: The major Scopus, PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science databases were searched for scientific articles published up to 2023. Studies in which VR was used for children and adults as a measure against anxiety during dental treatments were included. VR was defined as a three-dimensional place where patients experience a sense of immersion as they find themselves in attractive and interactive environments that detach them from reality. Anxiety and pain were examined and measured during dental treatments in which VR was used by comparing them with standard care situations. RESULTS: Twenty-five studies were identified, of which eleven met the inclusion criteria. The effect of VR was studied mainly in the pediatric population as a distractive method. Only two studies (not significant) on an adult population were considered. CONCLUSIONS: this review shows that VR is an excellent distraction method that is effective in reducing anxiety before dental treatment; however, due to the few studies in this area, further research on VR as a tool to prepare patients for dental treatment is needed.

Treatment of Oral Mucositis Using Platelet-Rich-Fibrin: A Retrospective Study on Oncological Patients.

Oral mucositis is an inflammatory mucosal demolition frequently observed during treatments for neoplastic diseases such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. The side effects of these treatments often drastically reduce patients' quality of life. Oral mucositis is the result of the systemic consequences of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which due to their cytotoxic and local effects, lead to pain and severe ulceration with a consequent decrease in the quality of life of affected subjects. Plasma rich in fibrin is often used to enhance soft tissue wound healing and fight bacterial sepsis through the presence of leukocytes within it. The retrospective study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the topic use of platelet gel in the clinical management of oral mucositis to improve the life quality of patients. The results of the study were promising even though the topical application of platelet-rich-fibrin is like a skin-care treatment. Future studies with a larger sample of patients will be needed to understand the real benefits of platelet-rich-fibrin.