Alpha lipoic acid efficacy in burning mouth syndrome. A controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: A double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted in order to evaluate the efficacy of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) and determine the statistical significance of the outcome variables. Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is defined as an oral burning sensation in the absence of clinical signs which could justify the syndrome. Recent studies suggest the existence of neurological factors as a possible cause of the disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 60 patients with BMS, in two groups: case group with 600 mg/day and placebo as control group; with follow up of 2 months. RESULTS: 64% of ALA patients reported some level of improvement, with a level of maintenance of 68.75% one month after treatment. 27.6% of the placebo group also demonstrated some reduction in BMS symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term evolution and the intensity of symptoms are variables that reduce the probability of improvement with ALA treatment.

Descriptive study of the patients treated at the clinic "integrated dentistry for patients with special needs" at Complutense University of Madrid (2003-2012).

OBJECTIVES: To study clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the patients treated at the clinic "Integrated Dentistry for Patients with Special Needs (Special Care Dentistry)" at Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), as well as to know the dental treatments performed in these patients and the modifications from the usual treatment protocol. The information obtained from the results could also be applied in order to assess the needs of dental students education about this type of patients. STUDY DESIGN: Medical records review of all the patients referred to the clinic of "Integrated dentistry for patients with special needs", performing a retrospective cross-sectional study analyzing their main pathology, ASA risk score (Classification system used by the American Society of Anesthesiologists to estimate the risk posed by the anesthesia for various patient conditions), pharmacological treatment, what kind of dental treatment was necessary, whether the patient was treated or not, and if it was required to change any procedure due to the patient health status (sedation or antibiotic prophylaxis). RESULTS: The number of patients referred to the clinic was 447, of whom 426 were included in this study. Out of them, 52,35 % were men and 47,89 were women, with a mean age of 49,20 years. More frequent pathologies were cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases (24,29 %), infectious diseases (12,41%), endocrine diseases (11,66%) and intellectual disability (8,85%). 70'18% of the patients were treated, with with sedation being necessary in 9,03% of the cases and antibiotic prophylaxis in 11,70%. CONCLUSIONS: Given the high number of patients with some kind of pathology and the amount of medicines that they use, it seems necessary for dentistry students to have a specific training regarding how to handle and treat these patients, so they will be able to provide them the best possible care.

Diagnostic criteria in proliferative verrucous leukoplakia: evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the ability of the diagnostic criteria proposed by Cerero et al in 2010 to perform an early diagnose in patients with proliferative verrucous leukoplakia. STUDY DESIGN: retrospective study with patients diagnosed with leukoplakia at Oral Medicine Service at Oral Medicine and Surgery Department at Dentistry Faculty at Universidad Complutense of Madrid. RESULTS: the criteria were applied in 116 patients, turning positive in 40 cases. Out of these, 24 (60%) had been previously diagnosed with PVL. Most frequent criteria were major criteria A and E, concerning lesion's site and histopathology, and minor criteria b and c, concerning sex and smoking habit. CONCLUSIONS: diagnostic criteria developed by Cerero et al can be a useful tool for an early diagnose of PVL, as in 60% of the cases, the criteria would have allowed to make an early diagnose of the disease.

Simulation for training in oral cancer biopsy: a surgical model and feedback from GDPs.

OBJECTIVES: To describe a new bench model for oral precancer/cancer biopsy training and to assess its effectiveness in terms of trainees' perception. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional, descriptive, performed on 424 general dental practitioners (GDP) who undertook biopsies on a pig tongue. The participants were assessed by direct observation for 2.5 hours using specific check-lists and by means of a self-applied questionnaire. RESULTS: The workshop was perceived as "very interesting" even by those with previous surgical experience (Xi - Xj = 0.07; 95%CI= -0.20-0.09). Most GDPs considered themselves able to undertake oral biopsies on real patients after the workshop. Those who had previously received theoretical continuous education courses on oral biopsy scored higher values within the group (Xi - Xj = 0.20; 95%CI= 0.04-0.37). CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for including clinical abilities workshops when instructing on oral biopsy techniques. More studies are needed to validate the procedure and to address cognitive and communication skills.

Maxillary reconstruction with subperiosteal implants in a cancer patient: A one-year follow-up.

Introduction: To describe a clinical case on cancer patient with ablative tumor surgery, from treatment planning, surgical resection and subsequent implantological rehabilitation. Case Report: A 61-year-old male, diagnosed with a squamous cell carcinoma in the maxilla, requires the removal of the lesion and corresponding oral rehabilitation. However, two surgeries were necessary to rehabilitate the upper jaw. A custom-made prosthesis was fabricated. It was made from sintered titanium using machined subperiosteal implants with a universal external connection. Finally, a milled cobalt- chrome structure was produced and a feldspar ceramic covering was subsequently applied. Conclusions: Rehabilitation using subperiosteal implants may be an alternative tool for complex surgery involving large atrophies or cancer patients who have undergone highly ablative surgery. Key words:Oral rehabilitation, oral cancer, subperiostal implants.

Central sensitization in burning mouth syndrome: a practical approach using questionnaires.

OBJECTIVES: Some experts have suggested that burning mouth syndrome (BMS) should be included in the family of central sensitivity syndromes, a group of similar medical disorders linked by the central sensitization (CS) mechanism. Our objective is to assess the presence of CS in patients with BMS by performing a clinical examination and administering questionnaires to measure the generalized extent of pain, the presence of associated symptoms, and the number of other concurrent chronic pain conditions. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a case-control study in 82 subjects (40 patients with BMS and 42 controls). Patients with BMS were diagnosed using The International Classification of Headache Disorders 3rd edition, beta version (ICHD-IIIß) criteria. The Widespread Pain Index (WPI) and Symptom Severity (SS) Score questionnaires were used to determine the degree of central sensitivity. The number of other concurrent chronic pain conditions was determined with the Neblett inventory. RESULTS: Data indicative of CS show a statistically significant association with BMS. Both SS Score and Widespread Pain Index scores higher in patients with BMS. Additionally, patients with BMS reported a significantly higher number of other central sensitivity syndromes. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with BMS could present a CS component as well as other chronic pain conditions. The use of questionnaires may be useful to determine the degree of central sensitivity in patients with BMS.

Jaw in a day: Osseointegration of the implants in the patient's leg before reconstructive surgery of a maxilla with ameloblastoma. A 4-year follow-up case report.

BACKGROUND: To describe a clinical case of a cancer patient who underwent ablative tumor surgery, including treatment planning, surgical resection and subsequent implant rehabilitation. CASE REPORT: A 61-year-old patient with a diagnosis of multicystic follicular ameloblastoma in the maxilla, in which it was necessary a multidisciplinary approach and two surgical steps. In the first surgical intervention osseointegrated implants (OII) were placed in the fibula, until their osseointegration period of 8 weeks was complete. Afterwards, in the second surgery, the micro-vascularized free fibular flap bearing the implants was transplanted into the oral cavity, in order to perform simultaneous reconstruction and early rehabilitation. The final prosthetic rehabilitation consisted in a hybrid prosthesis fabricated using CAD CAM technology. RESULTS: The latest advances in medical research have improved our understanding of the oral cavity's regenerative capacity after oncological treatment. This, aided by the advances in digital 3D technologies, has allowed meticulous treatment planning prior surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The functional and esthetic reconstructions described in these two case reports were made possible by coordinating multidisciplinary approaches involving dentists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Advances in medicine have improved understanding of the regenerative capacity of the oral region following oncologic treatment, facilitating meticulous advance planning, while advances in digital 3D technologies for planning make it possible to reduce the number of surgical sessions and the time taken for the patient to recover both the esthetics and function of the stomatognathic system. Key words:Oral rehabilitation, oral cancer, oral surgery.

Dental implants rehabilitation in a patient with head and neck radiotherapy for osteosarcoma in the jaw. A clinical case report.

A 52-year-old female patient with a diagnostic of osteosarcoma in the mandible, in which it was necessary a reconstruction with a microvascularized osteomyocutaneous fibula bone. Coadjuvant chemotherapy was scheduled. Two years later, 4 osseointegrated implants (OII) were placed in the fibula a 2 OII in the right mandible, using a splint guided surgery. The final prosthodontic consisted in a metal ceramic restoration using CAD/ CAM technology. Key words:Oral rehabilitation, oral cancer, head and neck radiotherapy, oral oncology.

Oral piercing: dental considerations and the legal situation in Spain.

Body piercing has become increasingly popular in Western countries, especially among young people. However, not everyone is aware of its potential risks, which may develop local and systemic complications shortly after, or long after the piercing procedure. Given that the oral cavity is one of the most frequent sites for piercing placement, the aim of this paper is to familiarise the oral healthcare professional with oral piercing and its possible sequelae in order to educate patients prior to and after piercing practices and address any complications that may arise.

Ability of Dental Students in Spain to Identify Potentially Malignant Disorders and Oral Cancer.

The aim of this study was to assess the ability of students at the School of Dentistry, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain, to diagnose oral cancer and other potentially malignant disorders, as well as to compare their ability at different stages of the learning process and evaluate their knowledge retention. Students were surveyed after they had studied oral medicine and oral pathology at two time points: midway through and near the end of their studies. The survey consisted of questions about 40 photographs of benign oral lesions, malignant oral lesions, and potentially malignant disorders. The response rate for all groups was greater than 70%. The results showed that these students' overall success rate in differentiating benign from malignant lesions averaged 73.9%. When the distinction for potentially malignant disorders was included, their average overall success rate decreased to 42.8% (p<0.001). Furthermore, the students' average success rate was at its lowest at the end of the dental program (p<0.001). Results from this study suggest that, given these students' difficulties in identifying potentially malignant disorders, an increased emphasis on cancer education in the dental curriculum may be needed for future practitioners to master this ability.

Implications of prion diseases for dentistry: an update.

Prions are normal proteins present in all mammals, especially in the central nervous system (CNS) and lymphoreticular tissue. Their transformation into a highly infectious molecule gives rise to a group of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), which cause vacuolar degeneration of gray matter and produce a fatal neurodegenerative disorder. Prion diseases have attracted considerable attention in recent years, and this review of the literature was designed to determine their implications for dentistry, studying the possibility of cross-transmission in the dental office and describing their oral manifestations. The main oral manifestations are dysphagia, dysarthria, paresthesias, dysesthesias, and dysgeusia. The most frequently involved oral tissues are the trigeminal ganglion, posterior third of the tongue, tonsils, and, much less commonly, alveolar nerves, gingiva, and salivary glands. Although no contagion has been reported in the dental setting to date, prions resist the usual dental sterilization systems and transmission of this type of disease remains a potential risk. It is therefore important for dentists to be aware of these diseases, to identify high-risk patients by obtaining an adequate clinical history, and to know the appropriate procedures to be followed.

Alcohol-containing mouthwashes and oral cancer. Critical analysis of literature.

For centuries, mouthwashes have been used in order to provide us with oral health or cosmetic benefits. Nowadays, in most countries, there is a variety of formulas available for the general public in the form of products which may require prescription or not. Alcohol is used in mouthwashes as a solvent of other ingredients and as a preservative of the preparation. For years, different formulas of mouthwashes have been used, however, the question about its alcohol content being a threat for health or not has recently appeared. The high quantity of alcohol in some mouthwashes combined with the fact that they keep in contact with the oral mucosa for much more time than alcoholic drinks, can make us think about a harmful effect from a local mechanism. Mouthrinses increase the time of the mucosa being in contact with alcohol and it has been proved that those with a high content of alcohol do cause hyperkerastosic lesions both in human beings and laboratory animals. At the moment and with the data we have, it has not been possible to establish a causal relationship between the use of alcohol-containing mouthwashes and the development of oral cancer. There is neither an evidence of the fact that alcohol increases the effects of antiplaque agents in mouthwashes.

Isolated gingival metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma mimicking a pyogenic granuloma.

BACKGROUND: Oral metastatic tumours are uncommon and account for approximately 1% of malignant oral neoplasms. RESULTS: If the cases where the oral location is in the jawbone, with secondary invasion to the oral soft tissue, are excluded, only 10 cases of gingival metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been previously reported in the literature. The clinicopathologic features of an HCC with gingival metastasis are reported. Six months after the multicentric HCC and alcoholic cirrhosis was diagnosed, a 65-year-old male patient presented a rapidly growing, lobulated and reddish exophytic lesion that was located in the gum in the incisal region of the upper jaw. The lesion was excised, and the final diagnosis of gingival metastasis of the HCC was established. Diagnostic investigations did not show any evidence of other metastatic lesions. This article describes a case with solitary metastasis from HCC in the gingiva, an event that, to our knowledge, has not been previously published. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical appearance of isolated gingival metastasis from HCC in the present case mimicked a pyogenic granuloma.