Odontogenic abscesses in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) of Cayo Santiago.

OBJECTIVES: Odontogenic abscesses are one of the most common dental diseases causing maxillofacial skeletal lesions. They affect the individual's ability to maintain the dental structures necessary to obtain adequate nutrition for survival and reproduction. In this study, the prevalence and pattern of odontogenic abscesses in relation to age, sex, matriline, and living periods were investigated in adult rhesus macaque skeletons of the free-ranging colony on Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The skulls used for this study were from the skeletons of 752 adult rhesus macaques, aged 8-31 years, and born between 1951 and 2000. They came from 66 matrilines ranging from 1 to 88 individuals. Fistulae or skeletal lesions caused by odontogenic abscesses drainage, carious lesions, tooth fractures, tooth loss, and alveolar resorption were evaluated visually. RESULTS: Seventy-two specimens (9.57%) had odontogenic abscesses of varying severity. Males had a significantly higher prevalence than females. The prevalence of odontogenic abscesses in several matrilines was significantly higher than in the population as a whole. Animals born between 1950 and 1965 tended to have a higher prevalence of odontogenic abscesses than those born in later periods. DISCUSSION: These results suggest that oral pathologies, such as dental and periodontal abscesses in rhesus macaques are fairly common, which may indicate familial effects interwoven with ecological and social factors. The closeness of the rhesus and human genomes allows insights to understand of the epidemiology of these diseases in the human population. Further assessment of the role played by environmental and familial factors on rhesus oral health and disease are warranted.

Efficacy of pulpotomy in managing irreversible pulpitis in mature permanent teeth: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This paper evaluated the success rates of pulpotomy, compared its efficacy with non-surgical root canal treatment (NSRCT), evaluated different pulpotomy techniques, and analyzed the effectiveness of contemporary bioactive materials in managing irreversible pulpitis in mature permanent teeth. DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library. Search was conducted from the inception of each database to the present, adhering to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. STUDY SELECTION: Studies were selected through a multi-step screening process, focusing on adult populations, randomized controlled trials, and single-arm trials. DATA: Fifteen randomized controlled trials and eight single-arm trials were included. For a follow-up period of more than 24 months, pooled clinical success rate of pulpotomy was 92.9 % (95 %CI;82.1-99.0 %), whereas pooled radiographic success rate was 78.5 % (95 %CI;66.7-88.4 %). Meta-analyses showed that there was no significant difference in success rates between pulpotomy and NSRCT, between full and partial pulpotomy techniques, or between Mineral Trioxide Aggregate pulpotomy and Calcium Enriched Mixture pulpotomy. The results indicated comparable efficacy across these variables. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the potential of less invasive treatments. Pulpotomy may be a viable alternative to NSRCT for managing irreversible pulpitis in mature permanent teeth. Limitations such as the low quality of some single-arm trials and the high risk of bias in some randomized controlled trials highlight the need for further research to standardize methodologies and broaden literature inclusion for a more comprehensive understanding of the efficacy of pulpotomy, considering the high success rates reported. Clinical Significance This quantitative systematic review recognizes the potential of full or partial pulpotomy as a viable treatment alternative to root canal therapy for managing irreversible pulpitis in mature permanent teeth. Future studies should aim for standardized protocols to validate these findings and improve patient treatment outcomes.

Aerosol-Generating Procedures and Simulated Cough in Dental Anesthesia.

Dental professionals are at an increased risk for exposure to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 with aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs), and dental anesthesia practices have additional risks due to airway management procedures. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the extent of splatter on dental personnel that may occur with AGPs and coughing in a dental anesthesia practice. A Dentoform model was fitted into a dental mannequin and coated with Glo Germ to detect splatter during simulated dental AGPs produced with use of a high-speed handpiece, an ultrasonic scaler, and an air-water syringe, all in conjunction with high-volume suction. A simulated cough was also created using a ventilator programmed to expel Glo Germ within the velocity and volume parameters of a natural cough with dental personnel in their customary positions. A UV light was used after each procedure to systematically evaluate the deposition of Glo Germ splatter on each person. After AGPs were performed, splatter was noted on the face, body, arms, and legs of the dentist and dental assistant. The simulated cough produced more extensive splatter than AGPs; additional Glo Germ was seen on the shoes, the crown of the head, and the back of the dental personnel. Therefore, it is recommended that full personal protective equipment consistent with AGPs be used and changed between patients to reduce the risk of contamination and infection for dental personnel and patients.

Capsaicin-induced joint inflammation is not blocked by local anesthesia.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of local anesthetic blockade of afferent innervation on the development of capsaicin-induced edema in the rat temporomandibular joint (TMJ) region and on reflex jaw muscle activity. Under halothane anesthesia, 64 male Sprague-Dawley rats were prepared for monitoring of edema development by lateral movement of a needle overlying the left TMJ region and for acute recording of electromyographic activity in ipsilateral digastric and masseter muscles. A double-barrel catheter was inserted into the TMJ region for delivery of saline or 0.5% bupivacaine from 1 needle, followed with the injection of 1% capsaicin, 0.1% capsaicin, or vehicle control from the other needle 5 minutes later. Application of capsaicin into the saline pretreated TMJ region led to dose-dependent edema development and reflex jaw muscle activity; however, only 1% capsaicin solution resulted in significant tissue expansion and muscle activity when compared with the vehicle control. Pretreatment of the rat TMJ region with bupivacaine failed to inhibit capsaicin-induced edema development, although successful blockade of nerve conduction was confirmed with the absence of reflex jaw muscle activity. Capsaicin-induced edema of the rat TMJ region developed independent of axonal conduction, suggesting neurogenic inflammation may arise regardless of functional nerve conduction.