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BACKGROUND: Since its appearance in the dental area, the laser has become a treatment of choice in the removal of lesions in the oral soft tissues, due to the numerous advantages they offer, being one of the most used currently the diode laser. The aim of this review was to determine the efficacy and predictability of diode laser as a treatment of soft tissue injuries compared to other surgical methods. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A literature review of articles published in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and the Cochrane Library databases between 2007 and 2017 was performed. "Diode laser", "soft tissue", "oral cavity" and "oral surgery" were employed for the search strategy. Only articles published English or Spanish were selected. RESULTS: The diode laser is a minimally invasive technology that offers great advantages, superior to those of the conventional scalpel, such as reduction of bleeding, inflammation and the lower probability of scars. Its effectiveness is comparable to that of other types of lasers, in addition to being an option of lower cost and greater ease of use. Its application in the soft tissues has been evaluated, being a safe and effective method for the excision of lesions like fibromas, epulis fissuratum and the accomplishment of frenectomies. CONCLUSIONS: The diode laser can be used with very good results for the removal of lesions in soft tissues, being used in small exophytic lesions due to their easy application, adequate coagulation, no need to suture and the slightest inflammation and pain. Key words:Diode laser, soft tissues, oral cavity, oral surgery.
RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular diseases are the most frequent cause of death in the Western world. Its treatment frequently needs therapy with antiplatelet agents, which increases the haemorrhage risk after oral surgical procedures. The aim of this study is to present a review on the dental management of the patients under antiplatelet treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic review was carried out following PRISMA recommendations including studies searched in Pubmed-Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases. RESULTS: The current trend is to maintain the treatment during the surgical procedure, assuring a good control of the haemorrhage with local haemostatic measures. However, new antiplatelet drugs protocols are not firmly established. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of the existing recommendations, it is always advisable to consult with the internist or cardiologist of every patient before any intervention. Key words:Antiplatelet, Oral Surgery, Exodontia, Dental Management.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: We want to assess quality of life in elderly patients in relation to the number of remaining teeth, the number of ingested drugs and xerostomía and to determine the correlation between an increased intake of drugs and a greater feeling of dry mouth and to know the most commonly used measures to control xerostomia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 30 subjects aged between 65 and 95 years (14 males, 16 females) completed the OHIP questionnaire to determine quality of life. For oral status, the number of remaining teeth according to WHO criteria and xerostomia using the xerostomia index (XI) were studied. In cases of dry mouth sensation, the measures to alleviate it were asked. RESULTS: The average quality of life according to the OHIP rate is 19.23 (Dt = 10.58), being 56 the worst quality of life. The Pearson correlation coefficient indicates that quality of life is not related to the number of remaining teeth (r = -0.046; p = 0.810) nor the number of ingested drugs (r = 0.226; p = 0.23) but a greater sensation of dry mouth is related to a poorer quality of life (r = 0.678; p = 0.230). There is no association between the number of ingested drugs and the xerostomia index (r = 0.144; p = 0.447). The most frequently measures used against dry mouth were drinking water (21 subjects) and sugarless candies (15 subjects). CONCLUSIONS: Quality of life is not related to the number of remaining teeth nor the number of ingested drugs. However, a higher level of xerostomia was significantly associated with a poorer quality of life. There is no association between the number of drugs ingested and xerostomia index. Sugarless candies and drinking water are the more frequently used measures to alleviate dry mouth. Key words:Quality of life, oral health, elderly.