Periodontal probing calibration in an academic setting.

The purpose of this study was to locate the common discrepancy sites in a periodontal examination by new student dentists in a dental school setting and to evaluate student progress after one year of clinical training. Sixty-nine patients were enrolled in the initial phase of this study. Periodontal probing examinations were performed by both dental students and calibrated faculty members. A total of 9,171 sites were probed. Student-faculty agreement was then determined for each individual probing site. Frequency of agreement and average variance of agreement were calculated for each individual site probed. An identical procedure was conducted on thirteen patients by dental students after each had received one year of clinical training. A total of 1,991 sites were probed. Students new to the clinic had a significantly higher frequency of discrepancy in molars of all quadrants, with a trend of highest discrepancy shifting from mesial to distal sites when moving posteriorly in the posterior region. After one year of experience, there was a significant decline of discrepancy in all regions examined. More preclinical emphasis must be placed on proper probing technique to ensure accurate probing depths upon entry into the clinical setting.

Aneurysmal bone cyst of mandibular condyle: a case report and review of the literature.

An aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) in the right mandibular condyle and ramus of a 37-year-old woman was surgically resected and immediately reconstructed with a costochondral graft. She was followed up for 5 years. A review of the 10 cases of condylar-ABC available in the literature revealed mean age of 16.8 (± 7.6) years, with equal distribution between men and women. In all cases symptoms included swelling and asymmetry, while temporomandibular disorder/dysfunction symptoms were reported in 50%. Parasthesia was not reported, except for self-limited postoperative neuropathy. Curettage or resection was employed equally and recurrence rates were 60% after curettage, 20% after resection; which are higher than reported in non-condylar-ABC's. All recurrences occurred within 12 months. Thus close post-operative follow up, for at least 12 months, is warranted.

Topical immunomodulators for management of oral mucosal conditions, a systematic review; Part II: miscellaneous agents.

INTRODUCTION: Topical immunomodulating preparations have utility in inflammatory/immune-mediated oral mucosal disease resistant to topical steroids, in immunologically mediated systemic disease with primary oral involvement or more severe lesions primarily involving the oral mucosa. AREAS COVERED: This paper is the second part of a systematic review of a variety of topical immunomodulators for management of immune/inflammatory oral mucosal conditions. The literature search revealed studies of azathioprine, benzydamine, GM-CSF and G-CSF, tetracyclines, retinoids, imiquimod, amlexanox, sirolimus and bacillus Calmette-Guerin polysaccharide nucleic acid. Weighted conclusions are provided for the topical use of each of the immunomodulators reviewed in the management of these oral diseases. EXPERT OPINION: Topical immunomodulators may be useful as second line treatment in several oral diseases, particularly oral lichen planus and recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Benzydamine was found to be preventive in radiotherapy-induced mucositis; however, it is unclear if this outcome is related to its immunomodulating effects or other mechanisms of action. Topical application of tetracyclines and retinoic acid also shows potential anti-inflammatory actions.

Topical immunomodulators for management of oral mucosal conditions, a systematic review; part I: calcineurin inhibitors.

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD: Topical immunomodulators have been used for the management of oral mucosal diseases. Topical immunomodulating preparations may have utility in local management of oral disease which is resistant to topical steroids and oral findings of an immunologic-mediated systemic disease with primary or persisting, oral mucosal involvement. AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW: This paper is the first part of a systematic review of topical immunomodulators for the management of various oral indications focused on calcineurin inhibitors. The literature search revealed that data are available for cyclosporine, tacrolimus and pimecrolimus. In addition to the review of scientific evidence, this paper presents the potential market, the mechanism of action, the competitive environment and future development options. WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN: The reader will find weighted conclusions for the topical use of the calcineurin inhibitors in the management of oral diseases. TAKE HOME MESSAGE: Topical calcineurin inhibitors may be useful as a second-line treatment in several oral diseases, particularly oral lichen planus.

Cytotoxic chemotherapy-induced odontalgia: a differential diagnosis for dental pain.

INTRODUCTION: Peripheral neurotoxicity and neuropathic pain are well-known complications of several anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agents. Such pain might cause an impairment of the patient's quality of life and is a common limiting factor of anti-cancer chemotherapy. Neurotoxicity in orofacial structures has been previously described as diffuse jaw pain or numbness. Currently, localized pulpal pain is not listed as a possible complication of cytotoxic therapy. The aim of this report was to suggest cytotoxic-induced neurotoxicity as a differential diagnosis for toothache during anti-cancer therapy. METHODS: We described the diagnostic process in a patient suffering from severe pulpal pain in apparently intact teeth during cytotoxic therapy. A non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patient complained of 2 episodes of excruciating dental pain evoked by mouth breathing, which caused nocturnal awakenings. RESULTS: Both episodes developed immediately after administrations of cyclophosphamide as part of an anti-cancer chemotherapy protocol. Clinical parameters and radiographic characteristics eliminated other possible dental and facial etiologies. Pulp extirpation (pulpectomy) resulted in immediate pain relief. In both episodes, cytologic evaluation of the extirpated pulp tissue failed to show inflammation or an infiltration of lymphoma cells. CONCLUSIONS: This case presented a circumstantial relation between the clinical presentation of dental pain, with associated significant impairment of the patient's quality of life, and the timing of administrations of high-dose cyclophosphamide. It suggests that chemotherapy-induced toxicity might manifest as pulpitis-like toothache, which might present a diagnostic challenge for the dental practitioner.

Exceptional oral manifestations of amyloid light chain protein (AL) systemic amyloidosis.

Oral amyloidosis is usually presented in the tongue and is often associated with multiple myeloma. We present three patients with unusual oral manifestations of primary amyloidosis, which to the best of our knowledge have not been previously published. In two cases the oral manifestation was overt at the time of diagnosis and all cases ended in patient mortality. Since these oral manifestations can contribute to the diagnosis of systemic amyloidosis, clinicians should be made aware of them. Future research should assess the significance of oral manifestation as a prognostic indicator.