The Participation of Pediatric Dentists in Oral Health Promotion and Education in Serbia.

Objectives: To identify the involvement of Serbian paediatric dentists in oral health promotion and education, and to propose further actions for the improvement of these activities. Methods: This is an analysis of data collected by a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey of 445 dentists involved in the provision of dental health services to children at the primary healthcare level. We explored dentists' involvement in oral health education and promotion and the cooperation with other health professionals at the healthcare centre and the community level as well as their attitudes towards the importance of some factors influencing their work. Results: Dentists estimate their cooperation with different services with ratings higher than 3 on the scale of 1 to 5. They reported the highest satisfaction in cooperation with paediatric services for preschool and schoolchildren (4.0±1.0). At the community level, they reported excellent cooperation with kindergartens (4.4±0.8), while collaboration with Roma health mediators (3.14±1.34) and nongovernmental organizations (2.5±1.4) received lower ratings. According to the average rating (4.7±0.7), dentists perceive the motivation of patients and/or their guardians for keeping good oral health as the factor with the highest importance for the quality of interventions they provide. Conclusions: Dentists involved in the provision of dental healthcare for children and adolescents in primary healthcare centres in Serbia participate in different oral healthcare education and promotion activities in the community, and highlight the importance of strengthening cooperation with healthcare and other professionals and services aimed at vulnerable population groups, both within the health sector and nongovernmental organizations.

Effectiveness of Plasma-Rich Fibrin and De-Epithelialized Free Gingival Graft in the Treatment of Gingival Recessions.

Introduction/Aim: Soft tissue dehiscences such as gingival recessions are a very common problem that we face in modern periodontics. This clinical study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of surgical procedures using a de-epithelialized gingival graft (DGG) combined with a coronally advanced flap and to evaluate the application of plasma-rich fibrin (PRF). Methods: The study included 40 teeth (20 patients) with Miller class I and II gingival recessions. Twenty recessions (20 patients) were treated utilizing the de-epithelialized gingival graft in combination with the coronally advanced flap, and on the opposite side of the jaw, the same number of recessions were treated utilizing plasma-rich fibrin combined with the coronally advanced flap. To evaluate tissue condition and the clinical parameters before and after the surgical procedure, the following parameters were used: the degree of epithelial attachment (DEA), the width of keratinized gingiva (WKG), and the vertical depth of recession (VDR). Results: based on the achieved results and the analysis of clinical parameters, a statistically significant reduction in the vertical depth of recession was proven in both groups, with very similar mean percentages of root coverage, with the difference being that the stability of the soft tissues of the treated region was more visible in the DGG. Conclusion: using modern surgical procedures allows the regeneration of not only the soft tissues but also deeper periodontal tissues.

Comparison of cefixime and amoxicillin plus metronidazole in the treatment of chronic periodontitis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Despite significant advances in current medicine and improvement of overall health education, chronic periodontitis is still a widespread disease. Losing teeth is the most serious complication of this particular illness. The aim of this study was to examine patients with chronic periodontitis in order to evaluate the efficacy of non-surgical therapy and combination of amoxicillin and metronidazole compared with cefixime, which has not been so far used for the treatment of this disease. METHODS: Adult patients with chronic periodontitis (n = 90) underwent non-surgical periodontal treatment (zero-day) and then randomly divided into three groups. The group I served as a control, the group II was additionally treated with the combination of amoxicillin and metronidazole (for 7 days), while the group III was treated with cefixime (also for 7 days). To assess the condition of periodontium before and seven days after the therapy, four clinical parameters were used: gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL). RESULTS: On the day 7 after the beginning of the therapy, we found that all the three groups of patients had statistically significant clinical improvement of three parameters: GI, BOP and PD, but not of the CAL. However, the improvement of PD was only statistically, but not clinically significant. The improvement in the control group of patients on the day 7 was 19% in BOP and 28% in GI; this improvement was statistically highly significant after the addition of amoxicillin plus metronodazole (71% in BOP and 77% in GI) or cefixime (62% in BOP and 82% in GI). Compared to the combination of amoxicillin and metronidazole, cefixim was statistically significantly more effective for GI (p < 0.05), while for the other three clinical parameters their effects were equal. CONCLUSION: The conjunction of amoxicillin plus metronidazole or cefixime to the causal treatment of patients with chronic periodontitis led to statistically significant improvement in efficacy in relation to GI and BOP parameters, while cefixime was statistically significantly more efficient than the combination of amoxicillin and metronidazole for GI.

Treatment of a large radicular cyst-enucleation or decompression?

INTRODUCTION: Radicular cysts treatment involves surgical approach, more or less aggressive. However, treatment of large cystic lesions, including radicular cysts, causes some of dilemmas concerning the choice of the surgical method, especially the degree of radicalism. CASE REPORT: We presented a 65-year-old male patient with large radicular cyst in the mandible. A large elliptical multilocular radiolucency, located in the left side of the mandible, being in close vicinity to the mandibular canal, was registered at the orthopantomographic radiography. There was a risk of pathological fracture of the mandible. However, the cyst was completely removed by enucleation without intraoperative and postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: The presented case support the opinion that careful enucleation of large mandibular cysts may be done without complications, such as damages of surrounding anatomical structures or mandibular fracture. The authors indicate reasons for strong support of the undertaken surgical approach of treating large radicular cysts in the mandible.

Cephalometric analysis of the middle part of the face in patients with mandibular prognathism.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The middle part of the face, that is the maxilla, has always been mentioned as a possible etiologic factor of skeletal Class III. However, the importance of the relationship of maxillary retroposition towards the cranial base is still unclear, although it has been examined many times. The aim of this study was to conduct cephalometric analysis of the morphology of maxilla, including the whole middle part of the face in patients with divergent and convergent facial types of mandibular prognathism, as well as to determine differences betweeen them. METHODS: Lateral cephalometric teleradiograph images of 90 patients were analyzed at the Dental Clinic of the Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia. All the patients were male, aged 18-35 years, not previously treated orthodontically. On the basis of dentalskeletal relations of jaws and teeth, the patients were divided into three groups: the group P1 (patients with divergent facial type of mandibular prognathism), P2 (patients with convergent facial type of mandibular pragmathism) and the group E (control group or eugnathic patients). A total of 9 cephalometric parameters related to the middle face were measured and analyzed: the length of the hard palate--SnaSnp, the length of the maxillary corpus--AptmPP, the length of the soft palate, the angle between the hard and soft palate--SnaSnpUt, the angle of inclination of the maxillary alveolar process, the angle of inclination of the upper front teeth, the effective maxillary length--CoA, the posterior maxillary alveolar hyperplasia--U6PP and the angle of maxillary prognathism. RESULTS: The obtained results showed that the CoA, AptmPP and SnaSnp were significally shorter in patients with divergent facial type of mandibular prognathism compared to patients with convergent facial type of the mandibular prognathism and also in both experimental groups of patients compared to the control group. SnaSnp was significantly shorter in patients with divergent facial type of mandibular prognathism compared to the control group, whereas SnaSnp was significantly smaller in patients with convergent facial type of mandibular prognathism compared to the control group. Additionally, there was a pronounced incisor dentoalveolar compensation of skeletal discrepancy in both groups of patients with mandibular prognathism manifested in the form of a significant upper front teeth protrusion, but without significant differences among the groups, while the maxillary retrognathism was present in most patients of both experimental groups. A pronounced UGPP was found only in the patients with divergent type of mandibular prognathism. CONCLUSION: The maxilla is certainly one of the key factors which contributes to making the diagnosis, but primarily to making a plan for mandibular prognathism treatment Accurate assessment of the manifestation of abnormality, localization of skeletal problems and understanding of the biological potential are key factors of the stability of/the results of surgical-orthodontic treatment of this abnormality.

A cephalometric analysis of the cranial base and frontal part of the face in patients with mandibular prognathism.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The literature suggests different views on the correlation between the cranial base morphology and size and saggital intermaxillary relationships. The aim of this study was to investigate the cranial base morphology, including the frontal facial part in patients with mandibular prognathism, to clarify a certain ambiguities, in opposing viewspoints in the literature. METHODS: Cephalometric radiographies of 60 patients were analyzed at the Dental Clinic of the Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia. All the patients were male, aged 18-35 years, with no previous orthodontic treatment. On the basis of dental and sceletal relations of jaws and teeth, the patients were divided into two groups: the group P (patients with mandibular prognathism) and the group E (the control group or eugnathic patients). A total of 15 cephalometric parametres related to the cranial base, frontal part of the face and sagittal intermaxillary relationships were measured and analyzed. RESULTS: The results show that cranial base dimensions and the angle do not play a significant role in the development of mandibular prognathism. Interrelationship analysis indicated a statistically significant negative correlation between the cranial base angle (NSAr) and the angles of maxillary (SNA) and mandibular (SNB) prognathism, as well as a positive correlation between the angle of inclination of the ramus to the cranial base (GoArNS) and the angle of sagittal intermaxillary relationships (ANB). Sella turcica dimensions, its width and depth, as well as the nasal bone length were significantly increased in the patients with mandibular prognathism, while the other analyzed frontal part dimensions of the face were not changed by the malocclusion in comparison with the eugnathic patients. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the impact of the cranial base and the frontal part of the face on the development of profile in patients with mandibular prognathism is much smaller, but certainly more complex, so that morphogenetic tests of the maxillomandibular complex should be included in further assessment of this impact.

Early reconstruction of bone defect created after initial surgery of a large keratocystic odontogenic tumor: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT) is defined as a benign cystic neoplasm of the jaws of odontogenic origin with a high rate of recurrence. The most lesions occur in the posterior part of the mandible. Treatment of KCOT remains controversial, but the goals of treatment should involve eliminating the potential for recurrence while minimizing surgical morbidity. However, another significant therapeutic problem related to the management of KCOT is an adequate and early reconstruction of the existing jaw defect, as well as appropriate aesthetic and functional rehabilitation of a patient, especially in cases of a very large destruction of the jaws bone. CASE REPORT: We presented a 65-year-old female patient with very large KCOT of the mandible. Orthopantomographic radiography showed a very large elliptical multilocular radiolucency, located on the right side of the mandible body and the ascending ramus of the mandible, with radiographic evidence of cortical perforation at the anterior border of the mandibular ramus and the superior border of the alveolar part of the mandible. The surgical treatment included two phases. In the first phase, the tumor was removed by enucleation and additional use of Carnoy solution, performing peripheral ostectomy and excision of the affected overlying mucosa, while in the second phase, restorative surgery of the existing mandibular defect was performed 6 months later. Postoperatively, we did not register any of postoperative complications, nor recurrence within 2 years of the follow-up. CONCLUSION: Adequate and early reconstruction of the existing jaw defect and appropriate aesthetic and functional rehabilitation of the patient should be the primary goal in the treatment of KCOT, having in mind the need for a long-term post-surgical follow-up.

Therapeutic efficacy of connective tissue autotransplants with periosteum and platelet rich plasma in the menagement of gingival recession.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Gingival recession progression in clinical practice has influenced the development of various surgical procedures and techniques for solving esthetic imperfections and subjective difficulties coused by gingival recession. The aim of this study was to verify efficacy of surgical procedures and to compare both of surgical procedures through the keratinized tissue width. METHODS: The study included 20 teeth with gingival recesion, Müller class I and II. Ten teeth with gingival recession were treated with connective tissue autotransplants with periosteum in combination with coronary guided surgical flap (CTG group). On the contralateral side 10 teeth with gingival recession were treated with the same surgical procedures but in combination with platelet-rich plasma (CTG-PRP group). We measured the keratinized tissue width. For statistical significance we used the Student's t-test. RESULTS: The study reveled a statistical significance in reducing vertical deepress of recession by both used treatments. Root deepness in CTG and CTG-PRP group was 90% and 93.5%, respectively. With both surgical techniques we achieved larger zone of keratinized gingiva but with a wide zone of keratinized tissue in CTG--the PRP group. CONCLUSION: The concept regeneration technique with PRP and with the stimulating influence of platele activated growth factors results in the regeneration of deep periodontal tissue as an important prerequisite for the successfull treatment of gingival recession.

Peripheral ostectomy with the use of Carnoy's solution as a rational surgical approach to odontogenic keratocyst: a case report with a 5-year follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: Odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) is a rare developmental, epithelial and benign cyst of the jaws of odontogenic origin with high recurrence rates. The third molar region, especially the angle of the mandible and the ascending ramus are involved far more frequently than the maxilla. The choice of treatment approach was based on the size of the cyst, recurrence status, and radiographic evidence of cortical perforation. Different surgical treatment options like marsupialization, decompression, enucleation, enucleation with Carnoy's solution, peripheral ostectomy with or without Carnoy's solution, and jaw resection have been discussed in the literature with variable rates of recurrence. CASE REPORT: We presented a 52-year-old male with orthokeratinized odontogenic keratocyst. Elliptical unilocular radiolucency located in the third molar region and the ascending ramus of the mandible, 40 x 25 mm in diameter with radiographic evidence of cortical perforation at the anterior ramus border of the mandible 20 mm in diameter, was registrated on orthopantomographic radiography. Surgical treatment included enucleation of the cyst and peripheral ostectomy with the use of Carnoy's solution and excision of the overlying attached mucosa. Postoperatively, no paresthesia in the inervation area of the inferior alveolaris nerve was registrated. Recurrences were not registrated within 5 years post-intervention. CONCLUSION: Treatment of odontogenic keratocyst with enucleation and peripheral ostectomy with the use of Carnoy's solution and excision of the overlying attached mucosa had a very low rate of recurrence. Radical and more aggressive surgical treatments as jaw resection should be reserved for multiple recurrent cysts and when OKC is associated with nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS). Following the treatment protocol in the management of OKC and systematic and long-term postsurgical follow-up are considered key elements for successful results.

Empirical antimicrobial therapy of acute dentoalveolar abscess.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The most common cause of acute dental infections are oral streptococci and anaerobe bacteria. Acute dentoalveolar infections are usually treated surgically in combination with antibiotics. Empirical therapy in such infections usually requires the use of penicillin-based antibiotics. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical efficiency of amoxicillin and cefalexin in the empirical treatment of acute odontogenic abscess and to assess the antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolated bacteria in early phases of its development. METHODS: This study included 90 patients with acute odontogenic abscess who received surgical treatment (extraction of a teeth and/or abscess incision) and were divided into three groups: two surgical-antibiotic groups (amoxicillin, cefalexin) and the surgical group. In order to evaluate the effects of the applied therapy following clinical symptoms were monitored: inflammatory swelling, trismus, regional lymphadenitis and febrility. In all the patients before the beginning of antibiotic treatment suppuration was suched out of the abscess and antibiotic susceptibility of isolated bacteria was tested by using the disk diffusion method. RESULTS: The infection signs and symptoms lasted on the average 4.47 days, 4.67 days, and 6.17 days in the amoxicillin, cefalexin, and surgically only treated group, respectively. A total of 111 bacterial strains were isolated from 90 patients. Mostly, the bacteria were Gram-positive facultative anaerobs (81.1%). The most common bacteria isolated were Viridans streptococci (68/111). Antibiotic susceptibility of isolated bacteria to amoxicillin was 76.6% and cefalexin 89.2%. CONCLUSION: Empirical, peroral use of amoxicillin or cefalexin after surgical treatment in early phase of development of dentoalveolar abscess significantly reduced the time of clinical symptoms duration in the acute odontogenic infections in comparison to surgical treatment only. Bacterial strains isolated in early stages of dentoalveolar abscess showed high sensitivity to amoxicillin and cefalexin.

[Clinical efficacy of ampicillin in treatment of acute odontogenic abscess].

BACKGROUND/AIM: Antibiotics choice and the duration of their application in the therapy of acute odontogenic abscess is considered to be controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of ampicillin in treatment of acute odontogenic abscess and to assess the antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolated bacteria in early phase of abscess development. METHODS: This study included 60 patients with acute odontogenic abscess who were surgically treated (extraction of teeth and/or abscess incision) divided into two groups, ampicillin group and surgical group (without antibiotic treatment). RESULTS: In the ampicillin group of patients treatment lasted on the average 4.67 days, while in the surgical group 6.17 days. A total of 78 bacterial strains were isolated from 60 patients. The most often bacteria were found to be Gram-positive facultative anaerobs (68/78). The most common bacteria isolated were Viridans streptococci (43/78). Susceptibility of isolated bacteria to ampicillin were 70.5%. CONCLUSION: Peroral use of ampicillin, after surgicel treatment in an early phase of dentoalveolar abscess development, statistically significantly reduced the time of clinical symptoms of acute odontogenic abscess in comparison to surgical treatment only. The isolated bacterial strains in an early phase of dentoalveolar abscess development showed a high sensitivity to ampicillin.

[Nasopalatine duct cyst].

BACKGROUND: Nasopalatine duct cyst is a developmental, nonodontogenic cyst of jaw. CASE REPORT: We presented a 46-year-old male with nasopalatine duct cyst. The clinical examination revealed fluctuant swellings of the anterior palate, without pain, 4-5 cm in diametar. Both radiographs showed the presence of an ovoid radiolucency located in the midline of the maxilla between the roots of central maxillary incisor teeth with peripheral sclerosis, 25 x 35 cm in diametar. Surgical treatment was performed under local anaesthesia (Articainchloridum 4% - 3M ESPE) using a palatine approach. Postoperatively, no paresthesia of the anterior palate in inervation area of nasopalatine nerve was registrated. Pathohistologic findings proved both clinical and radiological diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Nasopalatine duct cyst is a rare lesion which slowly develops. The diagnosis is mainly based on radiography, tooth vitality testing and histologic findings. After a correctly applied clinical diagnosis procedure and surgicel treatment, recurrence is rare.

[Unerupted lower third molar as a cause of acute infection in soldiers].

BACKGROUND/AIM: To record the frequency of infections as complications accompanying the unerupted lower third molars and to determine if there was a significant level of the relationship between the frequency and the severity of infections and the age of patients. METHODS: This study included 100 soldiers of the Army of Serbia & Montenegro, with the unerupted third molars, of male sex, 18 to 25 years old, who were receiving clinical treatment. RESULTS: In 73% of the patients the infection was caused with the unerupted lower third molars. The highest frequency of infection was observed in the group of 20-23 years of age (75.3%). Mild infection occurred in 49 (67.1%) of the patients. CONCLUSION: The frequency of infection was significantly higher in the older patients. Because of the high frequency of the infection recorded, the unerupted lower third molars should be surgically removed before the age of 20.