Phenytoin-induced gingival overgrowth management with periodontal treatment.

Phenytoin-induced gingival overgrowth (PIGO) is a common complication of the continuous use of medications. This paper presents a case of PIGO hindering oral function and compromising oral hygiene and aesthetics, which was treated with a combination of nonsurgical and surgical periodontal therapies. A 39-year-old male patient was referred for dental treatment with several complaints, especially upper and lower gingival overgrowth that hindered speech and swallowing. Generalized deep probing pockets and bone loss were detected. Diagnosis of gingival overgrowth associated with phenytoin and chronic periodontitis was established. The treatment plan consisted of conservative therapy with education on oral health, motivation and meticulous oral hygiene instruction in combination with scaling and root planing. During the revaluation period, a marked reduction in the clinical parameters was noted, particularly probing pocket depth reduction. Surgical therapy for removal of gingival overgrowth was also performed to achieve pocket reduction. Supportive periodontal therapy was proposed and the patient is currently under follow-up for 4 years. Management of PIGO may be obtained by the use of periodontal procedures combined with good oral hygiene and periodontal supportive care.

Immunoexpression of transforming growth factor beta and interferon gamma in radicular and dentigerous cysts.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the immunohistochemical expression of transforming growing factor beta (TGF-ß) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) between radicular cysts (RCs) and dentigerous cysts (DCs). METHODS: Twenty RCs and DCs were selected for analysis of the immunoexpression of TGF-ß and IFN-γ in the epithelium and capsule. RESULTS: The cell reactivity of TGF-ß and IFN-γ in the lining epithelium and capsule of RCs showed no significant differences when compared with DCs (P > .05). There was a tendency of a higher expression of TGF-ß in the capsule of DCs. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed the presence of TGF-ß and IFN-γ in RCs and DCs, supporting the hypothesis that both participate in the development of these lesions, where IFN-γ usually plays a role in bone resorption, which is counterbalanced by the osteoprotective activity performed by TGF-ß.

Randomized trials for the treatment of burning mouth syndrome: an evidence-based review of the literature.

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is defined as a chronic pain condition, characterized symptomatically by a generalized or localized burning sensation in the oral cavity. Various drugs have been used in attempting to treat BMS, but there is insufficient evidence to show the effect of any effective treatment. The aim of this review was to assess the effectiveness of therapies for BMS. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) enrolling patients with a diagnosis of BMS were identified by searching Pubmed and Scoppus databases. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed on the basis of the method of allocation concealment, blindness of the study, loss of participants, size sample, and outcome concealment. A total of 12 relevant articles were analyzed. Therapies that used capsaicin, alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), and clonazepam were those that showed more reduction in symptoms of BMS. However, many studies of therapeutic interventions in BMS lack consistency in their results, because they use in their methodology, sample and a relatively short time of therapy and often do not provide a follow-up of patients treated. Thus, future studies are required to establish the treatment for patients suffering from this chronic and painful syndrome.

White enamel lesions and their progression from childhood to adolescence: a prospective study.

PURPOSE: To assess the current situation of white enamel lesions on vestibular surfaces of permanent maxillary incisors, diagnosed 6 years ago, without clinical intervention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prospective study reassessed 53 students of both sexes, aged between 13 and 18 years old, all attending the public school system in Natal, Brazil. Data collection was performed by calibrated examiners, and a clinical chart consisting of demographic data on dental caries, oral hygiene and gingival condition was prepared. A tactile-visual examination was conducted using a clinical mirror and periodontal probe. Data compilation and analysis were carried out using SPSS software. In this analysis, the chi-square test was used for qualitative independent variables. To identify the net effect of treatment, multiple logistic analysis with forward stepwise model selection was performed. RESULTS: The final sample was composed of 106 lesions in the 53 individuals, with mean age of 15.02 years, visible plaque index (VPI) of 23.34%, and gingival blood indices (GBI) of 25.92%. A statistically significant relationship (P = 0.003) was found between initial DMFS and the prognosis of white enamel lesions. CONCLUSION: It was observed that past caries experience and dental plaque were the main predictive factors for negative lesion outcomes, demonstrating the need for oral hygiene control through continuing preventive measures.