Healing of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis by Non-Thermal Plasma: Pilot Study.

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a common disease in the oral cavity characterized by recurrent ulcers (RU). Usually, these cause acute pain without definitive treatment. The present study determines the efficacy of non-thermal plasma (NTP) for treating RU. NTP is applied to the patient's RU using a radiofrequency generator connected to a point reactor. The power density applied to the ulcer is 0.50 W/cm2, less than 4 W/cm2, which is the maximum value without biological risk. Each patient received two treatments of three minutes each and spaced 60 min apart at a distance of 5 mm from the RU. From a sample of 30 ulcers in patients treated for RU with an average age of 37 years, they stated that the pain decreased considerably and without the need for ingestion of analgesics and antibiotics. Regeneration took place in an average of three days. The NTP proved to be an excellent therapeutic alternative for the treatment of RU since it has a rapid effect of reducing pain and inflammation, as well as adequate tissue regeneration.

Conocimiento y conciencia de los médicos sobre la osteonecrosis relacionada con bifosfonatos / Knowledge and awareness of physicians about bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws

Objetivo: Determinar el conocimiento y la conciencia que tienen los médicos sobre la osteonecrosis relacionada con bifosfonatos. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal, en el cual se encuestó a médicos generales y especialistas con la finalidad de identificar el nivel de conocimientos y conciencia que tienen sobre el tema. Resultados: Se entrevistó a un total de 475 médicos generales y especialistas, de los cuales 210 (44.2%) mencionaron prescribir bifosfonatos, de este grupo 58.1% no envía a los pacientes con el odontólogo para eliminar factores de riesgo, a pesar de que 61.8% de los mismos mencionó conocer las reacciones adversas; 36 médicos (17.4%) han visto a algún paciente con osteonecrosis por bifosfonatos. El 37% de los médicos que prescriben medicamentos consideran que no es necesario remitir a los pacientes al odontólogo. Conclusiones: La prescripción de bifosfonatos en la práctica médica va en aumento, los médicos deben tener el conocimiento adecuado sobre las reacciones adversas de estos medicamentos para así poder referir oportunamente al odontólogo, educar al paciente y poder prevenir complicaciones como la osteonecrosis relacionada con bifosfonatos (AU)

Objectives : To evaluate the knowledge and awareness of physicians about bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws. Material and methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among general practitioners and specialized physicians to determine their knowledge and awareness of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws. Results: Of the 475 interviewed general practitioners and specialized physicians, 210 (44.2%) claimed to prescribe bisphosphonates. A total of 58.1% of these physicians did not refer their patients to the dentist for the elimination of risk factors, despite the fact that 61.8% of them reported knowledge of the adverse reactions of these drugs. Thirty-six physicians (17.4%) had seen some patient with bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws. A total of 37% of the physicians that prescribed drugs considered it not necessary to refer patients to the dentist. Conclusions: Bisphosphonate prescription is increasingly common in medical practice, and physicians must have adequate knowledge of the adverse reactions of these drugs in order to ensure opportune patient referral to the dentist, educate their patients, and avoid complications such as bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (AU)

Disfunción de la articulación temporomandibular en pacientes con artritis reumatoide / Temporomandibular joint dysfunction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

La artritis reumatoide (AR) es una enfermedad sistémica crónica inflamatoria caracterizada por una respuesta inmune patogénica que ocasiona daño articular el cual puede ser incapacitante e incluso condicionar una muerte prematura. Entre las articulaciones afectadas puede encontrarse la articulación temporomandibular (ATM) ocasionando dolor, crepitación, inflamación y limitación de los movimientos mandibulares. La disfunción de la ATM es una entidad muy común, por lo que el objetivo de este estudio fue determinar en qué medida los pacientes con AR tienen afección de la ATM comparado con pacientes sanos e identificar las principales diferencias en la presentación clínica, para lo cual se realizó un estudio de casos y controles. Se incluyeron 37 pacientes en cada grupo. En el grupo de pacientes con AR se encontró una afección de la ATM en el 75% de los pacientes (28 casos), mientras que en el grupo control solo el 13,5% (5 casos). Los hallazgos identificados en el grupo de pacientes con AR y disfunción de ATM fueron principalmente desviación mandibular, ruidos articulares, pérdida dental, dolor articular y limitación de la apertura. En este estudio se pudo identificar que existe un riesgo 82% (OR 19,9, IC=0,71-0,89) veces mayor de desarrollar disfunción de ATM en pacientes con AR comparado con pacientes sanos, por lo que resulta de suma importancia realizar revisiones periódicas de la ATM con el fin de identificar signos y síntomas tempranos para así evitar la progresión de la disfunción, lo cual se verá reflejado en una mejor nutrición y calidad de vida del paciente (AU)

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease characterised by a pathogenic immune response that causes joint damage that can be disabling and even cause premature death. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can also be affected, causing pain, crepitus, swelling, and limitation of mandibular movements. TMJ dysfunction is a very common condition, thus the aim of this study was to determine to what extent patients with RA have TMJ dysfunction compared with healthy patients and to identify the main differences in the clinical presentation. A case-control study was performed with the objective of identifying the main differences in the clinical presentation. A total of 37 patients were included in each group. In the group of patients with RA it was found that 75% of patients (28 cases) had TMJ dysfunction, while in the control group there were only 13.5% (5 cases). The findings identified in the group of patients with RA and TMJ dysfunction were mainly: mandibular deviation, joint sounds, tooth loss, joint pain, and limitation of the opening. This study was able to identify that there is an increased risk of 82% (OR 19.9, 95% CI=0.71-0.89) in developing TMJ dysfunction in patients with RA compared with healthy patients. It is concluded that it is important to perform periodic TMJ exploration to be able to identify early signs and symptoms of dysfunction to avoid progression. This would be reflected in better nutrition and quality of life of the patient (AU)

Knowledge of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the Jaws among Mexican dentists

BACKGROUND: Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis is an infrequent but potentially serious complication. Its treatment remains complex, and in some cases can be mutilating. Prevention, a correct diagnosis and opportune management are crucial. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was made, interviewing 410 dentists with the aim of assessing their knowledge of the subject. RESULTS: Practically all of the dental professionals (99.7%) were found to lack sufficient knowledge of the prevention, diagnosis and management of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Actions including increased diffusion in the professional media and inclusion of the subject in training programs are needed in order to enhance the knowledge of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis among dentists and thus prevent complications in this group of patients