Effectiveness of dental implants in patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer: An umbrella review.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this overview is to evaluate the effectiveness of dental implants placed in patients who underwent radiotherapy for the treatment of head and neck cancer, as well as to assess the methodological quality of the included systematic reviews. METHODS: The study was conducted in four PubMed, Lilacs, Dare Cochrane and Google Scholar databases until July 2022, using the descriptors "Radiotherapy," "Dental implants," and "Head and Neck Cancer." RESULTS: 958 studies were found in the initial search and after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, fifteen systematic reviews were selected to compose this overview and had their methodological quality evaluated by the AMSTAR 2 tool. RESULTS: 24,996 implants in 5487 patients were evaluated with a rate of success rate of 86.2% in patients who underwent radiotherapy and 95.2% in patients who did not undergo radiotherapy. Only one of the systematic reviews was of high quality according to AMSTAR 2. CONCLUSION: Oral rehabilitation with dental implants in patients with a history of head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy is a valid therapy. However, given the level of evidence found, further studies with better design are necessary to provide greater confidence in the clinical decision.

3D radiotherapy in the parotid gland and its dosimetric relationship with salivary flow and quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer

Aim: Hyposalivation and dry mouth affect the quality of life in patients with Head and Neck Cancer, who did the treatment with radiotherapy. Thus this study has the objective to evaluate the dosimetric relationship between 3D radiotherapy and changes in salivary flow, xerostomia and quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer according to the volume of the irradiated parotid gland. Methods: 23 patients with cancer in the head and neck area and in need of 3D radiotherapy were followed up during radiotherapy treatment, and the parotid gland (PG) design was also performed in radiotherapy planning. Questionnaires were carried out to determine xerostomia and quality of life, while the salivary flow was determined through calculations regarding the collection and weighing of saliva. Such data were collected in three moments: before the beginning of the radiotherapy treatment (D0), in the middle of the treatment (D1) and at the end of it (D2). The numerical variables are represented by measures of central tendency and measures of dispersion. Results: when associating the salivary flow, the xerostomia questionnaire and the OHIP-14, a statistically significant difference was found (p-value <0.001), as well as when comparing some volumes of irradiated PG with the OHIP-14. However, no relationship was found between dosimetric data, xerostomia and hyposalivation. Conclusion: patients undergoing 3D radiotherapy for malignant neoplasms in the head and neck region had decreased salivary flow, increased complaints of dry mouth and decreased quality of life. However, it was not possible to establish a statistically significant correlation between these findings and the volumes of irradiated parotids

The Effects of Antimicrobial Mouthwashes on Systemic Disease: What Is the Evidence?

The potential association between antimicrobial mouthwash use and systemic health has gained attention in recent years with reports highlighting how some common systemic conditions are influenced by the use of different types of mouthwashes. In this context, links between mouthwash use and cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, oral cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and preeclampsia have been proposed, albeit with limited levels of evidence. Chlorhexidine mouthwash in particular has been the most widely studied agent while available data on other types of over-the-counter mouthwashes are generally scarce. Furthermore, there is currently no evidence-based recommendations on the appropriate use of mouthwashes during pregnancy. This article will present the current evidence on the association between mouthwash use and the aforementioned conditions with emphasis on the mechanisms that may underlie such an association.

Is HIV positive a risk factor or contraindication in dental implant therapy?

HIV pathogenesis affects TCD4+ lymphocytes, causing impairment of the immune system. Thus, the consequent immunological fragility of individuals with the disease and the absence of studies that serve as a guide for clinicians' decision-making make many healthcare professionals recognize it as a synonym of contraindication for oral rehabilitation treatments with dental implants.

Is coadministration of preemptive medications an effective strategy for reducing inflammatory clinical events and the need for rescue medication after mandibular third molar surgery? A systematic review of randomized clinical trials.

This study aimed to evaluate the scientific evidence on the effect of preemptive drug coadministration (PDC) for relieving inflammatory events (pain, swelling, and trismus) in mandibular third molar surgery. A PROSPERO-registered systematic review (CRD42022314546) was conducted according to the PRISMA guide. The searches were carried out in six primary databases and the gray literature. Studies not written in languages with the Latin alphabet (Roman) were excluded. Potential randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were screened for eligibility. Cochrane's Risk of Bias-2.0 (RoB) tool was assessed. A synthesis without meta-analysis (SWiM) based on a vote counting and an effect direction plot. Nine studies (low RoB) fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were included for data analysis, with a total of 484 patients. PDC mostly involved corticosteroids (Cort) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). PDC of Cort and other drugs mainly reduced pain scores (6 and 12 h postoperatively) and swelling (48 h postoperatively). PDC of NSAIDs and other drugs mainly reduced pain scores at 6, 8, and 24 h follow-up; swelling and trismus intensity ameliorated at 48 h postoperatively. The most frequently prescribed rescue medication was paracetamol, dipyrone, and paracetamol plus codeine. Results from individual studies have shown reduced consumption of ingested rescue analgesics. In summary, the available evidence from clinical trials included in this SWiM suggests that PDC may provide benefits in reducing the severity of inflammatory outcomes related to mandibular third molar surgery, especially the pain scores in the first hours after surgery, and the rescue analgesic consumption during the postoperative period.

Effectiveness of Autogenous Chin Bone Graft in Reconstructive Surgery of Cleft Patients: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis and Algorithm of Treatment.

PURPOSE: Bone grafting is fundamental in the treatment of cleft patients, and several grafting materials have been used for this purpose. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of autogenous bone graft from the chin in the reconstruction of cleft alveolus. METHODS: Searches were performed in six databases (PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, LILACS, Embase, and Google Scholar) by two researchers individually until July 2022. This study was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42021267954) and conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. The predictor variable is reconstruction technique, grouped into three levels: autogenous genial grafts, other endochondral autogenous grafts, and bio- or tissue-engineered materials. The outcome variables were alveolar cleft healing rate and bone height. The secondary variables were complications that included infections, necrosis, paresthesia, and dehiscence. Data analysis included the risk of bias and assessment of the certainty of evidence by the risk of bias in nonrandomized studies of interventions and grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation tools, respectively. The meta-analysis was performed with heterogeneity based on random effects of I2 and 95% confidence. RESULTS: In the initial search, 4,833 articles were found, and 10 of them were included in this systematic review. The included studies were from six countries on three different continents, with a sample of 692 patients. It was observed that the chin bone graft (214 patients) when compared to the endochondral bone graft (386 patients) reduced by 0.42 [confidence interval 95% = 0.18, 0.95] times the prevalence of bone resorption (P = .040 and I2 = 70%) analyzed in radiographic images. Two studies evaluated the bone filling through computed tomography, and there was no statistically significant difference between the groups (P = .340, I2 = 0%). Only two studies had a low risk of bias. CONCLUSION: Based on a low certainty of evidence, the chin autogenous bone graft proved to be similar to the endochondral graft in the reconstruction of the cleft alveolar; however, the limited number of studies with high heterogeneity and an uncertain risk of bias decreased the strength of the results found in this systematic review. New controlled primary studies should be carried out with the purpose of safely determining the effectiveness of chin bone grafts for the reconstruction of cleft alveolar.

Is Down syndrome a risk factor or contraindication for dental implants? A systematic review.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Whether oral rehabilitation with dental implants in patients with Down syndrome leads to an increased complication rate is unclear. PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the effectiveness of dental implants placed in patients with Down syndrome and whether the condition is a risk factor or contraindication for dental implant placement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Searches were conducted in 6 databases, including the non-peer-reviewed literature, up to February 2021 by 2 independent reviewers according to established inclusion and exclusion criteria to answer this question: Is Down syndrome a risk factor or contraindication for oral rehabilitation with dental implants? RESULTS: A total of 655 studies were initially found in the databases. Five were included in this systematic review, all of which were observational studies. A total of 50 patients with 186 implants were evaluated, with a reported effectiveness of 79.1%. The risk of bias assessment determined that 3 of the 5 studies had a high risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with dental implants in patients with Down syndrome is a suitable option, but more complications are to be expected than with patients without this condition. Controlled studies with better methodological design and less risk of bias should be developed to improve the scientific evidence for the treatment of these patients.

Piezoelectric Surgery Is Effective in Reducing Pain, Swelling, and Trismus After Removal of Impacted Lower Third Molars: A Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: Surgery of impacted lower third molars may be associated with postoperative complications. The aim of this study is to determine whether piezoelectric surgery is effective in reducing pain, swelling, and trismus compared to conventional rotary instruments during extraction of impacted lower third molars. METHODS: For this systematic review, the searches were performed independently by 2 researchers. Randomized clinical trials that used the piezoelectric instrument for the removal of impacted lower third molars in humans were included. The predictor variable was the study group (piezo surgery vs rotary instruments). The main outcome was the analysis of postoperative pain, swelling, and trismus. Data analysis included risk of bias assessment (RoB 2 Cochrane) and meta-analysis with heterogeneity based on random effects I2 and 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: In the initial results, 956 articles were revised and after applying inclusion/exclusion criteria, the final sample was composed of 18 publications, all being randomized clinical trials. The results of this meta-analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in pain scores with a Cohen's d of -0.95 [CI 95% = -1.23 to -0.67] of high clinical impact (P < .001). In the piezo group there was a significant increase in mouth opening of 4.29 [CI 95% = 2.33 to 6.25] mm (P < .001). Regarding swelling, Tragus-Ang and Go-eye, both showed a significant reduction in the piezo group (P < .001). There was a significant increase of 7.32 [CI 95% = 4.40 to 10.24] minutes in the piezo group (P < .00001), and none of the studies showed a significant risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS: Piezo proved to be effective in reducing pain, swelling, and trismus in third molar surgeries even with longer surgical time, but due to the lack of standardization in primary studies regarding swelling, new, controlled and standardized studies should be carried out with the objective of proving the effectiveness of this therapeutic modality in the reduction of postoperative swelling.

Do zirconia dental implants present better clinical results than titanium dental implants? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this systematic review is to determine if the zirconia implants present better clinical results when compared to titanium implants. METHODS: Searches were conducted in 5 databases including, until March 2022, by 2 independent reviewers, according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria established in the study and according whit this question: Do zirconia dental implants present better clinical results than titanium dental implants? RESULTS: 3235 studies were initially found in the researched databases. 03 randomized clinical trials were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. A total of 71 patients with 192 implants (87 titanium and 105 zirconia) were evaluated, showing an effectiveness of 87,4% and 78,1% respectively and there was no statistically significant difference in terms of survival rate in the meta-analysis (P = 0.70; I2 = 0%). Still in the meta-analysis, there was no statistically significant difference between titanium and zirconia implants in relation to the pink esthetich score or bleeding on probing, however, a favorable difference was observed for titanium in relation to marginal bone loss (P = 0.001; I2 = 0%). None of the studies evaluated had a low risk of bias. CONCLUSION: Oral rehabilitation with zirconia implants showed no advantages over titanium in this systematic review. However, the small number of studies included and the uncertain risk of bias may raise doubts in this interpretation and the results should be analyzed with caution. New studies with greater methodological rigor, follow-up time and number of interventions should be performed in order to safely determine the indication for the use of zirconia implants.

Is it necessary to use bone grafts to prevent defects at the lower border of the mandible after mandibular advancement?-a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Defects in the lower border of the mandible may represent an aesthetic problem after mandibular advancement in orthognathic surgery. The use of bone grafts has been reported in the literature as a possibility to reduce these defects in the postoperative period. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review is to answer the following research question: Is it necessary to use bone grafts to prevent defects at the lower border of the mandible after mandibular advancement? METHODS: The literature search was conducted on MEDLINE via PubMed, Scopus, Central Cochrane, Embase, LILACS, and Sigle via Open Gray up until December 2020. Five studies were eligible for this systematic review, considering the previously established inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS: 1340 mandibular osteotomies were evaluated, with a mean advance of 8 mm, being 510 with bone graft (42 defects), 528 without graft (329 defects), and 302 with an alternative technique (32 defects). Regarding the type of bone graft used, three articles used xenogenous or biomaterial grafts and two allogenous bone grafts. The results of the meta-analysis showed a reduction in the presence of defects in the bone graft group: OR 0.04, 95% CI = 0.01, 0.19; p = 0.0005, (I2 = 87%; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The use of bone grafts seems promising in reducing defects in the lower border of the mandible after mandibular advancement. New controlled prospective studies with a larger number of participants are needed to ensure the effectiveness of this procedure.

Is low-level laser therapy effective in the treatment of herpes labialis? Systematic review and meta-analysis.

The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy in the treatment of herpes labialis. The searches were carried out independently by 2 researchers and the articles were selected through the electronic databases according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria previously established. Initially, 480 articles were found, of which 7 randomized clinical trials and 1 clinical trial were selected. In total, 928 patients were included. In the meta-analysis, the mean healing time for laser use was significant, showing a mean reduction of 1.37 [CI 95% = 0.92 to 1.82] days for tissue healing (p < 0.0001). In the meta-analysis to evaluate the time for crust formation, there was no significant difference between the groups and no significant reduction in the mean time for crust formation (p = 0.150). Only one of the selected studies had a low risk of bias. The use of low-level laser proved to be effective in the treatment of herpes labialis. However, due to the high risk of bias in the included studies, there is a need to carry out new standardized studies to prove the effectiveness of this therapy.

Comparison of two alar cinch base suture in orthognathic surgery: a randomized clinical trial.

Le Fort I osteotomy is widely used in orthognathic surgery to correct maxillary deformities. However, this osteotomy may be related with the increase of alar base width. The aims of the present study were to compare two alar cinch suture after Le Fort I osteotomy and observe which type presents a better result in controlling the enlargement of the alar base after maxillary repositioning in orthognathic surgery. A randomized clinical trial was carried out with 40 patients randomly assigned in two intervention groups: group 1 - patients submitted to internal suture and group 2 - patients submitted to external suture. Of the 40 patients, 65% were female and 35% were male. The mean age of the patients was 30,25 in group I and 28,6 in group II. There was an increase in the alar base width in both groups, with significant difference between the means (P < 0,001). It was possible to compare the evolution of the means of the alar base width between group I and group II. Thus, it was observed that the external technique (group II) better controlled alar base width after Le Fort I osteotomy. It was not possible to relate the enlargement of the alar cinch with maxillary movement performed (P > 0,05). Overall, alar base cinch suture is an essential component of Le Fort osteotomies to control the alar base width. In this study, the external technique was more effective when compared to the internal technique in controlling the enlargement of the alar base width.

Oropharyngeal Geometry of Maxilectomized Patients Rehabilitated with Palatal Obturators in the Trans-surgical Period: Repercussions on the Voice.

INTRODUCTION: Patients undergoing maxillectomies may present alterations in the stomatognathic functions involved in oral communication. Rehabilitative treatment should favor the rescue of these functions, through surgical flaps, obturator prostheses or both. OBJECTIVES: The present study aims to present the impact of the use of the palatal obturator on the oropharyngeal geometry and on the voice of patients undergoing maxillectomies, after adaptation to trans-surgical palatine obturators (TPO). METHODS: Twelve patients treated at a Cancer Hospital, submitted to maxillectomy and rehabilitated during surgery were evaluated. The oropharyngeal geometry was measured by acoustic pharyngometry and the vocal parameters were evaluated through auditory-perceptual and acoustic analyses. The comparison between the results with and without TPO was analyzed using the Wilcoxon test and the correlation between oropharyngeal measurements and acoustic parameters using Spearman's correlation coefficient, all with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: There was a decrease in the following oropharyngeal measurements with the use of TPO: length of the pharyngeal cavity and vocal tract, volume of the oral cavity, pharyngeal and vocal tract and area of ​​the oropharyngeal junction. There was no difference in the length of the oral cavity and in the glottic area between situations with and without TPO. In the vocal evaluation, changes in intelligibility and resonance were observed in the situation without TPO and, in only one case, mild hypernasality was detected in the situation with TPO. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the use of TPO brought the oropharyngeal measurements closer to normal values ​​and provided an improvement in speech intelligibility and vocal resonance in maxilectomized individuals.

Comparison of two alar cinch base suture in orthognathic surgery: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract Le Fort I osteotomy is widely used in orthognathic surgery to correct maxillary deformities. However, this osteotomy may be related with the increase of alar base width. The aims of the present study were to compare two alar cinch suture after Le Fort I osteotomy and observe which type presents a better result in controlling the enlargement of the alar base after maxillary repositioning in orthognathic surgery. A randomized clinical trial was carried out with 40 patients randomly assigned in two intervention groups: group 1 - patients submitted to internal suture and group 2 - patients submitted to external suture. Of the 40 patients, 65% were female and 35% were male. The mean age of the patients was 30,25 in group I and 28,6 in group II. There was an increase in the alar base width in both groups, with significant difference between the means (P < 0,001). It was possible to compare the evolution of the means of the alar base width between group I and group II. Thus, it was observed that the external technique (group II) better controlled alar base width after Le Fort I osteotomy. It was not possible to relate the enlargement of the alar cinch with maxillary movement performed (P > 0,05). Overall, alar base cinch suture is an essential component of Le Fort osteotomies to control the alar base width. In this study, the external technique was more effective when compared to the internal technique in controlling the enlargement of the alar base width.

Resumo A osteotomia Le Fort I é amplamente utilizada em cirurgia ortognática para corrigir as deformidades maxilares. No entanto, esse tipo de osteotomia pode estar relacionado ao aumento da largura da base alar. Os objetivos do presente estudo foram comparar duas técnicas de sutura da base alar após a realização da osteotomia Le Fort I, bem como observar qual tipo apresenta melhor resultado no controle do alargamento da base alar após o reposicionamento maxilar em cirurgia ortognática. Foi realizado um ensaio clínico randomizado com 40 pacientes alocados aleatoriamente em dois grupos de intervenção: grupo 1 - pacientes submetidos à técnica de sutura interna e grupo 2 - pacientes submetidos à técnica de externa. Dos 40 pacientes, 65% eram do sexo feminino e 35% do masculino. A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 30,25 no grupo I e 28,6 no grupo II. Houve aumento da largura da base alar em ambos os grupos, com diferença significativa entre as médias (P <0,001). Foi possível comparar a evolução das médias da largura da base alar entre o grupo I e o grupo II. Assim, observou-se que a técnica externa (grupo II) controlou melhor a largura da base alar após a osteotomia Le Fort I. Não foi possível relacionar o alargamento da base alar com o tipo de movimentação maxilar realizado (P> 0,05). No geral, a sutura da base alar é um componente essencial das osteotomias Le Fort para controlar o alargamento da base alar. Nesse estudo, a técnica externa foi mais eficaz quando comparada à técnica interna no controle do alargamento da largura da base alar.

Effectiveness of rhBMP-2 versus iliac autogenous bone graft in reconstructive surgery of cleft patients: an umbrella review.

The objective of this umbrella review was to determine the effectiveness of rhBMP-2 in the reconstructive surgery of cleft patients through an evaluation of bone filling and volume of newly formed bone in the cleft area. A systematic search was carried out in PubMed/ Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE), Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), and the System for Information on Grey Literature in Europe (SIGLE) via Open Grey, until June 2020. Risk of bias was assessed using the ROBIS tool. A total of 2739 articles were identified and, based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, six were included for final evaluation. The bone filling rate was 74.23% in the rhBMP-2 group and 72.38% in the autogenous group. Regarding the risk of bias, none of the articles had a low risk, four had an uncertain risk, and two a high risk. The results of this umbrella review show that the studies had high and uncertain risks of bias, and high heterogeneity. There was a lack of evidence regarding the possible complications offered by this therapy. The recommendation to use BMP-2 for alveolar cleft reconstruction, especially in a paediatric population, should be viewed with caution. New primary studies are needed to assess this variable and safely determine the use of rhBMP-2 in reconstructive surgery for cleft patients.

Is the Er: YAG Laser Effective in Reducing Pain, Edema, and Trismus After Removal of Impacted Mandibular Third Molars? A Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: Removal of impacted third molars can be associated with complications such as pain, edema, and trismus that can increase the morbidity of the procedure. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the Erbium: yttrium aluminum garnet (Er: YAG) laser is effective in reducing pain, swelling and trismus compared to rotary instruments in removing impacted lower third molars (3Ms). METHODS: For this systematic review, the searches were carried out independently by 2 researchers and the articles were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria previously established. The predictor variable was the study group (Er: YAG laser versus rotary instruments). The main outcome was the analysis of post-operative pain, edema, and trismus after third molar extractions. Data analysis included the risk of bias evaluation (RoB 2 Cochrane) and meta-analysis with random effects I2 based heterogeneity and 95% confidence. RESULTS: In the initial results, 1,371 articles were found and 6 randomized controlled trials (RCT) were selected to compose this study. A total of 299 lower 3Ms were removed, 126 with the Er: YAG laser, 142 with a drill and 31 with a piezoelectric instrument. The results of this meta-analysis showed that in the laser group there was a significant reduction in edema (1.82 [CI95% = -3.06 to -0.57] cm (P = .004)) and complications (P = .0004), a slight reduction in pain after 2 days (P = .030) and there was no variation in trismus (P = .200) when compared to the drill group. The surgery and/or osteotomy time was shorter in the drill group. Only 1 study presented low risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS: The Er: YAG laser has been shown to be effective in reducing edema, pain and complications in impacted lower 3M surgeries. However due to the lack of standardization in Er: YAG laser therapy, new controlled and standardized studies should be performed with the aim of proving the efficacy of this therapeutic modality.

Coronaviridae-Old friends, new enemy!

Coronaviridae is a family of single-stranded positive enveloped RNA viruses. This article aimed to review the history of these viruses in the last 60 years since their discovery to understand what lessons can be learned from the past. A review of the PubMed database was carried out, describing taxonomy, classification, virology, genetic recombination, host adaptation, and main symptoms related to each type of virus. SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for the ongoing global pandemic, and SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV were responsible for causing severe respiratory illness and regional epidemics in the past while the four other strains of CoVs (229-E OC43, NL63, and HKU1) circulate worldwide and normally only cause mild upper respiratory tract infections. Given the enormous diversity of coronavirus viruses in wildlife and their continuous evolution and adaptation to humans, future outbreaks would undoubtedly occur. Restricting or banning all trade in wild animals in wet markets would be a necessary measure to reduce future zoonotic infections.

Evaluation of the salivary flow of patients undergoing conventional radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.

The purpose of this cross-sectional, quantitative study was to evaluate the salivary flow of 20 patients undergoing conventional 2-dimensional radiotherapy in the head and neck region. Unstimulated salivary flow was measured with the spitting technique. In addition, xerostomia was evaluated through the Eisbruch grading system and the Xerostomia Inventory (XI). The patients were evaluated 3 times: D0, before the first radiotherapy session; D17, after the 17th radiotherapy session; and D35, after the last radiotherapy session. Most of the patients in the present study were men (70%). The larynx was the most frequent site of cancer in this sample (45%). The most prevalent oral alteration during radiotherapy was odynophagia (75%). The analysis of subjective symptoms of xerostomia revealed no statistically significant differences (P = 0.059). However, statistically significant differences in the XI were found, with scores increasing from D0 to D17 and D35 (P = 0.004). With regard to the objective symptoms of xerostomia, most patients started treatment in grade 1 and remained in the same category at the end of radiation. There was a slight increase in salivary volume during treatment, an atypical finding that can probably be explained by the use of low-level laser, which was applied to prevent oral mucositis in all of the patients. The mean total radiation dose (65 Gy) received by the patients in the present sample did not appear to influence the XI values or salivary volume. The data reinforced the subjective nature of xerostomia, which is not always related to hyposalivation.

Evaluation of a mucoadhesive pilocarpine tablet for the treatment of xerostomia: a randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical trial.

The objectives of this study were to determine the effectiveness of a mucoadhesive tablet of pilocarpine, 5 mg, for the treatment of xerostomia and verify its pharmacokinetic profile. The randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical trial involved 25 older adults (60 to 80 years) with xerostomia and hyposalivation who were randomly divided into groups A and B. Once daily, for 7 days, group A used a mucoadhesive tablet containing pilocarpine, while group B used a mucoadhesive tablet without the active ingredient (first intervention). After 7 days of washout (no treatment), use of the medications resumed for 7 days, with a crossover between groups (second intervention). Xerostomia was evaluated through a shortened version of the Summated Xerostomia Inventory-Dutch Version, and the unstimulated salivary flow (USF) and stimulated salivary flow (SSF) of the patients were measured. The patients were evaluated at baseline and 7, 14, and 21 days. Then, the pharmacokinetic profiles of mucoadhesive and conventional oral pilocarpine tablets were compared using saliva obtained from 8 patients. Both of the interventions resulted in a significant reduction in Summated Xerostomia Inventory scores and a significant increase in the mean USF (P < 0.05). A statistically significant increase in the mean SSF only occurred when pilocarpine was administered (P < 0.05). No significant adverse effects were found. The mucoadhesive tablet resulted in much higher salivary concentrations of pilocarpine than did the conventional oral tablet. Both formulations of the mucoadhesive tablet, with or without pilocarpine, relieved patients' dry mouth symptoms. Trial registration: Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clinicos (ReBEC) No. RBR-9qdnws.