Topical pilocarpine for xerostomia in patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a pilocarpine spray as a treatment for xerostomia in patients treated with radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancer (HNC). METHODS: This was a placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover clinical trial of patients complaining of dry mouth after RT for HNC. Forty patients were randomly assigned to either placebo or pilocarpine (1.54%) spray and instructed to use three times a day for 3 months. After 1-month washout period, patients were crossed over to receive placebo or pilocarpine. The assessments were salivary flow (Stimulated Whole Saliva Flow - SWSF), xerostomia (Xerostomia Inventory - XI), and quality of life (QoL/Oral Health Impact Profile - OHIP-14), assessed at baseline, 1 hr (only SWSF), and at 1, 2, and 3 months of treatment. RESULTS: Posttreatment SWFS was not statistically different between pilocarpine and placebo regardless of the treatment sequence (paired T test; p > .05), except for the SWFS rates at 2 months after therapy. When comparing pilocarpine with placebo in the time points, there was no significant difference (p > .05) for QoL or XI. Significant differences in improvement in QoL and xerostomia experience appeared along time for pilocarpine group. CONCLUSION: The topical application of pilocarpine spray tested was similar to placebo on SWSF assessments in patients treated with RT for HNC.

Self-perception of aesthetic dental treatment: an integrative review / Autopercepção do tratamento estético odontológico: uma revisão integrativa

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to conduct a literature review on self-perception of oral aesthetics in individuals undergoing cosmetic dental treatment and its impact on quality of life. Methods: 834 articles were found, of these, 31 articles were selected and accessed from the scientific productions indexed in the PubMed, LILACS and SciELO electronic databases. To rescue the sample, the following descriptors were used in Portuguese: estética dentária, odontologia cosmética, autoimagem and autopercepção; and in English: dental esthetics, cosmetic dentistry, self-image and self-perception, from 2016 to 2021. Results: The articles highlighted the relationship between aesthetic self-perception and the need for treatment. It was found that the aesthetic and psychosocial self-perception had a positive impact, improving the self-esteem and quality of life of individuals after undergoing aesthetic dental treatments. Conclusions: The research considered that new studies should be carried out on this theme, and that dentists should seek more knowledge related to oral and general health conditions, as well as on the self-perception of oral aesthetics, in order to prepare them for the performance. of interventions and planning of curative actions.

RESUMO Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo realizar um levantamento bibliográfico na literatura sobre a autopercepção da estética bucal em indivíduos submetidos a tratamentos estéticos dentários e o seu impacto sobre a qualidade de vida. Métodos: Foram encontrados 834 artigos, destes, 31 artigos foram selecionados e acessados a partir das produções científicas indexadas nas bases eletrônicas da PubMed, LILACS e SciELO. Para o resgate da amostra utilizaram-se os seguintes descritores em português: estética dentária, odontologia cosmética, autoimagem e autopercepção; e em inglês: esthetics dental, cosmetic dentistry, self image e self-perception, entre os anos de 2016 a 2021. Resultados: Os artigos evidenciaram a relação entre a autopercepção estética e a necessidade de tratamento. Verificou-se que a autopercepção estética e psicossocial teve impacto positivo, melhorando a autoestima e qualidade de vida dos indivíduos após serem submetidos à tratamentos estéticos odontológicos. Conclusão: A pesquisa considerou que novos estudos devem ser realizados nesta temática, e que cirurgião-dentista deve buscar mais conhecimentos relacionados às condições de saúde oral e geral, bem como, sobre a autopercepção da estética bucal, a fim, de prepará-los para a realização de intervenções e planejamento de ações curativas.

Orofacial and dental condition in leprosy

AIM: To verify the orofacial and dental complex in individuals affected by leprosy concerning lesions, prevalence of dental caries and biofilm storage. METHODS: This study was performed on 56 patients with leprosy: 28 under treatment and 28 treated for the disease. A clinical form was prepared to include demographic and leprosy data. The prevalence of caries was analyzed using the decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) index and oral hygiene was evaluated using the Plaque Control Record. The statistical significance was measured by chi-square and Student's t-test. RESULTS: The mean age was 56.4 years, and there was predominance of males. The treatment group had more women (Pearson ÷2=12.47, p=0.0004) and younger patients (Pearson ÷2=9.688, p=0.0079) than the healed group. As much as 30.4% of patients had orofacial complaints related to the disease. The most often observed variations of normality as racial melanin pigmentation (67.8%) and lingual varices (32.1%), and lesions such as atrophy of the anterior nasal spine (25%), inflammatory papillary hyperplasia (17.8%), and collapse of the nasal bridge (14.3%). There were no specific oral lesions among leprosy patients. The mean DMFT was 20.8 and the Plaque Control Record was 70.2%. The treated group had higher DMFT than the treatment group (Student's t p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The oral health status of individuals with leprosy is poor, with high levels of plaque and DMFT. No oral lesions associated with the disease were seen.