J. Jansma

Oral Sequelae of Head and Neck Radiotherapy

In addition to anti-tumor effects, ionizing radiation causes damage in normal tissues located in the radiation portals. Oral complications of radiotherapy in the head and neck region are the result of the deleterious effects of radiation on, e.g., salivary glands, oral mucosa, bone, dentition, masticatory musculature, and temporomandibular joints. The clinical consequences of radiotherapy include mucositis, hyposalivation, taste loss, osteoradionecrosis, radiation caries, and trismus. Mucositis and taste loss are reversible consequences that usually subside early post-irradiation, while hyposalivation is normally irreversible. Furthermore, the risk of developing radiation caries and osteoradionecrosis is a life-long threat. All these consequences form a heavy burden for the patients and have a tremendous impact on their quality of life during and after radiotherapy. In this review, the radiation-induced changes in healthy oral tissues and the resulting clinical consequences are discussed.

Prevention and treatment of the consequences of head and neck radiotherapy

The location of the primary tumor or lymph node metastases dictates the inclusion of the oral cavity, salivary glands, and jaws in the radiation treatment portals for patients who have head and neck cancer. The clinical sequelae of the radiation treatment include mucositis, hyposalivation, loss of taste, osteoradionecrosis, radiation caries, and trismus. These sequelae may be dose-limiting and have a tremendous effect on the patients quality of life. Most treatment protocols to prevent these sequelae are still based on clinical experience, but alternatives based on fundamental basic and clinical research are becoming more and more available. Many of these alternatives either need further study before they can be incorporated into the protocols commonly used to prevent and treat the radiation-related oral sequelae or await implementation of these protocols. In this review, the various possibilities for prevention and/or treatment of radiation-induced changes in healthy oral tissues and their consequences are discussed.

Morbidity from iliac crest bone harvesting

PURPOSE The iliac crest is the most common donor site for autogenous bone grafting in maxillofacial surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the morbidity of bone harvesting from the inner table of the anterior iliac crest. PATIENTS AND METHODS Sixty-five patients were recalled 1 to 4 years after iliac crest bone harvesting. The morbidity as well as the patients satisfaction were evaluated by a survey of the medical record, a mail-in questionnaire, and a standardized physical examination. RESULTS There was good acceptance of this bone harvesting procedure, and the morbidity was low. CONCLUSION Bone harvesting from the inner table of the anterior iliac crest is a good option for reconstructing bone defects.

Protocol for the Prevention and Treatment of Oral Sequelae Resulting from Head and Neck Radiation Therapy

In addition to the desired antitumor effects, head and neck radiation therapy induces damage in normal tissues that may result in oral sequelae such as mucositis, hypo‐salivation, radiation caries, taste loss, trismus, soft‐tissue necrosis, and osteoradionecrosis. These sequelae may be dose‐limiting and have a tremendous effect on the patients quality of life, Current policies to prevent these sequelae primarily are based on clinical experience and show great diversity. A protocol for the prevention and treatment of oral sequelae resulting from head and neck radiation therapy, based on fundamental research and data derived from the literature, is presented. The protocol is particularly applicable in centers with a dental team. This team should be involved at the time of initial diagnosis so that a successful preventive regimen is an integral part of the overall cancer treatment regimen.

A SURVEY OF PREVENTION AND TREATMENT REGIMENS FOR ORAL SEQUELAE RESULTING FROM HEAD AND NECK RADIOTHERAPY USED IN DUTCH RADIOTHERAPY INSTITUTES

Radiation treatment plays an important role in the management of head and neck cancer. Unfortunately several radiation-induced side effects may occur including mucositis, hyposalivation, radiation caries, trismus and osteoradionecrosis. It is generally accepted that most side effects can be prevented or reduced in severity. The purpose of this investigation was to make a survey of the prevention and treatment regimens for oral sequelae resulting from head and neck radiotherapy applied in all radiotherapy institutes in the Netherlands, and to evaluate the differences in these regimens. In all Dutch centers (n = 20) in which irradiation of head and neck cancer patients is performed, members of the staff responsible for prevention and treatment of oral side effects were interviewed. Questions referred to composition of the dental team, screening and care pre-irradiation, care during irradiation, and care post-irradiation. There appeared to be a great diversity in the preventive approach of the head and neck cancer patient in Dutch radiotherapy institutes. The most comprehensive counseling was performed by those centers in which a dental team was active, particularly when an oral hygienist was a member of such a team. The diversity is among others based on lack of well-defined guidelines in many centers, the spread of a relatively small patient group over a rather large number of centers, absence of a dental team in some centers, absence of an oral hygienist in some dental teams, and the observation that a rather large number of patients were not referred, or not timely referred to the dental team. There seems to be a need for the development of a general protocol for the prevention of oral complications applicable in all centers.

In vivo Study on the Prevention of Postradiation Caries

Postradiation caries is usually prevented by the application of topical fluorides (F) at high concentrations. The aim of this study was to develop an optimal preventive program for postradiation caries by evaluating the effects of F concentration and application procedures in subjects with radiation-related xerostomia. Six ground enamel slabs were mounted on each side of the lower denture of each of 7 xerostomia patients. Four procedures were used: no F exposure (control), neutral F gel applied every 2nd day or weekly, and a daily rinse with a F mouthwash for a period of 6 weeks. The enamel slabs were analyzed at weekly intervals by scanning optical monitoring, longitudinal microradiography, and scanning electron microscopy. In addition, hardness measurements were performed on the slabs. F analyses of the enamel slabs were done prior to their insertion in the appliances and after 6 weeks of intraoral exposure. In the control experiments severe demineralization of enamel occurred within 6 weeks. Application of F gel or the use of the F mouthrinse resulted in a significant inhibition of the demineralization process. Of the procedures evaluated, F gel applied every 2nd day was the most effective in preventing the onset of postradiation caries.

Surgically facilitated orthodontic treatment : A systematic review

INTRODUCTION Corticotomy and dental distraction have been proposed as effective and safe methods to shorten orthodontic treatment duration in adolescent and adult patients. A systematic review was performed to evaluate the evidence supporting these claims. METHODS PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched until April 2013 for randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, and case series with 5 or more subjects that focused on velocity of tooth movement, reduction of treatment duration, or complications with various surgical protocols. There were no language restrictions during the search phase. Publications were systematically assessed for eligibility, and 2 observers graded the methodologic quality of the included studies with a predefined scoring system. RESULTS Eighteen articles met the inclusion criteria. Seven studies were clinical trials, with small investigated groups. Only studies of moderate and low values of evidence were found. Surgically facilitated treatment was indicated for various clinical problems. All publications reported temporarily accelerated tooth movement after surgery. No deleterious effects on the periodontium, no vitality loss, and no severe root resorption were found in any studies. However, the level of evidence to support these findings is limited owing to shortcomings in research methodologies and small treated groups. No research concerning long-term stability could be included. CONCLUSIONS Evidence based on the currently available studies of low-to-moderate quality showed that surgically facilitated orthodontics seems to be safe for the oral tissues and is characterized by a temporary phase of accelerated tooth movement. This can effectively shorten the duration of orthodontic treatment. However, to date, no prospective studies have compared overall treatment time and treatment outcome with those of a control group. Well-conducted, prospective research is still needed to draw valid conclusions.

Morbidity of Chin Bone Transplants Used for Reconstructing Alveolar Defects in Cleft Patients

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the objective and subjective morbidity of symphyseal chin bone harvesting used for reconstruction of alveolar defects in young cleft patients. Design All patients who had undergone chin bone harvesting for alveolar cleft reconstruction in the period from 1992 through 2000 at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the University Hospital Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands, were invited to participate in this retrospective study. Patients’ acceptance, perioperative and postoperative morbidity were evaluated. A survey of the medical records was performed. In addition, the patients completed a questionnaire for their appreciation of the procedure. They were also subjected to a clinical and radiographic examination. Patients Thirty patients (21 males and 9 females; mean age 11.8 ± 3.6 years) participated in this study. Results Neither the medical records nor the experiences of the patients showed significant morbidity. The procedure was appreciated with 6.8 ± 3.5 (scale 0 to 10). Postoperative pain was scored as 1.2 ± 2.5 (scale 0 to 10). Three patients reported transient sensory disturbances at the donor site. Two patients showed a slight sensibility disorder in the symphyseal region. In three patients, an endodontic problem had developed in a lower incisor. Conclusion This study showed that chin bone harvesting for reconstructing alveolar cleft in young patients is a well-accepted procedure with low objective and subjective morbidity. Notwithstanding this low morbidity, the patients (and their parents) have to be informed about the risk of objective and subjective disturbances of the sensibility in the donor region and the risk of dental pulp necrosis.

Long-lasting neurosensory disturbance following advancement of the retrognathic mandible: distraction osteogenesis versus bilateral sagittal split osteotomy

Neurosensory disturbance (NSD) of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) is the most common complication after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) and distraction osteogenesis (DO) of the retrognathic mandible. It is suggested that the risk is lower after DO than after BSSO. This retrospective study compared both techniques with regard to long-lasting NSD and overall patient satisfaction. 91 patients (representing 182 IANs) were included, they completed a questionnaire and underwent an objective neurosensory test. In the BSSO-group (90 nerves), long-lasting NSD was reported in 27 cases (30%) versus 21 cases (23%) in the DO group (92 nerves). In 39 cases (24 BSSO, 15 DO) the long-lasting NSD was reported in the lower lip, the chin or both. Of these cases, 9 (5 BSSO, 4 DO) were objectively tested positive. The overall prevalence was 8% in the BSSO group and 10% in the DO group. There was no significant difference in subjectively reported and objectively measured NSD between the groups. In this study patients seemed to over-report the NSD compared with the objective findings. For both procedures, overall patient satisfaction was high.

The use of botulinum toxin type A in cosmetic facial procedures

Over the past decade, facial cosmetic procedures have become more commonplace in dentistry and oral and maxillofacial surgery. An increasing number of patients seek minimal invasive procedures. One of the most requested procedures is treatment with botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA). Treatment of dynamic rhytids and lines with BoNTA is effective and produces high rates of improvement with rapid onset and long duration of action (longer than 4 months for some patients) compared with placebo. This paper considers the history and pharmacology of this neurotoxin, and focusses on the literature concerning the treatment of different facial areas with BoNTA. It also presents clinical guidelines on the treatment of glabellar lines, the frontalis muscle, peri-orbital lines, gummy smile and masseter muscle hypertrophy. Knowledge about the mechanisms of action and the ability to use BoNTA as an adjunctive treatment are mandatory for those working in the field of cosmetic facial surgery.