Meltem Koray

Efficacy and Safety of an Intraoral Electrostimulation Device for Xerostomia Relief: A Multicenter, Randomized Trial

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of an intraoral electrostimulation device, consisting of stimulating electrodes, an electronic circuit, and a power source, in treating xerostomia. The device delivers electrostimulation through the oral mucosa to the lingual nerve in order to enhance the salivary reflex. METHODS The device was tested on a sample of patients with xerostomia due to Sjögrens syndrome and other sicca conditions in a 2-stage prospective, randomized, multicenter trial. Stage I was a double-blind, crossover stage designed to compare the effects of the electrically active device with the sham device, each used for 1 month, and stage II was a 3-month open-label stage designed to assess the long-term effects of the active device. Improvement in xerostomia severity from baseline was the primary outcome measure. RESULTS A total of 114 patients were randomized. In stage I, the active device performed better than the sham device for patient-reported xerostomia severity (P<0.002), xerostomia frequency (P<0.05), quality of life impairment (P<0.01), and swallowing difficulty (P<0.02). At the end of stage II, statistically significant improvements were verified for patient-reported xerostomia severity (P<0.0001), xerostomia frequency (P<0.0001), oral discomfort (P<0.001), speech difficulty (P<0.02), sleeping difficulty (P<0.001), and resting salivary flow rate (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that daily use of the device alleviated oral dryness, discomfort, and some complications of xerostomia, such as speech and sleeping difficulties, and increased salivary output. The results show a cumulative positive effect of the device over the period of the study, from baseline to the end of the trial.

Intraoral electrostimulator for xerostomia relief: a long-term, multicenter, open-label, uncontrolled, clinical trial

OBJECTIVE A previous sham-controlled multinational study demonstrated the short-term efficacy and safety for xerostomia treatment of an intraoral device that delivers electrostimulation to the lingual nerve. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that those beneficial effects would be sustained over an 11-month period. STUDY DESIGN The device was tested on a mixed sample of 94 patients with xerostomia in an open-label, uncontrolled, prospective multicenter trial. Statutory outcome assessments were done at 5th, 8th, and 11th months and analyzed by multiple comparisons. RESULTS Improvements achieved at month 5 from baseline were sustained throughout the follow-up period for the primary outcome, xerostomia severity, and the secondary outcomes resting whole salivary flow rate, xerostomia frequency, oral discomfort, and difficulties in speech, swallowing, and sleeping. No significant side effects were detected. CONCLUSIONS The beneficial effects of a removable intraoral electrostimulating device were sustained for an 11-month period.

Orbital pain and headache secondary to overfilling of a root canal.

A 35-yr-old woman was referred to the Istanbul University, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral Surgery Department with complaints of orbital pain and headache. Panoramic radiographs showed overfilling of a maxillary premolar, which caused a perforation in the maxillary sinus floor. The etiology, clinical manifestations, and treatment of this complication are discussed with emphasis on early surgical intervention to decrease the risk of a superimposed aspergillosis infection.

iNOS Expression in Oral and Gastrointestinal Tract Mucosa

It is known that the overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) occurs during the progression of various inflammatory diseases in intestinal tract. NOS inhibitors or inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression inhibitors should be considered as potential anti-inflammatory agents, as NO synthesized by iNOS is related to various pathophysiological processes including inflammation. In order to understand the relationship between iNOS and pathological reactions such as the inflammatory process and malign transformation clearly, the existence and amount of constitutive expression should be determined. It is crucial to comprehend the harmful and protective amounts of iNOS expressions in order to clarify the relationship between iNOS and pathological processes. Evidently, only after this inspection is it possible to utilize iNOS as a marker and treatment instrument during the diagnosis and treatment of malign transformation and the inflammatory process.

Efficacy of hyaluronic acid spray on swelling, pain, and trismus after surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molars

The aim of this study was compare the efficacies of two oral sprays in reducing swelling, pain, and trismus after the extraction of impacted mandibular third molars. This prospective double-blind, randomized, crossover clinical trial included 34 patients with bilateral symmetrically impacted mandibular third molars of similar surgical difficulty. Hyaluronic acid or benzydamine hydrochloride spray was applied (two pumps) to the extraction area, three times daily for 7 days. Swelling was evaluated using a tape measure method, pain with a visual analogue scale (VAS), and trismus by measuring the maximum inter-incisal opening. Assessments were made on the day of surgery and on days 2 and 7 after surgery. Statistically significant differences were detected for the swelling and trismus values between the two treatment groups on the second postoperative day (P=0.002 and P=0.03, respectively). However, there was no statistically significant difference in VAS scores between the two groups. The administration of hyaluronic acid spray was more effective than benzydamine hydrochloride spray in reducing swelling and trismus. Although no evidence of a reduction in pain levels was detected, hyaluronic acid appears to offer a beneficial effect in the management of swelling and trismus during the immediate postoperative period following impacted third molar surgery.

Implant-Supported Oral Rehabilitation of a Patient with Pemphigus Vulgaris: A Clinical Report

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a rare mucocutaneous vesiculobullous disease characterized by the development of autoantibodies against the desmosomal proteins. Current treatment is largely based on systemic immunosuppression using systemic corticosteroids. Immunosuppressive drugs used in the treatment of the disease may increase the risk of infection and delayed healing, which are of concern in dental treatment procedures in this group of patients. The clinical outcomes of implants in PV have not been investigated. We present a case of PV rehabilitated with an implant-supported prosthesis with a 32-month follow-up and discuss the important points in the surgical and prosthodontic phases.

The evaluation of fibrin sealants and tissue adhesives in oral surgery among patients with bleeding disorders.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of two local hemostatic agents administered with apreoperative dose of replacement therapy in patients with bleeding disorders undergoing oral surgery. Material and Methods: The study included 21 patients that were randomly divided into 3 groups. Patients in Group1 (n = 7) received preoperative replacement therapy and postoperative fibrin sealant applied to the surgical site. Patientsin Group 2 (n = 7) received preoperative replacement therapy and postoperative tissue adhesive applied to the surgicalsite. Patients in Group 3 (n = 7) were given replacement therapy pre- and postoperatively. Results: Postoperative bleeding was not observed in 17 of the 21 patients, including 5 in Group 1 (71.42%), 6 in Group2 (85.71%), and 6 in Group 3 (85.71%). Hemorrhagic complications occurred in only 4 of the 21 patients. Conclusion: The use of fibrin sealant and tissue adhesive was beneficial, as they reduced the level of factor concentratesused for replacement therapy and resulted in rapid hemostasis at the surgical site, facilitating the ability to performserial surgical procedures concurrently.

Maxillofacial and Dental Manifestations in a Patient with Mandibulo-Acral Dysplasia

Abstract Mandibulo-acral dysplasia (MAD) is a rare condition characterized by mandibular hypoplasia, acroosteolysis, delayed cranial suture closure, hypoplastic clavicles, stiff joints, dental crowding, atrophy of the skin of the hands and feet, progeroid facial appearance, alopecia and short stature. This report presents a patient with MAD, suffering from difficulty in mastication and speech, together with limited lip closure and aesthetic problems related to the clinical outcomes of the syndrome. The aim of reporting this case is to detail the first widely determined dental and maxillofacial abnormalities of a rare syndrome, mandibulo-acral dysplasia, and to contribute to the data regarding the etiology of consanguinity.

Congenital Epulis of the Newborn: A Case Report

Background: Congenital epulis (CE) also known as congenital granuler cell tumor is a rarely encountered pathology the majority of which originates from the gingival mucosa, particularly the anterior portion of the maxillary alveolar ridge. CE mostly seen in girls. CE with unclear histogenesis and etiology is seen at birth as a solitary mass in oral cavity. Apart from non-congenital epulis, it contains granular cells. So lesion is named congenital granular cell tumor. CE has a benign histopathology and after surgery there is no recurrence reported in the literature. Aim: The purpose of this case report, is to present, 5 day-old female neonatal girl who was seen CE on the left maxillary alveolar ridge on the region of the future incisors. Case Presentation: The tumoral lesion was well-circumscribed and 10 mm in diameter, smooth surfaced and red in colour much like alveolar mucosal tissue. Tumoral lesion was affecting oral feeding due to obstruction. Excisional biopsy was performed under topical anesthesia. The histopathology was reported as congenital epulis. During the 4 months follow-up, we have seen no complication. Conclusion: CE is a neonatal congenital tumor which is very rare. The treatment of CE is surgical excision. Unless the early treatment is not executed, tumor may cause difficulties in oral feeding and respiration. Therefore it should be excised in an early period.

Relationship between salivary calprotectin levels and recurrent aphthous stomatitis: A preliminary study

Aim: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is an inflammatory condition of the oral mucosa. The etiology of RAS remains unclear. Calprotectin is a major cytoplasmic protein contained in granulocytes, monocytes/macrophages and epithelial cells, and its level is increased body fluids in some inflammatory diseases. The aim is to determine the relationship between salivary calprotectin and RAS. Material and Methods: In the cross-sectional study, 67 patients with active lesions of RAS (F/M: 43/24, mean age: 30.27 ± 9.14 years) and 42 healthy controls (HC, F/M: 30/12, 30.54 ± 9.49 years) were included. Calprotectin levels were evaluated in unstimulated whole saliva samples by using the ELISA method in both groups. Results: Salivary calprotectin levels were significantly higher in RAS group (23.72 ± 4.28 mg/L) compared to the HC group (21.59 ± 4.27 mg/L) (P = 0.013). No significant relationship was found between calprotectin levels and age or gender in both groups (P >0.05). Conclusion: RAS is a very common inflammatory ulcerative condition of the oral cavity and its etiology is uncertain. Regarded as an inflammatory mechanism, releasing a high level of calprotectin in saliva has been suggested that it may play a role in pathogenesis of RAS.