Mustafa Göregen

The prevalence and risk factors associated with benign migratory glossitis lesions in 7619 Turkish dental outpatients

OBJECTIVEnThe aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of benign migratory glossitis (BMG) in a Turkish population with respect to gender, age, smoking, atopic and allergic diseases, dermatological diseases (psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis), systemic diseases, and fissured tongue (FT).nnnPATIENTS AND METHODSnThe study was conducted on 7619 patients (3819 female, 3800 male) with various dental complaints, ranging in age from 4 to 60 years, recruited from the Department of Oral Diagnosis and Oral Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey.nnnRESULTSnBMG was found in 1.5% (95% CI: 0.9-1.9) of all patients examined. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that age less than 30 (OR: 6.7 [95% CI: 2.9-15.5]), not smoking (6.3 [2.8-14.1]), and history of allergy or atopy (6.5 [3.3-12.5]) were significantly related to BMG. Of the patients with BMG, 34.5% (n = 40) had FT. No significant associations existed with gender, dermatological conditions (psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis), or systemic diseases (diabetes mellitus, hematological disorders, cardiovascular disorders, hepatitis, gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory disorders, connective tissue disorders, and genitourinary disturbances).nnnCONCLUSIONnThe present study demonstrated that BMG is more prevalent in young, nonsmokers, and atopic or allergic individuals.

Comparison of diode laser and Er:YAG lasers in the treatment of ankyloglossia.

OBJECTIVESnThe purpose of this study was to compare the tolerance of lingual frenectomy with regard to a local anesthesia requirement and comparison of postsurgical discomfort experienced by patients operated on with both diode and erbium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Er:YAG) lasers.nnnBACKGROUNDnAnkyloglossia, commonly known as tongue-tie, is a congenital oral anomaly characterized by a short lingual frenulum. A short lingual frenulum may contribute to feeding, speech, and mechanical tongue problems.nnnMETHODSnSixteen referred patients with tongue mobility complaints were included in this study. A GaAlAs laser device with a continuous wavelength of 808 nm was used in the diode group. Frenulums were incised by applying 2 W of laser power. The Er:YAG laser device with a continuous wavelength of 2940 nm was used in the Er:YAG group. Frenulums were incised by applying 1 W of laser power. The acceptability of the lingual frenectomy without local anesthesia and the degree of the postsurgical discomfort were evaluated.nnnRESULTSnAlthough the majority of patients (six) could be operated on without local anesthesia in the Er:YAG group, all patients could not be operated on without local anesthetic agent in the diode group. There were no differences between the two groups with regard to pain, chewing, and speaking on the first or seventh day after surgery, whereas patients had more pain in the Er:YAG group than in the diode group the first 3 h after surgery.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe results indicate that only the Er:YAG laser can be used for lingual frenectomy without local anesthesia, and there was no difference between the two groups regarding the degree of the postsurgical discomfort except in the first 3 h. In conclusion, these results indicate that the Er:YAG laser is more advantageous than the diode laser in minor soft-tissue surgery because it can be performed without local anesthesia and with only topical anesthesia.

Predisposition of allergy in patients with benign migratory glossitis

OBJECTIVEnThe purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of allergy in patients with benign migratory glossitis (BMG) using patch and prick tests.nnnPATIENTS AND METHODSnEighty patients (40 BMG and 40 healthy controls) received patch and prick tests. If at least one test result was positive, patients were considered to be allergic.nnnRESULTSnThe prick test was positive in 10 patients (25.0%) of the study group and in 4 patients (10.0%) of the control group. The patch test was positive in 12 patients (30.0%) of the study group and in 6 patients (15.0%) of the control group. When results of both tests were evaluated together, the study group showed a positive rate of 47.5% (n = 19), whereas the control group showed a positive rate of 22.5% (n = 9) (P = .02).nnnCONCLUSIONnOur results revealed that a combination of prick and patch tests can significantly enhance the diagnostic accuracy of predisposition of allergy in patients with BMG.

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in the best interest of the patient and his or her oral health. Recently, a study highlighting the fact that implants require significantly more follow-up treatment or surgical intervention than root canal–treated teeth has garnered a great deal of media attention by consumer outlets such as WebMD and the Los Angeles Times, as well as dental professional publications, further illustrating the interest of patients and dentists in hearing both sides of the implant debate. The AAE has taken an active role in sharing new research with consumers and dental professionals through its public awareness campaigns and is currently developing a number of resources that will make it easier for endodontists to reach out to their colleagues in dentistry with the latest data. Endodontists have always been dedicated to promoting the highest standards of patient care, and have eagerly encouraged the multidisciplinary approach to treatment planning that has been the hallmark of the dental profession for so many years. However, all of us must be open to evaluating all of the available scientific evidence on both sides, and determining together the appropriate course of action for each patient. There is no doubt that implants meet the needs of many, particularly those who have lost a natural tooth. However, I must agree with Dr. Spångberg in stating that for the vast majority of cases, endodontic treatment is the most reliable choice for restoring a compromised tooth.