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Background: Pericoronitis, an inflammation near wisdom teeth, often occurs when they are partially emerged, especially in the lower jaw. Commonly, the gingiva partially envelops the tooth. Treatments vary from gingival surgery to extraction. This study assessed the efficacy of a mouthwash with Chlorhexidine, Benzydamine, Nanosilver, Amoxicillin, and Metronidazole for pain reduction and enhancement of maximum mouth opening in acute pericoronitis cases., Materials and Methods: In this randomized controlled clinical trial conducted at the Gorgan Dental Faculty, 48 pericoronitis patients were randomized into two groups. The control group used a 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthwash, while the case group used a mouthwash containing Chlorhexidine, Benzydamine, Nanosilver, Amoxicillin, and Metronidazole. The study recorded Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores for 7 days, and Maximum mouth opening (MMO) was measured at the start and after 7 days. The analysis was performed using SPSS v20., Results: In this study, we compared the effects of a combined mouthwash with those of a chlorhexidine mouthwash on pericoronitis in 48 patients, with an average age of 21.56 years. No significant difference in pain reduction was observed between the groups; however, both groups exhibited decreased pain and improved MMO post-treatment. The gender distribution was balanced across both groups., Conclusion: The results indicate that both chlorhexidine mouthwash and combined mouthwash significantly improved maximum mouth opening. Nonetheless, there were no notable differences in efficacy between the two groups. These findings suggest that these mouthwashes may be beneficial for oral hygiene, warranting further in-depth research., Trial Registration: Registered on 12/03/2023, registration number IRCT20230104057046N1., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Purpose: The factors related to pericoronitis severity are unclear, and this study aimed to address this knowledge gap., Materials and Methods: In total, 113 patients with pericoronitis were included, and their demographic, clinical, and radiographic characteristics were recorded. The Patient-Clinician Pericoronitis Classification was used to score and categorize the severity of pericoronitis. Statistical analysis was conducted to examine the participants' characteristics, validity of the Patient-Clinician Pericoronitis Classification, and risk factors associated with the severity of pericoronitis., Results: The demographic, clinical, and radiographic characteristics of males and females were similar, except for Winter's classification, pain, and intraoral swelling. The constructive validity of the Patient-Clinician Pericoronitis Classification was confirmed with three latent factors, including infection level, patient discomfort, and social interference. Ordinal logistic multivariate regression analysis revealed that upper respiratory tract infection was the sole risk factor associated with pericoronitis severity in males (odds ratio = 4.838). In females, pericoronitis on the right side (odds ratio = 2.486), distal radiolucency (odds ratio = 5.203), and menstruation (odds ratio = 3.416) were significant risk factors., Conclusion: This study demonstrated the constructive validity of the Patient-Clinician Pericoronitis Classification. Among females, pericoronitis in mandibular third molars on the right side with radiolucency in menstruating individuals was more severe. In males, upper respiratory tract infection was the sole risk factor associated with pericoronitis severity., Clinical Relevance: Individuals with risk factors should be aware of severe pericoronitis in the coming future., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Necrotising sialometaplasia (NS) is a rare condition, with a limited scientific evidence base regarding its aetiology and pathophysiology. Diagnosing NS demands extensive investigatory tests. Their accuracy is vital in order to exclude oral malignancy and prevent unwarranted, invasive management.Within Birmingham Dental Hospital, a 22-year-old, South Asian woman presented with generalised pain from the lower right third molar extending to involve the palate, to which the patient's general medical practitioner previously attributed to a viral upper respiratory infection. Clinical examination revealed bilateral erythematous: non-ulcerated, palatal swellings (10 mm x 5 mm) at the greater palatine foramina. Following extensive investigations, the challenging definitive diagnoses of two distinct pathologies were made: non-ulcerative NS and pericoronitis.This case report describes the successful diagnosis and management of non-ulcerating NS, an 'atypical' presentation of a rare condition, that was confounded by a simultaneous episode of pericoronitis - a presentation not previously documented within scientific literature., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of inflammatory states following impacted lower third molar (ILTM) surgery regarding postoperative bleeding and wound healing., Methods: The study included patients who underwent extraction of ILTMs associated with or without inflammatory conditions. Post-extraction bleeding and wound healing were assessed. In addition, mean grey values (MGVs) of alveolar bone and bone height using an orthopantomography radiograph were analyzed., Results: A total of 376 patients were enrolled; 171 pericoronitis, 51 pulpitis, 44 chronic periapical periodontitis, 36 chronic periodontitis, and 74 control. The bleeding score in the control group was significantly lower than in the periapical periodontitis and periodontitis groups. Excellent wound healing for control, pericoronitis, pulpitis, periapical periodontitis, and periodontitis groups was (78.38%, 35.67%, 70.59%, 70.45%, and 33.33%, respectively). Patients with pericoronitis and periodontitis had significantly poorer wound healing (P < 0.01). The MGV in periapical periodontitis and periodontitis was considerably lower than in the control group., Conclusions: The inflammatory conditions associated with ILTMs increase the risk of bleeding. So suturing with the placement of local hemostatic agents over a pressure pack alone is recommended. The poorest wound healing was in localized gingival inflammation. Furthermore, MGV was affected by age and was lower with periapical periodontitis., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Objective: The pathogenesis of medication-related osteonecrosis of jaw (MRONJ) is poorly understood. The aim of this prospective study was to determine the effect of chronic dental inflammation on the development of Stage 0 MRONJ based on histopathological findings., Methods: The study involved patients with a history of bisphosphonate use and an indication for tooth extraction. Before surgery, C-terminal telopeptide test (CTX) values were collected from all patients. All tooth extractions were performed according to a determined protocol. To detect whether any medication-related osteonecrotic changes were present in the non-exposed bone, biopsy samples were taken from the alveolar bone., Results: A total of 50 patients were included in the study (39 women and 11 men). The patients were mean age of 57.4 ± 12.1 years. In total, 74 teeth were extracted (29 maxillary and 45 mandibular). Histologic examination of three patients (6%) revealed Stage 0 MRONJ. Postoperatively, the complete mucosal healing success rate was 96%. MRONJ risk was not significantly correlated with low CTX value (p = 0.285)., Conclusions: Chronic inflammation may contribute to Stage 0 MRONJ; however, its role may not be sufficient alone for its development. Application of a predetermined protocol for dentoalveolar processes will help to prevent MRONJ development., (Copyright © 2017 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: It is sometimes difficult to determine during the preoperative period whether patients have oral infections; these patients need treatment to prevent oral infection-related complications from arising during medical therapies, such as cancer therapy and surgery. One of the reasons for this difficulty is that basic medical tests do not identify oral infections, including periodontitis and periapical periodontitis. In this report, we investigated the potential of positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (PET/CT) as a diagnostic tool in these patients., Study Design: We evaluated eight patients during the preoperative period. All patients underwent PET/CT scanning and were identified as having the signs of oral infection, as evidenced by (18)F-fludeoxyglucose (FDG) localization in the oral regions. Periodontal examination and orthopantomogram evaluation showed severe infection or bone resorption in the oral regions., Results: (18)F-FDG was localized in oral lesions, such as severe periodontitis, apical periodontitis, and pericoronitis of the third molar. The densities of (18)F-FDG were proportional to the degree of inflammation., Conclusions: PET/CT is a potential diagnostic tool for oral infections. It may be particularly useful in patients during preoperative staging, as they frequently undergo scanning at this time, and those identified as having oral infections at this time require treatment before cancer therapy or surgery., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To analyze the effect of the eruption status of the mandibular third molar (MTM) on distal caries in the mandibular second molar (MSM) by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)., Materials and Methods: Five hundred CBCT images of MTMs from 469 patients were evaluated. Presence of distal caries in MSMs, impaction depths and angulations of MTMs, cementoenamel junction (CEJ) distances between distal MSMs and mesial MTMs, presence of pericoronitis in MTMs, and patient characteristics (age and gender) were assessed. Data were analyzed by χ(2) test, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, and Spearman correlation analysis. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were computed and the P value was set at .05., Results: The overall prevalence of distal caries in the MSM was 52.0%. According to the classification of Pell and Gregory, position A was the impaction depth at which most distal caries in MSMs were present (P = .036). For angulation of the MTM, when mesial angulations were 43° to 73°, MSMs developed more distal caries (P < .0001). For the CEJ distance between the distal MSM and the mesial MTM, when distances ranged from 6 to 15 mm, distal caries in MSMs occurred more frequently (6 to 8 mm, P < .0001; 8 to 15 mm, P = .037). Furthermore, there was a linear correlation between angulation of the MTM and the CEJ distance between the distal MSM and the mesial MTM (P < .0001)., Conclusions: Impaction depth and angulation of the MTM are associated with distal caries in the MSM. Angulation of the MTM is more stable and reliable than the CEJ distance between the distal MSM and the mesial MTM for the estimation of risk factors related to the MTM., (Copyright © 2016 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Pain is considered a key symptom associated with possible impairment of oral-health-related quality of life and its assessment is important for the planning and evaluation of preventive and treatment effort. The tools for assessing pain must therefore be valid and consistent. The objective of this study was to assess dental patients' level of pain based on the clinical diagnosis of their dental condition and the correlation between two pain assessment scales, Visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Full Cup Test (FCT), for the assessment of pain among dental patients., Methods: A total of 185 patients presenting at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital dental outpatient clinics with various forms of orofacial pain were included in this study. The mean VAS scores and mean FCT scores for the different dental conditions were compared. Agreement between VAS and FCT was evaluated using the Intra-class correlation (ICC) coefficients and Cronbach alpha coefficient was also calculated to assess consistency of the two pain scales., Results: Majority i.e. 95.1, 96.2 and 100% who presented with acute pulpitis, acute apical periodontitis and pericoronitis respectively, presented with moderate to severe pain levels (p < 0.05). Only 25.9 and 4% who presented with chronic marginal gingivitis and chronic pulpitis respectively presented with no pain (p < 0.05). A large proportion (75%) of patients with no pain had single diagnosis while more than half (52.1%) of those who presented with severe pain had multiple diagnoses (p = 0.025). The mean VAS and FCT scores for acute pain were 6.1 ± 2.1 and 5.9 ± 2.4 respectively and for chronic pain 3.9 ± 2.7 and 3.7 ± 2.7 respectively (P = 0.001). The interclass correlation coefficient revealed that the mean VAS and FCT scores were statistically correlated and reliable with a Cronbach alpha coefficient of 0.85., Conclusion: It can be concluded that patients who presented with either acute or chronic dental conditions may experience moderate to severe level of pain, with patients with multiple diagnoses experiencing more severe pain, and there is a correlation between the VAS and FCT for pain assessment among dental patients.

In this study, we report a very unusual case of a patient with osteomyelitis of the condyle secondary to pericoronitis of an impacted third molar. The patient was treated by removal of the impacted third molar, opening of the drainage, combined with systemic application of antibiotics for two weeks. This treatment option did not lead to any functional defects or facial asymmetry. The patient fully recovered and the disease did not recur., (© 2014 Australian Dental Association.)

When a patient complains of orofacial pain, health care providers must make a correct diagnosis. Doing this can be difficult, since various signs and symptoms may not be specific for 1 particular problem or disorder. One initially should formulate a broad differential diagnosis that can be narrowed after analysis of the history and examination. In this article, orofacial pain is categorized as being caused by: intracranial pain, headaches, neuropathic pain, intraoral pain, temporomandibular disorder, cervical pain, pain related to anatomically associated structures, referred pain, or mental illness., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We compared the buccal infiltration of 4% articaine with 1 : 100,000 or 1 : 200,000 epinephrine without a palatal injection for the extraction of impacted maxillary third molars with chronic pericoronitis. This prospective, double-blind, controlled clinical trial involved 30 patients between the ages of 15 and 46 years who desired extraction of a partially impacted upper third molar with pericoronitis. Group 1 (15 patients) received 4% articaine with 1 : 100,000 epinephrine and group 2 (15 patients) received 4% articaine with 1 : 200,000 epinephrine by buccal infiltration. None of the patients in group 1 reported pain, but 3 patients in group 2 reported pain, which indicated a need for a supplementary palatal injection. The palatal injections were all successful in eliminating the pain. Two additional patients in group 2 experienced pain when the suture needle penetrated their palatal mucosa. Based on these results, 4% articaine with 1 : 100,000 epinephrine was found to be more effective for the removal of upper third molars in the presence of pericoronitis than 4% articaine hydrochloride with 1 : 200,000 epinephrine when only a buccal infiltration was used.

Purpose: Estimating the difficulty of removing third molars is a common dilemma. However, the estimation of the difficulty associated with maxillary third molar surgery has not yet been defined. The aim of the present study was to determine the degree of difficulty and identify predictor variables associated with the occurrence of difficulty in the removal of impacted maxillary third molars., Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study was carried out involving patients who underwent at least 1 surgical removal of an impacted maxillary third molar at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, University of Pernambuco (Pernambuco, Brazil). Predictor variables indicative of surgical difficulty were classified by their demographic, clinical, and radiographic aspects. Degree of surgical difficulty was categorized as low, moderate, or high based on the surgical technique used. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were computed., Results: In total, 106 patients fulfilled the eligibility criteria and 204 surgeries were performed. Patients' mean age was 22.8 ± 2.2 years and the proportion of women to men was 3:1. Approximately 20% of patients were overweight. Surgical difficulty was generally low and 5 variables were significantly associated with the occurrence of a high degree of surgical difficulty., Conclusion: Surgical difficulty during the removal of impacted maxillary third molars is generally low. However, for cases with a high degree of difficulty, identification of predictor variables may be useful for students and inexperienced clinicians to consider the decision not to execute the procedure, thus avoiding complications that often require complex management., (Copyright © 2013 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to adjust a multivariate model to explain each of the response variables for the occurrence of surgical difficulty during the removal of impacted lower third molars., Patients and Methods: A prospective cohort study was carried out involving patients submitted to at least one surgical removal of an impacted lower third molar. A total of 285 patients fulfilled the eligibility criteria and 473 surgeries were performed. Preoperative variables indicative of surgical difficulty were recorded. All surgical procedures were performed under the same conditions by two surgeons who were unaware of the data collected in the pre-selection phase. Either Pearson's chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used for the data analysis (P<5.0%)., Results: Root number (P((1)) < 0.004*) and morphology (P((1)) < 0.031*), tooth position (P((1)) = 0.001*), periodontal space (P((2)) < 0.004*) and second molar relation (P((1)) = 0.001*) were significant predictors of surgical difficulty, whereas patient age (P((1)) = 0.097), gender (P((1)) = 0.470), body mass index (P((1)) = 0.719), associated pathologies (P((1)) = 0.237), relation with mandibular canal (P((1)) = 0.384) and width of 3rd molar crown (P((1)) = 0.154) were not significant predictors., Conclusion: Many factors contribute to surgical difficulty, but considering these factors individually, some are only determinants of either difficulty or complications. Thus, not all significant predictors of surgical difficulty should be considered indicators of complications., (Copyright © 2011 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To assess the relationship between visible third molars and the periodontal status of teeth more anterior in the mouth from reports that included periodontal probing data for all teeth., Materials and Methods: Each of 4 reports that included periodontal probing data, 6 probing sites for all teeth, including third molars collected by trained, clinician examiners, were briefly summarized. The design, strengths, and weaknesses of each of the 4 studies were compared and summarized. A Forest plot was used to combine the findings from the 4 studies comparing the mean second molar probing depth differences in mm by the presence of at least 1 visible third molar or no visible third molar., Results: A review of the data from 4 reports, 1 from middle-age adults and 3 from young adults, suggested an association between the visible presence of a third molar and increased periodontal probing depths on teeth more anterior in the mouth, predominately the first and second molars. Coupled with the probing depth around the third molars, the result was an expanded surface area at the biofilm-gingival interface., Conclusions: Although all those with retained third molars are not at increased risk, the summary data we have reported suggest that those with a visible third molar are more likely to have greater periodontal probing depths overall, particularly on second molars, and a greater surface area of the biofilm-gingival interface compared with those with no visible third molar., (Copyright © 2011 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To assess the prevalence of periodontal inflammatory disease on the distal side of second molars after third molar removal and the association between presurgical and surgical variables and postsurgical periodontal outcomes., Patients and Methods: Data before and after surgery from 2 studies approved by an institutional review board were used. In 1 study, 26 subjects had 4 asymptomatic third molars and in the other 49 subjects had at least 1 mandibular third molar with symptoms of pericoronitis. Full-mouth periodontal probing data, 6 sites per tooth, were obtained as a measurement of periodontal status before and after surgery. A probing depth (PD) ≥4 mm on either of the 2 possible probing sites on the distal side of any second molar (D2M) served as an indicator of periodontal inflammatory disease; periodontal health was defined as all D2M PD <4 mm. Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel row mean score tests compared the subjects' postsurgical periodontal status (all D2M PD <4 mm and at least 1 D2M PD ≥4 mm) with respect to age and time intervals, and the Fisher exact test was used to compare ethnicity, gender, and clinical data at surgery. The McNemar test was used to assess the discordance between subjects' pre- and postsurgical periodontal status. The level of significance was set at .05., Results: Of the 75 subjects, 52% were women and 65% were white. The median age at surgery was 23.6 years (interquartile range, 20.9 to 26.6 years). At enrollment, 53 of 75 subjects (71%) had at least 1 D2M PD ≥4 mm. Subjects were significantly more likely to have an improved D2M periodontal status after surgery than a deteriorated status (P < .01). Fewer subjects, 17 of 75 (24%), had at least 1 D2M PD ≥4 mm after surgery. D2M PD ≥4 mm was more likely after surgery if presurgical D2M was PD ≥4 mm (P < .01). Gender, ethnicity, age, presurgical symptoms, and data estimating the extensiveness of surgery were not significantly associated with postsurgical D2M periodontal outcomes., Conclusions: After third molar removal, periodontal inflammatory disease on the distal of D2Ms was detected significantly less often. None of the variables examined except for presurgical presence of D2M PD ≥4 mm were significantly associated with postsurgical D2M periodontal inflammatory disease., (Copyright © 2010 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aims: To assess the validity of modified DePaQ items in correctly classifying dental pain patients into three groups of common dental conditions when compared against clinically-determined classification; generate a model of classification equations from a sub-population of the sample; and assess the validity of the model in predicting group membership of new dental pain cases., Methods: Consecutive adult hospital dental patients aged 18 years and older attending with a dental pain complaint were diagnosed by a dentist. Before treatment commenced a self-complete questionnaire was completed. The examining dentist was blinded to the questionnaire responses. The sample was randomly split into two groups (RS1 and RS2). Discriminant analysis was carried out on RS1 to develop a model for classifying new dental pain cases into three groups. This model was used to classify dental pain cases in RS2., Results: Of the 311 questionnaires distributed, 306 (98.4%) were returned. Of the 205 Group 1 cases diagnosed clinically 186 (90.7%) were correctly predicted as belonging to that group by M-DePaQ. For 54 clinically diagnosed Group 2 cases 44 (81.5%) were correctly predicted, and for 32 Group 3 cases, 26 (81.3%) were correctly predicted. The model of classification equations derived from RS1 were capable of correctly classifying 85%, 82% and 79% of clinically-derived classification for Group 1, 2 and 3 respectively., Conclusions: This study has demonstrated that the M-DePaQ is valid in classifying dental pain patients into three groups of common dental conditions. Classification equations generated from a sub-group of the sample provided a valid statistical model for classifying dental pain cases from the same setting.

Unlabelled: Impacted third molars are a common reason for referral to the hospital dental service. Third molar impaction can be complicated by infection. We present two cases of osteomyelitis of the mandible developing secondary to pericoronitis of partially erupted lower third molars. One of the cases reported was recently diagnosed and treated while the other was diagnosed and treated 20 years ago. The most commonly reported pathology associated with impacted lower third molars is pericoronitis. Osteomyelitis of the mandible secondary to pericoronitis is rare., Clinical Relevance: It is helpful if dental practitioners are able to distinguish between the cases of pericoronitis that need emergency referral to hospital and the cases that can be managed in practice and referred to an outpatient clinic.

The literature pertaining to the extraction of third molars is extensive. There is a large individual variation and a multitude of practitioners' beliefs and biases relating to the extraction of especially asymptomatic and pathology free third molars. With the current emphasis in dentistry being placed on clinicians to make evidence-based decisions, the routine removal of third molars has been re-assessed and questioned. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate past and present knowledge of third molar extractions and relate it to logical considerations relevant to science and the evidence-based decision-making process. This paper endeavours to encourage and stimulate clinicians to re-evaluate their views on third molar extractions based on suggested guidelines and current evidence.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the bacteriological response in alveolitis in rats treated with the homeopathic medicine Merc solubilis (Merc sol.) 12 cH., Methods: The study was randomized and observer blind. The animals were anesthetized and the upper right incisor extracted resulting in alveolitis. Animals were randomly assigned to groups (n=18/group): Water control, Alcohol control and Merc sol. 12 cH. These groups were subsequently divided into 3 subgroups (n=6/subgroup): Early Euthanasia (EE), Mid Euthanasia (ME) and Late Euthanasia (LE), killed at the 6th, 15th and 21st days respectively. The perialveolar microbiota was collected by swab in Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) for seeding and bacterioscopy. After seeding, the Petri dishes were incubated at 37 degrees C for 48 h., Results: Quantitative and qualitative changes were observed in the perialveolar microbiota when the groups were compared. Water control and Alcohol control had the highest counts of pathogenic bacteria, the microbiotica of the Merc sol. group remained closer to normal., Conclusions: Merc sol. 12 cH did not reduce bacterial growth, but the microbiotica remained within the parameters of normality, obtaining the best results at 21 days after treatment.

Odontodysplasia of the third molars is a relatively common anomaly. The frequent complications associated with this disorder very often constitute an indication for extraction of the third molar. This surgical treatment can damage the lower alveolar nerve and/or trigger distal bone loss of the second molar, thus jeopardizing the future status of the periodontium. The author presents two case studies treated exclusively with miniscrews with no dental anchorage in order to achieve partial eruption of the third molar moving it away from the lower alveolar nerve and to avoid unwanted impact on other teeth. Following this procedure, the third molar was extracted without complications. In conclusion, this approach can offer an alternative to surgical treatment alone in cases where the proximity of tooth and nerve poses a significant risk.

To minimize the risk of intraoperative complications, a comprehensive radiological diagnostic work-up should be a routine procedure in oral surgery. This is especially true concerning possible damage to the inferior alveolar nerve during surgical removal of the third molars. The course and location of the nerve are best assessed when evaluating panoramic view images or cone beam CTs. The following case report demonstrates and discusses the importance of a thorough radiological evaluation before surgery, the problems raised by an interradicular course of the inferior alveolar nerve, and the finding of a monostotic fibrous dyplasia in the same patient.

Purpose: To compare the prevalence and severity of periodontal inflammatory disease in subjects with pericoronitis involving a mandibular third molar and those without pericoronitis., Patients and Methods: Data obtained from healthy adults consecutively enrolled in an institutional review board-approved trial with pericoronitis affecting at least 1 mandibular third molar (study group) were compared with data obtained during the same time frame from subjects without pericoronitis enrolled in a longitudinal third molar monitoring study (comparison group). The periodontal status of each subject was classified based on periodontal probing depths (PD): all PD <4 mm, no disease; 1 to 3 PD >or=4 mm, incipient disease; at least 4 PD >or=4 mm, early disease. Full mouth periodontal probing data were obtained as clinical measures of periodontal status. Data were aggregated to the subject level for the third molar region, the 6 third molar probing sites and the 2 second molar distal probing sites, the non-third molar region, and all remaining probing sites. The prevalence of disease in the study and comparison groups were compared with the Fisher's exact test. As an indicator of disease severity, the number of PD >or=4 mm in the 2 groups were compared by the Kruskal-Wallis test. Level of significance was set at P values less than .05., Results: Median age of the 56 subjects with pericoronitis was 23.3 years (IQR 21.3-26.0 years). Fifty-five percent were Caucasian, 16% African American, and 22% Asian. Males and females were almost equally represented in the study group and in the comparison group. The 194 subjects enrolled without pericoronitis were significantly older (32.8 years; IQR 27.2-40.0 years; P < .001). Eighty-four percent were Caucasian, 10% African American, and 4% Asian. The proportion of subjects with periodontal inflammatory disease in the third molar region was significantly different between the study and comparison groups. Thirty-one percent of the subjects with pericoronitis had incipient and 55% early disease in the third molar region compared with 25% with incipient and 38% with early disease among subjects without pericoronitis (P = .003). The pattern was similar, but the proportion of subjects was not significantly different between the groups for the non-third molar region. In the study group, 32% had incipient disease and 32% early disease compared with 27% with incipient disease and 22% with early disease in the comparison group (P = .09). The median number of PD >or=4 mm for all teeth differed significantly for subjects with and without pericoronitis (median 5 [IQR 3-9] vs 3 [IQR 0-8], respectively; P = .03)., Conclusion: Pericoronitis involving mandibular third molars may reflect more underlying periodontal inflammatory disease in affected young adults than might be found in young adults with retained third molars and no pericoronitis.

The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) has been at the forefront of formal evidence-based dentistry with such projects as the Parameters of Care: Clinical Practice Guidelines for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the AAOMS Outcomes Assessment Program, the AAOMS Third Molar Clinical Trial, and the AAOMS "White Paper on Third Molar Data." This article reviews these evidence-based resources to provide a consensus of opinion for the management of the third molar.

Objective: To compare the performance of a questionnaire-based assessment of dental pain delivered by non-dental prison nursing staff against a clinical examination performed by an experienced prison dentist (gold standard)., Setting: The research fieldwork took place in the healthcare department at HMP Brixton located in South London., Methods: The cohort were those who had complained of dental/facial pain to the prison authorities and were therefore placed on the waiting list for emergency dental care. Subjects were asked to complete the screening test and were then clinically examined by trained and calibrated dentists. The screening test was in the form of a 12-item questionnaire designed to categorise a population reporting dental pain into one of three groups. The screening test results were compared with the diagnosis of a clinical examination., Results: Ninety-six subjects were recruited during the 16-week study period. Of the 96 prisoners recruited, 27 of those failed to complete the screening test and/or the diagnostic examination even though they had reported pain previously. When sensitivity and specificity values were calculated for the 96 prisoners recruited, the sensitivity was fairly high (81%) and the specificity was poor (33%). However, when these values were calculated for the sub-population, those that completed both the screening test and diagnostic examination (n = 69), the sensitivity did not improve particularly (83%) but the specificity value fell substantially to 13%., Conclusions: This study highlighted the problems of conducting research in the prison environment, for example increased security preventing researchers from gaining access into the prison and general pressures on prison staff. Additionally, the study demonstrated that screening is not effective in local prisons with a high turnover of prisoners.

The oral microbiota is highly diverse consisting of more than 700 bacterial species. Notably, only half of these species can so far be cultivated. This may have an impact on how to interpret negative findings in blood cultures. The present paper gives an overview of the current knowledge on bacteraemia after common oral procedures such as tooth extraction, root scaling, periodontal probing, suture removal, orthodontic treatment, tooth restoration, non-surgical root canal treatment, chewing, tooth brushing, flossing, and use of tooth sticks. The possible relationship between periodontitis-related bacteraemia and cardiovascular diseases is also considered, as well as bacteraemia after oral procedures compared to procedures representing irritation or minor trauma to other mucosae. It may be that patients never seeing a dentist are more unfitted as blood donors than those recently having seen one.

Introduction: Temporal cellulitis complicated by temporomandibular osteoarthritis and mandibular osteomyelitis is rare with the availability of antibiotics and the prevention of dental infections., Case Report: A 56 year-old woman developed a jaw abscess during hospitalization in an intensive care unit following medical drug overdose. Repeatedly surgical drainage was performed guided by CT scans and multiple antibiotherapies. CT scan follow-up revealed temporomandibular arthritis with decrease of the joint space, synovitis, and subchondral cysts. Slow improvement was noted but limited mouth opening was persistent., Discussion: This case illustrates the insidious evolution of an uncommon infection. It requires both expert clinical evaluation and an early MRI or CT scan investigation to determine the extension of the infection. Treatment is urgent because of the prognosis and is achieved by surgical drainage and adequate long-term antibiotherapy.

Objective: Third molars have been described as different from other teeth in the oral cavity. They have the highest rate of developmental abnormalities and, most importantly, are last in the eruption sequence. We investigated reasons for third molar teeth extraction in patients attending the outpatient oral surgery clinic of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria., Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of patients who had third molar extractions between January 2001 and June 2006 was conducted. Data retrieved and analysed were: age and sex of patients, indication for extractions, type of teeth extracted, technique of extractions (surgical and non-surgical) and angulations of impaction in case of impacted lower third molars., Results: A total of 1763 patients (mean age +/-SD, 33.74+/- 13.3 years; range 15 - 92 years) had their third molars extracted during the period. Majority (58%) of them were females. Surgical extraction was carried out in 506 (28.7%) patients while 1257 (71.3%) patients had non-surgical extractions. Caries and its sequela (63.2%) was the major reason for teeth extraction followed by recurrent pericoronitis (26.3%) and periodontitis (9.2%). Only 11 (0.6%) cases were removed for prophylactic reason. Patients who had their teeth removed for caries were significantly younger than those for periodontitis (P=0.000) but older than those for pericoronitis (P=0.000)., Conclusions: Caries and periodontal diseases occurring in relatively older age group were the major reasons for non-surgical extraction of third molars while recurrent pericoronitis occurring in relatively younger age was the major reason for surgical extraction of impacted third molars. Prophylactic surgical extraction of third molars is not a common practice in our environment.

Purpose: In this study we investigated patients that were hospitalized due to third molar (M3) complications. Specifically we analyzed frequency, age distribution, and outcome with respect to the M3 clinical status., Patients and Methods: We set up a prospective cohort study and included 100 subjects admitted for management of acute M3-associated complications. The clinical status of the M3 was defined as 1) prophylactic M3 removal, 2) therapeutic (nonelective) M3 removal, or 3) M3 present at the time of admission. Outcome variables were clinical infection markers (C-reactive protein, leukocyte counts) and economic parameters (treatment costs, length of hospital stay, and days of disability). Nonparametric tests were used for comparison of subpopulations (surgical vs nonsurgical, prophylaxis-related vs nonprophylaxis-related)., Results: One third of the 100 patients were age 40 or older. Overall 80 severe infections, 11 mandibular fractures, 3 nerve injuries, 5 tooth/root luxations, and 1 postoperative hemorrhage were noticed. Twenty-seven complications resulted from prophylactic surgery, 44 from nonelective removal, and 29 from pericoronitis. Postoperatively, a 77-year-old male patient hospitalized with nonelective removal sustained fatal myocardial infarction. Treatment costs were 260,086 euro (mean 2,608 euro/case); total days of disability were 1,534. The postsurgical complications showed higher C-reactive protein values compared with pericoronitis-induced complications., Conclusions: Within the catchment area of our institution, the majority of complications requiring hospitalization resulted from diseased third molars or their removal. Side effects of observational strategies such as the shifting of complications to higher ages deserve future attention.

Objective: The present study sought to relate the clinical outcome of mandibular third molar impaction surgery to the orthopanoramic radiographically determined position of the affected teeth based on the classifications of Pell and Gregory, and Winter., Study Design: A retrospective study was made of 165 patients undergoing the surgical extraction of lower third molars at School of Dentistry of the University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. The positions of the 259 extracted third molars were documented according to the classifications of Pell and Gregory, and Winter, together with the type of mucosal and bony coverage involved. These tooth position parameters were radiologically assessed using Radio Memory software and were retrospectively correlated to the observed infectious, noninfectious, and neurological postsurgical outcomes., Results: A statistically significant relationship (P < .05) was recorded between the appearance of infectious complications and the position parameters "Pell and Gregory classification," "mucosal coverage," and "bony coverage." A statistically significant relationship (P < .05) was observed between the appearance of noninfectious problems and the parameter "Winter classification." Finally, a significant association (P < .05) was recorded between the position variables and the existence of unwanted neurological changes., Conclusions: The mandibular position of the impacted third molar may be able to be correlated to the development of complications resulting from impaction removal. Vertical third molars in positions IIA and IIB of the Pell and Gregory classification, with partial mucosal and bony coverage, are the most susceptible to undesired outcomes.

The aim of this study was to retrospectively review cases of cervical infection with descending mediastinitis, and to analyse the clinical character, diagnosis and treatment of this infection. Six patients were identified from December 1998 to June 2005. Their aetiology, associated systemic diseases, bacteriology, radiology, treatments and outcomes were reviewed. Four cases resulted from odontogenic infection, one from upper airway infection, and one had an unknown cause. Diffuse swelling in face and neck, chest distress, tachypnea, and fever were the main symptoms. Chest radiography showed a widening of the upper mediastinal shadow in four patients. Four patients underwent computed tomographic scanning that confirmed the diagnosis of descending mediastinitis, which suggests that routine use of this scan be highly recommended for early detection. Six different pathogens were identified through pus and blood culture. All patients underwent surgical drainage. Three patients received a tracheotomy. Of the six patients, four achieved good results, and there were two deaths. Early surgical drainage remains the main treatment for cervical infection with descending mediastinitis. Delayed diagnosis, inadequate drainage and multidrug-resistant bacterial infection were responsible for the deaths.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and type of a group of radiographically detectable pathologic conditions around impacted mandibular third molars in Jordanians., Patients and Methods: A retrospective study of patients referred to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery unit for surgical removal of impacted mandibular molars. The analysis outcome measures were the patients' age and gender, and any radiographic lesions associated with the impacted mandibular third molars. The following radiographic lesions were recorded in relation to the impacted third molar: caries, pericoronal radiolucent areas, and periapical radiolucent areas, in addition to odontomes, caries in the adjacent second molars, and external resorption of the roots of adjacent mandibular second molars. Bony radiolucent areas were all verified histopathologically., Results: Impacted mandibular third molars (N = 2,432) from 1,398 patients were examined; 46.4% of third molars showed associated radiographically detected lesions. The most common lesion seen on panoramic radiographs was dental caries. Others included pericoronal radiolucent and periapical radiolucent areas. The majority of periapical radiolucent areas were histologically proven to be chronic periapical inflammation. All pericoronal radiolucent areas were histologically found to be either cysts or tumors. The most common cyst was dentigerous cyst; the most common tumor was ameloblastoma., Conclusion: A high ratio of impacted mandibular third molars in this group of Jordanians had an associated pathologic lesion.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate a series of patients with severe odontogenic infections (OI)., Patients and Methods: In this study, 37 consecutive hospitalized patients with odontogenic infection were treated with intravenous penicillin (PCN) (unless allergic), and prompt incision and drainage. Standardized data collection included demographic, preadmission, time-related, preoperative, anatomic, treatment, microbiologic, and complications information. Appropriate descriptive statistics were computed., Results: The sample consisted of 37 subjects (38% female) with a mean age of 34.9 years. Three subjects (8%) had immunocompromising diseases. Caries was the most frequent dental disease (65%) and the lower third molar was the most frequently involved tooth (68%). Trismus and dysphagia were present on admission in over 70% of cases. The masticator, perimandibular (submandibular, submental, and/or sublingual), and peripharyngeal (lateral pharyngeal, retropharyngeal, and/or pretracheal) spaces were infected in 78%, 60%, and 43% of cases, respectively. Abscess was found in 76% of cases. PCN-resistant organisms were identified in 19% of all strains isolated and in 54% of patients with sensitivity data. PCN therapeutic failure occurred in 21% of cases and reoperation was required in 8%. Length of hospital stay was 5.1 +/- 3.0 days. No deaths occurred., Conclusions: This study indicated that PCN resistance, resulting in PCN therapeutic failure, was unacceptably high in this sample. Alternative antibiotics, such as clindamycin, should be considered in hospitalized patients with OI. Masticator space infection occurred much more frequently than previously reported. Trismus and dysphagia should be appreciated as significant indicators of severe OI.

Dysphagia, defined as a difficulty in swallowing of fluids and/or food, is one of the most frequent symptoms of oesophageal, gastrointestinal or ENT diseases. Interestingly, dysphagia can be also the initial or late symptom of several oral diseases: e.g. traumatic ulcerations, immunomediated or infectious lesions, malignant neoplastic disease or mucositis in chemio-radiotherapy. The presence of this frequent symptom, with or without oral evident lesions, can suggest the presence of oral or perioral diseases, promoving adequate diagnostic-therapeutic management. In this paper, authors describe aetiology, pathogenesis and clinical aspects of oral diseases, as being more frequently associated with dysphagia; moreover, they describe the most important clinical and epidemiological features of systemic diseases associated with dysphagia.

Patients who require dental emergency care for pain or trauma may not be able to see a dental practitioner for treatment. The patients often seek care in alternative medical facilities when the symptoms are too severe to be managed by over-the-counter medications. Nurses, physicians, and allied medical staff may be required to triage these patients and provide palliative treatment until the patient is able to seek definitive dental treatment. By using criteria to assess the etiology of the dental pain and implementing possible alternative treatments, these patients can receive palliative care until dental treatment becomes accessible. With the potential for development of resistant forms of microorganisms, the indiscriminate use of antibiotics for dental pain is to be avoided. Occasionally, dental patients presenting to medical settings exhibit symptoms and signs of dental-related problems that are potentially life threatening. Identification of signs of impending life-threatening complications is of paramount importance, since prompt treatment will significantly affect the prognosis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and bacteriology of bacteremia associated with various oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures., Methods: A total of 237 patients who underwent oral and maxillofacial surgery were included in this study. Blood samples were obtained for bacteriological examination immediately after the essential steps of the surgical procedure had been performed., Results: Bacteremia was detected in patients who underwent surgery for tumor, infection and trauma, and surgical reconstruction of jaw. In particular, decortication for osteomyelitis and tooth extraction resulted in a higher incidence of bacteremia compared with other surgical procedures. The incidence of bacteremia was not affected by oral hygiene, gingival inflammation, blood loss, and duration of surgery. Furthermore, concerning tooth extraction, there was no statistical difference in the incidence of bacteremia with respect to the number of teeth extracted and the method of extraction. Extraction of teeth with odontogenic infection (periodontitis, periapical infection, and pericoronitis) did however produce a significantly increased incidence of bacteremia compared with infection-free teeth (P < .01). Viridans streptococci were the predominant group of bacteria isolated from the bacteremias., Conclusion: Oral and maxillofacial surgery involving transoral incision produces bacteremia, regardless of the extent and degree of surgical invasion. In particular, surgical procedure at infected sites is more likely to result in bacteremia compared with infection-free sites.

We randomised 119 patients who had been referred for removal of partially impacted mandibular third molars to be given either metronidazole 1600 mg or placebo as a single dose 45 min before operation. Ten of the fifty-nine patients who were given metronidazole and 13 of the 60 given placebo developed dry sockets. Two variables were significantly associated with the development of a dry socket: pericoronitis and oral contraceptives.

Background: In view of the conflicting guidelines issued by national and international scientific societies, debate about the indications for prophylactic extraction of wisdom teeth is ongoing. This prospective study was therefore set up to explore the complications associated with wisdom teeth and requiring in-patient treatment., Patients and Methods: From January /2003 to December 2003, 21 subjects were admitted for treatment of complications associated with wisdom teeth. The medical history was recorded for each of these patients, as were the cause and type of the complications. The parameter used to quantify the severity of any infections was the CRP, and the overall clinical complexity level of each case was assessed by the length of stay in hospital (and the duration of intensive care if this had been necessary). The characteristics of patients in the group with postoperative complications were compared to those of patients with complications attributable to pericoronitis. Moreover, complications in patients who had undergone prophylactic extraction of wisdom teeth that had not been causing any symptoms were compared with those in patients whose wisdom teeth had been extracted because of morbidity., Results: Overall, 18 deep-space infections (15 abscesses, 2 inflammatory infiltrations, 1 case of phlegmonous cellulitis), 2 mandibular fractures and 1 lingual nerve injury were noted within 1 year. The complications resulted from surgical procedures in 15 of the 21 cases, while in 6 they had their origin in pericoronitis. Extensive surgery or intensive care was required only for patients with postoperative complications. The length of stay in hospital was significantly greater for patients with postoperative complications ( p= 0.007, U-test). However, 9 of these 15 patients reported preoperative episodes of infection. Thus, more than two thirds of the complications could be traced back to wisdom teeth that were causing symptoms., Conclusion: In our clinic's catchment area, infectious complications were more frequent and more severe and required more intensive and longer treatment in hospital than complications arising from pericoronitis. However, complications of prophylactic extraction of wisdom teeth were decidedly less frequent than direct or indirect complications of extraction of symptomatic teeth. Thus, our data tend to support the concept of elective extraction of wisdom teeth with the aim of preventing serious infections.

The extraoral sinus tract may occur as a result of an inflammatory process associated with a necrotic pulp. However, several non-odontogenic disorders may also produce an extraoral sinus tract. Thus, the differential diagnosis of this clinical finding is of paramount importance in providing appropriate clinical care because misdiagnosis of this condition may result in healing failure or unnecessary treatment. This case report of a 19-yr-old male patient describes an extraoral cutaneous sinus tract misdiagnosed as an endodontic lesion. Consequently, the patient underwent unnecessary exploratory procedures and antibiotic therapy. Identification of the inflammatory source of the lesion and removal of the affected tissue led to tissue healing.

Alveolar osteitis (AO), commonly referred to as dry socket, is by far the most common complication following dental extraction. It represents a breakdown of healing after clot formation but before wound organization. This paper will review the literature associated with the etiology of AO, the risk factors which contribute to AO, and treatment regimens for AO once it is diagnosed. It will conclude with a summary of the current measures that hold the highest promise for the prevention of AO.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate and analyze the angulation of and the various indications for removal of mandibular third molars in Jordanians as a representative Arab sample., Method and Materials: The data included in this retrospective study were obtained from the clinical and radiographic records of 1,282 patients undergoing mandibular third molar surgery during a 5-year period from 1994 to 1999. The indications for removal of the mandibular third molars were classified in accordance with age and gender. The angular position of mandibular third molars was registered., Results: A total of 2,252 mandibular third molars were removed from 740 male patients (57.7%) and 542 female patients (42.3%) aged 14 to 67 years. Pericoronitis was the most common indication for surgery, affecting 1,055 teeth (46.8%). Caries was observed in 519 third molars (23.0%). The vertical angular position was most commonly found (1,383 teeth; 61.4%) followed by the mesioangular position (407 teeth; 18.1%)., Conclusion: The results obtained in this study are similar to those reported in earlier studies carried out elsewhere, although the incidence of periodontitis among Jordanians was significantly higher and occurred in older patients, and prophylactic removal was performed less frequently than has been reported in other countries.

We present the clinical, radiographic and histological findings of 15 paradental cysts. These were the second most common type of cyst associated with mandibular third molars, comprising 25% of all lesions at this site. Ten patients were aged 30 years or younger and 13 gave a history of pericoronitis. There was a close relationship between the site of the cyst and the angle of the impacted tooth; the cyst lay mesially to two mesioangularly impacted teeth, buccal to two vertically impacted teeth and distal/distobuccal to the remainder, all but one of which were distoangular in impaction. The pericoronal follicular space was preserved in nine cases, a useful diagnostic sign. Most cysts were lined with epithelium that resembled that seen in radicular cysts, although the lining of three cysts resembled that of unicystic ameloblastoma, a potential diagnostic pitfall. We propose that the relation between location of cyst and angle of impaction points to a role for food impaction in the pathogenesis of paradental cysts.