Estomatología

Focal fibrous hyperplasia (FFH) is a pathology characterized by tissue enlargement as a result of increasing the number of inflammatory cells which receive chronic mechanical stimuli of low intensity that may affect gums, lip, palate, jugal mucosa and tongue. The aim of this article is to report a case of FFH on the lateral border on both sides of the tongue associated with the use of the Hyrax appliance in a hebiatric patient, whose chief complaint was chewing discomfort. This case was successfully treated by surgical excision as well as the removal of Hyrax appliances. Follow-up care provided the recovery of the patient's quality of life. 

Immunohistochemistry have had a huge impact on oral and maxillofacial pathology diagnosis. As a method it determines distribution and amount of certain cellular molecules via specific antigen-antibody reaction. Whereas in most cases a definitive diagnosis is achieved based on detailed hematoxylin and eosin cytomorphological analysis, along with clinical and radiological features, some challenging and equivocal neoplasms need to be further assessed with immunohistochemistry. This article reviews immunohistochemistry technique fundamentals and its role and relevance in the diagnosis of common oral and maxillofacial lesions encountered in  daily practice.

Aim: The aim of this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot clinical trial is to evaluate the capacity of a mouthwash to reduce SARS-CoV-2 viral load in the saliva of patients with COVID-19. Methods: Twenty-three symptomatic SARS-CoV-2-positive outpatients were selected and randomised into two groups  and registered at NTC 04563689. Both groups rinsed and gargled for one minute with either distilled water (Placebo) or with 0.05% Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) plus 0.12% Chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthwash (PERIOAID Intensive CareÒ). Saliva samples were collected before the use of placebo or mouthwash and after 15 minutes and 1 and 2 hours of either of the above treatment. A saliva sample was also taken five days after regular use of placebo or mouthwash twice daily. The virus was detected by qRT-PCR. Results: A great heterogeneity in the viral load values was observed at baseline in both groups for nasopharyngeal and saliva samples. Most of the patients who used the mouthwash (8/12) had a significant decrease in baseline viral load after 15 min (greater than 99% reduction). This inhibitory effect was maintained for up to two hours in 10 of the 12 patients. At five days, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in only 1 patient from the mouthwash group and in 5 from the placebo group. Conclusions: This study points out that a CPC mouthwash can reduce the viral load in saliva of COVID-positive patients. This finding may be important in transmission control of SARS-CoV-2. Nevertheless, the clinical relevance of CPC mouthwash-reduction on SARS-CoV-2 shedding in saliva requires further study

BACKGROUND: Life expectancy has considerably increased resulting in population aging. Studies evaluating the outcomes of aging in oral health are scarce. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate retrospectively the profile of elderly patients from a public Oral Medicine Center during a period of 20 years. METHODS: A qualitative and quantitative retrospective observational study was conducted analyzing medical records from an oral medicine service from January 1994 to December 2014. Results were reported as mean ± standard deviation for quantitative variables and percentages for categorical variables. The Chi-square test and multivariate binary logistic regression were performed when necessary to a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: 2,690 medical records were retrieved, comprising of 61% women and 39% men with an average age of 68.8 ± 6.79 years. Xerostomia was significantly associated to female gender, hypoglycemic usage, antihypertensive usage, psychotropic usage, and analgesics and anti-inflammatory usage. As for candidiasis, an association with age, alcohol consumption, and use of complete dentures was found. CONCLUSION: A longer life expectancy should be accompanied by a long-term care follow-up of the population. Diseases and side effects related to the elderly are going to be more common. Therefore, dental care services should aim to prevent and treat these complications as way to improve the elderly’s quality of life.

What changes and discoveries have revolutionized dentistry over time? Adhesion, osseointegration, orthodontics and CAD/CAM technology are among these major changes. In this first editorial of 2023, we bring this reflection to the period that begins.