Alveolar bone necrosis and tooth exfoliation following herpes zoster infection: a review of the literature and case report.

BACKGROUND: Herpes zoster (HZ) presents as a cutaneous vesicular eruption in the area innervated by the affected sensory nerve, usually associated with severe pain. Oral manifestations of HZ appear when the mandibular or maxillary divisions of the trigeminal nerve are affected. METHODS: This is a case report of a 63-year-old woman with HZ infection with trigeminal nerve involvement that led to a rapid loss of alveolar bone and exfoliation of two teeth. RESULTS: The initial intraoral examination showed redness of the alveolar mucosa and gingiva of the lower right quadrant with multiple well-delimited and painful erosive lesions affecting the attached gingiva around the teeth. Two weeks later, teeth number 27 (lower right canine) and 28 (lower right first premolar) had class III mobility, flow of purulent exudate from the gingival sulcus, and deep pockets (>11 mm). The radiological examination showed advanced alveolar bone loss around both teeth. The prognosis for teeth number 27 and 28 was considered hopeless, and they were extracted. Due to extensive necrosis there was no interdental alveolar bone. The case is presented with a review of clinical data from patients with trigeminal HZ infection associated with osteonecrosis or exfoliation of teeth previously reported in the literature. The mechanisms by which the HZ infection leads to the alveolar bone necrosis are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Extensive osteonecrosis and exfoliation of teeth in the area innervated by the nerve affected by HZ has been reported after HZ infection. Clinicians should be aware of this possible outcome after a trigeminal HZ infection.

El surco de desarrollo radicular como causa de fracaso endodóncico: a propósito de un caso / Root development sulcus as a cause for endodontic treatment failure: a case report

El surco de desarrollo radicular es una anomalía dentaria de origen embriológico presente en el 8,5% de la población que se localiza principalmente en la cara palatina de los incisivos laterales superiores. Este surco se origina en la fosa central y atravesando el cíngulo se dirige hacia el ápice, siendo su longitud variable. A través de él, los microorganismos penetran en el ligamento periodontal, causando una destrucción ósea localizada. Clínicamente los dientes afectados por esta anomalía pueden ser asintomáticos o bien presentar patología periodontal, pulpitis o necrosis pulpar por afectación secundaria de la pulpa. Presentamos el caso de una paciente que acudió a nuestro Servicio para realizarse la cirugía periapical del 1.2. En el examen físico se detectó y se exploró el surco. Asimismo, también se observó que el tratamiento de conductos era correcto y no existía patología a nivel periapical. Se decidió efectuar una cirugía exploratoria donde se comprobó la presencia de un surco de desarrollo radicular. El tratamiento final efectuado fue la exodoncia. El pronóstico de estos dientes es incierto, dependiendo de la profundidad y de la extensión apical del surco radicular, así como de la higiene bucal del paciente. Diversos autores han intentado el tratamiento mediante la eliminación del tejido de granulación, odontoplastia y la aplicación de ácido cítrico, el sellado del surco con amalgama, o el uso de hidroxiapatita y técnicas de regeneración tisular guiada pero en la mayoría de los casos el tratamiento de elección continúa siendo la exodoncia

The radicular growth groove is an embriologic dental anomaly that affects the 8,5 % of the population. It is located in the palatal face of the maxillary lateral incisors. This groove begins in the central fossa, runs through the cingulum and arrives to the apex, having a variable length. The microorganisms can penetrate to the ligament periodontal through the groove, causing local bone destruction. These teeth can be asymptomatic, can present periodontal patology, pulpitis or pulp necrosis due to the secondary affectation of the pulp. We present the case of a patient that came to our clinic to do the periapical surgery of the right maxillary lateral incisor. We detected and explored the groove in the physic exam. We observed that the endodontic treatment was correct too and it didn't exist periapical patology. We decided to do an exploratory surgery where we saw the radicular growth groove. The final treatment was the extraction of the tooth. The prognosis of these teeth is uncertain and it depends on the depth and length of the radicular growth groove and on the oral hygiene of the patient. Some authors have attempted the treatment removing the inflamatory tissue, doing an odontoplasty and applying citric acid, sealing the groove with amalgam or using hidroxiapatite and guided tissular regeneration technics, but in most of the cases the extraction of the tooth is the election treatment

Prevalence and risk of gingival enlargement in patients treated with anticonvulsant drugs.

BACKGROUND: Predictors of gingival enlargement in patients treated with anti-epileptics have not been previously assessed. This study was conducted to determine, with the aid of two indices that score vertical and horizontal overgrowth, the prevalence and risk factors for gingival enlargement in patients treated with phenytoin and other anticonvulsant drugs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted and data from 59 patients taking antiepileptics were compared with 98 controls. Gingival enlargement was evaluated with two indices to score vertical overgrowth [Gingival overgrowth index (GO] and horizontal overgrowth [Miranda-Brunet index (MB)]. Gingival index, plaque index, and probing depth were also evaluated. RESULTS: The prevalence of gingival enlargement was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) for both indices in the anticonvulsants treated groups than in the control group. Gingival overgrowth was significantly higher for both indices in the phenytoin group than in the non phenytoin group. Among the possible risk factors, only the gingival index showed a significant association with gingival enlargement. For the MB index the risk of gingival enlargement (odds ratio) associated to phenytoin therapy and other anticonvulsants therapy were 52.6 (13.5-205) and 6.6 (1.5-28.2). Gingival index-adjusted odds ratios for the same drugs were 5.7 (1.3-24.7) and 18.1 (2-158), respectively. The concordance between GO and MB indices in the control group and in the phenytoin-group and non phenytoin-group showed a Kappa value of 0.773 and 0.697, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study reports significant differences in the prevalence and severity of gingival overgrowth in two groups of patients, one treated with phenytoin, and another treated with other anticonvulsants. Gingival inflammation is a significant risk factor for gingival enlargement in these patients.

Prevalence and risk of gingival enlargement in patients treated with nifedipine.

BACKGROUND: Gingival enlargement is a known side effect of nifedipine use. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors for gingival enlargement in nifedipine-treated patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a primary care center. Data from 65 patients taking nifedipine were compared with 147 controls who had never received the drug. All patients were examined for the presence of gingival enlargement using 2 different indices: vertical gingival overgrowth index (GO) in 6 points around each tooth, and horizontal MB index in the interdental area. Gingival index, plaque index, and probing depth were also evaluated. RESULTS: The prevalence of gingival enlargement was significantly higher in nifedipine-treated cases than in controls (GO index, 33.8% versus 4.1%; MB index, 50.8% versus 7.5%, respectively). Higher gingival and plaque indices were observed in patients taking nifedipine. Among the possible risk factors, only the gingival index showed a significant association with gingival enlargement. The risk (odds ratio [OR]) of gingival enlargement associated with nifedipine therapy was 10.6 (3.8-29.1) for the GO index and 14.4 (6-34.6) for the MB index. Gingival index-adjusted ORs were 9.6 (3.3-28.1) and 9.7 (3.9-23.3), respectively. In the subset of high nifedipine exposure patients, the odds ratio for gingival enlargement increased to 17.4 (5.3-56.3) for the GO index and 23.6 (7.7-72.3) for the MB index. The concordance between GO and MB indices showed a kappa value of 0.689 in controls and 0.642 in patients treated with nifedipine. CONCLUSIONS: Patients taking nifedipine are at high risk for gingival enlargement, and gingivitis acts as a predisposing factor.

Alterations in monitored vital constants induced by various local anesthetics in combination with different vasoconstrictors in the surgical removal of lower third molars.

The purpose of this study was to observe the hemodynamic changes during surgical extraction of lower third molars induced by three local anesthetics solutions associated with different vasoconstrictors. A double-blind observational and longitudinal study was made of 45 healthy adult volunteers subjected to surgical removal of an impacted lower third molar under local anesthesia. Three groups were established (n = 15) according to the anesthetic solution and associated vasoconstrictor administered (4% articaine + epinephrine 1:200,000; 3% mepivacaine without vasoconstrictor; and 3% prilocaine + felypressin 1:1,850,000). Heart rate, systolic and diastolic pressure, and oxygen saturation were recorded at different times before, during and at the end of surgery, along with the type and amount of anesthetic solution administered. The study variables were found to be more stable with articaine + epinephrine 1:200,000, although the three studied solutions caused no significant hemodynamic changes with respect to the basal values when administered in healthy patients subjected to surgical removal of a lower third molar.

Gingival enlargement induced by drugs.

Gingival enlargement, an abnormal growth of the periodontal tissue, is mainly associated with dental plaque-related inflammation and drug therapy. Its true incidence in the general population is unknown. Gingival enlargement produces aesthetic changes, pain, gingival bleeding and periodontal disorders. Although gingival overgrowth has been traditionally recognised as an adverse effect of phenytoin therapy, it has recently been reported in association with the use of cyclosporin and calcium antagonists. These 3 classes of drugs produce important changes in fibroblast function, which induce an increase in the extracellular matrix of the gingival connective tissue. In the majority of those patients for whom dosage reduction, or drug discontinuation or substitution is not possible, and for whom prophylactic measures have failed, surgical excision of gingival tissue remains the only treatment of choice.

Patterns of evolution of myocyte damage after human heart transplantation detected by indium-111 monoclonal antimyosin.

The indium-111 labeled Fab fragment of antimyosin monoclonal antibody was used to study cardiac rejection and the time course of myocyte damage after transplantation. Fifty-three studies were performed in 21 patients, 17 men and 4 women, aged 19 to 54 years (mean 37 +/- 8), from 7 to 40 months after transplantation. Repeat studies were available in 8, and 10 were studied after the first year of transplantation. A heart-to-lung ratio was used for quantitation of uptake (normal 1.46 +/- 0.04). Differences between absent (1.69 +/- 0.29) and moderate (1.90 +/- 0.36) rejection were significant (p less than 0.03). Antimyosin ratio at 1 to 3 months (1.89 +/- 0.35) differed from that at greater than 12 months (1.65 +/- 0.2) (p less than 0.01). Repeat studies revealed a decrease in antimyosin ratio in 5 patients with uneventful clinical course; 2 had persistent activity after transplantation and suffered heart failure from rejection. After 1 year of transplantation uptake was within normal limits in 7 of 10 patients, and high uptake was associated with vascular rejection in 1. Because they can define evolving patterns of myocardial lesion activity, antimyosin studies could be useful both in patient management and in concentrating resources for those patients who most require them. The heart-to-lung ratio is suggested to monitor sequentially the degree of myocyte damage after transplantation.