High-frequency Ultrasound in the Assessment before and after Applying HArmonyCa™.

AIM: To describe a clinical case of ultrasound (US) used to evaluate, before, post-immediately, and after 4 months, the facial application of a volumizing and biostimulating substance. BACKGROUND: Detecting the behavior of injected filler materials with high-frequency US-guided application is the future of natural facial rejuvenation with more predictable and satisfactory results. TECHNIQUE: A patient indicated for orofacial harmonization (OFH) procedures through volumizing and biostimulating material application was invited to participate. The technique was performed by applying HArmonyCa™ (Allergan Aesthetics, Irvine, CA, USA) in the gonial, preauricular, and bilateral lateral zygomatic angle regions. The first evaluations used the US images before and after product application with a Logiq e® high-frequency US device (GE Healthcare, Chicago, IL, USA) with a probe/linear transducer of 18 MHz. About 4 months after the procedure, a new assessment with the same initial acquisition pattern was performed. The first evaluation showed normal-looking anatomical structures without the esthetic material. Immediately after the procedure and 4 months later, the assessments presented semi-permanent esthetic fillers as dispersed lobulated hyperechogenic areas with a cloud aspect. CONCLUSION: High-frequency US was efficient in the static evaluation of HArmonyCa™ behavior on the facial skin. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The US-guided application of injectable products in specific areas has minimal side effects and contributes to more predictable and satisfactory results. How to cite this article: Gouveia RSA, Tostes LLL, Bezerra FV, et al. High-frequency Ultrasound in the Assessment before and after Applying HArmonyCa™. J Contemp Dent Pract 2024;25(1):10-14.

Low-level Laser Therapy in the Management of Oral Mucositis Induced by Radiotherapy: A Randomized Double-blind Clinical Trial.

AIM: The present study evaluated the effect of LLLT at red and infrared wavelengths associated with therapeutic measures from the Mucositis Study Group of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care of Cancer and International Society of Oral Oncology (MASCC/ISOO) for preventing and treating RT-induced oral mucositis (OM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the study, 80 subjects diagnosed with head and neck cancer (HNC) undergoing treatment were randomized into three groups to apply different photobiomodulation protocols for 42 days, as follows: Group I-LLLT of 660 nm; Group II-LLLT of 810 nm; and Group III-association of wavelengths of 660 and 810 nm. The treatments were performed by properly trained professionals and with equipment calibrated for the intervention. RESULTS: Different OM scores were noted for the groups studied, and the third group had lower scores than Groups I and II (p = 0.012). No difference was noted in the pain score analyzing the groups (p = 0.49). CONCLUSION: The LLLT was effective for OM lesions in individuals treated with radiotherapy associated or not with chemotherapy. When combined, the red and infrared lasers reduce OM scores. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: OM is one of the main adverse effects of antineoplastic therapy in head and neck cancer patients. The evidence supporting the validity of LLLT for OM can improve patients' quality of life.

Evaluation of the Genotoxicity of Tobacco and Alcohol in Oral Mucosa Cells: A Pilot Study.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To define the genotoxic potential of tobacco and alcohol in the oral mucosa through a micronuclei (MN) test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Samples of exfoliative cells from oral mucosa were collected using superficial scraping of the right- and left-cheek mucosa of 83 patients divided into four groups, namely: (G1) 24 individuals abstaining from tobacco and alcoholic beverages; (G2) 23 individuals who smoke and abstain from alcoholic beverages; (G3) 24 smokers and alcoholics; and (G4) 12 individuals who consume alcohol and abstain from tobacco. The samples were stained with Giemsa-Wright, and the frequencies of MN, binucleated cells, and metanuclear changes were recorded in the samples of each group (1,000 cells per patient). RESULTS: Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a difference between groups for changes concerning karyorrhexis (p = 0), pycnosis (p = 0.002), karyolysis (p = 0.003), and binucleated cells (p = 0.046). As for the total number of changes, G3, G2, and G4, respectively, were significantly higher than G1. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that the influence of smoking and drinking on exfoliating cells of oral mucosa may cause metanuclear changes due to genetic changes that these products cause, and the MN test is effective in detecting and monitoring such changes. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: MN test may work for constantly monitoring the oral mucosa of smokers and/or alcoholic patients, so that early cell changes may be diagnosed, preventing the genesis of oral cancer.

Evaluation of a Series of Overdentures Made in a Higher Education Dental Institution in Southern Brazil.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiological profile, oral health self-perception index, and level of satisfaction of users of complete implant-supported overdentures that had been used for at least 1 year and were made at the School of Dentistry of the University of Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (FO/UPF), between 2014 and 2019. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 30 patients with overdentures, who were selected from the dental records filed at the institution. Data on general health and the dental implants involved (brand, type of prosthetic connection, number of implants, and additional overdenture retention system) were collected from the medical records. The 30 patients were invited to answer the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) and visual analog scale (VAS) questionnaires, and due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, it was possible to contact 15 patients. RESULTS: Most of the prostheses studied were mandibular overdentures, and 66.66% of the cases were retained by the O-ring system. As for the oral health self-perception of the individuals, it was concluded that male patients had a lower mean overall score (p = 0.047) and functional domain (p = 0.042) in the OHIP-14. The number of implants and the installation arch interfered with functional domain and psychological capacity (p <0.05). The VAS showed that women have greater esthetic satisfaction with prostheses (p = 0.048) and that the bar-clip retention system is more satisfactory than the O-ring (p = 0.017). CONCLUSION: Despite the limitations of overdentures, it was noted that, when properly indicated, they are a viable option for oral rehabilitation on implants. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Oral rehabilitation well-indicated with overdentures, especially those retained by the bar-clip system, results in an improvement in the patients' quality of life.

Oral Lesions found in a Dental School in Southern Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to perform an epidemiological survey of the cases of oral lesions diagnosed in a Brazilian dental school. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An epidemiological survey was carried out at the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Passo Fundo (FOUPF), Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, between March 2015 and June 2017, characterizing the patients in terms of gender, age, and ethnicity. A total of 3,200 records were evaluated, from which 716 presented information on oral lesions diagnosed and treated at the clinics of the FOUPF. The data were evaluated by descriptive statistics of frequency. RESULTS: The most frequent change was the coated tongue (13.83%). The majority of the patients were female (56%), white (31.57%), in the sixth decade of life (21.65%). Regarding the classification of lesions, the most frequent group was developmental changes (25%). CONCLUSION: It is considered that the sample studied presented a significant index of oral lesions and normality changes, considering that 716 (22.38%) patients studied showed some type of change in the oral cavity. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The sample studied presents peculiar characteristics regarding the number of oral lesions/conditions diagnosed. It is also considered that Schools of Dentistry are valuable environments for carrying out epidemiological surveys in stomatology, providing the diagnostic exercise, as long as the students are stimulated for this purpose.