Effectiveness of wearing glasses with green lenses on dental anxiety for third-molar surgery: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Dental anxiety is a common problem for oral surgeries. This study investigated the effectiveness of wearing glasses with green lenses in reducing dental anxiety, blood pressure, heart rate, and intraoperative pain in patients undergoing first-time third-molar surgery. METHODS: The authors planned this study as a randomized and parallel-group clinical trial. Patients' dental anxiety was measured with the use of a visual analog scale and a State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for baseline measurement purposes. At the same time, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and heart rate values were recorded. Patients were given glasses with clear or green lenses, depending on their group. After 10 minutes, all parameters were measured again for preoperative measurement. Patients wore glasses with either green or clear lenses throughout the operation. After the operation, patients were asked to estimate the degree of intraoperative pain using the visual analog scale. RESULTS: The study included 128 patients. On the basis of the change between baseline and preoperative measurements, the authors found a statistically significant difference in anxiety and heart rate. Intraoperative pain showed a significant difference between groups. No significant changes were found in blood pressure and oxygen saturation. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with anxiety could wear low-cost, easy-to-use glasses with green lenses for 10 minutes before an operation to reduce anxiety and heart rate. In addition, wearing glasses during the surgical procedure can reduce intraoperative pain. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: By means of using glasses with green lenses throughout the procedure, existing anxiety and pain can be reduced. An operation can be performed more comfortably for both the patient and the dentist. This clinical trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov. The registration number is NCT05584696.

The effect of impacted third molars on second molar external root resorption, a cross-sectional cone beam computed tomography study

Background: Third molars have the highest prevalence of impaction in teeth and can cause pathological damage on the adjacent second molars. This study aims to evaluate the effects of factors related to impacted third molars on external root resorption (ERR) in adjacent second molars using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Material and Methods: In CBCTs, the effect of impacted third molars on the root surface of adjacent second molars was investigated. Inclusion criteria for subjects were being older than 16 and younger than 55, presence of at least one impacted third molar and adjacent second molar. Exclusion criteria were pathology, a follicle gap greater than 5 mm, crowned second molar, severe decay, an artifact on a radiologic image, and previous surgery on the second or third molars. The investigations were made based on age range, gender, tooth inclination, Pell-Gregory classification, retention type, contact area, root formation, pericoronal width, and tooth absence on the same quadrant for potential risk factors. The collected data were statistically analyzed with R software. The Chi-Square test was used to find out any significant difference. Logistic regression analyses were done for potential risk factors for ERR. Results: A total of 437 impacted third molars and adjacent second molars were investigated using CBCT. Of these, 381 met the inclusion criteria. Mesioangular and horizontal inclination, Pell-Gregory Class B-C, contact area, and retention type were found the statistically potential risk factors for ERR. Conclusions: The impacted third molar with horizontal or mesioangular position, and osseous retention, with Pell and Gregory Class B and C, are more likely to cause external root resorption in adjacent second molars. (AU)

Spontaneous bone regeneration in resected non-continuous mandible due to medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.

Few cases of spontaneous bone regeneration after extensive resection of the jaw bone have been reported, but it is more common in young adults or children. In this case, we report spontaneous bone healing in a 73-year-old female patient. On radiological examination, necrotic regions were seen in the right mandible. She was diagnosed with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw due to previous bisphosphonate use. After segmental resection, stabilization achieved using a reconstruction plate. The periosteum was preserved during the procedure. Twelve months later, panoramic radiography was taken and bone formation was seen both horizontally and vertically around the plate. If the periosteum is preserved and stabilization is achieved after resection in benign lesions, the bone may regenerate spontaneously regardless of age. Therefore, instead of simultaneous autogenous bone application, such patients may be followed to determine whether spontaneous bone healing will occur. This should improve patient comfort and reduce surgical cost.

Acutely infected teeth: to extract or not to extract?

Not only laymen but also dentists generally believe that extraction of acutely infected teeth should be avoided until the infection subdues by using systemic antibiotics. The aim of this study was to compare perioperative complications in routine extractions of acutely infected teeth with extractions of asymptomatic teeth. This prospective study was performed with 82 patients. Severe pain on percussion of the relevant tooth was considered as basic criteria for acute infection. The acutely infected teeth were labeled as the study group (n = 35) and the asymptomatic teeth as the control group (n = 47). The extractions were done using standard procedures. The amount of anesthetic solution used and duration of extractions were recorded. Postoperative severe pain and exposed bone with no granulation tissue in the extraction socket were indications of alveolar osteitis (AO). The level of statistical significance was accepted as 0.05. Symptoms that could indicate systemic response, including fever, fatigue, and shivering were not found. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of AO, amount of anesthetic solution used, and duration of extraction. The presence of an acute infection characterized by severe percussion pain is not a contraindication for tooth extraction. Infected teeth should be extracted as soon as possible and the procedure should not be postponed by giving antibiotics.

Acutely infected teeth: to extract or not to extract?

Abstract: Not only laymen but also dentists generally believe that extraction of acutely infected teeth should be avoided until the infection subdues by using systemic antibiotics. The aim of this study was to compare perioperative complications in routine extractions of acutely infected teeth with extractions of asymptomatic teeth. This prospective study was performed with 82 patients. Severe pain on percussion of the relevant tooth was considered as basic criteria for acute infection. The acutely infected teeth were labeled as the study group (n = 35) and the asymptomatic teeth as the control group (n = 47). The extractions were done using standard procedures. The amount of anesthetic solution used and duration of extractions were recorded. Postoperative severe pain and exposed bone with no granulation tissue in the extraction socket were indications of alveolar osteitis (AO). The level of statistical significance was accepted as 0.05. Symptoms that could indicate systemic response, including fever, fatigue, and shivering were not found. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of AO, amount of anesthetic solution used, and duration of extraction. The presence of an acute infection characterized by severe percussion pain is not a contraindication for tooth extraction. Infected teeth should be extracted as soon as possible and the procedure should not be postponed by giving antibiotics.