A systematic review and meta-analysis of the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects on oral epithelium induced by cone beam computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the occurrence of genotoxic and cytotoxic effects in oral epithelium after exposure of patients to cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS: A systematic review (SR) was conducted following the PECO (Population, Exposure, Comparison, Outcome) criteria. The study was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). A search was performed on the PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases. Effect size and heterogeneity of data were evaluated statistically. The Joanna Briggs Institute questionnaire for observational studies was utilized to assess the risk of bias. The GRADE tool was applied for the assessment of the quality of evidence. Begg's funnel plot was used to evaluate publication bias. RESULTS: In total, 10 full-text articles were included in the SR, with 6 of them in the meta-analysis. The SR showed a significant increase in micronuclei after exposure, with a large effect size of 1.03. For genotoxicity, the tau2 for heterogeneity was 0.96, the chi-squared test for heterogeneity P < .00001, the I2 statistics for random effects was 91%, and the overall effect for Z value was 2.46 (P = .01). The risk of bias was low, the quality of evidence was strong, and publication bias was absent. CONCLUSION: CBCT can cause genotoxicity in the oral epithelium with a large effect size. The measure of cytotoxicity after CBCT exposure was not possible due to the lack of homogeneity of the included articles.

Oral cancer in pregnancy: A systematic review.

PURPOSE: Oral cancers in pregnancy (OCiP) are rare, however when diagnosed it complicates both the treatment of cancer and the outcome of pregnancy. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the factors impacting the foetal and maternal outcome in OCiP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search was performed on the following electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar. Only histopathologically diagnosed cases of oral cancer in pregnant patients were included. The Joanna Briggs Institute questionnaire for case reports was used to assess the risk of bias. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the factors impacting foetal and maternal outcome. RESULTS: Out of the 40 cases reported, 28 were squamous cell carcinomas and 7 osteosarcomas. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated a non-significant association between age of patient, staging, trimester and treatment to maternal and foetal outcome. The overall recurrence, maternal death and foetal death for OCiP was 25 %, 30.77 % and 3.45 % respectively. CONCLUSION: It could be concluded with low evidence level that none of the factors explored in this SR affected the maternal and foetal outcome. A regular oral check-up, particularly the tongue of pregnant females is recommended to identify any early signs of inflammation or oral cancer and subjected to biopsy to identify malignancy or dysplasia.

Assessment of the Effect of Dimensions of the Mandibular Ramus and Mental Foramen on Age and Gender Using Digital Panoramic Radiographs: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: A retrospective study is conducted to evaluate the mental foramen size and ramus height using digital panoramic radiograph to see if these parameters could be used to determine a correlation with age and gender in dentate subjects and to show its relevance in forensic odontology. AIM: To determine if there is an interrelation between two mandibular parameters (mental foramen, ramus height) in gender and age assessment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five hundred and forty-five high-quality radiographs of patients aged 20 years and above were selected to see superior and inferior aspects of the mental foramen and the ramus height. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data obtained were analyzed using the SPSS 20 version software. The mean and standard deviations were calculated for each clinical parameter, and one-way ANOVA statistical test of significance was used to compare superior and inferior aspects of mental foramen and ramus height with age groups and gender for both right and left sides. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Highly significant relationship was observed, and it was also found that as the age advances, the mental foramen and ramus height increase on both the right and left sides; whereas the mental foramen and ramus height increase among males as compared to females on both the right and left sides. CONCLUSION: There were significant changes in the dimensions of mental foramen and ramus height as age advances. The results concluded that ramus height and the mental foramen can be used effectively in the identification of gender using digital panoramic radiography.

Radicular cyst masquerading as a multilocular radiolucency.

Radicular cysts are the most common cystic lesions of the jaw. Most of these lesions involve the apex of the offending tooth and appear as well-defined periapical radiolucencies. This case presents an unusually large multilocular radicular cyst crossing the midline and involving almost the entire body of the mandible. The clinical and radiographic appearance mimicked an aggressive cyst or benign tumor. The lesion was surgically excised, and the teeth were endodontically treated without any postoperative complications.