Dentophobia and dental treatment: An umbrella review of the published literature.

AIMS: Dentophobia is a well-know kind of phobia and psychological problem in dentistry. Although patients might suffer from severe oral pain and have serious health complications, dentophobia is still posing a threat to oral healthcare and remains an unresolved worldwide phenomenon. According to estimates, up to 80% of the general population are affected by this condition. Dentophobia is an unpleasant problem with serious consequences not only for patients but also for dentists and the public health system in general. This umbrella review provides a comprehensive overview of the various aspects of dentophoia as addressed in the published literature, and the current level of knowledge concerning their treatment. METHODS AND RESULTS: Based on 35 reviews of the published literature, addressing various aspects of dentophobia and published between 2008 and 2021, this umbrella review was written. The search was based on the PubMed and PsycINFO databases. The extraction was structured by open coding and each aspect of the subject analyzed according to Ritchie and Lewis. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the evidence concerning the efficacy of the various interventions is still rather weak and there is an obvious need for further research, because of the yet and unresolved challenges and the lack of standardised guidelines to deal with patients with dentophobia.

Long-term persistent discomfort due to a giant frontoethmoidal osteoma despite complete surgical removal - A case report.

Introduction: Giant frontoethmoidal osteomas are rare, slow-growing, benign osseous tumours, frequently causing severe life impairing symptoms due to their proximity to noble structures. Initially, osteomas are often diagnosed on radiographs by chance. Their aetiology can be considered ambiguous. They may either be treated by active observation, medical therapy, radio and thermal therapy, or surgery. Case presentation: We report the case of a 56-year-old female patient with a giant osteoma spreading from the nasal cavity to the entire frontoethmoidal sinus, leading to headaches, respiratory problems, and nausea for several years. For a period of 20 years, a watch and wait approach was applied. Finally, the osteoma was removed using a combined open and endoscopic approach. One year after the operation, a secondary mucocele developed, accompanying headaches and facial pressure due to its continuous expansion. Despite numerous consultations, she refused surgical intervention until today. Discussion: Early detection and removal of frontoethmoidal osteomas improves the prognosis for a favourable treatment outcome. The smaller the osteoma, the easier it can be removed endoscopically. The decision to perform surgery was made when the condition drastically affected the patient's quality of life. To date, there is still no strong consent regarding the best surgical approach and the best time to do it. Conclusion: The combination of open and endoscopic surgery remains a safe and straightforward procedure for the removal of giant frontoethmoidal osteomas. Early detection and intervention are crucial for a predictable minimally invasive treatment with a favourable outcome for the patient.

Specially designed and CAD/CAM manufactured allogeneic bone blocks using for augmentation of a highly atrophic maxilla show a stable base for an all-on-six treatment concept: a case report.

BACKGROUND: In terms of a highly atrophic maxilla, bone augmentation still remains very challenging. With the introduction of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) for allogeneic bone blocks, a new method for the treatment of bone deficiencies was created. This case report demonstrates the successful use of two specially designed and CAD/CAM manufactured allogeneic bone blocks for a full arch reconstruction of a highly atrophic maxilla with an all-on-six concept. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 55-year-old male patient with a highly atrophic maxilla and severe bone volume deficiencies in horizontal and vertical lines. In order to treat the defects, the surgeon decided to use a combination of two allogeneic bone blocks and two sinus floor augmentations. The bone blocks were fabricated from the data of a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) using CAD/CAM technology. After the insertion of the two bone blocks and a healing period of 7 months, six dental implants were placed in terms of an all-on-six concept. The loading of the implants took place after an additional healing time of 7 months with a screw-retained prosthetic construction and with a milled titanium framework with acrylic veneers. CONCLUSION: The presented procedure shows the importance of the precise design of CAD/CAM manufactured allogeneic bone blocks for the successful treatment of a highly atrophic maxilla. Proper soft-tissue management is one of the key factors to apply this method successfully.

Melolabial interpolated island flap for reconstruction of an anterior oronasal fistula after horseshoe Le Fort I osteotomy with iliac bone grafts interposition - A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Horseshoe Le Fort I osteotomy (HLFO) in combination with iliac bone grafts interposition is an established and very effective procedure for reconstructing the severely atrophic maxilla. However potential complications connected to this method, such as oronasal fistula (ONF), have not been described in the literature to date. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a female patient with severe atrophy of the edentulous maxillary alveolar ridge with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Initially, a sinus floor augmentation was performed, followed by a failed placement of dental implants. Afterwards, HLFO with simultaneous interposition of iliac bone grafts was conducted. Subsequently, an oronasal communication occurred in the antral maxilla. As several local flaps had not achieved sufficient results, a melolabial interpolated island flap was carried out, yielding satisfactory results. DISCUSSION: Failed implant treatment or bone augmentation procedures in combination with T2D may have resulted in significant tissue irritation and subsequent wound healing complications in the antral maxilla, leading to an ONF. CONCLUSION: In this case, an ONF occurring after HLFO was described for the first time. The melolabial interpolated island flap proved to be an outstanding long-term solution for the management of an anterior ONF occurring after HLFO over a period of 10 years. Less invasive treatment options including zygomatic implants should be taken into consideration for the treatment of such patients.

Sensory disturbance along the inferior alveolar nerve as a first clinical sign of multiple florid cemento-osseous dysplasia of the mandible-A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Florid cemento-osseous dysplasia (FCOD) is a rare, benign, slow growing, multifocal fibro-osseous tumour originating from the periodontal ligament. The lesion is characterised by regular bone-structure replacement with fibrous tissue and dysplastic bone. The initial characteristics of FCOD, depending on localisation, resemble those of periapical lesions of inflammatory origin, potentially leading to misdiagnosis. In the absence of infection signs, the treatment of choice is conservative therapy with antibiotics and regular follow-up examinations. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report the case of a 39-year-old Caucasian woman with sensory disturbance along the inferior alveolar nerve for >2 weeks. The involved teeth were vital and the digital orthopantomogram indicated multiple bilateral periapical brightening. Biopsy was indicated to exclude malignancy and to confirm the FCOD diagnosis with predominantly reactive calcification and cell-rich connective-tissue reaction. The sensory disturbances disappeared after the biopsy. Further conservative therapy included regular radiological examinations every 2 years to prevent surgical intervention due to infection risk. DISCUSSION: Sensory disturbances around the nervus alveolaris inferior are well-known complications of dental and maxillofacial operations and of malignant tumours. Sensitivity disorder as a first symptom of fibro-osseous dysplasia has not been previously described. Although uncommon in its clinical behaviour, FCOD was finally diagnosed after thorough clinical, radiological, and histological examinations. CONCLUSION: Paraesthesia combined with FCOD has not been previously described. Correct diagnosis is essential for proper treatment and to avoid further complications even when the clinical symptoms appear unrelated.