Evaluation of the xerostomia, taste and smell impairments after Covid-19.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of coronavirus disease 19 (Covid-19) on the oral cavity by evaluating the oral findings in the patients who recovered after treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study involved confirmed Covid-19 patients whose treatment completed at least two weeks ago. A questionnaire consist of eight parts was applied to explore the oral findings after Covid-19. Also stimulated salivary flow rate was evaluated with a salivary flow test. RESULTS: 177 patients reached and 107 of them participate in the study. Regarding gender significant differences were found in terms of the presence of taste impairment after treatment (p=0.007), the degree of taste (p=0.021) and smell (p=0.010) impairment. 18 % (5/27) of the patients evaluated were showed hyposalivation. No significant differences were observed regarding salivary flow between males (mean±SD: 1.14±0.65) and females (mean±SD: 1.12±0.43), (p=0.928); among the patients having treatment at home (mean±SD: 1.03±0.48) or hospital (mean±SD: 1.33±0.65), (p=0.187). In some of the patients' taste [15], smell [23] impairment, and xerostomia [43] still observed at least two weeks after the treatment is completed. CONCLUSIONS: The most frequent finding in patients after the treatment was xerostomia. Taste and smell impairments were more frequently observed in females.

Evaluation of the effects of concentrated growth factors or advanced platelet rich-fibrin on postoperative pain, edema, and trismus following lower third molar removal: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of concentrated growth factors (CGF) and advanced platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF) on edema, pain, and trismus after mandibular third molar surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients were randomly divided into A-PRF, CGF and control groups. After extraction of the third molars, A-PRF and CGF were prepared and applied to the extraction sockets in study groups, while nothing was applied to the control group. Edema was measured from 5 reference points, including tragus, labial commissure, soft tissue pogonion, lateral corner of the eye/lateral canthus and angulus mandible. Trismus measured as the distance between the right lower and upper central incisors. Trismus and edema were measured preoperatively, and on postoperative 2nd and 7th days. Pain evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) between 6th hour and 7th day after surgery. RESULTS: A total of 75 patients, 25 in each group, were included in the study. The change in tragus to labial commissure measurements showed a significant difference between baseline-7th days among control and CGF groups (P=0.038). Significant differences observed between the tragus to pogonion measurements at baseline-7th days among the control-CGF groups (P=0.014), and A-PRF-CGF groups (P=0.038). Secondary outcome variables trismus, pain, and analgesic consumption showed no significant differences among the groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that A-PRF and CGF seem to have no positive effects on pain, edema, and trismus after third molar surgery.

Biomechanical comparison of transoral and transbuccal lateral cortical plate fixation for the management of mandibular angle fractures.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this experimental study was to compare the biomechanical behaviors of two different types of osteosynthesis that are used in the treatment of mandibular angle fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty synthetic polyurethane human mandible replicas, with medullar and cortical portions, were used in this study. These polyurethane hemimandibles were randomly divided into two groups (n = 10). The transbuccal group (Group A) was fixed with 7 mm long self-tapping 2.0 mm titanium screws at 85° to the reference line and the transoral group (Group B) was fixed with the same screws at 15° to the reference line. All testings were performed on a servo-hydraulic testing machine. The data were transmitted directly from the load cell to a computer, which showed the emergent results of the material characteristics under resisted forces as a graphic containing force and displacement. The peak point loading and displacement for each subject were measured. RESULTS: The comparison between the groups was analyzed with an independent-samples t-test, and P < 0.05 was considered to be significant. The results show that there were no significant differences between the groups for the peak loads and displacement values at the peak loads. CONCLUSION: The results of this experimental study demonstrated that there were no significant differences between the transbuccal and transoral methods in terms of fixation stability. In other words, the screw position and angle seemed to no have influence on the fixation stability in single miniplate treatments of a mandibular angle fracture.

Case report of giant sialolith (megalith) of the Wharton's duct.

Sialolithiasis is the most common disease of salivary glands. Its estimated frequency is 1.2% in the adult population. Sialoliths most commonly occur in the submandibular glands. The sublingual gland and minor salivary glands are rarely affected. The sialolith usually measures from 1 to <10 mm. Giant sialoliths are classified as those exceeding 15 mm in any one dimension. In literature, large sialoliths or megalith (> mm) of Wharton's duct have rarely been reported. This case report describes a patient presenting with an unusually large sialolith (megalith) of Wharton's duct, which was 37 mm ×16 mm in the size, the subsequent patient management, the etiology, diagnosis, and its treatment.

Biomechanical comparison of osteosynthesis with poly-L-lactic acid and titanium screw in intracapsular condylar fracture fixation: An experimental study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare the biomechanical stability of poly-L-lactic acid and titanium screws in the fixation of intracapsular condylar fractures, in 10 polyurethane hemimandibles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Artificial intracapsular fractures were created with a steel disk and electronic micromotor. The first group was fixed with 15 mm long self-tapping 2.0 mm system titanium screws and the second group was fixed with 15 mm long 2.4 mm bioresorbable screws. Linear loads of 25, 50, 75, 100 N was applied in anteroposterior direction to the hemimandibles and the data were transmitted directly from the load cell to a computer that shows emergent results of material characteristics under same forces as a graphic containing force and displacement. RESULTS: The results show that there were no significant differences between the two methods, with 25 N of loading. (P > 0,05) The difference became significant with a higher value of loading. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that treatment with a single resorbable screw is not functionally stable as a single titanium screw.

Assessment of root surfaces of apicected teeth: a scanning electron microscopy evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the apical surface characteristics and presence of dental cracks in single-rooted premolars, resected 3.0 mm from the root apex, using the Er: YAG laser, tungsten carbide bur, and diamond-coated tip, by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Thirty single-rooted premolar teeth were collected. The instrumented and obturated teeth were divided into three groups according to the root resection method (2.94 µm, 100 mj, 20-Hz Er: YAG laser, plain tapered fissure tungsten carbide bur at a low speed of 40,000 rpm, or a diamond-coated SG6D tip coupled to the handpiece of a conventional ultrasound device). The specimens were prepared for SEM and analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney statistical tests. RESULTS: The SEM images showed that tungsten carbide burs produced significantly smoother resected root surfaces than the diamond-coated tip. There was no statistically significant difference between the Er: YAG and tungsten carbide bur groups. The analysis of scores obtained for the cut quality by the Kruskal-Wallis test revealed no significant differences among the groups. In our study, five teeth had no cracks after the apical resection. The mean number of cracks per tooth was 3.5 ± 1.780 (Er: YAG laser group), 2.5 ± 1.716 (tungsten carbide bur group), and 4.5 ± 2.593 (diamond-coated tip group). CONCLUSIONS: Under the tested conditions smoother surfaces were observed in the groups treated with the tungsten carbide bur and Er: YAG laser when compared with the diamond-coated tips.

Dentigerous cyst associated with an ectopic tooth in the maxillary sinus: a report of 3 cases and review of the literature.

Dentigerous cysts are benign odontogenic cysts that are associated with the crowns of permanent teeth. Dentigerous cysts surrounding impacted teeth often displace teeth into ectopic positions. In the maxilla, these teeth are often displaced into the maxillary sinus. We report 3 cases of dentigerous cysts associated with an ectopic tooth in the maxillary sinus and review the literature reports of this condition over the past 29 years.