Efficacy of stabilisation splint treatment on the oral health‐related quality of life–A randomised controlled one‐year follow‐up trial

The aim of this randomised controlled trial was to assess the efficacy of stabilisation splint treatment on the oral health‐related quality of life OHRQoL during a 1‐year follow‐up. Originally, the sample consisted of 80 patients (18 men, 62 women) with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) who had been referred to the Oral and Maxillofacial Department, Oulu University Hospital, Finland, for treatment. Patients were randomly designated into splint (n = 39) and control group (n = 41). Patients in the splint group were treated with a stabilisation splint. Additionally, patients in both groups received counselling and instructions on masticatory muscle exercises. The patients filled in the Oral Health Impact Profile‐14 (OHIP‐14) questionnaire before treatment and at 3 months, 6 months and 1 year. At total, 67 patients (35 in the splint group vs. 32 in the control group) completed the questionnaire at baseline. The outcome variables were OHIP prevalence, OHIP severity and OHIP extent. Linear mixed‐effect regression model was used to analyse factors associated with change in OHIP severity during the 1‐year follow‐up, taking into account treatment time, age, gender and group status. OHIP prevalence, severity and extent decreased in both groups during the follow‐up. According to linear mixed‐effect regression, decrease in OHIP severity did not associate significantly with group status. Compared to masticatory muscle exercises and counselling alone, stabilisation splint treatment was not more beneficial on self‐perceived OHRQoL among TMD patients over a 1‐year follow‐up     

A bacterial‐biofilm‐induced oral osteolytic infection can be successfully treated by immuno‐targeting an extracellular nucleoid‐associated protein

Periodontal disease exemplifies a chronic and recurrent infection with a necessary biofilm component. Mucosal inflammation is a hallmark response of the host seen in chronic diseases, such as colitis, gingivitis, and periodontitis (and the related disorder peri‐implantitis). We have taken advantage of our recently developed rat model of human peri‐implantitis that recapitulates osteolysis, the requirement of biofilm formation, and the perpetuation of the bona fide disease state, to test a new therapeutic modality with two novel components. First we used hyperimmune antiserum directed against the DNABII family of proteins, now known to be a critical component of the extracellular matrix of bacterial biofilms. Second we delivered the antiserum as cargo in biodegradable microspheres to the site of the biofilm infection. We demonstrated that delivery of a single dose of anti‐DNABII in poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres induced significant resolution of experimental peri‐implantitis, including marked reduction of inflammation. These data support the continued development of a DNABII protein‐targeted therapeutic for peri‐implantitis and other chronic inflammatory pathologies of the oral cavity in animals and humans.     

Animal models for bisphosphonate‐related osteonecrosis of the jaws ‐ an appraisal

The prolonged use of bisphosphonates has been shown to cause a condition termed ‘bisphosphonate related osteonecrosis of the jaws’ (BRONJ). BRONJ is a disease entity which has only been described relatively recently, and its multi‐factorial aetiology is yet to be fully elucidated. Therefore, the treatment of BRONJ lesions remains a challenge, and animal models are necessary to assist researchers in better understanding the disease. This has led to the recent publication of a number of studies utilising a variety of animal models of BRONJ. This review outlines the factors to be considered when selecting an animal model for BRONJ and discusses the current literature in this rapidly progressing field of research. It is important to consider the applicability of a given model to the clinical condition presenting in humans, and to this end, thorough characterisation of the clinical, histological, radiographic and systemic features is necessary. The development of a clinical lesion is an important consideration in terms of choosing a relevant model, and it appears clear that surgical manipulation, generally involving tooth extraction, is necessary for successful induction of the classic ‘clinical’ lesion of BRONJ.