Is there an association between overweight/obesity and dental implant complications? A systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of this systematic review was to test the following hypotheses: (1) that there is no difference in implant survival rate between individuals with overweight or obesity and those who are within the ideal weight range; (2) that there are no differences between these groups regarding indicators of peri-implant health. Two independent reviewers performed a literature search of the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases for studies published up to April 1, 2018. A meta-analysis was performed to determine the risk difference for implant failure and mean difference for marginal bone loss, probing depth, and bleeding on probing. Six studies were selected for review, involving a total of 746 patients with 986 implants: 609 in overweight or obese individuals and 377 in individuals within the ideal weight range. The findings of this systematic review indicate that the first hypothesis should be accepted, since no statistically significant difference in implant survival rate was found between individuals with overweight/obesity and those within the ideal weight range (P = 0.64). The second hypothesis was rejected, as the review indicated a difference in marginal bone loss (P < 0.00001), probing depth (P < 0.00001), and bleeding around dental implants (P < 0.00001).     

Evaluation of volume of the sphenoid sinus according to sex,facial type,skeletal class,and presence of a septum: a cone-beam computed tomographic study

We have used cone-beam computed tomographic (CT) images to retrospectivelyevaluate the influence of sex, skeletal class, facial type, and the presence of septa on the volume of the sphenoid sinus in 172 images from 85 men (mean (SD) age 28 (2) years) and 87 women (mean (SD) age 30 (1) years). Skeletal class and facial type were calculated for each patient from multiplanar reconstructions using NemoCeph® software. Volumetric analysis of the sphenoid sinus was made with the help of the ITK-SNAP® 3.4.0 segmentation software, while the presence or absence of septa in the sphenoid sinus was evaluated with the Carestream 3D Imaging® software 3.4.3. We analysed the results using two-way ANOVA, Student’s independent sample t test, and Fisher’s exact test, as appropriate, and probabilities of <0.05 were accepted as significant. Sex (p = 0.0946), facial type (p = 0.790), and skeletal class (p = 0.120) had no significant influence on the volume of the sphenoid sinus, and nor did the volumes of the right and left sphenoid sinuses (p = 0.0923), or the presence of a septum within the sinus (p = 0.330) in its volume.     

Epidemiological study of intraosseous lesions of the stomatognathic or maxillomandibular complex diagnosed by a Reference Centre in Brazil from 2006–2017

This epidemiological study was designed to find out the incidence and factors associated with the occurrence of intraosseous lesions diagnosed at a Reference Centre in Brazil. We included all patients diagnosed with intraosseous lesions (cyst, tumour, bone-associated lesion, and periapical disease) during the period 2006–2017, and analysed the association between some sociodemographic and clinical variables and the types of lesion. There was a total of 290 intraosseous lesions, the most common being odontogenic cysts. There was a significant association between age and odontogenic tumours (p = 0.001). In relation to the histopathological diagnosis, root cysts were the most common (n = 57), followed by dentigerous cysts (n = 26). The lesions studied were seen most often in women between the second and fourth decades of life, odontogenic cysts being the most common type found. We know of few publications of similar epidemiological work, either in Brazil or in the rest of the world, so we suggest that more such studies are made.     

Understanding thoracic surgeons' perceptions of administrative database analyses and guidelines in clinical decision-making

ObjectivesThis study explored cardiothoracic surgeons' perceptions of health services research and practice guidelines, particularly how both influence providers' clinical decision-making.MethodsA trained interviewer conducted open-ended, semistructured phone interviews with cardiothoracic surgeons across the United States. The interviews explored surgeons' experiences with lung cancer treatment and their perceptions of health services research and guidelines. Researchers coded the transcribed interviews using conventional content analysis. Interviews continued until thematic saturation was reached.ResultsThe 27 surgeons interviewed mostly were general thoracic surgeons (23/27) who attend tumor board weekly (21/27). Five themes relating to physician perceptions of health services research and guidelines emerged. Databases analyses' inherent selection bias and perceived deficit of pertinent clinical variables made providers skeptical of using these studies as primary decision drivers; however, providers thought that database analyses are useful to supplement other data and drive future research. Likewise, providers generally felt that although guidelines provide a useful framework, they often have difficulty applying guidelines to individual patients. An analysis of provider characteristics revealed that younger physicians in practice for fewer years appeared more likely to report using guidelines, and physicians who were aged 50 years or more and not purely academic surgeons appeared to find database analyses less impactful.ConclusionsHealth services research, including database analyses, comprise much of the surgical literature; however, this study suggests that perceptions of database analyses and guidelines are mixed and questions whether thoracic surgeons routinely use either to inform their decisions. Researchers must address how to present compelling data to influence clinical practice.     

Physiopathology of nitric oxide in the oral environment and its biotechnological potential for new oral treatments: a literature review

Clinical Oral Investigations - A narrative review on the NO properties and their relationship with the oral environment describing NO’s molecular origin, role, and perspectives regarding oral...