Chronic idiopathic orofacial pain. A long-term follow-up study

Patients suffering facial pain that does not fit with the traditional diagnostic criteria and which does not respond to dental treatment constitute a clinical problem. These patients lack a proper diagnosis and are frequently exposed to excessive and inadequate invasive treatment. The aim of this investigation was to study the long-term development of pain and the result of treatment in a cohort of patients suffering chronic idiopathic facial pain. The 74 patients referred to the Facial Pain Diagnostic Group at the Karolinska Institute School of Dentistry between 1981 and 1992 were invited to take part in a follow-up study. As 16 subjects were unwilling or unable to take part in the study and 13 had died, the remaining 45 were interviewed either in accordance with a standard protocol or by filling out a questionnaire mailed to them. The interview revealed that 10 were free of orofacial pain, but only 2 were totally free of pain. Over the 9-19 years' follow-up period the relationship between facial pain and pain in the rest of the body had changed substantially. Of 14 patients and more than 100 extractions, permanent pain relief was felt by only 3 patients. It is concluded that a diagnosis was given in only 2 cases. The distribution of the pain has changed dramatically. The low success rate of invasive treatments suggests that such therapeutic methods are to be considered contraindicated in patients suffering from idiopathic orofacial pain.     

Course of various clinical forms of oral lichen planus. A prospective follow-up study of 611 patients

The course of reticular, papular, bullous, plaque-type, atrophic and ulcerative lesions of oral lichen planus (OLP) was studied in 611 patients. Mean age of the patients was 53 years and two-thirds were women. The patients were followed for periods from 1 to 26 years (mean, 7.5 years). The various clinical types had somewhat different courses. Papular affections were seen mainly in the initial phase and had a transitory course. Ulcerative lesions, although more persistent, also generally showed a short-term course. The atrophic form was fluctuating with many remissions and new-established affections. The plaque-type was a more constant form, but also demonstrated many newly established affections. After a few years, many patients had persistent lesions that no longer included the affections most characteristic of OLP, i.e. the reticular and the papular form. Initial presence of papular affections was associated with ages below 50 and atrophic lesions with ages above 60. Plaque-type affections were seen with a significantly higher frequency among tobacco smokers at the onset of OLP. No other correlation was found between the initial presence, the remission and the development of the different clinical forms and various factors as age, sex, general diseases, medication and tobacco smoking. Treatment with topical steroid and/or antimycotics had no effect on the long-term course of the various clinical forms, and it had no persistent effect on symptoms related to OLP. Complete remission was seen in 17% of the patients, and it showed a reverse association with the initial presence of plaque-type affections. However, complete remission was associated with an initial presence of papular affections.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Course of various clinical forms of oral lichen planus. A prospective follow-up study of 611 patients

The course of reticular, papular, bullous, plaque-type, atrophic and ulcerative lesions of oral lichen planus (OLP) was studied in 611 patients. Mean age of the patients was 53 years and two-thirds were women. The patients were followed for periods from 1 to 26 years (mean, 7.5 years). The various clinical types had somewhat different courses. Papular affections were seen mainly in the initial phase and had a transitory course. Ulcerative lesions, although more persistent, also generally showed a short-term course. The atrophic form was fluctuating with many remissions and new-established affections. The plaque-type was a more constant form, but also demonstrated many newly established affections. After a few years, many patients had persistent lesions that no longer included the affections most characteristic of OLP, i.e. the reticular and the papular form. Initial presence of papular affections was associated with ages below 50 and atrophic lesions with ages above 60. Plaque-type affections were seen with a significantly higher frequency among tobacco smokers at the onset of OLP. No other correlation was found between the initial presence, the remission and the development of the different clinical forms and various factors as age, sex, general diseases, medication and tobacco smoking. Treatment with topical steroid and/or antimycotics had no effect on the long-term course of the various clinical forms, and it had no persistent effect on symptoms related to OLP. Complete remission was seen in 17% of the patients, and it showed a reverse association with the initial presence of plaque-type affections. However, complete remission was associated with an initial presence of papular affections. No other predictive factor of total remission was found.     

A comparison of the management of potentially malignant oral mucosal lesions by oral medicine practitioners and oral & maxillofacial surgeons in the UK

This study describes the results of a survey undertaken to assess the management of potentially malignant oral mucosal lesions by oral medicine practitioners and compares their approach with that of oral & maxillofacial surgeons that we have previously described. Significant differences were noted between the two groups in the use of photography to document the lesions and in the use of certain special investigations, which included measurement of serum iron, serum ferritin, serum Vit B12, red cell folate and candidal isolation. The groups also varied in the perceived importance of the age of the patient and anatomical site of the lesion when deciding on the need for further biopsy. There was also significant variation in the use of certain treatment modalities, including excising non-dysplastic and severely dysplastic/carcinoma in-situ lesions and eliminating trauma when treating mild/moderately dysplastic and severely dysplastic/carcinoma in-situ lesions. Significant differences in the frequency and duration of follow-up were noted for non-dysplastic lesions. Finally, the two groups differed significantly when asked to rank the perceived importance of certain factors (the histopathology of the most recent biopsy and the anatomical site of the lesion) when deciding the need to follow-up. Possible reasons for the variation are discussed.     

Cleft lip and palate management by U.K. consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeons: a national survey.

OBJECTIVE: Following the report of the Clinical Standards Advisory Group (CSAG), a national survey of U.K. consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeons was performed to determine the current cleft lip and palate practice of this group prior to the implementation of proposed radical changes in the delivery of cleft services. The views of these surgeons regarding the proposed changes was also sought. DESIGN: An anonymous postal questionnaire sent to all 266 consultants in the U.K., which requested information on the practice of cleft surgery during a defined 1-year period (March 1997 through February 1998). It included the numbers and types of procedures performed, the involvement of multidisciplinary care, research and audit activity, and questions regarding the implementation of CSAG. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-one replies (72% response rate). Seventy-three surgeons were actively involved with mainly secondary cleft surgery. A varied number and range of procedures were undertaken, with most surgeons performing less than five of each procedure per year. Audit and research activity was 26%. The majority of both noncleft and cleft surgeons agreed with proposals made by CSAG (except for cleft osteotomy procedures). CONCLUSIONS: In the U.K. at present, there are many oral and maxillofacial surgeons performing mainly secondary cleft surgery; overall, the number of procedures performed by these surgeons per year is small. Intraspecialty referral is suggested to further improve patient outcome.     

Soft occlusal splint therapy in the management of myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome: A follow-up study

Background and Objectives: Myofascial Pain Dysfunction Syndrome (MPDS) has been recognized as the most common, nontooth-related chronic orofacial pain condition that confronts dentists. A variety of therapies has been described in literature for its management. The present study is a prospective study carried out to evaluate the efficacy of occlusal splint therapy and compare it with pharmacotherapy (using analgesics and muscle relaxants) in the management of Myofascial Pain Dysfunction Syndrome. Materials and Methods: Forty patients in the age range of 17-55 years were included in the study and randomly assigned to one of two equally sized groups, A and B. Group A patients received a combination of muscle relaxants and analgesics while Group B patients received soft occlusal splint therapy. All the patients were evaluated for GPI, VAS, maximum comfortable mouth opening, TMJ clicking and tenderness during rest and movement as well as for the number of tender muscles at the time of diagnosis, after the 1 st week of initiation of therapy and every month for three months of follow-up. Results: There was a progressive decrease in GPI scores, number of tender muscles, TMJ clicking and tenderness with various jaw movements and significant improvement in mouth opening in patients on occlusal splint therapy during the follow-up period as compared to the pharmacotherapy group. Conclusion: Occlusal splint therapy has better long-term results in reducing the symptoms of MPDS. It has better patient compliance, fewer side effects, and is more cost-effective than pharmacotherapy; hence, it can be chosen for the treatment of patients with MPDS.     

A follow-up study of sixty-one oral dysplastic precancerous lesions in Indian villagers.

In a 7-year follow-up study of 107 cases of oral epithelial dysplastic precancerous lesions in Indian villagers, 6.6 per cent were found to develop into carcinomas. A clinical spontaneous regression occurred in 14.8 per cent. Follow-up biopsies showed histologic regression of dysplasia in six cases.     

Trigeminal neuralgia: assessment and management by oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the United Kingdom

We aimed to find out how oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the United Kingdom currently assess and manage patients with suspected trigeminal neuralgia, and compared this with best practice. We undertook a postal survey of 297 consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the UK (of whom 178 (60%) replied) asking questions about examinations and routine investigations of new patients with symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia, and their subsequent management. Clinical examination including cranial nerve function was made by almost all respondents (92%). Magnetic resonance imaging gives the most helpful diagnostic information and was requested by most surgeons (55%). Current publications have suggested that medical management of trigeminal neuralgia is appropriate for most patients, and this was reflected in current practice. Most surgeons (93%) used carbamazepine as their first choice of drug.     

Extraoral sinus and its management. A clinical study

A clinical study of patients, suffering from an extraoral sinus was undertaken. The various aspects of incidence of an extraoral sinus and its management, have been reviewed and discussed.     

A clinical evaluation of adhesively luted ceramic inlays. A two year follow-up study.

Fired porcelain inlays were cemented in class II cavities with either a dual cured composite or a glass ionomer luting cement. Clinically evaluation according to modified USPHS criteria was done at baseline and after 6, 12 and 24 months. Inlays bonded with the composite resin showed a 2% failure rate, while 15% of the inlays cemented with the glass ionomer were lost or fractured during the evaluation period. The failures were in most cases due to an adhesive bond failure at the cement-porcelain interface.     

口腔多学科综合治疗的临床探讨

目的：探讨临床口腔修复与正畸等多学科联合治疗的相关问题及治疗效果。方法：回顾性临床修复正畸联合治疗病例资料23例。男性9例，女性14例；年龄11—46岁。前牙缺失15例，后牙缺失6例，前后牙联合缺失2例。用正畸方法对缺失的牙列进行调整后，再以修复的方法完成治疗。结果：经正畸、正颌外科、牙体牙髓科、牙周科、种植科等综合治疗后，最终进行修复治疗，使患者达到更满意的疗效。结论：用修复和正畸等多学科的联合治疗，才可以应对现代人们对口腔健康和美观的更高要求。     

A clinical study of 205 patients with oral lichen planus.

Two hundred and five patients with oral lichen planus were divided into two groups: those with only reticular lesions (group 1) and those with atrophic-erosive lesions with or without concomitant reticular lesions (group 2). A comparative study of the two groups showed that the most commonly affected oral location in both was the buccal mucosa. Lesions of the tongue, gingiva, lip, and palate predominated in group 2. Likewise, chronic liver disease and diabetes were more common in the second group, as was extension of the oral lesions (P less than .001).