The malignant transformation of oral lichen planus and oral lichenoid lesions: A systematic review

BackgroundDetermining the potential for malignant transformation of oral lichen planus (OLP) is complicated by difficulties in diagnosis, differentiation from oral lichenoid lesions (OLLs) and the phenomenon of premalignant lesions' exhibiting lichenoid characteristics. The authors of this systematic review evaluated evidence regarding malignant transformation of OLP and characterized transformation prevalence, clinical characteristics of OLP lesions developing into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and time to transformation.Types of Studies ReviewedThe authors searched PubMed, Embase and Thomson Reuters Web of Science in a systematic approach. They evaluated observational English-language studies involving human participants published in peer-reviewed journals. Inclusion required patients to have the diagnosis of OLP or OLL as confirmed with biopsy results on initial enrollment. They excluded all patients who had dysplasia on initial biopsy of OLP or OLL lesions.ResultsSixteen studies were eligible. Among 7,806 patients with OLP, 85 developed SCC. Among 125 patients with OLL, four developed SCC. The rate of transformation in individual studies ranged from 0 to 3.5 percent. The overall rate of transformation was 1.09 percent for OLP; in the solitary study in which investigators evaluated OLL, the rate of transformation was 3.2 percent. Patients' average age at onset of SCC was 60.8 years. The authors noted a slight predominance of female patients among those who experienced malignant transformation. The most common subsite of malignant transformation was the tongue. The average time from diagnosis of OLP or OLL to transformation was 51.4 months.Practical ImplicationsA small subset of patients with a diagnosis of OLP eventually developed SCC. The most common demographic characteristics of patients in this subset were similar to the most common demographic characteristics associated with OLP in general (that is, being female, being older and being affected in areas common to this condition). It is prudent for clinicians to pursue continued regular observation and follow-up in patients with these conditions, even in patients who do not fit a traditional high-risk category for oral SCC.     

The frequency and nature of incidental findings in cone-beam computed tomographic scans of the head and neck region: A systematic review

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The authors analyzed the literature critically to determine the frequency and nature of incidental findings (IFs) in cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) scans of the head and neck region.Types of Studies ReviewedThe authors conducted a systematic search of several electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library) through July 14, 2012, as well as a limited gray-literature search (in Google Scholar). Inclusion criteria encompassed the frequency of reports of IFs in the head and neck region in CBCT imaging, regardless of the sample origin. The authors used no search limitations. They evaluated methodological quality according to 15 criteria related to study design, population characteristics and statistical analysis.ResultsInitially, the authors identified 66 articles from the electronic database searches and another one via the gray-literature search. Once they applied the final selection criteria, they found that only five articles satisfied the inclusion criteria. In articles in which investigators reported the number of IFs as the absolute number of IFs detected, the frequency ranged from 1.3 to 2.9 IFs per CBCT scan. Conversely, in articles in which authors reported the number of IFs as the number of scans containing IFs, the frequency ranged from 24.6 to 93.4 percent of CBCT scans. Methodological quality averaged 77.2 percent (range, 60-93 percent) of the maximum possible score.Conclusions and Clinical ImplicationsIFs are detected relatively frequently in CBCT imaging, and considerable variation is evident in their frequency and nature. The majority are extragnathic findings (that is, those found outside the region of the dentition and alveolus), thus emphasizing the need for complete and proper review of the entire image, regardless of field of view or region of interest.     

Tooth preservation or implant placement: A systematic review of long-term tooth and implant survival rates

BackgroundFor the past few decades, dental implants have served as reliable replacements for missing teeth. However, there is an increasing trend toward replacing diseased teeth with dental implants.Types of Studies ReviewedThe authors conducted a systematic review of long-term survival rates of teeth and implants. They searched the MEDLINE database for relevant publications up to March 2013. They considered studies in which investigators assessed the long-term effectiveness of dental implants or that of tooth preservation. They included only studies that had follow-up periods of 15 years or longer.ResultsThe authors selected 19 articles for inclusion. Investigators in nine studies assessed the tooth survival rate, whereas investigators in 10 studies assessed the implant survival rate. When comparing the overall long-term (that is, 15 years or more) tooth loss rate with that of implants, the authors observed rates ranging between 3.6 and 13.4 percent and 0 and 33 percent for teeth and implants, respectively. They could not perform a meta-analysis because of the substantial differences between the studies.Practical ImplicationsThe results of this systematic review show that implant survival rates do not exceed those of compromised but adequately treated and maintained teeth, supporting the notion that the decision to extract a tooth and place a dental implant should be made cautiously. Even when a tooth seems to be compromised and requires treatment to be maintained, implant treatment also might require additional surgical procedures that might pose some risks as well. Furthermore, a tooth can be extracted and replaced at any time; however, extraction is a definitive and irreversible treatment.     

The influence of hemostatic agents on dentin and enamel surfaces and dental bonding: A systematic review

Background.Hemostatic agents have been used clinically in dentistry for many years to control bleeding. The authors reviewed scientific publications in which researchers investigated the effects of hemostatic agents on dentin and enamel surfaces and on bonding of adhesive systems and resin cements.Types of Studies Reviewed.The authors screened PubMed and Scopus databases for studies in English published from 1980 to 2013. They read the titles and abstracts to identify literature that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The authors included studies in which researchers evaluated the hemostatic action on the dentin and enamel surfaces or its influence on the bond strength of adhesive systems or resin cements. They used cross-referencing to identify more articles.Results.Twenty in vitro studies met the inclusion criteria. Investigators in 12 of these studies evaluated the bond strength to contaminated dentin. Investigators in 10 of these studies reported a significant decrease in bond strength. Those in two studies evaluated the influence of a hemostatic agent on the dental enamel and reported decreases in bond strength. Researchers also reported significant increases in microleakage of self-etching adhesives on contaminated dentin. Scanning electron microscopy revealed partial removal of the smear layer or an etching effect of dentin as a result of the application of hemostatic agents on dentin.Practical Implications.Adhesive procedures may be affected adversely when performed on dentin and enamel contaminated by hemostatic agents. Hemostatic agents may induce changes in the dentin surface morphology. The results of this review indicate that the bond strength of self-etching adhesive systems is affected more negatively than is that of etch-and-rinse systems. The authors found that a 60-second application of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid followed by a water spray restored the bond strength of a self-etching adhesive to dentin; use of phosphoric acid for 15 seconds followed by a water spray also was an effective cleaning method. Direct comparison of selected studies was not possible, however, mainly because of methodological differences hampering definitive conclusions.     

Diagnostic capability of questionnaires and clinical examinations to assess sleep-disordered breathing in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundThe reference standard for the diagnosis of pediatric sleep-disorder breathing (SDB) is a full polysomnography (PSG) (an overnight sleep study). There are many obstacles to children being able to undergo a full PSG; therefore, the authors evaluated the diagnostic value of alternative diagnostic methods (clinical history and physical examination) for pediatric SDB.Types of Studies ReviewedThe authors selected articles in which the investigators' primary objective was to evaluate the diagnostic capability of physical evaluations and questionnaires compared with the current reference standard (that is, a full PSG) to diagnose SDB in children younger than 18 years. The authors searched several electronic databases without limitations.ResultsUsing a two-step selection process, the authors identified 24 articles and used them to conduct a qualitative analysis. They conducted a meta-analysis on 11 of these articles. Among these articles, only one involved a test that had diagnostic accuracy good enough to warrant its use as a screening method for pediatric SDB, but its diagnostic accuracy was not sufficient to be considered a true diagnostic tool (that is, a replacement for full PSG) for pediatric SDB.Practical ImplicationsThe involvement of dentists in the screening process for pediatric SDB can contribute significantly to children's health. The identified questionnaire could be considered an acceptable screening test to determine which children to refer to a sleep medicine specialist.     

Risk of adrenal crisis in dental patients: Results of a systematic search of the literature

BackgroundThe authors performed a systematic search of the literature to identify the frequency of, risk of experiencing and factors associated with adrenal crises in dental patients.MethodsThe authors searched PubMed and Ovid MEDLINE (1947-June 20, 2012) and Embase (1974-2012) for English-language articles related to cases of adrenal crisis in dentistry and extracted and analyzed data from the articles. The six authors determined whether the cases identified met a consensus definition of adrenal crisis.ResultsOf 148 articles identified in the initial screening, 34 articles were included in the final review, from which six cases met the criteria of adrenal crisis. The authors categorized four cases as “suggestive of adrenal crisis” and two cases as “consistent with adrenal crisis.” Risk factors were significant adrenal insufficiency, pain, infection, having undergone an invasive procedure, having received a barbiturate general anesthetic, and poor health status and stability at the time of presentation. The authors estimated risk to be less than one in 650,000 in patients with adrenal insufficiency.ConclusionsAdrenal crisis is rare in dental patients, with only six reports of it having been published in the past 66 years. Risk is associated with unrecognized adrenal insufficiency, poor health status and stability at the time of treatment, pain, infection, having undergone an invasive procedure and having received a barbiturate general anesthetic.Clinical ImplicationsRisk of adrenal crisis is reduced through proper evaluation of the patient, identification of risk factors and following appropriate preventive measures.     

The association between periodontitis and coronary heart disease: A quality assessment of systematic reviews

BackgroundThe existence of an association between periodontitis and cardiovascular disease has been proposed by investigators in several clinical studies and further confirmed by the results of several systematic reviews. The aim of the Authors' study was to assess the quality of published systematic reviews focused on the association between periodontitis and coronary heart disease (CHD) by using established systematic review assessment checklists.MethodsTwo reviewers conducted a search for systematic reviews focusing on the association between periodontitis and CHD. Three independent reviewers appraised the quality of the selected 13 reviews by using an established and validated assessment tool for systematic reviews and another checklist. They gave each article a total score according to the number of criteria on each checklist that the article fulfilled.ResultsNine reviews satisfied six or more items on the assessment tool, whereas two reviews each satisfied only one item. This assessment shows that published systematic reviews of the periodontitis-CHD association exhibit significant structural and methodological variation, which the authors further confirmed by using the second checklist.ConclusionSystematic reviews of the association between periodontitis and CHD exhibited significant differences in their methodological quality.Practical ImplicationsClinicians should be aware that not all systematic reviews of the periodontitis-CHD association are conducted in a rigorous manner and should be capable of differentiating well-conducted reviews from poorly conducted ones.     

Minimally invasive resin infiltration of arrested white-spot lesions: A randomized clinical trial

BackgroundThe authors conducted a randomized, single-masked clinical trial involving patients who had completed orthodontic treatment to assess changes in the appearance of white-spot lesions (WSLs) that were treated with resin infiltration.MethodsThe authors divided affected teeth into control and treatment groups. In the treatment group, they restored teeth with WSLs by using resin infiltration. They evaluated changes in WSLs photographically by using a visual analog scale (VAS) (0 = no change, 100 = complete disappearance) and area measurements (in square millimeters). The authors analyzed the data by using two-way analysis of variance.ResultsThe mean VAS ratings for treated teeth demonstrated marked improvement relative to that for control teeth immediately after treatment (67.7 versus 5.2, P < .001) and eight weeks later (65.9 versus 9.2, P < .001). The results for treated teeth showed a mean reduction in WSL area of 61.8 percent immediately after treatment and 60.9 percent eight weeks later, compared with a ?3.3 percent change for control teeth immediately after treatment and a 1.0 percent reduction eight weeks later.ConclusionsResin infiltration significantly improved the clinical appearance of WSLs, with stable results seen eight weeks after treatment.Practical ImplicationsResin infiltration, a minimally invasive restorative treatment, was shown to be effective for WSLs that formed during orthodontic treatment.     

The effect of dental sealants on bacteria levels in caries lesions: a review of the evidence

BACKGROUND: Concern about inadvertently sealing over caries often prevents dentists from providing dental sealants. The objective of the authors' review was to examine the effects of sealants on bacteria levels within caries lesions under dental sealants. METHODS: The authors searched electronic databases for comparative studies examining bacteria levels in sealed permanent teeth. To measure the effect of sealants on bacteria levels, they used the log(10) reduction in mean total viable bacteria counts (VBC) between sealed and not-sealed caries and the percentage reduction in the proportion of samples with viable bacteria. RESULTS: Six studies--three randomized controlled trials, two controlled trials and one before-and-after study-were included in the analysis. Although studies varied considerably, there were no findings of significant increases in bacteria under sealants. Sealing caries was associated with a 100-fold reduction in mean total VBC (four studies, 138 samples). Sealants reduced the probability of viable bacteria by about 50.0 percent (four studies, 117 samples). CONCLUSIONS: The authors found that sealants reduced bacteria in carious lesions, but that in some studies, low levels of bacteria persisted. These findings do not support reported concerns about poorer outcomes associated with inadvertently sealing caries. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Practitioners should not be reluctant to provide sealants-an intervention proven to be highly effective in preventing caries-because of concerns about inadvertently sealing over caries.     

At-home oral care for adults with developmental disabilities: A survey of caregivers

BackgroundLittle is known about effective at-home oral care methods for people with developmental disabilities (DDs) who are unable to perform personal preventive practices themselves and rely on caregivers for assistance.MethodsA convenience sample of 808 caregivers (84.5 percent paid, 15.5 percent family members) who accompanied adults with DDs (20 years or older) to appointments at a specialized statewide dental care system completed computer-assisted personal interview surveys. The authors used these data to investigate caregivers' at-home oral care experiences and to explore differences between caregivers who were paid and those who were family members.ResultsCaregivers reported that a high proportion (85 percent) of dentate adults with DDs received assistance with tooth cleaning. They also reported a high prevalence of dental problems, and low adherence to brushing (79 percent) and flossing (22 percent) recommendations. More caregivers reported that they felt confident assisting with brushing than with flossing (85 percent versus 54 percent). Family members and paid caregivers differed with respect to confidence and training.ConclusionsAt-home oral care, particularly flossing, presents substantial challenges for adults with DDs. Solutions must be tailored to address the different experiences and distinct needs of the family members and paid caregivers who assist these adults.Practical ImplicationsCaregivers play an important role in providing at-home oral care, and they must be included in efforts to improve oral health outcomes for people with DDs.     

Cost-effectiveness of treatments for temporomandibular disorders: biopsychosocial intervention versus treatment as usual

BACKGROUND: The authors conducted a randomized clinical trial to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a biopsychosocial intervention with patients who are at high risk (HR) of progressing from acute to chronic TMD-related pain. METHODS: The authors classified 96 patients with acute TMD (less than six months' duration) as HR according to a predictive algorithm and randomized them into an early intervention (EI) or a nonintervention (NI) group. The NI group received a biopsychosocial treatment that included cognitive behavioral skills training and biofeedback. Both groups were followed up for one year. The authors collected TMD cost data throughout the year. RESULTS: The authors found that the EI group spent significantly fewer jaw-related health care dollars, relative to the NI group, from intake to the one-year follow-up. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The reduced jaw-related health care expenditures for patients in the EI group compared with expenditures for patients in the NI group at one year suggest that an early biopsychosocial intervention is a cost-effective measure in dealing with often unnecessarily costly TMD-related pain.     

Effectiveness of a resin-modified glass ionomer liner in reducing hypersensitivity in posterior restorations: A study from the Practitioners Engaged in Applied Research and Learning Network

BackgroundThe objectives of this randomized comparative effectiveness study conducted by members of the Practitioners Engaged in Applied Research and Learning (PEARL) Network were to determine whether using a resin-modified glass ionomer (RMGI) liner reduces postoperative hypersensitivity (POH) in dentin-bonded Class I and Class II resin-based composite (RBC) restorations, as well as to identify other factors (putative risk factors) associated with increased POH.MethodsPEARL Network practitioner-investigators (P-Is) (n = 28) were trained to assess sensitivity determination, enamel and dentin caries activity rankings, evaluation for sleep bruxism, and materials and techniques used. The P-Is enrolled 341 participants who had hypersensitive posterior lesions. Participants were randomly assigned to receive an RBC restoration with or without an RMGI liner before P-Is applied a one-step, self-etching bonding agent. P-Is conducted sensitivity evaluations at baseline, at one and four weeks after treatment, and at all visits according to patient-reported outcomes.ResultsP-Is collected complete data regarding 347 restorations (339 participants) at baseline, with 341 (98 percent) (333 participants) recalled at four weeks. Treatment groups were balanced across baseline characteristics and measures. RBC restorations with or without an RMGI liner had the same one-week and four-week POH outcomes, as measured clinically (by means of cold or air stimulation) and according to patient-reported outcomes.ConclusionsUse of an RMGI liner did not reduce clinically measured or patient-reported POH in moderate-depth Class I and Class II restorations. Cold and air clinical stimulation findings were similar between groups.Practical Implications. The time, effort and expense involved in placing an RMGI liner in these moderate-depth RBC restorations may be unnecessary, as the representative liner used did not improve hypersensitivity outcomes.