Complete Denture Occlusion: An Evidence‐Based Approach

Purpose : This study involved an extensive search for randomized controlled clinical trials comparing bilateral balanced and canine‐guided dentures, and questioned whether a bilateral balanced occlusion is imperative for successful denture treatment. Materials and Methods : Studies were identified by searching electronic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, ISI Web of Science, LILACS, and BBD). The keywords “denture” and “occlusion” were used. The minimum inclusion requirements were (1) randomized controlled trials with patients of any age wearing both maxillary and mandibular conventional complete dentures (CDs), (2) comparison between bilateral balanced and canine‐guided dentures, and (3) assessment of masticatory function and/or patients’ satisfaction. Results : The search resulted in the identification of 5166 articles. Subsequently, 5156 articles were excluded on the basis of title and abstract. By the end of the search phase, seven randomized controlled trials were considered eligible. Conclusions : Current scientific evidence suggests that bilateral balanced occlusion is not imperative for successful treatment with conventional CDs in average patients. More studies are necessary to identify if specific clinical conditions may benefit from a balanced occlusion.     

Usefulness of cone‐beam CT in the evaluation of a spontaneously healed root fracture case

Horizontal root fractures (HRF) usually affect anterior teeth of male patients as a result of trauma. The consequences can be complex because of combined damage to different tissues, but it has been reported that root fractures undergo healing in majority cases. Diagnosis of HRF must be based on clinical findings, sensibility tests, and radiographic examination. The cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) has already been proven to be superior among other radiographic modalities for diagnostic imaging of root fractures. However, CBCT in these cases needs to be used in a careful manner, and only when the radiation exposure should be justified by the potential diagnostic benefits and improvement of the treatment results. This case report describes a case of spontaneously healed horizontal root fracture with displacement of the fragments and discusses the usefulness of CBCT in the follow‐up of root fractures cases.     

Dental injury after conventional direct laryngoscopy: a prospective observational study

This observational study assessed the frequency and risk factors of dental damage after classic direct laryngoscopy for tracheal intubation in 536 adult patients. The patients' sex, age, height, weight, dental condition, dental mobility, Mallampati class, interincisor gap, thyromental distance, neck circumference, and head and neck extension were recorded. From anaesthesia records, the difficulty of intubation, the number of attempts, type of neuromuscular blocking agent used and duration of anaesthesia were recorded. After anaesthesia, examination revealed that 134 patients (25.0%) had dental damage affecting 162 teeth (147 maxillary; 15 mandibular). Enamel fracture was the commonest injury. In tooth number 21, the interincisor gap (OR 2.5 (95% CI 1.0–5.9)) and in tooth number 22, the number of intubation attempts (OR 5.3 (95% CI 1.3–22.0)) were considered a risk factor for dental injury. Conventional direct laryngoscopy is associated with a strikingly high incidence of dental damage, although specific risk factors remain unclear.     

Suramin attenuates dystrophin‐deficient cardiomyopathy in the mdx mouse model of duchenne muscular dystrophy

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of suramin, an antifibrotic agent, on cardiac function and remodeling in mdx mice. Methods: mdx mice (8 months old) received intraperitoneal injections of suramin twice a week for 3 months. Control mdx mice (8 months old) were injected with saline. Results: Suramin improved the electrocardiography profile with the main corrections seen in S‐ to R‐wave ratio, PR interval, and Q amplitude, and a significant decrease in the cardiomyopathy index. Suramin decreased myocardial fibrosis, inflammation, and myonecrosis. Conclusions: These findings suggest that suramin may be a new adjunctive therapy to help improve cardiomyopathy in DMD. Muscle Nerve 48 : 911–919, 2013     

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome Following a Scorpion Sting

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinicoradiologic entity not yet understood, that is present with transient neurologic symptoms and particular radiological findings. The most common imaging pattern in PRES is the presence of edema in the white matter of the posterior portions of both cerebral hemispheres. The cause of PRES is unclear. We report a case of 13‐year‐old male who was stung by a scorpion and developed a severe headche, visual disturbance, and seizures and had the diagnosis of PRES with a good outcome. Numerous factors can trigger this syndrome, most commonly: acute elevation of blood pressure, abnormal renal function, and immunosuppressive therapy. There are many cases described showing the relationship between PRES and eclampsia, transplantation, neoplasia and chemotherapy treatment, systemic infections, renal disease acute, or chronic. However, this is the first case of PRES following a scorpion sting.