The Periodontitis and Vascular Events (PAVE) pilot study: adverse events

BACKGROUND: During the last 15 years, a substantial number of population-based, clinical, laboratory, and animal studies have been published that reported findings on the relationship between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease. The Periodontitis and Vascular Events (PAVE) pilot study was conducted to investigate the feasibility of a randomized secondary prevention trial to test whether treatment of periodontal disease reduces the risk for cardiovascular disease. This article describes the occurrence of adverse events during the pilot study. METHODS: The PAVE pilot study was a multicenter, randomized trial comparing periodontal therapy to community dental care. Baseline and follow-up clinic visits included a periodontal examination; blood, subgingival plaque, and crevicular fluid specimen collection; and medical and dental histories. Telephone follow-up contacts were scheduled to occur 3 months after randomization and every 6 months thereafter to assess adverse events or endpoints. RESULTS: Cardiovascular adverse events occurred with similar frequency (23 versus 24 [P = 0.85] in the community control and the treatment groups, respectively). There were 15 serious adverse events (SAEs) with a non-significantly higher percentage occurring in the community care group (6.6% versus 3.3%; P = 0.19). A time-to-event analysis of patterns of SAEs indicated that subjects in the periodontal therapy group tended to be less likely to experience an SAE over the entire 25 months of the study. CONCLUSION: For those individuals who remained in the study, it appears that provision of periodontal scaling and root planing treatment to individuals with heart disease resulted in a similar pattern of adverse events as seen in the community care group, which also received some treatment.     

Prospective evaluation of the referral pattern to restorative dentistry consultation clinics in Ireland

The objective of this study was to analyse pattern of referral to Restorative Dentistry Consultation Clinics in a Dental Teaching Hospital. Patient demographic details and referral information were collected on new patient clinics. The majority of patients were female (62.1%). The greatest proportion of patients, 41.6%, was referred from the adjacent urban area. The highest percentage of referrals was from general practitioners, (37.6%). The main referral reasons were periodontal (24.7%), fixed prosthodontics (18.6%), endodontics (10.7%) and removable prosthodontics (8.3%). The study clearly showed that the majority of patients referred were female and from close proximity to the Hospital. Patients were referred for a broad range of restorative reasons.     

Percutaneous bone-anchored hearing aid

Patients born with severe dysmorphology involving the ears usually have hearing derangements as well as other areas of the craniofacial skeleton affected. To correct the functional problem, the usual and customary treatment is augmentation of the hearing with a bone conducting hearing device. The patients have to wear these devices with an external band. The new advances in osseointegrated implant allowed us today to utilize the same technology in the patient with the application of a bone anchored hearing device. The advantages are related to the obviation of the need to use a hearing band across the head, that most children object to, and the new device is much smaller than the large and cumbersome banded device. There is also an added advantage in the improvement of the hearing as the units are anchored internally in the bone. The device utilizes digital technology and can be calibrated easily. The patient can apply the device in the morning by a simple application click. The disadvantage to the patient is that the area requires consistent maintenance and care, however, this operation can be done very easily. A sleeper osseointegrated unit is kept as a spare that can be utilized if any osseo-integrated functional problem appears. The functional changes in the hearing and the audiological improvements are well documented.     

Charlatans in dentistry: ethics of the NICO wars

The scientific and diagnostic status of neuralgia-inducing cavitational osteonecrosis, NICO, has not been definitively established. A case is presented in favor of this diagnosis based on published literature. It is argued that the case against NICO has been made largely based on personal experiences, by innuendo, and through personal attacks rather than in scientific debate.     

Erythema multiforme: a review and contrast from Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis

Erythema multiforme and Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis are separate diseases. Recent evidence suggests that they have different etiologies and require different treatments. This article provides an overview of the two conditions with emphasis on the differences between them. An outline of the diagnosis and management of the diseases is included.     

Fabrication of a craniofacial implant surgical and treatment planning guide

A procedure is described to fabricate a surgical guide to assist in the placement of craniofacial implants for prosthetic auricular rehabilitation. An impression is made of the defect, and a wax pattern of the missing ear is completed and evaluated on the patient. The definitive wax prosthesis is processed in acrylic resin. An occlusal maxillary splint is also fabricated. The occlusal splint and the acrylic resin ear are joined together using an extraoral acrylic resin bar. The resulting surgical guide provides proper orientation of the acrylic resin ear while remaining securely attached to the maxillary arch. This surgical guide can also be utilized for pretreatment radiographic examination.     

Determining the optimal obturation length: a meta-analysis of literature

The purpose was to aid in determining termination of instrumentation and obturation. A meta-analysis was conducted as to success/failure of different obturation lengths. Inclusion criteria were (a) minimum follow-up of 2 yr, (b) data on obturation length, (c) definition of success/failure, (d) available data on success/failure, (e) radiographic evaluation. Correlations were made as to success/failure as related to length of obturation from the apex. When comparing group A (obturated 0-1 mm from apex) versus group C (obturated past apex) using the DerSimonian and Laird estimates, group A showed a marginally better (p < 0.10) success rate than group C by 28.8%. Group A had better success than group B (obturated >1 mm short); the difference was insignificant. The results were similar after controlling for study quality using a single random effects regression model. In conclusion, the meta-analysis indicated that a better success rate is achieved when treatment includes obturation short of the apex.