The Effects of Periodontal Treatment on Rheumatoid Arthritis and of Anti-Rheumatic Drugs on Periodontitis: A Systematic Review

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontitis are chronic inflammatory diseases that widely spread and share the same patterns of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effects of non-surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) on RA and, conversely, the impact of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) on periodontitis. PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched using the MESH terms "periodontitis" and "rheumatoid arthritis" from January 2012 to September 2023. A total of 49 articles was included in the final analysis, 10 of which were randomized controlled trials. A total of 31 records concerns the effect of NSPT on parameters of RA disease activity, including a 28-joint disease activity score, anti-citrullinated protein antibodies, rheumatoid factor, C reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, pro-inflammatory cytokines and acute phase proteins in serum, saliva, gingival crevicular fluid, and synovial fluid. A total of 18 articles investigated the effect of DMARDs on periodontal indexes and on specific cytokine levels. A quality assessment and risk-of-bias of the studies were also performed. Despite some conflicting results, there is evidence that RA patients and periodontitis patients benefit from NSPT and DMARDs, respectively. The limitations of the studies examined are the small samples and the short follow-up (usually 6 months). Further research is mandatory to evaluate if screening and treatment of periodontitis should be performed systematically in RA patients, and if the administration of DMARDs is useful in reducing the production of cytokines in the periodontium.

Tooth Complications after Orthodontic Miniscrews Insertion

Orthodontic miniscrews (OM) are widely used in modern orthodontic clinical practice to improve skeletal anchorage and have a high safety profile. A complication at the time of OM insertion is tooth root perforation or periodontal ligament trauma. Rarely, OM injury can cause permanent damage, such as ankylosis, osteosclerosis, and loss of tooth vitality. The aim of this work was to analyze potential risks and dental complications associated with the use of OMs. A search of the PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Scopus databases was conducted without a time limit using the keywords "orthodontic mini-screw" and "dental damage", resulting in 99 studies. After screening and eligibility, including articles obtained through a citation search, 13 articles were selected. Four studies revealed accidental injuries caused by OM. Most of the damage was localized at the root level and resolved spontaneously with restorative cement formation after prompt removal of the OM, while the pain disappeared. In some cases, irreversible nerve damage, extensive lesions to the dentin-pulp complex, and refractory periapical periodontitis occurred, requiring endodontic and/or surgical treatment. The choice of insertion site was the most important element to be evaluated during the application of OMs.

Laser Surgical Approach of Upper Labial Frenulum: A Systematic Review

An abnormal and hypertrophied upper labial frenulum (ULF) can cause diastemas, gingival recession, eruption abnormalities, and the onset of carious and periodontal problems in the upper central incisors, as well as aesthetic and functional disorders of the upper lip. The goal of this investigation is to review the evidence on the surgical techniques that are currently available for treating ULF in order to identify the best approach. PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Embase were searched for papers that matched our topic from 13 November 2012 up to 22 November 2022 using the following Boolean keywords: "frenulum" and "surgery*". A total of eight articles were selected for the purpose of the review. ULF can be surgically treated using either traditional scalpel surgery or laser surgery. The latter is the better option due to its intra- and post-operative benefits for both the patients and the clinicians, in terms of faster healing, fewer side effects and discomfort, and greater patient compliance. However, a higher learning curve is required for this technique, especially to calibrate the appropriate power of the laser. To date, it is not possible to identify which type of laser achieves the best clinical results for the treatment of ULF.