Does the use of bisphosphonates during pregnancy affect fetal outcomes? A systematic review

PURPOSE

This systematic review aimed to determine the effects of maternal exposure to bisphosphonates (BPs) during pregnancy on neonatal outcomes. It aimed to disclosfe the impact of BPs on neonates and identify aspects that require further investigation.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of PubMed, Science Direct, LILACS, EMBASE, and Web of Science was conducted until August 2022, with no time restrictions. The selection criteria included studies published in English that evaluated pregnant women who were exposed to BPs.

RESULTS

From an initial pool of 2169 studies, 13 met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review. These studies collectively included 106 women (108 pregnancies) who were exposed to BPs either before orduring pregnancy. A summary of the key characteristics of the selected studies and the risk of bias assessment are provided. Exposure to BPs occurs at various stages of pregnancy, with different indications for BP treatment. The most frequently reported neonatal outcomes were spontaneous abortion, congenital malformations, hypocalcemia, preterm birth, and low birth weight.

CONCLUSION

Although previous reports have linked BPs before or during pregnancy with adverse neonatal outcomes, these associations should be interpreted with caution. Given the complexity of these findings, further research is necessary to provide more definitive insights to guide clinical decisions regarding the use of BPs in pregnant women.

Which devices can be used to decompress odontogenic cystic lesions in the oral cavity? A systematic review

Odontogenic cysts are bony lesions in the jaws that can reach large sizes. Decompression, a technique that helps in their surgical treatment, aims to reduce their size. We aimed to conduct a systematic review of the main types of device used for the decompression of odontogenic cysts and to analyse the indications, types, advantages, and disadvantages of the devices used. We searched PubMed, Science Direct, LILACS, EMBASE, and Web of Science until February 2023, with no time restriction. We considered studies with a minimum of 10 patients published only in English, those that reported cases and case series, randomised clinical trials of the decompression of odontogenic cysts, and the types of devices used during the decompression period. All reported odontogenic cysts had to have been confirmed by biopsy in their respective publications. We found 713 articles in the selected databases. After removing duplicates, 499 remained. After reading the titles and abstracts, we excluded 461 articles so 38 remained. Nine studies were selected for the review, totalling 244 patients. A total of 206 lesions were identified and confirmed by anatomopathological examination: 123 keratocysts, 40 dentigerous cysts, 34 radicular cysts, one cyst of epithelial origin but without specification, and eight unicystic ameloblastomas. Although we did not find out which device is best for the decompression of odontogenic cysts, our findings show that those that are most effective should be as comfortable as possible and should remain in place. They should have stability in the oral cavity and be easy for the patient to clean.

Alendronate induces skeletal alterations in the chicken embryonic development model

Alendronate, a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate, has reported long-term clinical success in the management of distinct bone-related conditions, particularly in the modulation of post-menopausal osteoporosis. Nonetheless, whether the inhibitory activity over osteoclastic cells' functionality is widely acknowledged, contradictory evidence arises from the assessment of alendronate activity over osteoblastic populations. This may be of particular relevance in situations in which bone formation exceeds bone resorption, with further emphasis on embryonic development, since alendronate can cross the placental barrier and alendronate-based therapies are being extended into women of reproductive age. Accordingly, the present study aims to assess the effects of alendronate, at distinct concentrations (1.5E-10M to 1.5E-7M) on bone tissue development, within a translational animal model - the embryonic chicken development model. Embryos, at the beginning of osteogenesis (day 7) were exposed to different alendronate concentrations for 4 days. Embryos were following characterized for skeletal development by histomorphometric analysis upon histochemical staining, microtomographic analysis, and gene expression assessment of genes related to osteoclastogenic/osteoclastic and osteoblastogenic/osteogenic differentiation, as well as to the immuno-inflammatory activation. The findings revealed that exposure to alendronate had a dose-dependent impact on skeletal growth and mineralization. This effect was evidenced by diminished bone volume and reduced bone surface parameters, with the 1.5E-7M concentration leading to a remarkable reduction of over 50%. Additionally, a decreased osteoclastogenic/osteoclastic gene expression was verified, associated with a diminished osteoblastogenic/osteogenic program - within the 30-50% range for 1.5E-7 M, supporting the diminished bone formation process. An increased inflammatory activation may contribute, at least in part, to the attained outcomes. Overall present findings suggest a negative influence of alendronate on the embryonic bone development process in a dose-dependent manner, highlighting the potential risk of alendronate use during embryonic development.

Can the prophylactic use of pentoxifylline and tocopherol before dental extractions prevent osteoradionecrosis? A systematic review

PURPOSE

This systematic review aimed to determine whether the pentoxifylline and tocopherol (PENTO) protocol effectively reduce the risk of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) in patients undergoing tooth extraction after head and neck radiotherapy.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, SCOPUS, LILACS, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases up to August 2022. We considered only studies that included patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer undergoing tooth extraction with PENTO prophylaxis after radiotherapy.

RESULTS

Of the 642 studies identified, 4 were included. Across the included studies, 387 patients had 1871 teeth extracted while on PENTO prophylaxis. The interval of the PENTO protocol differed among the studies included. Overall, a total of 12 (3.1%) patients had ORN, whereas at the individual tooth level analysis the ORN rate was 0.9%.

CONCLUSIONS

Insufficient evidence exists to promote using the PENTO protocol before dental extractions to prevent ORN.

Glandular Odontogenic Cyst in the Anterior Mandible: A Case Report of a Conservative Approach and a Recurrence Detection

PURPOSE

The glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) is considered a rare developmental cyst, with an odontogenic origin and both epithelial and glandular characteristics, with less than 200 reported cases in the literature.

METHODS

In the present case, a 29-year-old man was referred for evaluation of an asymptomatic slow-growing swelling in the anterior region of the mandible, with one-year history. The patient's medical history did not reveal any systemic alteration. The extraoral examination did not show enlargement of the facial contour and the intraoral examination showed vestibular and lingual swelling. Panoramic radiography and CT scan revealed a well-defined unilocular radiolucent lesion involving the inferior incisors and canines bilaterally.

RESULTS

Histopathological analysis revealed multiple cysts lined by stratified epithelium with varying thickness and characteristics, in addition to duct-like structures filled with PAS-positive amorphous material, suggestive of GOC. Conservative treatment was performed through surgical curettage, peripheral ostectomy of the surgical site and apicectomy of the teeth involved in the lesion. There was one recurrence, which was detected in postoperative follow-up, leading to a new surgical approach.

CONCLUSIONS

Fifteen months after the second procedure, no signs of recurrence were identified, and bone neoformation within the surgical site occurred, supporting that a conservative approach for the treatment of GOC is viable.

Foreign Body in the Hard Palate of Infant

Foreign bodies adherent to the hard palate often mimic oral lesions. Case report: A 10-month-old female infant presented with the sudden development of a hard palate lesion. With photography and visualization, the "lesion" was a false nail, which belonged to the child's caregiver. Discussion/conclusion: The differential diagnosis of palatal lesions in infants should include foreign bodies, and if identified as such, evaluation under anesthesia may be avoided.

Oral cancer analysis in a Brazilian city: interval between diagnosis and treatment

In Brazil, there are 15,500 incident cases of oral cancer (OC) yearly, and early diagnosis is the main factor for a better prognosis. The objective of this study was to analyze the interval between the first symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment commencement in patients with malignant neoplasms in the oral cavity, lips, and oropharynx diagnosed between 2012-2018. Epidemiological data, duration, history of lesion, biopsy, and diagnosis were obtained from the medical records of these patients, who were then contacted via phone and interviewed about their oncological treatment. The results were analyzed and expressed as mean, median, and SD. Of 184 patients, most were men, white, 50-69 years old, smokers, and alcoholics. The longest interval was between the first symptoms and first evaluation (a mean of 275 days). The interval between the first appointment and the result of the biopsy was shorter (13 days). Among the 85 patients interviewed, the interval between the diagnosis, the first appointment at the oncological clinic and treatment commencement was 55 days (mean) for patients using private-sector health care, and 96 days (mean) for patients using public health care. The interval was twice as long in the public health system compared with the private sector, which highlights the inequality of access to health care in Brazil. Delay in seeking health care after the appearance of the first symptoms remains a major problem.

Pilomatrixoma in the cheek: a clinical case report

Pilomatrixoma is a follicular benign tumor of unknown etiology that originates in the matrix of a hair follicle. It develops more frequently in children and young adults, with a slight predominance in female patients. It is a slow-growing tumor that presents as a mobile nodule, firm, and with well-defined borders. The present study aimed to report the clinical, histopathologic, and radiographic aspects of pilomatrixoma in the cheek area of a 20-year-old female patient as the established treatment at an oral maxillofacial department. Pilomatrixoma is rarely included in the differential diagnosis of masses and nodules in the skin, and it is often confused with other nodular lesions, such as epidermoid cysts. The diagnostic method to identify this entity is an incisional biopsy. Because of its high incidence in the head and neck region, oral surgeons should be well-acquainted with this type of tumor so that it can be included as a diagnostic hypothesis of masses and nodules of the head and neck.

Oral yeast colonization in patients with eating disorders: commensal acquisition or due to purgative habits?

Oral problems are common in patients diagnosed with Eating Disorders (ED) and still require better elucidation. We aimed to analyze the prevalence of oral Candida spp in individuals with ED. The sample of the study was comprised of 30 women with purgative habits and 15 without purgative habits. Samples of the oral cavity were collected by sterile cotton swab rubbed on soft tissues and teeth. Yeasts were isolated on Sabouraud dextrose agar. Yeasts were isolated from the oral cavity of 53% of the patients yielding 75 yeast isolates; of these, 43 were identified by conventional mycological methods: C. parapsilosis (n=19), C. glabrata (n=16), Rhodotorula sp (n= 6), C. famata (n=2). The remaining 32 isolates were presumptively identified as C. albicans or C. dubliniensis and required mass spectrometry for the final differentiation: 28 isolates were confirmed as C. albicans and four as C. dubliniensis. Among the control group, only four subjects (26.7%) were found to harbor C. albicans. The four C. dubliniensis isolates were from two patients, one that was only colonized and the other, with severe ED, was diagnosed with an oral candidiasis as demonstrated by the presence of pseudohyphae on the direct mycological exam from different sites. The increased rate of isolation of non-albicans species, such as C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, and C. dubliniensis in the oral cavity from ED patients with nutritional deficiency may suggest that purgative habits of these patients can lead to changes in normal flora and predispose to oral candidiasis.

Oral profile of eating disorders patients: Case series

Oral alterations in patients diagnosed with eating disorders (ED) are reported in the literature, but few articles demonstrate these changes in a specific population. This study aims to summarize the findings of 26 patients with ED in a Brazilian dental clinic, through analyzing the body mass index and oral conditions (decayed, missing and filled teeth-DMFT, dental wear, salivary flux, xerostomia, oral hygiene-OHI-S, oral lesions, and the prevalence of candidiasis), in order to facilitate recognition and enable accurate diagnosis for the general dentist. Probably, the premature diagnosis of ED resulted in lower DMFT and oral lesions.

Diagnostic potential of saliva proteome analysis: a review and guide to clinical practice

Proteomic techniques have become popular in medicine and dentistry because of their widespread use in analyzing bodily fluids such as blood, saliva, urine, and gingival crevicular fluids as well as hard tissues such as enamel, dentine, and cementum. This review is a guide to proteomic techniques in general dentistry, summarizing techniques and their clinical application in understanding and diagnosing diseases and their use in identifying biomarkers of various diseases.

Does type 2 diabetic osteoporotic patients present more periodontal risks than non-osteoporotic patients? An evaluation with mandibular cortical index (Klemetti)

Aim: This study aim was to evaluate if patients with type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis have an increased risk of periodontal disease (horizontal and vertical bone loss) when compared to diabetic patients without osteoporosis. Additionally, to assess if patients with diabetes and osteoporosis have a greater risk of reduction of bone mineral density in the mandible, expressed by mandibular cortical index (MCI) when compared to diabetic patients without osteoporosis. Methods: 59 patients (39 diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis; 20 diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and without osteoporosis) were selected. Type 2 diabetes was previously diagnosed by glycated hemoglobin examination and osteoporosis by peripheral dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Mandibular cortical index, as well as the presence of vertical and horizontal bone loss was verified on panoramic radiographs. Adjusted odds ratio analyses were performed on presence of periodontal disease and MCI considering the effect of osteoporosis. Results: Absence of statistical significance between variables was found. Conclusions: There is no difference between the risk of periodontal disease or low MCI among osteoporotic and non-osteoporotic type 2 diabetic patients.

Treatment of symptomatic benign migratory glossitis: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the results of all published studies on symptomatic benign migratory glossitis and evaluate the best available treatment.

METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, LILACS, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for articles published up to September 2017, with no time restriction. We considered only articles published in English that evaluated the treatment of symptomatic benign migratory glossitis in children and adults. The protocol for this systematic review was registered at the international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO) as CRD42017074096.

RESULTS

Of the 840 identified studies, 11 were included in our sample. Multiple treatment modalities were described for the treatment of symptomatic benign migratory glossitis.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a very low level of evidence for the treatment of symptomatic benign migratory glossitis, with substantial methodological heterogeneity among the evaluated studies. In summary, we could identify no specific treatment for symptomatic benign migratory glossitis.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

In clinical practice, at the outpatient clinic of oral medicine, we attend to many patients diagnosed with benign migratory glossitis, with varying intensity of pain ranging from mild to severe. Treating this disease is a formidable challenge for clinicians. Therefore, we performed a systematic review of benign migratory glossitis to identify the best evidence-based treatment available for this condition. We believe that this article may be useful in guiding clinicians on the choice of treatment.