Rising incidence of severe maxillofacial space infections in Germany.

Objectives: Severe maxillofacial space infection (MSI) as an end stage of dentoalveolar diseases or complication of sialadenitis is a potentially life-threatening disease accompanied by complications including airway obstruction, jugular vein thrombosis, descending mediastinitis, sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome. The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence and time trends of severe MSI and potentially influencing factors in the German healthcare system over time.

Materials And Methods: Nationwide data regarding the national diagnosis-related-group (DRG) inpatient billing system was received from the German Federal Statistical Office.

Facts and trends in dental antibiotic and analgesic prescriptions in Germany, 2012-2021.

Objectives: The study aims to overview German dentists' development of antibiotic and analgesic prescriptions from 2012 to 2021.

Materials And Methods: A longitudinal database analysis was performed based on the annual reports of the "Research Institute for Local Health Care Systems" (WIdO, Berlin).

Results: From 2012 until 2021, dental antibiotic prescriptions fell by 17.

A large animal model of periodontal defects in bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw: a comparison of clinical and radiological findings.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to demonstrate the suitability of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) for research in periodontology, with implications for oral implantology, facial traumatology, and all disciplines involved in treating patients with bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ).

Methods: Halves of the jaws of 9 Swiss mountain sheep, assigned to a control group (n=3), an osteoporosis group (n=3) and a zoledronate-exposed group (n=3), were examined. Clinical and radiological evaluations were conducted using CBCT imaging to assess whether periodontitis and bone defects were observed to a significant extent after surgical tooth extraction.

Medical status of elderly patients consulting two oral and maxillofacial surgery departments in Germany.

An increasing number of elderly patients requires dental care. The data concerning the medical risk profile of seniors consulting dentists are scarce. In this context, the comorbidity-polypharmacy-score (CPS) could be an effective clinical tool to quickly assess the medical status of elderly patients.

Geranyl-geraniol addition affects potency of bisphosphonates-a comparison in vitro promising a therapeutic approach for bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw and oral wound healing.

Purpose: Analysis of the influence of geranyl-geraniol (GG) addition on four bisphosphonate derivatives regarding their influence on cell viability and migration ability of bone metabolism and endothelial cells in vitro.

Methods: Clodronate, pamidronate, ibandronate, and zoledronate were observed with and without GG addition, for their effect on human osteoblasts (HOB), normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF), human endothelial progenitor cells (EPC), and endothelial cells of the human umbilical cord (HUVEC) using migration-, MTT-, and colony-forming cell assays.

Results: Data pointed to a depressing effect of all bisphosphonates on the migration ability of NHDF, EPC, and HOB.

Local Anesthetic Usage Among Dentists: German and International Data.

The aim of this study was to analyze the use of dental local anesthetics in Germany compared with international data. The type and distribution of dental local anesthetics and added vasoconstrictors based on a representative sample of German dentists itemized over a period of 7 years (2011 to 2017) were evaluated and statistically analyzed. The results were compared with international dental local anesthetic consumption data published since 2005.

The expression of melanoma-associated antigen A (MAGE-A) in oral squamous cell carcinoma: an evaluation of the significance for tumor prognosis.

Objectives: Melanoma-associated antigens A had been detected repeatedly in oral squamous cell carcinoma, but not in healthy mucosa. Additionally, patients with MAGE-A expressing cancers are regarded to have a worse survival prognosis, so that MAGE-A are supposed to be part of carcinogenesis. Which role these antigens fulfill within OSCC is still, up today, largely unknown.

Analgesic prescribing patterns of dental practitioners in Germany.

Purpose: To analyze the prescribing patterns of analgesics by dentists in Germany during an investigation period of five years in comparison to analgesic prescriptions by physicians and in relation to international prescribing data.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed nationwide data of all prescriptions of analgesics and antiphlogistics (except strong opioids) on the basis of the annual reports of the German statutory health insurances from 2012 to 2016. The types of analgesics, the number of prescriptions and the prescribed 'defined daily doses' (DDD) itemized by dentists and physicians were analyzed.

Modulation of Tumor Cell Metabolism by Laser Photochemotherapy with Cisplatin or Zoledronic Acid .

Background/aim: Laser photochemotherapy is a new approach in cancer treatment using low-level laser therapy (LLLT) to enhance the effect of chemotherapy.

Materials And Methods: In order to evaluate the effect of LLLT on tumor cells, HeLa cells were treated with cisplatin or zoledronic acid (ZA) followed by LLLT. Cell viability was evaluated with 2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide assay.

Trends in antibiotic prescribing by dental practitioners in Germany.

Purpose: To analyze the structure of antibiotic prescriptions by dentists in Germany during a time-period of four years in relation to medical antibiotic prescriptions.

Materials And Methods: We collected nationwide data from all statutory health insurances on dental prescriptions of systemic antibiotics from 2012 to 2015. The annual reports of the "Research Institute for Local Health Care Systems" (WIdO, Berlin) provided the basis for this longitudinal data base analysis.

Impact of Soft Tissue Pathophysiology in the Development and Maintenance of Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (BRONJ).

Since the first description of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ), numerous research groups have focused on possible pathological mechanisms including the suppression of the bone turnover of the jaw, antiangiogenic effects and soft tissue toxicity. In our review we focused on summarizing the role of the soft tissues in the development and progression of BRONJ. The biological behavior of fibroblasts can be significantly influenced by bisphosphonates (BP) such as a concentration dependent reduction of cell viability.

Evaluations of dentists on a German physician rating Website: an analysis of the ratings.

Background: Physician rating websites have been gaining in importance in both practice and research. However, no evidence is available concerning patients' ratings of dentists on physician rating websites.

Objective: The aim of this study is to present a comprehensive analysis of the ratings of dentists on a German physician rating website over a 2-year period.

[Malignant facial tumors. Ambulatory therapy and new methods of cancer prevention].

Background: The growth rate of malignant facial skin tumors is one of the highest of all malignancies. The predominantly older patients mostly wish outpatient treatment. The aim of the study was to describe the strategy and results of outpatient tumor surgery.

Coronoid process enlargement.

A case is reported of unilateral process enlargement in a 22-year-old man causing limitation of mandibular movements. The radiographic features suggested an osteochondroma. Following coronoidectomy, a definitive diagnosis of coronoid hyperplasia was made.

[Clinical and radiation physics studies on the influence of mandibular reconstruction plates on the dose distribution of ultrahard photons].

The effect of mandibular reconstruction plates on the dose distribution of megavoltage photons was analysed. All treated patients showed the normal reactions expected from radiation therapy regardless the modification of dose distribution by the metal plates. For dose estimation measurements were done in a phantom with photons of the energy 60Co to 42 MV and different material.

[An X-ray study of the incidence of asymptomatic hypertrophy of the coronoid process].

Although the coronoid process is not part of the temporomandibular joint, hyperplasia of the coronoid process can effect the mandibular movement as the result of the impingement on the zygomatic arch which is demonstrated in the case of a 22-year-old man. In order to access the prevalence of the asymptomatic enlargement of the coronoid process we carried out an investigation on 2000 panoramic radiographs and found only one case of a 64-year-old man. The very rare coronoid process abnormalities demonstrated on routine plan films should best be demonstrated in computed tomography, appreciating the morphology and the deformity of the surrounding structures.

[Perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis in maxillofacial surgery].

In surgical interventions in the maxillofacial area the intraoral approach often is chosen for technical and esthetic reasons. Because of the inevitable contamination of the surgical wounds with the facultative pathogenic mixed flora of the oral cavity, these operations are exposed to an increased risk of postoperative wound infections. Therefore, a perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis is justified.

A new condylar positioning technique in orthognathic surgery. Technical note.

In two-jaw surgery, special importance must be attached to the maintenance of the condylar position, particularly in combination with rigid fixation, not only to enhance the stability of the post-operative result but also to avoid iatrogenic temporomandibular joint complications. The new positioning method reported herein is based on a mini fragmentation plate, which can be easily adapted to the bone surface. Reinforcement of the plate by autopolymerizing acrylate, injected into a silicone tube which is pushed over the plate, prevents any unnoticed deformation of the positioning device during surgery.

[Case reports on the importance of the locoregional radiotherapy of Merkel cell tumor].

The Merkel cell tumor is becoming an increasingly diagnosed primary neoplasm of the skin. This subepidermal tumor is commonly located on the head and neck or extremities of elderly patients. Occasionally misinterpreted as cutaneous metastases, they show a high rate of local recurrence (27 to 52%) and distant metastatic spread (18 to 52%).

Clinical and radiological findings in Gardner's syndrome: a case report and follow-up study.

Gardner's syndrome is characterized by colorectal adenomas, multiple osteomas, especially of the skull, and various soft-tissue tumours. The disease is inherited as an autosomal dominant disorder and all untreated patients will develop colorectal adenocarcinomas. Since the clinical and radiological stigmas in the maxillofacial area, such as exosteal and endosteal osteomas, skin cysts, atypical skin pigmentation and abnormal dental findings or radiopaque lesions can precede the often symptomless adenomas for many years, dentists, maxillofacial surgeons and radiologists should be familiar with the manifestations of this disease.

[The bacteriological and clinical aspects of odontogenic soft-tissue infections].

The antibiotic treatment is proved to be an effective supplement for the surgical therapy of odontogenic soft-tissue infections. For the use of antibiotics the knowledge of the oral bacterial flora and its state of resistance is very essential. In a catamnestic study the clinical records of 250 patients with orofacial infections, who were under stationary treatment in the Dept.

[Ascher's syndrome].

Ascher's syndrome is composed of the triad blepharochalasis, double lip and goitre. In many of the cases reported in the literature this typical constellation of symptoms is not complete; particularly the struma is not mandatorily involved. A 58-year-old patient with this rare disease who exhibited blepharochalasis and double upper and lower lip is presented.

[Fibrin adhesives in the treatment of oral hemangioma].

Selective embolization using the fast-setting phase of a fibrin adhesive is an improvement in the range of therapeutic options for oral hemangioma. Direct injection of TISSUCOL permits a safe, selective and tissue-sparing operative procedure involving little bleeding and resulting in the complete extirpation of a hemangioma with all the residues.

[Antithrombin III control in patients with long-term anticoagulant therapy].

Antithrombin III and protein C are the major inhibitors of the plasma clotting system. Since adequate thromboembolism protection requires a cofactor AT III for heparin to provide full antithrombotic coverage, the preoperative AT III and protein C levels in the plasma of 105 patients treated with marcumar are measured. The understanding of the physiological role of these inhibitors of the plasma clotting system and of the causes for their decrease should directly lead to the indications for laboratory analysis.