Reporting MRONJ as an adverse drug reaction: an oral surgery survey.

Introduction Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a significant adverse drug reaction associated with anti-angiogenic and anti-resorptive medications. The aim of this survey was to highlight the importance of reporting adverse drug reactions, including MRONJ.Methodology An electronic survey was disseminated to dentists working in the oral surgery department Birmingham Community Healthcare Trust in November 2021.

Virtual clinics in oral surgery: an equitable service for all?

Introduction Teledentistry has become more prevalent in the provision of oral healthcare since the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual consultation clinics were introduced at Birmingham Dental Hospital as an adjunct to face-to-face (F2F) consultation clinics. This service evaluation compares virtual and F2F consultation clinics in oral surgery, with particular focus on 'did not attend' (DNA) rates.

elicits subspecies-specific responses in human neutrophils.

as a Gram-negative anaerobe plays a key bridging role in oral biofilms. It is involved in periodontal and extraoral diseases, the most prominent being colorectal cancer. Five subspecies are recognised: and .

Epidemiological associations between periodontitis and cancer.

There is a postulated association of periodontitis with a number of human cancers. This narrative review provides current epidemiological evidence on the association between periodontitis and cancer. A PubMed search with the relevant keywords (periodontal disease, periodontitis, cancer, and malignancy) was completed to identify relevent articles.

The TMD management dilemma.

As temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) become ever more prevalent in both primary and secondary care settings, successful management is increasingly challenging in both sectors. The authors aim to explore the dilemma of TMD management as the patient journeys through from primary to secondary care and offer educational tools to support practitioners in managing this complex patient cohort, as well as outlining alternative solutions for the delivery of TMD management strategies.

Reducing general anaesthetic episodes: 'piggyback' procedures - Birmingham Children's Hospital experience.

Introduction Birmingham Children's Hospital (BCH) has a well-established care pathway for joint procedures - 'piggybacks' - under general anaesthetic (GA). The premise behind these joint procedures is that dental treatment is undertaken at the same time as another planned GA, usually completed by the patient's primary medical or surgical specialty, or another speciality attending a dental GA list.Aim The aim of this paper is to share the recent BCH experience of joint procedures and provide a model for secondary and tertiary care providers across the UK to develop their own collaborative working approaches.

What is the impact of biologics on the management of the oral surgery patient?

The use of biologics in medicine is on the rise. As dental professionals, it is becoming increasingly important that we are aware of this class of medications and the theoretical risks that they pose specific to the oral cavity to ensure safe delivery of dental treatment. This paper discusses some of these risks and recommendations to follow to manage patients undergoing oral surgery specifically.

The effectiveness of autologous platelet concentrates in prevention and treatment of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws: A systematic review.

The systematic review aims to answer the PICOS question: "Are the autologous platelet concentrates (APCs) an effective strategy in prevention and/or treatment of patients at risk of/affected by medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ)?". A literature search was conducted via PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL (January 2006 - September 2023). 30 articles were included, evaluating preventive (n = 8*) and treatment strategies (n = 23*).

Genotype-Phenotype Correlation in Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa: Signposts to Severity.

Junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB) is a rare autosomal recessive genodermatosis with a broad spectrum of phenotypes. Current genotype-phenotype paradigms are insufficient to accurately predict JEB subtype and characteristics from genotype, particularly for splice site variants, which account for over a fifth of disease-causing variants in JEB. This study evaluated the genetic and clinical findings from a JEB cohort, investigating genotype-phenotype correlations through bioinformatic analyses and comparison with previously reported variants.

Novel Ameloblastin Variants, Contrasting Amelogenesis Imperfecta Phenotypes.

Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) comprises a group of rare, inherited disorders with abnormal enamel formation. Ameloblastin (AMBN), the second most abundant enamel matrix protein (EMP), plays a critical role in amelogenesis. Pathogenic biallelic loss-of-function variants are known to cause recessive hypoplastic AI.

Heterozygous variants are a frequent cause of amelogenesis imperfecta.

Background: Collagen XVII is most typically associated with human disease when biallelic variants (>230) cause junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB), a rare, genetically heterogeneous, mucocutaneous blistering disease with amelogenesis imperfecta (AI), a developmental enamel defect. Despite recognition that heterozygous carriers in JEB families can have AI, and that heterozygous variants also cause dominant corneal epithelial recurrent erosion dystrophy (ERED), the importance of heterozygous variants causing dominant non-syndromic AI is not widely recognised.

Methods: Probands from an AI cohort were screened by single molecule molecular inversion probes or targeted hybridisation capture (both a custom panel and whole exome sequencing) for variants.

A novel method for the remote measurement of trismus in clinical trials using mobile phone cameras.

Objective: To evaluate the reliability and validity of a novel method for remotely measuring trismus.

Materials And Methods: We recruited 60 volunteers who took three types of photographs at a fixed restricted jaw position mimicking limited mouth opening, including one selfie and one portrait with or without a reference frame. Additionally, the interincisal distance and the width of the upper central incisors were measured with a ruler, as per common practice.

How to recognise a Behçet's ulcer from other types of oral ulceration? Defining Behçet's ulceration by an International Delphi Consultation.

Objectives: To define the clinical characteristics of oral ulceration (OU) in Behçet's disease (BD), to allow differentiation from other causes of OU, including aphthous ulcers, by an International Delphi consultation. To develop a clinical guideline on how to recognise BD ulcers.

Methods: Round 1.

Pseudo transposition of the mandibular lateral incisor to the first premolar space: A literature review and case series.

Tooth transposition is the positional interchange of two adjacent teeth, which may be incomplete or complete. The root apex may remain in a normal position despite a severely displaced crown. The aim of this paper is to provide a literature review on the incidence, aetiology and treatment options for pseudo-transposed mandibular incisors.

Aesthetic management of discoloured incisors in children.

Children can often present with discolouration of their teeth, commonly affecting their permanent maxillary central incisors. These opacities can often cause children to suffer with psychosocial and confidence related issues. With long waiting lists in secondary care, many children may face increased waiting times to receive aesthetic dental treatment.

Sterically Enhanced Control of Enzyme-Assisted DNA Assembly.

Traditional methods for the assembly of functionalised DNA structures, involving enzyme restriction and modification, present difficulties when working with small DNA fragments (<100 bp), in part due to a lack of control over enzymatic action during the DNA modification process. This limits the design flexibility and range of accessible DNA structures. Here, we show that these limitations can be overcome by introducing chemical modifications into the DNA that spatially restrict enzymatic activity.

Bone grafting techniques and materials for implant dentistry.

Bone quality, volume, height and width all play a pivotal role in dental implant stability, success and survival. A lack of adequate bone can be overcome with various bone grafting procedures. Dependent on many factors, including the amount of bone required, the site of implant placement, patient preferences and clinician factors; the type of bone grafting material and procedure undertaken can vary.

Periradicular tissue fluid-derived biomarkers for apical periodontitis: An in vitro methodological and in vivo cross-sectional study.

Background: Periradicular tissue fluid (PTF) offers a source of diagnostic, prognostic and predictive biomarkers for endodontic disease.

Aims: (1) To optimize basic parameters for PTF paper point sampling in vitro for subsequent in vivo application. (2) To compare proteomes of PTF from teeth with normal apical tissues (NAT) and asymptomatic apical periodontitis (AAP) using high-throughput panels.

Tacit knowledge and the role of the dental educator.

Introduction: This article seeks to explore tacit knowledge in the context of the practice and the role of a dental educator in a workplace learning environment.

Material And Methods: The key theoretical ideologies which underpin the definition of tacit knowledge have been outlined and practical examples to enable conceptualisation. The role tacit knowledge plays in procedural knowledge, performance of a skill and diagnosis and decision-making has been explained in further detail.

Long-term effectiveness of a novel intra-oral electro-stimulator for the treatment of dry mouth in patients with Sjogren's syndrome: A randomised sham-controlled feasibility study (LEONIDAS-1).

Background: Effective treatments for dry mouth of Sjogren's syndrome are limited and hampered by adverse effects. The aim of LEONIDAS-1 was to explore the feasibility of salivary electrostimulation in individuals with primary Sjogren's syndrome, as well as parameters required to inform the design of a future phase III trial.

Methods: Multicentre, parallel-group, double-blind, randomised sham-controlled trial in two UK centres.

Pre-conditioning of gingival epithelial cells with sub-apoptotic concentrations of curcumin prevents pro-inflammatory cytokine release.

Background And Objective: Plaque-induced gingival inflammation (gingivitis) is ubiquitous in humans. The epithelial barrier reacts to the presence of oral bacteria and induces inflammatory cascades. The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanism by which the small molecule micronutrient curcumin could decrease inflammatory response in vitro to oral bacterium heat-killed Fusobacterium nucleatum as curcumin could be a useful compound for combatting gingivitis already consumed by humans.

Macrodontia and double teeth: a review and case series.

Macrodontia is a dental anomaly pertaining to the increased size of a tooth or multiple teeth. Double teeth are dental abnormalities concerning tooth morphology and the term traditionally refers to geminated or fused teeth. These anomalies may manifest in both primary and permanent dentitions and usually become apparent in childhood.

Periodontal health and patient-reported outcomes: A longitudinal analysis of data from non-specialist practice settings.

Aim: To explore the associations between periodontal health and patient-reported outcomes (PROs), accounting for changes over time, in a large, non-specialist dental practice patient cohort.

Materials And Methods: This longitudinal study used data from 13,162 dentate patients, collected by 162 dentists at routine appointments between May 2013 and April 2020, in 238 non-specialist dental practices across the United Kingdom. Dentists collected data, as part of routine clinical care, on periodontal probing pocket depths, alveolar bone loss, bleeding on probing, as well as a range of covariates.

Looked after children: an overview for the dental team.

Looked after children (LAC) are children and young people (CYP) who have been under the continuous care of the local authority for more than 24 hours. Reasons for becoming looked after include concerns about abuse or neglect, breakdown in family functioning, or absence of a suitable caregiver (for example bereavement, parental illness, or separation, such as for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children). Many LAC live with foster families, extended family, or in residential care homes, but a CYP can be legally 'looked after' and still be living with their original or birth family, or living independently with support.

Outcomes of periodontal therapy in rheumatoid arthritis: The OPERA feasibility randomized trial.

Aim: Periodontitis is independently associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however, there is limited data on whether periodontal treatment improves overall RA disease activity. We conducted a pilot feasibility randomized controlled clinical trial to test whether intensive periodontal therapy reduces RA disease activity in patients with active RA and periodontitis.

Materials And Methods: The following inclusion criteria were applied: patients with RA and periodontitis, aged 18+, stable on treatment with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs for ≥3 months, disease activity score (DAS28) ≥3.