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Effects of ozone therapy on postoperative pain, swelling, and trismus caused by surgical extraction of unerupted lower third molars: a double-blinded split-mouth randomized controlled trial
No full textBackground: Third molar extraction surgery is a common procedure, but it results in pain, swelling, and trismus. Ozone therapy (Oz) has emerged as a viable option for pain control and as an option to limit bacterial growth, improving the wound healing. Then, this randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of adjunctive use of ozone therapy (OzT) in managing pain, swelling, and trismus after lower third molar removal. Material and Methods: A split-mouth design was selected, enrolling 60 patients. There were 2 groups (Sham and OzT). The same surgeon performed all procedures. The pain was evaluated using the VAS scale and the number of paracetamol tablets taken. The quality of life was assessed using the OHIP-14 questionnaire. The data were statistically evaluated. Results: 120 surgical procedures were performed on 60 participants (34 males [56%] and 26 females [44%]). Regarding the number of paracetamol tablets taken, the test group had a significantly lower consumption (p\u3c0.002). In addition, the test group presented a significantly lower pain score on days 1, 3, and 5 postoperatively, with no difference between groups on the 7th day (p\u3c0.0145). Both sides presented postoperative edema, which regressed from day 5 (no significant difference). A similar case scenario was observed for mouth opening. OzT impacted the patient’s quality of life (OHIP-14, p\u3c0.05), favoring ozone therapy. Conclusions: The results demonstrated that OzT is an effective adjunctive strategy for reducing postoperative pain following the extraction of lower third molar teeth
Foundations of Interprofessional Education in Dental Schools: A Narrative Review
No full textInterprofessional education (IPE) and interprofessional collaborative practice have gained significant recognition for their ability to enhance health care education and improve patient outcomes, particularly in dentistry. Given the close connection between oral and general health, incorporating IPE into dental curricula has become essential in preparing practitioners for collaborative patient-centered care. This review focuses on the foundations of IPE in dental schools, focusing on its role in preparing students for collaborative health care. It discusses the evolution and current trends of IPE, examples of existing programs, and the importance of interprofessional teamwork for dental students. Key interprofessional competencies, such as communication, ethics, and teamwork, are highlighted, along with methods for assessing these skills, emphasizing the value of IPE in developing well-rounded dental professionals
Evidence-based treatment approaches for adolescent electronic cigarette use
No full textElectronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are the most commonly used tobacco product by adolescents. This article describes the harmful effects of e-cigarette use in adolescents and how to evaluate for severity of nicotine dependence. It also provides an overview of treatment approaches, including behavioral interventions, contingency interventions, pharmacologic options, school-based programs, combination and emerging approaches, and transcranial magnetic stimulation
Strengthening the Multiple-Choice Assessment: Improving Item-Writing Skills of Physician Assistant Educators
No full textAbstract
Physician assistant (PA) educators are tasked with the challenging privilege of ensuring future PAs are knowledgeable and competent to practice medicine. Most enter academia without formal education in providing education. They learn as they go—a treacherous and steep learning curve. This study provides PA educators literature and skills to bolster the strength and validity of multiple-choice examination items to measure learner progress and identify knowledge gaps. Skills can be improved at the level of the individual educator and program or institution. Approaching item writing and item revision in a stepwise, evidence-based manner can improve the quality of the items, strengthening multiple-choice examinations. This process can yield improved assessments of students\u27 medical knowledge and competence. This study aims to provide the PA educator with techniques to improve their item-writing skills
Fiber post retrieval and furcal perforation repair in maxillary molar: A case report with one year follow-up
No full textINTRODUCTION. Furcal perforation is a complex endodontic complication that can jeopardize treatment outcomes. Accurate diagnosis and appropriate management are essential to prevent periodontal breakdown and tooth loss. AIM. This case report aims to present the non-surgical management of a furcal perforation in a maxillary first molar caused by fiber post-placement, emphasizing the role of CBCT, biomaterials, and magnification. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A 33-year-old female presented with mild pain and swelling in the upper left maxillary region. Clinical examination revealed a sinus tract near the cervical area. Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) confirmed a furcal perforation with extrusion of a fiber post. The fiber post was carefully removed under magnification using ultrasonic tips. Hemostasis was achieved, and a calcium hydroxide dressing was applied to the perforation site to promote healing. After 10 days, the site was sealed with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). The tooth was then permanently restored following core buildup. RESULTS. At the one-year follow-up, the tooth was asymptomatic. CBCT showed bone healing at the perforation site, and the sinus tract had resolved. Clinical and radiographic evaluation confirmed successful tissue repair and preservation of periodontal health. CONCLUSIONS. This case highlights the importance of early detection and precise management of furcal perforations. The use of CBCT, magnification, and MTA enables predictable, non-surgical repair. Even in delayed cases, MTA provides effective sealing and promotes long-term clinical success
Doramectin Induces Apoptosis in B16 Melanoma Cells
No full textIntroduction/Objective: Metastatic melanoma resists current pharmacological regimens that act through apoptosis. This indicates that therapies acting via non-apoptotic cell-death pathways could be pursued. Doramectin has shown promising results in another cancer of neural crest origin, neuroblastoma, through the inhibition of growth via autophagy. Our research hypothesis is that doramectin induces autophagy in B16F10 melanoma cells. Methods: Cells were treated with doramectin (15 uM) or a combination of both doramectin and a cell-death inhibitor, compared to untreated control cells (media), and then analyzed with MTT analysis. Likewise, MDC analysis was completed to detect autophagy involvement with doramectin treatment. Flow cytometry and TUNEL Assay were conducted to observe cell death-related effects. Results: MTT analysis of doramectin-treated cells displayed a decrease in cell growth compared to control. Apoptotic morphology was prominent in melanoma cells treated with doramectin. Increased autophagy was not detected by fluorometric microscopic analysis. Flow cytometry analysis of doramectin-treated cells showed apoptosis as a major mode of cell death with some necrosis. Conclusion: Doramectin induces a novel cell-death mechanism in melanoma compared to other forms of cancer and should be studied as an effective anti-cancer agent for melanoma treatment
Surface Evaluation of a Novel Acid-Etching Solution for Zirconia and Lithium Disilicate
No full textThe current investigation evaluated a novel acid-etching solution containing hydrochloric acid (HCl), hydrofluoric acid (HF), nitric acid (HNO3), orthophosphoric acid (H3PO4), and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) designed for etching zirconia ceramics. Achieving reliable bonding to zirconia is challenging due to its chemical inertia, unlike lithium disilicate, which can be effectively conditioned with HF etching. One hundred and twenty specimens of zirconia and lithium disilicate underwent etching with the experimental solution for six different durations: control, 20 s, 60 s, 5 min, 30 min, and 1 h. Surface roughness was assessed using 3D optical profilometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The roughness of both materials increased with etching time; however, lithium disilicate demonstrated a significantly greater response, with Ra values rising from 0.18 µm (control) to 1.26 µm (1 h), while zirconia increased from 0.21 µm to 0.60 µm. ANOVA revealed significant effects depending on the ceramic type, time, and their interaction (p \u3c 0.001). SEM images revealed non-selective etching of lithium disilicate, suggesting potential over-etching. The novel acid-etching solution improved surface roughness, especially in lithium disilicate ceramics. An application duration of one hour appears optimal for zirconia, improving surface characteristics while reducing damage; however, further research is required to assess its clinical safety and long-term effects on the mechanical properties of this dental ceramic
Writing National Athletic Trainers’ Association Position Statements: New Methodology for Systematic Evidence Gathering and Recommendation Building
No full textPosition statements are used by health care organizations to summarize evidence and clearly articulate consensus on best practices. The procedures for developing position statements by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) and the NATA Research and Education Foundation have been updated to enhance transparency, reduce bias, and better incorporate the available research to support clinical care recommendations. In this paper, we detail the processes of topic selection, author group formation, evidence gathering, and recommendation building, emphasizing the systematic approach and the inclusion of diverse expertise. These changes ensure that future position statements, starting from June 2024, will be more rigorously developed and serve as a reliable resource for athletic trainers, other health care providers, and important stakeholders in various settings
Categorizing treatment mechanisms for Complementary and Integrative Musculoskeletal Interventions
No full textTreatment mechanisms (TM) reflect the steps or processes through which a treatment unfolds. However, TM research faces challenges due to inconsistent terminology and varying measurement approaches for each mechanism, which creates confusion and controversy among clinicians and scientists. In this paper, we: 1) define key terms associated with TM, 2) provide recommended categories of study that reflect intervention domains, and 3) present examples of measures of TM within the defined categories. Our recommended definitions differentiate associated TM (a finding that occurs following administration of a treatment that may or may not influence outcomes) from causal TM (which directly affects the clinical outcome). When measuring causal TM, we recommend that researchers consider three potential categories of interventional domains: a) anatomical, b) psychological/cognitive and c) behavioral. Lastly, we argue that within each interventional domain, TM can be measured across a spectrum that includes physiological (e.g., brain activity, nerve activity, biomarkers, etc.) and functional (e.g., range of motion, stiffness, cognition measures, etc.) mechanisms. Measuring both physiological and functional mechanisms improves the likelihood of understanding the complexity of clinical recovery. Harmonizing TM terminology, categories, and measurements across a spectrum, while providing examples of each, may reduce confusion and assist researchers and funding sources in targeting specific mechanistic-related questions
Histological and morphometrical evaluation of non-critical bone defects after treatment with biomaterial and bisphosphonates
No full textBackground: The primary goal of this in vivo study was to ascertain if systemic bisphosphonates (BPs) positively affect bone repair in non-critical defects when assisted with a carbonated hydroxyapatite graft biomaterial (Biomat). Material and Methods: Thirty-six female rats were allocated into two control groups (blood clot [BC] and alloplastic biomaterial); two groups with zoledronate (third-generation BPs): Zol.BP and Zol.BP+Biomat; and two groups with clodronate (first-generation BPs): Clod.BP and the Clod.BP+Biomat. The experimental groups started the application of BP 60 days before surgery. Then, a 2 mm non-critical defect was performed in the rats’ femur and filled according to the group. All animals were euthanized 30 days after surgery, and the samples were collected for histological and histomorphometry analysis, respectively, for descriptive and quantitative analyses. Results: Zol.BP+Biomat had greater new bone formation, whereas clodronate presented high osteogenic potential, significantly increasing the observed levels of newly formed bone even in the absence of the biomaterial. Histomorphometrically, BC had 2% bone formation compared to the biomaterial group (5%). Zol.BP and Col.BP achieved bone formation of 6-fold (12%, p\u3e0.05) and 9.5-fold (19%, p\u3c0.05), respectively, when compared with BC. Zol.BP+Biomat group presented the highest value found for newly formed bone (24%), 12-fold more than BC (p\u3c0.001) and 4.8-fold more than the biomaterial group (p\u3c0.01). Conclusions: It is possible to conclude that the systemic use of BP positively affected non-critical bone defects when associated with biomaterials, mainly when the third generation of BPs was used in this association