Objectives:The aim of this study was to observe the tooth loss over age in a sample of Brazilian patients and analyze their ability to chew, relating it to how much is the loss of oral function impact over the quality of life (QoL).Materials and Methods:This is a single center, observational study and the data were collected through clinical examination followed of questionnaires to obtain sociodemographic information, the ability to chew (through the index of chewing ability [ICA]) and QoL (through Oral Health Impact Profile, OHIP-14).Results:The sample was composed by 171 random volunteers with mean age of 47 (SD 15.2). Low number of natural teeth was associated with an increase of age (Spearman's rho correlation coefficient-0.7, P < 0.001, 2-tailed) and chew disability (ICA: chew's ability vs. disability) (Mann-Whitney U-Test, P < 0.001). Chew disability showed a negative impact over the QoL (overall OHIP; Mann-Whitney U Test P < 0.001) and in five of seven OHIP domains (Functional Limitation, Physical Pain, Psychological Discomfort, Physical Disability, Psychological Disability). Age over than 40 years, was also associated with chewing disability (Pearson Chi-Square P < 0.001) and poorer QoL (Mann-Whitney U test P = 0.01).Conclusion:This study observed that the chewing disability produces a significant and negative impact over oral-health related QoL and both, poor QoL and chewing disability are related with the decrease of the number of natural teeth.

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BackgroundThe aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a single prophylactic dose of amoxicillin and/or dexamethasone in preventing postoperative complications (PC) after a surgical removal of a single mandibular third molar (M3).MethodsThis study is a randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial. Four groups were included: Group 1 (G1) included a prophylactic dose of 2 g of amoxicillin and 8 mg of dexamethasone; Group 2 (G2) included a prophylactic dose of 2 g of amoxicillin and 8 mg of placebo; Group 3 (G3) included a prophylactic dose of 8 mg of dexamethasone and 2 g of placebo and; Group 4 (G4) placebo.ResultsFifty patients were included. It was observed one case of alveolar infection (2%) and two of alveolar osteitis (4%) resulting in three PC (6%). No statistical differences were observed between therapeutic groups for development of PC, trismus, pain and edema. The use of antibiotics showed an absolute risk reduction (ARR) for PC development of 3.52% and the number needed to treat (NNT) was 29.ConclusionProphylactic antibiotics and corticoid in a single dose regimen did not bring any benefit on M3 surgeries.

Aim:The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the pain course after surgical removal of third molars. Materials and methods:The sample consisted of 100 consecutive patients. Pain intensity was assessed by means of a visual analog scale (VAS).Results: At day 1, moderate and severe pain were observed predominantly in patients who had surgery in the mandible (p < 0.001) and for patients younger than 24 years (p = 0.009), while more patients who weekly consumed mate tea (Ilex paraguariensis) showed pain classified as none or light (p = 0.017). At day 2, the profile of pain moderate/severe was more prevalent for patients who had surgery in the mandible (p < 0.001) with the report of difficult surgery (p = 0.042) and with odontotomy performed (p = 0.033). In the third postoperative day, severe/moderate pain was associated with surgery in the mandible (p < 0.001) and with odontotomy (p = 0.021) and ostectomy (p = 0.028) performed, with report of long and difficult procedure (p = 0.023), surgeries which last more than sixty minutes (p < 0.026), and for those patients who developed postoperative inflammatory complications (p < 0.001). Conclusion:Higher pain complains could be expected for patients who have long and difficult mandibular third molar surgery characterized by odontotomy and ostectomy.Clinical significance: Pain after third molar surgery is a common sequele. It is indispensable for the dentists to be apt in handling and preventing it as far as possible and know possible variables that may influence or increase these pain levels. It can be a clinical advantage. Better understanding the pain characteristics may guide the dentist through preoperative decisions.

Objective:  To investigate whether smoking has adverse effects in simple exodontia. Methods:  A single‐centre, prospective study of postoperative inflammatory complications in simple exodontia was performed. All procedures were conducted under similar and sterile conditions. Postoperative complications (PCs) in exodontia were classified as alveolar osteitis (AO) or alveolar infection (AI) and their incidences then added. Results:  A logistic regression model for PCs revealed tooth sectioning [odds ratio (OR) = 4.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0–18.8; P = 0.050], smoking (OR = 4.5, 95% CI 1.0–18.9; P = 0.03) and amount of smoking (> 20 cigarettes/day: OR = 12.3, 95% CI 1.0–149.8; P = 0.04) to be associated with the occurrence of PCs. Conclusions:  Tooth sectioning, smoking and degree of smoking are all associated with the development of PCs such as AO and AI after simple exodontia. Dentists must be alert to these factors when performing simple exodontia in smokers in view of the increased risk for PCs.