Due to the frequent development of non-infectious complications after surgical removal of the third lower impacted tooth, many techniques are used to reduce their severity. Among them is the technique of applying platelet-rich fibrin to the post-extraction alveolus. The study included 90 consecutively enrolled patients. Eligible patients were randomly assigned to two groups: patients with and without platelet-rich fibrin introduced into the postoperative alveolus. Pain, swelling, trismus, and temperature were evaluated after the procedure. Pain intensity was significantly higher in the control group than in the study group at 6 h, 1, and 3 days after surgery. PRF application did not significantly affect the intensity of swelling. Body temperature was significantly higher in the control group than the study group on day two after surgery. The trismus was significantly higher in the control group than in the study group at one, two, and seven days after surgery. Application of the PRF allows for a faster and less traumatic treatment process. It will enable for speedier recovery and return to active life and professional duties.

Dental injury to the second molar (SM) caused by the surgical extraction of the impacted third molar tends to be underestimated. The necessity of assessment of the impact of the removal of the wisdom tooth in the mandible on the second molar arose. The study group (n = 60) was the one with the second molar on the surgical side, and the control group (n = 60) was the one with the tooth on the opposite side of the alveolar arch. Before the surgery, the difficulty level was assessed according to the Pederson scale. The periodontal status of the SM was assessed by probing depth (PD), gingival index (GI), tooth mobility (TM) examination by the percussion method and resonance frequency. Measurements were taken before and after the surgery, 7 days and 8 weeks after the surgery. The study demonstrated the significant impact of the surgical removal of the wisdom tooth on the PD, GI and TM of the SM. The predicted degree of difficulty of the very difficult surgery had an influence on the increase in PD on the distal buccal and lingual surface of the SM, and on the GI in the proximity of the examined tooth. The results of the presented research confirm the necessity of the clinical assessment of the lower SM before and after the surgical removal of the impacted wisdom tooth in the mandible.

BackgroundVarious mandibular indices have been developed to detect osteoporosis on panoramic radiographs. Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is a low-cost, radiation-free method to assess bone status. The aim of this study was to compare mandibular morphometric analysis and QUS at the radius and proximal phalanx III finger.MethodsThe study involved 97 postmenopausal women, aged 48.5–71.5y (mean: 55.4). Mandibular morphometric analysis comprised: distance between upper and lower mandibular borders just behind the mental foramen (H), distance: mental foramen - inferior mandibular cortex (IM) and mandibular cortical width at the mental region (MCW). Then, ratios were calculated: MCW/IM = PMI (panoramic mandibular index), H/IM = MR (mandibular ratio). Mandibular cortical index (MCI) was used to classify the morphology of the mandibular cortex.Bone mineral status assessed using QUS at the radius and proximal phalanx III finger was compared to population mean apical bone mass (T-score).Linear regression analysis was used for correlations between continuous variables, Pearson’s correlation coefficient r - for variables of normal distribution. Student’s t-test was used to compare variables of normal distribution and for the latter - Mann-Whitney U-test. The level of significance was p < 0.05.ResultsMandibular height was 13.42–34.42 mm. The mean mandibular cortical width was 3.31 mm. Mean values of PMI and MR were 0.33 and 2.57, respectively. Higher mean value of Ad-SoS was found in the radius than in the III finger. Phalanx T-score values ​​were lower than those of the radius. T-score of the radius was < − 1.0 in 22 patients, indicating osteopenia. Basing on phalanx T-score, osteopenia was found in 39 patients. Category C1 of Mandibular Cortical Index was found in 48 women, C2 - in 37 women and C3 - in 12 women. Higher scores of Mandibular Cortical Index were recorded in older women. MCI significantly correlated with the skeletal status (p = 0.01) as well as with H, MCW and MR. Phalanx T-score was not correlated to PMI, MR or MCW.Conclusions1. Mandibular Cortical Index can be used as a screening tool for detecting osteoporosis.2. Quantitative ultrasound at the phalanx III constitutes a reliable way of assessing bone status.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12903-018-0593-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Dental surgeons, maxillofacial surgeons and implantologists are increasingly interested in the effects of vitamin D on bone metabolism and the immune system. The correct concentration of this prohormone potentially correlates with success at each stage of osteointegration of endosseous implants.A review of literature related to the topic of the paper.A suitable level of vitamin D3 is crucial from the day of surgery. It influences the modulation of the immune system -increases the production of cathelicidin and defensin, and reduces the expression of proinflammatory cytokines. It also has a positive effect on bone metabolism in osteo-suppression via the induction of osteoblasts and osteoclasts and continuous bone remodeling around the implant after prosthetic restoration.The prevalence of low vitamin D levels in the European population leads to the conclusion that a high deficit is not a factor directly responsible for failures in the process of osteointegration.

Background: Nicotine absorbed by the skin and also by the digestive, respiratory and excretory systems is one of the most known toxins found in tobacco. This work reviews available literature on the influence of nicotine on human health, and in particular on the oral cavity.Material/Methods: A review of literature related to the topic of the paper. Results:Numerous studies indicate that nicotine adversely affects human health. It exerts a negative effect at the cellular level by modifying metabolism, and disturbs the interactions between tissues, which strongly promotes the formation of cancer-like changes. Nicotine causes numerous pathologies in the respiratory, immune, and cardiovascular systems leading to a number of metabolic disorders. Conclusions:The intake of nicotine contained in tobacco products has a particularly negative effect on the oral cavity.It accelerates periodontitis, with weaker clinical symptoms associated with resistance to conventional treatment. In addition, nicotine changes the oral cavity microflora, increasing the amount of harmful bacteria and pathogenic fungi.