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Because local anesthetics are vasodilators, they tend to be absorbed into the bloodstream from the operative field as a result of the vasodilation of peripheral arterioles. To counteract this vasodilation, vasoconstrictive agents are often included in local anesthetic solutions to provide a longer duration of anesthesia. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has the same benefits, such as microcirculation activation and more-efficient tissue metabolism, analgesic effects, and vasodilatation. If LLLT is used to prevent pain postoperatively, improvements in local circulation and increased vasodilatation may increase the absorption of a local anesthetic agent. This may reduce the duration of the anesthesia, thereby allowing postoperative pain management to begin sooner. The maximal intensity of pain occurs during the first hours after surgery, when the local anesthetic has worn off. Theoretically, postoperative pain control can be increased with the use of a local anesthetic with a more-prolonged action. If a treatment method has both analgesic and antianesthetic effects, then the method may block its own effects. We review whether LLLT applied postoperatively to operated-on areas has an antianesthetic effect, that is, whether pain in the first hours after surgery was greater for patients who received LLLT than for control patients. Not too much evidence supports the antianesthetic effects of LLLT. However, additional experimental and clinical studies must be performed to investigate the effects of LLLT on the duration of anesthesia.

Background The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of coronavirus disease 19 (Covid-19) on the oral cavity by evaluating the oral findings in the patients who recovered after treatment. Material and Methods This study involved confirmed Covid-19 patients whose treatment completed at least two weeks ago. A questionnaire consist of eight parts was applied to explore the oral findings after Covid-19. Also stimulated salivary flow rate was evaluated with a salivary flow test. Results 177 patients reached and 107 of them participate in the study. Regarding gender significant differences were found in terms of the presence of taste impairment after treatment ( p =0.007), the degree of taste ( p =0.021) and smell ( p =0.010) impairment. 18 % (5/27) of the patients evaluated were showed hyposalivation. No significant differences were observed regarding salivary flow between males (mean±SD: 1.14±0.65) and females (mean±SD: 1.12±0.43), ( p =0.928); among the patients having treatment at home (mean±SD: 1.03±0.48) or hospital (mean±SD: 1.33±0.65), ( p =0.187). In some of the patients’ taste [15], smell [23] impairment, and xerostomia [43] still observed at least two weeks after the treatment is completed. Conclusions The most frequent finding in patients after the treatment was xerostomia. Taste and smell impairments were more frequently observed in females. Key words: Saliva, oral findings, hyposalivation, Covid-19.

Background There is a lack of awareness regarding temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and its association with psychological and sociodemographic factors in the Turkish population. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between signs/symptoms of anxiety-depression, sociodemographic factors, parafunctional habits, bruxism, and the presence and severity of the symptoms of TMD in Turkish adults. Methods The participants completed an online questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic questions, the Fonseca Anamnestic Index, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-4. Results The mean age of the 2580 participants was 35.29 ± 12.70 years, and 63.3% were women. The frequency of the participants who showed symptoms of TMD was 69.8%. The severity of TMD symptoms was significantly greater in participants who had signs/symptoms of anxiety and depression (p < 0.05). Sociodemographic and psychological data showed an association between the presence and severity of the symptoms of TMD and sex (OR 1.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26–1.85), parafunctional habits (OR 2.64, 95% CI 2.36–2.99), bruxism (OR 3.14, 95% CI 1.78–4.90), signs/symptoms of anxiety (OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.76–3.00), and signs/symptoms of depression (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.48–2.42). Conclusions The results of the present study suggest that females and those who report bruxism, parafunctional habits, and signs/symptoms of anxiety-depression are more likely to show symptoms of TMD with different severity.