BACKGROUND: To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of lidocaine (LD) topical anesthetic spray against oral microflora. METHODS: Antimicrobial effects of 10% LD spray were assessed against six bacterial cultures obtained from volunteers: Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Streptococcus sanguinis. The filter papers contained 50-µl LD, brain heart infusion (BHI) broth, or 0.2% chlorhexidine. Papers were placed on the cultured blood plates for 1-3 min. After the papers were removed, plates were incubated for 24 h. Bacterial growth on the contact areas was recorded as the antimicrobial score. The split mouth technique was use in for sample collection in clinical study. Filter papers soaked with either BHI broth or LD were placed on the right or left buccal mucosa for 1 min, and replaced with other papers to imprint biofilms onto the contact areas. Papers were placed on blood plates, incubated for 24 h, and antimicrobial scores were determined. Experiments were conducted for 2- and 3-min exposure times with a 1-day washout period. RESULTS: LD exhibited bactericidal effects against E. coli, S. sanguinis, and S. salivarius within 1 min but displayed no effect against S. aureus, E. faecalis, and S. pyogenes. The antimicrobial effect of LD on oral microflora depended upon exposure time, similar to the results obtained from the clinical study (P < 0.05). LD showed 60-95% biofilm reduction on buccal mucosa. CONCLUSIONS: Antimicrobial activity of 10% LD topical anesthetic spray was increased by exposure time. The 3 min application reduced oral microflora in the buccal mucosa.
Biofilms ; Brain ; Chlorhexidine ; Clinical Study ; Enterococcus faecalis ; Escherichia coli ; Heart ; Lidocaine ; Mouth ; Mouth Mucosa ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Streptococcus ; Streptococcus pyogenes ; Volunteers

Regardless of whether it is acute or chronic, the assessment of pain should be simple and practical. Since the intensity of pain is thought to be one of the primary factors that determine its effect on a human's overall function and sense, there are many scales to assess pain. The aim of the current article was to review pain intensity scales that are commonly used in dental and oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS). Previous studies demonstrated that multidimensional scales, such as the McGill Pain Questionnaire, Short form of the McGill Pain Questionnaire, and Wisconsin Brief Pain Questionnaire were suitable for assessing chronic pain, while unidimensional scales, like the Visual Analogue Scales (VAS), Verbal descriptor scale, Verbal rating scale, Numerical rating Scale, Faces Pain Scale, Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WBS), and Full Cup Test, were used to evaluate acute pain. The WBS is widely used to assess pain in children and elderly because other scales are often difficult to understand, which could consequently lead to an overestimation of the pain intensity. In dental or OMFS research, the use of the VAS is more common because it is more reliable, valid, sensitive, and appropriate. However, some researchers use NRS to evaluate OMFS pain in adults because this scale is easier to use than VAS and yields relatively similar pain scores. This review only assessed pain scales used for post-operative OMFS or dental pain.
Acute Pain ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Chronic Pain ; Humans ; Pain Measurement* ; Subject Headings ; Surgery, Oral* ; Toothache ; Weights and Measures ; Wisconsin

BACKGROUND: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is one of the most common postoperative complications. Despite this, few papers have reported the incidence and independent risk factors associated with PONV in the context of oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS). Therefore, we sought to determine the incidence of PONV, as well as to identify risk factors for the condition in patients who had undergone OMFS under general anesthesia. METHODS: A total of 372 patients' charts were reviewed, and the following potential risk factors for PONV were analyzed: age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, history of PONV and/or motion sickness, duration of anesthesia, amount of blood loss, nasogastric tube insertion and retention and postoperative opioid used. Univariate analysis was performed, and variables with a P-value less than 0.1 were entered into a multiple logistic regression analysis, wherein P-values < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: The overall incidence of PONV was 25.26%. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, the following variables were independent predictors of PONV: age < 30 years, history of PONV and/or motion sickness, and anesthesia duration > 4 h. Furthermore, the number of risk factors was proportional to the incidence of PONV. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of PONV in patients who have undergone OMFS varies from center to center depending on patient characteristics, as well as on anesthetic and surgical practice. Identifying the independent risk factors for PONV will allow physicians to optimize prophylactic, antiemetic regimens.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General* ; Body Mass Index ; Humans ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Motion Sickness ; Postoperative Complications ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting* ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Surgery, Oral*

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the patient's pain and quality of life after suture removal at either 3 or 7 days following the bilateral surgical extraction of impacted lower third molars. METHODS: This study was a prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial carried out in 30 patients, who acted as their own control. Each patient required the bilaterally impacted mandibular third molars to be extracted. The impacted teeth were removed and the wound margins were approximated and sutured with black braided silk. The suture material was removed on day 3 on one side and on day 7 on the other. Each participant was asked to complete a questionnaire after the removal of the suture material on each designated day. RESULTS: Regarding overall clinical symptoms, the mean VAS scores of male and female participants on day 3 were not significantly different from those on day 7. A significant difference was found in female participants, in that overall daily activity was better on day 7. There were significant differences in the ability to smile and laugh in both sexes and the ability to chew in the male participants was better on day 7. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in the patient's pain and quality of life between suture removal on day 3 or on day 7 following surgery to remove impacted lower third molars.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Molar, Third* ; Patient Satisfaction ; Prospective Studies ; Quality of Life* ; Silk ; Suture Techniques ; Sutures* ; Tooth, Impacted ; Trismus ; Wounds and Injuries

BACKGROUND: Inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) of the mandible is commonly used in the oral cavity as an anesthetic technique for dental procedures. This study evaluated the success rate of the first IANB administered by dental practitioners. METHODS: Volunteer dental practitioners at Mahidol University who had never performed an INAB carried out 106 INAB procedures. The practitioners were divided into 12 groups with their advisors by randomized control trials. We recorded the success rate via pain visual analog scale (VAS) scores. RESULTS: A large percentage of the dental practitioners (85.26%) used the standard method to locate the anatomical landmarks, injecting the local anesthetic at the correct position, with the barrel of the syringe parallel to the occlusal plane of the mandibular teeth. Further, 68.42% of the dental practitioners injected the local anesthetic on the right side by using the left index finger for retraction. The onset time was approximately 0-5 mins for nearly half of the dental practitioners (47.37% for subjective onset and 43.16% for objective onset), while the duration of the IANB was approximately 240-300 minutes (36.84%) after the initiation of numbness. Moreover, the VAS pain scores were 2.5 ± 1.85 and 2.1 ± 1.8 while injecting and delivering local anesthesia, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The only recorded factor that affected the success of the local anesthetic was the administering practitioner. This reinforces the notion that local anesthesia administration is a technique-sensitive procedure.
Anesthesia, Local ; Dental Occlusion ; Fingers ; Hypesthesia ; Mandible ; Mandibular Nerve* ; Methods ; Mouth ; Nerve Block ; Pain Measurement ; Syringes ; Tooth ; Visual Analog Scale ; Volunteers

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the patient's pain and quality of life after suture removal at either 3 or 7 days following the bilateral surgical extraction of impacted lower third molars. METHODS: This study was a prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial carried out in 30 patients, who acted as their own control. Each patient required the bilaterally impacted mandibular third molars to be extracted. The impacted teeth were removed and the wound margins were approximated and sutured with black braided silk. The suture material was removed on day 3 on one side and on day 7 on the other. Each participant was asked to complete a questionnaire after the removal of the suture material on each designated day. RESULTS: Regarding overall clinical symptoms, the mean VAS scores of male and female participants on day 3 were not significantly different from those on day 7. A significant difference was found in female participants, in that overall daily activity was better on day 7. There were significant differences in the ability to smile and laugh in both sexes and the ability to chew in the male participants was better on day 7. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in the patient's pain and quality of life between suture removal on day 3 or on day 7 following surgery to remove impacted lower third molars.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Molar, Third* ; Patient Satisfaction ; Prospective Studies ; Quality of Life* ; Silk ; Suture Techniques ; Sutures* ; Tooth, Impacted ; Trismus ; Wounds and Injuries

BACKGROUND: Inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) of the mandible is commonly used in the oral cavity as an anesthetic technique for dental procedures. This study evaluated the success rate of the first IANB administered by dental practitioners. METHODS: Volunteer dental practitioners at Mahidol University who had never performed an INAB carried out 106 INAB procedures. The practitioners were divided into 12 groups with their advisors by randomized control trials. We recorded the success rate via pain visual analog scale (VAS) scores. RESULTS: A large percentage of the dental practitioners (85.26%) used the standard method to locate the anatomical landmarks, injecting the local anesthetic at the correct position, with the barrel of the syringe parallel to the occlusal plane of the mandibular teeth. Further, 68.42% of the dental practitioners injected the local anesthetic on the right side by using the left index finger for retraction. The onset time was approximately 0-5 mins for nearly half of the dental practitioners (47.37% for subjective onset and 43.16% for objective onset), while the duration of the IANB was approximately 240-300 minutes (36.84%) after the initiation of numbness. Moreover, the VAS pain scores were 2.5 ± 1.85 and 2.1 ± 1.8 while injecting and delivering local anesthesia, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The only recorded factor that affected the success of the local anesthetic was the administering practitioner. This reinforces the notion that local anesthesia administration is a technique-sensitive procedure.
Anesthesia, Local ; Dental Occlusion ; Fingers ; Hypesthesia ; Mandible ; Mandibular Nerve* ; Methods ; Mouth ; Nerve Block ; Pain Measurement ; Syringes ; Tooth ; Visual Analog Scale ; Volunteers

BACKGROUND: Dental fear is usually associated with hemodynamic changes. Fear of pain during the surgical removal of a lower impacted third molar might cause patients anxiety, thereby leading to avoidance of any future dental therapy. This study aimed to determine the effect of experiencing a surgical impacted-tooth removal on the pain perception-related anxiety and hemodynamic status. METHODS: Twenty-seven healthy patients aged 15–30 years (mean age, 24 years), for whom surgical removal of bilateral lower third molars was advised, were included. This prospective, randomized, controlled, split-mouth study involved operations on both sides of the mandibular arch, with a 1-month washout period in between. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured before the surgical procedure, during and after the injection, preoperatively, and postoperatively. Pain perception was evaluated using a 100-mm visual analog scale during the injection, preoperatively, and postoperatively after the numbness disappeared. Differences in the blood pressure, heart rate, and pain perception between the two appointments were analyzed using the paired t-test. For all statistical analyses, SPSS version 11.5 was used. RESULTS: The mean pain perception values during the injection and preoperatively showed no significant differences between the two appointments (P > 0.05); however, significant differences in the blood pressure and heart rate were noted before the surgical procedure; preoperatively, the blood pressure alone showed a significant difference (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant decrease in the blood pressure and heart rate preoperatively; hence, experiencing a surgical impacted-tooth removal can reduce the subsequent preoperative anxiety in healthy patients.
Anxiety* ; Appointments and Schedules ; Blood Pressure ; Dental Anxiety ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Molar, Third ; Pain Perception ; Prospective Studies ; Visual Analog Scale

Objectives: The goal of this retrospective study was to determine the significance and impact of several factors on the alveolar cleft bone grafting procedure. Materials and Methods: The medical records were reviewed. In addition, x-rays were checked. The size of every cleft was measured in this retrospective study. The analyzed factors included sex, age, type of cleft, size of the cleft, and the type of flap used in surgery. The patients were characterized into group A (no complications, Bergland scale 1 or 2), group B (complications or Bergland scale 3), or group C (failure cases). Statistical analysis was performed with a P-value set at 0.05. Results: There were 32 cases in group A, 26 in group B, and 9 in group C. Multinomial logistic regression showed an association between the type of the cleft and the size of the cleft, with the presence of complications, or achieving type 3 on the Bergland scale, with odds ratios of 5.118 and 6.000, respectively. The type of cleft was related to failure with an odds ratio of 4.833. Given a small sample, statistical analysis could not be performed to evaluate the relationship between the size of the cleft and group C. Age, sex, and the type of the flap were not significant factors. Conclusion The cleft size of more than 10 mm and bilateral clefts were listed regarding their effect on the procedure. Clinicians should not overlook these factors. In addition, patients must be informed of any risks that are present.

Objectives: The goal of this retrospective study was to determine the significance and impact of several factors on the alveolar cleft bone grafting procedure. Materials and Methods: The medical records were reviewed. In addition, x-rays were checked. The size of every cleft was measured in this retrospective study. The analyzed factors included sex, age, type of cleft, size of the cleft, and the type of flap used in surgery. The patients were characterized into group A (no complications, Bergland scale 1 or 2), group B (complications or Bergland scale 3), or group C (failure cases). Statistical analysis was performed with a P-value set at 0.05. Results: There were 32 cases in group A, 26 in group B, and 9 in group C. Multinomial logistic regression showed an association between the type of the cleft and the size of the cleft, with the presence of complications, or achieving type 3 on the Bergland scale, with odds ratios of 5.118 and 6.000, respectively. The type of cleft was related to failure with an odds ratio of 4.833. Given a small sample, statistical analysis could not be performed to evaluate the relationship between the size of the cleft and group C. Age, sex, and the type of the flap were not significant factors. Conclusion The cleft size of more than 10 mm and bilateral clefts were listed regarding their effect on the procedure. Clinicians should not overlook these factors. In addition, patients must be informed of any risks that are present.