Background Hemorrhages, mouth floor edema and tongue elevation are complications related to surgical procedures in the anterior region of the mandible. Objective The objectives of this study were to evaluate the presence and location of the lingual foramen in the anterior region of the mandible and to evaluate mandibular morphology using cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT). Material and method The mandible’s morphology and the location, diameter and height of the lingual foramina were analyzed using the midline and the mental foramen as references, in 278 CBCT. Result 88% of the sample had a midline lingual foramen, totaling 408 foramina, with a mean diameter of 0.93 mm. Foramina in the lingual region between the midline and mental foramina were detected in 75% of the sample, with a mean diameter of 0.807 mm. There was no positive correlation between the presence of lingual foramina in the lateral or in the midline regions (r = -0.149; p = 0.013). In the midline region, the type I mandibular shape was predominant (96%), and type III was predominant in the lateral regions. Conclusion Considering the prevalence of these structures and their clinical relevance in potential surgical complications, it is important to carefully analyze the anterior region of the mandible during surgical planning.

AIM: To clinically evaluate biofilm growth on 4 liners in complete denture base surfaces of 20 geriatric patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients received new complete maxillary dentures prepared with 4 chambers (10x10x2 mm) in the tissue surface of acrylic denture base. Each of the 4 chambers was randomly filled with the following denture liners: Eversoft (M1); Kooliner (M2); GC Reline Extra Soft (M3); Elite Soft Relining (M4). Patients were randomly separated into 2 treatment groups: T1- sanitization with soft brush and dentifrice; T2- similar to T1 with daily immersion in cleansing chemical solution (Ortoform). Patients had 8 follow-up sessions over a 3-month period. The internal denture surface was stained with a dental plaque dye at each of the follow-up visits. Standardized photographs were taken, and biofilm growth was scored. Data were tabulated and submitted to Analysis of Variance. Means were compared by Tukey (p<0.05) and T tests. RESULTS: Kooliner (M2) means were significantly different from the others for both groups T1 and T2. Treatment 1 promoted higher biofilm growth scores than treatment 2. The highest score after treatment 1 was Kooliner (M2) and the lowest was Elite Soft Relining (M4). As for treatment 2, Eversoft (M1) was statistically different from Elite Soft Relining (M4). Again, Kooliner (M2) presented the highest score and Elite Soft Relining (M4) the lowest. Kooliner (M2) was statistically different from both GC Reline Extra Soft (M3) and Elite Soft Relining (M4). CONCLUSION: Of the materials and treatments studied, the best clinical selection for lower biofilm growth scores would be Elite Soft Relining (M4) with treatment 2.

A radioterapia tem como filosofia a irradiação de células tumorais e preservação dos tecidos normais incluídos no campo de irradiação. O agente terapêutico nesse tratamento é a radiação ionizante, que pode agir de forma direta ou indireta sobre a molécula de DNA. Apesar de a radiação favorecer boa resposta frente às neoplasias malignas, ela pode desencadear também alterações no tecido normal. As reações adversas irão depender do volume e do local irradiado, da dose total, do fracionamento, da idade, das condições clínicas e da resposta individual do paciente. As reações agudas ocorrem durante o curso do tratamento e são em geral reversíveis. Já as reações crônicas ou tardias são em geral irreversíveis e resultam em incapacidade permanente e piora da qualidade de vida do paciente. As alterações agudas e tardias são: xerostomia, alterações da flora bacteriana bucal, alterações do paladar, trismo muscular, cárie de radiação, candidíase e osteorradionecrose. Tendo em vista o número de lesões e a gravidade das mesmas, pode-se afirmar que a odontologia constitui-se numa especialidade essencial nos aspectos preventivo, curativo e reabilitador das seqüelas oriundas do tratamento cirúrgico e radioterápico dos tumores de cabeça e pescoço.