The present results show that cortical porcine bone is a biocompatible, osteoconductive biomaterial that can be used for maxillary sinus augmentation procedures without interfering with the normal reparative bone processes.

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Pulp inflammation in restored teeth is mainly due to the presence of bacteria or bacterial products introduced by microleakage around the restoration or to the material toxicity. Recent knowledge has permitted a precise identification of the risks for pulpal irritation associated with adhesive materials and procedures. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the cellular events that occur in direct pulp exposure capped using different materials. Twenty-four vital teeth without caries, scheduled for extraction for orthodontic reasons, were selected. After a control of the hemostasis, each pulp was directly capped with a different material. The samples were randomly divided into four groups of six specimens each: group I: dental-bonding agent (Solist) followed by resin composite (Ecusit); group II: dental adhesive (Prompt) and resin composite (Pertac II); group III: traditional calcium hydroxide (Dycal) plus resin composite (Ecusit); group IV: light-curing calcium hydroxide (Ultrablend Plus) and amalgam (Dentsply). After 15 days the teeth were extracted, immediately fixed in 10% buffered formalin, embedded in resin (7200 Technovit), and prepared for thin ground sections with Precise 1 System. In the specimens of all groups, there were active odontoblasts near the composite resins and no newly formed dentin. Small quantities of inflammatory cells were present. A 1- to 3-microm layer zone of necrosis was present. In conclusion, all materials tested in this study induced similar tissue responses.

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Patients with problems related to central nervous system dysfunctions are often treated with psychotropic drugs. These include antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, anticonvulsants, and drugs blocking specific receptors in the brain such as anticholinergics or beta-blockers. However, these medications have serious side effects affecting the oral health. In addition, many dental patients make use of psychoactive drugs, such as amphetamine, ecstasy, and cocaine. This article aims to review data on the psychotropic drugs being used in the last 30 years, their pharmacological profile, with special attention to the side effects related to the oral health. Oral diseases such as bruxism, orofacial dystonia, oromandibular dyskinesia, and rabbit syndrome are related to extrapyramidal effects of antipsychotic drugs because of their antagonist activity on the dopaminergic receptors. Drugs with anticholinergic and/or antiadrenergic effects such as tricyclic antidepressants may cause dry mouth and related complications such as candidiasis and other oral infections. Among mood stabilizers, lithium treatment induces a wide range of side effects on oral system including dry mouth, sialorrhea, infections, and ulceration of the oral cavity. Psychostimulants may instead provoke xerotomia, gingival enlargements, bruxism, dental erosion, mucosal ulceration, and oral/nasal lesions. This literature review supports the idea that the higher prevalence of oral diseases among patients with mental disorders may be attributed to the side effects of their medications mediated by complex interactions between different targeted receptors. Thus, dentists must be aware of the possible risks of these medications in order to take appropriate precautions in treating these patients.