Background: Fear and anxiety are common psychological responses to unpleasant stimuli, with dental fear being the fourth most prevalent type of fear or phobia. However, not all dental procedures cause the same level of anxiety, with dental surgery and tooth extraction being among the top five most frightening procedures in the field. Tooth extractions are also the most common surgical procedure in dental surgery. It is important to manage anxiety in the dental office by identifying the main factors. Methods: The study was conducted on a group of 250 patients. The survey technique and the Beliefs about Pain Control Questionnaire (BPCQ) were used in the study. Pain and stress intensity on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were measured in each patient before and after tooth extraction procedures. Results: Young women and people from small towns had the highest levels of anxiety. The factor causing the highest level of anxiety was fear of complications. Patients undergoing extraction of retained teeth were characterized by higher levels of anxiety. Conclusions: Perioperative stress is strongly dependent on numerous factors. For patient comfort, it may be crucial for dentists to have knowledge about these factors and the ability to utilize them to reduce stress before and after tooth extractions.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly administered according to protocol for the management of complications such as pain, swelling, and trismus following the removal of the third impacted lower molar; however, treatment with NSAIDs may result in multiple adverse effects. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of kinesio taping (KT) and the use of NSAIDs in the treatment of postoperative complications after extraction of an impacted third lower molar. Material and methods: The study comprised a group of 30 patients, randomly divided into the test group (with KT, n = 15) or the control group (without KT, n = 15). The surgery was performed according to standard procedures. In the test group, KT was applied immediately after surgery. Pain, swelling, and trismus were assessed. The VAS scale was used to assess pain. Swelling was measured based on six reference points on the face using a tailor’s meter, and a caliper was used to measure the distance between the upper and lower medial incisors of the upper and lower teeth to determine the extent of trismus. Measurements were performed three times: on the day of the surgery, on the second day following the surgery, and on the 7th day after the surgery. Results: Pain intensity (day of procedures), maximum mouth opening (on the seventh day after the surgery), and the use of NSAIDs (day of surgery) were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the test group than in the control group. Conclusions: Kinesio taping in addition to NSAIDs was found to be more effective than NSAIDs alone in increasing the degree of jaw opening, decreasing pain intensity, and reducing the non-steroid anti-inflammatory dosage in patients after impacted mandibular wisdom teeth surgery.

The development of medicine is based not only on the introduction of new methods of treatment, but also on the use of increasingly effective drugs, including antithrombotic drugs. Drugs that inhibit the activity of platelets (antiplatelet and anti-aggregating drugs) and pharmaceuticals that inhibit the activity of plasma coagulation factors (anticoagulants) are used in antithrombotic therapy. In our daily practice we encounter patients who take chronic antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs. However, more and more often we are dealing with patients who are treated with two antiplatelet drugs, an antiplatelet and an anticoagulant or even undergoing triple antithrombotic therapy. When preparing the patient for invasive craniofacial procedures, it should be assessed whether the temporary discontinuation of antithrombotic treatment due to the fear of excessive perioperative bleeding is justified and will not result in life-threatening thromboembolic complications. The authors discuss in detail the medications used in modern antithrombotic treatment and present a perioperative management procedure with a patient who takes l4 z of these medications chronically.

Corneal blindness remains a significant challenge in modern ophthalmology, accounting for 12% of global blindness cases. While corneal transplantation is often an effective treatment, its success is limited in patients with severe ocular surface diseases such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, trachoma, or autoimmune-related dry eye disease. For these patients, osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (OOKP) has emerged as a highly specialized surgical solution, utilizing a patient’s tooth as a scaffold for an artificial cornea, providing long-term visual restoration. This article traces the historical evolution of keratoprostheses, beginning with early 19th-century attempts at artificial cornea implantation to the modern Rome-Vienna protocol of OOKP. The surgical procedure is outlined from both ophthalmological and surgical perspectives, detailing key modifications, such as complete removal of the iris and lens, use of custom-made optical cylinders, and advanced biocompatible materials. These improvements have significantly enhanced the stability and longevity of the procedure while reducing the risk of complications such as glaucoma, inflammation, and implant rejection. A systematic review of scientific literature was conducted, analyzing 39 sources primarily obtained from PubMed. Researchers carefully selected these articles based on their abstracts to ensure relevance, providing a comprehensive analysis of OOKP.This article highlights its role as an advanced alternative for treating end-stage corneal blindness, offering hope to patients who are not candidates for conventional corneal transplantation. Osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (OOKP) is an innovative method for restoring vision in patients with severe corneal damage, significantly improving their quality of life. While the procedure presents challenges and risks, many individuals who undergo OOKP regain the ability to see and regain independence. Technological advancements should focus on refining the technique, minimizing complications, and increasing its accessibility. Additionally, patient education and support are crucial for successful rehabilitation and adaptation. OOKP is a remarkable achievement in medicine and biomedical engineering, offering hope to patients and inspiring further research to enhance the quality of life for people worldwide.

Background: Oroantral communication (OAC) is a frequent complication after the extraction of maxillary posterior teeth and requires immediate closure to prevent sinus pathology and long-term functional impairment. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes of acute OAC closure using resorbable heterogeneous collagen membranes with those of the conventional buccal advancement flap (Rehrmann method). Methods: Twenty-four patients with OACs diagnosed within 24 h post-extraction were enrolled, and 20 completed follow-up. Patients were allocated to a membrane group treated with a resorbable collagen membrane (Creos Xenoprotect) or a control group treated with a buccal advancement flap. Clinical parameters, including vestibular depth, width of keratinized gingiva, alveolar socket dimensions, postoperative complications, and pain intensity assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale, were evaluated at 1, 7, 14, and 90 days. Radiographic outcomes were assessed using cone-beam computed tomography with linear measurements and normalized bone density analysis in Hounsfield Units at baseline and 90 days. Results: The membrane technique provided significantly better preservation of vestibular depth, keratinized gingiva width, and alveolar socket dimensions, with significantly lower postoperative pain and fewer complications compared with the buccal advancement flap. Higher normalized bone density values were observed in the membrane group, although differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Resorbable collagen membranes represent a safe, minimally invasive, and clinically effective alternative to buccal advancement flaps for acute OAC closure.

Wstęp: Połączenie ustno-zatokowe (oroantral communication – OAC) oraz przetoka ustno-zatokowa (oroantral fistula – OAF) to częste powikłania po ekstrakcji zębów bocznych szczęki. Chociaż klasyczne techniki płatowe pozostają skuteczne, wiążą się z licznymi powikłaniami pooperacyjnymi, takimi jak silne dolegliwości bólowe, znaczny obrzęk, zmiany anatomiczne tkanek miękkich, oraz ograniczeniami u pacjentów wymagających przyszłej rehabilitacji implantoprotetycznej. Jako potencjalną alternatywę terapeutyczną wskazuje się nowatorskie metody regeneracyjne oparte na biomateriałach. Celem pracy jest krytyczna ocena skuteczności klinicznej, bezpieczeństwa oraz wskazań do stosowania nowoczesnych technik regeneracyjnych i biomateriałów w zamykaniu OAC i OAF. Metody: Przeprowadzono systematyczne przeszukiwanie baz PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus oraz Embase w celu identyfikacji badań klinicznych z udziałem pacjentów, opublikowanych w latach 2000–2025. Do analizy włączono randomizowane badania kontrolowane, nierandomizowane badania kliniczne, badania kohortowe oraz serie przypadków (≥5 pacjentów), oceniające metody zamykania OAC i OAF z wykorzystaniem technik regeneracyjnych lub biomateriałów. Ze względu na heterogeniczność badań zastosowano syntezę jakościową. Wyniki: Autologiczne preparaty krwiopochodne, w szczególności fibryna bogatopłytkowa oraz skoncentrowane czynniki wzrostu, wykazywały wysoką skuteczność zamknięcia (90–100%) w przypadku małych i średnich ubytków (≤5 mm), przy jednoczesnym zmniejszeniu bólu pooperacyjnego i poprawie procesu gojenia. Biomateriały heterogenne i syntetyczne umożliwiały jednoczesne zamknięcie ubytku oraz regenerację tkanki kostnej, natomiast techniki łączone były najbardziej odpowiednie w przypadku większych ubytków lub planowanej rehabilitacji implantoprotetycznej. Wnioski: Techniki regeneracyjne i oparte na biomateriałach to skuteczne uzupełnienie lub alternatywa dla klasycznych technik płatowych w wybranych przypadkach klinicznych. Jednak jakość dowodów naukowych pozostaje ograniczona, co podkreśla konieczność prowadzenia standaryzowanych, kontrolowanych badań klinicznych.