Objectives: The aim of this study was to observe the tooth loss over age in a sample of Brazilian patients and analyze their ability to chew, relating it to how much is the loss of oral function impact over the quality of life (QoL). Materials and Methods: This is a single center, observational study and the data were collected through clinical examination followed of questionnaires to obtain sociodemographic information, the ability to chew (through the index of chewing ability [ICA]) and QoL (through Oral Health Impact Profile, OHIP-14). Results: The sample was composed by 171 random volunteers with mean age of 47 (SD 15.2). Low number of natural teeth was associated with an increase of age (Spearman's rho correlation coefficient-0.7, P < 0.001, 2-tailed) and chew disability (ICA: chew's ability vs. disability) (Mann-Whitney U-Test, P < 0.001). Chew disability showed a negative impact over the QoL (overall OHIP; Mann-Whitney U Test P < 0.001) and in five of seven OHIP domains (Functional Limitation, Physical Pain, Psychological Discomfort, Physical Disability, Psychological Disability). Age over than 40 years, was also associated with chewing disability (Pearson Chi-Square P < 0.001) and poorer QoL (Mann-Whitney U test P = 0.01). Conclusion: This study observed that the chewing disability produces a significant and negative impact over oral-health related QoL and both, poor QoL and chewing disability are related with the decrease of the number of natural teeth.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the applicability of telediagnosis in oral medicine, through the transmission of clinical digital images by e-mail. Subjects and Methods: The sample included 60 consecutive patients who sought oral medicine services at the Federal University of Paraná, in the state of Paraná, located in southern Brazil. The clinical history and oral lesion images were recorded using clinical electronic charts and a digital camera, respectively, and sent by e-mail to two oral medicine consultants. The consultants provided a maximum of two clinical hypotheses for each case, which were compared with biopsy results that served as the gold standard. Results: In 31 of the 60 cases (51.7%), both consultants made the correct diagnosis; in 17 cases (28.3%), only one consultant made the correct diagnosis; and in 12 cases (20%), neither consultant made the correct diagnosis. Therefore, in 80% of cases, at least one consultant provided the correct diagnosis. The agreement between the first consultant and the gold standard was substantial (κ=0.669), and the agreement between the second consultant and the gold standard was fair (κ=0.574). Conclusions: The use of information technology can increase the accuracy of consultations in oral medicine. As expected, the participation of two remote experts increased the possibility of correct diagnosis.

The aim of this study is to translate into Portuguese-Brazilian language and adapt cross-culturally to the Brazilian population the Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ). The cross-cultural adaptation process followed six stages which are; (I) initial translation, (II) synthesis of the translation, (III) back translation, (IV) expert committee and (V) test of the prefinal version. For validation process, the OQLQ results were compared with Oral Health Impact Profile Questionnaire (OHIP-49), with the generic SF-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire and a visual analogue scale. A convenience sample of 25 patients was selected in two Southern Brazilian states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. Internal consistency analysis of the OQLQ-Brazilian showed good correlation for items or domains and the test-retest reliability also presented excellent intra-class correlation coefficients. OQLQ-Brazilian exhibited a weak and negative correlation with SF-36, and good correlation with OHIP-49. The OQLQ-Brazilian preserved and reached equivalence with its original source and the findings also corroborate that there is good evidence for the construct validity. The demonstration of its reproducibility, reliability and validity makes this instrument an additional useful parameter for evaluation of the impact of dentofacial deformity over the quality of life for Brazilians.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of dry socket, alveolar infection, and postoperative pain following the routine extraction of erupted teeth. Methods and Materials: Using a questionnaire, this prospective cross-sectional study evaluated 357 consecutive surgeries in which 473 erupted teeth were extracted by dental students under rigorous control of microbiologic contaminants during a 22-month period. The subject sample consisted of 210 (58.8%) male patients ranging in age from 11 to 79 years (mean 41 ± 16.3). The most prevalent self-reported ethnicity was Caucasian (78.2%). The questionnaire consisted of 60 questions directed to the patient and to the dental student who performed the surgical procedure. The questionnaires were completed before and within seven days after the surgery to obtain outcomes data. Forty-five questionnaires were excluded due to lack of information, inconsistencies, or lack of contact with the patient; however, none had indications of alveolar infection or dry socket. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests (x2), and an odds ratio (OR) as appropriate at the critical level of significance, set at p<0.05 (x²) or p<0.01 (x², with the Monte Carlo simulation). Results: The observed incidence was 0.6% (two cases each) for both alveolar infection and dry socket. Higher pain levels and pain persisting longer than two days were observed with more traumatic surgeries, or associated with postoperative complications. Smoking was found to be statistically associated with the development of postoperative complications. Conclusion: The incidence of alveolar infection, dry socket, and severe pain were very low for the routine extraction of erupted teeth. Severe pain that persists for more than two days can represent a sign of a postoperative complication such as dry socket. Clinical Significance: Dental extraction is part of the dentists‵ daily work and intercurrences like dry socket, infection, and pain can occur. This manuscript reports the incidence of these occurrences and search for its predisposing factors. Citation: Bortoluzzi MC, Manfro R, De Déa BE, Dutra TC. Incidence of Dry Socket, Alveolar Infection, and Postoperative Pain Following the Extraction of Erupted Teeth. J Contemp Dent Pract [Internet]. 2010 Jan; 11(1):033-040. Available from: http://www.thejcdp.com/journal/ view/volume11-issue1-bortoluzzi.