Contraindications to vasoconstrictors in dentistry: Part II. Hyperthyroidism, diabetes, sulfite sensitivity, cortico-dependent asthma, and pheochromocytoma

Changing the Focus to the Whole Patient instead of One Oral Disease: The Concept of Individualized Prevention

Oral diseases are highly prevalent and a global burden. Accordingly, their prevention appears essential. Recently, different strategies have been developed, mainly focusing on the presence of singular oral diseases or conditions. This article aims to construct a contemporary concept of individualized preventive care in dentistry whereby the focus is switched from viewing oral health in isolation to viewing the patient as a whole. The basis for individualized prevention measures is the case-oriented profile, including the synthesis of risk- and need-oriented parameters. The risk profile comprises different risk factors within the fields of systemic diseases, medications, and lifestyle that inherently pose a potential risk of complications (e.g., infectious endocarditis) and/or oral diseases (e.g., periodontitis). The needs profile includes factors originating from the aspects of oral diseases, dental restorations/appliances, and dental results with a potential risk of pathogenesis (e.g., the de novo development of caries) and/or the potential progression of oral diseases (e.g., an existing caries lesion). Based on these parameters, the general framework and content of prevention measures, as well as the maintenance interval, should be adapted to the individual patient. The implications of this concept might increase the safety, effectiveness, and efficiency of prevention in dental care. A further area of focus is primary prevention, that is, a focus on the preservation of oral health instead of a disease-related approach. However, clinical validation is needed to prove the benefits of the model presented. Individualized prevention promotes a shift from a disease-focused model to a whole-patient-focused model and provides a potential approach for establishing a contemporary concept for preventive care in dentistry.

Liposomal-based lidocaine formulation for the improvement of infiltrative buccal anaesthesia

This study describes the encapsulation of the local anaesthetic lidocaine (LDC) in large unilamellar liposomes (LUV) prepared in a scalable procedure, with hydrogenated soybean phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol and mannitol. Structural properties of the liposomes were assessed by dynamic light scattering, nanoparticle tracking analysis and transmission electron microscopy. A modified, two-compartment Franz-cell system was used to evaluate the release kinetics of LDC from the liposomes. The in vivo anaesthetic effect of liposomal LDC 2% (LUV_LDC) was compared to LDC 2% solution without (LDC_PLAIN) or with the vasoconstrictor epinephrine (1:100 000) (LDC_VASO), in rat infraorbital nerve blockade model. The structural characterization revealed liposomes with spherical shape, average size distribution of 250 nm and low polydispersity even after LDC incorporation. Zeta potential laid around -30 mV and the number of suspended liposomal particles was in the range of 10¹² vesicles/mL. Also the addition of cryoprotectant (mannitol) did not provoke structural changes in liposomes properties. In vitro release profile of LDC from LUV fits well with a biexponential model, in which the LDC encapsulated (EE% = 24%) was responsible for an increase of 67% in the release time in relation to LDC_PLAIN (p < 0.05). Also, the liposomal formulation prolonged the sensorial nervous blockade duration (∼70 min), in comparison with LDC_PLAIN (45 min), but less than LDC_VASO (130 min). In this context, this study showed that the liposomal formulations prepared by scalable procedure were suitable to promote longer and safer buccal anaesthesia, avoiding side effects of the use of vasoconstrictors.

Effect of clonidine on the efficacy of lignocaine local anesthesia in dentistry: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials

Alternatives to adrenaline with lignocaine local anesthesia, such as clonidine, have been trialed in various randomized, controlled trials. Therefore, the aim of the present systematic review was to compile the available evidence on using clonidine with lignocaine for dental anesthesia. Electronic databases were searched for eligible studies. A data-extraction form was created, extracted data were analyzed using non-Cochrane mode in RevMan 5.3 software. Heterogeneity between the studies were assessed using the forest plot, I² statistics (where >50% was considered to have moderate-to-severe heterogeneity), and χ² -test. Random-effects models were used because of moderate heterogeneity. Five studies were included for the final review. While clonidine was found to significantly shorten the onset of local anesthesia when measured subjectively, no significant difference was observed objectively. No significant difference was observed in the duration and postoperative analgesia. Stable hemodynamic parameters within the safe range were observed postoperatively when clonidine was used. Clonidine could be considered as an alternative to adrenaline in cases of contraindications to adrenaline, such as like cardiac abnormalities, hypertension, and diabetes.

B. K, Kannan R, Rajaram K, Rajendra Sharma A. 'Plain lignocaine' vs 'Lignocaine with vasoconstrictor'-Comparative evaluation of pain during administration and post-extraction wound healing by a double blinded randomized controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this double blinded randomized controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the efficacy of two local anaesthetic solutions, 'Plain lignocaine' and 'Lignocaine with vasoconstrictor', on pain during administration and post-extraction wound healing in patients undergoing therapeutic extractions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty patients indicated for therapeutic extraction of upper and lower premolars for orthodontic purpose were recruited for the study. Using a split-mouth study design, anaesthesia was achieved using lignocaine with adrenaline on the control side and plain lignocaine on the study side. Pain perception was measured by modified visual analogue scale and wound healing was assessed by Landry's Wound Healing Index. Sample allocation was done by simple randomization. The outcome parameters compared were (1) pain during administration of LA and (2) post-operative healing after extraction. Data analysis involved Chi-square test to compare proportions between treatment groups and independent sample t-test to compare mean values between treatment groups. SPSS version 22.0 was used to analyse the data.

RESULTS

The study group demonstrated a statistically significant wound healing on day1 and day 3 between the study and control group with p < 0.001. In the control group 68% had severe pain, whereas only 2% had severe pain in the study group. The proportions between the two groups were statistically significant (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The patients who received Plain Lignocaine perceived less pain during injection of local anaesthetic solution when compared to patients who received lignocaine with vasoconstrictor. The early post-operative wound healing was better in patients anaesthetized by Plain Lignocaine.

Evaluation of the haemodynamic and metabolic effects of local anaesthetic agent in routine dental extractions

INTRODUCTION

The systemic effects of adrenaline administered during dental local anesthesia have been the subject of many studies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the haemodynamic and metabolic effects attributable to adrenaline injected during local anesthesia in dental extraction patients.

METHODS

Apparently medically fit patients were included and randomized into two groups. Participants had breakfast before coming in for tooth extraction. The weight, height, blood pressure and pulse rate were measured and blood sample taken before administration of local anaesthetic injections. Blood pressure, pulse and blood sample were again taken at 15 and 30 min.

RESULTS

While the adrenaline group showed a modest increase between pre- and post-drug administration states, the control group showed no difference in median systolic blood pressures. Both groups showed a slight increase in diastolic blood pressure observed between pre- and post-drug administration states. Also both groups showed no significant difference in median pulse rate throughout. Although blood glucose values were widely dispersed in the pre-drug administration state in both groups, the control group showed no difference in median values throughout. However, a modest increase was observed in the adrenaline group between pre- and post-drug administration states, which persisted beyond 30 min.

CONCLUSION

The patients treated with local anesthesia with adrenaline showed a response similar to that observed in the control group.

Odontostomatologic management of patients receiving oral anticoagulant therapy: a retrospective multicentric study

Introduction

Today, we frequently find patients taking oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT), a prophylaxis against the occurrence of thromboembolic events. An oral surgeon needs to know how to better manage such patients, in order to avoid hemorrhagic and thromboembolic complications.

Materials and methods

A group of 193 patients (119 men aged between 46 and 82 and 74 women aged between 54 and 76) undergoing OAT for more than 5 years were managed with a standardized management protocol and a 2-months follow-up. The aim of the present study was to apply a protocol, which could provide a safe intra- and postoperative management of patients on OAT.

Results

Among the 193 patients, only 2 had postoperative complications.

Conclusions

We think that the protocol used in the present study can be used for complete safety in the treatment of this type of patients.

Oral Surgery in Patients on Anticoagulant Treatment Without Therapy Interruption

PURPOSE

Conflicting opinions exist in literature concerning the management of oral surgery in patients on oral anticoagulants because no consensus on perioperative protocols is available, including precise guidelines regarding the need for therapy modification or withdrawal. The aim of this study was to evaluate bleeding complications associated with oral surgery performed on patients on oral anticoagulants without therapy modification or withdrawal but following a standardized comprehensive perioperative management protocol.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients on oral anticoagulant therapy with warfarin and in need of oral surgery underwent a thorough general and oral clinical evaluation to assess thromboembolic and bleeding risk; 255 subjects who, on the morning of surgery, had INR values <or=5.5 were included in the study. An atraumatic surgical technique was carried out and all patients received postoperative careful instructions.

RESULTS

Five cases (1.96%) of bleeding complication were observed in patients with moderate to high thromboembolic and bleeding risk.

CONCLUSION

The findings from this study suggest that a comprehensive perioperative management protocol for oral surgery in patients on oral anticoagulants including 1) thromboembolic and bleeding risk assessment, 2) an atraumatic surgical technique, and 3) postoperative careful instructions, can lead to safe and successful results with minimal complications.

Glycemic effect of administration of epinephrine-containing local anaesthesia in patients undergoing dental extraction, a comparison between healthy and diabetic patients

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effect of administration of epinephrine (in the dental local anesthetic solution) on blood glucose concentration in healthy and diabetic dental patients after extraction. To determine if there is any correlation between blood glucose level changes and the number of carpules injected, number of teeth extracted and the gender of the patient.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

An open study of 60 patients (30 healthy and 30 diabetics) visiting the Oral Surgery clinic of Ajman University of Science and Technology. A drop of blood was taken from the tip of the patient's finger and placed on a glucometer strip to determine the pre-operative blood glucose level. Dental local anaesthesia (1.8 ml carpule each) containing 1:80,000 epinephrine was injected either through infiltration or block. Extraction was carried out atraumatically and 10 minutes post-extraction the glucose measurement was taken.

RESULTS

The difference in the blood glucose levels pre- and post operatively were not significantly different (p > 0.05) when a comparison was made between the healthy and diabetic groups. Comparison of glucose changes in diabetics who had taken their hypoglycaemic medication and those who had not, showed a significant difference (p < 0.05). Statistical analysis showed no correlation between the blood glucose level changes and the number of carpules used, number of teeth extracted and gender.

CONCLUSION

Dental local anaesthetic solution containing epinephrine is safe to use in all healthy and diabetic patients (irrespective of their gender), excepting those diabetics who have not taken their pre-operative hypoglycaemic medication. There is no relation between the post-extraction glucose changes and the number of carpules used, number of teeth extracted or gender.

A survey of local anaesthetic use among general dental practitioners in the UK attending postgraduate courses on pain control

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify which local anaesthetic solutions were used by general dental practitioners in the United Kingdom and to determine selection criteria. In addition, differences in anaesthetic choice between recent graduates (< or = 5 years) and more experienced practitioners were investigated.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Five hundred and six general dental practitioners attending postgraduate courses on pain control in dentistry completed a questionnaire. Participants were asked to indicate year and place of qualification, anaesthetic solutions available in their surgeries and criteria used in the choice of anaesthetic. In addition, the respondents were asked to indicate choice of local anaesthetic in a number of common medical conditions. Questionnaires were distributed and collected immediately prior to the start of the course presentation and participants were not asked to indicate whether the selection decisions were teaching, experience or evidence based. Data were analysed by using the Chi-square test.

RESULTS

Lidocaine with epinephrine was the most widely available solution among this group of practitioners (94%), the second most common solution was prilocaine with felypressin (74%). The majority of practitioners had two or more solutions available. Practitioners who qualified within the last five years (14%) were more likely to have articaine available, the most recently introduced local anaesthetic into the UK (p = 0.04, one degree of freedom). Common medical conditions lead to a modification in anaesthetic selection: the use of prilocaine/felypressin increases in the majority of circumstances, although it is avoided in pregnant females by recent graduates.

CONCLUSIONS

Lidocaine/epinephrine continues to be the most common anaesthetic solution used by this group of UK general practitioners. The primary criterion for selection of an anaesthetic agent was perceived efficacy. Prilocaine/felypressin is commonly selected as an alternative solution in the presence of common medical conditions.

Oral care for patients with cardiovascular disease and stroke

BACKGROUND

The authors describe how oral disease, particularly periodontal disease, may place certain patients at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease and stroke.

RESULTS

Although the precise mechanisms of interaction are not clear, two biological mechanisms that may explain the relationship are presented. In addition, the authors describe the dental management issues that need to be understood in treating patients compromised by cardiovascular disease.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

The patient with cardiovascular disease may present a challenge to the dental health care provider, depending on the degree of hemodynamic compromise and the stability of his or her condition.

Hazards of epinephrine in transsphenoidal pituitary surgery

A 79-year-old woman with no history of myocardial ischemia presented with symptoms of pituitary apoplexy for which an urgent transsphenoidal resection of the pituitary gland was undertaken. The nasal passages were prepared with topical application of epinephrine followed by injection of what was presumed to be 1% lidocaine containing 10 microg/ml(-1) of epinephrine. After only 1.5 mL of the solution had been injected, she developed a hypertensive crisis, which was immediately treated. Postoperatively, she developed a myocardial infarction. The risks associated with the use of vasopressors are reviewed and suggestions for their safe use are presented.

The dental patient with asthma. An update and oral health considerations

OVERVIEW

Asthma is a serious global health problem that has steadily increased in prevalence during the past two decades. New classification and treatment guidelines have been published, and dental providers need to be aware of these changes.

LITERATURE REVIEWED

The authors searched textbooks and MEDLINE, looking for the most updated medical information on asthma, as well as for previous publications on treatment of asthmatic patients in a dental setting.

RESULTS

More than 9,000 articles on asthma were published in English between 1997 and 2000. From 1960 until 2000, approximately 40 articles specifically addressed asthma and dental care. The authors reviewed more than 300 articles from the medical literature and all articles after 1980 that directly focused on oral health issues for importance and relevance.

CONCLUSIONS

Recent information regarding the etiology, pathogenesis and treatment of asthma had not been adequately addressed in the dental literature. Dental care of asthmatic patients may necessitate considerations beyond what has previously been published in the dental literature.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

In the treatment of asthma, as with treatment of most medical conditions, oral health care providers play a role that is important in terms of both the patient's overall health and the systemic condition's effect on oral health. This article provides dentists with a timely update on asthma and the relationship between asthma and oral health, and it offers suggestions for safe and appropriate dental care.

ADVERSE DRUG INTERACTIONS IN DENTAL PRACTICE: INTERACTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH VASOCONSTRICTORS

BACKGROUND

Adrenergic vasoconstrictors are commonly used by dentists to enhance the pain-relieving action of local anesthetics and to control local bleeding. Although normally considered safe for these applications, vasoconstrictors can participate in drug interactions that potentially are harmful to patients.

METHODS

The faculty of a March 1998 symposium entitled "Adverse Drug Interactions in Dentistry: Separating the Myths From the Facts" extensively reviewed the literature on drug interactions. They then established a significance rating of alleged adverse drug interactions pertaining to dentistry, based on the quality of documentation and severity of effect. The author of this article focused on the adrenergic vasoconstrictors epinephrine and levonordefrin.

RESULTS

Vasoconstrictor drug interactions involving tricyclic antidepressants, nonselective beta-adrenergic blocking drugs, certain general anesthetics and cocaine are well-documented in both humans and animals as having the potential for causing serious morbidity or death. Evidence for adverse interactions involving adrenergic neuronal blocking drugs, drugs with alpha-adrenergic blocking activity, local anesthetics and thyroid hormones is much less compelling, suggesting for the most part that clinically significant reactions may occur only when both the vasoconstrictor and the interacting drug are used in excessive doses. In the case of monoamine oxidase inhibitors, there is no credible evidence of a significant interaction with epinephrine or levonordefrin.

CONCLUSIONS

Potentially serious adverse drug interactions involving adrenergic vasoconstrictors can occur in dental practice. In most circumstances, careful administration of small doses of vasoconstrictors and avoidance of gingival retraction cord containing epinephrine, coupled with monitoring of vita signs, will permit these drugs to be used with no risk or only minimally increased risk. Only in the case of cocaine intoxication must adrenergic vasoconstrictors be avoided completely.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

For optimal patient safety, dentists must recognize potential drug interactions involving adrenergic vasoconstrictors and modify their use of these agents accordingly.

CARDIOVASCULAR EFFECTS OF INTRAOSSEOUS INJECTIONS OF 2 PERCENT LIDOCAINE WITH 1:100,000 EPINEPHRINE AND 3 PERCENT MEPIVACAINE

BACKGROUND

Because a number of patients have reported an increase in heart rate with the intraosseous, or i.o., injection, it is important to evaluate changes in the cardiovascular system with this injection technique. The purpose of this study was to determine the cardiovascular effects of an i.o. injection of 2 percent lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine and 3 percent mepivacaine.

METHODS

With the use of a repeated-measures design, the authors randomly assigned 42 subjects to receive i.o. injections of 1.8 milliliters of 2 percent lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine or 1.8 mL of 3 percent mepivacaine in a double-blinded manner at two appointments. At each appointment the authors monitored electrocardiographic findings, cardiac rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure before, during and after administration of anesthetic solutions.

RESULTS

With the 2 percent lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine solution, 28 (67 percent) of 42 subjects experienced an increase in heart rate that might be attributed to the effect of the epinephrine. In 22 (79 percent) of these subjects, the heart rate returned to within 5 beats of baseline values within four minutes after solution deposition. The authors found no significant increase in heart rate in subjects receiving the 3 percent mepivacaine. No significant differences (P > .05) were found in mean diastolic, mean systolic or mean arterial blood pressure values between the subjects receiving 2 percent lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine and those receiving 3 percent mepivacaine.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of subjects receiving the i.o. injection of the 2 percent lidocaine-epinephrine solution experienced a transient increase in heart rate. No significant increase in heart rate was seen with the i.o. injection of 3 percent mepivacaine.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

While patients would likely notice the heart rate increase with the lidocaine-epinephrine solution, it would not be clinically significant in most healthy patients. In patients whose medical condition, drug therapies or epinephrine sensitivity suggests caution, 3 percent mepivacaine is a good alternative for i.o. injections.

Anesthetic efficacy of the supplemental intraosseous injection of 3% mepivacaine in irreversible pulpitis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the efficacy of a supplemental intraosseous injection of 3% mepivacaine in mandibular posterior teeth with irreversible pulpitis. Intraosseous injection pain, subjective heart rate increase, and pain ratings during endodontic treatment were also assessed.

STUDY DESIGN

Forty-eight patients with irreversible pulpitis received conventional inferior alveolar nerve blocks. Electric pulp testing was used to determine pulpal anesthesia. Patients who were positive to the pulp testing, or negative to pulp testing but felt pain during endodontic treatment, received an intraosseous injection of 1.8 ml of 3% mepivacaine. A second intraosseous injection of 3% mepivacaine (1.8 ml) was given if the first injection was unsuccessful.

RESULTS

Seventy-five percent of patients required an initial intraosseous injection because of failure to gain pulpal anesthesia. The inferior alveolar block was 25% successful; the first intraosseous injection increased success to 80%. A second intraosseous injection further increased success to 98%. These differences were significant (p < 0.05). Eight percent (4/48) of the initial intraosseous injections resulted in solution being expressed into the oral cavity: these were considered technique failures.

CONCLUSIONS

For mandibular posterior teeth with irreversible pulpitis, a supplemental intraosseous injection of 3% mepivacaine increased anesthetic success. A second intraosseous injection, when necessary, further improved success.

Drug management in skin surgery

Lidocaine (lignocaine) 1% with epinephrine (adrenaline) 1:200,000 (maximum dose 40mL) is the agent of choice in skin surgery. It can be used at all sites except the fingers, toes and penis, where epinephrine should be avoided. Epinephrine-induced vasoconstriction delays local anaesthetic clearance, thus prolonging its effect and, by reducing peak blood lidocaine concentrations, enables a higher maximum dose to be used. Adding epinephrine, however, introduces the possibility of a drug interaction with tricyclic antidepressants and nonselective beta-blockers. Also, injection pain is greater because of the acidic sodium metabisulphite that has to be added to prevent epinephrine oxidation. Injection pain can be reduced by buffering the solution using sodium bicarbonate. There are no drug interactions that prevent the use of plain lidocaine: injection pain is least with 0.5% solutions. Injection of large volumes of very dilute lidocaine solutions (tumescent anaesthesia) enables higher maximum doses of lidocaine to be tolerated and large areas to be anaesthetised by infiltration. Amethocaine gel is a faster acting and more effective topical anaesthetic compared with eutectic lidocaine-prilocaine cream, but is a topical sensitiser. In high risk patients, prophylactic antibiotics should be given to prevent bacterial endocarditis when operating on infected lesions and on potentially colonised crusted lesions in high-risk patients (i.e. those with prosthetic heart valves). Wound infections following surgery on infected skin lesions can be prevented by the prophylactic use of mupirocin ointment. Aspirin-induced inhibition of platelet adhesion results in bleeding complications in approximately 15% of skin surgery patients receiving aspirin. Patients whose bleeding time is > 8 minutes are particularly at risk, and aspirin should be stopped at least 7 days prior to surgery in these patients. Aspirin can be continued in other patients without serious bleeding complications.

Plasma catecholamine and haemodynamic responses to surgical endodontic anaesthetic protocols

The effects of varying clinically relevant patterns of anaesthetic-vasoconstrictor combinations used for periradicular surgery on plasma concentrations of catecholamines and haemodynamic responses was studied in the canine model. Five mongrel dogs were anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbitol. A femoral cannula was inserted to measure central blood pressure and an ECG was used to monitor heart rate and any associated arrhythmias. Femoral venous blood samples were drawn before initial injection and at 3 and 10 min after injections. Plasma catecholamine concentrations were determined using high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Injection protocols used three time periods, 30, 60 and 90 s, with solutions containing 1:100,000 and 1:50,000 adrenaline. No significant changes in heart rates or presence of arrhythmias were noted over the experimental protocol. Catecholamine levels in pico moles mL-1 were within the normal range at the 3-min sample level. At the 10-min sample time there was a more erratic range of concentrations, with most samples within the normal range. This may have been due to endogenous release of catecholamines in specific animals. The data identified trends in both the haemodynamic parameters and plasma catecholamine levels that can legitimately support the careful use of higher levels of a vasoconstrictor when patient profiles and surgical needs dictate.

Angina: an update for dentistry

Advances in medicine have dramatically altered the diagnosis and treatment of angina and the prognosis for patients with this condition. The authors review current medical practices and make recommendations for the dental management of patients.