Marco Meleti

Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) in patients on long-term bisphosphonate Therapy (BPT) has been reported with increasing frequency in literature over the past 4 years. Therapy for this condition is still a dilemma. Temporary suspension of BPT offers no short-term benefits; hyperbaric oxygen has no proven efficacy and therefore is not recommended. Intermittent or continuous antibiotic therapy with surgical debridement can be beneficial to palliate the symptoms. Er:YAG laser can be used to ...

Hyperplastic fibro-epithelial lesions are the most common tumor-like swellings in the mouth. The neodymium yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) laser appears to be useful for the surgical treatment of these lesions. Some controversies of laser surgery concern the accuracy of pathological diagnosis as well as the control of thermal damage on the target tissue. The aim of this study was to establish if the thermal changes induced by the Nd:YAG laser may affect the histopathological diagnosis ...

BACKGROUND DATA: The management of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) is still controversial.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare surgical and nonsurgical approaches to the treatment of BRONJ and the possible usefulness of Nd:YAG and Er:YAG lasers.

METHODS: One hundred and twenty-eight patients (33 males, 95 females; 52 with diagnosis of multiple myeloma, 53 with diagnosis of bone metastasis, and 23 with diagnosis of osteoporosis) affected by BRONJ ...

OBJECTIVE: To research an efficient treatment for the management of bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis.

BACKGROUND DATA: Necrosis of the jawbone has recently been described in association with systemic bisphosphonate therapy with drugs including zoledronic acid, pamidronate, and alendronate. The extent and clinical characteristics of bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis (BON) of the jaw are extremely variable, and range from the presence of fistulae in the oral mucosa or ...

Many dental bleaching techniques are now available, several of them using a laser source. However, the literature on the exact role of coherent light in the biochemical reaction of the whitening process is very discordant. The aims of this in vitro study were: (1) to compare two different laser sources, a KTP laser with a wavelength of 532 nm and a diode laser with a wavelength of 808 nm, during dental bleaching, and (2) to investigate the relationships among changes in gel temperature, ...

OBJECTIVE: Trauma during dental surgery is a predisposing factor for bisphosphonates (BP)-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ). However, about 40% of cases of BRONJ are not related to dental invasive procedures, being probably associated to endodontic or periodontal infections. Extraction of non-treatable teeth is considered a reliable choice, to improve symptoms and to reduce the risk of BRONJ. Here we report our experience of tooth extractions in patients under oral or intravenous ...

Jaw bone necrosis is a clinical condition associated with defects in vascularization of the maxilla or the mandibular bone, usually present following head and neck radiotherapy and/or oral surgical interventions. Bisphosphonates are synthetic analogues of pyrophosphate used in the treatment of patients with hypercalcemia as a result of malignancy, bone metastasis and for the treatment of other disorders such as metabolic bone diseases, Paget's disease and osteoporosis. Over last 10 ...

INTRODUCTION: Dentoalveolar surgery including tooth extractions and dental implants placement is considered the major risk factor for developing medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ).In this study, a patient series of MRONJ around dental implants were carefully analyzed to describe the findings and to assess the possible risk factors.

METHODS: Fifteen patients with peri-implant bone osteonecrosis were selected out of a group of 250 patients (6%). Patients were divided into ...

Bisphosphonates (BPs) are used to treat metabolic bone diseases, such as osteoporosis. In this study the occurrence of bisphosphonates-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) is reported in 25 patients who received BP therapy for osteoporosis with different drug schedules. From June 2005 to May 2009, 25 patients affected by BRONJ were observed. A history of oral surgery was reported for 18 patients (72%). Of the 22 patients treated by the authors, 20 (91%) recorded healing improvement ...

The term "pigmentation of the oral mucosa" is applied to a wide range of lesions or conditions featuring a change of color of oral tissues. Lesions not associated with an accumulation of pigment (e.g., Fordyce spots) are usually not classified as pigmented lesions. Two groups of pigmented lesions of the oral mucosa are recognized: 1) melanin-associated lesions, including racial pigmentations, melanotic macules, melanocytic nevi, and malignant melanoma; and 2) nonmelanin-associated ...

Since the introduction of laser in clinical practice, different wavelengths have been used for oral surgery on the basis of the different characteristics and affinities of each one. The aim of this study was a comparison of different laser wavelengths in relation to both thermal increase and “histological quality” in a model of soft tissue surgery procedures. Thermal evaluation was realized, during laser-assisted surgery excision performed on a bovine tongue, by a thermal camera device ...

The osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ) is an adverse side effect of long-term bisphosphonate therapy (BPT) firstly described in 2003. The aetiology of BRONJ remains unknown, and the pathogenesis seems multifactorial and related to several local or general factors. Many expert panel developed preventive protocols to facilitate specialists involved in the multidisciplinary management of BRONJ patients. In this paper, we present a concise review of the literature, and we report the experience ...

BACKGROUND: Treatment of head and neck mucosal melanoma remains a challenge. Surgery has traditionally been the main therapeutic approach. The role of postoperative radiotherapy has never been clearly established.

METHODS: The experience with a group of 42 patients (16 males, 26 females) with a primary head and neck mucosal melanoma is reported.

RESULTS: Eleven of 19 patients (57.9%) receiving surgery alone developed a regional lymphatic metastasis. For patients receiving postoperative ...

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) is an adverse side effect of several drug therapies, including bisphosphonates (BPs). Osteonecrosis of the jaw specifically related to BP therapy is usually referred to using the acronym BRONJ. However, no consensus has yet been reached regarding the most appropriate management of BRONJ. The greatest success rates have been recorded with surgical removal of necrotic bone. In particular, erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) ...