Umberto Romeo

This study aims to evaluate the impact of a single session of intraoral and extraoral photobiomodulation (PBM) on controlling pain and improving a patient’s daily activities following surgical extraction of the impacted mandibular third molar, using combined three wavelengths: “445 nm, 660 nm, and 970 nm”. A pilot study was conducted on 22 patients undergoing extraction of an impacted mandibular third molar. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: (1) The Test Group consisted of patients subjected to immediate postoperative PBM. The extraoral PBM parameters were power = 550 mW and spot area = 5 cm2, while the intraoral parameters were power = 200 mW and spot area = 2 cm2. (2) The Control Group consisted of the patients not subjected to PBM. For all the patients, the pain was evaluated via a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) on day 0, day 1, day 3, and day 7 after surgical intervention. The patient’s daily activities were evaluated on day 7 via a custom-made questionnaire. A statistically significant difference was observed between groups in the pain NRS scores on day 0 (p = 0.022), day 1 (p = 0.047), and day 7 (p = 0.028). No significant difference was found on day 3 (p = 0.153). A marginal statistical significance was observed with the number of painkillers taken (p = 0.054). No significant difference was observed with the questionnaire score (p = 0.206). This pilot study showed a significant reduction in postoperative pain on days 0, 1, and 7 with a single session of intraoral and extraoral PBM. However, the number of painkillers taken and the scores of the daily activities questionnaire did not show statistical significance despite the observed better results in patients subjected to PBM.

Despite recent advances in prevention, detection and treatment, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains a global health concern, strongly associated with environmental and lifestyle risk factors and infection with oncogenic viruses. Merkel Cell Polyomavirus (MCPyV), well known to be the causative agent of Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) has been found in OSCC, suggesting its potential role as a co-factor in the development of oral cavity cancers. To improve our understanding about MCPyV in oral cavities, the detection and analysis of MCPyV DNA, transcripts and miRNA were performed on OSCCs and oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). In addition, the cellular miR-375, known to be deregulated in tumors, was examined. MCPyV DNA was found in 3 out of 11 OSCC and 4 out of 12 OPMD samples, with a viral mean value of 1.49 × 102 copies/mL. Viral integration was not observed and LTAg and VP1 transcripts were detected. Viral miRNAs were not detected whereas the cellular miR-375 was found over expressed in all MCPyV positive oral specimens. Our results reported evidence of MCPyV replication in both OSCC and OPMD suggesting the oral cavity as a site of replicative MCPyV infection, therefore underscoring an active role of this virus in the occurrence of oral lesions.