Medicine, Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and imaging, Epidemiology
22
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Prophylactic and postoperative antibiotic therapy for coronectomy procedures in mandibular third molars: mapping the evidence through a scoping review Lucas Jardim da Silva, Laura Lourenço Morel, Júlia Rodrigues Burkert, Josué Martos, Cristina Braga Xavier, Melissa Feres Damian Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2026 This scoping review systematically maps and summarizes the available evidence, identifies patterns, and highlights gaps in the current literature on antibiotic use in coronectomy procedures. Databases were searched up to June 2025 for human clinical studies evaluating the coronectomy technique for mandibular third molars that reported pre- or postoperative antibiotic use. In addition to manuscript identification, study design, evaluated outcomes, and sample characteristics, the collected data focused on antibiotic regimens, postoperative infection rates, and other reported complications, such as dry socket. The data were analyzed descriptively and summarized via tables and figures. Fifty studies evaluating approximately 2,126 patients were included. The included studies reported substantial heterogeneity in antibiotic protocols for coronectomy. Postoperative antibiotic administration was the most frequently described approach, most commonly involving amoxicillin, either alone or in combination with clavulanate for 3–7 days, whereas other agents were prescribed less frequently. Postoperative infection and complications were reported in approximately 60 patients (2.82% of patients sample). Amoxicillin was the most frequently reported antibiotic in these cases, general practice reflecting its overall predominance in coronectomy protocols rather than indicating any association with postoperative complications. The available evidence remains insufficient to support standardized antibiotic protocols or to determine the necessity of routine antibiotic use in coronectomy procedures. These findings underscore the importance of cautious antibiotic prescribing and highlight the need for further controlled studies to better inform clinical decision-making.
Factors Associated With the Citation Impact of Evidence Synthesis Reviews in Endodontics: A Bibliometric Analysis Rafaella Rodrigues da Gama, Lucas Peixoto de Araújo, Melissa Feres Damian, Wellington Luiz de Oliveira da Rosa International Endodontic Journal, 2026 Background Systematic reviews are essential for evidence‐based decision‐making in endodontics, and their number has grown substantially in recent years. However, little is known about the publication patterns, methodological features and citation impact of these studies. Objectives To perform a bibliometric analysis of evidence synthesis reviews (including systematic, scoping, bibliometric and umbrella reviews) in endodontics published between 2018 and 2023, and to evaluate the associations between citation impact and demographic, article‐related, author‐related and journal‐related variables. Methods This bibliometric analysis was reported in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was registered in the Open Science Framework ( https://osf.io/jf9et/ ). A comprehensive search was conducted in five databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane Library). Inclusion criteria encompassed systematic, scoping, umbrella and bibliometric reviews in endodontics. Citation data were extracted from Scopus and Google Scholar. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and negative binomial regression to assess associations with citation counts. Results Of 9683 records identified, 511 endodontic reviews met the inclusion criteria. Most were published in 2022–2023, predominantly by authors from Asia, Europe and the Americas. Brazil had the highest publication volume, while the USA led in citations. PRISMA adherence was high (90%), but funding and conflict of interest disclosures were infrequent. Citation impact was positively associated with earlier publication year, the last author's h‐index, the number of included studies and journal CiteScore. Methodological factors such as protocol registration and article‐related variables like open access were not significantly associated with citations after adjustment. Conclusion The citation impact of endodontic evidence synthesis reviews is primarily influenced by temporal factors, author academic standing and journal prestige rather than methodological rigour alone. These findings reveal a disconnect between indicators of research quality and citation performance and highlight the necessity of promoting transparency as a scientific value rather than as a surrogate for visibility. Trial Registration This study was registered in the Open Science Framework ( https://osf.io/jf9et/ )
CBCT-Assisted Clinic and Radiographic Diagnosis of an Atypically Erupted Odontoma Associated With Supernumerary Tooth Marina Nunes de Faria Corrêa, Pedro Schwartz Kalil Pereira, Marcos Antonio Torriani, Josué Martos, Melissa Feres Damian Case Reports in Dentistry, 2026 Odontomas are common benign odontogenic tumors and are typically asymptomatic, often detected incidentally through imaging exams. However, in some instances, these lesions may erupt into the oral cavity and coexist with supernumerary teeth, creating diagnostic and therapeutic challenges and interfering with normal tooth eruption. This case reports an unusual and complex presentation of an odontogenic lesion with clinic and radiographic features consistent with a partially erupted compound odontoma, associated with a supernumerary tooth and an embedded permanent lateral incisor. A 28‐year‐old female was referred to a dental school for evaluation of a recurrent, asymptomatic whitish spicule in the anterior mandibular gingiva. Initial radiographic examination revealed multiple radiopaque, denticle‐like structures, in addition to a vertically oriented supernumerary tooth and an embedded left mandibular lateral incisor. Based on a two‐dimensional imaging, a peripheral compound odontoma was initially suspected. Subsequent cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan provided critical three‐dimensional information, refining the imaging diagnosis and demonstrating an intraosseous compound odontoma with partial eruption into the oral cavity. Surgical removal of the embedded tooth was performed, while the supernumerary tooth and the odontogenic lesion, due to their lingual positioning and proximity to adjacent structures, were preserved. Later, the tooth erupted spontaneously, requiring a second intervention. Some residual denticles remained as a result of anatomical limitations. This case highlights the clinical, anatomical, and surgical complexity of erupted compound odontomas, underscores the indispensable role of CBCT in accurate radiographic diagnosis and treatment planning, and draws attention to potential challenges such as capsule rupture and incomplete removal of denticle‐like structures remnants.
Do CBCT and Clinical Experience Impact Decision-Making in Endodontic Diagnosis and Treatment Planning? A Before-After Study Tamyres Veleda Fonseca, Gabriel Lima Braz, Henrique Timm Vieira, Nadia de Souza Ferreira, Melissa Feres Damian Australian Endodontic Journal, 2025 This before‐after study evaluated the impact of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and clinical experience on diagnosis and treatment planning for endodontic cases, compared to periapical radiography (PR). 28 CBCT cases with corresponding PR images were assessed by five endodontic specialists and five final‐year dental students in two stages, 30 days apart: first using PR images and then CBCT scans. McNemar and Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests were applied, along with binary and ordinal logistic regressions, to assess changes in diagnosis and therapeutic decisions between imaging modality, evaluator experience, and perceived difficulty. Most evaluators changed their diagnostic and treatment decisions from PR to CBCT, particularly among students. Evaluator experience significantly influenced the difficulty of diagnosis and treatment planning, especially with CBCT. The interpretation of CBCT images increased decision‐making difficulty for students while facilitating it for professionals. CBCT significantly influenced clinical decisions and perceived difficulty, with effects varying based on evaluator experience.
DENTAL TRAUMATIC AVULSIONS: AN ANALYSIS OF THE PERFORMANCE AND MAINTENANCE OF REPLANTED TEETH IN THE FIRST-YEAR POST-INJURY Bhárbara Marinho Barcellos, Melissa Feres Damián, Talita Freitas da Silva, Marcos Augusto Lourenço da Silva Lourenço da Silva, Leticia Kirst Post, Josué Martos, Cristina Braga Xavier Revista Cientifica Odontologica, 2025 Aim: This study aims to examine the factors influencing the decision to perform replantation following avulsion of permanent teeth, as well as factors affecting the maintenance of replanted teeth in the first-year post-injury. Material and Methods: This retrospective analysis involved examining dental records and periapical radiographs of patients with avulsed permanent teeth. Demographic information, details regarding traumatic lesions, and treatment specifications were extracted from dental records. Radiographs obtained during the initial appointment were used to assess root maturity, and the ones at the one-year follow-up examination evaluated the maintenance of replanted teeth, along with the presence of endodontic therapy, bone loss, periapical lesions, and inflammatory or replacement resorption. Chi-square tests and hierarchical Logistic Regression Analysis were employed to identify factors associated with replantation success and maintenance of replanted teeth after one year. Results: Data from 106 patients and 154 avulsions were collected according to predefined criteria. Of the 154 teeth, 102 (76.2%) underwent replantation. Patients over 13 years of age at the moment of the traumatic injury, those with avulsion of more than one tooth, and those with associated alveolar bone fractures were less likely to undergo replantation. In the first-year post-injury, 71 of the 102 replanted teeth (70.3%) were retained. Tooth loss within the first-year follow-up was more likely in male patients, individuals over 13 years old at the moment of the avulsion, and those with associated alveolar bone fractures. Conclusions: Patient age and alveolar bone fractures during traumatic injuries were identified as factors associated with both replantation outcomes. Patient gender influenced the presence of the tooth in the first-year postinjury, while avulsion of more than one tooth showed an association with replantation performance.
Occlusal splint or botulinum toxin-a for jaw muscle pain treatment in probable sleep bruxism: A randomized controlled trial Luiz Alexandre Chisini, Ana Luiza Cardoso Pires, Victório Poletto-Neto, Melissa Feres Damian, Murilo Souza Luz, Bas Loomans, Tatiana Pereira-Cenci Journal of Dentistry, 2024 OBJECTIVES: To conduct an equivalency randomized controlled trial comparing occlusal splint (OS) and botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A) on jaw muscle pain in probable sleep bruxism. METHODS: Sixty patients (≥18 years, probable sleep bruxism, and jaw muscle pain) were randomly allocated into groups. The primary outcome was the reduction of jaw muscle pain, assessed using the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS, v2.0). Secondary outcomes included: parameters of jaw opening and mandibular mobility; distribution of muscle pain; Jaw Functional Limitation Scale-20 (JFLS-20), Oral Behaviors Checklist (OBC); and Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Only the evaluator was blinded. Multilevel mixed-effects regression models were used. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients (30 received OS and 29 BTX-A) were analyzed at baseline, 3 and 6 months follow-up. One patient dropped out after receiving the intervention. No differences between the interventions were observed concerning the GCPS (p = 0.627), although a significant reduction was observed at 3 (OR=13.26, 95%CI[6.61-26.59]) and 6 months (OR=12.36, 95%CI[4.93-30.98]), regardless of the treatment. BTX-A showed a lower score reduction on JFLS-20 than OS (OR=0.29, 95%CI[0.11-0.82]). BTX-A presented inferior results for the parameters: opening without pain(p = 0.045), unassisted maximum opening(p = 0.024), assisted maximum opening(p = 0.041), and protrusion(p = 0.016). An improvement in OHIP-14 scores was observed at 3 (IRR=1.08, CI95%[1.02-1.14]) and 6 months (IRR=1.10, CI95%[1.04-1.16]), regardless of the intervention. BTX-A participants(n = 23;79,3%) reported mild discomfort during chewing. CONCLUSION: OS and BTX-A can effectively decrease the GCPS scores, improve OHRQoL, and enhance functional outcomes in sleep bruxist patients with jaw muscle pain. OS demonstrated slight advantages in specific parameters. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Both occlusal splints and botulinum toxin-A effectively reduce jaw muscle pain in bruxist patients, improving quality of life and mandibular function. Clinically, occlusal splints may offer additional benefits in specific functional parameters. (NCT03456154).
Evaluation of craniocervical posture after myofascial pain treatment in adults with bruxism: A randomized clinical trial Ana Luiza Cardoso Pires, Laylla Galdino Santos, Victório Poletto-Neto, Murilo Souza Luz, Melissa Feres Damian, Tatiana Pereira-Cenci Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 2024 BACKGROUND: Despite numerous clinical studies on bruxism management, critical evaluation parameters, including the impact of bruxism pain on quality of life and secondary issues like changes in craniocervical posture, are often disregarded. RESEARCH QUESTION: Evaluate the effect of two treatments on the craniocervical posture of adult patients with myofascial pain. METHODS: This parallel randomized clinical trial included 60 patients with myofascial pain due to probable bruxism that fulfilled the study requirements. A computer-generated random sequence was used to allocate treatments: botulinum toxin-A or occlusal appliance. Follow-up time was 3 and 6 months. Kyphosis angle (α) and head posture measurement by cervical radiograph were assessed using two-way repeated measures ANOVA (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: Sixty patients were randomized (mean age 30 ± 7.6) and 6 were excluded from the analysis (did not attend follow-up). No statistically significant difference was observed for the head posture measure (p = 0.98) and kyphosis angle (p = 0.74). Mild pain was reported by one patient after botulinum toxin-A application. SIGNIFICANCE: Results indicate that craniofacial posture does not seem to be influenced by the treatment of pain in bruxers. If a better posture is desired, this should probably be targeted with other therapies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials NCT03456154.
Stafne’s bone defect: a systematic review A. Soares, L. Ferreira, C. Calderipe, R. Bologna-Molina, M. Damian, M. Martins, F. Silveira, AC. Vasconcelos Medicina Oral Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2023 Background This systematic review integrated the available data published in the literature on Stafne’s bone defect (SBD), considering the clinical, imaging and histopathological results. Material and Methods An electronic search was undertaken in six databases. Eligibility criteria were: articles in English, Spanish, and Portuguese describing case reports or case series of SBD, reported up to September/2021. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool. Results A total of 98 articles were retrieved, involving 465 individuals with SBD and were included for quantitative analysis. Mean age was 52.78 years (range: 11-89 years), with male predilection (n=374/80.85%). Radiographs were the most frequent imagiological exams (n=298/64.09%), followed by computed tomography (n=98/21.08%). SBD was more prevalent in the posterior mandible (n=361/93.77%) as a hypodense radiolucent lesion (n=250/77.40%). Mean size was 1.58 cm (range: 0.3-.8.0 cm). Two-hundred-and-two lesions (97.37%) were unilocular and 126 (91.97%) were classified as well-defined. Clinical symptoms were reported in 73 cases, while 68 cases (93.15%) were asymptomatic. Only 34 cases (12.32%) were submitted to histopathological examination. Mean follow-up time was 26.42 ±25.39 months. Conclusions SBD is more frequent in male patients in the fifth and sixth decade of life. Classic SBD is radiographically characterized as a single, unilocular and well-defined lesion in the posterior region of the jaw with a radiolucent/hypodense appearance. Key words:Stafne bone defect, stafne, stafne defect.
Antimicrobial and physical properties of experimental endodontic sealers containing vegetable extracts Daniela Coelho dos Santos, Andressa da Silva Barboza, Lara Rodrigues Schneider, Carlos Enrique Cuevas-Suárez, Juliana Silva Ribeiro, Melissa Feres Damian, Angela Diniz Campos, Rafael Guerra Lund Scientific Reports, 2021 To assess the antimicrobial activity and the physical properties of resin-based experimental endodontic sealers with the incorporation of vegetable extracts obtained from Bixa orellana, Mentha piperita, and Tagetes minuta species. The extracts were obtained and characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS), and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis, and Candida albicans. The extracts were individually incorporated into a dual-cure experimental sealer at a mass concentration of 0.5%. A commercial reference RealSeal was used. The sealers were evaluated by measuring the setting time, degree of conversion, dimensional stability, radiopacity, flow, and film thickness of these materials, also and its antimicrobial effect was evaluated using the direct contact test. Data were statistically analyzed by analysis of variance and Tukey’s post-hoc test at α = 0.05 significance level. The physical properties were not influenced by the addition of the vegetable extracts (p > 0.05). For S. mutans, only T. minuta and B. orellana groups presented antibacterial activity after 24 h of contact (p < 0.05). All extracts evidenced an antibacterial effect against E. faecalis (p < 0.05). The experimental sealers hold promise as a novel vegetable sealer with great antimicrobial activity and also great physical–mechanical properties. Nonetheless, more studies are needed.
