ISSN : 0376-4672
After tooth extraction, the alveolar bone undergoes a physiological remodeling process and resorption, leading to dif ficulties in prosthetic restoration including dental implant. To address this issue, alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) has been developed to minimize post-extraction alveolar bone resorption. However, clear guidelines for ARP procedures are currently lacking. Therefore, this study aims to review the existing literature on ARP procedures and materials and to discuss their significance. The results indicate that the ideal ARP technique involves removing granulation tissue after tooth extraction, application of suitable graft materials, and sealing socket. ARP has demonstrated clinical efficacy in minimizing invasive ness during subsequent implant placement. Nevertheless, we suggest further research to elucidate the most effective types of graft materials and optimal timing for implant placement.
Purpose : Odontogenic infections, which originate from teeth or their surrounding structures, are prevalent in the head and neck regions. The COVID-19 pandemic has altered healthcare-seeking behaviors due to policies adapted to impede the spread of virus, potentially impacting the management and severity of odontogenic infections. This study aims to investigate changes in characteristics of patients admitted to the hospital suffering from odontogenic infections before and after the COVID-19 outbreak. Patients and Methods : A retrospective study was conducted on patients admitted to the Department of Oral and Maxil lofacial Surgery at Dankook University Hospital from March 2017 to February 2023. Patients were divided into two groups based on pre and post-COVID-19 outbreak (Group 1 and Group 2, respectively). Clinical parameters, treatment modalities were compared between groups. Additionally within Group 2, COVID-19 positive and negative patients were compared, and Group 2 was subdivide into five groups according to different waves of COVID-19 outbreak. Results : Following the COVID-19 outbreak, there was a significant increase in hospital admissions odontogenic infec tions. Group 2 exhibited higher severity scores, affected spaces, and surgical interventions compared to Group 1 patients. COVID-19 positive patients demonstrated elevated severity parameters. Subgroup analysis within Group 2 revealed the highest severity during the second wave of the COVID-19 outbreak. Conclusion : COVID-19 outbreak correlated with a rise in hospital admissions and severity of odontogenic infections. Thus, healthcare providers should anticipate changes in odontogenic infection patterns during pandemics and adapt manage ment strategies accordingly.
As the first nation to experience a super-aging society, Japan’s response measures have various implications. To improve the oral health of the elderly, the Japanese central government, local governments, and the dental community collaborated in 1989 to launch the 8020 Campaign, aiming for individuals to maintain 20 teeth at 80. This campaign has yielded significant improvements in the oral health of the elderly. Initially, at the beginning of the 8020 campaign, only 7% of those aged 80 had 20 or more teeth, with an average of 4–5 teeth. By 2011, 22 years after its inception, the achievement rate increased significantly to 38.3% and reached 51.6% in 2016, exceeding the initial target of 50%. The fact that the 8020 campaign achievers improved their oral health and improved various systemic health indicators, including reductions in total mortality and noninfectious diseases, has been supported by various research findings. As a first step in applying Japan’s 8020 Campaign experience to Korea, we compared the rate of possessing 20 or more present teeth and the average number of present teeth among elderly individuals aged 75–79. In 2000, 30.4% of the Korean elderly individuals had 13.1 teeth on average, while for the Japanese elderly individuals (1999 data), it was 17.5% with an average of 9.0. However, this trend was reversed by 2011, with elderly Japanese surpassing Koreans in rate of retaining 20 or more teeth average number of teeth present. The most recent survey in 2022 showed that Japanese elderly individuals lead with a 55.8% rate of retaining 20 or more teeth and an average of 18.1 teeth, compared with Korean elderly individuals (2019 data) at 53.9% possession and 17.3 teeth on average, respectively. Based on Japan’s successful experience, Korea must collaborate with the central government and dental community to establish ambitious and concrete oral health goals and to sustain efforts to achieve them. This study provides policy insights into promoting oral health among older adults by analyzing and comparing the oral health status of older adults in Korea and Japan through Japan’s 8020 campaign.
