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Updated: Nov 4, 2025
07:51
A Protocol for Measuring Cue Reactivity in a Rat Model of Cocaine Use Disorder
Published on: June 18, 2018
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Oral changes in cocaine abusers: an integrative review
César Antonio Araújo Melo1, Hanna Rabech Garcia Guimarães1, Raphael Crhistian Fernandes Medeiros1
1Universidade do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte (UERN), Campus Avançado de Caicó, Departamento de Odontologia, Caicó, RN, Brazil.
Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology
|May 26, 2021
Summary
Cocaine abuse leads to significant oral health issues, including palate perforation and dental problems. Early recognition and treatment by health professionals are crucial for managing these conditions in users.
Area of Science:
- Oral Medicine
- Addiction Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Cocaine is a widely used psychoactive drug with significant oral health consequences.
- Abuse of Erythroxylum coca plant derivatives impacts various bodily systems, notably the oral cavity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify common oral disorders associated with cocaine abuse.
- To outline diagnostic and treatment strategies for these conditions.
Main Methods:
- An integrative review of literature from multiple databases (LILACS, PubMed, SciELO, etc.).
- Keywords included "Cocaína", "Boca", "Palato", "Odontologia" and English equivalents.
- Inclusion criteria focused on original articles in Portuguese, English, and Spanish involving human subjects.
Main Results:
- 22 articles were selected from 1373 records, revealing numerous oral alterations.
- Common findings include palate perforation, periodontal disease, bruxism, dental caries, xerostomia, and ageusia.
- Diagnostic methods frequently cited are anamnesis, intraoral exams, and CT scans; treatment involves reconstruction or prosthetics for palatal perforations.
Conclusions:
- Managing oral health issues in cocaine users presents challenges due to low professional help-seeking rates.
- Healthcare providers must be adept at recognizing cocaine-induced oral manifestations for timely diagnosis and treatment planning.
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