Abstract In the modern world, cancer is a growing cause of mortality, but archeological studies have shown that it is not exclusive to modern populations. The aim of this study is to examine the epidemiologic, social, and clinicopathologic features of head and neck cancers in ancient populations. To do this, we extracted all records that described malignant lesions in the head and neck region available in the Cancer Research in Ancient Bodies Database (CRAB). The estimated age, sex, physical condition of the remains (skeletonized, mummified), anatomic location of tumors, geographic location, chronology, tumor type, and methods of tumor diagnosis were collected. One hundred and sixty-seven cases were found, mostly originating from Europe (51.5%). Most records were of adults between 35 and 49 years of age (37.7%). The most involved site was the skullcap (60.4%), and the most common malignancies were metastases to the bone (65.3%) and multiple myeloma (17.4%). No primary soft tissue malignancies were registered. The results of our study indicate that head and neck cancers were present in ancient civilizations, at least since 500,000 BCE. The available data can help to improve the current understanding of the global distribution of head and neck cancer and its multidimensional impacts on populations in the contemporary world.

ABSTRACT: The search for aesthetic excellence is an important goal in dentistry. The gummy smile is one of the main aesthetic complaints as it can affect self-esteem, and prejudice the patients’ social relationships. New techniques, such as the application of botulinum toxin (BT) may become a more conservative treatment option and help to reduce the proportions of resective surgery. The purpose of this paper is to describe the application of BT, used as an adjuvant to gingival resection surgery, using a case report of a dento-gingival discrepancy and gummy smile. The resection surgery improved the dento-gingival equilibrium and the application of BT led to a uniform dehiscence of the upper lip, and facial harmony. BT is a useful and conservative adjuvant in the aesthetic enhancement of the smile, and can improve the outcomes of gingival resection surgery.

RESUMEN: La búsqueda de la excelencia estética es un objetivo importante de la odontología. La sonrisa gingival es una de las principales quejas estéticas, ya que perjudica la autoestima y las relaciones sociales del paciente. Nuevas técnicas como la aplicación de la toxina botulínica (TB) pueden tornarse una opción terapéutica más conservadora, y ayudar a disminuir las proporciones de las intervenciones quirúrgicas resectivas. El propósito de este trabajo es describir la aplicación de la TB como adyuvante de la cirugía gingival resectiva, a través del reporte de un caso clínico de discrepancia dentogingival y sonrisa gingival. Con la cirugía resectiva el equilibrio dentogingival fue mejorado, y la aplicación de TB tipo A causó la dehiscencia uniforme del labio superior, devolviendo la armonía facial. La TB es un complemento útil y conservador en la mejora estética de la sonrisa, y puede aumentar los resultados de la cirugía gingival resectiva.