The influence of the tooth preparation finish line position on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and the presence of periodontopathogens in the gingival crevicular fluid.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine the concentration of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and changes in the presence of periodontopathogens in the gingival crevicular fluid before and after tooth preparation with the subgingival and equigingival finish line position. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The clinical prospective study included 20 subjects with an indication for upper canine preparation, with the subgingival (group 1) and equigingival finish line (group 2). Samples were taken in four observation intervals: 5 minutes before (control samples), as well as 15 minutes, 24 and 72 hours after tooth preparation (experimental samples). Measurement of MMP-9 was done using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The presence of bacteria in the gingival fluid was proven by the Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. RESULTS: The MMP-9 values did not differ statistically significantly between the groups (p=0.524). The MMP-9 values showed a statistically significant difference in the given observation period (p<0.001) with a significant linear increase in values (p<0.001). A significant quadratic trend recorded a decrease in the MMP-9 values 15 minutes after preparation, and an increase 24 hours after preparation, without a significant difference in the interaction between groups (p=0.392). After preparation, a significant difference in the presence of periodontopathogens was confirmed, i.e., a decrease in the presence of Prevotella intermedia (p=0.025) and Tannerella forsythia (p=0.016) in group 1, and an increase in the presence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in both groups (p=0.029, p=0.026). CONCLUSIONS: The study is a good basis for determining the influence of tooth preparation on gingival inflammation, with therapeutic (choice of preparation technique) and preventive significance regarding the protection of the periodontal tissue from possible iatrogenic damage.

Prevalence and progression of early childhood caries in Nis, Serbia.

AIM: Early childhood caries (ECC) entails the presence of one or more decayed, missing, or filled teeth in children aged up to 71 months. Our aim is to present the prevalence and progression of ECC in Nis, Serbia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed at the Clinic of Dentistry in Nis;, involving 250 children aged 3 to 6 years. The prevalence of caries was presented using the dmf index. Depending on the progression, tooth decay was reported as dI (superficial decay), dII (deep decay), dp (pulpitis), dg (dental gangrene), and dx (chronic apical periodontitis). RESULTS: Our results show that in Nis; the dmf index was 2.38 in the studied children. Of all the decayed teeth, dI was found in 73.18%, and dII in 22.38% of the children. The complications of tooth decay (pulpitis, gangrene, periodontitis) were not highly prevalent: dp=1.41%; dg=1.01%; and dx=2.02%. CONCLUSION: Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that the prevalence of early childhood caries is relatively high. Therefore, health education for parents has to be intensified, focusing on the significance of preservation of health of the primary teeth all the way to their physiological replacement with the permanent teeth.

Adverse reactions to denture resin materials.

Irrespective of the new generation of dental materials, acrylates still have a wide indication field. Although they are classified as biomaterials, acrylates can have both local and systemic side effects. The individual components of the acrylic materials may leave the dental restorations and diffuse into saliva. The aim of this study was to point out the potentially toxic components of acrylic dental materials, as well as their possible adverse effects on oral tissues and the organism in general. The paper was based on the assumption that the appropriate selection of the type of acrylic material and the proper method of their preparation reduce their adverse effects to a minimum, which was proven using literature data.

Prevalence of Oral Lesions in the Elderly.

OBJECTIVE: Geriatric dentistry refers to dealing with oral diseases including prevention and treatment in old individuals. The aim of this investigation was to examine the types and frequency of oral lesions in the elderly. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study involved 75 elderly persons. The clinical diagnosis was established by correlating the aetiological factor associated with the lesion and by systematic examination of the oral mucosa and classifying those alterations according to the epidemiological guidelines for the diagnosis of oral mucosal diseases. During the clinical examination, the following elements were analysed: features of the lesion, anatomical location, extension, aetiological factors or related factors, dental status, alcohol, tobacco, trauma, use of prosthesis and if such were well adapted. RESULTS: Sixty lesions were diagnosed in 75 patients. These were classified according to clinical, histopathological and microbiological diagnosis and were distributed into 15 different clinical entities. The more prevalent pathologies were inflammatory, reactive and associated with long-term use of prostheses or ill-adapted prostheses, since 67% of the patients with lesions were using prostheses. Of the lesions related to prosthesis use, denture stomatitis was the most common one, representing 20 cases (33.3%). The second most frequent lesion was erythematous candidiasis (10%). The other most frequent lesions in this study were lingua plicata, xerostomia and pseudomembranous candidiasis. CONCLUSION: Oral and perioral tissues undergo different functional and structural changes with ageing. The role of the dentist and stomatologist includes the management of systemic, nutritional and pharmacological oral manifestations in order to establish an early diagnosis and subsequent accurate treatment.

[Prosthetic rehabilitation in patient with forced class III malocclusion].

The paper presents clinical case of 63 years old edentulous patient with slight class III malocclusion. For 15 years he was using inadequately fabricated dentures causing forced severe class III malocclusion. Forced progeny was corrected by newly fabricated dentures which restored normal orofacial function and facial harmony.

Chronic gingivitis: the prevalence of periodontopathogens and therapy efficiency.

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of gingival inflammation and the prevalence of periodontopathogenic microorganisms in adolescents with chronic gingivitis, as well as to compare the effectiveness of two approaches in gingivitis treatment-basic therapy alone and basic therapy + adjunctive low-level laser therapy (LLLT). After periodontal evaluation, the content of gingival pockets of 140 adolescents with gingivitis was analyzed by multiplex PCR for the presence of P. gingivalis, A. actinomycetemcomitans, T. forsythensis and P. intermedia. Subsequent to bacteria detection, the examinees were divided into two groups with homogenous clinical and microbiological characteristics. Group A was subjected to basic gingivitis therapy, and group B underwent basic therapy along with adjunctive LLLT. A statistically significant difference between the values of plaque-index (PI) and sulcus bleeding index (SBI) before and after therapy was confirmed in both groups (p<0.001), though more pronounced in group B. Following therapy, the incidence of periodontopathogenic microorganisms decreased considerably. The best result was obtained in P. gingivalis eradication by combined therapy (p=0.003). The presence of periodontopathogens in adolescents with gingivitis should be regarded as a sign for dentists to foster more effective oral health programs. LLLT appears to be beneficial as adjuvant to basic therapy.