Antifungal Effect of Poly(methyl methacrylate) with Farnesol and Undecylenic Acid against Candida albicans Biofilm Formation.

The control of Candida albicans biofilm formation on dentures made of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is an important challenge due to the high resistance to antifungal drugs. Interestingly, the natural compounds undecylenic acid (UDA) and farnesol (FAR) both prevent C. albicans biofilm formation and could have a synergetic effect. We therefore modified PMMA with a combination of UDA and FAR (UDA+FAR), aiming to obtain the antifungal PMMA_UDA+FAR composites. Equal concentrations of FAR and UDA were added to PMMA to reach 3%, 6%, and 9% in total of both compounds in composites. The physico-chemical properties of the composites were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and water contact angle measurement. The antifungal activity of the composites was tested on both biofilm and planktonic cells with an XTT test 0 and 6 days after the composites' preparation. The effect of the UDA+FAR combination on C. albicans filamentation was studied in agar containing 0.0125% and 0.4% UDA+FAR after 24 h and 48 h of incubation. The results showed the presence of UDA and FAR on the composite and decreases in the water contact angle and metabolic activity of both the biofilm and planktonic cells at both time points at non-toxic UDA+FAR concentrations. Thus, the modification of PMMA with a combination of UDA+FAR reduces C. albicans biofilm formation on dentures and could be a promising anti-Candida strategy.

Can the chokeberry juice be used as additional therapy for burning mouth syndrome in menopausal women?

The researchers' aims were to evaluate the effects of chokeberry juice in the treatment of burning mouth syndrome (BMS) and oral discomfort in menopausal women. The following validated scales and questionnaires were used before and after treatment: questionnaire used for selection of research participants with xerostomia, the xerostomia inventory, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), localization of pain before and after treatment, short-form McGill pain questionnaire. There was statistically significant decrease in number of research participants who felt pain after therapeutic procedure (p < 0.05). Chokeberry juice, as additional therapy for BMS, reduced intensity of characteristic types of pain sensations and oral dryness feeling.

A Comparative Study of Antioxidative Activity of Saliva in Children and Young Teenagers with and without Gingivitis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the values of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in the saliva of children and young teenagers with and without gingivitis. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 children and young teenagers of the mean age of 12.2 participated in the research. Gingival condition was assessed using the Löe and Silness Gingival Index. The subjects were divided into groups of those without gingivitis and those with gingivitis. Samples of unstimulated saliva were collected, and TAC, CAT and GPX were determined spectrophotometrically. Results: By comparing the values of TAC, CAT and GPX in subjects with and without gingivitis, significantly lower values of TAC (p < 0.001) and CAT (p < 0.001) were observed in the group of subjects with gingivitis. The correlation analysis of these values showed a positive correlation in groups of subjects not suffering from gingival inflammation and those with gingival inflammation. Conclusions: The study showed significantly lower values of TAC and CAT in the saliva of subjects with gingivitis. This indicates their possible role as a potential biomarker in the early diagnosis and expression of periodontal disease in children and young teenagers.

Can Salivary Biomarkers Be Used as Predictors of Dental Caries in Young Adolescents?

BACKGROUND Identifying caries predictors in the subpopulation at risk is one of the preconditions for developing effective caries prevention measures. The present exploratory study aimed to examine the significance of socio-demographic characteristics, dietary-hygiene habits, salivary pH, and salivary antimicrobial HNP-1, hBD-2, and LL-37 peptides as potential caries risk predictors in children ages 11-13 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS This prospective 1-year study enrolled 213 children ages 11-13 years. The subjects underwent a dental examination and their mothers were interviewed. Unstimulated saliva was collected from the subjects to determine its pH value, as well as the salivary levels of HNP-1, hBD-2, and LL-37 peptides in 85 of the subjects. After 12 months, the 1-year caries incidence rate was recorded. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the ability of selected variables to predict caries risk. RESULTS The univariable logistic regression analysis determined that the most significant independent caries risk predictors were: sex (female) (OR=2.132, p=0.007), mothers' education (OR=1.986, p=0.020), salivary pH (OR=0.270, p=0.043), oral hygiene index (OR=1.886, p=0.015), and daily tooth brushing frequency (OR=0.565, p=0.042). The multivariable model showed that sex and oral hygiene-related variables were the most important caries predictors. CONCLUSIONS Salivary HNP-1, hBD-2, and LL-37 peptides were not found to have a significant predictive value. Therefore, socio-demographic and oral hygiene variables remain important caries predictors in early adolescents, suggesting the importance of the mechanical control of biofilm as the key measure for preventing caries. However, there is still a need for effective caries risk biomarkers, and additional research is needed in this area of caries risk prediction.

Migration of fluoride ions from the permanent teeth into saliva in children with glass ionomer cement restorations: an in vitro study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Glass ionomer cements (GIC) belong to the group of polycarboxyl cements, and one of the principal characteristics of these materials is their anticariogenic potential of fluorine release into saliva and enamel-dentin substance. The aim of this study was to examine the content of released fluorine from GIC restorations (Fuji IX, GC, Japan) of young permanent teeth in the medium of artificial saliva and similar releases in the same medium by the restorations of these teeth treated with a low concentration fluoride solution. METHODS: We examined 12 premolars extracted from orthodontic reasons. The GIC restored teeth were divided into the group treated daily with low concentration fluoride solution (334 ppm) and the control, not treated group. The samples of artificial saliva were analyzed for fluorine ion content using an ion selective electrode. RESULTS: Our comparative analysis of the mean values using the Student's t-test demonstrated a statistically significant difference in fluorine ion concentration in artificial saliva of fluoridated and non-fluoridated teeth with GIC fillings after 14 and 21 days (p < 0.05), while the difference detected after 7 days was with no statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The results of this in vitro study indicated that low-concentration fluoride solutions could serve to refluoridate GIC fillings and contribute to an increased fluorine content in saliva. The process of refluoridation of GIC fillings should be advised 2-3 weeks after the restoration, since the release of fluorine from GIC fillings diminishes in time.

[Traumatic dental injuries in Serbian children--epidemiological study].

INTRODUCTION: Comprehensive epidemiological data regarding factors associated with traumatic dental injuries are scarce. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess the frequency and analyze the factors associated with traumatic dental injuries in Serbian children. METHODS: Research included children and adolescents with traumatic dental injury aged 0-19 year during the period from 2003 to 2010, in four University Dental Centres in Serbia: Belgrade, Nis, Novi Sad and Kragujevac. Patient history, demographic, clinical and radiographic data were obtained from dental trauma forms. RESULTS: Total of 2,194 patients (748 girls, 1,446 boys) (chi2 = 222.1; p < 0.01) with 3,077 injured teeth in permanent and 953 in primary dentition were observed. Most of patients were aged 7 to 12 years (n = 1,191). The most frequent injuries in primary and permanent dentition were dislocations (87.4%) and teeth fractures (50.8%), respectively (chi2 = 706.1; p < 0.01). The most frequent mechanism of injury was fall in children aged 0 to 12 years, while the collisions were most frequent in adolescents (53.9%). The most frequent injuries in adolescents were inflicted outdoor (66.8%), while the injuries in children aged 0 to 3 years occurred at home (68.2%), (chi2 = 360.8; p < 0.01). The most frequent injuries in girls were accidental (48.3%), and in boys these were sport injuries (20.4%) and violence (10.4%) (chi2 = 79.9; p < 0.01). The most frequent cause of injury in children aged 0 to 3 years was accidental (75.6%), while in adolescents it was sport (34.1%) (chi2 = 1102.7; p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Dental injuries in preschool children most frequently resulted from fall at home. Schoolchildren most frequently injured teeth outdoor during play. Violence and sport injuries were most frequent cause of injury in adolescents.