Calcium and Vitamin D Supplementation as Non-Surgical Treatment for Periodontal Disease with a Focus on Female Patients: Literature Review.

Periodontal disease is a complex disease that involves an imbalance between the oral microbiota and an individual's inflammatory response. Moreover, the inflammatory response contributes to further imbalance; if left untreated, periodontal disease may result in tooth loss. Vitamin D is intricately involved in the regulation of calcium-phosphate homeostasis and bone mineral metabolism; considering that periodontal surgery usually includes regenerative therapy, adequate vitamin D and calcium levels are essential. The benefits of vitamin D and calcium supplementation have been demonstrated in situations where deficiency is associated with adverse outcomes, such as periodontal disease and maternal health. However, knowledge and attitudes about supplementation, as well as the actual levels of supplementation, vary greatly in the general population; they also differ between men and women. The aim of this review is to discuss how vitamin D and calcium supplementation affect oral and periodontal health, especially in women. Additionally, this review provides suggestions for public health strategies regarding vitamin D and calcium supplementation, as well as the effects of both types of supplementation on maternal oral health.

Oral Manifestations of Exudative Erythema Multiforme in a Patient with COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a viral infection with multiorgan manifestations that may affect the oral mucosa. The full range of oral manifestations of COVID-19 are unknown, and there are limited reports describing the features of oral manifestations of COVID-19, including taste loss, oral lesions, and xerostomia. The aim of this study is to report a case of oral erythema multiforme (EM) manifesting as oral, lip, and skin lesions in a COVID-19 patient. The presence of oral lesions in the late stage of COVID-19 could be related to weak patient immunity or related therapies.

The Influence of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus on Dental Caries and Salivary Composition.

Diabetes mellitus is the most common chronic disease that affects the oral health. The aim of the study is to evaluate the dental caries, salivary flow rate, buffer capacity, and Lactobacilli in saliva in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus compared to the control group. Methods. The sample consisted of 160 children of 10 to 15 years divided into two groups: 80 children with type 1 diabetes mellitus and 80 children as a control group. Dental caries was assessed using the DMFT index for permanent dentition. Stimulated saliva was collected among all children. Salivary flow rate and buffer capacity were measured, and the colonies of Lactobacillus in saliva were determined. The observed children have answered a number of questions related to their dental visits and parents' education. The data obtained from each group were compared statistically using the chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U-test. The significant level was set at p < 0.05. Results. DMFT in children with type 1 diabetes was significantly higher than that in the control group (p < 0.001). Diabetic children have a low level of stimulated salivary flow rate compared to control children (0.86 ± 0.16 and 1.10 ± 0.14). The buffer capacity showed statistically significant differences between children with type 1 diabetes and control group (p < 0.001). Also, children with type 1 diabetes had a higher count and a higher risk of Lactobacillus compared to the control group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001). Conclusion. The findings we obtained showed that type 1 diabetes mellitus has an important part in children's oral health. It appears that children with type 1 diabetes are exposed to a higher risk for caries and oral health than nondiabetic children.

The Association between Periodontal Disease and Preterm Low Birthweight in Kosovo.

OBJECTIVE: Periodontal diseases have a high prevalence worldwide. Existing evidence support the concept that gingivitis and periodontitis are potentially infectious and they present inflammatory reservoirs that can be threatening to the fetoplacental unit. The objective of this study was to compare the periodontal status between women with normal delivery and those with preterm low-birthweight delivery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 200 postpartum women whose periodontal and obstetrical parameters were taken. The periodontal condition was assessed bedside according to the modified criteria established by Machtei, while the birthweight and gestational age were assessed according to the World Health Organization criteria. RESULTS: Women with periodontitis are statistically at 3.2 times higher risk to deliver a child with low weight, and at 3.4 times higher risk to deliver preterm, compared to women without periodontitis. The women with preterm low-birthweight babies had deeper periodontal pockets (2.49mm ± 0.49mm) than women with normal delivery (2.26mm ± 0.49mm). CONCLUSIONS: Periodontal disease in pregnant women with a reservoir of organisms and their products can be considered a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcome.

Oral Health Status Related to Social Behaviors among 6 - 11 Year Old Schoolchildren in Kosovo.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the current oral health status among schoolchildren in Kosovo aged 6-11 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A study included 5679 schoolchildren aged 6 -11 years, from different towns of Kosovo. Dental health status was evaluated using the World Health Organization (WHO) caries diagnostic criteria for decayed, missing and filled teeth (dmft/DMFT index), for deciduous and permanent dentition. The observed children have answered a number of questions about their oral hygiene, eating habits, and dental visits. The analysis included frequencies and means. The differences between means were tested using the student t-test (p<0.05). The factors associated with dental caries were tested using the Spearman's rank. RESULTS: The mean dmft/DMFT of schoolchildren aged 6-11 years was 4.36 ± 3.763 and 1.20 ± 1.488, respectively. Sealant placements were found among 90 schoolchildren, amounting to 1.58%. From 8 years of age, 50% of children brush their teeth twice a day. Confectionery consumption among the observed children has increased. Forty percent of them eat sweets at least once a day, and majority of them visit their dentists only when necessary. A significant correlation between consumption of confectionery, oral hygiene, dental visits and the prevalence of caries was confirmed. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study show that there is a high prevalence of caries among 6-11 year old schoolchildren, thus pointing to a need for an extensive program of primary oral health care as well as utilizing preventive measures and regular dental visits.

Dental Caries Among Kosovar Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Objective: To evaluate the oral health status in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Material and Methods: Dental examinations, based on World Health Organization caries diagnostic criteria for DMFT index for permanent dentition and survey were performed among 160 children, aged 10-15-year-old, divided into two groups. The first group consisted of 80 children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (41 females, 39 males), and in the second group, consisted 80 healthy children (49 females, 31 males). Frequency, odds ratio and Mann-Whitney U test were used in the statistical analyses. The level of significance was set at 5%. Results: The higher mean of the DMFT index was found among children with type 1 diabetes compared to the healthy group. The mean DMFT index for diabetic children was 6.56 ± 3.56 and for the healthy group was 4.21 ± 2.63. Moreover, the frequency of decayed teeth was higher in children with type 1 diabetes than in the healthy group. The higher risk of caries was found in diabetic children compared with healthy for 1.35 times. A higher proportion of children, 61.25% with type 1 diabetes mellitus, reported that they brush their teeth once per day, 22.50% twice per day, and 16.25% rarely. From the healthy group, 46.25% of children brush their teeth once per day, and 42.50% twice per day and 11.25% rarely brush their teeth per day. Conclusion: Diabetic children are at higher risk for caries than are healthy children.

The Antibacterial Efficacy of Biopure MTAD in Root Canal Contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis.

Aim. The purpose of this in vitro study was to assess the antimicrobial efficacy of Biopure MTAD against E. faecalis in contaminated root canals. Materials and Methods. Forty-two single rooted extracted human teeth were inoculated with E. faecalis and incubated for four weeks. The samples were divided in two control and five experimental groups irrigated with 1.5% sodium hypochlorite solution (NaOCl); 3% NaOCl; BioPure MTAD; 1.5% NaOCl/17% EDTA; or 3% NaOCl/17% EDTA. After a one-week incubation, complete disinfection was confirmed by the absence of turbidity in the incubation media. Dentin shavings were taken from samples with no turbidity to verify whether E. faecalis was present in dentin tubules. Results were analyzed statistically using Fisher's exact test, with the level of significance set at P < 0.05. Results. Statistical analysis of the data obtained at Day 7 and after dentin shaving analysis showed that BioPure MTAD had significantly greater antibacterial activity than 1.5% NaOCl, 1.5% NaOCl/17% EDTA and 3% NaOCl/17% EDTA. No significant difference was detected between MTAD and 3% NaOCl. Conclusions. These findings suggest that BioPure MTAD possesses superior bactericidal activity compared with NaOCl and EDTA against E. faecalis.

Cephalic and facial indices among kosovo-albanian population / Índices cefálico y facial en la población kosovar-albanesa

Cephalic and facial indices are used to estimate the racial and sex differences. This study was carried out to establish standards for craniofacial variables and distribution of cephalic and facial indices in Kosovo - Albanian population. The study population consisted of 204 dental students (101 males and 103 females, aged 18 to 30). Four basic craniofacial variables (head length, head breadth, morphological face height and face breadth) were measured to obtained cephalic and facial indices. All measured craniofacial variables are considerably higher in males than in females (p<0.0001). In the Kosovo ­ Albanian population brachycephalic type of head (44.61 percent) and hyperleptoprosopic type of face (63.34 %) prevail.

Los índices cefálicos y faciales se utilizan para estimar las diferencias raciales y de sexo. Este estudio se llevó a cabo para establecer estándares para las variables y la distribución de los índices cefálicos y faciales en la población de Kosovo- Albanesa. Se examinaron 204 estudiantes de odontología (101 hombres y 103 mujeres entre 18 y 30 años). Se midieron cuatro variables craneofaciales básicas (longitud de la cabeza, ancho de la cabeza, altura facial morfológica y ancho facial) para obtener los índices cefálicos y faciales. Todas las variables medidas craneofaciales fueron considerablemente más altas en los hombres que en las mujeres (p <0,0001). En la población Kosovo-Albania predomina la braquiocefalia (44,61 por ciento) y la hiperleptoprosopía (63,34 %).