The Influence of Genetic Polymorphisms on the Expression of Interleukin-1beta, Prostaglandin E2 and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha in Peri-Implant Crevicular Fluid: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible relationships between polymorphisms in the interleukin-1 (IL-1) A, IL-1B, and IL-1RN genes and concentrations of the inflammatory mediators IL-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in peri-implant crevicular fluid (PICF). A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 51 patients with dental implants. Samples from the buccal mucosa were obtained, and genetic analysis was performed using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique for IL-1A and IL-1B and PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis for IL-1RN. For the biochemical analysis, the concentrations of IL-1ß and TNF-α were analyzed using multiplexed fluorescent sphere immunoassays, and PGE2 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In patients with detected IL-1RN polymorphism, there was an increase in the concentration of the three mediators with statistically significant differences in the mean values of TNF-α and PGE2, regardless of peri-implant health status (p = 0.002 and p = 0.049, respectively). The concentrations of all three mediators were positively and significantly correlated (IL-1ß vs. TNF-α Rho = 0.480, p < 0.001; IL-1ß vs. PGE2 Rho = 0.382, p = 0.006; and TNF-α vs. PGE2 Rho = 0.528, p < 0.001). We can conclude that the IL-1RN polymorphism exerts an influence on the PICF immune response, which may explain the influence of this genetic polymorphism on the occurrence of peri-implantitis.

Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment Impact on Subgingival Microbiome and Intra-Oral Halitosis.

The purpose of this study was to characterize and compare subgingival microbiome before and after periodontal treatment to learn if any changes of the subgingival microbiome were reflected in intra-oral halitosis. We tested the hypothesis that intra-oral halitosis (Volatile sulfur compounds levels) correlates with corresponding subgingival bacterial levels before and after periodontal treatment. Twenty patients with generalized periodontitis completed the study. Subgingival plaque samples were collected at baseline and 6-8 weeks after nonsurgical periodontal therapy. Full-mouth periodontal status assessed probing depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), gingival recession (REC), bleeding on probing (BoP), PISA and PESA. Halitosis assessment was made using a volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) detector device. Periodontal measures were regressed across VSC values using adjusted multivariate linear analysis. The subgingival microbiome was characterized by sequencing on an Illumina platform. From a sample of 20 patients referred to periodontal treatment, 70% were females (n = 14), with a mean age of 56.6 (±10.3) years; full-mouth records of PD, CAL, BOP (%) allowed to classify the stage and grade of periodontitis, with 45% (n = 9) of the sample having Periodontitis Stage IV grade C and 95% (n = 19) had generalized periodontitis. The correlation of bacterial variation with VSCs measured in the periodontal diagnosis and in the reassessment after treatment were evaluated. Fusobacterium nucleatum, Capnocytophaga gingivalis and Campylobacter showaei showed correlation with the reduction of VSC after periodontal treatment (p-value = 0.044; 0.047 and 0.004, respectively). Capnocytophaga sputigena had a significant reverse correlation between VSCs variation from diagnosis (baseline) and after treatment. Microbial diversity was high in the subgingival plaque on periodontitis and intra-oral halitosis participants of the study. Furthermore, there were correlations between subgingival plaque composition and VSC counting after periodontal treatment. The subgingival microbiome can offer important clues in the investigation of the pathogenesis and treatment of halitosis.

Autogenous Mineralized Dentin versus Xenograft granules in Ridge Preservation for Delayed Implantation in Post-extraction Sites: A Randomized controlled clinical trial with an 18 months follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: To test primary stability of delayed implants placed in post-extraction ridges preserved with autogenous mineralized dentin matrix (MDM) versus xenograft granules. Clinical, histological and pain experience outcomes were further assessed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From March 2018 to July 2020, patients requiring ridge preservation in preparation for delayed implant placement in post-extraction sites were included. Participants were randomly allocated to either the test (MDM) or control group (xenograft granules) prior to ridge preservation. Visual analogue scale and analgesic consumption were measured every day for a week. Six months after preservation, trephine cores were harvested for histomorphometry prior to implant placement. Implants were then placed, and implant stability was measured immediately as well as two months after placement. Marginal bone loss and presence of mucositis/peri-implantitis were registered up to 18 months after prosthetic loading. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients (66 implants) completed the study. MDM and xenograft groups presented similar primary (77.1 ± 6.9 versus. 77.0 versus. 5.9) and secondary (81.8 ± 5.1 versus. 80.1 ± 3.8) implant stabilities. The percentage of newly formed bone in MDM (47.3%) was significantly higher than xenograft (34.9%) (p < .001), and the proportion of residual graft was significantly lower (12.2% in MDM and 22.1% in xenograft) (p < .001). No significant differences were found as far as clinical, radiographic and patient-related outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Implants placed in sites preserved with MDM had similar primary stability in comparison to xenograft granules. MDM showed a significantly higher quantity of newly formed bone and lower amount of residual graft in histomorphometry results and equal clinical and patient-related outcomes.

Validity of the association between periodontitis and female infertility conditions: a concise review.

Hormones and inflammatory mechanisms are implicated with female reproductive function, including follicle maturation, ovulation, embryo implantation, and pregnancy. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease due to a polymicrobial disruption of the homeostasis and may be considered as a potential risk factor that affect female fertility. The role of periodontitis is becoming meaningful, with significant associations with polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis and bacterial vaginosis. Further, periodontitis is linked with known risk factors towards female infertility, such as age, obesity, and chronic kidney disease. This review aims to summarize the available evidence on the association between periodontitis and female infertility-associated conditions, and to discuss warranting steps in future research.

Self-reported illness perception and oral health-related quality of life predict adherence to initial periodontal treatment.

AIM: To investigate the impact of periodontal disease perception and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), towards the initial periodontal treatment adherence (IPTA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective study included 571 patients (274 males and 297 females, mean age 63.1 ± 14.5) with periodontal disease, from the Study of Periodontal Health in Almada-Seixal (SoPHiAS). We assessed the potential connections, between sociodemographic characteristics, oral hygiene behaviours, periodontal measures, the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ) and the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), through a structural equation modelling (SEM). Multivariate logistic regression assessed significant oral health-related variables towards IPTA. RESULTS: Overall, 265 participants had IPTA (46.4%). The SEM had a good fit to the data on all six latent variables (χ2  = 2.221, CFI = 0.921, RMSEA = 0.0.046). Multivariate analysis for IPTA indicated Treatment Control (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.07) and Identity domains of Brief-IPQ (OR = 1.10) and Functional Limitation domain of OHIP-14 (OR = 1.60) as significant predictors. The obtained tool had a satisfactory prediction of IPTA (61.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Initial periodontal treatment adherence is influenced by patient's perception on periodontal disease treatment and identity domains and by functional impact domain of OHRQoL. Future studies shall investigate the effect of modelling these domains on therapeutic success and public health strategies.

The impact of nonsurgical periodontal treatment on oral health-related quality of life: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the impact of nonsurgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) on patients' oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). The focused question for this systematic review was: in adults patients with periodontitis, does NSPT improve oral health-related quality of life? MATERIAL AND METHODS: Five databases (PubMed, CIHNL, EMBASE, LILACS and CENTRAL) were searched up to April 2019 (PROSPERO CRD42018103393). Intervention trials and cohort studies assessing the OHRQoL data of adults with periodontitis, enduring non-surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) were eligible for inclusion. Subgroup random-effects meta-analysis was conducted methodically. RESULTS: Overall, 491 studies were retrieved, out of which 19 met the inclusion criteria. Two randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and ten cohort studies were further analysed. Seven cohort studies were included in the statistical analysis. Subgroup meta-analyses of cohort studies revealed that NSPT improves in average 2.49 (95% CI 0.95-4.02), 8.94 (95% CI 6.89-10.99) and 6.49 (95% CI 5.11-7.88) OHRQoL levels at 1-2 weeks, 3-4 weeks and 6-12 weeks of post-treatment, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: NSPT procedures greatly improve the oral health-related quality of life within a short time, remaining stable after 3 months of treatment. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This systematic review brings forward summary evidence that NSPT improves the OHRQoL in adults with periodontitis from a patient-centred perception and remain stable in the short term.

Periodontal status, perceived stress, diabetes mellitus and oral hygiene care on quality of life: a structural equation modelling analysis.

BACKGROUND: To determine if periodontal risk assessment (PRA), the number of missing teeth, diabetes mellitus (DM), perceived stress and interproximal cleaning are associated with oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), using Andersen's behavioral modelling (ABM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data derived from 472 adults derived from a representative population of the Study of Periodontal Health in Almada-Seixal (SoPHiAS) was used. Socioeconomic status, perceived stress scale (PSS-10), oral health behaviors and oral health impact profile (OHIP-14) were collected through questionnaire. Periodontal conditions were assessed with a full-mouth periodontal examination. PRA was computed through behavioral and clinical information. Variables were grouped into Predisposing Factors, Enabling, Need, Oral Health Behaviors and Perceived Health Outcome latent variables. Confirmatory factor analysis, structural ABM and model fitness were conducted. RESULTS: ABM applied to OHIP-14 showed acceptable model fit (χ2 = 2.75, CFI = 0.92, TLI = 0.90, RMSEA = 0.05, CI 90% [0.04-0.07]). The average of OHRQoL was 9.5 ± 11.3. Patient with periodontitis and with a high number of missing teeth experienced worse OHRQoL. Uncontrolled DM participants had more periodontal treatment necessity and poorer OHRQoL. Characteristic like aging and lower levels of education were directly associated with better OHRQoL, but in indirect path the OHRQoL was diminishes. Good oral hygiene and preventative measures were associated to lower periodontal treatment necessity. Lower periodontal treatment necessity was associated to higher OHRQoL. Age, tooth loss and interproximal cleaning were the most associated items to Predisposing, Need and Oral Health Behaviors, respectively. CONCLUSION: ABM confirmed age, number of missing teeth, DM, interproximal cleaning and perceived stress as associated factors for OHRQoL. Uncontrolled DM was associated to higher Need and poorer OHRQoL. Good oral hygiene habits promote a healthy periodontium and, consequently, increases OHRQoL.

Perceived xerostomia, stress and periodontal status impact on elderly oral health-related quality of life: findings from a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: To investigate if self-perceived xerostomia and stress are significant variables on the Oral-Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) of elderly patients, considering the periodontal status, oral hygiene habits and sociodemographic characteristics simultaneously. METHODS: The study cohort included 592 participants (320 females/272 Males), aged 65 years or older, representing the elder inhabitants of the Study of Periodontal Health in Almada-Seixal (SoPHiAS). Patients answered a socio-demographic and oral hygiene habits questionnaire. The Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), Summated Xerostomia Inventory-5 (SXI-5) and Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10) were used. Full-mouth circumferential periodontal inspection was carried out. Multivariable regression analyses were used considering the level of periodontitis, clinical characteristics, the number of teeth, SXI, PSS-10, age, gender and oral hygiene habits. RESULTS: Self-perceived xerostomia and stress showed a positive significant correlation with OHRQoL and each of its domains. Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated the significant impact of SXI-5 (B = 1.20, p <  0.001) and PSS-10 (B = 0.35, p <  0.001) on the OHRQoL. SXI-5 (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.28, p <  0.001) and PSS-10 (OR = 1.03, p = 0.022) were associated with a more frequently affected OHRQoL. The number of missing teeth, being male, mean probing depth and mean clinical attachment loss were also significant towards a frequently affected OHRQoL. Conversely, age was negatively associated with a lower OHRQoL. CONCLUSION: Self-perceived xerostomia and stress are significant variables towards OHRQoL in elderly patients. Future studies should consider these self-perceived xerostomia and stress when investigating the impact of periodontitis and missing teeth on quality of life of older adults.

Parkinson's Disease, Periodontitis and Patient-Related Outcomes: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background and objectives: People with Parkinson's disease (PD) may be at risk of having bad periodontal status. A consistent periodontal examination is critical to investigate how it impacts on PD quality of life. We aimed to assess the periodontal status of people with PD, and its association with quality of life and self-perceived xerostomia. Materials and Methods: To this end, from February to March 2020, we consecutively enrolled 28 PD individuals, and motor and non-motor symptoms of PD were assessed using the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS). We performed full-mouth periodontal examination and gathered information on self-perceived quality of life in PD, oral health impact profile (OHIP-14) and xerostomia. Results: The prevalence of periodontitis was 75.0% and most cases were identified as severe (46.4%). Upper extremity rigidity, hand posture and kinetic tremors were significantly correlated with worse periodontal status. PDQ-8 showed to be correlated with self-perceived oral health-related quality of life and xerostomia levels. Conclusions: This group of people with PD had a high prevalence of periodontitis. Deteriorated levels of the upper extremities in advanced stages of PD were associated with worse periodontal status and hygiene habits. Quality of life in PD appears to be associated with self-perceived OHRQoL and xerostomia.

Psychometric properties of the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (Brief-IPQ) in periodontal diseases.

AIM: To investigate the psychometric properties of the validated Portuguese version of the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (Brief-IPQ) in patients with gingivitis and periodontitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study enrolled 571 patients with periodontal diseases (PDs) (67 gingivitis and 504 periodontitis cases), in a population-based epidemiologic survey conducted at the health centres in the South Lisbon Metropolitan Area. Brief-IPQ, a 9-item self-reported scale, reliability was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to construct validation. Multigroup analysis tested invariance across gender. RESULTS: The Brief-IPQ showed acceptable reliability (α = .80). Confirmatory factor analysis revealed good model fit (χ2 (16) = 41.236, GFI = 0.982, CFI = 0.985, RMSEA = 0.053). All factors loaded similarly to the original Brief-IPQ scale, with the exception of the "personal control" domain. Periodontal patients downgrade its illness and likely impact. The "consequences" domain showed significant positive correlations with all factors, except "treatment control" and "understanding" domains. The "concern" and "emotional response" domains had the highest significant correlation. Multigroup analysis findings supported factor invariance across the sex groups. CONCLUSION: The Brief-IPQ revealed acceptable reliability, construct factorial validity and invariance across gender. This short instrument may be used as an easily applicable and valuable tool to determine illness perception in patients with PDs.

Cloud-based collaboration and productivity tools to enhance self-perception and self-evaluation in senior dental students: A pilot study.

CONTEXT: Web/cloud-based collaborations have been successively used in several educational and clinical settings with very satisfactory results against the traditional background. In this study, we assess the usefulness, ease of use, ease of learning and satisfaction of a cloud-based clinical progression practice record comparing to a traditional paper practice record. METHODS: In this cross-sectional forty senior dental students answered a USE-Questionnaire on the traditional paper book versus a digital clinical book assembled with Google Docs. They were asked about usefulness, ease of use, ease of learning and satisfaction of both gears. RESULTS: There were an absolute agreement in all four different dimensions, with the cloud-based digital system evidencing more advantages and preference from the users' perspective in usefulness (from P = 0.002 to P < 0.001), ease of use (from P = 0.034 to P < 0.001), ease of learning (P < 0.001) and satisfaction (from P = 0.001 to P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that a digital clinical book, using free cloud-based collaboration tools, is more useful, easier to use and learn and more satisfactory than a traditional paper recording system. Also, this cloud-based collaboration system presents characteristics that may guide future clinical research.

Growth, chain formation, and toxin production by southern Brazilian Pseudo-nitzschia isolates under laboratory conditions.

Pseudo-nitzschia is a diatom genus capable of producing the neurotoxin domoic acid (DA), which has been related to mortalities of marine vertebrates, and the amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP) in human consumers of contaminated bivalves. This study reports DA production among Pseudo-nitzschia strains isolated from shellfish farming areas in southern Brazil. Twenty-seven cultures of potentially toxigenic Pseudo-nitzschia species were established. Growth, stepped-chain formation, and DA production were evaluated in static, intermittently illuminated (12:12 photoperiod) batch cultures for 12 selected strains, and under continuous light and/or turbulence for a single Pseudo-nitzschia calliantha strain. Growth rate ranged from 0.16 to 0.39 day-1 among the 12 strains. Only P. calliantha and P. cf. multiseries yielded detectable levels of intracellular DA, reaching up to 0.054 fg cell-1 in late exponential and 0.15 pg cell-1 in early stationary phase, respectively. Continuous light impaired cell growth, and turbulence enhanced step-chain formation by threefold during exponential growth phase, but no DA production was detected under both conditions. The effect of turbulence on chain formation should be further evaluated in the field, once particle size is expected to affect the ingestion of toxic cells and thus toxin accumulation by certain DA vectors. The low cell toxicity revealed herein under laboratory conditions is in accordance with the low frequency of DA contamination episodes in south Brazilian waters. Nevertheless, monitoring of Pseudo-nitzschia abundance and DA presence in farming areas is continuously required to assure the quality of local shellfish products.

Osseodensification versus lateral window technique for sinus floor elevation with simultaneous implant placement: A randomized clinical trial on patient-reported outcome measures.

OBJECTIVES: To compare patient-reported outcome measures and additional surgical outcomes after sinus floor elevation (SFE) with osseodensification (OD) versus lateral window (LW), both with simultaneous implant placement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty participants requiring single-implant rehabilitation with residual bone height (RBH) ≤4 mm were enrolled. Pain experience, quality of life (QoL) via the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), analgesics intake, and other symptoms were self-reported for a week on a daily basis. Surgery duration, complications, and implant stability quotient at baseline (ISQ T0 ) and after 6 months (ISQ T6 ) were registered. Participants were followed up for 1 year. RESULTS: From Day 0 (day of surgery) to Day 3, pain experience was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the OD group. OHIP-14 score was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the OD group on all postoperative days, except on Day 5. Average analgesics intake was significantly lower (p < 0.001) in the OD group. Surgery mean duration was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in LW compared to OD (71.1 ± 10.4 vs. 32.9 ± 5.3 min). After osseointegration period, all implants were successfully restored with screw-retained crowns. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that OD and LW techniques were similarly effective in SFE with simultaneous implant placement when RBH ≤ 4 mm. However, OD significantly outperformed LW in pain experience, impact on self-perceived QoL, surgery duration, postoperative edema, and analgesics intake.

Medical and nursing students' satisfaction with e-learning platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic: Initial findings of an experimental project in China.

Satisfaction with learning management systems (LMSs) is an essential indicator of students' e-learning experiences and reflects the quality of e-learning. Applying the technology satisfaction model, the present study aimed to investigate medical and nursing students' satisfaction with LMSs and its predictors. We conducted our survey at a medical university located in East China and received a total of 329 effective responses. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse the data. Our findings confirmed that perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness were two direct predictors of medical and nursing students' satisfaction with LMSs. Furthermore, the influence of perceived usefulness on satisfaction was more powerful than that of perceived ease of use. This study also substantiated that computer self-efficacy and perceived ease of use can indirectly impact medical and nursing students' satisfaction with LMSs. Our research effectively links the theoretical hypotheses with empirical findings, highlighting the central role of Computer Self-Efficacy (CSE), perceived ease of use, and perceived usefulness in shaping medical and nursing students' satisfaction with LMSs. Our findings contributed to the understanding of the technology satisfaction model and medical and nursing students' e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Insights into Candida Colonization in Intensive Care Unit Patients: A Prospective Multicenter Study.

The skin mycobiota plays a significant role in infection risk, pathogen transmission, and personalized medicine approaches in intensive care settings. This prospective multicenter study aimed to enhance our understanding of intensive care units' (ICUs') Candida colonization dynamics, identify modifiable risk factors, and assess their impact on survival risk. Specimens were taken from 675, 203, and 110 patients at the admission (D1), 5th (D5), and 8th (D8) days of ICU stay, respectively. The patient's demographic and clinical data were collected. Candida isolates were identified by conventional culture-based microbiology combined with molecular approaches. Overall, colonization was 184/675 (27.3%), 87/203 (42.8%), and 58/110 (52.7%) on D1, D5, and D8, respectively. Candida colonization dynamics were significantly associated with ICU type (odds ratio (OR) = 2.03, 95% CI 1.22-3.39, p = 0.007), respiratory infection (OR = 1.74, 95% CI 1.17-2.58, p = 0.006), hemodialysis (OR = 2.19, 95% CI 1.17-4.10, p = 0.014), COVID-19 (OR = 0.37, 95% CI 0.14-0.99, p = 0.048), and with a poor 3-month outcome (p = 0.008). Skin Candida spp. colonization can be an early warning tool to generate valuable insights into the epidemiology, risk factors, and survival rates of critically ill patients, and should be considered for epidemiological surveillance.

Analysis of the Association of IL-1A, IL-1B and IL-1RN Polymorphisms with Peri-implantitis in a Portuguese Population.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether genetic variations in cytokine genes involved in the pathogenesis of peri-implantitis, could be associated with its occurrence, an issue that remains controversial and may vary according to the population evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out on 102 Portuguese Caucasian individuals divided into two groups: 43 individuals with peri-implantitis and 59 individuals with peri-implant health. Samples from the buccal mucosa were obtained and genetic analysis was performed using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique for IL-1A and IL-1B and using PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis for IL-1RN. RESULTS: The IL-1A -889 C/T polymorphism showed a higher prevalence of the less common allele (T allele) in cases of peri-implantitis than in healthy cases (27.9% vs 16.9%, respectively), but without statistical significance (p = 0.060). For the IL-1B +3954 C/T and IL-1RN (variable number of tandem repeats) polymorphisms, the analysis revealed that the allele and genotype frequencies did not differ significantly between groups. There was a significant association between a history of periodontitis and peri-implantitis (p = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS: The genetic polymorphisms evaluated had no influence on the occurrence of periimplantitis in the population studied. Further research into genetic variations in different populations is needed to elucidate the role of genetic factors in the onset and progression of periimplant disease.

Caries Experience before and after COVID-19 Restrictions: An Observational Study.

Background: The declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic by the World Health Organization in 2020 led to the suspension of several clinical practices globally, including dentistry. This study investigates the impact of these restrictions on dental caries experience. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Egas Moniz University's dental hospital in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area from June 2019 to June 2021. The study involved 3380 participants who were divided into two cohorts: after and before COVID-19 restrictions. Data collection included a questionnaire, full-mouth clinical examinations, and radiographs (panoramic X-rays, bitewings). Results: Before the COVID-19 restrictions, the prevalence of dental caries was 91.8%, with an average DMFT (decayed, missing, and filled teeth) index of 12.13. Post-restrictions, the prevalence decreased to 84.5%, with a DMFT index of 10.99. There was an increase in missing teeth and a decrease in decayed and filled teeth. Additionally, the frequency of toothbrushing declined among participants. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions have significantly impacted dental caries experiences and oral health, highlighting a decrease in dental caries, but also a concerning reduction in oral hygiene practices. These results emphasize the importance of customized dental healthcare during public health emergencies to reduce impacts and maintain oral health.

Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy's Influence on Alpha-Synuclein and Inflammatory Marker Levels: A Pilot Study.

Background: Microbial dysbiosis may contribute to alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) homeostasis disruption, yet the burden of inflammatory periodontal infection and its treatment have never been studied in this regard. We aimed to compare the cytokine and α-Syn levels in the saliva and blood of patients with periodontitis who underwent non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) and those of their healthy counterparts. Methods: Periodontal examination and saliva and blood sample collection were carried out in incoming patients at a university clinic. The periodontitis group (PG) received NSPT. The sample collection and periodontal observation were repeated 30 days after. IL-6, IL1-ß and total α-Syn were quantified using immunoassay methods. The periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) was calculated as a proxy for periodontal inflammation. Results: Eleven participants formed the PG, and there were fifteen healthy controls (HC). At baseline, no correlation between salivary and plasma α-Syn was found. The salivary α-Syn levels revealed a tendency to decrease 30 days after, particularly in the PD cases. The variation in PISA and α-Syn showed significant correlation. Salivary α-Syn correlated negatively with salivary IL-6 levels at both timepoints in the total sample (rho = -0.394 and rho = -0.451) and in the HC (rho = -0.632 and rho = -0.561). Variations in plasma IL-6 and α-Syn were negatively correlated (rho = -0.518) in the healthy participants. Baseline plasma IL1-ß negatively correlated with plasmatic α-Syn at 30 days in the HC (rho = -0.581). Conclusions: Salivary and plasma α-Syn bioavailability operate independently, and periodontal diagnosis was not a confounding factor. Salivary α-Syn levels were significantly affected by NSPT, contrary to plasma levels. These results should be confirmed in future larger and prospective studies.

Antibacterial Effect of Ozone on Cariogenic Bacteria and Its Potential Prejudicial Effect on Dentin Bond Strength-An In Vitro Study.

Ozone is increasingly utilized in dental caries treatment due to its antibacterial properties. In a context of limited studies and no consensus on protocols, this research aims to assess ozone's antibacterial efficacy on cariogenic bacteria and its potential adverse impact on dentin bond strength. Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, Lactobacillus casei, and Actinomyces naeslundii suspensions were exposed to 40 µg/mL of ozone gas and 60 µg/mL of ozonated water (80 s) via a medical ozone generator. Negative and positive control groups (chlorhexidine 2%) were included, and UFC/mL counts were recorded. To examine microtensile bond strength (µTBS), 20 human molars were divided into four groups, and class I cavities were created. After ozone application, samples were restored using an etch-and-rinse and resin composite, then sectioned for testing. The SPSS v. 28 program was used with a significance level of 5%. The µTBS results were evaluated using one-way ANOVA, Tukey HSD, and Games-Howell. Bacterial counts reduced from 106 to 101, but dentin µTBS was significantly impacted by ozone (ANOVA, p < 0.001). Despite ozone's attractive antibacterial activity, this study emphasizes its detrimental effect on dentin adhesion, cautioning against its use before restorative treatments.

Prevalence of yeast other than Candida albicans in denture wearers.

PURPOSE: The isolation of yeast species other than Candida albicans from the oral mucosa has been increasing in frequency, suggesting that those may constitute emerging potential oral colonizers. The purpose of this work was to determine whether yeast species other than C. albicans are associated with factors related to wearing of dental prostheses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: tRNA-PCR fingerprinting and sequencing of the 26S rDNA D1/D2 domain were used to identify all yeasts isolated from CHROMagar™ Candida cultures of oral swabs collected from 178 patients. RESULTS: Besides C. albicans, 13 other species were identified, corresponding to 34% of the yeast isolates. The majority of the non-C. albicans species were not detected as single colonizers but rather in co-colonization with one or two other yeasts, often with C. albicans. No significant associations were found with non-C. albicans species. On the contrary, the best-fitted logistic regression model predicts that either wearing a denture (adjusted odds = 4.6) or insufficient oral hygiene (adjusted odds = 2.3) are risks for colonization by yeast, in general. CONCLUSIONS: The colonization with non-C. albicans species and co-colonization were not independently associated with any of the analyzed host-related factors. In particular, neither wearing a removable denture nor being elderly were significant predictors.