Effect of subgingival periodontal therapy on glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes patients: Meta-analysis and meta-regression of 6-month follow-up randomized clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis worsens the hyperglycaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Subgingival instrumentation, with or without surgical access, is the gold-standard treatment for periodontitis. The aim was to summarize the evidence on the effect of subgingival instrumentation (with or without open flap) on the reduction of glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c). METHODS: Nine electronic databases were searched up to 15 February 2023. Twelve randomized controlled trials with at least 6 months of follow-up were included. Studies using systemic or local-delivery antimicrobial therapies were excluded. Meta-analyses were performed using the random-effects model. The sources of heterogeneity were assessed by applying linear meta-regression. Risk of bias was assessed by RoB 2, and certainty of evidence by GRADE. RESULTS: Eleven studies were included in the quantitative analyses (1374 patients). Subgingival instrumentation resulted in 0.29% lower HbA1c (95% confidence interval: 0.10-0.47; p = .03) compared with non-active treatment. DISCUSSION: None of the 12 studies were assessed as having low risk of bias. The percentage of females and the time of diabetes diagnosis significantly explained the high level of heterogeneity. Subgingival periodontal therapy results in a significant and clinically relevant improvement in glycaemic control over 6 months in patients with T2DM and periodontitis. The grade of evidence was moderate.

Anti-Inflammatory Effectiveness of Oral Dexamethasone 4 mg on Mandibular Third Molar Surgeries: A Split-Mouth Randomized Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of oral dexamethasone 4 mg in a single dose preemptively administered to reduce pain, swelling, and trismus following mandibular third molar surgeries. METHODS: A split-mouth randomized clinical trial was performed including 22 participants undergoing surgical removal of bilateral and symmetrically positioned third molars. A total of 44 teeth were allocated by simple randomization to either the test or nonintervention/control side. Oral dexamethasone 4 mg was administered on the test side an hour before the surgery. All of the participants were unaware of the medication studied, and only 1 surgeon, blinded to the medication intake, performed all of the procedures. Anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated using the clinical parameters of mouth opening, swelling, and rescue analgesic medication intake to control pain. The statistical analysis was blinded to the allocation groups, and a significance value P < .05 was adopted for all the tests. RESULTS: Dexamethasone reduced the mean of rescue analgesic medication intake by 5 times (P = .002). Facial swelling was lower on the test side by 72h postsurgery in comparison with the control side (P = .036). No significant difference in mouth opening was found between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Preemptive use of oral dexamethasone 4 mg proved to be effective in controlling pain and reducing the need for rescue medication and had a beneficial effect in reducing swelling during a short postoperative period.

Influence of abutment disconnection on peri-implant marginal bone loss: A randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the influence of abutment disconnections and reconnections on peri-implant marginal bone loss. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-four participants received single-unit implants and were randomly assigned into one of the two groups: the definitive abutment group (DEF), in which the definitive abutments were connected at the same time as the implant was inserted; and as a control, the healing abutment group (HEA), in which the healing abutments were disconnected and reconnected three times, at 8, 10, and 12 weeks after surgery. Peri-implant marginal bone level was measured through radiographic follow-up performed immediately after the surgery (baseline), at 8 weeks and after 6, 12, and 24 months. Implant stability and peri-implant health were assessed by resonance frequency analysis and peri-implant probing, respectively. RESULTS: At the end of 2 years, the mean bone level was -0.18 ± 0.12 mm for the DEF group and -0.13 ± 0.13 mm for the HEA group, resulting in a cumulative bone loss of -0.61 ± 0.10 mm and -0.81 ± 0.15 mm, respectively, with no statistical difference between groups. Bone level changes showed statistically significant differences only between 0 and 2 months (DEF: -0.70 ± 0.12 mm; HEA: -0.36 ± 0.10 mm) and between 2 and 6 months (DEF: -0.11 ± 0.11 mm; HEA: -0.65 ± 0.14 mm). No differences were observed between the groups for implant stability, probing depth, and bleeding on probing. CONCLUSION: Immediate connection of the prosthetic abutments did not reduce bone loss in comparison with three disconnections of the healing abutments.

Effect of Whitening Toothpastes on Dentin Abrasion: An In Vitro Study.

PURPOSE: To compare the effect of toothbrushing abrasion with hydrated silica-based whitening and regular toothpastes on root dentin using contact profilometry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety dentin specimens (4 x 4 x 2 mm) were randomly divided into five experimental groups (n = 18) according to the toothpaste: three whitening (W1, W2 and W3) and two regular toothpastes (R1 and R2) produced by two different manufacturers. Using a brushing machine, each specimen was brushed with a constant load of 300 g for 2500 cycles (4.5 cycles/s). The toothpastes were diluted at a ratio of 1:3 w/w (dentifrice:distilled water). The brush diamond tip of the profilometer moved at a constant speed of 0.05 mm/s with a force of 0.7 mN. RESULTS: The average value of brushing abrasion in µm (mean ± SD) was obtained from five consecutive measurements of each specimen: W1 = 8.86 ± 1.58, W2 = 7.59 ± 1.04, W3 = 8.27 ± 2.39, R1 = 2.89 ± 1.05 and R2= 2.94 ± 1.29. There was a significant difference between groups (ANOVA, p<0.0001). Post-hoc Tukey's test for multiple comparisons showed differences between all the whitening and regular toothpastes, but not among the whitening nor among the regular toothpastes. CONCLUSION: The whitening toothpastes tested can cause more dentin abrasion than the regular ones.

Restoring esthetics in eroded anterior teeth: a conservative multidisciplinary approach.

Consuming a highly acidic diet can lead to erosion or excessive wear of dental hard tissues, resulting in the need for oral rehabilitation. Previously, a severely eroded dentition could be rehabilitated only by extensive crown and bridge placement or by removable partial dentures. However, developments in adhesive dentistry have made it possible to restore the esthetics and function of eroded teeth in a minimally invasive manner. This case report presents a conservative, multidisciplinary approach to restoring severe wear due to dental erosion using proper techniques and materials.

What is the future of Periodontal Medicine?

In the last five decades, considerable progress has been made towards understanding the etiology and pathogenesis of periodontal diseases and their interactions with the host. The impact of an individual periodontal condition on systemic homeostasis became more evident because of this knowledge and prompted advances in studies that associate periodontitis with systemic diseases and conditions. The term Periodontal Medicine describes how periodontal infection/inflammation can affect extraoral health. This review presents the current scientific evidence on the most investigated associations between periodontitis and systemic diseases and conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, preterm birth and low birth weight, and pneumonia. Additionally, other associations between periodontitis and chronic inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, and Alzheimer's disease that were recently published and are still poorly studied were described. Thus, the aim of this review was to answer the following question: What is the future of Periodontal Medicine? Epidemiological evidence and the evidence of biological plausibility between periodontitis and general health reinforce the rationale that the study of Periodontal Medicine should continue to advance, along with improvements in the epidemiological method, highlighting the statistical power of the studies, the method for data analysis, the case definition of periodontitis, and the type of periodontal therapy to be applied in intervention studies.

Gingival abscess due to an unusual nail-biting habit: a case report.

AIM: Nail-biting is one of the most frequent deleterious oral habits in children. It can result in systemic diseases or oral traumatic lesion. This report describes a case of gingival abscess in a child due to a fingernail-biting habit. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 5-year, 6-month-old female presented gingival swelling and fistula in the primary maxillary left central and right lateral incisors as an unusual sequelae to the periodontal tissues from fingernail-biting. A periodontal curette was used to remove the fragments and to curette the area. After the curettage, an exudate of blood and pus was drained. Then the area was irrigated with 0.12% chlorhexidine solution; applying finger pressure controlled the secretion. After one week, the patient returned with gingival swelling present in the same teeth. The same curettage procedure was performed. It was suggested that the deleterious habit was related to emotional tension and anxiety behaviors and the patient was referred for psychological treatment. When the patient returned one month later, she was still biting her fingernails, but she had stopped placing fragments into the gingival crevice. No more gingival inflammation or swelling was observed. SUMMARY: his paper presents an unusual case report of a gingival abscess due to a fingernail-biting habit in a child, probably related to an emotional condition. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The fingernail-biting habit can induce a periodontal traumatic injury yielding a more serious complication such as a gingival abscess.

Analysis of Porphyromonas gingivalis fimA genotypes in severe periodontitis patients.

The aim of this study was to i) evaluate the prevalence of P. gingivalis and the genotypes fim A I, Ib, II, III, IV, and V in Brazilian patients with periodontitis stage III and IV, grades B and C, ii) compare periodontitis grades B and C with regard to the prevalence of P. gingivalis and fim A genotypes, and iii) correlate the presence of these pathogens with clinical periodontal variables. Two samples of subgingival biofilm were collected from the interproximal sites with the greatest clinical attachment loss (CAL) of each patient (grade B = 38; grade C = 54) and submitted to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the identification of P. gingivalis and fim A genotypes. The collected periodontal clinical parameters included gingival index, plaque index, probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BoP) and CAL. P. gingivalis was present in 61.96% of the samples, but more prevalent in patients with grade C periodontitis (p = 0.048) and higher CAL (p < 0.001), PD (p < 0.001), and BoP (p = 0.01) values, and at sites with high CAL values (p = 0.01). The fim A II genotype was more prevalent in patients with greater mean PD (p = 0.04) and a higher proportion of bleeding sites (p = 0.006). Thus, in this sample of Brazilian periodontitis patients, the presence of P. gingivalis was associated with grade C periodontitis and periodontal destruction, while the fim A II genotype was associated with increased PD and BoP, supporting the notion that P. gingivalis fim A II is an important virulence factor in periodontal tissues.

The Effects of Annual Maintenance on Peri-implant Health in Patients Rehabilitated with Overdentures: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to assess the effects of annual maintenance over a 7-year period on the peri-implant health of patients rehabilitated with overdentures using clinical and radiographic parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to be considered for inclusion in the study, patients had to have been rehabilitated with overdentures that had at least two implants placed in the mandible and four implants in the maxilla. Patients were divided into two groups: group 1 comprised individuals who had undergone annual maintenance over the previous 7 years, and group 2 comprised those who had not attended any dental appointment over the previous 7 years. All patients were submitted to clinical peri-implant examinations and radiographic assessments. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients received 396 implants of the external hexagon type, 132 in the mandible and 264 in the maxilla. Group 1 (44 patients with 264 implants) had a mean probing depth of 2.72 mm, while group 2 (22 patients with 132 implants) had a mean probing depth of 3.10 mm. It can be concluded that the mean of the variable probing depth is influenced by the presence of bleeding (P = .0005) and the implementation of maintenance (P = .0188), whereas plaque and local variables were not otherwise significant (P = .0605 and .0796, respectively). CONCLUSION: In this study, it was possible to observe better clinical conditions in individuals who had attended annual appointments for maintenance purposes.

Accuracy of single crowns fabricated from ultrasound digital impressions.

OBJECTIVE: This in vitro study aimed to evaluate marginal and internal fit of single crowns produced from high-frequency ultrasound based digital impressions of teeth prepared with finish lines covered by porcine gingiva, in comparison with those obtained by optical scanners with uncovered finish lines. METHODS: Ten human teeth were prepared and forty zirconia crowns were fabricated from STL-datasets obtained from four dental scanners (n=10): extraoral CS2 (Straumann), intraoral Lava COS (3M), intraoral Trios (3Shape) and extraoral ultrasound scanner. The accuracy of the crowns was compared evaluating marginal and internal fit by means of the replica technique with measurements in four areas; P1: occlusal surface; P2: transition between occlusal and axial surfaces; P3: middle of axial wall; and P4: marginal gap. Restoration margins were classified according to their mismatch as regular, underextended or overextended. Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA and Mann-Whitney U test were used to evaluate the differences between groups at p<0.05. RESULTS: The median value of marginal gap (P4) for Ultrasound (113.87µm) differed statistically from that of CS2 (39.74µm), Lava COS (41.98µm) and Trios (42.07µm). There were no statistical differences between ultrasound and Lava COS for internal misfit (P1-P3), however there were statistical differences when compared with the other two scanners (Trios and CS2) at P1 and P2. SIGNIFICANCE: The ultrasound scanner was able to make digital impressions of prepared teeth through porcine gingiva (P4), however with less accuracy of fit than that of conventional optical scanners without coverage of the finish lines. Where no gingiva was available (P1-P3), the ultrasound accuracy of fit was similar to that of at least one optical scanner (Lava COS).

What is the future of Periodontal Medicine?

Abstract In the last five decades, considerable progress has been made towards understanding the etiology and pathogenesis of periodontal diseases and their interactions with the host. The impact of an individual periodontal condition on systemic homeostasis became more evident because of this knowledge and prompted advances in studies that associate periodontitis with systemic diseases and conditions. The term Periodontal Medicine describes how periodontal infection/inflammation can affect extraoral health. This review presents the current scientific evidence on the most investigated associations between periodontitis and systemic diseases and conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, preterm birth and low birth weight, and pneumonia. Additionally, other associations between periodontitis and chronic inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, and Alzheimer's disease that were recently published and are still poorly studied were described. Thus, the aim of this review was to answer the following question: What is the future of Periodontal Medicine? Epidemiological evidence and the evidence of biological plausibility between periodontitis and general health reinforce the rationale that the study of Periodontal Medicine should continue to advance, along with improvements in the epidemiological method, highlighting the statistical power of the studies, the method for data analysis, the case definition of periodontitis, and the type of periodontal therapy to be applied in intervention studies.

Analysis of porphyromonas gingivalis fimA genotypes in severe periodontitis patients

Abstract The aim of this study was to i) evaluate the prevalence of P. gingivalis and the genotypes fim A I, Ib, II, III, IV, and V in Brazilian patients with periodontitis stage III and IV, grades B and C, ii) compare periodontitis grades B and C with regard to the prevalence of P. gingivalis and fim A genotypes, and iii) correlate the presence of these pathogens with clinical periodontal variables. Two samples of subgingival biofilm were collected from the interproximal sites with the greatest clinical attachment loss (CAL) of each patient (grade B = 38; grade C = 54) and submitted to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the identification of P. gingivalis and fim A genotypes. The collected periodontal clinical parameters included gingival index, plaque index, probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BoP) and CAL. P. gingivalis was present in 61.96% of the samples, but more prevalent in patients with grade C periodontitis (p = 0.048) and higher CAL (p < 0.001), PD (p < 0.001), and BoP (p = 0.01) values, and at sites with high CAL values (p = 0.01). The fim A II genotype was more prevalent in patients with greater mean PD (p = 0.04) and a higher proportion of bleeding sites (p = 0.006). Thus, in this sample of Brazilian periodontitis patients, the presence of P. gingivalis was associated with grade C periodontitis and periodontal destruction, while the fim A II genotype was associated with increased PD and BoP, supporting the notion that P. gingivalis fim A II is an important virulence factor in periodontal tissues.

Effects of locally administered tiludronic acid on experimental periodontitis in rats.

BACKGROUND: It appears there are no studies evaluating the influence of the bisphosphonate tiludronic acid (TIL) on periodontitis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate via microtomographic, histopathologic, histometric, and immunohistochemical analyses the effects of local administration of TIL on ligature-induced periodontitis in rats. METHODS: Forty-eight rats were divided into six groups: C (control), EP (experimental periodontitis), EP-Saline, EP-TIL0.1, EP-TIL0.3, and EP-TIL1. In EP, a ligature was placed around maxillary second molars. In EP-TIL0.1, EP-TIL0.3, and EP-TIL1, TIL solutions of 0.1, 0.3, and 1 mg/kg body weight, respectively, were injected into the subperiosteal palatal area adjacent to maxillary second molars every other day. EP-Saline received 0.9% NaCl solution instead. Animals were euthanized at day 11. Bone changes were evaluated by microtomographic and histometric analyses. Histopathologic analysis and immunohistochemical detection of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) were also performed. Data were statistically analyzed (analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis, P <0.05). RESULTS: Histometric and microtomographic analyses (at buccal, interproximal, and furcation sites) demonstrated that EP-TIL1 presented less alveolar bone loss (ABL) than EP (P <0.05), whereas EP-TIL0.1 and EP-TIL0.3 did not demonstrate significant differences in alveolar bone level compared to EP (P >0.05). Also, EP-TIL1 showed significantly fewer TRAP-positive multinucleated osteoclasts than EP and EP-Saline (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that locally administered TIL solution (1 mg/kg body weight) reduced alveolar bone loss in experimental periodontitis and the dosage of TIL may influence its anti-inflammatory and antiresorptive properties.

Obesity may increase the occurrence of spontaneous periodontal disease in Wistar rats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of body weight on the occurrence of spontaneous alveolar bone loss in Wistar rats. METHODS: Twenty-eight rats were randomly divided in two groups. Control group received standardized rat chow diet and water. Test group received cafeteria (CAF) diet during 17 weeks. Diet was available for both groups ad libitum. Body weight and Lee Index were evaluated. At the end of the experimental period, rats were killed by decapitation and maxillae were defleshed with 9% sodium hypochlorite. Morphometric analysis was performed in digital standard photographs. Presence of spontaneous periodontitis was considered when mean alveolar bone loss was ≥0.51mm (75th percentile). Statistical analysis was performed with chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test and independent samples t-test (significance level P≤0.05). RESULTS: After 17 weeks of exposure to standard CAF diet, a statistically significant mean difference in body weight (g±SD) (478±43 vs. 580±60) and Lee Index (3.07±0.05 vs. 3.24±0.07) was observed between control and obesity groups, respectively. Median (interquartile range) of alveolar bone loss in control group was 0.344 (0.313-0.367) and 0.491 (0.427-0.506) for buccal and palatal site, respectively. For obese group was 0.308 (0.289-0.354) and 0.549 (0.482-0.616) for buccal and palatal site, respectively. In animals submitted to CAF diet, 20 sites were classified as spontaneous periodontal disease, whereas in control animals, only 8 sites exhibited periodontal breakdown according cut-off point. A significant difference between groups was detected (P=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: It may be concluded that obesity increases the occurrence of spontaneous periodontal disease in Wistar rats.

Leukotoxicity of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in generalized aggressive periodontitis in Brazilians and their family members.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the leukotoxin promoter types of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans clones in subjects with generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP) and in their family members (FM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients with GAgP (33.9±7.1 years), 33 of their FM (22.8±11.4 years), and 41 patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) (44.1±9.4 years) were clinically analyzed using the plaque index, gingival index, probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL). Subgingival biofilm samples were collected from four interproximal periodontal sites (>PD and >CAL) of each patient. The presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans and its leukotoxic clone was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: A. actinomycetemcomitans was observed in 23 (51.1%) GAgP patients and 16 (30.1%) CP patients. Thirty-seven (94.8%) patients showed minimally leukotoxic strains and 2 (5.1%) showed highly leukotoxic strains. In the FM group, 10 (30.3%) had aggressive periodontitis (AgP), 12 (36.3%) had CP, 11 (33.3%) were periodontally healthy or had gingivitis, and 12.2% were A. actinomycetemcomitans positive. Greater full mouth PD and CAL were observed in GAgP patients positive for the bacteria than those negative for it (p<;0.05), and the presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans positively correlated with GAgP (Odds ratio, 3.1; confidence interval, 1.4-7.0; p=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans was associated with the clinical condition of GAgP, with most patients exhibiting a generalized form of the disease and minimally leukotoxic clones. Most of the relatives of GAgP patients presented either CP or AgP.

Prevalence of Porphyromonas gingivalis fimA II genotype in generalized aggressive periodontitis patients

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) and its filmA II genotype in a sample of Brazilian patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP) and to correlate the presence of each pathogen/genotype eith clinical parameters. Methods: We used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to evaluate the presence of Pg and filmA II genotype in subgingival plaque samples collected from the deepest site of 45 Brazilian patients aged 15-40 years with GAgP and correlated findings with age and clinical parameters (plaque index, gingival bleeding index, probing depth and clinical attachment loss). Results: Pg was identified in 64.4% patients. FilmA II genotype was present in 82.6% of Pg-positive patients. The presence of Pg and filmA II genotype was significantly associated with greater clinical attachment loss at the sampled periodontal site. Pg-positive patients were slightly older than Pg-negative patients. Conclusions: Pg and filmA II genotype were highly prevalente in Brazilian patients with GAgP. Pg was more commonly observed in slightly older individuals and in sites with more clinical attachment loss. (AU)

Effect of Atorvastatin in radiographic density on alveolar bone loss in wistar rats.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Atorvastatin (ATV) on alveolar bone loss induced in rats. Periodontitis was induced by ligature placement around the upper second left molar in a total of 24 male Wistar rats (± 200 g). Groups of 6 animals received via oral gavage either saline or ATV (1, 3 and 9 mg/kg) during 11 days. After this time, the animals were sacrificed and their maxillae were removed, defleshed, radiographed by Digora System®, and latter stained to be photographed using a digital camera. Data were analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Bonferroni test at 5% significance level and presented as mean ± SEM. ATV (9 mg/kg) caused a significant increase on gray tone variation of over 48% (118.3 ± 12.0 gray tones) when compared to saline (79.8 ± 6.2 gray tones), indicating greater radiographic density. These data were corroborated by macroscopic findings, where ATV (9 mg/kg) reduced alveolar bone loss by over 47% (p<0.05), when compared to the group of untreated animals (saline). In summary, ATV was able to prevent alveolar bone loss seen on a ligature-induced periodontitis model.

Leukotoxicity of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in generalized aggressive periodontitis in Brazilians and their family members

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the leukotoxin promoter types of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans clones in subjects with generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP) and in their family members (FM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients with GAgP (33.9±7.1 years), 33 of their FM (22.8±11.4 years), and 41 patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) (44.1±9.4 years) were clinically analyzed using the plaque index, gingival index, probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL). Subgingival biofilm samples were collected from four interproximal periodontal sites (>PD and >CAL) of each patient. The presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans and its leukotoxic clone was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: A. actinomycetemcomitans was observed in 23 (51.1%) GAgP patients and 16 (30.1%) CP patients. Thirty-seven (94.8%) patients showed minimally leukotoxic strains and 2 (5.1%) showed highly leukotoxic strains. In the FM group, 10 (30.3%) had aggressive periodontitis (AgP), 12 (36.3%) had CP, 11 (33.3%) were periodontally healthy or had gingivitis, and 12.2% were A. actinomycetemcomitans positive. Greater full mouth PD and CAL were observed in GAgP patients positive for the bacteria than those negative for it (p<;0.05), and the presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans positively correlated with GAgP (Odds ratio, 3.1; confidence interval, 1.4-7.0; p=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans was associated with the clinical condition of GAgP, with most patients exhibiting a generalized form of the disease and minimally leukotoxic clones. Most of the relatives of GAgP patients presented either CP or AgP. .

Transmission of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans between Brazilian women with severe chronic periodontitis and their children.

This study evaluated the transmission of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) in women with severe chronic periodontitis and their children. Thirty women (mean age = 36.1+/-6.0 years) who were mothers of at least one child aged 7 to 16 years were enrolled. In order to investigate mother-child transmission of Aa, the children were also evaluated when their mothers were colonized by the bacterium. Subgingival plaque samples of each woman were collected from 3 sites (mean probing depth of 7.3+/-1.2 mm and mean clinical attachment level of 7.9+/-1.5 mm) and pooled in reduced transport fluid (RTF). These samples were processed, inoculated onto TSBV-agar selective medium and incubated at 37 degrees C in microaerophilic atmosphere for 5 days. Aa was identified on the basis of colony morphology, Gram staining, catalase and oxidase reactions. Aa was found in 8 out of 30 women. Therefore, 8 children from these women (mean age= 12 +/- 3.7 years) were evaluated, but Aa was found only in 2 of them. Aa strains of the two mother-child pairs were evaluated by arbitrarily-primed polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR), although it was not found similarity between the amplitypes of each pair. No Aa transmission was found between Brazilian women with severe chronic periodontitis and their children.

Percepção e nível de conhecimento sobre halitose entre estudantes e pacientes / Perception and level of knowledge about halitosis among students and patients

O presente estudo analisou a percepção e o nível de conhecimento de estudantes e pacientes sobre halitose. Dois grupos de voluntários de ambos os gêneros, entre 18 e 60 anos, totalizando 225 participantes, responderam a um questionário que continha oito questões relativas à percepção, às causas e ao tratamento da halitose. O grupo de pacientes (P) consistiu-se de 150 indivíduos que procuraram os serviços odontológicos da Faculdade de Farmácia, Odontologia e Enfermagem da Universidade Federal do Ceará, Brasil, e o grupo de estudantes (S), de 75 alunos de Odontologia da mesma Universidade. No grupo P, 45,3% dos participantes acreditava ter halitose, já no grupo S, esse percentual foi de apenas 16,2%. Em relação às causas e aos tratamentos da halitose, encontrou-se que o grupo P assinalou mais opções relacionadas com o correto conhecimento sobre halitose quando comparados com o grupo S. É possível concluir que os pacientes relataram maior percepção da halitose do que os estudantes, bem como têm demonstrado maior conhecimento sobre a origem e tratamento da halitose.

This study aimed to assess individual perception and level of knowledge of students and patients about halitosis. Two groups of volunteers of both genders between 18 and 60 years old, totaling 225 subjects, answered a questionnaire containing eight questions relating to perception, causes, and treatment of halitosis. The group of patients (P) consisted of 150 individuals seeking dental services at the School of Pharmacy, Dentistry and Nursing, Federal University of Ceará, Brazil, and the Group of students (S) consisted of 75 students of Dentistry at the same University. In Group P, 45.3% of participants believed they had halitosis, while in Group S, this percentage was only 16.2%. In matters relating to the causes and treatment of halitosis, it was found that the Group P marked more options related to the correct knowledge about halitosis when compared to Group S. It is possible to conclude that patients reported greater halitosis perception than students, and also that they showed a better knowledge about the halitosis etiology and treatment.