Comparison of the efficacy of different techniques to seal the alveolus during alveolar ridge preservation: Meta-regression and network meta-analysis.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of different techniques to seal the alveolus (flap advancement [FA], open healing with barrier [OHB], and open healing without barrier [OHNB]) during alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) in terms of horizontal ridge width resorption. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Randomized trials of at least 2 months duration comparing at least two techniques to seal the alveolus against each other or against spontaneous healing (SH) were eligible. Searches were conducted in MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane Central. Conventional meta-analysis, meta-regression, and network meta-analysis (NMA) were conducted, with clinical and tomographic ridge width changes as outcomes. Predictive intervals (95% PI) were reported. RESULTS: Twenty-two studies were included, accounting for 52 study arms. Meta-regression identified that the socket sealing technique and publication year explained the observed heterogeneity. NMA showed that FA and OHB led to significantly lower ridge resorption than SH, resulting in 1.18 mm (95% PI 0.21-2.13) and 1.10 mm (95% PI 0.49-1.69) wide alveolar ridges, respectively. No significant difference between OHNB and SH was found (0.46 mm, 95% PI -0.70 to 1.64). The treatment with the largest probability for ARP was FA (52.7%), followed by OHB (39.1%) and OHNB (8.2%). CONCLUSIONS: FA and OHB are efficacious techniques to seal the alveolus during ARP.

Surgical and non-surgical debridement for the treatment of peri-implantitis: a two-center 12-month randomized trial.

OBJECTIVES: To compare surgical (ST) and non-surgical (NST) debridement for the treatment of peri-implantitis in a two-center randomized trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five individuals with 63 implants with probing depth (PPD) ≥5mm, bleeding on probing (BOP), and radiographic bone loss ≥2mm were included. In the NST (30 implants), submucosal debridement was performed. In the ST (33 implants), a mucoperiosteal flap was raised and surfaces were decontaminated only by debridement as performed in NST. Clinical parameters and radiographs were compared at baseline and after 12 months. Means and standard errors were reported. RESULTS: PPD considering all implant sites reduced significantly in NST from 4.14±0.25 to 3.25±0.18mm. In ST, PPD also significantly changed (3.74±0.22 to 3.00±0.29mm). No significant differences were observed between the two groups. For deep sites (≥7mm), PPD was 7.82±0.20mm at baseline and reduced to 5.10±0.30mm in NST, while in ST group, it was 7.11±0.11mm and changed to 5.22±0.91mm (between-groups p value=0.51). BOP significantly reduced from ~60 to 35% of all sites in both groups, without significant differences between them. When sites with radiographic bone level ≥3mm at baseline were analyzed, there was a significant difference between groups in bone gain after 12 months in favor of ST (ST=0.78±0.30mm compared to NST=0.25mm±0.13; p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical and non-surgical debridement for the treatment of peri-implantitis present similar clinical outcomes. Bone levels were better improved in ST than NST for sites with higher initial bone loss. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The treatment of peri-implantitis is still a challenge in clinical practice, since less than half of affected implants achieve health after surgical or non-surgical debridement. Considering the lack of clinically relevant differences between these two treatments, non-surgical debridement should be considered the first therapeutic choice for peri-implantitis, mainly mild to moderate cases.

ANTI-PLAQUE AND ANTI-GINGIVITIS EFFICACY OF DIFFERENT BRISTLE STIFFNESS AND END-SHAPE TOOTHBRUSHES ON INTERPROXIMAL SURFACES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW WITH META-ANALYSIS.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of interproximal plaque scores and gingival inflammation reduction of different toothbrush bristle stiffness and end-shape. METHODS: Randomized clinical trials evaluating the effect of different toothbrushes on interproximal plaque/gingivitis reduction, with a minimum follow-up of 1 week. MEDLINE-PubMed, Scopus and Embase were searched. Soft tapered-tip bristle toothbrushes were compared to soft end-rounded, medium (any end-shape), or hard (any end-shape) bristle toothbrushes. Two meta-analyses were performed for plaque and gingivitis reduction. For plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI), a standard mean difference (SMD) and mean difference between baseline and 4 weeks were calculated, respectively. In all analyses, random effect models were used. RESULTS: Nine studies were included. All included studies demonstrated statistically significant improvement, in at least one parameter, in favor of the tapered-tip bristle toothbrush compared to the end-rounded bristle toothbrush. When analyzing toothbrush stiffness, medium and hard toothbrushes presented significantly higher improvement when compared to soft toothbrushes in all parameters. In the meta-analyses, groups that used soft tapered-tip bristle toothbrushes demonstrated significant greater reductions in PI (SMD -2.64; 95% CI: -4.26 - -1.01) and in GI (MD -0.14; 95% CI: -0.18 - -0.10) when compared to soft end-rounded bristle toothbrushes. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that, when considering interproximal surfaces, better results may be expected for tapered-tip bristle toothbrushes when compared to end-rounded bristles toothbrushes. Additionally, better results may be expected in medium or hard toothbrushes, regardless of the bristle end-shape, in non-interproximal cleaners.

Self-reported halitosis and associated demographic and behavioral factors.

Halitosis is still poorly studied in young adults. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of self-reported halitosis and associate it with demographic and behavioral factors in young adult dental students. This cross-sectional study was designed as a census of students enrolled in three initial and three final semesters of a dental course in a Brazilian public university. Of 284 eligible students, 257 (90.5%) completed a self-administered questionnaire. Self-reported halitosis was the primary study outcome, and was assessed with the question "do you feel you have bad breath?". Data on age, gender, frequency of tooth brushing and interproximal cleaning, tongue cleaning, mouth rinse use and dry mouth were collected using the questionnaire, and were considered independent variables. Of the students surveyed, 26.5% reported as never, 51.7% as rarely, 21.4% as sometimes, and 0.4% as always feeling they had halitosis. Morning halitosis was reported by 90.6% of those who reported halitosis. In the final multiple model, last semester students had a 55% lower chance of reporting halitosis, compared with students from the first semesters [odds ratio (OR) 0.46; 95%CI 0.24-0.89]. Women had a 2.57fold higher chance of reporting halitosis (OR = 2.57; 95%CI 1.12-5.93). Dry mouth increased the chance of self-reported halitosis 3.95-fold, compared with absence of dry mouth (OR = 3.95; 95%CI 2.03-7.68). It can be concluded that self-reports of halitosis were low among dental students, but may represent an important complaint. Gender, dry mouth and level of college education of the dentist were factors significantly associated with self-reported halitosis.

Essential oils-containing mouthwashes for gingivitis and plaque: Meta-analyses and meta-regression.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of EO as adjuncts to mechanical plaque control (MPC) on the reduction of plaque and gingivitis when compared to placebo or cetylpyridium chloride (CPC). DATA: Randomized controlled trials of at least 6 months of follow-up including systemically healthy individuals with gingivitis were included. SOURCES: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Lilacs and SCOPUS were searched up to April 2016. From 3045 citations, 16 studies were included. 14 studies assessed the Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (QHI) and 11 studies assessed the Modified Gingival Index (MGI) and were included in meta-analyses and meta-regression. STUDY SELECTION: The analysis of risk of bias suggested that the quality of the studies ranged from moderate to low. Mean QHI (WMD=-0.86, 95%CI -1.05 to -0.66) and MGI (WMD=-0.52, 95%CI -0.67 to -0.37) were lower for EO+MPC than placebo+MPC. Reductions in plaque and gingivitis were, respectively, 32% and 24% larger for EO+MPC than placebo+MPC. The decreases in QHI (WMD=-0.95, 95%CI -1.26 to -0.63) and in MGI (WMD=-0.34, 95%CI -0.53 to -0.15) observed in the EO+MPC group, compared to placebo+MPC in interproximal areas, were significantly different and in favor to EO+MPC. EO+MPC compared to CPC+MPC resulted in clinically lower levels of plaque and gingivitis. High heterogeneity (I2>95%) was found and explained (MGI-R2=63.6%; QHI-R2=80.1%) by differences between studies in the percentage of males, supervision of the mouthwashes and provision of oral hygiene. CONCLUSIONS: EO seems to be superior to placebo+MPC and CPC+MPC for reduction of plaque and gingival inflammation in patients with gingivitis. Expected benefits may be clinically relevant and may also reach the interproximal area. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Mouthwashes containing essential oils should be considered the first choice for daily use as adjuvants to self-performed mechanical plaque control.

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.

Self-reported halitosis and associated demographic and behavioral factors

Abstract Halitosis is still poorly studied in young adults. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of self-reported halitosis and associate it with demographic and behavioral factors in young adult dental students. This cross-sectional study was designed as a census of students enrolled in three initial and three final semesters of a dental course in a Brazilian public university. Of 284 eligible students, 257 (90.5%) completed a self-administered questionnaire. Self-reported halitosis was the primary study outcome, and was assessed with the question "do you feel you have bad breath?". Data on age, gender, frequency of tooth brushing and interproximal cleaning, tongue cleaning, mouth rinse use and dry mouth were collected using the questionnaire, and were considered independent variables. Of the students surveyed, 26.5% reported as never, 51.7% as rarely, 21.4% as sometimes, and 0.4% as always feeling they had halitosis. Morning halitosis was reported by 90.6% of those who reported halitosis. In the final multiple model, last semester students had a 55% lower chance of reporting halitosis, compared with students from the first semesters [odds ratio (OR) 0.46; 95%CI 0.24-0.89]. Women had a 2.57fold higher chance of reporting halitosis (OR = 2.57; 95%CI 1.12-5.93). Dry mouth increased the chance of self-reported halitosis 3.95-fold, compared with absence of dry mouth (OR = 3.95; 95%CI 2.03-7.68). It can be concluded that self-reports of halitosis were low among dental students, but may represent an important complaint. Gender, dry mouth and level of college education of the dentist were factors significantly associated with self-reported halitosis.