Evaluation of Mesiodistal Root Angulation of Permanent Incisors, Canines, and First Pre-Molars by Orthopantomogram Dental Imaging Findings in 296 Children Aged 6-14 Years.

BACKGROUND Early pre-eruptive inclination changes of the first premolar (FP) and its associative changes with canine (C) inclination are important to predict canine impaction. This study aimed to evaluate the mesiodistal root angulation of permanent lateral incisors (LI), canines, and first molars by orthopantomogram dental imaging in 296 children ages 6-14 years at a single center in India. MATERIAL AND METHODS The total number of participants was 296, with equal numbers of boys and girls divided into 4 age groups: 6-8 years, 8-10 years, 10-12 years, and 12-14 years. Angles between lateral incisor, erupting canine, and first pre-premolar with midline were measured on an orthopantomogram (dental imaging which includes all the teeth with TMJ). The angle between the erupting C with LI and erupting C with FP was measured. Pearson's correlation was also evaluated between the movement of the erupting canine with lateral incisor and erupting canine with erupting first premolar. RESULTS There was a significant difference in the angular values of different age groups (P≤0.05). The movements between LI, C, and FP were moderately correlated boys and girls aged 6-12 years. CONCLUSIONS The findings from this study showed that in boys and girls aged 6-14 years, eruption of the upper canine tooth was synchronized with eruption of the LI and FP.

Evaluation of Orthodontic Mini-Implant Placement in the Maxillary Anterior Alveolar Region in 15 Patients by Cone Beam Computed Tomography at a Single Center in South India.

BACKGROUND In this study, we aimed to evaluate orthodontic mini-implant placement in the maxillary anterior alveolar region by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in 15 patients at a single center in South India. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 15 CBCT scans of orthodontic patients after completion of leveling and aligning stage were included. The thickness of labial alveolar bone, labio-palatal bone, and inter-radicular distance between the maxillary central incisors (U1-U1), maxillary central and lateral incisor (U1-U2), and maxillary lateral incisor and canine (U2-U3) at vertical levels 4 mm, 6 mm, and 8 mm above the interdental cementoenamel junction were measured. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and Tukey post hoc tests were done to assess the differences among the groups. An independent t test was done to analyze differences by sex. RESULTS The thickness of cortical bone in the labial region was higher in the U2-U3 site than in the U1-U1 site, at a height of 4 mm. Also, there was a significant difference between 4 mm and 8 mm heights in the U2-U3 region. No significant difference was noted in bone dimensions among men and women and in the labio-palatal bone thickness among the different sites. The inter-radicular distance was the highest between the U2-U3 site, while it was the lowest in the U1-U2 site. CONCLUSIONS The findings from this center showed that when CBCT was used to evaluate orthodontic mini-implant placement in the maxillary anterior alveolar region, the U2-U3 and U1-U1 locations at heights between 6 mm to 8 mm apical to the interdental cementoenamel junction were optimal for placement of the mini-implants.

Suppression of Tumorigenicity 2 Pro-Inflammatory Biomarker Linking Diabetes Mellitus and Periodontitis: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND Suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2) is a member of the interleukin (IL)-1 family and has 2 isoforms: ST2L, a transmembrane form, and ST2, a soluble form. IL-33 can act as an immune system alarm signal when released by damaged cells, which in turn activates other cells expressing the ST2 receptor. This can cause inflammatory cytokines to be released and produced, as well as trigger osteoclastogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the levels of soluble ST2 in gingival samples. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study population consisted of 30 individuals. The participants were divided into 3 groups: healthy participants, patients with periodontitis, and patients with periodontitis and diabetes mellitus. Periodontitis was determined using probing depth, clinical attachment loss, and gingival index. Patients with stage 2 to 4 periodontitis met the inclusion criteria. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was collected for quantification of samples for ST2 levels by using an enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS The mean±standard deviation of ST2 GCF concentrations was relatively high (558.87±68.99) in the group with periodontitis and diabetes mellitus, compared with that of the periodontitis group (452.06±54.18) and healthy group (252.82±87.9). CONCLUSIONS GCF ST2 values were found to be a marker of inflammatory activities. Thus, GCF ST2 could be a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of periodontitis as well as systemic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus. This pilot study was limited by a small number of participants. To confirm the associations, more large-scale investigations should be conducted.

Melatonin levels in periodontitis vs. the healthy state: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aim was to provide a comprehensive qualitative and quantitative assessment of any potential differences in melatonin levels in periodontitis vs. the healthy state. The keyword combination "melatonin" AND "periodontitis" was searched in Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus. Qualitative analysis and quantitative analysis were performed on articles satisfying the inclusion criteria. Only 14 studies were included in the systematic review, out of which only 10 had quantitative data compatible with a meta-analysis. Ten studies demonstrated low melatonin in periodontitis, three studies demonstrated an initial reduction in melatonin levels followed by elevation with worsening of periodontitis, and one study showed an elevation in melatonin levels in the transition from a healthy state to periodontitis. Grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation revealed that all the included studies had low to very low overall evidence. The meta-analysis revealed a significant reduction (p < .0001) in salivary melatonin levels in chronic periodontitis (3.26 ± 3.44 pg/ml) compared with healthy controls (5.27 ± 5.39 pg/ml), with a mean difference of 2.65 ± 7.84 and a confidence interval of 1.94-3.36. The significantly lower salivary melatonin levels in periodontitis must be inferred with caution given the low quality of the included studies.

Gene Interaction Network Analysis Reveals IFI44L as a Drug Target in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Periodontitis.

OBJECTIVE: Despite extensive research on periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis, the underlying molecular connectivity between these condition remains largely unknown. This research aimed to integrate periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis gene expression profiles to identify interconnecting genes and focus to develop a common lead molecule against these inflammatory conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis were identified from the datasets retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The network was constructed by merging DEGs, and the interconnecting genes were identified and ranked using GeneMANIA. For the selected top ranked gene, the potential inhibitor was searched using FINDSITEcomb2.0. Subsequently, the molecular docking and molecular dynamics were performed to determine the binding efficiency and protein-ligand complex stability, respectively. RESULTS: From the network analysis, IFN-induced protein 44-like (IFI44L) was identified as a top ranked gene involved in most of the immunological pathway. With further virtual screening of 6507 molecules, vemurafenib was identified to be the best fit against the IFI44L target. The binding energy and stability of IFI44L with vemurafenib were investigated using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. Docking results show binding energy of -7.7 Kcal/mol, and the simulation results show stability till 100 ns. CONCLUSIONS: The identified IFI44L may represent a common drug target for periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis. Vemurafenib could be a potent anti-inflammatory drug for both diseases.

Plant-Derived Antiviral Compounds as Potential Entry Inhibitors against Spike Protein of SARS-CoV-2 Wild-Type and Delta Variant: An Integrative in SilicoApproach.

The wild-type SARS-CoV-2 has continuously evolved into several variants with increased transmissibility and virulence. The Delta variant which was initially identified in India created a devastating impact throughout the country during the second wave. While the efficacy of the existing vaccines against the latest SARS-CoV-2 variants remains unclear, extensive research is being carried out to develop potential antiviral drugs through approaches like in silico screening and drug-repurposing. This study aimed to conduct the docking-based virtual screening of 50 potential phytochemical compounds against a Spike glycoprotein of the wild-type and the Delta SARS-CoV-2 variant. Subsequently, molecular docking was performed for the five best compounds, such as Lupeol, Betulin, Hypericin, Corilagin, and Geraniin, along with synthetic controls. From the results obtained, it was evident that Lupeol exhibited a remarkable binding affinity towards the wild-type Spike protein (-8.54 kcal/mol), while Betulin showed significant binding interactions with the mutated Spike protein (-8.83 kcal/mol), respectively. The binding energy values of the selected plant compounds were slightly higher than that of the controls. Key hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions of the resulting complexes were visualized, which explained their greater binding affinity against the target proteins-the Delta S protein of SARS-CoV-2, in particular. The lower RMSD, the RMSF values of the complexes and the ligands, Rg, H-bonds, and the binding free energies of the complexes together revealed the stability of the complexes and significant binding affinities of the ligands towards the target proteins. Our study suggests that Lupeol and Betulin could be considered as potential ligands for SARS-CoV-2 spike antagonists. Further experimental validations might provide new insights for the possible antiviral therapeutic interventions of the identified lead compounds and their analogs against COVID-19 infection.

A Comparison in Patient Comfort Using Conventional Syringe and Needleless Jet Anesthesia Technique in Periodontal Surgery-A Split-Mouth Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background and Objectives: Periodontal surgery requires local anesthetic coverage to alleviate patient discomfort. Needles and injections can engender feelings of fear and anxiety in individuals. This study aimed to assess the level of comfort and anxiety in patients during the administration of local anesthesia using needleless jet anesthesia (JA) when compared to a conventional syringe (CS) in periodontal surgery. Method and Materials: 60 sites were designated for injection in a split-mouth design in 30 subjects who required periodontal surgery. Local anesthesia was administered in two appointments scheduled one week apart using either a JA system or a CS. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Verbal Rating Scale (VRS), and Beck's anxiety inventory were used to report the pain and anxiety levels while injecting local anesthesia. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using the Shapiro-Wilks test and Paired t-test. Results: Patients reported greater comfort with JA. The VAS and VRS values were statistically significant-(p = 0.003) and (p = 0.001), respectively. Patients showed fear and were nervous about receiving a local anesthetic using a CS. A few subjects experienced lingering pain with the CS, whereas greater comfort and no lingering soreness were reported post-operatively at the site of JA administration. Conclusions: This study provides the first comprehensive assessment of using JA for periodontal surgical procedures. Lower pain scores were consistently observed with the use of jet injectors. Patients were at ease and reported lesser anxiety and greater comfort with jet injectors, making it ideally suited for providing local anesthesia in periodontal surgery.

Awareness and Attitude toward the Replacement of Missing Teeth among Patients at a Dental Institute: A Cross-sectional Study.

AIM: To evaluate the awareness among the patients visiting a dental college in replacing the missing teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to know the patient's awareness and preference for the treatment options. A list of the closed-ended questionnaire was used to record the patient's response about being edentulous. The collected data were statistically analyzed. SPSS, Version 2.1, statistical software was used. The descriptive statistics were done using frequency and percentage. Bar graphs and pie graphs were used wherever applicable. RESULTS: Maximum patients reported to dental treatment with less than 1 year period of edentulousness. This directly indicates an increased awareness among the patients (77.5%). The need to replace the missing teeth was a function such as mastication of food for 42.6% of the patients and 36.6% of the patients wanted to replace their missing teeth for improving their appearance. The most preferred method of the replacement is fixed partial denture (FPD) as it was cost-effective and affordable for them. Only 22% of the patients wanted an implant as a treatment option as it did not involve the adjacent teeth. CONCLUSION: The awareness and knowledge about the treatment options among the patients visiting the dental college have increased, but still, the awareness about the consequences of being edentulous for a long time should be improved through social media by the dentists. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The replacement of missing teeth is important in rehabilitating the form, function, esthetics, and integrity of the stomatognathic system. There are various treatment options available for replacing missing teeth. Very few patients are aware of all the options and the consequences of not replacing the posterior teeth.

Reliability of Frankfort Horizontal Plane with True Horizontal Plane in Cephalometric Measurements.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the study is to determine reliability of true horizontal (TH) plane with Frankfort horizontal (FH) plane in cephalometric measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred lateral cephalograms were collected and traced using FACAD software, all cephalometric measurements which included FH plane as reference planes were used in this study. Cephalometric tracing was done with FH plane as reference plane and another set of measurements with TH plane as reference plane was done. Statistical tests were done using independent sample t-test (p <0.05). RESULTS: Results of an independent t-test revealed a statistically insignificant difference that was observed for all the parameters assessed (p <0.05). Both angular and linear measurements showed an insignificant difference between FH and TH. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of the study, the results show that the FH plane is closest and as reliable as the TH plane. The variation of FH was least for all the parameters assessed.

Malondialdehyde, an Oxidative Stress Marker in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To qualitative and quantitatively review published literature assessing the oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). METHODOLOGY: Pubmed (MeSH), Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, Willey Online Library, Cochrane, and Cross Reference were searched for studies assessing MDA levels in OSCC samples. RESULTS: From the 1008 articles identified, 849 were excluded based on title and abstract screening due to duplication and irrelevance to the topic of interest. Full-text assessment of the remaining 159 articles led to the inclusion of only 46 articles that satisfied the selection criteria. Of these, only 26 studies had data compatible for quantitative analysis. The MDA levels in OSCC groups are significantly increased (p < 0.00001) in plasma, serum, and saliva samples in the majority of the studies evaluated. In contrast, MDA levels in OSCC tissue samples are significantly attenuated (p < 0.00001) compared to healthy controls, supported by fewer studies. CONCLUSIONS: The augmented MDA levels in plasma, serum, and saliva samples of the OSCC reflect the heightened oxidative stress level accurately. Further studies are required to understand the attenuated MDA levels in the tissue samples of OSCC. Correlation analysis between MDA levels with established clinicopathological prognostic markers could aid in formulating oxidative stress-based prognostication and treatment planning.

Allicin May Promote Reversal of T-Cell Dysfunction in Periodontitis via the PD-1 Pathway.

We evaluated the role of allicin in periodontitis using an in silico and in vitro design. An in silico docking analysis was performed to assess the plausible interactions between allicin and PD-L1. The cytokine profile of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples obtained from periodontitis patients was estimated by cytometric bead array. CD3+ lymphocytes isolated from the peripheral blood were sorted and characterized using immunomagnetic techniques. Cultured and expanded lymphocytes were treated with the GCF samples to induce T-cell exhaustion. Optimum concentrations of allicin were added to exhausted lymphocytes to compare the expression of TIM-3 and LAG-3 gene expression at baseline and post-treatment. Allicin was found to bind to the PD-L1 molecule as revealed by the in-silico experiment, which is possibly an inhibitory interaction although not proven. GCF from periodontitis patients had significantly higher concentrations of TNF-α, CCL2, IL-6, IFN-γ, and CXCL8 than controls. GCF treatment of CD3+ lymphocytes from the periodontitis patients significantly increased expression of T-cell exhaustion markers TIM-3 and LAG-3. Allicin administration with GCF treatment resulted in significant lowering of the expression of exhaustion markers. Allicin may exert an immunostimulatory role and reverse immune-destructive mechanisms such as T-cell exhaustion.

The Growth Factors and Cytokines of Dental Pulp Mesenchymal Stem Cell Secretome May Potentially Aid in Oral Cancer Proliferation.

BACKGROUND: Growth factors and cytokines responsible for the regenerative potential of the dental pulp mesenchymal stem cell secretome (DPMSC-S) are implicated in oral carcinogenesis. The impact and effects of these secretory factors on cancer cells must be understood in order to ensure their safe application in cancer patients. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to quantify the growth factors and cytokines in DPMSC-S and assess their effect on oral cancer cell proliferation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DPMSCs were isolated from patients with healthy teeth (n = 5) that were indicated for extraction for orthodontic reasons. The cells were characterized using flow cytometry and conditioned medium (DPMSC-CM) was prepared. DPMSC-CM was subjected to a bead-based array to quantify the growth factors and cytokines that may affect oral carcinogenesis. The effect of DPMSC-CM (20%, 50%, 100%) on the proliferation of oral cancer cells (AW123516) was evaluated using a Ki-67-based assay at 48 h. AW13516 cultured in the standard growth medium acted as the control. RESULTS: VEGF, HCF, Ang-2, TGF-α, EPO, SCF, FGF, and PDGF-BB were the growth factors with the highest levels in the DPMSC-CM. The highest measured pro-inflammatory cytokine was TNF-α, followed by CXCL8. The most prevalent anti-inflammatory cytokine in the DPMSC-CM was IL-10, followed by TGF-ß1 and IL-4. Concentrations of 50% and 100% DPMSC-CM inhibited Ki-67 expression in AW13516, although the effect was non-significant. Moreover, 20% DPMSC-CM significantly increased Ki-67 expression compared to the control. CONCLUSIONS: The increased Ki-67 expression of oral cancer cells in response to 20% DPMSC-CM indicates the potential for cancer progression. Further research is needed to identify their effects on other carcinogenic properties, including apoptosis, stemness, migration, invasion, adhesion, and therapeutic resistance.

Moringa oleifera: Antioxidant, Anticancer, Anti-inflammatory, and Related Properties of Extracts in Cell Lines: A Review of Medicinal Effects, Phytochemistry, and Applications.

Moringa oleifera (MO), or the common drumstick possesses antioxidant properties, and its pods, seeds, leaves, and bark have been used for the treatment of inflammatory and cancerous conditions. This systematic review attempts to synthesize original studies of MO extracts in cell lines to determine their specific antiproliferative, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and related effects. The literature was obtained from PubMed central, the Cochrane registry, and other sources including Google Scholar, and Embase. Studies fulfilling the inclusion criteria were selected. Custom data collection forms were employed and two independent evaluators compiled the relevant information. Eighteen studies were selected after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. In most studies, MO leaves had more potent properties compared to other parts of the plant. Ethyl acetate and ethanolic extractions improved the potency of the extract. Effects were selective (different for normal cells and cancer cells) and dose-dependent. Anticancer and antioxidant activities were consistently reported, with effects exerted at the genetic and molecular levels. MO extracts potentially could be employed for therapeutic applications. The optimal sources, preparation protocols, and dosages have been researched, though further scrutiny is needed for a comprehensive formulation. Keywords: Anticancer, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Moringa oleifera.

Histopathological Changes in Oral Tissues Induced by Pesticide Poisoning: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the histopathological changes in oral tissues induced by pesticide poisoning. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional pilot study. The sample consisted of oral tissues obtained from deceased patients during autopsy. The study samples were obtained from 10 cases of ingested pesticide poisoning, and the control samples were obtained from road traffic accident cases. All the obtained samples were subjected to histopathological examinations. The changes observed in poisoning cases were compared to those in the road traffic accident cases. RESULTS: Significant degenerative changes were observed in the epithelial cells and connective tissue components, such as collagen, muscles, nerves, vasculature, adipose tissue, and salivary acini and ducts, in the poisoning cases. The oral tissues of the road traffic accident cases did not show any significant degenerative changes. CONCLUSION: The degenerative changes in the study samples can be attributed to the direct contact of the pesticide with the autopsied oral tissues when the poison was consumed. There are instances in which the entire body may not be recovered or may not be in an examinable state. In such cases, an oral autopsy could provide additional evidence for determining the cause of death in suspected poison cases.

Metformin pre-conditioning enhances the angiogenic ability of the secretome of dental pulp stem cells.

The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of metformin on the angiogenic ability of secretomes from dental pulp stem cells. The stem cells were obtained from the dental pulp (DPSCs) (n = 3) using the explant culture method. We treated the DPSCs with different concentrations of metformin and assessed the expression of the angiogenesis-related genes. We also tested the angiogenic effect of the secretomes on the yolk sac membrane of the chick embryos by counting the quaternary blood vessel formations on the yolk sac membrane. We found that metformin treatment enhanced the angiogenic potential of the stem cell secretome in a dose-dependent manner. This was evidenced by the increase in the quaternary blood vessel formations in the yolk sac membrane with lower to higher concentrations of metformin. Pre-treatment with metformin modulates the angiogenic potential of the stem cell-conditioned media in a dose-dependent manner. The augmentation of the angiogenic potential of the DPSCs can aid regeneration, especially in scenarios requiring the regeneration of vacuoles.

Role of matrix vesicles and crystal ghosts in bio-mineralization.

Matrix vesicles (MVs) are extracellular membrane-bound vesicles of about ~ 50-200 nm in diameter that play a role in the bio-mineralization process of hard tissue formation. The present review is based on the empirical phenomenon of primary mineralization process via matrix vesicle-mediated mechanism with special reference to crystal ghosts as well as the mechanism on the organic-inorganic relationship between matrix vesicles and crystal ghosts, and the transformation that these structures undergo during bio-mineralization.

Oro-facial manifestations in lepromatous leprosy patients in Central India: clinical findings from a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: To clinically evaluate the oro-facial manifestations in lepromatous leprosy patients undergoing multidrug therapy in Central India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred patients from 2 leprosy treatment centers in Central India who satisfied the diagnostic criteria set by the WHO (2006-2010) committee on leprosy were included in the study. To avoid bias, only patients who started the multi-drug treatment regimen less than 1 year ago were included. All the patients were examined for the presence of oral and facial manifestations. To confirm that the oro-facial manifestations were not due to HIV co-infection, serological diagnostic tests including ELISA, Immunocomb, and Tri-dot were performed. RESULTS: Majority of the patients (n = 189) exhibited oral (n = 145) and/or facial (n = 147) manifestations. The most common oral lesions were found to be fissuring and depapillation of the tongue followed by fibrosis and loss of uvula. Among the facial manifestations, facial skin lesions and loss of eyebrows were most prevalent followed by sagging of facial skin and facies leonine. CONCLUSION: The facial manifestations of leprosy are quite common, readily recognizable, and relatively specific to the disease. Thus, the presence of facial manifestations, especially with co-existing oral lesions must prompt the clinician to mandate further investigations to confirm the diagnosis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: As evidenced by the present study, facial manifestations and oral lesions are an integral part of leprosy. In addition to being a diagnostic parameter, facial manifestations and oral lesions could potentially be used to monitor the disease progression and treatment outcome.

Association of Helicobacter pylori with oral potentially malignant disorders and oral squamous cell carcinoma-a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess any potential association between Helicobacter pylori and oral squamous cell carcinoma/oral potentially malignant disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data mining was done using PubMed, Cochrane Library, and SCOPUS databases. The search included articles published up to May 2019. Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to score the quality of the included articles. Data including the type of study, the sample population, the type of oral lesion, and the resulting statistical data were extracted. RESULTS: Out of 131 screened articles, only 15 articles fulfilled the eligibility criteria. Among the 15 studies, 9 focused on oral squamous cell carcinoma and 6 focused on oral potentially malignant disorders. Eight out of the 9 oral squamous cell carcinoma studies were included in the meta-analysis. Forest plot was generated using the odds ratio and confidence intervals calculated for each of the included studies. Due to the lack of sufficient studies, the meta-analysis was not performed for oral potentially malignant disorders. CONCLUSION: Due to the contradictory results of the included studies, it was not possible to make any conclusive statement on the potential association of H. pylori with oral squamous cell carcinoma. The variations in the methodology, especially the differences in the sensitivity/specificity of the diagnostic modalities could be the cause for differential results. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although the association of H. pylori with oral squamous cell carcinoma could not be confirmed, it is vital to reduce the excess oral microbial load, especially in patients exhibiting oral mucosal changes with no history of associated risk factors.

Microbial profile in different orthodontic appliances by checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization: An in-vivo study.

INTRODUCTION: The design of the orthodontic bracket or appliance is 1 of the most important factors for creating retentive areas for biofilm formation. In orthodontics, this would be the first study to compare the microbial level changes in 3 different types of orthodontic appliances using checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization technique. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the extent of appearance of orange and red microbial complexes in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment using aligners, conventional metallic fixed labial appliances, and lingual fixed appliances. METHODS: A total of 60 patients, of which 20 patients were undergoing treatment with aligners, 20 patients with labial fixed appliances, and 20 patients with lingual fixed appliances, were included in our study. After 30 days, debonded brackets and rinsed aligners were stored and processed for analysis with checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization. RESULTS: Most bacterial species showed moderate counts, with the exception of Treponema denticola, which showed a higher count in all 3 types of appliances. Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and T denticola were present in a higher percentage in the lingual appliance. Fusobacterium periodontium and Prevotella intermedia were present in a higher percentage in the labial fixed appliance. Campylobacter rectus, Tannerella forsythia, and Prevotella melaninogenica counts were moderate in all 3 appliances, with the first 2 microbes showing slightly higher counts in aligners. The association between all the microorganisms were statistically insignificant, with the exception of F nucleatum, which showed a strong statistically significant association in all 3 types of appliances. CONCLUSIONS: The microbial contamination in metallic brackets was higher than that of aligners, when used for a month. Lingual fixed appliances showed more microbial contamination than labial fixed appliances followed by aligners.

The SARS-CoV-2 Virus may Remain Viable on Oral Appliances for up to 3 Days?

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has created havoc in the world by causing the COVID-19 pandemic.1 The affected patients exhibit fever, cough, and apnea. Hospitalization is often due to progressive respiratory distress, which, in a proportion of patients, had led to fatalities.2 The geriatric population is at a higher risk, because of their reduced immunity and the presence of comorbid conditions like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. Health authorities have advocated social distancing as a method to contain the spread of this contagious disease. A landmark study has shown that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can remain viable on various surfaces like cardboard, stainless steel, plastic, and copper for a long duration. The research conducted by van Doremalen et al.3 has created an aerosolized environment using SARS-CoV-2 (105.25 50% tissue-culture infectious dose [TCID50] per milliliter) in a Goldberg drum using a 3 jet collision nebulizer and has exposed various materials such as cardboard, paper, stainless steel, plastic, and copper to the virus. The SARS-Cov-2 virus was found to be viable in aerosol for only 3 hours, although its presence on material surfaces lasted significantly longer, especially in stainless steel and plastic surfaces, wherein the virus was detected for up to 72 hours.3.