A randomized clinical trial comparing plaque removal efficacy of an oscillating-rotating power toothbrush to a manual toothbrush by multiple examiners.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether multiple examiners can demonstrate consistent plaque removal advantages for an oscillating-rotating power toothbrush versus a manual toothbrush. METHODS: This was a replicate-use, single brushing, examiner-blind, randomized, two-treatment, four-period crossover clinical trial involving four examiners. Subjects were randomized to one of four treatment sequences involving two toothbrushes: an oscillating-rotating power toothbrush or a manual toothbrush. At each of the four visits, subjects arrived having abstained from oral hygiene for 24 h prior, and brushed with their assigned toothbrush and a marketed fluoride dentifrice under supervision unaided by a mirror. Plaque was assessed by each examiner using the Turesky-Modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index at each study period before and after brushing. Data was analysed separately for each examiner using the analysis of covariance for crossover design. RESULTS: Ninety-five subjects between the ages of 18 and 70 met the entrance criteria and were enrolled in the study. Eighty-seven subjects completed all four periods of the study. Both brushes delivered a significant plaque reduction when compared to baseline. Significant treatment differences were observed for all four examiners - ranging from 0.10 to 0.16 - in favor of the oscillating-rotating brush (P < 0.001). There were no adverse events reported or observed for either brush. CONCLUSIONS: All four examiners demonstrated the power toothbrush removed significantly more plaque after a single brushing than the standard manual toothbrush. Both brushes were well tolerated.

[Oral health of pregnant women and their awareness of oral hygiene]. / Die Mundgesundheit von Schwangeren und deren Mundgesundheitsbewusstsein.

AIM: Pregnancy is related with changes in oral health. While the medical care of pregnant women in Germany is well-regulated, there are no structured recommendations for dental examinations. During an "Oral Health Awareness Week" the periodontal conditions of pregnant women in the Federal State of Thuringia (Germany) were examined. METHODS: 85 pregnant women participated in this study. Oral health indices (PSI, BoP and DMFT) were recorded. 61 of the 85 women followed the invitation to repeat the investigations after parturition. Additionally, birth weight and height of the newborn were recorded. RESULTS: There were no correlations between periodontal condition and birth weight. However, pregnant women demonstrated in high levels periodontal inflammation (only 1.2% showed periodontal health). Pregnant woman with periodontitis (PSI 3 and 4) demonstrated clear deficiencies in health education regarding oral health and adverse pregnancy outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: These findings implicate the importance of periodontal care in pregnant women. An association between periodontitis and reduced birth weight was not observed in the studied Thuringian cohort.

Clinical and Micromorphologic 29-year Results of Posterior Composite Restorations.

Prospective clinical studies of composite restorations revealed their safety and longevity; however, studies did not elucidate the dynamic mechanisms of deterioration caused by fractures and secondary caries. Therefore, the aims of this 29-y controlled study were 1) to follow up on the clinical behavior of posterior composite restorations annually and 2) to compare clinical outcomes with micromorphologic scanning electron microscopy features. After ethical approval, the single-arm study commenced in 1987 with 194 class I or II primary posterior composite restorations with glass ionomer cement providing pulp protection. Each restoration was evaluated annually for 15 y and then again at 29 y per the US Public Health Service-compatible Clinical, Photographic and Micromorphologic coding index, with clinical and photographic criteria for anatomic form, color matching, surface quality, wear, marginal integrity, secondary caries, and clinical acceptability. Parallel micromorphologic criteria were applied at baseline and after 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, and 29 y to assess surface roughness, texture, marginal integrity, fractures, ledges, and marginal gaps with semiquantitative coding and with quantitative 3-dimensional scanning electron microscopy profilometric measurements of marginal grooves next to the enamel, grooves within the bonding zone, and ledges. Statistical analysis included the calculation of the annual failure rate and the use of Kaplan-Meier methodology and nonparametric tests. The cumulative survival rates were 91.7% (6 y), 81.6% (12 y), and 71.4% (29 y). The mean annual failure rate was 1.92%. Significant changes in the restoration-tooth interface from baseline to 5 y resulted in functional masticatory equilibrium. Clinical deterioration year by year, including micromorphologic microfractures and wear, reflected unique dynamic changes in long-term surviving restorations with very low secondary caries and fracture risks (German Network for Health Care Research VfD 29 99 003924).

Antimicrobial photodynamic active biomaterials for periodontal regeneration.

OBJECTIVE: Biomaterials for periodontal regeneration may have insufficient mechanical and antimicrobial properties or are difficult to apply under clinical conditions. The aim of the present study was to develop a polymeric bone grafting material of suitable physical appearance and antimicrobial photodynamic activity. METHODS: Two light curable biomaterials based on urethane dimethacrylate (BioM1) and a tri-armed oligoester-urethane methacrylate (BioM2) that additionally contained a mixture of ß-tricalcium phosphate microparticles and 20wt% photosensitizer mTHPC (PS) were fabricated and analyzed by their compressive strength, flexural strength and modulus of elasticity. Cytotoxicity was observed by incubating eluates and in direct-contact to MC3T3-E1 cells. Antimicrobial activity was ascertained on Porphyromonas gingivalis and Enterococcus faecalis upon illumination with laser light (652nm, 1×100J/cm2, 2×100J/cm2). RESULTS: The compressive strength, flexural strength and elastic modulus were, respectively, 311.73MPa, 22.81MPa and 318.85MPa for BioM1+PS and 742.37MPa, 7.58MPa and 406.23MPa for BioM2+PS. Both materials did not show any cytotoxic behavior. Single laser-illumination (652nm) caused total suppression of P. gingivalis (BioM2+PS), while repeated irradiation reduced E. faecalis by 3.7 (BioM1+PS) and 3.1 (BioM2+PS) log-counts. SIGNIFICANCE: Both materials show excellent mechanical and cytocompatible properties. In addition, irradiation with 652nm induced significant bacterial suppression. The manufactured biomaterials might enable a more efficient cure of periodontal bone lesions. Due to the mechanical properties functional stability might be increased. Further, the materials are antimicrobial upon illumination with light that enables a trans-mucosal eradication of residual pathogens.

Gentamicin coating of plasma chemical oxidized titanium alloy prevents implant-related osteomyelitis in rats.

Implant related infection is one of the most feared and devastating complication associated with the use of orthopaedic implant devices. Development of anti-infective surfaces is the main strategy to prevent implant contamination, biofilm formation and implant related osteomyelitis. A second concern in orthopaedics is insufficient osseointegration of uncemented implant devices. Recently, we reported on a macroporous titanium-oxide surface (bioactive TiOB) which increases osseointegration and implant fixation. To combine enhanced osseointegration and antibacterial function, the TiOB surfaces were, in addition, modified with a gentamicin coating. A rat osteomyelitis model with bilateral placement of titanium alloy implants was employed to analyse the prophylactic effect of gentamicin-sodiumdodecylsulfate (SDS) and gentamicin-tannic acid coatings in vivo. 20 rats were randomly assigned to four groups: (A) titanium alloy; PBS inoculum (negative control), (B) titanium alloy, Staphylococcus aureus inoculum (positive control), (C) bioactive TiOB with gentamicin-SDS and (D) bioactive TiOB plus gentamicin-tannic acid coating. Contamination of implants, bacterial load of bone powder and radiographic as well as histological signs of implant-related osteomyelitis were evaluated after four weeks. Gentamicin-SDS coating prevented implant contamination in 10 of 10 tibiae and gentamicin-tannic acid coating in 9 of 10 tibiae (infection prophylaxis rate 100% and 90% of cases, respectively). In Group (D) one implant showed colonisation of bacteria (swab of entry point and roll-out test positive for S. aureus). The interobserver reliability showed no difference in the histologic and radiographic osteomyelitis scores. In both gentamicin coated groups, a significant reduction of the histological osteomyelitis score (geometric mean values: C = 0.111 ± 0.023; D = 0.056 ± 0.006) compared to the positive control group (B: 0.244 ± 0.015; p < 0.05) was observed. The radiographic osteomyelitis scores confirmed these histological findings.

Grapefruit consumption improves vitamin C status in periodontitis patients.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies demonstrate a relationship between a lack of vitamin C and increased risk of periodontal disease. In the present study we examine the vitamin C plasma levels and inflammatory measures in periodontitis patients before and after the consumption of grapefruit. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight patients with chronic periodontitis were assigned to the test group (non-smokers n=21, smokers n=17) and a diseased control group (non-smokers n=11, smokers n=9). Furthermore, 22 healthy subjects were recruited to compare vitamin C plasma levels between periodontally diseased and healthy subjects. Clinical evaluations, including plaque index (PI), sulcus bleeding index (SBI), probing pocket depths (PPD) and plasma vitamin C levels, were performed at baseline, and after two weeks of grapefruit consumption. RESULTS: At baseline, we observed significantly reduced plasma vitamin C levels in the test group and diseased controls in comparison with the healthy controls. On principle, smokers showed lower levels of vitamin C (mean 0.39 +/- 0.17 mg dl(-1)) than non-smokers (mean 0.56+/-0.29 mg dl(-1)). After grapefruit consumption, the mean plasma vitamin C levels rose significantly in the test group compared to the diseased controls (non-smokers: 0.87+/-0.39 mg dl(-1), smokers: 0.74+/-0.30 mg dl(-1)). Furthermore the SBI was reduced in the test group (non-smokers: from 1.68+/-0.6 to 1.05+/-0.6, p<0.001), whereas PI and PPD were unaffected. CONCLUSION: The present results show that periodontitis patients are characterised by plasma vitamin C levels below the normal range, especially in smokers. The intake of grapefruit leads to an increase in plasma vitamin C levels and improves sulcus bleeding scores. Longer term studies are necessary to determine whether other periodontal outcomes improve with such supplementation especially in smokers.

First-time isolation of Candida dubliniensis from plaque and carious dentine of primary teeth.

AIM: To determine those organisms of the genus Candida associated with dental caries by investigating samples from active carious lesions. Within the genus Candida, the species Candida albicans and Candida dubliniensis are capable of forming chlamydospores and germ tubes. Until it became possible in 1995 to differentiate between the two species taxonomically, C. dubliniensis was falsely identified as C. albicans. Whilst the importance of C. albicans for rapidly progressing early childhood caries (ECC) has been recognised, so far there have been only reports about C. dubliniensis in connection with children/mothers who have been infected with HIV or already developed AIDS. In the present study, C. dubliniensis was for the first time isolated from plaque and carious dentine of a healthy five-year-old boy. METHODS: As part of the investigation, a number of samples were collected from individual children affected by active dental caries. Amongst the samples, one in particular indicated that Candida species might be involved. The patient was a five-year-old boy with ECC of the primary dentition, scheduled for restorative treatment under general anaesthesia. Before treatment, a salivary, plaque (region of 54/55) and soft carious dentine sample from the tooth 51 was taken before extraction. The counts of yeasts, lactobacilli (LB) and mutans streptococci were determined in the samples. RESULTS: The boy's dmft was 11, which was dominated by the d component. In the saliva of the boy, LB and mutans streptococci (MS) were detected. In plaque and carious dentine, MS and most interestingly C. dubliniensis were present. The yeasts were visualised in carious dentine by means of scanning electron micrographs. CONCLUSIONS: Plaque and carious dentine may be a further habitat of C. dubliniensis.

Beta-defensin-2 genomic copy number variation and chronic periodontitis.

Chronic periodontitis (ChP) is a multifactorial disease influenced by microbial and host genetic variability; however, the role of beta-defensin-2 genomic (DEFB4) copy number (CN) variation (V) in ChP remains unknown. The association of the occurrence and severity of ChP and DEFB4 CNV was analyzed. Our study included 227 unrelated Caucasians, that is, 136 ChP patients (combined ChP) and 91 control individuals. The combined ChP group was subdivided into the severe ChP and slight-to-moderate ChP subgroups. To determine DEFB4 CNV, we isolated genomic DNA samples and analyzed them by relative quantitation using the comparative CT method. The serum beta-defensin-2 (hBD-2) level was determined via ELISA. The distribution pattern and mean DEFB4 CN did not differ significantly in combined ChP cases vs. the controls; however, the mean DEFB4 CN in the severe ChP group differed significantly from those for the control and slight-to-moderate ChP groups. Low DEFB4 CN increased the risk of severe ChP by about 3-fold. DEFB4 CN was inversely associated with average attachment loss. Mean serum hBD-2 levels were highest in the controls, followed by the slight-to-moderate ChP group and the severe ChP group. The results suggested an association between decreased DEFB4 CN and serum hBD-2 levels and periodontitis severity.

Photoinactivation of F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis using the ruthenium-based RD3 sensitizer and a conventional halogen lamp.

OBJECTIVE: The photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an alternative method to suppress oral pathogens by the activation of a photosensitizer with laser light. The aim of this study was to investigate the phototoxic effect of three ruthenium-based photosensitizers on Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis. METHODS: In this in vitro study F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis were incubated with three photosensitizers: (i) a hydrophobic tris-(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)-ruthenium(II)-dication (RD3), (ii) a hydrophilic tris-[(1,10-phenanthroline-4,7-diyl)-bis-(benzenesulfonato)]-ruthenate tetra-anion (RSD3) and (iii) a lower hydrophilic tris-(2,2'-bipyridine)-ruthenium(II) dication (RBY). The subsequent irradiation was done with blue-band halogen light (450-485nm) for 20s using a conventional polymerizer. Control samples consisted of bacterial cell suspension irradiated and non-irradiated in the absence of photosensitizer or incubated with the photosensitizer without irradiation. Bacterial inactivation was determined by the numbers of colony-forming units (cfu/ml) after anaerobic cultivation. RESULTS: The RD3 photosensitizer reduced the viability of F. nucleatum by 4-log10 and of P. gingivalis completely after irradiation for 20s. The viability loss correlated significantly with the concentration of the RD3 photosensitizer and reached a peak at a concentration of 12.5µM (p<0.05). The RSD3 and RBY photosensitizers had distinctly lower phototoxic effects in comparison to RD3. CONCLUSION: The RD3 photosensitizer showed a phototoxic effect on F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis. The results suggest that the application of the RD3 photosensitizer under visible light may be helpful as an adjunct treatment approach to the inactivation of periodontopathogenic bacteria.

Vitamin C attenuates the cytotoxic effects of Porphyromonas gingivalis on human gingival fibroblasts.

OBJECTIVE: Periodontitis is induced by an imbalance between bacterial virulence and host defense ability involving increased levels of oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of vitamin C on the cytotoxic effects of Porphyromonas gingivalis on human gingival fibroblasts (HGF). METHODS: This in vitro study observed the interaction between HGF and P. gingivalis. HGF were cultured with medium containing vitamin C and exposed to P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 for a maximum of 180 min. The assessment of cell viability was followed by a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-ly)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium-bromide (MTT) assay. The apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry using Annexin-V-FITC and propidium iodide. Superoxide as an oxidative stress factor was measured photometrically by the reduction of ferricytochrome C. RESULTS: Vitamin C reduced the cytotoxic effects of P. gingivalis on HGF. Vitamin C-treated HGF showed significantly higher cell viability rates (89.0+/-5.7%) in comparison to untreated HGF (77.0+/-5.0%; p<0.05). In vitamin C-treated HGF, lower apoptosis rates (40.0+/-2.2%) were observed after P. gingivalis exposure than in untreated HGF (66.1+/-1.6%; p<0.05). The exposure of HGF to P. gingivalis led to a significant increase of superoxide concentration, but this effect was not influenced by vitamin C. CONCLUSION: Vitamin C reduces the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of P. gingivalis on HGF in vitro. These results suggest that the benefit of vitamin C should be further investigated clinically.

Evidence for a specific crevicular lymphocyte profile in aggressive periodontitis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: It is undisputed that the periodontal pocket is a particular region of the host defense that is dominated by polymorphonuclear leukocytes. However, little is known about the lymphocytes in the crevice. It was the aim of this study to analyse the proportions of T cells (CD3+), T-helper cells (CD4+), T-suppressor cells (CD8+), and B cells (CD20+) in the crevice of patients with localized aggressive periodontitis (LAP), generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAP), and generalized chronic periodontitis (CP). The results were compared with those obtained from periodontally healthy controls. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Crevicular cells were collected according to a previously described method. The lymphocyte subpopulations were analysed by using an indirect immunofluorescence method. RESULTS: Significant differences were established between the test groups and the controls regarding the mean number of CD8+ lymphocytes (LAP > CP and controls; p < 0.05) and CD20+ lymphocytes (LAP/GAP > CP, p < 0.05 and LAP/GAP > controls; p < 0.001). Significant variations in the CD4+/CD8+ ratio were observed (LAP < controls and GAP < controls; p < 0.01), as well as a correlation between the number of T cells and the degree of inflammation. CONCLUSION: In the present study, patients with LAP and patients with GAP were found to have increased numbers of crevicular T-suppressor/cytotoxic and B cells. This supports the hypothesis of a changed immune pathology in patients with aggressive periodontitis.

Effect of smoking on crevicular polymorphonuclear neutrophil function in periodontally healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND: Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) represent the first line of cellular defences in the gingival crevice. Smoking, as probably the most important environmental risk factor for periodontitis, has been shown to adversely affect many neutrophil functions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of smoking on PMN numbers and function in periodontally healthy smokers and non-smokers. METHODS: Sixty subjects were recruited: 15 non-smokers, 15 light smokers (< 5 cigarettes/day), 15 moderate smokers (5-15 cigarettes/day) and 15 heavy smokers (> 15 cigarettes/day). Full mouth plaque index, sulcus bleeding index and probing depths were measured. Crevicular washings were obtained from all subjects to harvest PMNs. Numbers of PMNs, percentage viability, and percentage phagocytosis of opsonized Candida albicans were recorded. RESULTS: Mean plaque scores and probing depths were (non-significantly) increased in smokers compared to non-smokers. Mean sulcus bleeding index scores were significantly lower in moderate (0.10 +/- 0.10) and heavy (0.07 +/- 0.11) smokers compared to non-smokers (0.14 +/- 0.13) (p < 0.05). Compared to non-smokers (1.73 +/- 1.08 x 10(6)/ml), the numbers of PMNs were higher in light (1.98 +/- 0.96 x 10(6)/ml) and moderate (2.03 +/- 1.43 x 10(6)/ml) smokers and were lower in heavy smokers (1.68 +/- 1.18 x 10(6)/ml), though there were no significant differences in PMN counts between the groups (p > 0.05). Percentage viability of PMNs was significantly lower in light (77.6 +/- 7.8%), moderate (76.5 +/- 8.2%) and heavy (75.0 +/- 6.5%) smokers compared to non-smokers (85.5 +/- 6.0%) (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the ability of PMNs to phagocytose was significantly impaired in light (58.3 +/- 4.1%), moderate (51.9 +/- 2.33%) and heavy (40.9 +/- 3.5%) smokers compared to non-smokers (74.1 +/- 4.1%) (p < 0.05), with evidence of a dose-response effect. CONCLUSION: Cigarette smoking adversely affected PMN viability and function in this periodontally healthy population.

Periodontal dressing (Vocopac) influences outcomes in a two-step treatment procedure.

OBJECTIVES: It is not clear if periodontal dressing influences the long-term results in a non-surgical treatment procedure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The periodontal parameters (pre-baseline) of 36 patients with aggressive periodontitis were obtained before the patients were treated initially (1st step) by a dental hygienist, who completely removed the supra- and subgingival concrements. Baseline parameters were raised 3 weeks after the 1st step, before the 2nd therapy step was conducted. It consisted of a non-surgical procedure, which comprised a closed full-mouth manual root curettage (root planing), immediate systemic application of metronidazole, and the placement of a periodontal dressing (Vocopac, Voco). The patients were randomized to two test groups having their periodontal packs removed after 3-4 days (group 1, n=12) and 7-8 days (group 2, n=12), respectively and a control group (n=12) without periodontal dressing. Clinical parameters were raised again after 6 and 24 months. RESULTS: Six and 24 months later, changes in probing pocket depth (PPD) and probing attachment level (PAL) were observed in all three groups compared with baseline, but the difference was significant in group 2 only. In addition, group 2 showed a greater reduction in mean PPD and also a significantly greater gain of attachment in comparison with the controls. CONCLUSION: Wound dressing has a positive effect on clinical long-term results using a two-step non-surgical procedure. Moreover, removing the dressing after 7-8 days leads to clearly better results than removing it earlier.