The co-occurrence of the two main oral diseases: periodontitis and dental caries.

OBJECTIVES: Limited studies are available testing through multiple regression models the association between the two main oral diseases: dental caries and periodontitis. The aim of this cross-sectional population-based study was to verify whether dental caries and periodontitis co-occur in a representative sample of the South Korea population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 23,405 subjects representative of 36.2 million of adults (KNHANES) were examined. Univariate and multiple regression analyses using 7 different models were applied, controlling for age, gender, smoking status, frequency of toothbrushing, use of interproximal toothbrushes and flossing, educational level, income, gum diseases treatment and tooth filling in the previous year, BMI, Vitamin D serum levels, alcoholism, diabetes status, stress and carbohydrates dietary intake. RESULTS: In the fully adjusted model, participants with periodontitis had, respectively, a mean of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.41-1.23) and of 0.36 (95% CI: 0.22-0.50) more untreated decayed surfaces and teeth than participants without periodontitis, with an OR to have at least one untreated decayed surface of 1.96 (95% CI: 1.66-2.32). However, cumulative caries experience (DF scores) and periodontitis were not associated. CONCLUSIONS: In this large nationally representative population, periodontitis and untreated dental caries co-occur. However, when considering cumulative caries experience (DF scores), the two diseases do not appear related. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In light of their possible co-occurrence, clinicians should implement integrative diagnostic, preventive and treatment strategies for both diseases.

Does a social/behavioural gradient in dental health exist among adults? A cross-sectional study.

Objective To explore the potential presence of a social/behavioural gradient in dental health among Italian adults using a cross-sectional study. Methods Caries indices were recorded among 480 subjects (52.9% men, 47.1% women) who also completed a structured self-administered social and behavioural questionnaire. A social/behavioural gradient was generated as the sum of the worst circumstances recorded on the questionnaire (cariogenic diet, smoking, lowest occupational profile, brushing teeth < twice daily, lowest educational level, uneven dental examination attendance). Results Caries figures (DMFT) and the number of filled sound teeth (FS-T) were statistically significantly linked to the social/behavioural gradient (DMFT: χ2(9) = 20.17 p = 0.02, Z = 0.02 p = 0.99; FS-T: χ2(9) = 25.68 p < 0.01, Z = -4.31 p < 0.01). DMFT was statistically significantly associated with gender and with social and behavioural variables. FS-T was higher in women (p = 0.03) and was linked to smoking ( p < 0.01). Conclusions The proposed social/behavioural gradient demonstrated how subjects reporting the worst circumstances on the questionnaire exhibited the worst dental health. The use of the gradient demonstrates that health promotion and prevention cannot be compartmentalized.

The perioperative dental screening and management of patients undergoing cardiothoracic, vascular surgery and other cardiovascular invasive procedures: A systematic review.

Background One controversial issue in the relationship between oral care and cardiovascular diseases is how and whether to manage oral infections prior to cardiovascular surgery or other cardiovascular invasive procedures. Design We designed a systematic review to assess the information available on three main questions. Is there an agreement on the need for dental evaluation and treatment before cardiovascular interventions? Are consistent clinical recommendations or protocols available? Is dental treatment prior to cardiovascular interventions effective? Methods A systematic electronic search of MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science was performed from the database inceptions up to 31 April 2016. Searches were performed using Boolean operators to combine medical subject headings and free text words. Because this review included a large, heterogeneous group of study designs and sources, the results were synthesised in a narrative approach. Results In total, 2447 studies were identified: 2099 (+241 duplicates) were excluded after screening; 107 were included for full-text assessment; 55 were excluded for not meeting the inclusion criteria; and 11 were not available. Thus, 44 studies meeting the inclusion criteria were analysed. We found that, for patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery, there is a general agreement on the need for screening and treatment of dental infections, but not on the protocols. We also found that there are conflicting indications on when and to what extent to perform the treatment and that the risk-to-benefit ratios for these treatments are controversial. Conclusion No satisfactory answers regarding dental care before cardiovascular invasive procedures are available.

The use of magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of upper airway structures in paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: A systematic review was conducted to assess the effectiveness of MRI in evaluating upper airway structures in children affected by obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). METHODS: A literature search was performed in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Scopus and PubMed databases from their inception to 31/03/2016, including available randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical trials published in English assessing the use of MRI integrated with traditional polysomnography (PSG) among children up to 15 years of age affected by OSAS. The primary outcome to be evaluated was the efficacy of MRI in analyzing the upper airway total volume among healthy children compared with children affected by OSAS. Secondary outcomes were to compare the efficacy of MRI in analyzing the upper airway cross-sectional area in the areas adjacent to the adenoids and tonsils, adenoid and tonsil volume, and soft-tissue and maxillofacial bone parameters in the same sample. Results were expressed using a random-effects model and mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: The search yielded 1005 titles in total; the selection process narrowed to 3 titles, which were all assessed as indicating an unclear level of risk of bias. The meta-analysis found evidence of MRI effectiveness in evaluating differences in the upper airway total volume between paediatric patients affected by OSAS and paediatric patients not affected by OSAS (MD -0.56 cm(3); 95% CI: -1.05 to -0.07). CONCLUSIONS: Although MRI could be considered effective in evaluating upper airway structures in children affected by OSAS, based on the present evidence, PSG is still the golden standard and further studies are required to verify MRI reliability.

Oral lichen planus clinical characteristics in Italian patients: a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Oral lichen Planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease involving skin and mucous membranes. Its etiology is still uncertain whilst an autoimmune mechanism is known to be implicated. OLP is commonly considered a geriatric disease and gender differences in prevalence are clear, whereby females are generally more frequently affected than males more often during the 5th and 6th decades of life. Lesions are symmetrical and bilateral and the buccal mucosa is frequently involved. The risk of malignant transformation is extremely low. This study aims to describe both the clinical characteristics and the prevalence of OLP among a group of patients from Southern Italy. The results of the present study were compared to analogous retrospective studies. METHODS: Eighty-seven (31 man and 56 woman) cases of OLP were retrospectively reviewed and demographic and clinical data were collected. Data about OLP as clinical forms, oral and extraoral sites involved and Visual Analogue Scale were also recorded. RESULTS: The average age of OLP onset was 59.2 years. The most common clinical presentation was the hyperkeratosic type. Symptomatic OLP was noted in 26.8 % of the patiens. The most frequently affected oral sites were buccal mucosa, tongue, gums. The most frequently associated systemic diseases were diabetes, hypertension, C hepatitis and thyroiditis. Only one patient developed a malignant transformation (1.2 %). CONCLUSIONS: Previous retrospective studies report data partially comparable with our results. Different geographic area, number of enrolled patients and OLP classification criteria may justify the observed differences.