Non-stick properties of thin-film coatings on dental-restorative instruments.

The non-stick properties of thin-film coatings on dental-restorative instruments were investigated by static contact-angle measurement using dental filler resin as well as by scanning electron microscopy of the amount of sticking dental restorative material. Furthermore, using a customized dipping measurement set-up, non-stick properties were evaluated by measuring force-by-time when the instrument was pulled out of restorative material. Minor improvements in non-stick properties were obtained with commercial diamond-like carbon and commercial polytetrafluoroethylene-based coatings. Major improvements were obtained with an in-house fabricated superhydrophobic coating prepared by a multistep process consisting of surface microstructuring by etching in hydrogen fluoride (HF): hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) (1:1; vol/vol), atomic layer deposition of a 7 nm coating of aluminium oxide and titanium oxide, and a self-assembled monolayer of fluorinated organosilicon. Superhydrophobic coatings provide a possible future solution to prevent unwanted adnerence of composite restorative material to dental instruments.

Oral self-care and use of dental services among adults with diabetes mellitus.

PURPOSE: To investigate the oral health behaviour and the smoking habits among diabetic adults with regard to diabetes-related factors and their background information. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 2005, a questionnaire was conducted among diabetic adults (N = 299) in Tehran, Iran. The subjects were invited to the dental clinic and were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire. In addition to their background information, the questionnaire requested information on smoking, oral self-care, dental attendance, year of onset of diabetes and organ complications related to diabetes. The data related to the type of diabetes and the latest value of glycosylated haemoglobin level (HbA1c) were obtained from the patient records at the diabetic clinic. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression model were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Of all the subjects, 29% reported brushing their teeth on a twice-daily basis. Women (P = 0.05) reported higher frequencies of twice-daily tooth brushing. Subjects with moderate diabetic control (HbA1c = 7.6-8.5%) showed the highest rate for twice-daily tooth brushing (P < 0.001). Of all the subjects, 47% reported having visited a clinician within the past 12 months; this rate was the highest among those without diabetes-related complications (52% versus 41%; P = 0.05). Subjects who had a physician referral were more likely to report having had a dental visit within the past 12 months (OR = 4.4; CI = 1.9-10.2). CONCLUSIONS: The present results call for improvement in the level of oral self-care and the regularity of dental checkups among diabetic adults to compensate for their increased risk for oral diseases.

Statin use is associated with fewer periodontal lesions: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory processes are considered to participate in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Statins have been used successfully in the prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease. Chronic periodontitis has been suggested to contribute to CVD. The aim of this study was to examine the association of statin use and clinical markers of chronic periodontitis. METHODS: Periodontal probing pocket depth (PPD) values were collected from dental records of 100 consecutive adult patients referred to a university dental clinic for treatment of advanced chronic periodontitis. A novel index, Periodontal Inflammatory Burden Index (PIBI), was derived from the PPD values to estimate systemic effects of periodontitis. RESULTS: Periodontitis patients taking statins had a 37% lower number of pathological periodontal pockets than those without statin medication (P = 0.00043). PIBI, which combines and unifies the data on PPD, was 40% smaller in statin using patients than in patients without statin (P = 0.00069). PIBI of subjects on simvastatin and atorvastatin both differed significantly from patients without statin and were on the same level. The subjects' number of teeth had no effect on the results CONCLUSION: Patients on statin medication exhibit fewer signs of periodontal inflammatory injury than subjects without the statin regimen. PIBI provides a tool for monitoring inflammatory load of chronic periodontitis. The apparent beneficial effects of statins may in part be mediated by their pleiotropic anti-inflammatory effect on periodontal tissue.

Periodontal treatment needs of diabetic adults.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate diabetes-related factors in relation to periodontal treatment needs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 299 dentate diabetics attending a diabetic clinic in Tehran, Iran. A self-administered questionnaire was administered during a dental appointment in order to gather information about year of birth, year of onset of diabetes, education and organ complications related to diabetes. Number of teeth, the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs and visible plaque were recorded. RESULTS: None of the subjects had a healthy periodontium. Shallow periodontal pockets were the most prevalent finding. Periodontal pockets exceeding 5 mm and a higher number of missing teeth were associated with a low level of education. The sum of plaque scores [odds ratio (OR)=1.3; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-1.5] was related to the presence of deepened pockets when controlling for other factors. Among diabetes-related factors, the only significant association with CPITN > or =3 was by HbA1c (OR=0.7; 95% CI 0.6-0.9); for CPITN=4, no associations with the diabetes-related factors appeared. CONCLUSIONS: The poor periodontal status of our diabetic patients indicates a need to establish a comprehensive oral health promotion programme for diabetics based on collaboration between dental and general health care professionals involved in diabetic care.