Can Specular Gloss Measurements Predict the Effectiveness of Finishing/Polishing Protocols in Dental Polymers? A Systematic Review and Linear Mixed-effects Prediction Model.

PURPOSE: The current gold standard measure to assess polishing efficacy is surface roughness (SR) assessed in laboratory research. Specular gloss (SG) has been negatively correlated to SR, which raises the following question: Can SG be used to accurately determine the effectiveness of a finishing/polishing procedure in direct resin composites? METHODS: A systematic approach and search strategy, following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, was developed and conducted in five electronic databases: PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE (Ovid), and SciELO/LILACS to identify laboratory studies that assessed SR and SG, simultaneously, of resin composites, without date or language restriction. Risk of bias assessment was carried out by two reviewers, independently. From the extracted quantitative data of SG/SR, regression analyses were performed, and a linear mixed-effects prediction model was derived using the nimble package in R (v4.0.3). RESULTS: A total of 928 potential studies were found, out of which, 13 were eligible after criterion screening. Experimental groups featured 31 resin composites of six different filler types, with the most common being microhybrids followed by nanohybrids. More than half of the studies initially reported a linear correlation between SR and SG, which ranged from r2 = 0.34-0.96. Taking into account the regression analysis and prediction model posteriorly performed, the corresponding SG threshold for 0.2 µm is estimated to be >55 GU. Most of the evidence was classified as moderate or high risk of bias. CONCLUSION: SG is universally correlated to SR in polymers, and a reference value of >55 GU is proposed, above which samples are considered well polished.

Nicorandil can induce severe oral ulceration.

OBJECTIVE: To increase physicians' and dentists' awareness that nicorandil is a potential inducer of severe mouth ulceration. STUDY DESIGN: Nine new cases of ulceration from 3 European countries were included in this study. RESULTS: Oral ulceration developed within 9 months of beginning nicorandil therapy, and ulcers resolved within 1 month of withdrawal of the drug. No lesions developed on other epithelia. CONCLUSIONS: A number of drugs used in the care of patients with cardiovascular disease can cause oral adverse effects. Nicorandil, a new potassium-channel activator used in some countries to treat angina pectoris, precipitates persistent ulcerative stomatitis in some patients.

[Fissure sealants--5 years of use]. / Selantes de fissura--5 anos de utilizaçao.

This study assesses the caries prevalence, retention and cost-effectiveness of a pit and fissure sealant in a children population with 622 cases, 5 years after a single application of an auto-polymerized sealant to permanent molars. The status of the sealant and the presence of caries or restaurations on the sealed teeth was assessed. In a self-controlled group of children, the prevalence of disease (caries and restaurations) was also assessed in non-sealed teeth, for comparison. The sealant application was compared with Class I-restauration with amalgam for cost-effectiveness analysis.

[Dentists and the prevention of oral cancer]. / Os dentistas e a prevenção do cacro oral.

The authors, after participating on the European Conference on Dentists and Cancer Prevention, part of the program Europe Against Cancer, describe the main conclusions of the working groups, namelly on epidemiology and etiology of oral cancer, participation of dentists on community based programs for primary and secondary prevention of pré-cancer and cancer, as well as the curriculum changes proposed for Dental degree and the role of continuous education and of dental societies in this field.

European School of Oncology Advisory report to the European Commission for the Europe Against Cancer Programme: oral carcinogenesis in Europe.

A European School of Oncology Advisory Group has reviewed current knowledge on the epidemiology, treatment and prevention of cancer of the oral cavity. While the major factors in the aetiology of such cancers are thought to be well understood, i.e. tobacco and alcohol consumption, current increases in the occurrence of the disease, especially in young adults throughout Europe, are cause for concern. The reasons for such increases are not clearly evident and the Advisory Group has suggested further work which is required to be carried out to understand the aetiology. In treatment of the disease there have been no major improvements in survival for patients in recent decades and the importance of examining new radiotherapy modalities and defining the role of chemotherapy is emphasized. Primary prevention of oral cancer could be achieved by stopping smoking tobacco, limiting alcohol consumption to a minimum (2-3 drinks per day) and increasing intake of fruits and vegetables. To supplement these actions, while neither population screening programmes nor screening trials could be recommended by the Advisory Group, initial chemoprevention trials have produced some promising results and this represents an interesting area which is the focus of much current research.