Evaluation of a novel instrument for placement of dental sealants.

PURPOSE: To evaluate marginal seal, adaptation, surface texture, and bubble presence of pit and fissure sealants when using a novel instrument (C-Shape It) or the manufacturers' supplied applicators for sealant placement into occlusal fissures. METHODS: Extracted molars with occlusal fissures were cleaned with pumice slurry and divided into six groups (n= 10/gp); three treatment and three control. Sealant materials placed included Ultraseal, Delton, and Helioseal. Excess water was removed per manufacturers' instructions. Sealants were applied with each applicator and with the C-Shape It to each group from cusp to cusp without covering marginal ridges, and the polymerization guidelines for photocuring were followed for all the groups. Samples were thermocycled at 500x between 5° and 55°C. Teeth were sectioned in a buccolingual direction with a minimum of four sections per tooth and examined under a light microscope at 50x and scored. RESULTS: Marginal seal, adaptation, penetration ability, surface texture, bubble formation and location of the sealants were analyzed using two-way ANOVA on ranks with a 95% confidence interval. The C-Shape It instrument showed consistently smoother surface texture (P< 0.001), which was statistically significant versus all manufacturers' applicators for all materials. Bubble presence was statistically significantly less with the instrument C-Shape It versus the manufacturers' applicators for all materials (P< 0.001). Results also revealed significant differences in marginal sealant adaptation. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: C-Shape It demonstrated consistent ability to reduce bubbles and improve surface texture and adaptation in occlusal fissures for all pit and fissure products tested.

Oral Health and Behavior Patterns of Women with Eating Disorders-A Clinical Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic stomach regurgitation associated with eating disorders (EDs) poses a high risk for tooth erosion. This study investigated oral health conditions, behavioral patterns, and tooth erosion in women with EDs. METHODS: 16 ED and 13 healthy women were enrolled; 14 ED and 10 healthy control subjects completed the study. Subjects completed demographic, medical, oral, and behavioral health history questionnaires. Dental caries status was recorded as Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT)index and the severity of tooth erosion as Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) scores. Saliva was collected for flow rate, pH, and buffering capacity analysis. RESULTS: The ED group had a lower stimulated saliva flow rate and higher DMFT index but no significant difference in BEWE scores compared to the controls (t-test, significance level 0.05). Five of the fourteen ED subjects exhibited extensive tooth erosion, which may have been exacerbated by their tooth-brushing behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Although some ED subjects showed extensive tooth erosion in this pilot study, the average BEWE score of the ED group was not significantly different from the controls. Extensive tooth erosion in ED may relate to the low stimulated salivary flow. A larger-scale clinical study is necessary to validate these results.

Neutralizing salivary pH by mouthwashes after an acidic challenge.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to test the neutralizing effect of mouthwashes on salivary pH after an acidic challenge. METHODS: Twelve participants were recruited for three visits, one morning per week. Resting saliva was collected at baseline and after 2-min swishing with 20 mL orange juice as an acidic challenge. Participants then rinsed their mouth for 30 s with 20 mL water (control), an over-the-counter mouthwash (Listerine), or a two-step mouthwash, randomly assigned for each visit. Saliva was collected immediately, 15, and 45 min after rinsing. The pH values of the collected saliva were measured and analyzed with anova, followed by Student-Newman-Keuls post-hoc test (significance level: 0.05). RESULTS: Orange juice significantly lowered salivary pH. Immediately after rinsing, Listerine and water brought pH back to baseline values, with the pH significantly higher in the Listerine group. The two-step mouthwash raised pH significantly higher than Listerine and water, and higher than the baseline value. Salivary pH returned to baseline and was not significantly different among groups at 15 and 45 min post-rinsing. CONCLUSIONS: Mouth rinsing after an acidic challenge increased salivary pH. The tested mouthwashes raised pH higher than water. Mouthwashes with a neutralizing effect can potentially reduce tooth erosion from acid exposure.