Musculoskeletal disorders related to dental hygienist profession.

OBJECTIVES: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are occupational illnesses concerned with different classes of professionals; dental hygienists are among those. The aim of this trial is to evaluate MSDs prevalence and significance of the symptoms in a sample of dental hygienists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 20-question questionnaire was administered to a sample of dental hygienists, via social networks. The variables taken into consideration were personal data, hours of sport, working habits, years of professional activity, working hours and number of patients per week, presence or absence of pain. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data were evaluated using standard statistical analysis software, and an Excel database was created. Descriptive statistics were calculated for each variable. Group comparison was assessed by the chi-square test of homogeneity and Fisher's exact test. (p-value <0.05 as significant). RESULTS: 468 questionnaires were examined: 396 females (85%) and 72 males (15%). The prevailing age was between 25 and 35. Among them, 91% referred to be suffering or have suffered MSDs. The most relevant affected muscular areas are neck (30.6%), shoulder (25.0%) and lumbosacral region (23.3%); the remaining 21.1% is divided among the other regions. Association and statistical analysis among the different variables showed how presence of MSDs negatively influences absenteeism and work performance; further research regarding ergonomics, type of seat, stretching and workout prevention would be important to strengthen the results collected. CONCLUSIONS: Musculoskeletal disorders diffusion among dental hygienists is particularly high due to lack of information; the majority of interviewees showed very little awareness of it; this led to a lack of effort in facing or possibly preventing these pathologies.

COMPARATIVE ANALGESIC EFFECTS OF SINGLE-DOSE PREOPERATIVE ADMINISTRATION OF PARACETAMOL (ACETAMINOPHEN) 500 mg PLUS CODEINE 30 mg AND IBUPROFEN 400 mg ON PAIN AFTER THIRD MOLAR SURGERY.

BACKGROUND: Efficacy and rapid onset of postsurgical oral pain relief are critical to improve clinical outcomes and reduce the risk of excessive dosing with analgesic drugs. PURPOSE: To compare analgesic effects of preoperative administration of paracetamol 500 mg plus codeine 30 mg in single-tablet and effervescent formulation to ibuprofen 400 mg, and placebo in the management of moderate to severe postoperative pain after mandibular third molar surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty healthy outpatients aged 15-29 years undergoing surgical removal of 1 bony impacted mandibular third molar were enrolled in this, single-center, prospective, randomized, triple-blind parallel-group, placebo-controlled, clinical trial. Study participants were randomly assigned to three treatment arms. According to the concealed allocation, each patient 30 minutes before surgery received paracetamol 500 mg plus codeine 30 mg (group APAP/COD), ibuprofen 400 mg (group IBU) or placebo (group PLA). Rescue therapy allowed in the postoperative period was paracetamol 500 mg plus codeine 30 mg in groups APAP/COD and PLA and ibuprofen 400 mg in group IBU. Patients recorded on Numerical Rating Scale-11 (NRS-11) the pain intensity, total number of postoperative-supplement medications and time of the first intake, until 12-hours after surgery and over extra 2 days, RESULTS: Over postoperative 3 days, patients in the APAP/COD group (2.33 ± 1.99) displayed significantly (P< .001) less pain intensity than IBU (3.43 ± 2.47) and placebo (3.57 ± 2.62) groups. The first-day postoperative pain was significantly (P < .001) higher in group PLA than in groups APAP/COD and IBU, but not between the latter 2 groups. However, at 2 hours postdose, the IBU group displayed average pain intensity lower than APAP/COD group (P> .05). On the next 2 days, pain intensity was significantly (P< .001) lower in group APAP/COD than in groups IBU and PLA but failed to reach statistical significance between groups IBU and PLA. Although the time to the first using rescue therapy was longer (445.88 ± 159.96 minute) in group IBU, compared to groups APAP/COD (392.67 ± 138.90 minutes) and PLA (323.00 ± 143.95 minutes), the number of supplemented tablets was significantly higher in group IBU (2.89 ± 2.13) than in groups APAP/COD (1.24 ± 1.79) (P= .001) and PLA (1.53 ± 1.67) (P = .008). No adverse events were registered for all groups. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limits of the present study, over postoperative 3 days, a statistically significant intensity pain reduction and decreased rescue therapy consumption were recorded in the paracetamol-codeine group than to ibuprofen group. Nevertheless, lower pain intensity at 2 hours postdose and longer time using rescue therapy was found in the ibuprofen group without statistical significance. No adverse events occurred over the studied period.

Rehabilitation of Postextractive Socket in the Premaxilla: A 12-Year Study on 27 Titanium Plasma Spray Resorbable Calcium Phosphate Coated Single Implants.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the peri-implant bone tissue level on postextractive resorbable calcium phosphate coated single implants placed in premaxillary sites grafted with autologous bone, anorganic bovine bone (ABB), platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and keratinized epithelial connective graft over 12 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 27 patients received a postextractive single implant in premaxillary sites grafted with ABB and PRP. Two months later, a keratinized epithelial connective graft was applied and the implants loaded. Clinical and radiographical evaluations were performed at baseline, 6 and 18 months, 4 and 6 years after the implant insertion, and then every 2 years up to the 12th year. RESULTS: After 12 years, a total of 22 implants (81.48%), were available for the final data analysis; the implants achieved a 100% cumulative survival rate, and only a mild degree of periodontal tissue inflammation was recorded. The radiographic evaluation revealed a physiological marginal bone remodeling over the follow-up. CONCLUSION: Although a good preservation of the residual bone tissue in postextraction implant sites treated with keratinized epithelial connective tissue grafts was observed, the low number of treated cases does not allow us to propose this experimental protocol to all cases of bone defects but it certainly represents a new option. Further studies on a greater number of patients and using implants with different surface characteristics should be conducted for a better understanding of the indications of the proposed treatment.

Correlation among periodontal health status, maternal age and pre-term low birth weight.

PURPOSE: To assess correlations between periodontal status, maternal age and adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as pre-term and low birth weight in a sample of pregnant women. METHODS: Study population was represented by outpatient pregnant women, gestational age > 26 weeks. Medical history questionnaires were administered to all participants who underwent clinical evaluation; clinical obstetric outcome records were collected after delivery. A questionnaire was administered regarding personal information, socio-economic status, oral hygiene habits, and oral health conditions. A clinical oral examination was performed to collect Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) and Community Periodontal Index (CPI). Pregnancy outcome records included: delivery week, kind and causes of delivery, any relevant complications, and birth weight. Descriptive statistics were used to depict the data from the questionnaire while the relationship between delivery week, birth weight, maternal age and periodontal status was evaluated through multivariate tests of significance. RESULTS: 88 pregnant women were enrolled in the study. The results showed a statistically significant correlation (P< 0.001) among participants older than 40 years of age, between periodontal disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes. No statistical correlation was found among pre-term and low birth weight, smoking, ethnicity and educational level of mothers. The results highlight the importance of including a routine oral and periodontal health examination in pregnant women older than 40 years of age. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The correlation between periodontal status and adverse pregnancy outcomes in older mothers indicates the need for routine oral health examination and periodontal status assessment and care in pregnant women older than 40 years of age.

Anatomical Remodeling of Buccal Bone Plate in 35 Premaxillary Post-Extraction Immediately Restored Single TPS Implants: 10-Year Radiographic Investigation.

PURPOSE: The anatomical remodeling technique (ART) was proposed to place postextraction implants with the aid of specific osteotomes. This study is a clinical and radiographic evaluation with 10-year follow-up of anterior postextraction single implants placed with the ART and immediately restored. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients, with a hopeless tooth in the anterior maxilla, were included in the study and 35 implants were inserted according to the ART. Clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed at baseline (T0), after 6 (T1) and 14 months (T2), 4 years after surgery (T3) and every other year up to the 10-year follow-up (T4, T5, and T6). Implant success, survival, and failure rates were evaluated according to the International Congress of Oral Implantologists Pisa Consensus Conference criteria. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients and 29 implants were available for the 10-year data analysis. After 10 years, the accumulated mean marginal bone loss was 2.69 ± 0.42 mm. The cumulative survival rate of the implants was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Immediately loaded postextractive implants, placed according to the ART, have been proved to be a predictable method to rehabilitate single tooth in the anterior maxilla.

Periodontal disease and cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate periodontal status after periodontal treatment in patients with different malignant solid tumours submitted to chemotherapy. METHODS: Fifty-four patients with newly diagnosed early-stage solid tumour malignancy treated by surgery and eligible for adjuvant chemotherapy were enrolled in this study. Clinical periodontal parameters obtained by a single calibrated examiner were evaluated before chemotherapy (T0), 21 days after chemotherapy (T1) and 210 days after chemotherapy (T2). Patients were grouped into healthy or periodontally diseased subjects. All patients received oral hygiene instructions, and the diseased patients received periodontal treatment at baseline. Comparisons between the groups were performed using the McNemar test (P>0.05) and the Wilcoxon test with Bonferroni correction (P<0.02) using spss software. RESULTS: Of 54 patients enrolled in the study, two did not present to the third assessment (T2). The prevalence of periodontitis was 35.2% at baseline and no significant difference was found in the follow-up assessments. There was a statistically significant reduction in probing depth (PD), plaque index (PI) and bleeding on probing (BOP) between baseline and follow-up assessments. The attachment level (AL) did not vary significantly between the different follow-up periods (P≥0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Periodontal treatment was effective in reducing PI, BOP and PD and in maintaining AL in periodontitis cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Changes in microflora in dental plaque from cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and the relationship of these changes with mucositis: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: To assess changes in oral microflora in dental plaque from cancer patients within 7 days of the first course of chemotherapy, and the relationship of the changes with mucositis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty cancer patients, divided into a test group undergoing chemotherapy and a control group no undergoing chemotherapy, were enrolled in this pilot study. Oral microflora were cultured from three samples of dental plaque at t0 (before chemotherapy), t1 (1 day after chemotherapy) and t2 (7 days after chemotherapy). Single and crossed descriptive analyses were used to establish prevalence, and the χ² test was used to establish the statistical significance of the differences observed in distributions (significance level: P<0.05). RESULTS: In most patients (57%), oral microflora consisted mainly of Gram-positive cocci, while the remaining 43% of the bacterial flora also had periodontal-pathogenic species. No Porphyromonas gingivalis appeared in the test group. Actinobacillus was the least frequently found bacterium among periodontal pathogens in the test group, while Fusobacterium nucleatum was the most frequently found. No significant differences were found in quantitative bacterial changes between t0, t1 and t2 in either the test or control groups, or between the two groups. According to World Health Organization scores, oral mucositis developed in 10 patients (66.6%) in the test group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this pilot study indicate that there were no changes in microflora in dental plaque in cancer patients within 7 days of the first course of chemotherapy. No correlations between oral mucositis and specific microorganisms were assessed.

Awareness of complications and maintenance mode of oral piercing in a group of adolescents and young Italian adults with intraoral piercing.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to focus the awareness of complications of oral piercing among a group of adolescents and young Italian adults with intraoral piercings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 225 teenagers were asked to complete a questionnaire on the awareness of complications of oral piercing. An additional questionnaire was administered in case of oral piercing worn, based on site piercing, knowledge about piercer license, oral and systemic risks due to oral piercing, disinfection and sterilization of the material pierced, information by the piercer about piercing hygiene maintenance and post-piercing dentist check-up. After questionnaire all participants received a brochure with some information about risks and maintenance mode of piercing. RESULTS: Data revealed that more than 50% of teens surveyed was found to wear a piercing. Only 25.3% was aware of the risk of HCV cross-infection and only 17.3% reported of knowledge about risk of endocarditis. Only 17% checked the piercer license and only 18% sterilization and disinfection of the materials used. 53.7% did not received explanations about the risks associated with piercing. With regard to the maintenance mode of the piercing, it has been suggested to brush the piercing bar in 17% of cases. The post piercing specialist visits have been suggested only in 7% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: The general lack of awareness of complications and maintenance mode related to oral piercing needs to be addressed by some education programs performed at school and by dentists.

Allergic rhinitis as a possible risk factor for malocclusion: a case-control study in children.

BACKGROUND: Prolonged oral respiration is known to cause postural alterations, which can lead to dental malocclusions. Allergic rhinitis, a common cause of upper airway obstruction in children, must therefore be seen as a possible risk factor in the development of malocclusions. AIM: Aim of this study was to investigate the association between allergic rhinitis and malocclusions in primary and early-mixed dentition. DESIGN: A case-control study was carried out involving 275 Italian children aged 5-9. The case group and the control group were composed of 125 individuals affected by malocclusions and by 150 healthy patients, respectively. Through a questionnaire, we assessed the presence of professionally diagnosed allergic rhinitis. Data were analysed to identify associations between these variables and the presence of malocclusions. RESULTS: Children with a history of allergic rhinitis had a threefold increased risk to develop one or more dento-skeletal alterations [OR = 3.16; 95% CI (1.79-5.58), P < 0.001]. Statistically significant associations were found between allergic rhinitis and the development of posterior crossbite and increased overjet. No significant association was found for anterior openbite. CONCLUSIONS: Allergic rhinitis is a significant risk factor for the development of malocclusions in general and is associated with the development of posterior crossbite and increased overjet.

Oil Pulling and Polyphenols: Treatment of Gingivitis Patients with 'Itri Extra-Virgin Olive Oil'.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of extra virgin olive (EVO) oil and fruity oil for the treatment of gingivitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 75 patients over 18 years of age with gingivitis induced by plaque bacteria was divided into three groups: study group A, with extra virgin olive oil; study group B, with fruity oil; and control group C. In the two study groups, EVO oil was administered as a mouthwash to patients with gingival inflammation. The protocol included a daily application of the product for 30 days, with three recalls 15 days apart. Clinical parameters of plaque formation and gingivitis, including plaque index (PI) and bleeding index (BI), were assessed at each recall and scored on a specific periodontal chart. The control group received no mouthwash treatment in addition to normal daily oral hygiene procedures, and the same clinical parameters as the study group were evaluated. Data were evaluated using SPSS 27.0 software for Windows (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Then, the pre- and post-treatment values of the groups were compared using Student's t-test, setting p < 0.05 as the significance level. RESULTS: Comparison of the three groups showed that extra-virgin olive oil was an adjuvant in the treatment of gingival inflammation, improving PI and BI. In group A, the mean plaque index showed a 48% reduction, and the bleeding index showed a 64% reduction after 30 days. In group B, the mean plaque index showed a 35% reduction and a bleeding index reduction of 43% after 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: The collected data showed significant improvements in the formation of bacterial plaque and gingivitis. The exact mechanism of such treatment is still to be elucidated. As a result of this, further studies with a different sample of patients than those used and a comparison with other products need to be addressed to verify and demonstrate the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of the components of this natural product.

MIH and Dental Caries in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

(1) Background: Molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a clinical condition affecting permanent teeth in children, with a documented rising trend in the last two decades. The aim of the present study was to analyze and synthesize the available evidence on caries experience (dmft/DMFT) and MIH in children. (2) Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted according to the PRISMA statement. (3) Results: 59 papers published between 2007 and 2022 were included in the qualitative synthesis and 18 in the meta-analysis. The total sample of subjects was 17,717 (mean: 896), of which 2378 (13.4%) had MIH (mean: 119), with a girl/boy ratio of 1:1. The mean age of the enrolled participants was 8.6 (age range 7-10 years). Meta-analysis showed that MIH has a positive correlation with both dmft (effect size of 0.67, 95% CI [0.15, 1.19]) and DMFT (effect size of 0.56, 95% CI [0.41, 0.72]); (4) Conclusions: Children with MIH should be diagnosed correctly and on time. Treatment and management options for moderate and severe forms of MIH should consider prognosis based on known risk factors, and secondary and tertiary prevention policies should also consider the multifactorial nature of caries etiology.

Impact of Stress on Periodontal Health: Literature Revision.

Stress is a physiological response of the body to stressful life events but may not be when the individual is persistently exposed to the stress trigger, and it negatively affects certain physiological functions, thus triggering psychosomatic diseases. In literature, chronic stress and inadequate coping strategies are found to mediate the risk and development of periodontitis; mechanisms have therefore been proposed to explain the effects of stress on the periodontium. Since stress is a prevalent problem in modern life and given the importance of maintaining oral health, the present literature review aimed to estimate the association between stress and periodontal disease. The research question adopted is the following: "Are psychological stress and periodontal disease related?" The search was conducted in August 2022 and limited to articles in electronic databases from 2017 to 2022 in English, excluding reviews and literature reviews. From the electronic databases, a total of 532 articles were identified and became 306 after reviews and duplicates were removed. An additional bibliographic search was conducted through the same electronic databases, controlled terms and keywords including only systematic reviews, which were previously excluded. Through the bibliography cited in the systematic reviews, an additional 18 articles were identified, with a new total of 324. As a result of reading the title and abstract of these 324 articles, an additional 295 were excluded. Reading the full text of the remaining 29 studies, 2 articles were excluded due to non-adherence to the eligibility criteria. The remaining 27 results were included in our literature review. It has been suggested in the literature that adverse socioeconomic conditions elicit a stress response, which can trigger periodontal inflammation. Most of the 27 articles included in the study confirm and demonstrate a positive association between psychological stress and periodontal disease. Numerous studies have shown the mechanisms through which chronic stress negatively affects periodontal tissues. Therefore, in the light of the results obtained from this review, it is important that oral health professionals, also for general health purposes, consider stress factors among the risk factors of periodontal disease, its severity and decreased efficacy of treatments. It is therefore advisable to act preventively through the interception of chronic stress.

Evaluation of nasal airway resistance in a cohort of children with primary snoring and maxillary deficiency.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to test whether rapid palatal expansion is effective to improve nasal airway patency in a sample of pediatric patients with primary snoring. METHODS: A group of 21 subjects, 11 girls (52%) and 10 boys (48%), with a mean age of 7.1 years (SD=1.3; range 4-9 years) were treated with a rapid maxillary expansion (RME) device. Nasal airway resistance was assessed via rhinomanometric exam before (pre-) and 6 months after (post-) the rapid palatal expansion treatment. RESULTS: Data analysis showed a statistically significant increase in the mean scores of the results of the rhinomanometric exam between the pre- and post-measurements with a significant reduction in total inspiratory and expiratory air resistance values after rapid palatal expansion. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that RME treatment is associated with an improvement in nasal airway resistance due to a substantial reduction in nasal resistance associated with the orthopedic action of the orthodontic device.

Oral Hygiene Habits and Use of Fluoride in Developmental Age: Role of Parents and Impact on their Children.

Introduction: In healthcare, the need to pay more attention to the achievement of two objectives within the society arises: health promotion and prevention in terms of nutrition, good education, sport, and health education. Scientific evidence shows that adequate health standards must be learned since childhood through the help of parents and appropriate school projects. Parental intervention must be appropriate to support the responsibility of their children's health. In oral health, it has been established for many years that there is a correlation between parental behaviors and lifestyles and children's attitude. The aim of this study is to verify the close relation between behaviors, habits, lifestyles, and the knowledge of parents about their oral health and, consequently, their focus and care for their own children's oral health. Furthermore, the awareness of parents about the importance and use of fluorine was to be determined. Materials and Methods: The study lasted 15 months and was conducted from April 2018 to July 2019: an anonymous 29-question questionnaire was administered to all parents who accompanied their children (aged between 3 and 12 years) going under treatment in the Pediatric Dentistry Unit of the University Hospital Policlinico Umberto I, Rome. Anamnestic data, sociodemographic context (e.g., educational level and occupation), oral health habits, and prevention of parents and children and fluoride knowledge were investigated. The study received ethical approval. 204 questionnaires were collected. The data gathered were recorded with a specifically designed computer program and collected and analyzed using a Microsoft Excel 10 database. Data were evaluated using standard statistical analysis software; descriptive statistics including mean ± SD values and percentage were calculated for each variable. The relationship between the age of parents, between mother or father and the parents' degree of education levels, and the knowledge for their own children's oral health was explored using the chi-square test of homogeneity and Fisher's exact test (P value of < 0.05 considered as statistically significant). Results: From the acquired data, it is possible to deduce that the major respondents were mothers aged from 36 to 45, while only a small part were fathers aged above 45 years. Questions related to parents' oral hygiene habits were included in the questionnaire, and from the sample taken into consideration, it emerges that 64.7% of the respondents (67.1% mothers and 57.7% fathers) periodically attend a dental office for a checkup, 20.9% tend to postpone the treatment, and 15.2% go there just for emergency. Some of the questions showed that 80% of the interviewed subjects use fluoride toothpaste for their child's oral hygiene. Conclusion: Prevention in childhood, in addition to being synonymous with monitoring the oral health of the child, means first of all to pay attention to parents who are the main behavioral reference. It emerged that there is no adequate knowledge about fluorine, especially when the subjects have a low educational level. A role of fundamental importance for the diffusion of adequate concepts in the field of oral hygiene is covered, according to the data received from the study carried out, by the dentist and dental hygienist.

Diet Implications and Oral Health Status of Women in Central Italy.

OBJECTIVE: The relationships between oral health habits, dietary practices, and oral health status, as well as general health status, in the population of Italian women, are complex, with many mutual and interrelating factors. The purpose of this study is to investigate oral habits, oral status, and dietary habits of a sample of women in Italy, highlighting the links between nutrition and oral health and discussing how oral health care professionals can integrate nutrition counseling that aimed at improving the oral health of their patients into their practices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the period between February 2020 and July 2020, an anonymous questionnaire made up of 20 questions was administered to a randomized sample of 120 Italian women. RESULTS: Most of women declare good manual skills in oral hygiene (50%) but just less than half of them brushes their teeth more than three times a day. Statistically significant correlations were found between frequency of dental checkups and dental mobility (p = 0.036), and halitosis (p = 0.006), as well as between frequency of flossing and gum bleeding. Correlation between the type of diet and oral health status showed more halitosis (∼21%), sensitivity (∼26%), and xerostomia (∼53.3%) for vegetarian and vegan women. CONCLUSION: More awareness need to be raised concerning oral hygiene habits, and regarding the importance of regular dental checkups. Brushing at least twice or three times a day needs to be encouraged and the valid support of dental aids has to be in the everyday domestic oral hygiene protocol, as scientific evidence demonstrates. Future clinical studies need to be performed on a more consistent number of vegetarian and vegan patients, to obtain more statistically significant results and support future research that will compare omnivorous, vegetarian, and vegan diets and their influence on oral health status.

Assessment of Enamel Color Stability of Resins Infiltration Treatment in Human Teeth: A Systematic Review.

(1) The evolution of techniques and materials used in dentistry has led to the introduction of a technique known as micro-infiltration, using ICON infiltrating resin. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the resin infiltrant can remain stable in the enamel color of human teeth over time or if it causes discoloration and review current knowledge on color stability based on the literature selected solely on studies performed on human teeth and to provide a perspective on the methods proposed by clinicians in the infiltration procedure; (2) Methods: This systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement; (3) Results: Twelve studies were selected for this review. The study results suggest that the device content is sufficiently comprehensive. The reviewers expressed strong support for the device's content for assessing the quality of reviews. The paper summarizes current reports regarding the color stability assessment of enamel treated by in- filtration resin confirmed in in vitro and in vivo studies; (4) Conclusions: Based on these considerations, the resin infiltration method can be recommended to improve the appearance of enamel lesions. The infiltrated lesions remained chromatically stable, showing no significant color changes in the long term.

Baby Food and Oral Health: Knowledge of the Existing Interaction.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to verify parents' knowledge of child nutrition and their awareness of the interaction between unhealthy sugars in their child's diet and caries formation. METHODS: a questionnaire was proposed using Instagram to analyze type of breastfeeding; type of weaning and diet; home oral hygiene maneuvers; bad habits (use of pacifiers, bottles, and sugary substances); knowledge on the usefulness of fluoride; and first dental visit. A total of 200 parents from different regions of Italy with children aged 2 months to 6 years were contacted. Results showed that 66% parents preferred breastfeeding, while the remaining 34% chose artificial breastfeeding. Fifty percent (100 babies) started weaning at six months, 20% (40 babies) at the fifth month, 13.5% (27 babies) at the fourth month, and only 11.5% (23 babies) in a range from the seventh to ninth month of life. Oral hygiene practices were performed only by 25% of parents before eruption of the first tooth. After eruption of the first tooth, there is greater attention to home oral hygiene practices: 59% of parents carry out and teach their children daily home oral hygiene maneuvers. CONCLUSIONS: it is possible to raise awareness among parents and caregivers on the importance of food education.

The influence of platform switching on the biomechanical aspects of the implant-abutment system. A three dimensional finite element study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the biomechanical scenario of platform switching geometric implant-abutment configuration relative to standard configurations by means of finite element analysis. STUDY DESIGN: A 3D Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was performed on 3 different implant-abutment configurations: a 3.8 mm implant with a matching diameter abutment (Standard Control Design, SCD), a 5.5 mm implant with matching diameter abutment (Wider Control Design, WCD), and a 5.5mm implant with a 3.8 mm abutment (Experimental Design, ED). All the different experimental groups were discretized to over 60000 elements and 100000 nodes, and 130N vertical (axial) and 90N horizontal loads were applied on the coronal portion of the abutment. Von Mises stresses were evaluated and maximum and minimum values were acquired for each implant-abutment configuration. RESULTS: The load-induced Von Mises stress (maximum to minumum ranges) on the implant ranged from 150 MPa to 58 Pa (SCD); 45 MPa to 55 Pa (WCD); 190 MPa to 64 Pa (ED). The Von Mises stress on the abutment ranged from 150 MPa to 52 MPa (SCD); 70 MPa to 55 MPa (WCD), and 85 MPa to 42 MPa respectively (ED). The maximum stresses transmitted from the implant-abutment system to the cortical and trabecular bone were 67 Pa and 52 MPa (SCD); 54 Pa and 27 MPa (WCD); 64 Pa and 42 MPa (ED), respectively. When the implant body was evaluated for stresses, a substantial decrease in their levels were observed at the threaded implant region due to the diametral mismatch between implant and abutment for the ED configuration. CONCLUSION: The platform switching configuration led to not only to a relative decrease in stress levels compared to narrow and wide standard configurations, but also to a notable stress field shift from bone towards the implant system, potentially resulting in lower crestal bone overloading.

Oral Prevention and Management of Oral Healthcare.

Oral health is an important factor in the maintenance of general health, wellbeing, and overall quality of life [...].

Bite Force in Elderly with Full Natural Dentition and Different Rehabilitation Prosthesis.

(1) Background: This study aimed to investigate maximum bite force (MBF) in elderly patients with natural full dentition (FD), patients rehabilitated with Traditional Complete Dentures (CD), with overdentures (IRO) and edentulous patients (ED). We also tested whether MBF changes are associated with gender, age of the patients and body mass index (BMI) as result of altered food; (2) Methods: Three hundred and sixty-eight geriatric patients were included. We studied two types of prostheses: (a) IRO with telescopic attachments. (b) CD (heat polymerized polymethyl methacrylate resin). The MBF was measured using a digital dynamometer with a bite fork; (3) Results: We found that MBF is higher in males than females, regardless of teeth presence or absence (p < 0.01). In patients with CD or IRO, there are no differences between males and females; prostheses improve MBF compared to edentulous patients (p < 0.0001) and this effect is greater with IRO prostheses (p < 0.0001); the chewing force of FD subjects remains greater (p < 0.0001); there are no differences among chewing strength based on different BMI categories, although FD subjects have a reduced incidence of obesity; there is a significant negative correlation between MBF and age (p = 0.038; R = 0.145), and no correlation between MBF and BMI; (4) Conclusions: This study showed that MBF improves more in patients using IRO prostheses, although not reaching the MBF of FD subjects. MBF does not correlate with BMI, although we found increased percentages of obesity in edentulous subjects or those with prostheses. Thus, old people wearing prostheses require special attention by a nutritionist to avoid risk of malnutrition.