Comparing conventional flap-less immediate implantation and socket-shield technique for esthetic and clinical outcomes: A randomized clinical study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the esthetic and clinical outcomes of immediate implantation using the conventional flap-less approach and the socket-shield technique (SST). METHODS: This study included 30 adult patients who underwent anterior teeth replacement and fulfilled the pre-defined criteria. Patients were randomly allocated to the SST (n = 15) and conventional flap-less (control, n = 15) groups. The esthetic outcomes were evaluated by assessing the degree of soft-tissue recession and the pink esthetic scores (PESs). Clinical parameters, including the modified plaque index, modified sulcus bleeding index (mSBI), probing depth (PD), and implant stability quotient (ISQ), were assessed. The buccal plate width (BPW) and height (BPH) were also measured. RESULTS: Implantation was clinically successful for all subjects in both groups. With a similar baseline, the SST group exhibited less reduction in the midfacial mucosal margins and the height of the mesial and distal papillae as well as higher BPW and BPH values compared with the control group (p < .001). The ISQ values were 76.01 ± 1.31 for the SST group and 75.56 ± 1.07 for the control group (p > .05), suggesting sufficient initial stability in both groups. At the 24-month follow-up, SST group patients had statistically significant lower values of PD, mSBI, and mPLI compared with the control group. There were no significant differences in the overall and individual PES values for both groups. CONCLUSION: SST may improve functional and esthetic outcomes by maintaining alveolar bone volume and peri-implant tissues. SST seems to be a promising treatment approach for implants in the esthetic zone.

Structural Diversity of Six Coordination Polymers Based on the Designed X-Shaped Ligand 1,1,1,1-Tetrakis[(3-pyridiniourea)methyl]methane.

In this study, six coordination polymers (CPs), {[Ag2(L)(CF3SO3)]·CF3SO3·2H2O·DMF}n (1), {[Ag(L)]·SbF6·4DMF·H2O}n (2), {[Zn(L)0.5(I)2]·3.75H2O}n (3), {[Cd2(L)(I)4(H2O)(DMF)]·4H2O·3DMF}n (4), {[Hg2(L)(I)4]·H2O·4DMF}n (5) and {[Hg2(L)(Cl)4]·2H2O·3DMF}n (6), were obtained based on the designed X-shaped urea-based ligand. X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis revealed that complex 1 displayed a 3D (3,4)-connected {6·8²}{64·8²}-tcj net. Complex 2 featured a 2D 4-connected {4³·6³} sheet. Complexes 3 and 5 exhibited a 1D polymeric loop chain. Complex 4 displayed a 1D polymeric fishbone chain. Complex 6 showed a 2D 4-connected {44·6²}-sql sheet. Structural comparison revealed that not only the metal ions, but also the anions played crucial roles in the control of final structures.

[Related factors and effectiveness of rapid teeth movement through reducing resistance and distraction].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of reducing resistance and distraction in rapid teeth movement and its reliability by establishing the Beagle dogs' experimental model. METHODS: The left or right sides in mandibles of 20 beagles were randomly operated with different treatments: distraction twice a day through reducing resistance; distraction 6 times a day through reducing resistance; conventional distraction through reducing resistance; and conventional distraction (the control group). Each treatment was carried out in 10 sides. The pulp vitality, tooth mobility and distance of teeth transportation were evaluated at different time points: before the distraction, distraction after 15 days, retaining 30 days after 15 days of distraction. The degree of inclination, root resorption and alveolar bone density of the compressive areas were evaluated by cone-beam computed tomography images. RESULTS: The distance of teeth transportation was similar in groups distraction twice daily and 6 times a day through reducing resistance (P>0.05), but their speed of transportation was significantly higher than that of conventional distraction through reducing resistance. The conventional distraction group had the lowest speed of transportation. The pulp vitality of distracted teeth was normal, and no root comprehensive resorption and periodontal defect were found. Distracted teeth in the reduced resistance and distraction groups (13.9°±3.5°) tipped more that in the conventional distraction group (6.6°±1.3°) (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Reducing resistance and distraction are inseparable factors to realize fast teeth moving. The rate of orthodontic tooth movement can be accelerated through resistance reduction and periodontal distraction without obvious unfavorable effects but at minimal acceptable teeth inclination.

Sugar Content and Warning Criteria Evaluation for Popular Sugar-Sweetened Beverages in Taipei, Taiwan.

Sugar intake may increase the risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and dental caries. In Taiwan, people frequently consume sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). This study explored the energy and sugar content of Taiwanese SSBs and evaluated them using the Chilean warning label system (>70 kcal/100 mL and >5 g sugar/100 mL) and the World Health Organization (WHO) sugar guideline (≤25 g sugar). A total of 341 SSBs with volumes ≤600 mL were analyzed. No significant differences were observed in sugar per serving among different types of SSBs, but a great variation in portion size (i.e., package size for individual consumption) was noted. The energy and sugar ratios per serving were lower in soft drinks and coffee and tea containing >1 serving than in those containing only one serving. The calorie and sugar ratios per portion were higher in all types of SSBs containing >1 serving per portion than in those containing exactly one serving. Approximately 70.0% of Taiwanese SSBs were classified as high sugar according to the Chilean criteria, and 41.6% of SSBs exceeded the WHO guideline. Moreover, 40.8% of SSBs that were not considered as high sugar according to the Chilean criteria contained >25 g sugar per portion. For individual consumption, it is more clear that nutrition labeling is based on portion rather than serving. Evaluating SSBs on sugar/portion rather than sugar/100 mL will help consumers make better choices.

The Effect of an Online Sugar Fact Intervention: Change of Mothers with Young Children.

Research indicates that high sugar intake in early childhood may increase risks of tooth decay, obesity and chronic disease later in life. In this sugar fact study, we explored whether an online intervention which focused on comprehensive and useful information about nutrition labels impacted mother's choice of low sugar food. The intervention was developed on the basis of the theory of planned behavior. In total, 122 mothers were recruited. Mothers were divided into an online-only group and a plus group. Knowledge of sugar and nutrition labels, behavioral attitudes, perceived behavioral control, behavioral intentions and behavior towards purchasing low-sugar products with nutrition labels were collected. After the intervention, both groups exhibited significantly enhanced sugar and nutrition label knowledge, perceived behavioral control, behavioral intentions and behavior. Compared to the online-only group, knowledge, perceived behavioral control and behavior of the plus group significantly improved. After the intervention, about 40% of the plus group and 80% of the online-only group still did not know the World Health Organization (WHO) sugar recommendations. Understanding sugar recommendations and using nutrition labels are crucial to help people control calorie and sugar intake. Further research with a larger sample is warranted to evaluate the effects of the intervention on long-term changes in shopping behavior. More efficient and convenient nutrition education is required to increase public awareness of sugar recommendations and help people control calorie and sugar intake.

Genetic susceptibility of common polymorphisms in NIN and SIGLEC5 to chronic periodontitis.

Chronic periodontitis (CP) is a common oral disease characterized by the slow progression of alveolar attachment loss and bone destruction. Genetic components have been reported to play an important role in the onset and development of CP. In the present study, we aimed to replicate the association signals of NIN and SIGLEC5 identified in previous genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of samples from Chinese Han individuals. Association signals between clinical severity indicators of CP and relevant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were also examined. A total of 3,160 study subjects, including 1,076 CP patients and 2,084 healthy controls, were recruited. A total of 32 SNPs, including 22 from NIN and 10 from SIGLEC5, were selected for genotyping. SNPs rs12883458 (OR = 1.45, P = 1.22 × 10-5, NIN) and rs4284742 (OR = 0.75, P = 1.69 × 10-5, SIGLEC5) were significantly associated with CP disease status. rs4284742 was significantly associated with all 3 clinical severity indicators, including bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL). According to evidence from bioinformatics analyses, both significant SNPs, rs12883458 and rs4284742, are likely surrogates of underlying variants with true effects. In summary, our findings provide direct evidence for the association of NIN and SIGLEC5 with CP susceptibility.

[Evaluation of rapid teeth movement through reducing resistance and distraction in Beagle dogs with cone-beam computed tomography].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of rapid teeth movement through reducing resistance and distraction using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS: The left or right side of the mandible of 10 beagles (5 males and 5 females) was randomly selected as the control side (for the conventional distraction with a force of about 85 g) and the other side as the experimental side (subjected to reducing resistance and distraction). CBCT images were taken at 5, 10, and 15 days and also after retaining for 10 and 90 days after distraction for 15 days. The distance of teeth transportation, degree of inclination, alveolar bone density of the compressive area and root resorption were evaluated based on the CBCT images and Ez3D2009 visualization software. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between CBCT-based measurement and direct measurement of teeth transportation distance within the mouths (P>0.05). Teeth inclination on the experimental side was slightly greater than that on the control side (P<0.05). The root resorption on the experimental side was minimal, and the bone density increased gradually along with the teeth migration. The experimental side showed a comparable newly formed alveolar bone density and similar X-ray features of the compressive area with the control side. CONCLUSIONS: CBCT three-dimensional imaging can resolve the problems of overlapping and deformation of the two-dimensional images and is especially useful for measurement of teeth inclination and alveolar bone density in the process of reducing resistance and distraction.