Domains, competences and learning outcomes for undergraduate education in periodontology.

AIM: This review is intended to adapt the current conceptual framework in dental education based on four domains to propose a set of competences, learning outcomes and methods of teaching, learning and assessment for undergraduate education in periodontology. REVIEW: Based on the current framework of competences and learning outcomes recommended by the Association for Dental Education in Europe (ADEE), undergraduate education in periodontology has been updated using the classification and clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal and peri-implant diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Specific learning outcomes have been proposed within each competence area, that is in Domain I (n = 10), Domain II (n = 13), Domain III (n = 33) and Domain IV (n = 12). Teaching methods and learning activities based on the different dimensions of the cognitive process have been proposed. Additionally, 10 key learning outcomes have been proposed as exit outcomes, which implies their accomplishment within the final assessment of any graduating student.

A genome-wide association study meta-analysis in a European sample of stage III/IV grade C periodontitis patients ≤35 years of age identifies new risk loci.

AIM: Few genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been conducted for severe forms of periodontitis (stage III/IV grade C), and the number of known risk genes is scarce. To identify further genetic risk variants to improve the understanding of the disease aetiology, a GWAS meta-analysis in cases with a diagnosis at ≤35 years of age was performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Genotypes from German, Dutch and Spanish GWAS studies of III/IV-C periodontitis diagnosed at age ≤35 years were imputed using TopMed. After quality control, a meta-analysis was conducted on 8,666,460 variants in 1306 cases and 7817 controls with METAL. Variants were prioritized using FUMA for gene-based tests, functional annotation and a transcriptome-wide association study integrating eQTL data. RESULTS: The study identified a novel genome-wide significant association in the FCER1G gene (p = 1.0 × 10-9 ), which was previously suggestively associated with III/IV-C periodontitis. Six additional genes showed suggestive association with p < 10-5 , including the known risk gene SIGLEC5. HMCN2 showed the second strongest association in this study (p = 6.1 × 10-8 ). CONCLUSIONS: This study expands the set of known genetic loci for severe periodontitis with an age of onset ≤35 years. The putative functions ascribed to the associated genes highlight the significance of oral barrier tissue stability, wound healing and tissue regeneration in the aetiology of these periodontitis forms and suggest the importance of tissue regeneration in maintaining oral health.

Cleansing efficacy of the electric toothbrush Oral-B® iO™ compared to conventional oscillating-rotating technology: a randomized-controlled study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the cleansing efficacy of the Oral-B® iO™ electric toothbrush incorporating oscillating-rotating technology with microvibrations - with a traditional oscillating-rotating toothbrush. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty adult participants were randomly assigned to use the iO™ electric toothbrush with the brush head iO™ Ultimate Clean or the traditional oscillating-rotating toothbrush Oral-B® Genius® with the Cross-Action brush head. Oral hygiene indices (Rustogi Modified Navy Plaque Index and Gingival Bleeding Index) were assessed before and after 28 days of home use of the assigned product. Participants were instructed to refrain from interdental hygiene during the study period. After a 2-week washout period, the clinical investigation was repeated in a crossover design. RESULTS: All 30 participants completed the study with no dropouts. After 28 days of use, the iO™ showed statistically significantly lower plaque levels than the conventional oscillating-rotating toothbrush (25.09% vs. 30.60%, p = 0.029). This difference was particularly noticeable in marginal and approximal areas. There were no significant distinctions in gingival bleeding indices. CONCLUSIONS: The Oral-B® iO™ electric toothbrush displayed enhanced plaque removal efficiency compared to a conventional oscillating-rotating technology. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study highlights the potential benefits of advanced toothbrush technologies for plaque reduction and encourages further research.

Cleansing efficacy of an auto-cleaning toothbrushing device with nylon bristles: a randomized-controlled pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the cleansing efficacy of an auto-cleaning device with nylon bristles (Y-brush®) to that of manual toothbrushing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty probands refrained from oral hygiene for 3 days. Rustogi Modified Navy Plaque Index was assessed before and after (randomized) toothbrushing either with the auto-cleaning device for 5 s per jaw or with a manual toothbrush for a freely chosen time up to 4 min. The clinical investigation was repeated in a cross-over design. In a third trial period, the brushing time for auto-cleaning was increased to 15 s per jaw. The study was supplemented by plaster cast analyses. RESULTS: Full-mouth plaque reduction was higher with manual toothbrushing than with auto-cleaning for 5 s per jaw (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference on smooth tooth surfaces but on marginal and interdental sites. Increasing the brushing time of auto-cleaning to 15 s per jaw resulted in a comparable full-mouth plaque reduction as with manual toothbrushing (p = 0.177). In 95% of individuals, the device was too short not completely covering second molars. In 30.67% of teeth, the gingival margin was not covered by bristles. CONCLUSIONS: Auto-cleaning devices with nylon bristles have a future potential to reach plaque reduction levels comparable to manual toothbrushing, although manufacturers must focus on improving an accurate fit. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Under the premise of an ameliorated fit, the auto-cleaning device might be recommendable for people with low brushing efficacy. Interdental sites remain a failure point if adjunct interdental cleaning is not viable.

Cleansing efficacy of an oral irrigator with microburst technology in orthodontic patients-a randomized-controlled crossover study.

OBJECTIVES: Orthodontic patients struggle with interdental cleaning calling for simpler mechanical devices to reduce the high plaque levels. The present study aimed to compare the cleansing efficacy of an oral irrigator with that of dental flossing in patients with fixed braces after 4 weeks of home-use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study design is a randomized and single-blinded cross-over study. After 28 days using the products at home, hygiene indices (Rustogi Modified Navy Plaque Index (RMNPI); gingival bleeding index (GBI)) were compared between test (oral irrigator) and control product (dental floss). RESULTS: Seventeen adult individuals finalized the study. After 28 days of cleaning with the oral irrigator, RMNPI was 54.96% (46.91-66.05) compared to 52.98% (42.75-65.60) with dental floss (p = 0.029). Subgroup analysis revealed that the higher cleansing efficacy of the dental floss is attributable to buccal and marginal areas. GBI after the test phase with the oral irrigator was 12.96% (7.14-24.31) and statistically significantly higher compared to 8.33% (5.84-15.33) with dental floss (p = 0.030) which could be seen in all subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Oral irrigators do not remove plaque and reduce gingival bleeding as efficiently as dental floss in easily accessible regions. However, in posterior regions, where the patients struggled with the application of dental floss, the oral irrigator showed similar results. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Oral irrigators should only be recommended to orthodontic patients who cannot use interdental brushes and are not compliant with dental flossing.

Oral characteristics in adult individuals with periodontal Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

AIM: Periodontal Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (pEDS) is a monogenic type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome characterized by periodontal destruction at a young age. The present study aimed to document the oral phenotype of pEDS based on prospective clinical investigations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five adult individuals from 13 families with a clinically and genetically confirmed diagnosis of pEDS underwent a systematic oral assessment. RESULTS: Periodontitis stage 3 or 4 or edentulism due to periodontal destruction were diagnosed in 94% of the individuals. First permanent tooth loss was reported at the age of 21.5 years (median; range 13-43 years). Deep periodontal pockets were infrequent, with 94% measuring <4 mm. However, there was increased clinical attachment loss (CAL) averaging 8 mm (range 4-13 mm), and the probability of being edentate between the age of 35 and 44 years was 28-47% compared with less than 0.25% of the general population. Radiographic anomalous findings were only found in a portion of subjects and consisted of fused roots of maxillary second molars (81%), root hypoplasia (57%), taurodontism (26%) and tooth rotation of premolars (67%). As such, radiographic findings are not considered common characteristics of pEDS. CONCLUSIONS: Characteristic oral traits of pEDS in adults are severe CAL with shallow probing depths and marked gingival recession. This is complemented by a lack of attached gingiva. These indications need to be paralleled by genetic analyses to diagnose pEDS unambiguously.

Oral manifestations of Ehlers-Danlos syndromes.

Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) are a group of inherited connective tissue disorders. Patients with EDS exhibit distinct pathologies of the teeth and the oral cavity. Here, we summarize the current knowledge in the various EDS types, in particular regarding severe changes in oral health-related quality of life, the differential emergence of periodontitis, characteristic yet highly cumbersome dental manifestations, apparent anomalies of oral soft tissues, and relevant issues related to dental implantology. Resolution of remaining open questions will primarily rely on the standardization of diagnostic criteria. Clinical centers that specialize on this rare pathology need to apply congruent approaches for exact characterization of clinical features in conjunction with genetic validation that should be reached without exception in all patients and relevant family members.

Prospective clinical investigations of children with periodontal Ehlers-Danlos syndrome identify generalized lack of attached gingiva as a pathognomonic feature.

PURPOSE: We report prospective clinical investigations of children affected with periodontal Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (pEDS). The main clinical features of pEDS in adults are early severe periodontitis, generalized lack of attached gingiva, and pretibial hemosiderin plaques due to dominant pathogenic variants in the C1R or C1S genes. METHODS: Nineteen children with a parent diagnosed with molecularly confirmed pEDS underwent physical examination including oral and radiological investigations followed by genetic testing. RESULTS: The only consistent manifestation of pEDS in childhood was a characteristic gingival phenotype: generalized lack of attached gingiva. All children with this gingival phenotype had inherited the familial pathogenic variant (n = 12) whereas the gingival phenotype was absent in children without the familial pathogenic variant (n = 7). Easy bruising was reported in eight affected and zero unaffected children. Other manifestations of pEDS were rarely present in children. Only 2/12 affected children aged 8 and 13 years fulfilled the clinical criteria for pEDS. CONCLUSION: Generalized lack of attached gingiva is a pathognomonic feature of pEDS and the only clinical finding that is consistently present in affected adults and children. This is important because an early diagnosis may facilitate better dental hygiene in childhood, which may be essential to prevent early dental loss.

Cleansing efficacy of an auto-cleaning electronic toothbrushing device: a randomized-controlled crossover pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the cleansing efficacy of a representative "ten seconds" auto-cleaning device with that of uninstructed manual toothbrushing in a pilot study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty periodontally healthy probands refrained from oral hygiene for 3 days. Baseline full-mouth plaque scores (Rustogi Modified Navy Plaque Index, RMNPI) were assessed. After randomization, probands cleaned their teeth either with the auto-cleaning test device according to the manufacturer's protocol or with a manual toothbrush. Plaque reduction was assessed by two aligned blinded investigators. After a 2-week recovery, the clinical investigation was repeated in a crossover design. The brushing pattern of the auto-cleaning device was analyzed in probands' casts. RESULTS: Full-mouth plaque reduction was 11.37 ± 3.70% for the auto-cleaning device and 31.39 ± 5.27% for manual toothbrushing (p < 0.0001). The investigation of the auto-cleaning device's brushing pattern in dental casts revealed a positive relationship of bristle rows in contact with tooth surfaces and the cleansing efficacy in the respective areas. A maximum of 2/4 bristle rows were in contact with the tooth surfaces; in some areas, the bristles had no contact to the teeth. CONCLUSIONS: Uninstructed manual toothbrushing is superior to auto-cleaning. The alignment and density of the auto-cleaning device's bristle rows need to be improved, and assorted sizes would be necessary to cover different jaw shapes. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The auto-cleaning device has been developed to accommodate individuals with poor dexterity or compliance. To date, it is unable to provide sufficient plaque reduction due to an inappropriate bristle alignment and poor fit with diverse dental arches.

Cleansing efficacy of waist-shaped inter-dental brushes. A randomized-controlled crossover study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the cleansing efficacy of waist-shaped versus cylindric inter-dental brushes in patients receiving supportive periodontal therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After sample size estimation, 20 periodontal maintenance patients diagnosed with periodontitis stage 3 were recruited. Brushing efficacy of waist-shaped and cylindric inter-dental brushes was evaluated in a randomized-controlled, examiner-blinded, two-period crossover study by assessment of the Turesky modification of Quigley-Hein plaque index (T-QHI) and the papillary bleeding index (PBI) at four sites per tooth. RESULTS: Seventeen probands with 1,474 tooth sites finished the study. At baseline, median of overall T-QHI scores was 1.4 (interquartile range 1.38-1.92). After 1 month, T-QHI for waist-shaped inter-dental brushes was 1.24 (1.03-1.52); in 15 individuals, T-QHI 0 was the grade most often measured. T-QHI for cylindric brushes was 1.71 (1.18-2.29; p = .042), with T-QHI 0 being the grade most often measured only in seven individuals. The odds ratio for establishing plaque-free inter-dental sites with waist-shaped relative to cylindric brushes was 1.8 [95% CI 1.6-1.9] (p < .001; logistic regression analysis). There were no statistically significant differences between PBI levels of waist-shaped and cylindric brushes. CONCLUSION: This study has demonstrated the superiority in cleansing efficacy of waist-shaped over cylindric inter-dental brushes in individuals receiving supportive periodontal treatment.