Physical and mechanical changes on titanium base of three different types of hybrid abutment after cyclic loading.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the physical and mechanical changes in the titanium base of three different hybrid abutment materials after cyclic loading by estimating the post-load reverse torque value (RTV), compressive side fulcrum wear pattern of titanium base, and surface roughness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 24 dental implants were divided into three groups (n = 8 each): Group Z, LD, and P used zirconia, lithium disilicate, and polyetheretherketone, respectively, for hybrid abutment fabrication. RTV was evaluated after cyclic loading with 50 N for 1.2 × 106 chewing cycles. The compressive sides of the titanium bases were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope, and the roughness of the affected areas was measured using an optical profilometer after loading. Datasets were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Mann-Whitney tests with the Bonferroni correction (α = .05). RESULTS: Twenty-three samples passed the test; one LD sample fractured after 770,474 cycles. Post-load RTV varied significantly depending on the hybrid-abutment material (P = .020). Group P had a significantly higher median of post-load RTVs than group Z (16.5 and 14.3 Ncm, respectively). Groups LD and P showed minor signs of wear, and group Z showed a more pronounced wear pattern. While evaluating compressive side affected area roughness of titanium bases, lower medians were shown in group LD (Ra 0.16 and Rq 0.22 µm) and group P (Ra 0.16 and Rq 0.23 µm) than in group Z (Ra 0.26 and Rq 0.34 µm); significant differences were found only among the unaffected surface and group Z. CONCLUSION: The hybrid abutment material influences the post-load RTV. Group Z had a more pronounced wear pattern on the compressive side of titanium base; however, the surface roughness was not statistically different among the hybrid-abutment groups.

Unveiling the surge of subcutaneous dirofilariasis in lithuania: A comprehensive exploration of a zoonotic parasite's emergence, clinical manifestations, and management strategies. Brief literature review and three reports of cases.

INTRODUCTION: This article comprehensively explores Dirofilariasis, focusing on Dirofilaria repens and Dirofilaria immitis as rare zoonotic ailments. Emphasis is placed on their prevalence, life cycle intricacies, and symptoms, particularly the rising incidence of Dirofilaria repens in Europe, notably Lithuania. The report details three cases of oral dirofilariasis, presenting clinical histories, diagnostics, interventions, and species identification. The discussion highlights the rarity of maxillo-mandibular dirofilariasis, addressing diagnostic challenges and diverse treatment options. OBJECTIVE: The objective is to investigate the emergence, clinical aspects, and management of Dirofilariasis, with a focus on Dirofilaria repens, emphasizing its prevalence in Europe, particularly Lithuania. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The article presents three cases of oral dirofilariasis, providing detailed clinical histories, diagnostic procedures, interventions, and species identification. A thorough examination of Dirofilaria repens prevalence and characteristics in Europe, especially Lithuania, is conducted. RESULTS: The discussion reveals insights into the rarity of maxillo-mandibular dirofilariasis, highlighting diagnostic challenges and diverse treatment options. The cases contribute valuable information on clinical and diagnostic aspects, enhancing the understanding of this unusual condition. CONCLUSION: The conclusion emphasizes the critical need for heightened awareness and a comprehensive diagnostic approach in managing oral dirofilariasis. It serves as a reminder to healthcare professionals about the importance of increased awareness for effective management in medical practice.

Odontogenic sinusitis: causes, symptoms and treatment. A review of current literature and concepts.

OBJECTIVE: Diagnosis of odontogenic maxillary sinusitis (OMS) often is misdiagnosed as rhinosinusitis, the main symptoms of these diseases are the same: facial pain, postnasal discharge, and congestion. However, OMS and rhinogenic sinusitis require different treatments. Without addressing dental factors in odontogenic sinusitis, conventional rhinitis treatment will often fail, and symptoms will persist. This review aims to assess the most recent literature about OMS causes, symptoms, and treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Literature analysis was carried out on the basis of PRISMA guidelines. Eligible articles no older than 5 years were included, with a few exeptions. An electronic search was performed using MEDLINE (PubMed), The Cochrane Library, and ScienceDirect databases. RESULTS: More than one possible cause for the development of OMS has been identified. The literature indicates that anaerobic microorganisms are found in the case of sinusitis, but there is no consensus regarding the initial exact causative bacteria of this disease. Symptoms of OMS can be one-sided facial pain, purulent anterior rhinorrhoea, headache, cacosmia, pressure or nasal congestion, post-nasal drip. For better diagnostic of OMS imaging modalities are used. Management of OMS requires dual treatment. The treatment of the disease should begin with the need to remove the causative factor. Antibiotic therapy alone is not used for the treatment of odontogenic sinusitis, but can be used to relieve symptoms. It should be prescribed in accordance with the antibiogram after causative factor is removed. When the dental and medical treatment is not enough for sufficient management of OMS surgery is required. CONCLUSION: It is evident that the etiology of OMS includes more than one etiological factor, just as the causative agents of this pathology are various bacteria. Therefore, one of the key elements in choosing the treatment of OMS should be a proper diagnosis.

A comparison of mechanic properties regarding complete removable dentures, which were made from polymethylmethacrilate (PMMA) during conventional and CAD/CAM processes. Systemic literature review.

BACKGROUND: It is not clear if complete removable dentures made during a CAD/CAM process can equate or surpass dentures created during the conventional process in regards of their mechanical properties. PURPOSE: To compare mechanical properties of complete removable dentures made from polymethylmethacrilate (PMMA) during a process of CAD/CAM, which are used to help edentulous adult patients, with analogical dentures created from PMMA during the conventional process. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data search was conducted regarding PRISMA criteria. According to chosen keywords, scientific articles, published from 2017 to 2022, were sampled from electronic databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, and Cohrane Library. Article search focused on studies that discussed mechanic properties of traditional and CAD/CAM complete removable dentures made from PMMA. The properties are: microhardness, nano hardness, the roughness of the surface, flexural strength and modulus, fracture toughness, flexural bond strength, mechanical compliance of the contact between the inner surface of the denture and the denture socket mucosa - adaptation of the prosthesis to the denture bearing, hydrophobicity, water sorption and solubility, dimensional stability, elasticity. Discussed measurements from the scientific studies, which are included into the systematic literature analysis, are assessed according to a synthesis method used for such data. RESULTS: The hardness, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and hydrophobicity of the conventional PMMA plastic blank, made during a process of CAD/CAM, were bigger and dimensional stability - better. Meanwhile, the roughness of the surface, fracture toughness, flexural bond strength, and elasticity of the blank were bigger than the ones made during the conventional process. Water sorption and solubility statistically did not differ among differently processed plastic polymethylmethacrilate blanks. Only one study was carried out in vivo, in which complete removable denture bases made from CAD/CAM prepolymerized PMMA plastic also showed better adaptation to the denture bearing tissue than those made by conventional polymerization. CONCLUSIONS: The final plastic product from the pre-polymerized PMMA and the processed CAD / CAM is superior in many mechanical properties to the final plastic product made during the conventional PMMA polymerization process.

Association between apical periodontitis and root canal treatment in patients with type II diabetes. A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic endocrine disease affecting over 6% of the world population. Sustained hyperglycaemia plays a role in inhibited healing and chronic inflammation which can lead to complications after root canal treatment, such as delayed healing of apical periodontitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The systematic review adhered to PRISMA guidelines and databases of PubMed, ScienceDirect, and The Cochrane library were used to perform the search. The search was carried out between November 15 and November 30 in the year 2021. AIM: To evaluate the relationship between apical periodontitis and root canal treatment in patients with type II diabetes. RESULTS: Primary database search yielded 313 results. After checking the content and relevance of the articles, 4 articles were used with a total of 15810 patients. Out of 4 studies, 3 concluded that apical periodontitis after root canal treatment was statistically significantly more frequent in patients with T2DM than in control groups. However, the results from another study showed that there is no significant correlation between T2DM and post-treatment apical periodontitis (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A statistically significant relationship was found between T2DM patients and the occurrence of apical periodontitis in most studies.

The effect of new acrylic full removable dentures on food taste.

OBJECTIVE: To find out how the use of new acrylic full upper removable dentures changes the perception of four basic tastes: sweetness, sourness, saltiness and bitterness, and to evaluate the influence of age and gender. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was performed in LSMU MA Faculty of Odontology Department of Prosthodontics during 2017-09-01 - 2018-02-01. All the patients for whom new acrylic upper removable dentures were made were invited to take part. 30 patients have taken part. Sixteen solutions for basic tastes: sweetness, sourness, saltiness and bitterness; were made. The patients were examined without and with their new dentures. The patients were told to rinse an unknown solution starting from the lowest concentration and to identify the taste. Data analysis was performed using SPSS® (IBM®, Armonk, USA) version 23. RESULTS: Patients with full upper removable dentures felt sweet (p=0.002) and sour (p=0.000) taste weaker than without them, the same tendency was observed with bitter (p=0.063) and salty (p=0.059) taste. The time required to identify the taste was longer with removable dentures than without them (p<0.05). Identification of saltiness became weaker both with and without removable dentures as the age of the patients increased (p<0.05). Bitterness was identified better by women than men both with and without removable dentures (p<0.05). Age and gender had no influence on other basic tastes (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study confirm the presumption that acrylic full upper removable dentures weaken the taste perception of the patients.

Use of platelet-rich fibrin versus connective tissue graft in treatment of gingival recessions: Literature review.

AIM: To compare and evaluate the effects of two different approaches on treating gingival recessions: coronally advanced flap (CAF) with platelet rich-fibrin (PRF) membrane and coronally advanced flap (CAF) with connective tissue graft (CTG). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic literature review was performed of randomized control trials in English identified in MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Cochrane Library), Springer Link, Science Direct and Google Scholar databases, published between 2015 and 2020. Studies had to be performed in vivo with follow-up periods of ≥6 months. RESULTS: 153 publications were found, out of which 8 were identified as relevant to the theme. Six of these studies evaluated periodontal parameters such as probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), recession depth (RD), keratinized tissue width (KTW) and gingival thickness (GT). In 3 studies discomfort and aesthetic scores were analyzed as subjective parameters. 1 study histologically evaluated different techniques of gingival recession treatment. CONCLUSION: Both techniques are effective in the treatment of Miller's class I and II gingival recessions. Although the CTG technique may provide better results in KTW and GT, PRF avoids a donor site, which means a major decrease in postoperative discomfort.

Autologous platelet concentrates in treatment of medication related osteonecrosis of the jaw.

BACKGROUND: Medication related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a severe adverse drug reaction occurring as a progressive bone destruction in the maxillofacial region. MRONJ is usually initiated after oral surgery procedures, however periodontal disease and other chronic inflammations are also risk factors. There is no clear treatment protocol for management of MRONJ, for this reason autologous platelet concentrates (APC) have been introduced to enhance the healing process. AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of APCs in treatment of MRONJ. METHODS: A systematic literature review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines in MEDLINE (PubMed) and Google Scholar databases. Only no older than 5 years, in vivo studies in English with follow-up until condition totally resolves were included. RESULTS: A total of 2683 publications were identified out of which only 7 met the inclusion criteria, 6 cohort and 1 randomized clinical trial. Most of the studies preferred platelet rich fibrin (PRF) and only one used platelet rich plasma (PRP) in MRONJ treatment. MRONJ stage, patients mean age, drug therapy, follow-up and success rate were analysed in all the studies. Five studies also named how MRONJ initiated and 4 studies mentioned duration of drug intake before developing MRONJ. CONCLUSION: The published data is not sufficient to confirm a specific treatment protocol although the published results are promising. More prospective randomized controlled clinical trials are required in order to evaluate the effectiveness of APCs for treatment of MRONJ.

Stress in the bone and prosthetic components due to "all-on-4" system with polyether-ether-ketone screwing prosthesis. Analysis using 3D finite element method.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and analyze distribution of bone stress in the implant area using a PEEK prosthesis fixed on four dental implants depending on different positions of the functional loading point on a cantilever in a 3D modeled system. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The fragment of the lower jaw with dental implants and over-the-implant prosthetic part was represented by geometrical 3D models and diagonal loads were placed on the distal cantilever of the prosthesis. 3D models were exported to SolidWorks® Student Edition 2018 (Dassault Systemes SE, France) software. Average von Mises stress around the outer perimeter of the implant was measured in MPa. Relative stress was identified using a graded color scale in relative units. A 0.95 confidence level (P), 0.05 significance level (p), maximum error of 10% (Δ) were set. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences® (IBM, Armonk, USA) version 137. RESULTS: The distal implant on the same side as the point of loading receives 45.01-53.88% of all forces created. Stress at the frontal implants is distributed almost evenly. The pair of implants on the same side of the loading force suffers 66.38-74.68% of all forces. The implant on the opposite side of the loading force receives the smallest stress which is hardly influenced by the length of the console. CONCLUSION: A full arch restoration in an edentulous lower jaw using a four-implant fixed PEEK prosthesis system generates unevenly distributed internal stress in the bone next to the implants but does not go over the critical resistance of the bone.

Testing of Lithuanian version of the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 among older adults. A Pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: To test reliability of the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaire translated into Lithuanian, and to evaluate impacts of dental health status as well as factors related to it on daily wellbeing among older adults attending Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LUHS) dental clinic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The permission to conduct the present study was granted by Center of Bioethics at LUHS. OHIP-14 was translated into Lithuanian and applied on adults aged 50 and more years (n=52) who received dental treatment at university clinic in March 2015. Data about dental health status of the subjects was collected from patients' records. Gender, marital status, education and income served as background information. The data were analysed by ANOVA and Chi-square test, taking the cut-off level for statistical significance at 0.05. Reliability analysis was performed by Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: The standardized Cronbach's alpha value of the Lithuanian version of the OHIP-14 was 0.924, considered as excellent. The mean total score of the OHIP-14 was 18.17 with the most commonly reported subscale of Psychological Discomfort. Just 8% of all respondents did not experience any impact from the dental health status on their daily wellbeing. There were significant differences in OHIP-14 items scores by gender, with women having higher scores for feeling tensed, self-conscious and having the unsatisfactory diet. CONCLUSION: The present findings indicate that the Lithuanian version of the OHIP-14 is reliable measure to be used in further studies. The majority of the study participants reported experiencing impacts from the dental health status on their daily wellbeing, with the psychological discomfort being the most common. Female gender was associated with reporting significantly higher impacts.

PEEK polymer's properties and its use in prosthodontics. A review.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to review polyether ether ketone (PEEK), its characteristics and use in prosthodontics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Information search for articles about PEEK and it's use in prosthodontics between January 2010 and April 2017 was conducted in Medline via PubMed, Science direct, Wiley online library as well as the Web search Google Scholar sources. Twelve full text articles were selected and used in this review. RESULTS: 143 articles were found in the database using keywords: PEEK, prosthodontics, dentistry. Data on the suitability of PEEK polymer were organized according to mechanical, chemical, physical properties and PEEK surface preparation. CONCLUSIONS: PEEK polymer is suitable to use in prosthodontics. However, there are not enough statements about complications, biofilm formation on PEEK surface and its resistance to compression. More research should be done to find out the results.

The prevalence of facial and dentolabial parameters among students of the Faculty of Dentistry of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences.

OBJECTIVE: Nowadays esthetic checklist is an indispensable assistance for the dental clinics. Processing the information recorded on it and integrating the esthetic evaluation with biologic and functional parameters will really allow dentist to formulate a correct diagnosis and to choose most suitable treatment plan for the patient. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of facial and dentolabial parameters among students of the Faculty of Dentistry of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences and to identify relationship of all facial and dentolabial parameters results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study is carried out at the Department of Dental and Maxillofacial Orthopedics of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. The facial and dentolabial parameters of students are examined by visual examination using medical gloves and rulers. Participants were sitting on a chair at a distance of 150 cm in front of the researchers. RESULTS: The thick type of lips was the most popular for normal profile face, of thin lips - concave, of medium lips type - convex. The most popular of profile face types were normal and convex. The most popular tooth exposure among all smile line types was less than half teeth. Type when more than half of teeth was diagnosed in the most of high "Gummy smile". CONCLUSIONS: Was found relationship between: the profile of face and type of lips; the tooth exposure at rest and type of smile line; the commisural line vs horizon and interpupillary line vs horizon; the facial midline and occlusal plane vs commisural line/horizon; the type of smile line and type of lips; the labial corridor and 10 teeth number of smile width type.

A review of PEEK polymer's properties and its use in prosthodontics.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to review polyether ether ketone (PEEK), its characteristics and use in prosthodontics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Information search for articles about PEEK and it's use in prosthodontics between January 2010 and April 2017 was conducted in Medline via PubMed, Science direct, Wiley online library as well as the Web search Google Scholar sources. Twelve full text articles were selected and used in this review. RESULTS: 143 articles were found in the database using keywords: PEEK, prosthodontics, dentistry. Data on the suitability of PEEK polymer were organized according to mechanical, chemical, physical properties and PEEK surface preparation. CONCLUSIONS: PEEK polymer is suitable to use in prosthodontics. However, there are not enough statements about complications, biofilm formation on PEEK surface and its resistance to compression. More research should be done to find out the results.

The comparison of cement- and screw-retained crowns from technical and biological points of view.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review was to evaluate the most common complications in implant prosthodontics with porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, to evaluate the influence of biomechanical properties on fractures and cracks of veneered porcelain, and to compare the effects of crowns with different connections on soft tissues. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A search of literature in the English language between 2009 and 2015 was conducted using the following databases: Medline via PubMed, Science Direct, Wiley online library, Taylor& Francis, and Cochrane library. In total, 10 studies that met the inclusion criteria were found. RESULTS: Four investigations showed that technical complications more often occurred in screw-retained prostheses, although two studies concluded that cement-retained crowns were also susceptible to technical complications. Two investigations showed that the deeper the abutment margin was subgingivally, the more excess cement was left in the peri-implant sulcus. Four studies concluded that cement-retained prostheses were more susceptible to biological complications, but two investigations also showed that biological complications were observed in tissues adjacent to screw-retained crowns. CONCLUSIONS: The research of literature data for the last five years showed that screw-retained crowns demonstrated more failures such as porcelain cracks and fractures or screw loosening, while cement-retained crowns caused more severe biological complications such as peri-implant soft tissue inflammation or pathological bone resorption.

Host responses to Candida albicans. A review.

Candida albicans is the most prevalent human fungal pathogen, that is component of the commensal microbial flora of the mouth. Under certain conditions, C. albicans can cause severe diseases, septicaemia, and death. The mass of infections made by this pathogen are connected with biofilm growth. This survey highlights the pathogenicity mechanisms of C. albicans and how this may lead to the induction of a protective immune response. The survey is based on the most recent and important literature available from the Medline database.

Direct composite resin crown fabrication on a custom formed root canal post - EverStick®POST.

OBJECTIVE: EverStick glass fibre posts have been advocated for a new method of a direct post and core fabrication. The EverStick posts have adhesive surface and are flexible before curing therefore can be shaped individually. The purpose of this article is to describe a new technique of direct composite resin crown fabrication on a custom made EverStick root canal post. METHODS: At first a rubber dam isolation was achieved and the EverStick post was fabricated following manufacturer's instructions. The crown fabrication started from the palatal layer of composite resin (Gaenial JE, GC) which was applied by means of a silicon index and light cured for 20 seconds (G-Light, GC).A dual cure self-adhesive resin cement (G-CEM Link Ace A2, GC) was used to cement the post and light cured for 40 seconds. Two further layers of Gaenial in AO2, A2 shades were placed to obtain the dentin shape and shade of the crown. For the enamel layer of the restoration Gaenial BW shade was used. Each layer was light cured separately for 20 seconds. The restoration was polished with diamonds (NTI-KAHLA GmbH, Germany) under water cooling. The final gloss was achieved by means of Soft-Lex discs (3M ESPE, USA) and a polishing paste (Gradia diapolisher, GC). RESULTS: The results achieved after 3 days and 12 months showed satisfactory aesthetics and marginal integrity of the restoration. CONCLUSION: Direct composite resin crown fabrication on a custom formed root canal post could be used as an economical and conservative treatment option.

Antimicrobial activity of silver and gold in toothpastes: A comparative analysis.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we compared the antimicrobial activity of identical toothpastes differing only in silver or gold nanoparticles against the activity of one of the common toothpastes containing a chemical active ingredient. We also compared the active concentrations of the toothpastes. METHODS: For this study, we selected "Royal Denta" toothpastes containing silver and gold particles, and the "Blend-A-Med Complete" toothpaste containing zinc citrate as the active ingredient. We used 8 standard microorganism cultures on the basis of their individual mechanisms of protection. The antimicrobial activity of each studied preparation was evaluated at 9 concentrations. RESULTS: Most effective against gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis) was the "Silver Technology" ­ MIC was 0.004-0.0015 g/mL. Neither "Silver Technology" nor "Orange and Gold Technology" had any effect on Escherichia coli or Proteus mirabilis. Antimicrobial activity against the motile bacterium Proteus mirabilis was observed in "Silver Technology", "Orange and Gold Technology", and "Blend-A-Med Complete" ­ the MIC was 0.015 g/mL or lower. No antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans fungus at the studied concentrations was observed in the "Orange and Gold Technology". The toothpaste "Blend-A-Med" demonstrated the most effective antimicrobial activity - the MIC of 0.0015 g/mL and 0.015 g/mL inhibited Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis, respectively, and the MIC of 0.15 g/mL inhibited the growth of the bacteria Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and fungus Candida albicans. CONCLUSIONS: Silver in toothpaste has a greater antimicrobial effect than gold, but its effect is still inferior to that of a chemical antimicrobial agent.

Candida albicans importance to denture wearers. A literature review.

Opportunistic oral fungal infections have spred, especially in denture wearers. Denture stomatitis is a common inflammatory reaction, multifactorial etiology, which is usually associated with Candida species, particularly Candida albicans, due to its high virulence, ability to adhere and form biofilms on oral cavity tissues and denture surfaces. This article highlights the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and management strategies of Candida-associated denture stomatitis commonly encountered in dental practice.

The relationship between unilateral mandibular angle fracture and temporomandibular joint function.

PURPOSE. Aim of this study was to analyze relation of occlusal correction and alterations of temporomandibular joint function during treatment of unilateral mandibular fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS. We compared 49 patients treated for unilateral mandibular fracture without occlusal correction with 21 patient treated for unilateral mandibular fracture along with early and consequent occlusal analysis and correction and with 49 control subjects. Patients' complaints, mandibular movements and occlusal parameters were evaluated during the period of healing. ZEBRIS ultrasound system (Jaw Motion Analyzer, Zebris Medical GmbH, Isny, Germany) was used for analysis of mandibular movements and T-Scan analyzer (Tekscan, Inc., Boston, MA, USA) was used for occlusal analysis. RESULTS. Findings of our study showed statistically significant (p<0.05) diminution of patients complaints, mandibular movement alterations and occlusal disturbances in patients who received occlusal correction during MF treatment if compared to patients treated without occlusal correction, except noises from the joint in the injured side and mandibular lateral track to the injured side in the final stage of investigation. Despite applied treatment recovery of the TMJ function was not complete and the investigated parameters remained worse if compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS. Results of this study confirmed positive influence of early and subsequent occlusal analysis and correction during stages of MF treatment on diminution of functional alterations of the temporomandibular joint function. Timely occlusal correction improves and hastens process of rehabilitation therefore it is indispensable part of MF treatment.

Viability changes: microbiological analysis of dental casts.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the survival of the most prevalent oral bacteria and fungi (Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans) in dental casts, and compared changes in the amounts of these microorganisms at different time intervals to determine how long dental casts may pose threat to the health of dental personnel and patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: When manufacturing the casts, regular water was replaced with sterile distilled water, where suspensions of the studied bacteria or the fungus at certain concentrations were prepared. When the dental casts were fully set (solidified), plaster shavings were examined immediately after the contact of the studied microorganism with the plaster, as well as after 1, 2, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours. Following that, we measured how the amount of the studied bacteria and fungi in 1 gram of the plaster changed within the studied period of time. RESULTS: Klebsiella pneumoniae survived in plaster for up to 4 days, and the reduction in the number of these bacteria became statistically significant after 1 day (p<0.05). Staphylococcus aureus remained viable in plaster for up to 4 days, and the number of these bacteria dropped after 1 day (p<0.05). Escherichia coli disappeared after 2 days, and a reduction was already observed after 2 hours (p<0.05). Candida albicans in plaster models died within 2 days, and a reduction in their number was observed after 1 day (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The microorganisms did not multiply in the gypsum casts and their number significantly dropped instead of increasing.