Biocompatibility and mineralization potential of new calcium silicate cements.

Background/purpose: As calcium silicate cements (CSCs) have been successfully used in various types of vital pulp therapy, many new CSC products have been developed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibilities and mineralization potential of new CSC. The experimental materials were NeoMTA Plus and EndoSequence Root Repair Material-Fast Set Putty (ERRM-FS) which were compared to ProRoot MTA. Materials and methods: In vitro, the effects of the new CSC on stem cells were evaluated. Each CSC was prepared for cell viability testing, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assay, and calcium ion release assay. In vivo, the exposed pulp model was used for the partial pulpotomy procedure. Thirty-six teeth were treated with three materials: ProRoot MTA, NeoMTA Plus, or ERRM-FS. After four weeks, the teeth were extracted and processed for histologic analysis. Dentin bridge formation, pulp inflammation, and odontoblastic cell layer were evaluated and the area of newly formed calcific barrier of each group was measured. Results: Three CSCs demonstrated similar cell viability on stem cells and the levels of ALP and calcium release were not significantly different between tested materials. ProRoot MTA and ERRM-FS showed better tissue healing process than NeoMTA Plus after partial pulpotomy, in terms of quality of calcific barrier and pulp inflammation. The outcomes from measuring newly formed calcific area demonstrated no significant differences between the materials. Conclusion: NeoMTA Plus and ERRM-FS displayed similar biocompatibilities and mineralization potential compared to ProRoot MTA. Therefore, these new CSCs can be used as desirable alternatives to ProRoot MTA.

Comparative study of pulpal responses to ProRoot MTA, Vitapex, and Metapex in canine teeth.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: ProRoot MTA, Vitapex, and Metapex are widely used for pulp treatment of primary tooth. The aim of this study was to compare the pulpal responses to ProRoot MTA, Vitapex, and Metapex in a canine model of pulpotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pulpotomy procedure was performed to 34 teeth (21 incisors and 13 premolars) and ProRoot MTA, Vitapex or Metapex was applicated to artificially exposed pulp tissues. After 13 weeks, the teeth were extracted and processed with hematoxylin-eosin staining for histologic evaluation. All specimens were evaluated in several categorys related to calcific barrier, inflammatory responses and the area of calcific barrier formation was measured. RESULTS: Most of the specimens in the ProRoot MTA group developed a calcific barrier at the pulp amputation site and showed a low level of inflammatory response. However, in comparison to ProRoot MTA group, a small amount of calcific barrier formed in Vitapex and Metapex groups. CONCLUSION: This in vivo study found that Vitapex and Metapex induced similar pulpal responses but showed poor outcomes compared with using ProRoot MTA. Vitapex and Metapex are therefore not good substitutes for ProRoot MTA in direct pulp capping and pulpotomy.

Correlation between Dental Maturity and Body Mass Index in Korean Children.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine relationships between dental maturity and body mass index (BMI) in Korean children. Study Design: 600 Korean children aged between 5 and 10 years for whom panoramic radiographs have been obtained between 2010 and 2017 were selected. Subjects were divided into four weight-status groups: underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese. Five lower-left permanent teeth were observed and rated. The stage of each tooth was converted into a score using the table suggested by Demirjian, and the sum of these scores was designated as the 'maturity score'. Results: This study found statistically significant differences in dental maturity between the weight groups (analysis of variance, P=0.003), with the maturity score being higher in the obese group than in normal-weight subjects (Tukey's post-hoc test, P=0.004). The linear regression showed a positive association between BMI and the maturity score after adjusting for sex and age (ß=0.34, P<0.001). The linear regression coefficient was higher in girls (ß=0.61, P<0.001) than in boys (ß=0.31, P=0.02). Conclusions: These data suggest that dental maturation is positively associated with BMI in Korean children. Since many treatment decisions are made in relation to dental maturity, these findings may have implications for pediatric dental care.

Relationship between parents' occupational characteristics and untreated dental caries in offspring: A population-based study of data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2008-2015.

Objectives We investigated the association between parents' occupational characteristics and untreated dental caries in their children. Methods We analyzed the data of 4764 and 5862 children merged with data of their mothers and fathers, respectively, derived from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2008-2015. Dentists assessed untreated dental caries, and occupational characteristics were self-reported. The associations between untreated dental caries in children and their parents' occupational characteristics were assessed with logistic regression analysis. Results The prevalence of untreated dental caries was 18.58% and 16.39% in the mother- and father-matched data, respectively. Compared to children whose mothers worked regular hours, those whose mothers worked overtime had increased odds of untreated dental caries [odds ratio (OR) 1.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.39]. Children of female self-employed workers/employers/unpaid family workers had higher odds of untreated dental caries than those of wage earners (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.00-1.39). The OR of untreated dental caries was higher among children with shift-working parents than those whose parents worked daytime hours (mother: OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.11-1.51; father: OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.18-1.58). Conclusions The children of non-white-collar workers, non-wage earners, and workers working overtime or doing shift work had higher odds of untreated dental caries. The effects of parental occupational characteristics on untreated dental caries differed by sex (mother versus father). Public health programs targeting the prevention of dental caries among children should consider parental occupational characteristics.

Relationship between long working hours and periodontitis among the Korean workers.

We aimed to investigate the association between long working hours and periodontitis, and whether such an association constitutes an exposure-response relationship. Data for this study were collected from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys conducted from 2007 to 2014; 17,533 workers (9,483 of men and 8,050 of women) were included. The odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the analysis of periodontitis defined as positive of Community Periodontal Index in relation to working hours were calculated using multiple logistic regression models with various stratifications. Compared to participants who worked ≤40 hours per week, the prevalence ratio (95% CI) for the periodontitis was 1.19 (1.14-1.24) and full adjusted OR (95% CI) was 1.09 (1.02-1.18) in participants who worked over 40 hours per week. The OR (95% CI) for periodontitis were 1.09 (0.99-1.19) in working group of 40< and ≥52 and 1.10 (1.01-1.20) in working group of >52 hours per week with a significant trend (p = 0.0233) even after adjusting for age, socioeconomic status, healthy behaviour, chronic disease, and dental care status. Long working hours are associated with periodontitis among Korean workers in an exposure-response manner.