Evaluation of periodontal status in young patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 1).

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to value periodontal status in young persons with well-controlled insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We examined 50 young people with IDDM (25 girls and 25 boys) and 50 healthy subjects (25 girls and 25 boys). Mean age of examined persons was about 14 years. We investigated gingival indexes: GI (Gingival Index) and PBI (Papillary Bleeding Index) and periodontal indexes: PI (Periodontal Index) and PDI (Periodontal Disease Index). The results were statistically analysed, and significant differences we observed for p < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean scores of Gingival Index and Papillary Bleeding Index were lower in healthy subjects but differences were not statistically significant. Only maximum scores of these indexes were significantly higher in diabetics. The mean and maximum values of Periodontal Index were significantly higher in patients with IDDM. We did not notice differences between mean scores of PDI in both examined groups. Analysis of maximum values of Periodontal Disease Index reveals higher level in diabetic girls than in female controls. CONCLUSIONS: IDDM patients may be at risk of periodontal diseases. Well-controlling insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus may be important for periodontal tissues status and prophylaxis of periodontal diseases.

The effect of glass ionomer cement Fuji IX on the hard tissues of teeth treated by sparing methods (ART and CMCR).

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of glass ionomer fillings Fuji IX on the mineral content of the hard dental tissues of carious teeth treated by sparing methods. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study material consisted of 4 deciduous teeth lost due to physiological resorption. The teeth had glass ionomer fillings Fuji IX inserted after treatment of caries by means of sparing methods (ART and CMCR). Chemical analysis of enamel and dentin was performed by means of energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) with X-ray analysis QUEST system at a distance of 20 um (point C) and 120 um (point D), respectively. The content of the following elements was evaluated in weight percent: oxygen (O), fluoride (F), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), silicon (Si), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr). The Ca/P ratio was calculated. T-student test for pairs, with the level of significance p < 0.05, was used for statistical analysis of the results. RESULTS: We found significantly higher levels of fluoride, aluminum and silicon and lower concentrations of calcium and phosphorus in the dentine adjacent to the filling (point C). However, no statistically significant differences were observed in the levels of the elements between these two sites of measurement. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that mineralization of the calcified dentine may involve elements released from glass ionomer cement Fuji IX.

Bacterial composition in the supragingival plaques of children with and without dental caries.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present investigation was to determine if the supragingival bacterial composition plaques in children with caries would differ from those found in caries-free controls. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Pooled supragingival plaque samples from the smooth surfaces of teeth were collected from 75 children with caries and 131 children without caries. The plaque samples were analysed for bacterial content by cultures on a series of non-selective and selective media for aerobic, microaerophilic and anaerobic bacteria. Additionally, the specimens of dentine carious lesions were examined. The standard culture procedures and identifications of bacteria were used. RESULTS: Among 131 children without dental caries, 41 (31.3%) were at preschool age with deciduous teeth and 90 (68.7%) at school age with permanent teeth. Dental plaques of caries-free children revealed 452 strains, out of which 326 (72.1%) were from permanent teeth, 126 (27.9%)--from deciduous teeth (p = 0.0001). Among 75 children with dental caries, 61 (81.3%) were at preschool age and 14 (18.7%)--at school age. There were 239 strains isolated from supragingival plaques in children with dental caries, 187 (78.2%) --in preschool children, and 52 (21.8%)--in school children (p < 0.05). From dentine carious lesions in these children, 209 strains were isolated; 164 from preschool children and 45--from school children (p < 0.05). Gram-positive bacteria were isolated more frequently than Gram-negative ones (p = 0.0001) from supragingival plaques both in children with and without dental caries. Streptococcus genus bacteria were isolated more often (p = 0.0002) from the plaques in school children without dental caries. The proportion (%) of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria was comparable (p > 0.05) in dental plaques in children with and without dental caries, except for Veillonella spp., which were isolated more frequently from dental plaques in school children with dental caries (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: 1) Generally, there was no statistically significant difference of bacterial species composition isolated from supragingival plaques in children with deciduous and permanent dental caries and caries-free children. 2) There was no difference between bacterial composition in dentine carious lesions of deciduous teeth and permanent teeth as compared to supragingival plaques in these children (except for Neisseria spp., Peptostreptococcus spp.).

Prevalence rate and antibiotic susceptibility of oral viridans group streptococci (VGS) in healthy children population.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluated the prevalence rate of oral viridans group streptococci (VGS) and their susceptibilities to some antibiotics in healthy children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Samples of pharyngeal swabs and supragingival dental plaques for microbiological studies were collected from 206 healthy children, aged 4-18 years. Additionally, 75 samples of carious lesions from children with dental caries were included. The streptococci were isolated and identified using standard methods and commercial identification kits. For performance of antibacterial susceptibility testing of VGS strains disk diffusion and/or breakpoints procedures were used according to NCCLS standards and criteria. A total of 425 VGS strains were tested against penicillin, ampicillin, erythromycin, clindamycin, tetracycline, doxycycline, ciprofloxacin and vancomycin. RESULTS: A total of 239 VGS strains belonging to 8 species from pharyngeal swabs of 192 (93.2%) children were isolated. VGS strains from supragingival plaques were isolated in 149 (72.3%) healthy children (p < 0.05), and from carious lesions in 37 (49.3%) children with dental caries. VGS strains of S. mitis species were isolated most frequently from 4-5 year old as compared to 12 and 18 year old children (p < 0.05), while S. vestibularis strains isolated most often in 12 year old ones (p < 0.05). Among 425 VGS strains, high level of penicillin resistance (MIC > or = 2.0 mg/L) was shown in 71 (16.7%) strains, 33 (46.5%) of them belonged to S. mitis species. VGS strains were also resistant to erythromycin (23.5%), clindamycin (23.1%), tetracyclines (T-52%, DOX-16%), gentamycin (25.9%) and ciprofloxacin (55.2%). All VGS strains were vancomycin - susceptible. CONCLUSIONS: 1. In the oral cavities of healthy children, approximately 98% of streptococci belonged to two VGS groups, i.e. mitis and salivarius groups. Streptococci of mutans and anginosus groups were isolated sporadically (2%). 2. We observed difference in susceptibility to penicillin and other antibiotics between the various species of viridans groups streptococci. Mitis group strains (except S. pneumoniae) were more frequently penicillin-resistant (23%) in comparison to salivarius group of VGS strains (9%) (p = 0.0001).