Acidogenicity and acidurance of dental plaque and saliva sediment from adults in relation to caries activity and chlorhexidine exposure

Tooth wear (TW) is an irreversible and cumulative phenomenon causing aesthetic and functional compromise. Increasing wear has been associated with age, and various other factors have been reported to influence its type and/or severity both in individuals and groups. Increased TW may constitute a major future problem for the elderly. The present cross-sectional study aims at determining the prevalence of TW in senior citizens from Northern Greece and evaluating the patient-level associations between TW, periodontal condition, and sociodemographic factors. A sample of 363 dentate individuals, aged between 65 and 74 years, was considered according to the WHO guidelines for national pathfinder surveys and three different dentists examined the representative population groups from different urban and rural areas in Northern Greece. The examiners were calibrated prior to the survey, with an interexaminer agreement of over 85%. The simplified TWI, community periodontal index (CPI), attachment loss (AL), plaque index (DI), calculus index (CI), and sociodemographic factors were detected and measured. TW is very prevalent among senior citizens in Northern Greece, with males having been found to experience more wear. Age and oral health status, when measured by the periodontal indices AL, DI, and CI, are significantly combined with TW in both urban and rural areas.

(1) Background: In recent years, there has been a growing interest in understanding the innate immunity of the mouth, particularly the mechanisms through which vitamin D influences oral health. Researchers have increasingly focused on the association between vitamin D and the antimicrobial peptide LL-37 since the CAMP gene, responsible for encoding the LL-37 peptide, is a direct target of both vitamin D and its receptor (vitamin D receptor, VDR). This study aimed to explore the correlation between the 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and the concentration of the LL-37 peptide in both serum and saliva. The objective was to compare the serum concentrations of 25(OH)D and ll-37 with those in saliva and to access the correlations between the two compounds. (2) Methods: Serum and whole saliva samples were collected from 72 healthy adults (mean age 28.68 ± 8.35). The levels of 25(OH)D and LL-37 were assessed in both the saliva and serum samples using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. (3) Results: The 25(OH)D levels in the serum (median 5.92 ng/mL, min–max 2.7–10.4 ng/mL) correlated with the LL-37 serum levels (62 ng/mL, min–max 18–378 ng/mL; Pearson’s r 0.328, p = 0.005). Additionally, the 25(OH)D levels in saliva (median 1.16 ng/mL, min–max 0.54–2.12 ng/mL) strongly correlated with the LL-37 salivary levels (median 44 ng/mL, min–max 6.5–205 ng/mL; Pearson’s r 0.667, p < 0.001). The 25(OH)D salivary levels demonstrated a robust correlation with the LL-37 salivary levels. (4) Conclusions: This discovery emphasizes the complex interplay between vitamin D and LL-37 and lay the groundwork for the further exploration of vitamin D’s role in oral immune function.

Fluoride mouthwashes are often recommended by dental professionals due to their proven benefits for oral hygiene. However, it is vital to acknowledge that these products may have undesirable effects on orthodontic treatment outcomes, particularly by altering the biomechanical properties of orthodontic devices and their components. To gain a comprehensive understanding of this potential issue, an extensive and systematic search was conducted across seven distinct databases. PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA ScR) guidelines were followed. Following a detailed evaluation and careful scrutiny of the available evidence, a total of seven relevant studies met the inclusion criteria and were incorporated into the current scoping review. Findings indicated that regular intraoral use of fluoride-containing mouthwashes could lead to heightened corrosion and greater release of metal ions from stainless-steel brackets and nickel–titanium (NiTi) archwires. Additionally, the mechanical properties and structural integrity of titanium–molybdenum alloy (TMA) wires were negatively influenced by exposure to fluoride mouthwashes. Although existing evidence highlights these potential drawbacks, there remains a clear necessity for additional comprehensive research. Given the possibility that fluoride mouthwashes could adversely influence orthodontic treatment effectiveness, orthodontists and dental clinicians must exercise cautious judgment and deliberate consideration when prescribing fluoride-based mouthwashes for patients undergoing orthodontic therapy.

A female patient, 51 years old, complaint of painful swelling on the anatomical area of the upper left lateral incisor. The diagnosis of radicular cyst was confirmed histo-pathologically. Nowadays, radicular cysts may be treated using conventional root canal methods or surgical apicectomy. The possible soft-laser reaction to radicular cysts after contact application has not been investigated. We present an in vitro case of a diagnosed radicular cyst which carbonized after contact application of diode laser. The need for future clinical trials will be essential to prove the sensitivity of this procedure in humans.

Numerous studies investigating oxidative stress in saliva in relation to dental caries and dental treatment focus on parameters such as total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde. This study is the first to utilize 8-isoprostane as a salivary biomarker to assess oxidative stress in relation to both caries and dental treatment. Salivary properties are also evaluated. The innovation of this study lies in its unique approach: although these salivary parameters have been examined individually in past research, this is the first study to evaluate them in conjunction with oxidative stress. A total of 26 children with caries and 20 caries-free children aged between 4 and 12 years old were included in this study. From both groups, stimulated saliva was collected and used to assess salivary properties and the 8-isoprostane level. For the caries group, the same measurements were also conducted after dental treatment. Children with caries had significantly lower levels of pH, and conductivity compared to caries-free children. The concentration of 8-isoprostane did not differ significantly between the two groups. In the caries group, dental treatment led to an increase in salivary conductivity and buffer capacity, along with a decrease in 8-isoprostane levels.