The influence of tobacco smoking on dental periapical condition in a sample of an adult population of the Łódź region, Poland

ObjectivesEpidemiological studies show that apical periodontitis (AP), alongside tooth decay, is the most common oral disease. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of smoking on the prevalence of AP in the population of the Łódź region, Poland.Material and MethodsThe study involved 815 first-time, randomly selected patients reporting to the Central Teaching Hospital of the Medical University of Lodz. The studied group was a systematic sample of the population admitted for treatment in 2016. The study consisted of a questionnaire and a radiological part. Each patient filled out a questionnaire containing demographic data, and an interview regarding smoking and diabetes. The radiological part of the study included the analysis of panoramic radiographs which showed the periapical status, and the presence and quality of root canal treatment.ResultsTeeth with AP were observed more frequently in patients addicted to tobacco either at the time of the study or in the past (group 1) – 7.2% than in people who had never smoked (group 2) – 5.2% (p < 0.0005). In the teeth without root canal treatment, AP was observed more frequently in group 1 – 3.5% than in group 2 – 1.9% (p < 0.0005). A statistically significant difference was found in the percentage of endodontically treated teeth between group 1 and group 2 (10.7% vs. 9.6%) (p = 0.017). However, no difference was observed in the frequency of AP in the endodontically treated teeth in both groups (37.6% vs. 35.8%) (p = 0.451).ConclusionsSmokers are a group facing an increased risk of AP and, therefore, there is a need for an early detection and treatment of caries and its complications in this group of patients. The multifactorial etiology of AP indicates the necessity to undertake further studies on the effect of smoking on the periapical status

The Effect of Various Polishing Systems on the Surface Roughness of Two Resin Composites&mdash;An In Vitro Study

The long-term success of a composite restoration largely depends on its smoothness, which can be achieved by the appropriate polishing tools and material selection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surface roughness of two composite materials after the application of selected polishing systems. Filtek Ultimate (FU) and Filtek Z250 (FZ) were tested. Forty specimens of each material were prepared. After polymerization under a Mylar strip, the surface roughness of five samples from each group was measured. Subsequently, all specimens were ground by 600 grit sandpaper. The surface roughness of five samples per group was tested again. The samples from each group were randomly assigned to eight subgroups, and polished by Sof-Lex, Sof-Lex Diamond Polishing System, Super Snap, One Gloss, Astrobrush, Stainbuster, Enamel Shiny, and Jiffy Polishing System. The collected data were analyzed using the Shapiro&ndash;Wilk and Kruskal&ndash;Wallis tests. The lowest Ra coefficient after polishing is found in the Super Snap groups (FU&mdash;0.077 &mu;m, FZ&mdash;0.085 &mu;m). The lowest Rlr coefficient is measured in the Enamel Shiny group for FU (1.000), and for Sof-Lex, Sof-Lex Diamond Polishing System, and Jiffy Polishing Kit for FZ (1.001), and only slightly higher for Super Snap (FU&mdash;1.001, FZ&mdash;1.002). The roughest-measured surface is in the One Gloss group for FU (Ra&mdash;0.657 &micro;m, Rlr&mdash;1.009), and Astrobrush group for FZ (Ra&mdash;0.525 &mu;m, Rlr&mdash;0.011). Additionally, it was not confirmed that the nanoparticle material (FU) demonstrates better results than the microhybrid one (FZ). Different polishing systems produce varying surface roughness. The most effective polishing system is Super Snap. The structure of composites does not significantly affect their surface roughness after polishing