Prevalence of apical periodontitis and endodontic treatment in a Kosovar adult population

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Despite numerous studies on the prevalence of apical periodontitis (AP) and endodontic treatment in diverse geographical populations, there are currently no data on the prevalence of these conditions in populations of adults native to Kosovo. Therefore, little is known about how widespread these conditions are, and whether there is any correlation between root canal treatment and AP. The purpose of our research was to address this anomaly by investigating AP and endodontic treatment in an adult Kosovar population based on radiographic examination.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The sample used for this study consisted of randomly selected individuals referred to the University Dentistry Clinical Center of Kosovo in the years 2006-2007. Orthopantomographs of 193 patients were evaluated. The periapical status of all teeth (with the exception of third molars) was examined according to Ørstavik's Periapical Index. The quality of the root canal filling was rated as 'adequate' or 'inadequate' based on whether all canals were filled, the depth of fill relative to the radiographic apex and the quality of compaction (absence/presence of voids). Data were analyzed statistically using the Chi-square test and calculation of odds ratios.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Out of 4131 examined teeth, the prevalence of apical periodontitis (AP) and endodontic treatment was 12.3% and 2.3%, respectively. Of 95 endodontically-treated teeth, 46.3% were associated with AP. The prevalence of AP increased with age. The prevalence in subjects aged over 60 years old (20.2%) was higher than in other age groups. A statistically significant difference was found for the frequency of endodontically-treated teeth associated with AP in the 40-49 year age group (P < 0.001). Of some concern was the discovery that only 30.5% of the endodontically-treated teeth examined met the criteria of an acceptable root canal filling. Inadequately root-filled teeth were associated with an increased AP risk.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The prevalence of AP and the frequency of endodontically-treated teeth with AP in this Kosovar population are higher than those found in other countries. Inadequate root canal fillings were associated with an increased prevalence of AP.</p

A new method for studying the adhesion of Candida albicans to dentin in the presence or absence of smear layer

WOS: 000184766700013PubMed ID: 12931094Objectives. The purpose of this study was to develop a reproducible, quantitative model of Candida albicans adhesion to human dentin through the use of a colorimetric method and to evaluate the effect of smear layer on candidal adhesion. Study design. Dentin disks with or without smear layer were incubated with C albicans (10(8) cells/mL) for 4 hours. After incubation, the disks were exposed to an (2,3)-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-[(phenylamino)-carbonyl]-2H-tetrazolium hydroxide-coenzyme Q solution for 2 hours. The color of (2,3)-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-[(phenylamino)-carbonyl]-2H-tetrazolium hydroxide formazan in the supernatant was determined spectrophotometrically at 492 nm. To relate formazan formation to cell numbers, standard curves were generated with known numbers of yeast cells without dentin. The number of adherent cells per square millimeter was then calculated. Results. The number of attached C albicans cells was 2.4 X 10(4) per square millimeter in dentin with smear layer and 1.5 X 10(4) in dentin without smear layer (P < .05). Conclusion. (2,3)-Bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-[(phenylamino)-carbonyl]-2H-tetrazolium hydroxide assay is a potential microbiologic tool for the quantitative determination of Candida adhesion to human dentin

A reproducible model of C. albicans adhesion to human dentin.

WOS: 00017602470219