Inhibition of \u3cem\u3eCandida albicans\u3c/em\u3e and Mixed Salivary Bacterial Biofilms on Antimicrobial Loaded Phosphated Poly(methyl methacrylate)

Biofilms play a crucial role in the development of Candida-associated denture stomatitis. Inhibition of microbial adhesion to poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and phosphate containing PMMA has been examined in this work. C. albicans and mixed salivary microbial biofilms were compared on naked and salivary pre-conditioned PMMA surfaces in the presence or absence of antimicrobials (Cetylpyridinium chloride [CPC], KSL-W, Histatin 5 [His 5]). Polymers with varying amounts of phosphate (0–25%) were tested using four C. albicans oral isolates as well as mixed salivary bacteria and 24 h biofilms were assessed for metabolic activity and confirmed using Live/Dead staining and confocal microscopy. Biofilm metabolism was reduced as phosphate density increased (15%: p = 0.004; 25%: p = 0.001). Loading of CPC on 15% phosphated disks showed a substantial decrease (p = 0.001) in biofilm metabolism in the presence or absence of a salivary pellicle. Salivary pellicle on uncharged PMMA enhanced the antimicrobial activity of CPC only. CPC also demonstrated remarkable antimicrobial activity on mixed salivary bacterial biofilms under different conditions displaying the potent efficacy of CPC (350 µg/mL) when combined with an artificial protein pellicle (Biotene half strength)

Is missing maxillary lateral incisor in complete cleft lip and palate a product of genetics or local environment?

Objective: To test the null hypothesis: Subjects with isolated complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) show no differences in overall frequency of tooth agenesis (hypodontia), comparing a subsample with cleft-side maxillary lateral incisor (MxI2) agenesis to a subsample without cleftside MxI2 agenesis. Findings could clarify the origins of cleft-side MxI2 agenesis. Materials and Methods: Tooth agenesis was identified from dental radiographs of 141 subjects with UCLP. The UCLP cohort was segregated into four categories according to the status and location of MxI2 in the region of the unilateral cleft: group M: subjects with one tooth, located on the mesial side of the alveolar cleft; group D: subjects with one tooth, located on the distal side of the alveolar cleft; group MD: subjects with two teeth present, one mesial and one distal to the cleft; and group ABS: subjects with lateral incisor absent (agenesis) in the cleft area. Results: The null hypothesis was rejected. Among UCLP subjects, there was a twofold increase (P < .0008) in overall frequency of tooth agenesis outside the cleft region in a subsample with cleftside MxI2 agenesis (ABS), compared to a subsample presenting with no agenesis of the cleft-side MxI2 (M+D+MD). Conclusions: Cleft-side MxI2 agenesis in CLP subjects appears to be largely a genetically controlled anomaly associated with cleft development, rather than a collateral environmental consequence of the adjacent cleft defect, since increased hypodontia involving multiple missing teeth observed remote from a cleft clearly has a significant genetic basis. (Angle Orthod. 2012;82:959-963.

Factors Associated with Extraction Versus Non-Extraction Treatment Among Orthodontic Patients at Marquette University

Objective: This study aimed to use the available database (2017-2023) of the patients treated in the orthodontic graduate clinic at Marquette University School of Dentistry to survey epidemiologic characteristics and to determine the contributing diagnostic factors and their weights in decision-making for extraction vs. non-extraction treatment plans. Methods: Data were deidentified and extracted from the orthodontic module of the internal clinical records database in axiUm. We evaluated patients who presented between 2017-2023 for comprehensive treatment and collected the following parameters: age, race, gender, anteroposterior occlusal classification (Class I, II, III), skeletal vertical classification (high, normal, or low mandibular plane angle), amount of crowding of upper and lower arches (measured as tooth size-arch length discrepancy), amount of lip protrusion (measured as upper/lower lip distance to E-plane), and extraction versus non-extraction treatment plans. Student t-test and logistic regression analysis were performed to determine contributing factors and their weights in orthodontic extraction or non-extraction decision-making. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: 1,715 patients were identified in the database search. The average age was 15.89 ± 8.97 years. The patient population was primarily Hispanic (53%) followed by Caucasian (28%), African American (14%), and Asian (5%). There were more female (58%) than male (42%) patients. Of the patients who had crowding, defined as an arch length discrepancy between 0 and -9 millimeters, 201 subjects had complete data available for valid logistic regression analysis, including 119 (59%) recommended for a non-extraction treatment plan and 82 (41%) for premolar extractions. In a logistic regression analysis, we found statistically significant odds ratios for upper crowding, lower crowding, and age, but the other variables were not significant. Conclusion: At Marquette, the decision to extract or not extract premolars to resolve crowding is largely a function of the amount of crowding in the arch and the patient’s age. Specifically, each millimeter of crowding is associated with a 20% increase in the likelihood of extraction being recommended, and each additional year of age is associated with a 10% increase in the likelihood of extraction

Inhibition of Candida albicans and Mixed Salivary Bacterial Biofilms on Antimicrobial Loaded Phosphated Poly(methyl methacrylate)

Biofilms play a crucial role in the development of Candida-associated denture stomatitis. Inhibition of microbial adhesion to poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and phosphate containing PMMA has been examined in this work. C. albicans and mixed salivary microbial biofilms were compared on naked and salivary pre-conditioned PMMA surfaces in the presence or absence of antimicrobials (Cetylpyridinium chloride [CPC], KSL-W, Histatin 5 [His 5]). Polymers with varying amounts of phosphate (0–25%) were tested using four C. albicans oral isolates as well as mixed salivary bacteria and 24 h biofilms were assessed for metabolic activity and confirmed using Live/Dead staining and confocal microscopy. Biofilm metabolism was reduced as phosphate density increased (15%: p = 0.004; 25%: p = 0.001). Loading of CPC on 15% phosphated disks showed a substantial decrease (p = 0.001) in biofilm metabolism in the presence or absence of a salivary pellicle. Salivary pellicle on uncharged PMMA enhanced the antimicrobial activity of CPC only. CPC also demonstrated remarkable antimicrobial activity on mixed salivary bacterial biofilms under different conditions displaying the potent efficacy of CPC (350 µg/mL) when combined with an artificial protein pellicle (Biotene half strength)