Anthropogenic sources of fluorine – the impact on the environment and human health – a literature review

Fluorine is an extremely chemically active element, which has a considerable impact on the entire ecosystem. Its influence may be both beneficial and harmful. This paper describes the biological significance of fluorine. It points out the sources of fluorine in the environment, paying particular attention to the part played by chemical plants producing phosphoric acid and phosphate fertilizers. The article contains the results of selected research, carried out on the area of impact of Zakłady Chemiczne "Police" S.A, concerning the following items: the monitoring of air and rainwater pollution by fluorine compounds, as well as the impact of fluorine and its compounds on plants, animals and human beings. The article also presents the effects posed by excess supply of this element

Oral health in elderly patients living in nursing homes and family homes

The aging of the population is the cause of many economic, sociological, psychological, political and health problems. In a general medical examination, oral health problems are ignored or regarded very superficially. However, the condition of human health is associated with the condition of oral cavity. Oral disorders can lead to many functional alterations of other organs, which finally affects the biological balance of the body. Dental caries and periodontal disease prevention is the major step that allows to keep own teeth and thus provides a proper function of the stomatognathic system for many years. Health behaviors of the elderly are varied and depend on many environmental factors, including self-reliance, physical and mental condition, the family status and living place, including nursing homes. Awareness of older patients increases, and their needs are not only associated with restoring the full functional capacity of the stomatognathic system, but also with the appearance and feeling of comfort. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of living environment, socioeconomic conditions and the psychosocial state on the oral cavity health of older people on the basis of the available literature.Starzenie się populacji jest powodem powstawania wielu problemów ekonomicznych, socjologicznych, psychologicznych, politycznych i zdrowotnych. W ogólnym badaniu lekarskim, często problem zdrowia jamy ustnej jest pomijany lub traktowany bardzo pobieżnie. Ogólny stan zdrowia człowieka koreluje ze zdrowiem jego jamy ustnej. W przypadku choroby jednego układu, często dochodzi do pogorszenia funkcji innych narządów i w konsekwencji dochodzi do zaburzenia równowagi biologicznej całego organizmu. Zapobieganie próchnicy i chorobom przyzębia pozwala na utrzymanie własnego uzębienia i tym samym zapewnia prawidłową funkcję układu stomatognatycznego przez wiele lat. Celem pracy było określenie jak środowisko życia, warunki socjoekonomiczne i stan psychospołeczny wpływają na stan jamy ustnej ludzi starszych na podstawie dostępnego piśmiennictwa. Zachowania zdrowotne osób w wieku podeszłym są zróżnicowane i zależą od wielu czynników środowiskowych m.in. czy pacjenci są samodzielni, sprawni fizycznie i umysłowo, pozostają w warunkach swojego domu i rodziny, czy też przy braku zdolności do samodzielnego życia znajdują się w domach pomocy społecznej(DPS).Najczęściej to sytuacja materialna najbliższych i obowiązki życia codziennego najbliższej rodziny wpływają na decyzję o konieczności umieszczenia osoby starszej w DPS. Świadomość starszych pacjentów wzrasta, a ich potrzeby dotyczą nie tylko przywrócenia pełnej wydolności czynnościowej układu stomatognatycznego, lecz także estetycznego wyglądu i poczucia komfortu

The Influence of Irradiation Time and Layer Thickness on Elution of Triethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate from SDR® Bulk-Fill Composite

Objective. This study aimed to evaluate triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) elution from SDR bulk-fill composite. Methods. Three groups of samples were prepared, including samples polymerized in a 4 mm layer for 20 s, in a 4 mm layer for 40 s, and in a 2 mm layer for 20 s. Elution of TEGDMA into 100% ethanol, a 75% ethanol/water solution, and distilled water was studied. The TEGDMA concentration was measured using HPLC. Results. The TEGDMA concentration decreased in the following order: 100% ethanol > 75% ethanol > distilled water. Doubling the energy delivered to the 4 mm thick sample caused decrease (p<0.05) in TEGDMA elution to distilled water. In ethanol solutions, the energy increase had no influence on TEGDMA elution. Decreasing the sample thickness resulted in decrease (p<0.05) in TEGDMA elution for all the solutions. Conclusions. The concentration of eluted TEGDMA and the elution time were both strongly affected by the hydrophobicity of the solvent. Doubling the energy delivered to the 4 mm thick sample did not decrease the elution of TEGDMA but did decrease the amount of the monomer available to less aggressive solvents. Elution of TEGDMA was also correlated with the exposed sample surface area. Clinical Relevance. Decreasing the SDR layer thickness decreases TEGDMA elution

The state of dentition in 6-year-old children from the Zachodniopomorskie region

Introduction. Dental caries in deciduous teeth is a big problem in pedodontics because of its considerable frequency and the very low age of patients. The health status of children’s oral cavity is related to a number of different factors and it is also connected with prophylaxis and pro-health education. Aim of the study. The aim of this study was to evaluate the health status of dentition in 6-year-old children from the city of Szczecin and the Zachodniopomorskie province. Material and methods. 60 children of both sexes were examined from the city of Szczecin, 30 children from a town in the above province and 30 from a village. Results. The results showed a very high prevalence of caries and high values for the DMF/dmf indices in children from the town and village. The children coming from the town and village need more encouragement in pro-health habits and better access to dental care than children of the same age from the city. Conclusion. The results show a decidedly worse status of dentition in children from the small town and the village than in their peers from the city. Thus it is necessary to implement preventive and treatment measures as well as improving oral health awareness among the parents and guardians, particularly in small towns and country areas

Surface Geometry of Four Conventional Nanohybrid Resin-Based Composites and Four Regular Viscosity Bulk Fill Resin-Based Composites after Two-Step Polishing Procedure

Objectives. The aim of the study was to determine the quantitative and qualitative surface structure of contemporary RBCs in posterior teeth reconstructions: regular viscosity bulk fill and conventional composites, obtained after two-stage polishing procedure. Materials and Methods. Four conventional nanohybrid composites (Tetric EvoCeram, GrandioSO, Filtek Z550, and Ceram·X Mono) and four regular viscosity bulk fill composites (Tetric EvoCeram Bulk Fill, X-tra fil, Filtek Bulk Fill Posterior, and QuixFil) were tested. Samples of each RBC were prepared using PMMA cylindrical mold. After two-step polishing procedure, a surface geometry was evaluated under profilometry (Turbowave v. 7.36, Hommel-Etamic) and SEM (VEGA 3, Tescan Analytics). To evaluate differences between values, the following nonparametric tests were used: Friedman’s ANOVA, Wilcoxon’s matched-pair test, ANOVA Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney U. Results. All conventional RBCs showed Ra values in the range of 0.20-0.26 μm. Bulk fill showed higher values in range of 0.49-1.36 μm except for Filtek Bulk Fill Posterior, which achieved 0.23 μm Ra value. SEM images of conventional RBCs were described as smooth surfaces with slight damage except for TEC, which presented smooth surface with no damage. Bulk fill composites showed rough surface, except for TBF, which presented smooth surface with slight damage. Conclusions. Regular viscosity bulk fill composites do not constitute a homogeneous group regarding surface roughness after polishing. They obtain, for the most part, poorer smoothness values after polishing than conventional RBCs

The Influence of New Silicate Cement Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA Repair HP) on Metalloproteinase MMP-2 and MMP-9 Expression in Cultured THP-1 Macrophages

The aim of the present study was to investigate the new silicate cement mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA Repair HP) with respect to its effect on the inflammation process involving the tooth and periodontal tissues. The composition of MTA Repair HP was supplemented with plasticizer agents which can have a negative effect on the modulation of tooth inflammation. The silicate-based material in question is widely used in regeneration of the pulp-dentin complex, treatment of perforations of various locations in the tooth, as well as in surgical treatment of the complications of periapical tissue. The improved bioceramic restorative cement can affect the expression of metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 in monocytes/macrophages involved in modulation of inflammation and regenerative processes of the tooth and periodontal tissues. The novel aspect of the present study lies in the application of the model of THP-1 monocyte/macrophage and applying the biomaterial in direct contact with the cells. Hence, it provides a representation of clinical conditions with respect to regenerative pulp and periodontal treatment with the use of MTA Repair HP. A lack of macrophage activation (as measured with flow cytometry) was found. Moreover, the study identified a lack of expression stimulation of the studied metalloproteinases (with the use of Western blotting and fluorescent microscopy). Similarly, no increase in MMP-2 and MMP-9 concentration was found (measured by ELISA method) in vitro when incubated with MTA Repair HP. Based on the results it can be concluded that new MTA Repair HP does not increase the inflammatory response in monocytes/macrophages associated with the activity of the described enzymes. It can also be speculated that they do not affect the process of dentin regeneration in which MMP-2 and MMP-9 play significant roles

Clinical and Histological Evaluation of Direct Pulp Capping on Human Pulp Tissue Using a Dentin Adhesive System

Objective. This study presents a clinical and histological evaluation of human pulp tissue responses after direct capping using a new dentin adhesive system. Methods. Twenty-eight caries-free third molar teeth scheduled for extraction were evaluated. The pulps of 22 teeth were mechanically exposed and randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: Single Bond Universal or calcium hydroxide. Another group of 6 teeth acted as the intact control group. The periapical response was assayed, and a clinical examination was performed. The teeth were extracted after 6 weeks, and a histological analysis was performed. The pulp status was assessed, and the thickness of the dentin bridge was measured and categorized using a histological scoring system. Results. The clinical phase was asymptomatic for Single Bond Universal patients. Patients in the calcium hydroxide group reported mild symptoms of pain, although the histological examination revealed that dentin bridges with or without limited pulpitis had begun forming in each tooth. The universal adhesive system exhibited nonsignificantly increased histological signs of pulpitis (P>0.05) and a significantly weaker thin mineralized tissue layer (P<0.001) compared with the calcium hydroxide group. Conclusion. The results suggest that Single Bond Universal is inappropriate for human pulp capping; however, further long-term studies are needed to determine the biocompatibility of this agent