The gingival Stillman's clefts: histopathology and cellular characteristics

Stillman's cleft is a mucogingival triangular-shaped defect on the buccal surface of a root with unknown etiology and pathogenesis. The aim of this study is to examine the Stillman's cleft obtained from excision during root coverage surgical procedures at an histopathological level

Dietary Fluoride Intake by Children: When to Use a Fluoride Toothpaste?

Abstract Fluoride is recommended for its cariostatic effect, but excessive fluoride intake may have health risks. Increased prevalence of dental fluorosis in areas with low fluoride content in drinking water has been attributed to the inappropriate excessive intake of fluoride supplements (tablets and drops) and toothpaste ingestion. The aim of the present study was to estimate the fluoride intake and the risk of fluorosis in children (6 months-6 years) in the Castelli Romani area (province of Rome, Italy), which is volcanic, therefore with a higher concentration of fluorine. Measurements of the fluoride content in drinking water, mineral waters, vegetables and commercial toothpaste for children were performed. The fluoride concentrations of all samples were determined using a Fluoride Ion Selective Electrode (GLP 22, Crison, Esp). Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Differences between samples were determined by Student's t-test. The fluoride content in tap water samples collected from public sources averaged from 0.35 to 1.11 ppm. The Pavona area showed the highest content of fluoride with respect to the others (p ≤ 0.05). The fluoride content in mineral water samples averaged from 0.07 to 1.50 ppm. The fluoride content of some vegetables showed increased mean values when compared to control vegetables (p ≤ 0.05). Within the limitations of the present study, considerations should be made when prescribing fluoride toothpaste for infants (6 months-4 years) in the areas with high fluoride content, because involuntary ingestion is consistent

SEM characterization and ageing analysis on two generation of invisible aligners

Abstract Background: The purpose of the in vitro study is to investigate and compare the morphological features and the chemical stability in weight of two different polyurethane-based blends, Smart Track (LD30) and Exceed30 (EX30), used for orthodontic aligners manufacture before and after the oral usage. Methods: Twenty orthodontic aligners were randomly selected: 10 LD30 and 10 EX30, each group was divided in two subgroups, never used and intra-orally aged. By the employment of a Stereomicroscope, a section of 5 × 5 mm was cut from the buccal surface of the incisal region of each aligner. All samples were subjected to Scanning Electron Microscopy and Ageing tests in different solutions to simulate the hostility of the oral environment. The statistical method used was t-test. Results: At SEM images, LD30 appears more homogeneous in texture respect to EX30. However, after clinical usage, both materials show significant structural alterations: findings have been supported by higher magnifications at SEM, by which it is clearly to observe many superficial cracks cross through the polymer structures of LD30U, absent in never used samples. LD30U surface becomes also smoother due to the disappearance of most of the conglomerates, but at the same time also rougher while EX30U shows a greater irregularity and porosity in which large and deep cracks are also highlighted. Although these changes occur persistently, in the aging tests no significant weight loss from both materials has been found, confirming the initial hypothesis of a good chemical stability and safety of both polyurethane mixtures even in conditions of severe hostility. Conclusion: LD30 is the expression of the technological evolution of EX30, this is made evident above all by its morphological architecture, more homogeneous and defined but also by the chemical stability that can be appreciated even in evident critic situations

Orofacial signs and dental abnormalities in patients with Mulvihill-Smith syndrome: A literature review on this rare progeroid pathology

BACKGROUND: Mulvihill-Smith syndrome is a rare sporadic condition that was first recognized in 1975. A total of 11 cases have been described in the literature. The aim of this study was to describe the orofacial signs and dental anomalies, their frequency, and the relationship between Mulvihill-Smith syndrome and other progeroid syndromes via a review of the literature.METHODS: A systematic PubMed search was performed to retrieve articles published between 1975 and the present day that described patients affected by Mulvihill-Smith syndrome. The search identified 14 articles, and data on 11 patients were extracted from the selected articles.RESULTS: A total of 7 patients (63.6%) affected by Mulvihill-Smith syndrome were described as having a typical "bird" face. Dental abnormalities, including irregular shape, enamel defects, hypodontia, and taurodontism, were described in 6 patients (54.5%). All patients (100%) had multiple pigmented nevi on the face and a lack or thinning of subcutaneous tissue around the neck and face. Three patients with Mulvihill-Smith syndrome exhibited early onset of tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, including the tongue.CONCLUSION: Mulvihill-Smith syndrome is a clinically complex disease that may be caused by a single gene mutation. Numerous different tissues of the body are affected. This analysis of the orofacial signs may help clinicians to diagnose this rare pathology

In vitro evaluation of structural factors favouring bacterial adhesion on orthodontic adhesive resins

Bacterial adhesion to the surface of orthodontic materials is an important step in the formation and proliferation of plaque bacteria, which is responsible for enamel demineralization and periodontium pathologies. With the intent of investigating if adhesive resins used for bracket bonding are prone to bacteria colonization, the surface roughness of these materials has been analyzed, combining information with a novel methodology to observe the internal structures of orthodontic composites. Scanning electron microscopy, combined with focus ion bean micromachining and stylus profilometry analyses, were performed to evaluate the compositional factors that can influence specific pivotal properties facilitating the adhesion of bacteria to the surface, such as surface roughness and robustness of three orthodontic adhesive composite resins. To confirm these findings, contact angle measurements and bacteria incubation on resin slide have been performed, evaluating similarities and differences in the final achievement. In particular, the morphological features that determine an increase in the resins surface wettability and influence the bacterial adhesion are the subject of speculation. Finally, the focused ion beam technique has been proposed as a valuable tool to combine information coming from surface roughness with specific the internal structures of the polymers

Fluid filtration and dye leakage testing of Resilon/Epiphany and guttapercha/Pulp Canal Sealer root canal fillings.

ABSTRACT The aim of the present study was to compare sealing abilities of Resilon/Epiphany (R/E) with those of gut- tapercha and Kerr Pulp Canal Sealer EWT (GP/PCS). 50 single rooted teeth were randomly divided into 2 groups (n = 22) (R/E; GP/PCS), and 2 control groups (n = 3) (Positive, Negative). Fluid flow rate through the filled roots was measured using a fluid filtration device. The same specimens were immersed in a 2% Methylen Blue Solution. Roots were embedded in clear epoxy resin and cross sectionet at 1 mm inter- vals along the length of the root. Circumferential dye penetration was evaluated at 40× magnification. Fluid filtration of teeth obturated with the R/E system (0.085 [0.057, 0.113] μL·min−1), and dye penetration test showed no statistically significant difference com- pared to those obturated with GP/PCS (0.113 [0.057, 0.141] μL·min−1). Within the limits of the present study, there is no statistically significant difference between R/E and GP/PCS sealing abilities

The gingival Stillman's clefts: histopathology and cellular characteristics

Stillman's cleft is a mucogingival triangular-shaped defect on the buccal surface of a root with unknown etiology and pathogenesis. The aim of this study is to examine the Stillman's cleft obtained from excision during root coverage surgical procedures at an histopathological level

Agrumi: erosione dentale e fluoro. Prima parte

Aim of the work. The aim of the study was to evaluate erosion effectiveness and fluoride concentration of pure citrus drinks and citrus soft drinks. Materials and methods. 7 pure citrus drinks and 12 citrus soft drinks were considered. In both cases, samples were analyzed for pH and fluoride concentration. The measurement of pH was carried out using a pH electrode connected with GLP 22 Crison® pHmeter. Fluoride concentration was carried out using a selective electrode Crison®. Results. The study demonstrated that both pure citrus drinks and citrus soft drinks show pH values ranged between 3.6 and 1.8 and thus lower respect to critical pHs which are expected for enamel and dentine demineralization and dissolution. Regarding fluoride, measurements carried out on citrus soft drinks, generally show an absence of this ion and, only in three cases, concentrations ranged between 0.1 and 0.16 ppm. Conclusion. Our data showed that erosive potential of pure citrus drinks and citrus soft drinks is capable of dissolving, in vitro, considerable amounts of enamel and dentine. In vivo, erosion is probably limited from many factors as calcium concentration and saliva buffering effect. Absence or very little concentration of ionic fluoride dissolved in tested drinks was observed

Plaque retention on elastomeric ligatures. An in vivo study

Fixed orthodontic appliances make it difficult to maintain the oral hygiene, resulting in plaque accumulation. Retention of bacterial plaque, represents a risk for white spot lesions and development of periodontal disease. Aim. Purpose of this study was to determine in vivothe retention of plaque on three different elastic ligatures, in comparisonwith stainless steel ligature, to determine a possible association between type of ligatures and accumulation of microor-ganisms. Material and Methods:three elastic ligation systems were analyzed for plaque retention: ring-shape, clear, latex ligatures (Leone® Spa), ring-shape, grey, polyurethane ligatures (Micerium® Spa) and grey, polyurethane, Slide low-friction liga-tures (Leone® Spa), compared with stainless steel ligatures (Leone® Spa) used as control. Forthy orthodontic patientsundergoing fixed orthodontic therapy were selected. A sample for each type of ligature were applied inside the oral cavity of each subject. Samples were kept in theoral cavity for 28 days, ligating 0.16 X 0.22 stainless steel archwire to stainless steel orthodontic premolars brackets. The presence of bacterical slime was quantified by spectrophotometric method (crystal violet-Bouin’s fixative) and morphologicalobservations was evaluated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Results. From analysis of bacterical slime emerges that all the elastics showed a low plaque retention, especially if compared to the group of steinless steel ligatures, that presented a greater plaque adhesion, statistically significant comparedto the Slide group (r<0.0002) and the two elastic groups (r<0.0001). This study reported no significant difference betweenthe Slide ligatures and the traditional elastic ligatures as regards the retention of plaque. SEM images showed presenceof cocci, rods and few filamentous organisms and an interbacterial matrix in all observed samples. Conclusion. Elastomeric ligatures showed a significant lower susceptibility to plaque adhesion, in comparison to the stain-less steel of the metallic ligatures. No statistically significant difference was observed among the elastic devices