Antimicrobial Efficiency of Pistacia lentiscus L. Derivates against Oral Biofilm-Associated Diseases-A Narrative Review.

Pistacia lentiscus L. (PlL) has been used for centuries in traditional medicine. The richness in antimicrobial biomolecules of Pll derivates can represent an alternative to chemically formulated agents used against oral infections. This review summarizes the knowledge on the antimicrobial activity of PlL essential oil (EO), extracts, and mastic resin against microorganisms being of relevance in oral biofilm-associated diseases. Results demonstrated that the potential of PlL polyphenol extracts has led to increasing scientific interest. In fact, the extracts are a significantly more effective agent than the other PlL derivates. The positive findings regarding the inhibition of periodontal pathogens and C. albicans, together with the antioxidant activity and the reduction of the inflammatory responses, suggest the use of the extracts in the prevention and/or reversal of intraoral dysbiosis. Toothpaste, mouthwashes, and local delivery devices could be effective in the clinical management of these oral diseases

Xerostomia induced by radiotherapy: an overview of the physiopathology, clinical evidence, and management of the oral damage

Background: The irradiation of head and neck cancer (HNC) often causes damage to the salivary glands. The resulting salivary gland hypofunction and xerostomia seriously reduce the patient’s quality of life. Purpose: To analyze the literature of actual management strategies for radiation-induced hypofunction and xerostomia in HNC patients. Methods: MEDLINE/PubMed and the Cochrane Library databases were electronically evaluated for articles published from January 1, 1970, to June 30, 2013. Two reviewers independently screened and included papers according to the predefined selection criteria. Results: Sixty-one articles met the inclusion criteria. The systematic review of the literature suggests that the most suitable methods for managing the clinical and pathophysiological consequences of HNC radiotherapy might be the pharmacological approach, for example, through the use of cholinergic agonists when residual secretory capacity is still present, and the use of salivary substitutes. In addition, a modified diet and the patient’s motivation to enhance oral hygiene can lead to a significant improvement. Conclusion: Radiation-induced xerostomia could be considered a multifactorial disease. It could depend on the type of cancer treatment and the cumulative radiation dose to the gland tissue. A preventive approach and the correct treatment of the particular radiotherapeutic patient can help to improve the condition of xerostomia

Phenolic compounds in extra virgin olive oil stimulate human osteoblastic cell proliferation

In this study, we aimed to clarify the effects of phenolic compounds and extracts from different extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) varieties obtained from fruits of different ripening stages on osteoblast cells (MG-63) proliferation. Cell proliferation was increased by hydroxytyrosol, luteolin, apigenin, p-coumaric, caffeic, and ferulic acids by approximately 11–16%, as compared with controls that were treated with one vehicle alone, while (+)-pinoresinol, oleuropein, sinapic, vanillic acid and derivative (vanillin) did not affect cell proliferation. All phenolic extracts stimulated MG-63 cell growth, and they induced higher cell proliferation rates than individual compounds. The most effective EVOO phenolic extracts were those obtained from the Picual variety, as they significantly increased cell proliferation by 18–22%. Conversely, Arbequina phenolic extracts increased cell proliferation by 9–13%. A decline in osteoblast proliferation was observed in oils obtained from olive fruits collected at the end of the harvest period, as their total phenolic content decreases at this late stage. Further research on the signaling pathways of olive oil phenolic compounds involved in the processes and their metabolism should be carried out to develop new interventions and adjuvant therapies using EVOO for bone health (i.e.osteoporosis) in adulthood and the elderly

Ultrastructural transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study of hybrid layers formed beneath a one-bottle adhesive system using the total-etch technique and a self-etching system

OBJECTIVE: To compare, using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the ultrastructure of the hybrid layers formed beneath a one-bottle adhesive system using the total-etch technique with that of a self-etching system. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Occlusal cavity preparations were made in vivo in 18 human premolars and randomly appointed to three groups (n = 6), according to the following bonding procedures: (1) OptiBond Solo, a single-bottle adhesive system, was applied following 15 seconds etching with 37% phosphoric acid and rinsing; (2) Clearfil Liner Bond 2V, a self-etching adhesive system was applied; and (3) no bonding material was used, with the untreated smear layer acting as a control. The cavities were then filled with resin composite restorations. RESULTS: In group 1, dense resin tags obturated the tubules. A layer of inorganic silicon microgranules formed at the top of the interdiffusion zone, and below this was a zone of loosely arranged collagen fibers. Toward the base, there was a more dense accumulation of hydroxyapatite crystals. In group 2, dense resin tags obturated the tubular orifices. Collagen fibers were densely compacted within monomer material. Toward the base, hydroxyapatite crystals were observed between collagen bundles. In group 3, a rough fragmented smear layer covered the dentinal floor and occluded the tubules. CONCLUSION: Irregularities occurred in the coronal zone of the hybrid layer in both systems. In the one-bottle system, this was attributed to the etching technique, while in the case of the self-etching system, this was attributed to the resin materials. These irregularities are potential sites for debonding in the clinical situation

Increases of intracanal and root surface temperatures during the obturation of canal using the E&Q master system and the system

Objectives: The purpose of our study is to assess the increases of intracanal and root surface temperatures during the obturation of canal system using the E&Q Master System and the System B. Materials and methods: A split-tooth model was built. To measure the temperature, 6 grooves for the placement of thermocouples were made in the buccal half of the model. On the mesial side, three grooves were made at 2, 4 and 6 mm from the anatomical apex and were extended to the root surface, while on the distal side three grooves were made at 2, 4 and 6 mm up to the intracanal portion. In each of these grooves was inserted a type T thermocouple (Copper-Costantana) with a diameter of 0.076 mm. 40 canal obturations were done: 20 using the E&Q Master System and 20 using the System B, set at 250 °C, both with plugger FM increased to 3.5 mm from WL. The temperatures were recorded at 1 s intervals for a period of 200 s. Results: During the continuous wave obturation technique two peaks in temperature occurred, the first caused by the plugger in the canal, the second during the separation phase. In the E&Q Master System the highest increases were recorded in the thermocouple N.6, which reported average increases of 6.30 °C, while the lowest were recorded in the thermocouple N.1, which reported a value of 2.11 °C. In the System B group the highest increases were recorded in the thermocouple N.6, which reported average increases of 2.80 °C, while the lowest were recorded in the thermocouple N.1, which reported a value of 0.4 °C. Conclusions: Analysis of the obtained results showed that both systems allow us to get a good thermal mass increase of gutta-percha. Results show that the use of E&Q Master System and System B, in vitro, appears to cause a dangerous increase in temperature along the surface of the root that may create iatrogenic injury

A Systematic review on fluoridated food in caries prevention

Objective. This paper aims to provide a systematic review of the caries-prevention effect of fluoridated food, excluding water. The main aim of this review was to evaluate the presence of scientific evidence relating to the effects of fluoride intake via food on the occurrence of carious lesions. The outcome was defined as a clinical outcome, so only papers evaluating a decrease in caries indices were included. Materials and methods. Relevant databases (Medline®, Embase®, The Cochrane Library) were searched. The date range was set from 01.01.1966 to 03.31.2011. One hundred and thirty-nine reports were identified and assessed. Only three papers fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were discussed in detail.Results. No paper related to the use of fluoridated salt in caries prevention fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The use of milk as a vehicle for providing additional fluoride in a dental public health programme was evaluated in two papers. The consumption of fluoridated milk was an effective measure to prevent caries in the primary teeth. The use of fluoridated sugar demonstrated a reduction in caries increment in the permanent dentition in one paper. Conclusions. Literature on the effectiveness of fluoridation in foods in caries prevention is scant and almost all the studies have been conducted in children. There is low evidence that the use of milk fluoridation is effective in reducing the caries increment

Clinical evaluation of the efficacy of one self-adhesive composite in dental hypersensitivity

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical effectiveness over 12 weeks of Vertise Flow ™, a self-adhering composite, in dental hypersensitivity (DH). Material and methods: The study was conducted as a split-mouth randomized clinical trial. Vertise Flow ™ was compared to the following: (1) Universal Dentine Sealant, (2) Clearfil Protect Bond, and (3) Flor-Opal ® Varnish. A total of 46 patients with 116 hypersensitive teeth were studied. Pain experience was generated by a cold stimulus and assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) of pain. The response was recorded before the application of the materials (pre-1), immediately after (post-1), at 1- (post-2), 2- (post-3), and 12-week controls (post-4). Statistical differences in VAS were performed using the Kruskal–Wallis analysis at the different time-points (P  < 0.05), adjusting statistical significances for multiple comparisons (Bonferroni correction). Results: All the materials showed any statistically significant differences at the baseline. After the application of each material, a VAS decrease was demonstrated at every post-control. VF showed significant hypersensitivity reduction in post-1. Statistically significant relief was also observed in post-2 while no significant differences were detected in post-3 and post-4. Conclusions: After 12-week controls, there was no statistically significant hypersensitivity reduction using VF in respect to the other materials. On the other hand, any significant differences were detected in the decrease of the VAS irrespective of the desensitizing agent employed at the 12-week controls. Clinical relevance: The significant increase in VAS scores within the 12-weeks of environment suggested there is instability of VF when used as desensitizing agent

<i>In vivo</i>, morphological and clinical effects of a desensitizing agent

Objectives: This study evaluated the in vivo effectiveness of Universal Dentin Sealant (UDS), a new resin-based material, as dentinal desensitizing agent on dentin morphology and clinical symptoms. Materials and methods: Thirty premolars, exhibiting non-carious cervical lesions, and scheduled for extraction for periodontal reasons, were selected for the ultrastructural study. These samples were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10): group 1, brushing with UDS; group 2, brushing with Flor-Opal® Varnish (FOV); and group 3, untreated control. After 7 days, teeth were extracted and samples processed for SEM and TEM comparative observations. The in vivo study was carried out on 90 teeth with non-carious cervical lesions. The assessment method used to quantify sensitivity was the cold air syringe, recorded using the visual analogue scale (VAS), prior to treatment (baseline) and after 7 days. Teeth were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 30): group 1, UDS; group 2, FOV; and group 3, untreated control. Analysis was based on the Student's t-test for paired data, with a 5% significance level. Results: The ultrastructure of UDS/dentin interface was characterized by a superficial porous layer of spherical clusters immersed in a loose matrix that fully covered the superficial dentin. A poorly crystalline aspect of peritubular and intertubular fibrils with sealed tubular orifices was observed. The FOV/dentin interface showed an irregular layer of precipitates with partial exposure of the dentin surface. The presence of intratubular crystals partially occluding the tubular orifices and densely mineralized peritubular fibrils was also noted. Untreated control dentin showed a superficial thin layer of smear with porous plugs within the tubular orifices. Comparing clinical results, the statistical analysis revealed significant differences between both the tested materials (p &lt; 0.001) and the control group (p &gt; 0.05) in term of the periods of examination. Conclusions: The application of UDS resulted in effective and stable dentinal tubular occlusion, leading to a statistically significant decrease in clinical discomfort of particular relevance to cases of dentinal hypersensitivity

Evaluation of the enamel etching pattern of self-etching adhesives

Objectives: To evaluate the capacity of seven self-etching adhesives (SEAs) to demineralize ground enamel in comparison with traditional phosphoric acid etchant (PAE) using SEM and statistical analysis. Materials and methods: 80 caries-free extracted human third molars were divided into 8 groups (n = 10). Enamel bur-cut surfaces were prepared and, strictly following the manufacturers’ instructions, treated with three priming agents of two-step self-etching adhesives: Aqua Resulcin Prime (Group 1); Peak™ (Group 2); Clearfil Protect Bond (Group 3); four one-step self-etch (all-in-one) adhesives, G-Bond (Group 4); Artegral One (Group 5); Clearfil S3 Bond (Group 6); Adper Easy Bond (Group 7); and phosphoric acid etching (Control group). The etch patterns for the SEA systems were determined by rinsing off the material with water, acetone and alcohol. A minimum of 15 specimens was used for each group. Morphology matches were made between each SEA system and PAE by means of ultrastructural SEM analysis and were computed using the Kruskal–Wallis test (P &lt; 0.05). Results: SEM images showed that two-step-self-etching adhesives (Groups 1–3) produced a regular pattern over a considerable surface area and depth, not concerning, however, the prismless layer of enamel in the fissure space; one-step self-etch adhesives (Groups 4–7) demonstrated similar morphological features; an uneven demineralization pattern was observed in the PAE group with un-etched prismless enamel in the depth of the fissures. The Kruskal–Wallis test demonstrated no statistically significant difference among the groups (P = 0.43). Conclusions: Despite the enamel etching pattern being similar for all SEAs used, two-step self-etching systems containing phosphate derivative monomers were the most efficient self-etching agents with a more homogeneous and regular pattern of demineralization when compared to the traditional PAE

Periodontal status in an Italian young adult population: prevalence and relationship with periodontopathic bacteria

To determine the prevalence of periodontitis in an Italian young adult population and the relationship with Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia in subgingival plaque. A full-mouth periodontal and oral examination was performed in 70 subjects. Dental and behaviour habits were assessed with a standardised questionnaire. Subgingival plaque samples were collected from the deepest pocket of the first molars in each quadrant with a sterile curette. A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis and P. intermedia were detected using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction. At subject level, the prevalence of bleeding on probing, calculus, normal pocket depth (PD), PD &gt; 5mm and bacterial positivity were 44.8%, 43.3%, 22.9%, 11.4% and 95.7%, respectively. At quadrant level bacterial prevalence was 79.4%; P. intermedia was the most common bacteria (79.0%); A. actinomycetemcomitans had a prevalence of 40.8%. A significant linear trend across categories of gingival conditions (healthy, bleeding on probing, calculus presence) was detected for P. intermedia (p = 0.0038) and A. actinomycetemcomitans (p = 0.00005) proportions. No significant association was observed between pathogenic bacteria and PD, nor with behavioural attitudes. Gingival conditions are found to be a good predictors (VPP = 85%) for periodontopathic bacteria. For the Italian population, as no data are present, prospective longitudinal studies are needed to examine the relationship between PD and bacteria presence with periodontal disease onset and/or progression