Effect of surface sealant on staining resistance of novel tooth-colored restorative materials

Objective: To evaluate staining resistance of the three restorative materials (Ketac Nano: KN, Filtek Supreme: FS, and Filtek Silorane: FLS) and the influences from surface finishes (600-grit SiC, Sof-Lex: SL, and BisCover LV: BC). Methods: Specimens (n= 8) were fabricated for each group. The staining resistance was tested by immersion of specimens in a coffee solution and distilled water as a control. Total color changes (ΔE*ab) from baseline to 28 days were evaluated by computed CIE L* a* b* values. Surface topography was assessed by atomic force microscopy. Results: For KN and FS, 600-grit SiC had the highest ΔE*ab followed by SL and BC respectively. For FLS, BC had the highest ΔE*ab followed by 600-grit SiC and SL respectively. An increase of surface defects of BC was observed.Conclusions: Filtek Silorane polished with Sof-Lex provided the most color stability whereas BisCover LV improved color stability of Ketac Nano and Filtek Supreme

Oral health and cognitive function in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study

Emerging evidence suggests possible links between poor oral health and cognitive dysfunction in older adults; however, it is unclear whether the association is present in midlife, and whether poor oral health in midlife increases risk of subsequent cognitive decline. The present study aimed to investigate whether a) periodontal disease and tooth loss were associated with low cognitive performance and b) periodontal disease and tooth loss were predictive of eight-year cognitive decline. The study used data collected from adults aged 52-75 years who participated in the dental health component of the Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities (ARIC) study. Cognitive function tests consisted of Delayed Word Recall (DWR), Digit Symbol Substitution (DSS), and Word Fluency (WF). At ARIC Visit 4 (1996-1998), 9,874 participants also answered dental screening questions, and 5,942 of the 8,554 dentate participants received comprehensive oral examinations, including periodontal probing. From 2004-2006, cognitive function for 911 participants was reassessed as part of the Brain MRI study; 785 of these participants were dentate, and 558 of them had received periodontal examinations at ARIC Visit 4. Models fit with multiple linear regression and generalized estimating equations (GEE) used dental status, number of teeth, or clinical periodontal conditions classified by the Biofilm-Gingival Interface (BGI) Index to predict Visit 4 cognitive scores and eight-year change in cognitive scores, respectively. In our cross-sectional study, complete tooth loss was consistently associated with lower performance on all three measures of cognitive function. Number of teeth and periodontal disease were associated only with DSS and WF scores. In our cohort study, mean scores from all three cognitive measures slightly decreased. Although we found that complete tooth loss was associated with low performance on two cognitive tests, the DWR and WF, our data did not support the hypothesis that poor oral health predicted greater cognitive decline. In these late-middle aged adults, complete tooth loss was significantly associated with low cognitive performance but not with subsequent cognitive decline. Although differences in mean scores between BGI groups were small, greater extent of gingival inflammation tended to correlate with lower cognitive scores.Doctor of Philosoph

Dental Caries in Older Adults in the Last Year of Life

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES—Older adults experience dramatic declines in health and function at the end of life. These complex physiological, psychological and functional changes may substantially increase risk of dental caries. This study’s objective was to examine dental caries severity (measured by number of carious teeth) in older adults in the last year of life. DESIGN—Cross-sectional study based on dental records. SETTING—A community-based geriatric dental clinic. PARTICIPANTS—1216 older adults aged 65 or above, including 168 individuals in the last year of life (e.g., individuals died within one year after their new patient exams). MEASUREMENTS—Participants’ socioeconomics, medical history, medications, functional status and oral health measures, including number of carious teeth, were abstracted from dental records. End-of-life status was determined using the National Death Index. Propensities of death were first calculated using a logistic regression, then adjusted together with mobility and oral care function in the multivariable regression model to examine the impact of end-of-life status on dental caries. RESULTS—Caries severity differed in end-of-life participants with different oral care function. Among those needing help with oral care, end-of-life participants had only slightly elevated and non-statistically significant risk (7.5 vs. 6.1, adjusted IDR= 1.12, 95% CI=0.85–1.48) to have more carious teeth than those not in the last year of life. However, caries severity decreased among end-of-life participants without impaired oral care function (IDR=0.53, 95% CI: 0.30–0.92). CONCLUSION—Oral care function modifies the association between caries severity and end-of-life status. Individuals who could maintain oral hygiene independently had a relatively low level of caries at the end of life; however, dental caries had increased before functionally-dependent patients entered their last year of life

Cognitive impairment, oral self-care function and dental caries severity in community-dwelling older adults

To investigate whether oral self-care function mediates the associations between cognitive impairment and caries severity in community-dwelling older adults

In Vitro antimicrobial, antiglycolytic, and antibiofilm activities of synthetic 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives against cariogenic bacteria

This study investigated the potential anticaries properties of synthetic 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives. Synthetic 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives (2-4) were designed and synthesized by employing lawsone methyl ether (LME, 1), a plant-derived 1,4-naphthoquinone, as a lead compound. The synthetic compounds were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, 1H-nuclear magnetic spectroscopy, 13C- nuclear magnetic spectroscopy, and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and growth curves were determined to assess their antibacterial effects against Streptococcus mutans, Lacticaseibacillus casei, and Actinomyces naeslundii. The pH drop assay was also performed on these three bacterial species. The effect on S. mutans biofilm formation was evaluated by crystal violet assay. From the microdilution assay, 2-(prop- 2-ynyloxy)naphthalene-1,4-dione (compound 2) showed potent antimicrobial activity against S. mutans and A. naeslundii (MIC of 1.56 and 3.125 μg/mL, respectively) in the same range as chlorhexidine (MIC of 1.95 and 1.95 μg/mL, respectively). The 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives showed low antibacterial activity against L. casei. LME (compound 1) and 2-(prop-2-ynyloxy)naphthalene-1,4-dione (compound 2) inhibited pH reduction from S. mutans. The compounds at sub-MIC concentrations showed a potent inhibitory effect against S. mutans biofilm formation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. These results suggested that the synthetic 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives are promising compounds that could be developed as a novel alternative or adjunctive anticaries therapies

Telomere length attrition and chronic periodontitis: an ARIC Study nested case-control study

This nested case-control study sought to determine whether an accelerated rate of leukocyte telomere length (LTL) shortening over six years was associated with chronic periodontitis

Cross-sectional associations of oral health measures with cognitive function in late middle–aged adults

It has not been established to what extent oral health is associated with cognitive function in late middle–aged adults. In this study, which is part of the national Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, the authors investigated whether tooth loss and periodontitis are associated with lower cognitive function

Tooth loss, periodontal disease, and cognitive decline in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study

The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate whether poor oral health predicted eight-year cognitive function change in predominantly late middle adults in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study

Esthetic Reconstruction of Diastema with Adhesive Tooth-Colored Restorations and Hyaluronic Acid Fillers

Objective. This report presents a comprehensive esthetic treatment with adhesive tooth-colored restorations in a combination with hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers of diastema in an orthodontic patient with relapse. Case Report. A 36-year-old female patient consulted about 1.5–2 mm midline diastema after an orthodontic relapse of replacing missing central incisors with lateral incisors and dark-colored gingival tissue as a result of a metal post and core with porcelain fused to a metal (PFM) crown at the left lateral incisor. Restorative treatments included replacing the PFM with all-ceramic material and placing a ceramic veneer on the right lateral incisor. To close the space, crown forms of both lateral incisors were altered. A direct resin composite was then used to reform right and left canines to a more ideal lateral incisor shape. An HA fillers injection was used to fill the remaining open gingival embrasure. Eighteen months after treatment, the interdental papilla remained stable and the patient was satisfied with the result. Conclusion. Esthetic reconstruction of diastema and open gingival embrasure in this case can be accomplished without orthodontic retreatment. Tooth-colored restorations and HA filler injection appear as a promising modality to address this patient’s esthetic concern

Penetration of Silver Diamine Fluoride in Deep Carious Lesions of Human Permanent Teeth: An In Vitro Study

Background. When silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is used in conjunction with conservative caries removal in deep carious lesions, the distribution depth of silver is critical for safety and effectiveness. Objective. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of selected caries removal on silver penetration when 38% SDF is applied to deep carious lesions in permanent teeth. Methods. Extracted permanent teeth with caries extending to the inner third of the dentin were used (N = 18). The periphery of the carious lesion was completely removed to the dentinoenamel junction (DEJ). In group A (n = 9), no further removal of carious tissue was performed, leaving necrotic dentin inner to the DEJ, whereas in group B (n = 9) superficial necrotic dentin was completely removed until leathery, slightly moist, reasonably soft dentin remained. SDF was applied for 3 minutes in both groups. Microcomputer tomography (micro-CT) and field emission scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (FESEM-EDS) were used to measure mineral density and silver distribution. The silver penetration depth/lesion depth (PD/LD) ratio was calculated for each sample. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare differences between the two groups. Results. The micro-CT analysis showed that the PD/LD ratios of group B (1.07–2.29) were marginally greater than those of group A (1.00–1.31). However, a statistically significant difference was not observed (pvalue = 0.5078). When stratified by remaining dentin thickness (RDT), the PD/LD ratios of group B were still greater than those of group A only when RDT was >500 µm. The FESEM-EDS analysis indicated that silver particles precipitated throughout the entire thickness of the carious lesions. Conclusion. Applying SDF on a deep carious lesion and leaving the necrotic dentin pulpally did not affect silver penetration. However, the extent to which silver penetrates the remaining dentin beneath the lesions is dependent on the amount and characteristics of that dentin