SALIVARY PARAMETERS ALTERED IN SMOKERS AND POSSIBLE CORRELATIONS WITH THE CARIOGENIC ACTIVITY

Objectives. Our research team aimed to evaluate the effects smoking has on several salivary parameters and to assess if there are any correlations between smoking and the cariogenic activity. Material and method. The present research included a total of 35 participants. Saliva was collected from every participant to the study. Salivary chloride, calcium and potassium levels, as well as salivary flux and pH were determined for all subjects. Results. Our results showed significantly lower salivary flux and pH levels in smokers compared to nonsmokers (p < 0.01). Chloride, calcium and potassium we found to have higher concentrations in smokers compared to the control group. However, a statistical significance could be found only for calcium (p = 0.02). Moreover, we were able to find in the smokers group a positive correlation in smokers between salivary chloride levels and cariogenic activity as well as a negative correlation could be found in smokers between salivary calcium levels and the cariogenic activity Conclusions. The results of the present study show that smoking alters salivary parameters and that these modifications can favour the development of dental caries

Raman Micro-Spectroscopy of Dental Pulp Stem Cells: An Approach to Monitor the Effects of Cone Beam Computed Tomography Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation

© 2018, © 2018 Taylor & Francis. The objective of this study was to determine the molecular and biochemical changes in dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) due to consecutive low-dose ionizing radiation exposures using label-free Raman micro-spectroscopy (RMS). Ionizing radiation produces biological damage leading to health effects of varying severity. The effects and subsequent health implications caused by exposure to low-dose radiation, such as diagnostic exposure, remain ambiguous. We identified Raman biomarkers characteristic to low-dose cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) irradiation of the DPSCs. The biomarkers were monitored inside the cells using the relative intensity distribution of the 785 and 1734 cm −1 bands. The control cells presented a higher relative intensity of the nucleic acid specific Raman bands, whereas the irradiated cells revealed an increased intensity of the lipid-induced bands. The results obtained in this study demonstrate the capability of RMS for the detection of cell response to diagnostic radiation dose levels. This may indicate the potential of the technique for future applications such as monitoring the radiation responses in pediatric patients suffering repeated radiological exposures.status: publishe

New and Recovered Temporary Anchorage Devices, In Vitro Assessment of Structural and Surface Properties

The orthodontic miniscrew (TADs) is a device that is fixed into bone in the short term for the purpose of enhancing orthodontic anchorage. The aim of our study was to investigate the structural and surface properties of recovered TADs after orthodontic treatment, and compare them to new TADs. TADs (n = 15) from the same manufacturer (Absoanchor; Dentos, Daegu, Korea) were assessed; n = 10 were recovered from patients after orthodontic treatment and n = 5 were new. We performed electrochemical investigations, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and microbiological analysis. Qualitative analysis on general electrochemical polarization revealed that the TADs retrieved from the patients provided much lower current densities in the passivity zone, and the oxidative processes taking place on their surface were of lower intensity. The surface morphologies of the tips of the retrieved mini-implants showed less sharp tips and smooth surfaces. Defects in the form of pores or cracks could be identified in both evaluated TAD groups. All retrieved TADs showed signs of biological materials (SEM analysis) and contamination on their surfaces. In conclusion, these results can assist orthodontists in comprehending the complexities of TAD behavior with respect to their design and structure

THE USE OF PLASMATIC AND SALIVARY PROTEIN FRACTIONS FOR ASSESSING CARIOACTIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE OF ALCOHOLIC ETIOLOGY

Objectives. To determine the correlations between carioactivity, quantified by the cariogenic index, and total plasma proteins, protein fractions and salivary immunoglobulins. Material and method. We conducted the study on a group of 23 patients with chronic liver disease of alcoholic etiology, who underwent clinical and paraclinical examinations. Total plasma proteins, albumin, alpha-1-globulins, alpha-2-globulins, beta-globulins, gamma-globulins, plasmatic IgG, IgA, IgM, plasma IgA/IgG and salivary immunoglobulins values were determined. Results. We determined the following mean values: cariogenic index 1.78±1.00, total plasmatic protein concentration 7.45±0.51 g/l, albumin 59.90±6.63%, α1-globulin 3.79±1.58%, α2-globulin 9.08±0.95%, β-globulin 11.44±2.80%, γ-globulin 15.79±3.42%, plasmatic IgG 14.76±3.64 g/l, plasmatic IgA 3.58±1.94 g/l, plasmatic IgA/IgG ratio 0.24±0.13, plasmatic IgM 1.43±0.65 g/l, total salivary proteins 1.25±0.85 g/l, salivary IgG 3.05±0.63 mg/dl, salivary IgA 22.18±7.33 mg/dl, salivary IgA/IgG ratio 7.31±2.60. Conclusions. We have established statistically significant correlations between the cariogenic index and the total plasma proteins, plasmatic alpha-2 fraction and plasmatic IgG