Dentinogenesis imperfecta type II: Ultrastructure of teeth in sagittal sections

The morphological abnormalities of the teeth of patients affected by dentinogenesis imperfecta type 2 (DI-II) may underlie the difficulties with the clinical restoration of such teeth. We therefore performed a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study of four permanent first mandibular molars of four DI-II patients with periapical pathosis. The teeth were prepared for SEM evaluation by standard methods. In the crown, the enamel presented a highly irregular surface with a number of cracks and crevices. In some places, only granular remains of the enamel were found, while in other parts of the crown, the enamel was absent. SEM examination revealed the structural changes responsible for the lower enamel’s hardness and resistance to attrition, and for tooth wear, while the structural changes in the dentin may explain the failure of some adhesive restorative materials. This SEM study thus revealed structural defects which underlie the problems of attrition and restoration loss found in patients with this genetic dental condition

Activity of the masticatory muscles and occlusal contacts in young adults with and without orthodontic treatment

BACKGROUND: Symmetry evaluation of the craniofacial complex generally involves models of mandibular movement and masticatory muscle activity, especially during the development of the craniofacial complex. The aim of this screening study was to detect differences in the asymmetry and activity indices and in the occlusal contact distribution in groups with and without orthodontic treatment, and between the sexes in the healthy population. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This screening study involved the participation of 149 Caucasian (F = 101, M = 48) 18-year-old volunteers, of whom 77 had received orthodontic treatment (Group I) and 72 had not (Group II). All participants underwent sEMG recording with an eight-channel electromyograph (Bio EMG III). A T-Scan III device was used to analyze the occlusal contact points. We measured the voltage of the right and left temporalis anterior (RTA, LTA) and of the right and left masseter muscles (RMM, LMM). On the basis of the Naeije study, we calculated the Asymmetry and Activity indices (AsI, AcI). RESULTS: No significant differences were found in the asymmetry or activity indices, or in the occlusal contact distribution of young adult subjects with or without orthodontic treatment. There were two findings in the females. First (p = 0.04), a higher voltage (131.12 μV) was recorded in the right temporalis anterior muscle in female group, compared to 119.65 μV in the male group. Secondly (p = 0.002), the activity index showed a predominance of the temporalis anterior (AcI = 10.52). In the males, the activity index showed a predominance of the masseter muscles (AcI =−1.22). CONCLUSIONS: The null hypothesis was supported, as we found that no significant differences were observed in occlusal contact, asymmetry, or activity indices between healthy young adults with or without orthodontic treatment. However, there do exist significant differences in the activity index between genders

Correlation between age and gender in Candida species infections of complete denture wearers : a retrospective analysis

AIM: Denture-related stomatitis is a disorder that often affects denture wearers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intensity, genera, and frequency of yeasts in the oral cavity of complete denture wearers in terms of subject gender and age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine hundred twenty patients (307 males and 613 females) with complete upper dentures were selected for the study and divided into four age groups: ≤50 years, 51–60, 61–70, and >70 years. Yeast samples were taken as a smear from the palate. The data were collected from January 15, 2007 to January 15, 2012. RESULTS: The distribution of the number of yeast colonies by gender was statistically significant (P=0.02). Across all subjects, there was a statistically significant relationship between the intensity of yeast growth and the gender (P=0.01). In every age group, the number of infection-free individuals was greater among males than females. Intermediate, intense, and abundant growth of yeast occurred most frequently in the youngest group of females. CONCLUSION: The genera of Candida species and the frequency of yeast infection in denture wearers appear to be influenced by both age and gender. The complete denture wearers ≤50 years of age appeared to have the greatest proclivity to oral Candida infections

Relationship between oral hygiene and fungal growth in patients : users of an acrylic denture without signs of inflammatory process

Objectives: To answer to the following questions: is there any relationship between oral hygiene and the growth of yeast in patients without mucosal inflammation; and is there a need for mycological examination patients without mucosal inflammation? Background: Patients with candidiasis may report varied symptoms, but such infections are most often asymptomatic. In addition to its high incidence in denture users (60%-100%), there is a concern that Candida species from the oral cavity may colonize the upper gastrointestinal tract and lead to septicemia, which has a 40%-79% mortality rate and can require a prolonged hospital stay. It is thus important for all physicians to be aware of the risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of oral candidiasis in older patients. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out on a group of patients who had undergone mycological examination and assessment of the intensity of yeast growth, and oral hygiene. Results: Ninety-one denture wearers who lacked signs of clinical inflammation were included in the study. The growth of Candida albicans was as follows: 14 patients had up to 20 colonies; 19 patients had over 20 colonies. Ten percent of patients with good oral hygiene proved to have more than 20 yeast colonies. 5% of patients with bad oral hygiene had more than 20 colonies. Conclusions: There was no relationship found between hygiene and the growth rate of fungal microorganisms. In patients without clinical symptoms of stomatitis, mycological examination should be considered

Relationship between occlusal force distribution and the activity of masseter and anterior temporalis muscles in asymptomatic young adults

Healthy subjects have a prevalent side on which they display higher-muscle activity during clenching. The relationship between symmetry of masseter muscle (MM) and anterior temporalis (TA) muscle activities and occlusion has been evaluated on the basis of physiological parameters. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the symmetry of surface EMG (sEMG) activity in asymptomatic young adults is related to symmetry of occlusal contacts. Material. The study population consisted of seventy-two 18-year-old subjects with no temporomandibular disorder (TMD) symptoms. Method. All the participants underwent an sEMG recording with an 8-channel electromyograph (BioEMG III). A T-Scan III evolution 7.01 device was used to analyze the occlusal contact points. Results. The correlation between the activity of right (R) and left (L) TA and the percentage of occlusal contacts was assessed, but no significant differences were found between the RMM and LMM muscles. The differences in the medium values of sEMG between males and females were not statistically significant. Equilibrated muscular activity between RTA and LTA occurred when occlusal contacts reached the percentage of 65% on the left side. Conclusion. The symmetry of sEMG activity in asymptomatic young adults is not related to symmetry of occlusal contacts

Effects of atorvastatin dose and concomitant use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors on renal function changes over time in patients with stable coronary artery disease : a prospective observational study

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and statins are widely used in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Our aim was to compare changes in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) over time in subjects with stable CAD according to atorvastatin dose and concomitant use of ACEI. We studied 78 men with stable CAD referred for an elective coronary angiography who attained the then-current guideline-recommended target level of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol below 2.5 mmol/L in a routine fasting lipid panel on admission and were receiving atorvastatin at a daily dose of 10–40 mg for ≥3 months preceding the index hospitalization. Due to an observational study design, atorvastatin dosage was not intentionally modified for other reasons. GFR was estimated during index hospitalization and at about one year after discharge from our center. Irrespective of ACEI use, a prevention of kidney function loss was observed only in those treated with the highest atorvastatin dose. In 38 subjects on ACEI, both of the higher atorvastatin doses were associated with increasing beneficial effects on GFR changes (mean ± SEM: −4.2 ± 2.4, 1.1 ± 1.6, 5.2 ± 2.4 mL/min per 1.73 m2 for the 10-mg, 20-mg and 40-mg atorvastatin group, respectively, p = 0.02 by ANOVA; Spearman’s rho = 0.50, p = 0.001 for trend). In sharp contrast, in 40 patients without ACEI, no significant trend effect was observed across increasing atorvastatin dosage (respective GFR changes: −1.3 ± 1.0, −4.7 ± 2.1, 4.8 ± 3.6 mL/min per 1.73 m2, p = 0.02 by ANOVA; rho = 0.08, p = 0.6 for trend). The results were substantially unchanged after adjustment for baseline GFR or time-dependent variations of LDL cholesterol. Thus, concomitant ACEI use appears to facilitate the ability of increasing atorvastatin doses to beneficially modulate time-dependent changes in GFR in men with stable CAD

Ocena rzetelności zakresu ruchów żuchwy polskiej wersji kwestionariusza osobowego Badawczych Kryteriów Diagnostycznych Zaburzeń Czynnościowych Układu Ruchowego Narządu Żucia

Wstęp. Ważnym krokiem we wdrożeniu kryteriów diagnostycznych dla badań naukowych jest przeprowadzenie oceny wiarygodności zakresu ruchu żuchwy w przetłumaczonej i dostosowanej do polskich realiów wersji RDC/TMD. Materiał i metody. Łącznie 123 dorosłych pacjentów skierowanych na konsultację zaburzeń stawu skroniowo-żuchwowego do Instytuty Stomatologii, UJ w Krakowie zaproszono do uczestnictwa w badaniu. Pacjentów poddano badaniu w dwóch sesjach z odstępem dziesięciodniowym, które przeprowadziło dwóch niezależnych badaczy. Badaniem objęto: ruchy pionowe (niewspomagane odwodzenie bez bólu, maksymalne niewspomagane odwodzenie, maksymalne wspomagane odwodzenie), maksymalne ruchy poziome w lewo, w prawo i do przodu. Wyniki. Dla większości pomiarów, ICC były wyższe niż 0,75, co wskazuje na bardzo wysoką wiarygodność. Wniosek. Wiarygodność zakresu ruchu żuchwy wg. Polskiej wersji RDC/TMD jest porównywalna z innymi badaniami na świecie.Introduction. An important step in the implementation of the diagnostic criteria for scientific study is conducting reliability assessment of mandibular range of motion of the officially translated and culturally adapted Polish version of the RDC/TMD. Materials and Methods. A total of 123 adult patients who were referred for TMD consultation to the Dental Institute of Jagiellonian University in Cracow were invited to participate in the study. The patients were examined during two sessions with an interval of ten days by two examiners independently. The examination of the range of mandibular movements includes: vertical movements (i.e., unassisted opening without pain, maximum unassisted opening, maximum assisted opening), maximum horizontal movements to the left, to the right, and to the front. Results. For most measures, ICCs were larger than 0.75, which indicates excellent reliability. Conclusion. Reliability of mandibular range of motion of the Polish version of RDC/TMD is comparable with other world studies