Prevalence of torus palatinus and torus mandibularis in Germans and Thai

Torus palatinus (TP) was recorded in 13.5% of 1317 German patients (606 men, 711 women). There was no statistically significant difference between the sexes. Torus palatinus was found in 23.1% of 947 Thai (404 men, 543 women). The difference between the sexes was significant (P less than 0.001); women were affected in 28.5%, men showed a TP in 15.8%. The differences in prevalence rates between Germans and Thai was also statistically significant (P less than 0.001). Torus mandibularis (TM) was recorded in 5.2% of the German patients with 8.6% of the men and 2.4% of the women being affected (P less than 0.001). In the Thai, 9.4% of the men and 9% of the women showed TM. The difference between the prevalence rates in Germans and Thai was significant (P less than 0.001). While generally milder forms of tori were observed in German patients, marked forms of TM were also seen in this group. While the etiology of TP and TM is still no quite clear, racial factors must definitely be considered.     

Torus palatinus and torus mandibular is: A review of the literature

The torus has been mentioned in the literature for about 180 years. However, little has been revealed about it until the last two decades when great advances were made in the field of genetics. Its occurrence in various ethnic groups ranges from 9 to 66 per cent.
Even between similar ethnic groups living in different environments, different figures have been reported. It has been statistically proven that differences do occur between various ethnic groups and the sexes. In current thinking, the occurrence of tori is considered to be an interplay of genetic and environmental factors. The quasi-continuous genetic or threshold model seems to hold the answers to their formation. This theory proposes that the environmental factors responsible must first reach a threshold level before the genetic factors can express themselves in the individual. Hence, both genetic and environmental factors determine liability, making the system multifactorial.     

Variation in torus palatinus prevalence in Norway

The variation in lorus palatinus (TP) prevalence was investigated among a total of 2010 denial patients over 10 yr of age native to two different regions in Norway, the Lofoten Islands in northern Norway and the Gudbrandsdalen valley, an inland area in the southeastern part of the country. The two groups were presumed to belong to the same Caucasian stock, but were extremes with regard to the fish-to-meat ratio of the diet, which was 3:1 in Lofoten and 1:3 in Gudbrandsdalen, respectively representing a soft type of diet, and a tough type requiring greater muscular forces during mastication. The study revealed: 1) the prevalence of TP was higher among women than men; 2) TP seemed likely to arise from a multifactorial liability, with part of the genetic factors residing on the X chromosome; 3) the prevalence of TP appeared to be higher among natives of Lofoten, who consume the softer food, than among natives of Gudbrandsdalen, the higher prevalence being hypothesized to have some connection with nutrient substances present in saltwater fish, possibly Ω3 polyunsaturaled fatty acids and vitamin D; and 4) TP seemed to be a dynamic phenomenon capable of growth and subject to resorption remodeling.     

Concurrence of torus mandibularis and torus palatinus

Analysis of the concurrence of torus mandibularis and torus palatinus among a total of 2010 dental patients, by the test of independence, revealed that the concurrence was statistically significant among women, but not among men. A tentative hypothesis was proposed to explain the sexual dimorphism of the variable, combined occurrence of the two features.     

Prevalence of edentulousness and related factors among elderly Finns

Edentulousness is a multifactor phenomenon. While its overall prevalence is diminishing, it is increasing in older age groups. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of edentulousness among the elderly in two municipalities in Finland and to estimate different factors related to it. All persons born in the years 1919, 1922, 1925, 1928, 1931, 1934 and 1937 living in two municipalities (Kirkkonummi in the southern part of Finland and Lakeus in the northern part of Finland) were invited to participate in the study in 1997. The target population consisted of 1733 subjects of whom 1191 were disposed to participate in a clinical examination performed by two dentists. Of the subjects, 624 were from the southern district (Kirkkonummi) and 566 were from the northern district (Lakeus). The participation rates were 62% and 78%, respectively. The subjects answered a questionnaire comprising sociodemographical data, questions on dental and general health and health behaviour. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the associations between edentulousness and potential associating factors. The overall prevalence of edentulousness was 37%; being 53% in the northern region and 22% in the southern region. Edentulousness was positively associated with high age [odds ratio (OR = 1.09), confidence interval (CI = 1.06-1.12)], female gender (OR = 2.06, CI = 1.43-2.94), northern place of residence (OR = 2.01, CI = 1.45-2.78), low level of education (OR = 7.09, CI = 3.18-15.81), cardiovascular diseases (OR = 1.51, CI = 1.03-2.21) and current smoking versus never smoking (OR = 1.73, CI = 1.17-2.55). Social factors were more prominently associated with edentulousness than factors related to general health.     

Prevalence of teeth and dentures among elderly in Norway receiving social care

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of teeth and dentures in individuals aged 67 years and over receiving social care in Norway. A representative sample of 2893 individuals was selected from all 19 counties of Norway. In all, 1910 individuals (1358 living in institutions, 552 living at home) could be interviewed and examined by calibrated local dental teams in 1996-97. Overall response rate was 66%. Out of the examined, 1359 (71%) were women and 551 (29%) were men. The mean age was 85.1 years for women and 82.2 years for men. In all, 19.6% had 'own teeth only', 21% 'own teeth and dentures', 54% 'dentures only', and 5.3% 'neither teeth nor dentures'. Previous findings in a random sample of elderly Norwegians from three regions with markedly different dental health were confirmed by using plychotomous logistic regressin. Three regions of Norway could be identified with respect to the occurence of teeth and dentures: region A (South-East counties of Norway including the capital Oslo), region B (West-Central counties), and region C (Northern counties). Significant differences existed between them and non-significant differences between them. A mean number of 12.3 teeth were observed in 773 (40.5%) dentate individuals, 13.4 in reion A, 11.4 in region B, and 9.0 in region C, respectively. In conclusion, there are large geographic disparities with respect to dental/denture status also in individuals receiving social care in Norway. When the data were collected (1996-97), the oral health goal for the year 2000 suggested by WHO/FDI aiming at 50% of people aged 65 years and above having a minimum of 20 remaining functional teeth was not fulfilled for individuals receiving social care in large parts of Norway.     

Prevalence of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in elderly Swedish individuals

Abstract — The number of Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, and lactobacilli in stimulated whole saliva was examined in 149 elderly persons. More than 10⁶ CFU/ml of mutans streptococci were found in 57% of the subjects and 85% had more than 10⁵ lactobacilli per ml of saliva. There was no difference in the prevalence of mutans streptococci between edentulous and dentate subjects whereas significantly more lactobacilli were detected in denture wearers, S. mutans was most frequent and was found in 72% of the subjects. S. sobrinus, which was carried by 44% of the persons, was found proportionally in more subjects with dentures than in dentate individuals. In most persons with S. sobrinus, S. mutans was also present but in 8% of the subjects only S. sobrinus was detected. The subjects with both S. mutans and S. sobrinus had higher salivary levels of mutans streptococci than individuals with only S. mutans or S. sobrinus.     

Self-assessed masticatory ability and hospitalisation costs among the elderly living independently

The escalating medical costs are a social problem in many countries. Masticatory ability is thought to be related to the general health conditions. The purpose of this study was to show relationships between self-assessed masticatory ability and medical costs among the elderly living independently in community. Data on background factors and self-assessed masticatory ability were collected from 702 Japanese elderly persons by questionnaires. An intra-oral examination was performed to examine the number of remaining teeth. Self-assessed masticatory ability was classified into one of three categories: ability to chew all kinds of food (Good), ability to chew only slightly hard food (Fair) or ability to chew only soft or pureed food (Poor). Data on the annual medical excluding dental costs were obtained from the Japanese National Health Insurance system. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to examine differences in outpatient costs and hospitalisation costs among the three groups of self-assessed masticatory ability. Univariate unconditional logistic regression models and multivariate logistic regression models were used with medical costs as the dependent variable and self-assessed masticatory ability as the principal independent variable. A significant difference (P=0·039) in hospitalisation costs but not outpatient costs was found among the three groups of self-assessed masticatory ability. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that severely impaired masticatory ability (Poor) was significantly related to higher costs of hospitalisation. Self-assessed impairment of masticatory ability may be a significant and independent indicator of higher costs of hospitalisation among community-dwelling elderly persons.     

Associations between self-assessed masticatory ability and higher brain function among the elderly

Among the elderly, the quality of higher brain function is a contributing factor in performing activities of daily living. The aim of the study is to elucidate, epidemiologically, associations between mastication and higher brain function. A total of 208 community-dwelling elderly persons, aged 70-74 years, were enrolled. Self-assessed masticatory ability (masticatory ability) was classified into one of three categories: ability to chew all kinds of food, ability to chew only slightly hard food, or ability to chew only soft or pureed food. Brain function was assessed by four neuropsychological tests: Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices (RCPM) test, the Verbal Paired Associates 1 (VerPA) task and the Visual Paired Associates 1 task (from the Wechsler Memory Scale Revised Edition), and the Block Design subtest (from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales-Third Edition). Correlations between masticatory ability and each test were examined using Spearman rank correlation coefficients. Multinominal logistic regression models were conducted with the neuropsychological tests as the dependent variables and masticatory ability as the principal independent variable to adjust for age, gender, educational background, social activity, drinking/smoking habits, chronic medical conditions and dental status. Significant correlations were found between the RCPM test, the VerPA task, the Block Design test and masticatory ability. In multinominal logistic regression models, poor masticatory ability was significantly and independently related to the categories under the mean-s.d. points compared with those of the mean ± s.d. ranges for RCPM test and the VerPA task. Significant associations may exist between mastication and higher brain function among the elderly.     

Relationships among bone turnover, renal function and periodontal disease in elderly Japanese

Yoshihara A, Hayashi Y, Miyazaki H. Relationships among bone turnover, renal function and periodontal disease in elderly Japanese. J Periodont Res 2011; 46: 491–496. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S Background and Objective: We hypothesized that renal function is associated with the relationship between periodontal disease and bone metabolism. The present study evaluated the relationship of bone formation and resorption markers to periodontal disease, taking renal function into consideration, in elderly Japanese subjects. Material and Methods: We selected 148 subjects aged 77 years. The periodontal examination included the assessment of clinical attachment level (CAL). We measured two bone formation markers (serum bone‐specific alkaline phosphatase and serum osteocalcin) and two bone resorption markers (urinary deoxypyridinoline and urinary cross‐linked N‐telopeptide of type I collagen). Creatinine clearance per 24 h, as a measure of renal function, was also determined. The correlations between mean CAL or percentage of sites with ≥6 mm CAL (6+mm CAL) and bone turnover markers, and between bone turnover markers and creatinine clearance levels, were performed by multiple linear regression analysis. Results: There were significant negative relationships between mean CAL or 6+mm CAL and serum osteocalcin levels adjusted for gender, smoking habits and oral care habits (β = ?0.25, p = 0.014 and β = ?0.35, p = 0.001, respectively). In addition, there was a negative relationship between serum osteocalcin and creatinine clearance levels adjusted for gender and smoking habits (β = ?0.45, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Results from the present study suggest that serum osteocalcin was significantly associated with renal function and periodontal disease. The low systemic bone metabolism, which might be caused by low renal function, is associated with periodontal disease.     

Evaluation of chewing and swallowing disorders among frail community-dwelling elderly individuals

The purpose of the present study was to develop a new assessment scale to evaluate the risk of chewing and swallowing disorders among frail community-dwelling elderly individuals. Subjects were 85 frail elderly individuals (29 men and 56 women) living in southern Japan. First, we pooled 18 subjectively evaluated variables identified by previous studies as being related to chewing and swallowing disorders. Secondly, using factor analysis, we extracted 12 variables as the 'dysphagia risk assessment for the community-dwelling elderly' (DRACE) and examined its reliability using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Thirdly, we examined the validity of the DRACE by comparing it with an existing method for evaluating dysphagia. Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the DRACE was 0.88, indicating satisfactory reliability. Dysphagia risk assessment for the community-dwelling elderly scores were significantly related to the results of the 3-oz water test (P < 0.01). Furthermore, DRACE scores were closely associated with activities of daily living as evaluated by the Barthel index, a tendency that was consistent with previous studies. These findings suggest that the DRACE is a useful tool with sufficient reliability and validity to detect latent risk of chewing and swallowing disorders among frail community-dwelling elderly individuals.     

Cognitive function and number of teeth in a community-dwelling elderly population without dementia

Summary  Although the number of sound or decayed teeth has been reported to be associated with cognitive function in elderly populations with dementia, little is known about this association in elderly populations without dementia. We evaluated this relationship, with adjustment for confounding factors, in Japanese populations of 60-year-old ( n  = 270; 120 males and 150 females) and 65-year-old ( n  = 123; 57 males and 66 females) individuals residing in Fukuoka Prefecture of Japan. Dental examinations were performed in all subjects, along with the Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) for assessing cognitive function. Among the total of 393 subjects, the mean MMSE score was 27·9 ± 1·9, and 391 subjects scored 24 or higher. The mean numbers of sound and decayed teeth were 12·0 ± 6·3 and 0·5 ± 1·2, respectively. Associations were found between the numbers of sound and decayed teeth and MMSE in total subjects and males, but not in females, by multiple regression analysis adjusted for gender, age, level of education, marital status, smoking, alcohol drinking, working status, systolic blood pressure and blood glucose. An association was also found between MMSE and the number of sound teeth in a logistic regression analysis. In conclusion, associations were found between normal-range cognitive function and the numbers of sound and decayed teeth, after adjustment for various confounding factors, in an elderly Japanese population.     

老年萎缩性无牙下颌骨骨折的治疗现状

老年萎缩性无牙下颌骨骨折由于其解剖生理特点与一般成人有较大差别,在治疗上具有很大的特殊性。本文对老年萎缩性无牙牙合下颌骨骨折的特点、治疗方式的选择和并发症的处理进行综述。     

Relationships between perceived chewing ability and muscle strength of the body among the elderly

The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether self-assessed masticatory ability (masticatory ability) is significantly related to muscle strength of the body evaluated as handgrip strength and skeletal muscle mass of the whole body (kg) (SMM) after adjusting for confounding variables, including, age, gender, height, weight, employment status, type of household, educational background, social interaction, chronic medical conditions, smoking habit, drinking habits and dentition status among the elderly. A total of 381 persons aged 67-74 years were enrolled. Masticatory ability was classified into one of three categories: ability to chew all kinds of food, ability to chew only slightly hard food or ability to chew only soft or pureed food. Handgrip strength was measured, and bioimpedance analysis was used to estimate SMM. One-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni methods were used to examine differences in handgrip strength and SMM among the three groups of masticatory ability. An ordinal regression model was conducted with masticatory ability as the dependent variable and handgrip strength as the principal independent variable. Handgrip strength was significantly lower in those individuals who could chew only soft or pureed food than in those individuals who could chew all kinds of food. No significant difference in SMM was found among the three groups of masticatory ability. Masticatory ability was significantly related to handgrip strength after adjusting for SMM, dentition status and background factors. Chewing ability may be related to muscle strength of the body evaluated as handgrip strength, but not evaluated as SMM.     

The relationship between periodontal condition and serum levels of resistin and adiponectin in elderly Japanese

Background and Objective:  Diabetes and periodontitis are associated with each other. Adipokines, specifically adiponectin and resistin, are secreted from adipocytes and are thought to cause insulin resistance in rodents. Additionally, adiponectin and resistin may play a role in inflammation and immune responses. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between serum levels of adipokines and periodontal conditions in elderly Japanese people with and without periodontitis.
Material and Methods:  A total of 158 Japanese men and women (76 years old) with or without periodontitis were selected for the study. Serum adiponectin, resistin, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) concentrations were compared between subjects with and without periodontitis.
Results:  Serum resistin levels and total leukocyte counts in subjects with periodontitis were higher than in control subjects. No significant differences were observed in adiponectin, IL-6 and TNF-α levels between subjects with and without periodontitis. Logistic regression analysis showed that periodontitis with at least one tooth that displayed a probing pocket depth of ≥6 mm was significantly associated with higher serum resistin levels (odds ratio, 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.0–4.0). When excluding periodontitis subjects with ≤10% of bleeding on probing and excluding control subjects with >10% bleeding on probing, differences between groups and odds ratio increased. Serum adiponectin tended to decrease in patients with periodontitis, albeit not significantly.
Conclusion:  Increased serum resistin levels were significantly associated with periodontal condition, especially when considering bleeding on probing, in elderly Japanese people. There was also a trend, though non-significant, toward decreased levels of adiponectin in subjects with periodontitis.     

Prevalence and severity of dental erosive wear among a group of Norwegian 18-year-olds

Abstract

Objective. The aim was to study prevalence, distribution and severity of erosive wear in a group of 18-year-olds. Materials and methods. A total of 1456 adolescents were screened for erosive wear as part of their regular visit at the Public Dental Health Service (PDHS) clinics in Oslo. Of 554 (38%) registered with erosive wear, 267 accepted a second examination to record lesion distribution and severity, performed by one previously calibrated clinician. A tested erosive wear system (VEDE) was used. Occlusal surfaces of the first and second molars in both jaws and the labial and palatal surfaces of the upper incisors and canines were selected as index surfaces. Results. Of the 267 individuals with erosive wear, 13.5% were without lesions, 54.3% had erosive wear in enamel only, whereas 32.2% had at least one lesion extending into dentine. The upper central incisors (46%) and first lower molars (44%) were the most affected teeth with the highest presence on the palatal surfaces. Cuppings were registered in 62% of the individuals, usually in addition to erosive lesions on other surfaces. Eighty-five per cent of the cuppings were on first molars and 34% on the mesio-buccal cusp. Males had significantly more lesions into dentine compared with females (p = 0.03). There was a significant association between presence of erosive lesions and DMFT (p < 0.01), but no association between lesions and socio-economic or national background. Conclusions. A high proportion of adolescents had erosive wear. Cuppings were a common finding.     

老年人口腔念珠菌分布及粘附能力的研究

目的:比较健康老年人口腔不同念珠菌种和不同基因分型白色念珠菌体外粘附能力的差异及与分布的相互关系.方法:口腔含漱法取样;碳水同化反应鉴定念珠菌;人工计数和图像分析比较念珠菌临床株的粘附能力;激光共聚焦和扫描电镜观察念珠菌的粘附状况;统计学分析研究结果.结果:白色念珠菌对上皮细胞的粘附能力明显高于其它念珠菌,统计学分析存在显著性差异;不同基因型白色念珠菌对上皮细胞的粘附能力没有统计学差异.结论:白色念珠菌的粘附能力明显高于其它念珠菌.老年人口腔念珠菌的粘附分析结果与其在口腔内的检出率一致.本研究采用的口腔粘附分析方法可以比较准确地反应不同念珠菌的粘附能力.