Impaired somatosensation in tongue mucosa of smokers

Smoking has been indicated as a risk factor for oral diseases and can lead to altered sense of taste. So far, the effects of sensory changes on the tongue are not investigated. In this study, quantitative sensory testing was used to evaluate somatosensory function in the lingual region. Eighty healthy volunteers were investigated (20 smokers, 20 non-smokers). Subjects were bilaterally tested in innervation areas of lingual nerves. Thresholds of cold and warm detection, cold and heat pain, and mechanical detection were determined. As control for systemic, extraoral effects of smoking, tests were additionally performed in 40 volunteers (20 smokers, 20 non-smokers) on the skin of the chin innervated by the mental branch of the trigeminal nerve. Cold (p < 0.001), warm detection thresholds (p < 0.001), and thermal sensory limen (p < 0.001) showed higher sensitivity in non-smokers as compared to smokers. Heat pain and mechanical detection, as well as all tests in the skin of the chin, showed no significant differences. The impaired temperature perception in smokers indicates a reduction of somatosensory functions in the tongue, possibly caused by nerve degeneration associated with smoking. Possible systemic effects of smoking do not seem to affect extraoral trigeminal branches.     

Quantitative sensory testing (QST) in the orofacial region of healthy Chinese: influence of site,gender and age

Objective: To establish a preliminary thermal and mechanical somatosensory profile using a standardized quantitative sensory testing (QST) to investigate site, gender and age differences in healthy Chinese.

Materials and methods: Twenty younger (age: 20–40 years, 10 men, 10 women) and twenty older (age: 41–61 years, 10 men, 10 women) healthy participants completed the study. Cold detection threshold (CDT), warm detection threshold (WDT), cold pain threshold (CPT), heat pain threshold (HPT), mechanical detection threshold (MDT) and mechanical pain threshold (MPT) were measured at five sites: Left hand, bilaterally at the mental area, tip of tongue and the lower lip mucosa. Mixed model ANOVAs with repeated measures were used to analyze the data.

Results: MDT(p?p?p?=?.006) was significantly higher and WDT (p?p?p?p?p?p?=?.004) were found in the older group compared to the younger group. Significant gender differences were found with less sensitivity for WDT (p?=?.024) and MDT (p?=?.003) in men compared to women.

Conclusions: Application of standardized QST can provide valuable information of orofacial somatosensory phenotypes in a Chinese population. Age, gender and site are mandatory to control for.     

Self-reported oral and general health related to xerostomia,hyposalivation, and quality of life among caries active younger adults

Abstract

Objective: The aim was to study prevalence of xerostomia, hyposalivation and quality of life among caries active younger adults.

Materials and methods: A questionnaire regarding oral and general health, xerostomia and quality of life was mailed to 134 caries active (CA) and 40 caries inactive (CI) patients, 25–50 years of age (mean age 39.9?±?6.2 years) treated at a Swedish Public Dental Service clinic, regarding oral and general health, xerostomia and quality of life. Caries data and unstimulated whole salivary flow rates were obtained from dental records.

Results: The overall response rate was 69%. Dental records confirmed that CA patients had more decayed teeth over time than CI patients (p?<?.001). The CA group reported worse oral health (p?<?.001) and general health (p?<?.01), more xerostomia (p?<?.001) and lower salivary flow rate (p?<?.01) compared to CI patients. Xerostomia was inversely related to unstimulated whole salivary flow rates as well as to oral and general health (p?<?.01). There were no differences between groups in quality of life.

Conclusion: Younger caries active adult patients reported significantly more xerostomia and hyposalivation compared to caries inactive patients. Xerostomia and hyposalivation were inversely related to perceptions of oral and general health, but not to quality of life.     

Salivary human beta-defensins and cathelicidin levels in relation to periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Objective: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a well-defined risk factor of periodontitis and it can affect expression of human beta-defensins (hBDs) and cathelicidin (LL-37) as well. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of periodontitis and T2DM on salivary concentrations of these antimicrobial peptides.

Material and methods: Unstimulated saliva samples, together with full-mouth periodontal recordings were collected from 92 individuals with periodontitis (63 with T2DM and 21 smokers) and 86 periodontally healthy controls (58 with T2DM and 21 smokers). Salivary hBD-1, -2, -3, LL-37, and advanced glycalization end products (AGE) concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: Among the periodontitis patients, T2DM group demonstrated lower levels of hBD-1 (p?=?.006), hBD-2 (p?<?.001) and hBD-3 (p?<?.001), and higher levels of LL-37 (p?<?.001) compared to systemically healthy controls. When only periodontally healthy controls were included into the analysis, higher hBD-1 (p?=?.002) and LL-37 (p?<?.001) levels were found in T2DM patients in comparison to systemically healthy controls. Salivary LL-37 levels were associated with HbA1c and periodontitis, while hBD-2, hBD-3 and levels associated only with HbA1c.

Conclusion: In the limits of this study, hyperglycaemia can be proposed as a regulator of salivary hBD and cathelicidin levels. Periodontitis, on the other hand, affects only salivary LL-37 levels.     

Association between sensory processing and dental fear among female undergraduates in Japan

Objectives: The aim of cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between sensory processing patterns and dental fear among female undergraduates.

Material and methods: Three hundred and ten female university students were included in the present study. Dental fear and sensory processing patterns were measured using the Dental Fear Survey and Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile with other possible confounders, respectively. Sensory processing patterns were categorized into sensory sensitivity, sensory avoidance, low registration and sensation seeking. We conducted structural equation modelling based on the hypothesis that sensory processing directly affects dental fear, including the confounding role of negative experiences with dentistry, autistic traits and the mediating role of trait anxiety.

Results: Based on our proposed model, sensory processing patterns, excluding sensation seeking and negative experiences significantly contributed to dental fear (β?=?0.33, p?p?Conclusions: Extreme sensory processing patterns seem to be associated with a high level of dental fear; thus, the difference in sensory processing might play an important role in the aetiology of dental fear.     

Attitudes and lifestyle factors in relation to oral health and dental care in Sweden: a cross-sectional study

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate attitudes to and perceptions of dental treatment and costs, self-assessed personal oral health status and dental self-care in an adult Swedish population, with special reference to potential associations between these factors and periodontal status.

Material and methods: The study population comprised 1577 subjects who had undergone radiographic dental examination. The subjects were grouped by severity of periodontitis, based on extent of bone loss, as none, mild/moderate or severe. Subjects answered a questionnaire about socioeconomic factors, oral care habits and attitudes to dental treatment. Other questions covered medical history, smoking and other life style factors. Associations were tested using the Chi-squared test and a logistic regression model.

Results: Compared to subjects with no periodontitis, those with mild/moderate or severe periodontitis were less likely to afford (p?<?.001), more often refrained from treatment due to costs (p?<?.001) and in the past year had experienced dental problems for which they had not sought treatment (p?<?.001). They also reported more anxiety in relation to dental appointments (p?=?.001). Regarding caries prevention, the severe periodontitis group used least fluoride products (p?=?.002).

Conclusions: Swedish adults regard their oral health as important, those with periodontitis have a more negative perception of their oral health and are less prone to seek help. These discouraging findings suggest the need for targeted measures, which focus on improving the care of this group of patients.     

High percentage of oral lichen planus and lichenoid lesion in oral squamous cell carcinomas

Objective: Oral lichen planus (OLP) and lichenoid lesions (OLL) are regarded as precursor lesions of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) with potential for malignant transformation. This potential is not clear due to difficulties in diagnosis of OLP and OLL. Our aim was therefore to evaluate previously identified OLP and OLL as precursor lesions in OSCC and to identify cancer related etiological factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption.

Material and methods: We retrospectively reviewed all cases (total 323, comprising 164 females and 159 males) with OSCC treated at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases and Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital during 2015. Confirmed by histopathological biopsy, 58 (17.9%) had OLP and 13 had OLL (4.0%) as precursor lesion.

Results: Patients with OLP were slightly older than those without it. OLP was more common in females than in males (p?p?=?.006) and cancer relapses less common (p?=?.005). Smoking was less frequent in patients with OLP and OLL (p?p?Conclusion: Our findings confirm the importance of active follow-up of all patients with OLP and OLL even in patients who do not fit a traditional high-risk category for OSCC.     

Dose-dependent effect of radiation on resorbable blast material titanium implants: an experimental study in rabbits

Background: Radiotherapy is a commonly used treatment modality in head and neck cancer; however, it also negatively affects healthy structures. Direct damage to oral soft and hard tissue frequently occurs with radiotherapy. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of radiotherapy on bone surrounding titanium dental implants via biomechanical and molecular methods.

Materials and methods: Fifty-four implants were inserted in the left tibiae of 18 adult male New Zealand rabbits (3 implants in each rabbit). After 4 weeks of the implant surgery, the left tibiae of 12 rabbits were subjected to a single dose of irradiation (15?Gy or 30?Gy). Four weeks after the irradiation, rabbits were sacrificed and removal torque test was done for the biomechanical evaluation. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (Bmp-2) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (Fgf-2) expression analyses were performed with Real-time PCR. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS.

Results: The control group showed significantly higher removal torque value than the 15 and 30?Gy irradiation groups, and the 15?Gy irradiation group had higher removal torque value than the 30?Gy irradiation group (p?p?p?p?Conclusion: Radiotherapy with 15 and 30?Gy doses can adversely affect osseointegration of implants by reducing the quality of bone and impairing the bone-to-implant contact. The mechanism of action seems to be related to alterations in Bmp-2 and Fgf-2 mRNA expressions.     

Low reproducibility between oral radiologists and general dentists with regards to radiographic diagnosis of caries

Aim: Early clinical and radiological diagnosis of dental caries is one of the fundamental objectives of clinical dentistry because of the high frequency of the disease and severe complications if caries remains untreated, especially among the elderly and patients with immunodeficiency. Dental panoramic tomography (DPT) is a common radiographic method for evaluating dentition when indicated, especially in an adult population. The aim of this study was to assess the reproducibility of diagnosis between specialists in oral radiology and general dentists with regards to caries lesions based on DPTs of adults.

Material and methods: One-hundred DPTs taken from adult patients (average age 35) and then analyzed and reported on by 42 general dentists were then analyzed independently by two specialists in oral radiology with respect to caries lesions in the premolar and molar areas using radiographic criteria established for caries diagnosis. The general dentists versus oral radiologists were not calibrated before. Level of agreement between specialists and general dentists was measured using Cohen’s kappa.

Results: Comparison between observations of general dentists and specialists in oral radiology showed that 61% of the caries lesions on proximal surfaces of premolars and molars observed by specialists went unobserved by general dentists. Cohen’s kappa value for specialists was 0.85 (p?<?.001) and for each specialist and general dentists 0.48 (p?<?.001) and 0.44 (p?<?.001).

Conclusions: The reproducibility between specialists in oral radiology and general dentists for detecting caries in DPTs was low.     

Painful temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and comorbidities in primary care: associations with pain-related disability

Objective: We studied whether primary care temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients reporting different levels of pain-related disability differ in terms of comorbid pains, general health conditions and quality of life.

Material and methods: Consecutive TMD pain patients (n?=?399) seeking treatment in primary care completed a questionnaire on comorbid pains and their interference and the Finnish version of the RAND-36-item quality of life questionnaire. Medical diagnoses confirmed by doctors were recorded. The patients were classified according to the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS) of the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD). The patients were classified: no disability group (0 disability points), low disability group (1–2 disability points) and high disability group (3–6 disability points).

Results: Compared to patients in the no-disability group, patients in the high- and low-disability groups reported more comorbid pain conditions (p?<?.001), and experienced these as more intense and interfering more with daily life (p?<?.05). Patients in the high-disability group reported more general health-related medical diagnoses than patients in the no-disability group (p?<?.05). Furthermore, patients with low or high pain-related disability indicated poorer quality of life in all RAND-36 subscales than those with no disability (p?<?.05).

Conclusions: The findings suggest that GCPS-related disability scoring can be used as a simple screening instrument to identify TMD patients with different degrees of health burdens.     

Fluoride toothpastes containing micrometric or nano-sized sodium trimetaphosphate reduce enamel erosion in vitro

Objective: To evaluate the effect of fluoride toothpastes supplemented with micrometric or nano-sized sodium trimetaphosphate (TMP or TMPnano, respectively) on enamel erosion in vitro, as well as the influence of salivary acquired pellicle and saliva.

Material and methods: Bovine enamel blocks (n?=?120) were randomly assigned into the following experimental toothpastes: no F/TMP/TMPnano (Placebo); 1100?ppm F (1100?ppm F); 1100?ppm F plus 3% TMP or 3% TMPnano (1100 TMP or 1100 TMPnano, respectively) and 5000?ppm F (5000?ppm F). Erosive challenge was performed by immersion of the blocks in citric acid for 5?min, followed by 2?h immersion in human or artificial saliva, 4×/day, during 5 days. After each erosive challenge, blocks were exposed to slurries of the toothpastes. Enamel erosion (µm), surface hardness (SHf) and cross-sectional hardness (ΔKHN) were analyzed as response variables and the data were submitted to two-way ANOVA, followed by the Student–Newman–Keuls test (p?Results: 1100 TMPnano significantly reduced enamel loss when compared to 1100 TMP (p?=?.002), reaching values similar to those promoted by 5000?ppm F (p?=?.96). 1100?ppm F presented significantly lower enamel loss than Placebo (p?p?p?Conclusion: The addition of 3% TMPnano to 1100?ppm F toothpastes significantly increases the protective effect against enamel erosion in vitro when compared with its counterparts with micrometric TMP or without TMP. This effect was not influenced by the presence of acquired enamel pellicle and saliva.     

The Brazilian validation of a health literacy instrument: the newest vital sign

Objective: This study aimed to perform the cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the NVS for Brazilian Portuguese.

Material and Methods: Two hundred and fifty adults responded to the adapted version of the NVS, the Brazilian version of the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry (BREALD-30), ten questions of the National Functional Literacy Index (NFLI), and a questionnaire about demographic and oral health-related aspects. Statistical analysis determined the internal consistency, stability, difficulty of items, and convergent/discriminant/predictive validities of the NVS. p?Results: The NVS displayed a good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha?=?0.79) and a fair stability (ICC?=?0.57; 0.39–0.70 95% CI). Seventy-two percent of participants answered the easier question (#5) correctly, whereas only 28.4% were successful in responding the most difficult question (#1). The convergent validity of the NVS was demonstrated by its significant correlation with the BREALD-30 (Rs?=?0.601, p?Rs?=?0.544, p?Conclusion: The NVS demonstrated adequate psychometric properties to be applied in Brazilian oral health epidemiological surveys.     

Dental pain and oral health-related quality of life in individuals with severe dental anxiety

Objectives: To analyze the prevalence and level of dental pain among adult individuals with severe dental anxiety (DA), and the association between dental pain and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL).

Methods: The study was based on 170 adult individuals with DA referred to a specialized DA clinic. All patients answered a questionnaire including questions on DA (DAS, DFS), OHRQoL (OIDP) and dental pain. An adapted clinical examination and a panoramic radiograph revealed the present oral status.

Results: The prevalence of dental pain was high (77.6%) and among those reporting pain the intensity was high (49.0–61.0 on a VAS). One or more problems during the last 6 months with the mouth or teeth affecting the individual’s daily activities were reported in 85.3% of the participants. Individuals who reported dental pain had lower OHRQoL compared with those who did not report dental pain (p?p?p?=?.008).

Conclusion: This study revealed a high prevalence and a high level of dental pain among adult individuals with severe DA. Having dental pain was associated with poor OHRQoL.     

The effect of supervised exercise on localized TMD pain and TMD pain associated with generalized pain

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of a supervised exercise program in patients with localized/regional temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain and with TMD associated with generalized pain.

Material and methods: Consecutively referred patients with localized/regional TMD pain (n?=?56; 46 women and 10 men, mean age 44 years) and TMD associated with generalized pain (n?=?21; 21 women, mean age 41 years) participated. Patients underwent a 10-session structured supervised exercise program over 10–20 weeks that included relaxation, and coordination and resistance training of the jaw and neck/shoulders. The outcomes were jaw pain intensity on the Numerical Rating Scale, endurance time for jaw opening and protrusion against resistance and chewing, and effect of pain on daily activities.

Results: After the exercise program, a reduction in jaw pain was reported by the local (p?=?.001) and general (p?=?.011) pain groups. There were no significant differences in jaw pain intensity between the groups, before (p?=?.062) or after treatment (p?=?.121). Endurance time increased for both groups for jaw opening/protrusion (both p?<?.001) and chewing (both p?=?.002). The effect of jaw pain on daily activities decreased after exercise compared to baseline for both the local (p?<?.001) and general (p?=?.008) pain groups.

Conclusions: Supervised exercise can reduce TMD pain and increase capacity in patients with TMD. The results suggest that activation of the jaw motor system with exercise has a positive effect in patients with localized/regional TMD pain and TMD associated with generalized pain.     

Influence of mode of delivery,family and nursing determinants on early childhood caries development: a prospective cohort study

Introduction: Conflicting results exist regarding mode of delivery and caries. We investigated the influence of the mode of delivery and selected family- and nursing factors during the first 2 years of life on the prevalence of dental caries at 5 years.

Materials and methods: 551 infants were invited to a prospective medical study with focus on growth and overweight prevention. The parents of 346 infants (179 boys and 167 girls) accepted this invitation and at the age of 2-years, 336 of them agreed to dental check-ups and salivary samplings. At the ages of three and five years, 302 (90%) and 292 children (87%) could be re-examined with respect to caries by one of two calibrated examiners. All stages of caries lesions were scored on tooth and surface level. Background maternal and nursing data were collected semiannually through validated questionnaires and interviews.

Results: The caries prevalence (initial?+?cavitated lesions) was 5.6% at 3 years of age and 18.9% at 5 years. The 5-year-olds delivered with caesarian section displayed a significantly elevated risk of having caries (relative risk [RR] 2.2; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4–3.6; p?p?p?p?Conclusions: In this cohort, the mode of delivery (caesarian section) had a significant impact on the risk of early childhood caries (ECC) but also other family and infant nursing determinants were related to the development of the disease.     

Associations of alveolar bone loss and interleukin-1β levels in one- and two-stage surgical procedures: a randomized prospective trial

Objective: Dental implants have been widely and successfully used in recent years as an alternative treatment for removable and fixed dental prostheses. The aim of this randomized prospective study was to determine the alveolar bone loss rate (ABLR) and IL-1β levels in one- and two-stage surgical procedures.

Materials and methods: This study included 40 patients with a single missing tooth in the posterior mandible; dental implants were inserted using a one-stage surgical procedure (Group I) or a two-stage surgical procedure (Group II). All clinical periodontal parameters were recorded; peri-implant crevicular fluid (PICF) samples were collected before loading (T0) and during the third (T1) and sixth (T2) months after loading. ABLR values were evaluated at T0 and T2 by using dental tomography. PICF was analysed after T2 samples were collected. The study was registered through clinicaltrials.gov; identifier NCT03045458.

Results: This study found that, the probing pocket depth was found to be significantly higher in Group I than Group II at both T1 and T2 (p?p?>?.05). There was a significant difference between Group I ABLR values at T0 and T2 (p?p?>?.05).

Conclusions: Within the limitations of the short observational period and small sample size of this study, two-stage implant placement shows comparable clinical outcomes to implants placed using a one-stage placement protocol.     

The ratios of pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory cytokines in the serum of chronic periodontitis patients with and without type 2 diabetes and/or smoking habit

Objective

This study assessed the impact of chronic periodontitis (CP) and CP associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and/or smoking on the serum ratios of pro- to anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Materials and methods

Subjects were assigned into one of the following groups: control (n = 25, non-diabetic non-smokers with no history of periodontitis), CP (n = 26, non-diabetic non-smokers with CP), DMCP (n = 30, non-smokers with DM and CP), SCP (n = 27, non-diabetic smokers with CP), and SDMCP (n = 22, smokers with type 2 DM and CP). Serum levels of 18 cytokines were measured using multiplex immunoassays.

Results

Six ratios of pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory cytokines were significantly higher in the CP group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Eleven, seventeen and nine ratios of pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory cytokines were significantly higher in the DMCP, SCP and SDMCP groups than in the control group, respectively (p < 0.05). The SCP group presented higher serum ratios of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α/interleukin (IL)-4, TNF-α/IL-5, IL-17/IL-13 and IL-6/IL-13 (p < 0.05) than the CP group. Cluster analysis revealed a relevant cluster composed of ten cytokines (IL-17, IL-23, interferon-γ, IL-12, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-21, IL-6, IL-4 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor [GM-CSF]) in the serum of subjects from the DMCP group.

Conclusions

The ratios of pro- to anti-inflammatory cytokines shift to favor a pro-inflammatory status in the serum of patients with CP and even more when CP is associated with one or both risk factors.

Clinical relevance

CP and CP associated with hyperglycemia and/or smoking might contribute to a systemic inflammatory burden and increased risk of systemic complications.

     

Influence of smoking on the effectiveness of tooth whitening: a systematic review

Objectives

Perform a systematic review to evaluate the influence of smoking on the effectiveness of tooth whitening (TW) and to analyze whether tooth sensitivity is different between smokers and non-smokers.

Materials and methods

A systematic review modeled according to the PRISMA guidelines was conducted. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, Scopus, and OpenGrey databases were searched for related clinical trials. The population, exposure, comparison, outcomes (PECO) was individuals who had TW performed, smoking individuals, non-smoking individuals, and effectiveness of TW, respectively. Risk of bias was assessed with the ROBINS-I tool, and data from included studies were extracted by two researchers independently. The certainty of the evidence was evaluated using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations) approach.

Results

Five studies were selected for qualitative analysis. The ROBINS-I tool classified 3 studies as having a moderate risk of bias, one study as having a serious risk of bias, and one with a critical risk. GRADE performed only for color change results and showed a low certainty of evidence. Limited evidence suggests that effectiveness of TW between smokers and non-smokers is similar. The tooth sensitivity also does not seem to be influenced by smoking. Due to the heterogeneity of the data, a meta-analysis could not be performed.

Conclusions

Effectiveness of TW between smokers and non-smokers is comparable. The tooth sensitivity also does not seem to be influenced by smoking.

Clinical relevance

The effectiveness of bleaching among smokers and non-smokers appears to be similar. Tooth sensitivity during TW also appears not to be influenced by smoking.

     

Effect of different laser-assisted irrigation activation techniques on apical debris extrusion

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare apical debris extrusion when neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) lasers, erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Er:YAG) or photon-induced photoacoustic streaming (PIPS) are used for irrigation activation.

Materials and methods: A total of 60 extracted human mandibular premolar teeth have similar dimensions were included and the samples were split into four groups according to the irrigation technique (n?=?15): conventional needle irrigation, PIPS, Er:YAG and Nd:YAG. ProTaper Universal system up to F4 was used for root canal instrumentation. Bidistilled water was used as an irrigation solution during instrumentation and irrigation activation. Apically extruded debris was collected into preweighed Eppendorf tubes during instrumentation and irrigation activation procedures. The tubes were then kept in an incubator at 70?°C for 5?days. The initial weight of the tube was subtracted from the final weight and the result was recorded as the weight of dry extruded debris. The data were evaluated statistically using a one-way ANOVA test followed by least significant difference post hoc test (p?<?.05).

Results: Conventional needle irrigation caused significantly less debris extrusion than laser-assisted irrigation activation groups (p?<?.05). Laser-assisted irrigation activation groups caused statistically similar debris extrusion (p?>?.05).

Conclusion: Laser-assisted irrigation activation techniques caused more debris extrusion when compared to conventional needle irrigation.     

Tooth root and alveolar bone grey values derived from cone-beam CT imaging in maxillary incisor teeth with and without apical root resorption

Introduction: In orthodontic treatment, an increased bone mineral density of the alveolar bone is considered as a risk factor for apical root resorption (ARR), whereas the mineral density of cementum has been associated with root protection against resorption.

Methods: This study aimed at evaluating the grey values (GVs) of the apical third of the root and of the alveolar bone adjacent to maxillary incisors with and without ARR in orthodontic patients. Twenty-one patients under treatment who presented one incisor with ARR and its corresponding contralateral without ARR were selected and submitted to cone-beam computed tomography. GVs were evaluated on the images obtained of four areas of the apical third of the root and of four areas of the adjacent alveolar bone.

Results and Conclusions: The radicular tissue of the apical third of the incisors with ARR showed greater root GV (p?p?相似文献