Real-time polymerase chain reaction quantification of Epstein--Barr virus in chronic periodontitis patients

BACKGROUND: Although herpes viruses have been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic and aggressive periodontitis, few data in the literature refer to quantification of these viruses in periodontal sites, especially in relation to serological findings. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to compare Epstein--Barr virus (EBV) DNA load in subgingival specimens from chronic periodontitis patients and in periodontally healthy subjects, in relation to serologic testing of IgM and IgG antibodies to EBV. METHODS: A total of 22 chronic periodontitis patients and 13 controls participated in the present study. Seventy-nine subgingival specimens (one pooled, one from a deep and one from a shallow site), sampled with paper points, were analysed with real-time polymerase chain reaction for EBV. Subjects were also examined for anti-EBV IgG and IgM levels in serum, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: One subject was seronegative for EBV. Three subjects (one patient and two controls) displayed anti-EBV IgM. Their data were excluded from further analysis. All three displayed EBV in their subgingival samples. Nine out of the remaining 20 chronic periodontitis patients and 10 out of 11 controls did not display EBV subgingivally. A statistically significant difference in viral load was observed between pooled and shallow-pocket samples from periodontitis patients but not between samples from deep and shallow pockets (Kruskall--Wallis anova, Dunn's multiple comparisons test). CONCLUSIONS: Data from the present study do not strongly support the pathogenetic significance of EBV in chronic periodontitis lesions. The data do, however, suggest that parallel serological assessments provide a useful insight into the association of viruses with periodontal disease.     

The effect of chemotherapeutic agents on contaminated titanium surfaces: a systematic review

Objective: To systematically collect and evaluate the existing evidence for the abilities of different chemotherapeutic agents to decontaminate biofilm‐contaminated titanium surfaces. Material and methods: PubMed‐MEDLINE and the Cochrane‐CENTRAL databases were searched, covering research published on or before June 2010, to identify appropriate studies. The eligible studies were controlled studies on the effects of chemical treatments on biofilm‐contaminated titanium surfaces. Results: In total, 2425 unique papers were identified. Independent screening of the titles and abstracts resulted in only four publications that met all of the eligibility criteria. None of the in vivo studies assessed titanium surface decontamination in a controlled fashion. Three studies provided in vitro data, and one used an ex vivo protocol. Citric acid was found to be the most effective treatment in lipopolysaccharide removal as compared with an untreated control, although its effectiveness was equivalent to those of water and saline. In addition, citric acid demonstrated the greatest efficacy in cleaning the contaminated titanium surface, as evidenced by scanning electron microscopy. Conclusion: The data reported for the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents in cleaning contaminated titanium surfaces are scarce, which precludes the generation of firm conclusions. Based on the lack of robust data, we cautiously conclude that citric acid is the chemotherapeutic agent with the highest potential for the removal of biofilms from contaminated titanium surfaces in vitro, although it does not achieve complete removal. To date, the killing effect of citric acid against biofilms has not been investigated on titanium surfaces. To cite this article:
Ntrouka VI, Slot DE, Louropoulou A, Van der Weijden F. The effect of chemotherapeutic agents on contaminated titanium surfaces: a systematic review.
Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 22 , 2011; 681–690
doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2010.02037.x     

Uprighting partially impacted permanent second molars

Impaction of the lower second molar is not a common problem, but it is very challenging for both orthodontist and oral surgeon. Treatment options depend on the degree of tooth inclination, the position of the third molars, and the desired type of movement, which may be surgical and/or orthodontic in nature. A good treatment alternative is surgical uncovering with orthodontically-assisted eruption. A case of successful uprighting using a 0.017 x 0.025-inch titanium molybdenum alloy (TMA) tip-back cantilever is presented. Different aspects of uprighting impacted second molars are discussed in light of the literature. The iatrogenic character of lower second molar impaction is emphasized.     

Effect of chlorhexidine/thymol and fluoride varnishes on dental biofilm formation in vitro

This study evaluated the effect of chlorhexidine/thymol (CHX/T) and fluoride (F) varnishes on biofilm formation in vitro. Hydroxyapatite discs coated with varnish were first immersed in saline for 0, 3, 7 or 14 d, then immersed in pasteurized saliva. The discs were incubated for 20 h with a bacterial suspension containing Actinomyces naeslundii, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Streptococcus oralis, and Veillonella dispar. Uncoated discs were used as controls. Growth of bacteria on the discs was evaluated by culture and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Bacterial vitality was examined by fluorescence staining. In the CHX/T-treated group, bacterial accumulation was delayed, and the total number of bacteria was significantly lower than in the controls. In the F-treated group, the total number of bacteria did not differ from the control, although the number of S. oralis was lower. Bacterial vitality in the CHX/T and F groups did not differ from that in the controls. The total number of bacteria on the CHX/T-treated discs immersed in saline was significantly higher than that on the non-immersed discs. Biofilm development was inhibited by the CHX/T varnish but not by the F varnish. The effect of the CHX/T varnish decreased following the immersion of discs in saline.     

The role of dental hygienists, assistants, and office staff in CAMBRA

The role of the dental team in caries management by risk assessment is critical to successful patient outcomes. Positive patient interactions and communication, proper appointment scheduling, diagnostics and data gathering, as well as implementation of noninvasive or minimally invasive procedures can be the responsibility of all members of the dental team. This article will evaluate the role of the clinical and administrative staff in maintaining a practice with a focus on disease prevention and management..     

Partial pulpotomy as a treatment alternative for exposed pulps in crown-fractured permanent incisors

Abstract Sixty-three vital permanent incisors with complicated crown fractures were treated by partial pulpotomy and assessed clinically and radiographically for healing. Healing of the pulp was considered to have taken place when the following criteria were fulfilled: absence of clinical symptoms, radiographic evidence of dentin bridge formation, no intrapulpal or periapical pathosis, continued root development in immature teeth, and a positive response to electrical pulp testing. The treatment was successful in 59 teeth (94%). In the remaining 4 teeth, necrosis of the pulp was diagnosed clinically and radiographically 3 weeks to 6 months after treatment. The high frequency of healing in both the present and previous studies seems to justify recommending partial pulpotomy as the treatment of choice in crown-fractured teeth with pulp exposure.     

Nonpharmacologic Treatments for Depression Related to Reproductive Events

With the rapid and ubiquitous acceptance of new technologies, algorithms will be used to estimate new measures of mental state and behavior based on digital data. The algorithms will analyze data collected from sensors in smartphones and wearable technology, and data collected from Internet and smartphone usage and activities. In the future, new medical measures that assist with the screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of psychiatric disorders will be available despite unresolved reliability, usability, and privacy issues. At the same time, similar non-medical commercial measures of mental state are being developed primarily for targeted advertising. There are societal and ethical implications related to the use of these measures of mental state and behavior for both medical and non-medical purposes.