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Clinical and Experimental Dental... Aug 2022Aragonite from animal origin such as cuttlefish bone powder is an abrasive with hardness properties ideal for calculus removal. The purpose of this randomized controlled... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVES
Aragonite from animal origin such as cuttlefish bone powder is an abrasive with hardness properties ideal for calculus removal. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to test the efficacy of a cuttlebone-derived aragonite toothpaste in removing dental calculus.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Eighty-one patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were blindly and randomly assigned into two study groups. The intervention treatment group (n = 40) received cuttlebone toothpaste (Dr. D-Tart) and the control group (n = 41) received an off-the-shelf commercial toothpaste (Crest). Evaluations were performed before and after scaling and polishing procedures done at 3 months in order to evaluate the toothpaste's ability to remove calculus and to prevent calculus formation. Calculus, stains, plaque, and gingival indices scores, and patient satisfaction surveys were compared at baseline (first visit), 3, and 9 months, using generalized linear models and Wald's χ test.
RESULTS
At the end of the 3-month period, the intervention group showed a 30% reduction in total calculus compared to the baseline score (p = .0006) and 45% less total calculus compared to the control group (p = .0001). Six months after scaling, the mean calculus score for Crest users was 42% higher than that for Dr. D-Tart users (p = .0692). There was a significant improvement in the gingival health of cuttlebone toothpaste users at the observed intervals, and both kinds of toothpaste achieved comparable results in terms of plaque and stains removal.
CONCLUSIONS
Aragonite toothpaste can remove calculus, prevent calculus formation, and improve gingival health. Patients are generally satisfied with the performance of the aragonite toothpaste.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Animal-derived aragonite toothpaste (Dr. D-Tart) shows promising efficacy in removing calculus, preventing calculus formation, and for the improvement of gingival health.
CLINICAL TRIAL ID
A08-M35-16B.
Topics: Calcium Carbonate; Dental Calculus; Dental Plaque; Gingivitis; Humans; Toothpastes
PubMed: 35419985
DOI: 10.1002/cre2.559 -
PloS One 2016Dental calculus is a mineralized deposit associated with periodontitis. The bacterial components contained in dental calculus can be recognized by host immune sensors,...
Dental calculus is a mineralized deposit associated with periodontitis. The bacterial components contained in dental calculus can be recognized by host immune sensors, such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs), and induce transcription of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β. Studies have shown that cellular uptake of crystalline particles may trigger NLRP3 inflammasome activation, leading to the cleavage of the IL-1β precursor to its mature form. Phagocytosis of dental calculus in the periodontal pocket may therefore lead to the secretion of IL-1β, promoting inflammatory responses in periodontal tissues. However, the capacity of dental calculus to induce IL-1β secretion in human phagocytes has not been explored. To study this, we stimulated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with dental calculus collected from periodontitis patients, and measured IL-1β secretion by ELISA. We found that calculus induced IL-1β secretion in both human PMNs and PBMCs. Calculus also induced IL-1β in macrophages from wild-type mice, but not in macrophages from NLRP3- and ASC-deficient mice, indicating the involvement of NLRP3 and ASC. IL-1β induction was inhibited by polymyxin B, suggesting that LPS is one of the components of calculus that induces pro-IL-1β transcription. To analyze the effect of the inorganic structure, we baked calculus at 250°C for 1 h. This baked calculus failed to induce pro-IL-1β transcription. However, it did induce IL-1β secretion in lipid A-primed cells, indicating that the crystalline structure of calculus induces inflammasome activation. Furthermore, hydroxyapatite crystals, a component of dental calculus, induced IL-1β in mouse macrophages, and baked calculus induced IL-1β in lipid A-primed human PMNs and PBMCs. These results indicate that dental calculus stimulates IL-1β secretion via NLRP3 inflammasome in human and mouse phagocytes, and that the crystalline structure has a partial role in the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome.
Topics: Animals; Dental Calculus; Humans; Inflammasomes; Interleukin-1beta; Mice; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein; Phagocytes
PubMed: 27632566
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162865 -
Journal of Veterinary Dentistry Sep 2023Microscopic alterations in the dental pulp of dogs have not been extensively studied. The aim of this study was to investigate microscopic alterations of the dental pulp...
Microscopic alterations in the dental pulp of dogs have not been extensively studied. The aim of this study was to investigate microscopic alterations of the dental pulp in dogs' teeth. One hundred and ten surgically extracted teeth (20 incisors, 23 canines, 28 premolars, and 39 molars) from 74 dogs, of different ages, with a history of chronic periodontitis (66 dogs), periapical abscesses (2 dogs), pulpitis (2 dogs), oral cavity neoplasms (2 dogs), dens invaginatus (1 dog), and dental fractures (1 dog) were included. Eight-one maxillary and 29 mandibular teeth were included. Coronal, radicular, and coronal plus radicular calculus were present in 28.2%, 17.3%, and 54.5% of the teeth, respectively. In total 78 teeth (71%) had pulp alterations, including fibrosis (26%), calcification (14%), necrosis associated with the absence of odontoblasts (14%), presence of predentin and dentin inside the cavity (8%), odontoblastic hyperplasia (3%), pigmentation (3%), pulpitis (2%), and pulp stones (1%). Forty-nine (60.5%) of the maxillary teeth and all of the mandibular teeth had pulp alterations. The premolars were most affected, and the molars least affected, by pulp alterations. Pulp fibrosis, calcification, and necrosis were observed in teeth irrespective of the distribution of dental calculus.
Topics: Dogs; Animals; Dental Pulp; Pulpitis; Necrosis; Dental Caries; Fibrosis; Dog Diseases
PubMed: 36814404
DOI: 10.1177/08987564231156507 -
Science (New York, N.Y.) Nov 2022Research raises standards for working with anthropological collections.
Research raises standards for working with anthropological collections.
Topics: Humans; Anthropology; Pneumonia; Racism; Dental Records; Dental Calculus; Social Justice
PubMed: 36378986
DOI: 10.1126/science.adf6049 -
Molecular Biology and Evolution Oct 2020Dental calculus, the calcified form of the mammalian oral microbial plaque biofilm, is a rich source of oral microbiome, host, and dietary biomolecules and is well...
Dental calculus, the calcified form of the mammalian oral microbial plaque biofilm, is a rich source of oral microbiome, host, and dietary biomolecules and is well preserved in museum and archaeological specimens. Despite its wide presence in mammals, to date, dental calculus has primarily been used to study primate microbiome evolution. We establish dental calculus as a valuable tool for the study of nonhuman host microbiome evolution, by using shotgun metagenomics to characterize the taxonomic and functional composition of the oral microbiome in species as diverse as gorillas, bears, and reindeer. We detect oral pathogens in individuals with evidence of oral disease, assemble near-complete bacterial genomes from historical specimens, characterize antibiotic resistance genes, reconstruct components of the host diet, and recover host genetic profiles. Our work demonstrates that metagenomic analyses of dental calculus can be performed on a diverse range of mammalian species, which will allow the study of oral microbiome and pathogen evolution from a comparative perspective. As dental calculus is readily preserved through time, it can also facilitate the quantification of the impact of anthropogenic changes on wildlife and the environment.
Topics: Animals; Biological Evolution; Dental Calculus; Diet; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Gorilla gorilla; Mammals; Metagenome; Microbiota; Mouth; Reindeer; Ursidae
PubMed: 32467975
DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msaa135 -
Journal of Proteome Research Oct 2023Dental calculus is becoming a crucial material in the study of past populations with increasing interest in its proteomic and genomic content. Here, we suggest further...
Dental calculus is becoming a crucial material in the study of past populations with increasing interest in its proteomic and genomic content. Here, we suggest further development of a protocol for analysis of ancient proteins and a combined approach for subsequent ancient DNA extraction. We tested the protocol on recent teeth, and the optimized protocol was applied to ancient tooth to limit the destruction of calculus as it is a precious and irreplaceable source of dietary, microbiological, and ecological information in the archeological context. Finally, the applicability of the protocol was demonstrated on samples of the ancient calculus.
PubMed: 37699853
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.3c00370 -
Journal of Human Evolution Feb 2015Dental calculus (calcified tartar or plaque) is today widespread on modern human teeth around the world. A combination of soft starchy foods, changing acidity of the...
Dental calculus (calcified tartar or plaque) is today widespread on modern human teeth around the world. A combination of soft starchy foods, changing acidity of the oral environment, genetic pre-disposition, and the absence of dental hygiene all lead to the build-up of microorganisms and food debris on the tooth crown, which eventually calcifies through a complex process of mineralisation. Millions of oral microbes are trapped and preserved within this mineralised matrix, including pathogens associated with the oral cavity and airways, masticated food debris, and other types of extraneous particles that enter the mouth. As a result, archaeologists and anthropologists are increasingly using ancient human dental calculus to explore broad aspects of past human diet and health. Most recently, high-throughput DNA sequencing of ancient dental calculus has provided valuable insights into the evolution of the oral microbiome and shed new light on the impacts of some of the major biocultural transitions on human health throughout history and prehistory. Here, we provide a brief historical overview of archaeological dental calculus research, and discuss the current approaches to ancient DNA sampling and sequencing. Novel applications of ancient DNA from dental calculus are discussed, highlighting the considerable scope of this new research field for evolutionary biology and modern medicine.
Topics: Archaeology; DNA, Bacterial; Dental Calculus; Diet; Evolution, Molecular; History, Ancient; Humans; Microbiota; Oral Health
PubMed: 25476244
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2014.06.018 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2022is a reported calcifying bacterium that can usually be isolated from dental calculus and induce mineralization . In recent years, based on hybridization probe and... (Review)
Review
is a reported calcifying bacterium that can usually be isolated from dental calculus and induce mineralization . In recent years, based on hybridization probe and sequencing technology, researchers have discovered the central "pillar" role of in supragingival plaque, and many studies focused on bacterial interactions in the biofilm structure dominated by have been conducted. Besides, seems to be an indicator of "caries-free" oral status according to imaging and sequencing studies. Therefore, in this review, we summarize 's role in supragingival plaque based on the structure, interactions, and potential connections with oral diseases.
PubMed: 35875585
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.940643 -
American Journal of Physical... Mar 2019Dental calculus is among the richest known sources of ancient DNA in the archaeological record. Although most DNA within calculus is microbial, it has been shown to...
OBJECTIVES
Dental calculus is among the richest known sources of ancient DNA in the archaeological record. Although most DNA within calculus is microbial, it has been shown to contain sufficient human DNA for the targeted retrieval of whole mitochondrial genomes. Here, we explore whether calculus is also a viable substrate for whole human genome recovery using targeted enrichment techniques.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Total DNA extracted from 24 paired archaeological human dentin and calculus samples was subjected to whole human genome enrichment using in-solution hybridization capture and high-throughput sequencing.
RESULTS
Total DNA from calculus exceeded that of dentin in all cases, and although the proportion of human DNA was generally lower in calculus, the absolute human DNA content of calculus and dentin was not significantly different. Whole genome enrichment resulted in up to four-fold enrichment of the human endogenous DNA content for both dentin and dental calculus libraries, albeit with some loss in complexity. Recovering more on-target reads for the same sequencing effort generally improved the quality of downstream analyses, such as sex and ancestry estimation. For nonhuman DNA, comparison of phylum-level microbial community structure revealed few differences between precapture and postcapture libraries, indicating that off-target sequences in human genome-enriched calculus libraries may still be useful for oral microbiome reconstruction.
DISCUSSION
While ancient human dental calculus does contain endogenous human DNA sequences, their relative proportion is low when compared with other skeletal tissues. Whole genome enrichment can help increase the proportion of recovered human reads, but in this instance enrichment efficiency was relatively low when compared with other forms of capture. We conclude that further optimization is necessary before the method can be routinely applied to archaeological samples.
Topics: Archaeology; DNA, Ancient; Dental Calculus; Dentin; Female; Genome, Human; Genomics; Humans; Male; Sequence Analysis, DNA
PubMed: 30586168
DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.23763 -
Genes Feb 2021Recent advantages in paleomicrobiology have provided an opportunity to investigate the composition of ancient microbial ecologies. Here, using metagenome analysis, we...
Recent advantages in paleomicrobiology have provided an opportunity to investigate the composition of ancient microbial ecologies. Here, using metagenome analysis, we investigated the microbial profiles of historic dental calculus retrieved from archaeological human remains from postmedieval Latvia dated 16-17th century AD and examined the associations of oral taxa and microbial diversity with specific characteristics. We evaluated the preservation of human oral microbiome patterns in historic samples and compared the microbial composition of historic dental calculus, modern human dental plaque, modern human dental calculus samples and burial soil microbiota. Overall, the results showed that the majority of microbial DNA in historic dental calculus originated from the oral microbiome with little impact of the burial environment. Good preservation of ancient DNA in historical dental calculus samples has provided reliable insight into the composition of the oral microbiome of postmedieval Latvian individuals. The relative stability of the classifiable oral microbiome composition was observed. Significant differences between the microbiome profiles of dental calculus and dental plaque samples were identified, suggesting microbial adaptation to a specific human body environment.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Archaeology; Body Remains; Burial; Child; DNA, Ancient; DNA, Bacterial; Dental Calculus; Dental Plaque; Female; Humans; Latvia; Male; Metagenome; Microbiota; Middle Aged; Soil Microbiology; Young Adult
PubMed: 33671794
DOI: 10.3390/genes12020309