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JMIRx Med Jun 2024Information about the range of Hounsfield values for healthy teeth tissues could become an additional tool in assessing dental health and could be used, among other...
BACKGROUND
Information about the range of Hounsfield values for healthy teeth tissues could become an additional tool in assessing dental health and could be used, among other data, for subsequent machine learning.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of our study was to determine dental tissue densities in Hounsfield units (HU).
METHODS
The total sample included 36 healthy children (n=21, 58% girls and n=15, 42% boys) aged 10-11 years at the time of the study. The densities of 320 teeth tissues were analyzed. Data were expressed as means and SDs. The significance was determined using the Student (1-tailed) t test. The statistical significance was set at P<.05.
RESULTS
The densities of 320 teeth tissues were analyzed: 72 (22.5%) first permanent molars, 72 (22.5%) permanent central incisors, 27 (8.4%) second primary molars, 40 (12.5%) tooth germs of second premolars, 37 (11.6%) second premolars, 9 (2.8%) second permanent molars, and 63 (19.7%) tooth germs of second permanent molars. The analysis of the data showed that tissues of healthy teeth in children have different density ranges: enamel, from mean 2954.69 (SD 223.77) HU to mean 2071.00 (SD 222.86) HU; dentin, from mean 1899.23 (SD 145.94) HU to mean 1323.10 (SD 201.67) HU; and pulp, from mean 420.29 (SD 196.47) HU to mean 183.63 (SD 97.59) HU. The tissues (enamel and dentin) of permanent central incisors in the mandible and maxilla had the highest mean densities. No gender differences concerning the density of dental tissues were reliably identified.
CONCLUSIONS
The evaluation of Hounsfield values for dental tissues can be used as an objective method for assessing their densities. If the determined densities of the enamel, dentin, and pulp of the tooth do not correspond to the range of values for healthy tooth tissues, then it may indicate a pathology.
PubMed: 38904484
DOI: 10.2196/56759 -
Cureus May 2024Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) has been demonstrated to be effective in arresting caries lesions and, recently, clinical trials have assessed the effectiveness of SDF as... (Review)
Review
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) has been demonstrated to be effective in arresting caries lesions and, recently, clinical trials have assessed the effectiveness of SDF as a medicament for indirect pulp therapy (IPT) in primary teeth. This review aims to summarize the literature related to the use of SDF and find out if SDF can be used as an effective material for IPT. A literature search was undertaken on electronic databases including PubMed, MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, which elicited 50 studies employing different materials in the IPT of primary molars; however, of them, only four clinical trials used SDF as indirect pulp capping (IPC) material. SDF has the potential to be a useful material for IPT in primary teeth. It is a handy choice for pediatric dentists due to its minimum invasiveness, ease of application, and ability to stop the progression of caries. However, more studies are needed to determine whether SDF can be used routinely for IPT and whether it can even replace the currently available materials, as well as to fully realize its potential and establish criteria for its ideal application in IPT procedures.
PubMed: 38903314
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60780 -
Cureus May 2024This study aimed to investigate the referral rates of oral lichen planus (OLP) and untreated hepatitis virus-infected patients by dentists to hepatologists.
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to investigate the referral rates of oral lichen planus (OLP) and untreated hepatitis virus-infected patients by dentists to hepatologists.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study was conducted at three dental clinics in the Oita prefecture between November 2021 and June 2023. Two distinct groups of patients who visited the dentist for dental treatment were included: those with liver disease and concurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) or hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and those diagnosed with OLP. The rate of medical referrals to a hepatologist was investigated. Data on the number of patients, gender, age, diagnosis of liver disease, and referral practices were collected from the records submitted by each dental clinic. Information about the HCV and HBV infection status was collected through interviews with the dentists.
RESULTS
A total of 1,665 patients were included, of which 10 were HCV-infected, five were HBV-infected, and six were diagnosed with OLP. None of the 15 patients with liver disease were referred to a hepatologist by their dentists. Nine out of the 10 HCV-infected patients had achieved sustained virological response (SVR) after antiviral treatment. Of the six patients with OLP, one had a history of HBV infection, one had severe fatty liver, and the remaining four had normal livers; five of the OLP patients were referred to a hepatologist (83.3%).
CONCLUSION
A high referral rate from dentists to hepatologists was observed among the OLP patients. However, the study highlighted the difficulties in identifying hepatitis patients and establishing appropriate medical coordination in dental institutions.
PubMed: 38903276
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60624 -
Preventive Medicine Jun 2024This study aims to explore dentists' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding antibiotic use. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to explore dentists' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding antibiotic use.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review of dentists' knowledge, attitudes and perceptions regarding antibiotic use, by searching the MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science for all original paper published from January 1990 to July 2023, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA 2020) guidelines.
RESULTS
The review included 37 papers, (7 qualitative and 30 quantitative studies). Modifiable factors (knowledge, attitudes) were reported as being associated with antibiotic prescribing by dentists which were cited in 30 of the 37. These attitudes most frequently identified by dentists were: complacency (22/29); lack of trust (16/29); the need to postpone the dental procedure (17/29); and fear (8/29). Gaps in knowledge were also identified (15/29). Only one of the included articles quantified the influence between the reported modifiable factors and antibiotic prescribing.
CONCLUSIONS
The review emphasizes that dentists' antibiotic prescribing is predominantly influenced by modifiable factors. This insight informs the potential for targeted interventions to curtail inappropriate antibiotic use, contributing to global efforts in reducing antibiotic resistance. The protocol of this systematic review can be found in PROSPERO under registration no. CRD42021253937.
PubMed: 38901743
DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2024.108043 -
Cureus May 2024Over-the-counter teeth-whitening products have become popular in accordance with the increasing demands of patients. These products can also be recommended to patients...
AIM
Over-the-counter teeth-whitening products have become popular in accordance with the increasing demands of patients. These products can also be recommended to patients by dentists. The aim was to determine the rates of recommendation of over-the-counter teeth whitening products by dentists in Turkey divided into different categories for their patients and to interpret them based on a cause-and-effect relationship.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
After obtaining ethics committee approval, the survey questions were created using Google Forms (Google Inc., Mountainview, CA) and delivered to dentists via social media. Dentists who signed the informed consent form completed the survey. Within the study's scope, statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 26.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Values were expressed as frequency (n) and percentage (%). A chi-square test was used to compare participants' teeth-whitening recommendations according to their demographic characteristics. The statistical significance level was accepted as p <0.05 throughout the study.
RESULTS
A total of 57.9% of dentists working in Turkey did not recommend over-the-counter teeth-whitening products to their patients. When the answers to the question "Which whitening products sold on the market do you recommend to your patients?" were compared according to the participants' place of work, there was a statistically significant difference between the place of work and the recommended whitening product (p <0.05). Participants working in the private sector answered "I do not recommend" at a higher rate than participants working in the public sector. Among those who recommended toothpaste, more dentists with five or fewer years of experience recommended toothpaste to their patients than dentists with greater than five years of experience. Additionally, more dentists working in the public sector recommended toothpaste to their patients than dentists working in the private sector, and more specialist dentists recommended toothpaste to their patients than general practitioner dentists.
CONCLUSION
Most dentists in Turkey do not recommend over-the-counter teeth-whitening products to their patients. Among those who recommend such products, toothpaste has been determined to be the first choice. The results of this study may raise awareness among dentists about over-the-counter teeth-whitening products and encourage new studies.
PubMed: 38894768
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60602 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine May 2024The World Health Organization's (WHO) 2022 update on the classification of odontogenic and maxillofacial bone tumors has revolutionized diagnostic and treatment...
The World Health Organization's (WHO) 2022 update on the classification of odontogenic and maxillofacial bone tumors has revolutionized diagnostic and treatment paradigms by integrating novel molecular insights. Fibro-osseous lesions of the maxillo-facial bones constitute a heterogeneous group encompassing fibrous dysplasia, Psammomatoid Ossifying Fibroma (PSOF), Juvenile Trabecular Ossifying Fibroma (JTOF), and other variants. Despite histological similarities, their distinct clinical manifestations and prognostic implications mandate precise differentiation. The intricacies of diagnosing fibro-osseous lesions pose challenges for pathologists, maxillofacial surgeons, dentists and oral surgeons, underscoring the importance of a systematic approach to ensure optimal patient management. Herein, we present two cases, fibrous dysplasia and Cemento-Ossifying Fibroma, detailing their clinical encounters and management strategies. Both patients provided informed consent for publishing their data and images, adhering to ethical guidelines.
PubMed: 38892944
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13113233 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine May 2024: This study aimed to identify the salivary levels of six hormones (progesterone, estradiol, testosterone, cortisol, thyroxine T3, and triiodothyronine T4) in pregnant...
: This study aimed to identify the salivary levels of six hormones (progesterone, estradiol, testosterone, cortisol, thyroxine T3, and triiodothyronine T4) in pregnant women, and to assess the association between salivary hormones, dental caries, and cariogenic microorganisms. : This cross-sectional study included 181 low-income US pregnant women who were in their third trimester. Demographic details, oral hygiene practices, and medical backgrounds were obtained via questionnaires and medical records. Calibrated dentists obtained data on plaque index and caries status through comprehensive oral examinations. Unstimulated saliva was collected 2 h before eating and brushing. Salivary hormones were measured with a multiplex assay. Oral () and () were quantified via colony-forming unit (CFU) counts. A latent model was used to generate clusters of pregnant women based on salivary hormone levels, followed by post-clustering analysis. Factors associated with salivary cariogenic microorganisms were further evaluated via multiple regression analyses. : Estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, T3, and T4 in saliva were detectable at rates of 92%, 97%, 77%, 99%, 71%, and 50%, respectively. Three distinct participant clusters (high, intermediate, and low) were identified based on salivary hormone levels. Intermediate-level and high-level clusters had increased numbers of decayed teeth, decayed surfaces, ICDAS scores, and salivary and , compared to the low-level cluster ( < 0.05). Covariate analysis demonstrated that the high-level cluster was positively associated with salivary carriage of (CFU/mL) ( < 0.05). Participants with higher levels of progesterone, estradiol, testosterone, and cortisol were associated with a high carriage status of in saliva (>10 CFU/mL) ( < 0.05). : This study demonstrated the feasibility of detecting salivary hormones during pregnancy and revealed the positive association between salivary steroid hormones and cariogenic pathogens.
PubMed: 38892893
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13113183 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine May 2024Temporomandibular disease (TMD) is commonly seen, and divers also experience pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or masticatory muscles. This article aims to...
Temporomandibular disease (TMD) is commonly seen, and divers also experience pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or masticatory muscles. This article aims to provide a tool for diving physicians or medical professionals involved in diving medicine since jaw pain among divers is a pertinent subject and can be challenging to evaluate without some background in dentistry or maxillofacial surgery. A basic algorithm was developed to provide a tool to differentiate jaw pains experienced by divers. Three brief case studies were developed, and five diving physicians were tasked with diagnosing the cases using the algorithm. Additionally, simple exercises and massage techniques that can benefit patients with TMD, particularly immediately after diving, are outlined. All five diving physicians successfully diagnosed the cases using the algorithm. However, three of them were unable to diagnose the first case (disc luxation) without consulting the algorithm. Nevertheless, all physicians acknowledged the utility of the algorithm. Jaw pain in divers can stem from diverse causes, but effective treatment options exist. Our study findings provide valuable insights to assist diving physicians in making accurate diagnoses and guiding appropriate patient management, which may include referrals to specialists such as dentists, maxillofacial surgeons, or orthodontists.
PubMed: 38892877
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13113167 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Periodontitis is a common oral condition that can have a significant impact on the overall health of the body. In recent years, attention has been paid to potential... (Review)
Review
Periodontitis is a common oral condition that can have a significant impact on the overall health of the body. In recent years, attention has been paid to potential relationships between periodontitis and various hematological disorders. This publication aims to present information available in the literature on this relationship, focusing on examples of red blood cell disorders (such as aplastic anemia and sickle cell anemia) and white blood cell disorders (such as cyclic neutropenia, maladaptive trained immunity, clonal hematopoiesis, leukemia, and multiple myeloma). Understanding these associations can help physicians and dentists better diagnose, monitor, and treat patients associated with both groups of conditions, highlighting the need for interdisciplinary care for patients with oral disorders and hematologic diseases.
Topics: Humans; Periodontitis; Hematologic Diseases
PubMed: 38892299
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116115 -
International Journal of... 2024Exceedingly high levels of the chemokine CCL5/RANTES have been found in fatty degenerated osteonecrotic alveolar bone cavities (FDOJ) and aseptic ischemic osteolysis of... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Exceedingly high levels of the chemokine CCL5/RANTES have been found in fatty degenerated osteonecrotic alveolar bone cavities (FDOJ) and aseptic ischemic osteolysis of the jaw (AIOJ) from toothless regions. Because CCL5/RANTES seems to have a prominent role in creating the COVID-19 "cytokine storm", some researchers have used the monoclonal antibody Leronlimab to block the CCR5 on inflammatory cells. Is preexisting FDOJ/AIOJ jaw marrow pathology a "hidden" co-morbidity affecting some COVID-19 infections? To what extent does the chronic CCL5/RANTES expression from preexisting FDOJ/AIOJ areas contribute to the progression of the acute cytokine storm in COVID-19 patients? Authors report on reducing the COVID-19 "cytokine storm" by treating infected patients through targeting the chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) with Leronlimab and interrupting the activation of CCR5 by high CCL5/RANTES signaling, thus dysregulating the inflammatory phase of the viremia. Surgical removal of FDOJ/AIOJ lesions with high CCL5/RANTES from patients with inflammatory diseases may be classified as a co-morbid disease. Both multiplex analysis of 249 FDOJ/AIOJ bone tissue samples as well as serum levels of CCL5/RANTES displayed exceedingly high levels in both specimens. By the results the authors hypothesize that chronic CCL5/RANTES induction from FDOJ/AIOJ areas may sensitize CCR5 throughout the immune system, thus, enabling it to amplify its response when confronted with the virus. As conventional intraoral radiography does little to assess the quality of the alveolar bone, ultrasonography units are available to help dentists locate the FDOJ/AIOJ lesions in an office setting. The authors propose a new approach to containment of the COVID-19 cytokine storm by a prophylactic focus for future viral-related pandemics, which may be early surgical clean-up of CCL5/RANTES expression sources in the FDOJ/AIOJ areas, thus diminishing a possible pre-sensitization of CCR5. A more complete dental examination includes trans-alveolar ultrasono-graphy (TAU) for hidden FDOJ/AIOJ lesions.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Chemokine CCL5; Comorbidity; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Receptors, CCR5; Aged; Jaw Diseases; SARS-CoV-2; Cytokine Release Syndrome; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Adult
PubMed: 38889772
DOI: 10.1177/03946320241265265