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Dentistry Journal May 2024Laser, an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation, is a powerful tool with diverse applications in modern dentistry. It emits monochromatic,... (Review)
Review
Laser, an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation, is a powerful tool with diverse applications in modern dentistry. It emits monochromatic, coherent light resulting from photon-induced chain reactions. Available dental lasers include diode, argon, Er,Cr:YSGG, Er:YAG, Nd:YAG, and CO. The unique property of these lasers, allowing them to be effectively used on both soft and hard tissues based on the operational parameters, positions them as particularly suited for a wide range of dental procedures. Compared to traditional methods, lasers offer advantages such as improved hemostasis and quicker wound healing. Such benefits stress the shift towards laser technology in dental treatment. In the realm of dental prosthodontics, which focuses on esthetics, functionality, and the physiological aspects of dental prostheses, lasers provide promising outcomes. Among the prosthetic options, fixed partial dentures stand out for their ability to mimic natural teeth, offering both esthetic and functional features, leading to satisfactory long-term outcomes if managed properly. This review paper delves into the specific application of laser technology in the context of prosthetic rehabilitation involving fixed partial dentures. By investigating intraoral laser procedures, it contributes to understanding laser's role in improving patients' satisfaction and clinical efficiency in this field.
PubMed: 38920865
DOI: 10.3390/dj12060164 -
Geriatrics (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Older adults often experience poor oral functions, hindering rehabilitation post-acute disease treatment. However, characteristics of hospitalized patients who would...
Older adults often experience poor oral functions, hindering rehabilitation post-acute disease treatment. However, characteristics of hospitalized patients who would benefit from professional oral-health management (POHM) have not been clarified. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate systemic and oral characteristics of patients requiring POHM during hospitalization in a convalescent hospital. This study included 312 participants admitted to the rehabilitation department of a convalescent hospital for a year. The patients were categorized according to POHM requirements (no-POHM group: 137 patients; POHM group: 175 patients) by discharge. Age, sex, primary disease at admission, Glasgow coma scale (GCS), Functional Independence Measurement (FIM), Mini nutritional assessment-short form (MNA-SF), Functional oral intake scale (FOIS), number of present and functional teeth, Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) scores, and POHM details provided during patient hospitalization were compared. Binomial logistic-regression analysis identified patients requiring POHM as those who had suffered a stroke and had a low number of present teeth, poor overall oral health, low food form, and low motor skills at admission. A high percentage of POHM interventions comprised oral-hygiene care and denture treatment. In summary, patients whose oral health has deteriorated and those experiencing oral-intake difficulties upon admission to a convalescent hospital may require oral-health management.
PubMed: 38920438
DOI: 10.3390/geriatrics9030082 -
International Journal of Biomaterials 2024Three-dimensional (3D) printing is becoming more prevalent in the dental sector due to its potential to save time for dental practitioners, streamline fabrication...
Three-dimensional (3D) printing is becoming more prevalent in the dental sector due to its potential to save time for dental practitioners, streamline fabrication processes, enhance precision and consistency in fabricating prosthetic models, and offer cost-effective solutions. However, the effect of aging in artificial saliva of this type of material has not been explored. To assess the physical and mechanical properties of the two types of 3D-printed materials before and after being subjected to artificial saliva, a total of 219 acrylic resin specimens were produced. These specimens were made with two types of 3D-printed materials, namely, NextDent (ND) and Formlabs (FLs), and a Schottlander heat-cured (HC) resin material that was used as a control. Water sorption and solubility specimens ( = 5) were tested after three months of storage in artificial saliva. Moreover, the Vickers hardness, Martens hardness, flexural strength/modulus, and impact strength were evaluated both under dry conditions and after three months of storage in artificial saliva. The degree of conversion (DC), elemental analysis, and filler content were also investigated. The ANOVA showed that 3D-printed resins had significantly greater sorption than the control group ( < 0.05). However, the flexural strength values of the 3D-printed materials were significantly greater ( < 0.05) than those of the heat-cured material. The DC of the 3D-printed resins was lower than that of the control group, but the difference was not significant ( > 0.05). The 3D-printed materials contained significantly more filler than the control ( < 0.05). Moreover, the artificial saliva had a significant effect on the Vickers hardness for all tested groups and on the Martens hardness for the control group only ( < 0.05). Compared with conventional heat-cured materials, 3D-printed denture base materials demonstrated relatively poorer performance in terms of sorption, solubility, and DC but exhibited either comparable or superior mechanical properties. The aging process also influenced the Vickers and Martens' hardness. The strength of the 3D-printed materials was in compliance with ISO recommendations, and the materials could be used alongside conventional heat-cured materials.
PubMed: 38919543
DOI: 10.1155/2024/8060363 -
Journal of Korean Medical Science Jun 2024Diabetes is recognized as a risk factor for various inflammatory conditions, including periodontitis. There exists a bidirectional relationship between glycemic control...
BACKGROUND
Diabetes is recognized as a risk factor for various inflammatory conditions, including periodontitis. There exists a bidirectional relationship between glycemic control and oral health in individuals with diabetes. This study aimed to analyze the link between glycemic control and oral health status among Korean patients with diabetes.
METHODS
Using data from a population-based nationwide survey conducted between 2007 and 2019, we identified 70,554 adults with diabetes-related information. The study population included 9,090 individuals diagnosed with diabetes and 61,164 healthy controls. The association between glycemic control, defined by mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values, and various oral health measures, such as tooth brushing frequency, periodontitis, denture wearing, Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, number of remaining teeth, and past-year dental clinic visits, was evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analyses.
RESULTS
Compared to the control group, patients with diabetes exhibited a higher prevalence of periodontitis (88.6% vs. 73.3%), complete dentures (5.0% vs. 1.5%), and elevated DMFT index (33.2% vs. 26.7%) (all < 0.001). Multivariate analyses revealed significant associations between diabetes and several oral health factors: denture status (No denture: adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.784; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.627-0.979), and having fewer permanent teeth (0-19) (aOR, 1.474; 95% CI, 1.085-2.003). Additionally, a positive correlation was found between higher HbA1c levels and the risk of having fewer remaining teeth (0-19) (HbA1c < 6.5%: aOR, 1.129; 95% CI, 0.766-1.663; 6.5% ≤ HbA1c < 8.0%: aOR, 1.590; 95% CI, 1.117-2.262; HbA1c ≥ 8%: aOR, 1.910; 95% CI, 1.145-3.186) ( for trends = 0.041).
CONCLUSION
We found a positive association between diabetes and poor oral health, as well as a noteworthy relationship between reduced permanent teeth (≤ 19) and glycemic control. These insights emphasize the critical role of oral health management in diabetic care and underscore the importance of maintaining effective glycemic control strategies for overall health and well-being in patients with diabetes.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Oral Health; Republic of Korea; Middle Aged; Glycated Hemoglobin; Adult; Diabetes Mellitus; Glycemic Control; Aged; Periodontitis; Odds Ratio; Surveys and Questionnaires; Prevalence; Logistic Models; DMF Index; Blood Glucose
PubMed: 38915285
DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2024.39.e209 -
Cureus May 2024Effective treatment planning is crucial for implant-supported dental prostheses' success, requiring a thorough assessment of various factors, including bone quality,...
Effective treatment planning is crucial for implant-supported dental prostheses' success, requiring a thorough assessment of various factors, including bone quality, quantity, and available space. Evaluating space availability, encompassing height, width, and angulation, is imperative to ensure optimal implant positioning devoid of anatomical limitations. Adequate vertical space is essential for accommodating the implant-supported restoration while preserving proper occlusal function and esthetics. However, not all cases adhere to ideal standards, especially those featuring limited interocclusal space, as seen in scenarios of long-standing edentulous areas lacking prior prosthetic rehabilitation. Ideally, the interocclusal space should measure between 8-12 mm vertically. This case report details the management of reduced interocclusal space through the strategic placement of deeply positioned implants and the incorporation of a screw-retained fixed partial denture, effectively addressing the challenges associated with limited space.
PubMed: 38910621
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60886 -
Surgical Case Reports Jun 2024Meckel's diverticulum (MD) is the most common congenital abnormality of the gastrointestinal tract. However, MD is rare in clinical practice, and perforation of a MD by...
BACKGROUND
Meckel's diverticulum (MD) is the most common congenital abnormality of the gastrointestinal tract. However, MD is rare in clinical practice, and perforation of a MD by a foreign body is even rarer. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult because there is often insufficient information; therefore it is usually diagnosed intraoperatively. Although rare, it should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients who have ingested foreign bodies.
CASE PRESENTATION
The following is the case of a 52-year-old female patient who was admitted because of generalized abdominal pain for 5 days, related to nausea and vomiting. She also stopped passing gas. Inflammatory indicators were elevated, and computed tomography (CT) revealed gas-liquid levels in the small intestine and high-density objects in the ileum. Based on the patient's condition, laparotomy was performed instead because the laparoscopic procedure was difficult to perform. Intraoperatively, a foreign body perforated the diverticulum of the terminal ileum, resulting in the development of an abdominal abscess. Finally, we performed resection of the ileal diverticula and partial resection of the ileum. After the surgery, it was confirmed that the foreign bodies were two dentures accidentally eaten by the patient.
CONCLUSION
A thorough understanding of the clinical presentation, imaging features, and treatment of MD and its complications will assist clinicians in making prompt and accurate diagnoses and providing symptomatic treatment.
PubMed: 38904880
DOI: 10.1186/s40792-024-01959-x -
Cureus Jun 2024Heat-activated polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is the most common and widely accepted denture base material. Two important drawbacks are the development of denture...
Comparative Evaluation of the Flexural Strength of Heat-Activated Polymethyl Methacrylate Denture Base Resin With and Without 0.2% by the Weight of Silver Nanoparticles Cured by Conventional and Autoclave Methods: An In Vitro Study.
PURPOSE
Heat-activated polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is the most common and widely accepted denture base material. Two important drawbacks are the development of denture stomatitis and the high incidence of fracture of denture bases. The present study investigated the effect of adding 0.2% by weight of silver nanoparticles (AgNps) and using the autoclave method of terminal boiling on the flexural strength of heat-activated PMMA denture base resin.
METHODS
A total of 40 samples of heat-activated PMMA blocks were divided into four groups, with 10 samples (n = 10) in each group. Group 1 consisted of unmodified heat-activated PMMA resin (PMMA-1) polymerized by the conventional method of terminal boiling (conventional curing); Group 2 consisted of 0.2% by weight AgNPs added to heat-activated PMMA resin (PMMA-2) polymerized by conventional curing; Group 3 consisted of PMMA-1 polymerized by the autoclave method of terminal boiling (autoclave curing); and Group 4 consisted of PMMA-2 polymerized by autoclave curing. The flexural strength was tested using a universal testing machine. Descriptive statistics were expressed as mean ± SD and median flexural strength. Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA with Mann-Whitney U post hoc test was applied to test for statistical significance between the groups. The level of significance was set at p<0.05.
RESULTS
The results showed a statistically significant reduction in flexural strength in Group 2 compared to Group 1. The samples from Group 4 showed a statistically significant increase in flexural strength compared to Group 2. The Group 4 denture base had the highest flexural strength (115.72 ± 7.27 MPa) among the four groups, followed by Group 3 (104.16 ± 4.85 MPa). The Group 1 samples gave a flexural strength of 101.45 ± 3.13 MPa, and Group 2 gave the lowest flexural strength (85.98 ± 3.49 MPa) among the four groups tested.
CONCLUSION
The reduction in flexural strength of the heat-activated PMMA denture base after adding 0.2% by weight of AgNP as an antifungal agent was a major concern among manufacturers of commercially available denture base materials. It was proved in the present study that employing the autoclave curing method of terminal boiling for the polymerization of 0.2% by weight of AgNp-added heat-activated PMMA denture base resulted in a significantly higher flexural strength compared to the conventional curing method of terminal boiling for polymerization. Unmodified heat-activated PMMA gave higher flexural strength values when polymerized by autoclave curing compared to the conventional curing method of terminal boiling.
PubMed: 38903978
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.62675 -
Journal of Dentistry Jun 2024To evaluate the longevity of cantilevered zirconia-based resin-bonded fixed partial dentures (RBFPDs) in replacing missing posterior teeth, as well as the quality of...
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the longevity of cantilevered zirconia-based resin-bonded fixed partial dentures (RBFPDs) in replacing missing posterior teeth, as well as the quality of life and patient satisfaction experienced by those receiving zirconia RBFPDs.
METHODS
A prospective single-arm uncontrolled clinical trial was conducted to replace one or more missing premolars or molars with a span of 5 to 8 mm using cantilevered zirconia RBFPDs. Thirty-six participants with 40 prostheses were recruited and underwent a 3-year clinical evaluation. The retainer designs included a minimum thickness of 0.8mm, a minimum of 200° circumferential wraparound with an occlusal bar, and a connector dimension of 3 × 3 mm. Patient-reported outcomes, including patient satisfaction and Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP), were assessed.
RESULTS
The average age of participants was 45.8 years, and 72.5% were women. The success rate of the posterior zirconia RBFPDs was 76.2%, with an estimated mean survival duration of 46.1 months. The survival rate was 88.1%, with an estimated mean success duration of 49.4 months. Participants were highly satisfied with the treatment, achieving an average satisfaction score of 80.8 ± 11.9. Participants' total OHIP scores decreased from 52.3 to 39.6 after 3 years, indicating a significant improvement in oral health-related quality of life (P=0.009).
CONCLUSIONS
After 3 years, a moderately high survival rate and favourable patient-reported outcomes of posterior cantilevered zirconia RBFPDs were achieved. Therefore, it can be recommended as a conservative treatment option to replace missing posterior teeth, provided that retainer design considerations are taken into account.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Cantilevered zirconia RBFPDs for posterior teeth can serve as a conservative treatment option that is both aesthetically pleasing and biocompatible. It offers a more cost-effective alternative compared to dental implants, which are often prohibitively expensive for the majority of patients. This approach has the potential to greatly improve patient-reported outcomes.
PubMed: 38901823
DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2024.105140 -
BMC Oral Health Jun 2024Edentulism remains a major disability worldwide, especially among the elderly population, although the prevalence of complete edentulism has declined over the last...
BACKGROUND
Edentulism remains a major disability worldwide, especially among the elderly population, although the prevalence of complete edentulism has declined over the last decades. In Uganda, the prevalence of edentulism in people aged 20 years and above is 1.8%. The therapy for edentulous patients can be realized through the use of conventional removable complete dentures, implant-supported prostheses, and computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CADCAM), however, the provision of removable complete dentures continues to be the predominant rehabilitation for edentulous patients. However, no published study has explored the lived experiences with removable complete dentures among the Ugandan population. The aim of the present study was to explore patients' lived experiences on the usage of removable complete dentures among Ugandan edentulous patients attending Makerere University Dental Hospital.
METHODS
This was a qualitative study approach using purposive sampling. Fifteen (15) respondents were selected across social demographics. Interviews were recorded and transcribed and themes were generated to draw a deeper meaning to the usage of removable complete dentures. A qualitative statistical package, Atlas Ti software was used to generate themes from the interviews followed by an interpretation of the generated data and the results were presented as text and in a table.
RESULTS
The reported key positive experiences due to removable complete denture rehabilitation were the improvement in speech, eating ability, regaining good facial appearance, better oral hygiene management, self-esteem and confidence to smile in public, and a feeling of completeness. However, respondents complained of pain and discomfort due to the looseness of dentures, inability to eat certain foods, and regular cleaning of dentures. The respondents did not go through proper informed consent processes before getting removable complete dentures.
CONCLUSION
The study found that patients were satisfied with their removable complete dentures rehabilitation due to the positive experiences registered, such as the ability to eat and talk well, and restoration of self-esteem, all of which improved their quality of life. However, they experience pain and discomfort due to the looseness of dentures.
Topics: Humans; Uganda; Mouth, Edentulous; Female; Male; Denture, Complete; Middle Aged; Aged; Qualitative Research; Adult; Quality of Life
PubMed: 38898433
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-024-04484-3 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine May 2024: Dental rehabilitation after extended tumour resection and jaw reconstruction is challenging. The present study aimed to report the prosthetic outcome and quality of...
: Dental rehabilitation after extended tumour resection and jaw reconstruction is challenging. The present study aimed to report the prosthetic outcome and quality of life (QoL) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) after microvascular alveolar ridge reconstruction. : The prosthetic outcomes of all consecutive patients with HNC who underwent microvascular alveolar ridge reconstruction at the University Hospital Salzburg between 2011 and 2018 were investigated. Oral health-related QoL (OHrQoL) and overall QoL were assessed using the validated Oral Health Impact Profile-49 (OHIP-49) and Short Form-36 questionnaires. : During the study period, 115 consecutive patients with head and neck cancer underwent microvascular jaw reconstruction. Among them, 23.3% and 27.4% received conventional tissue-borne prostheses and implant-supported prostheses, respectively, while 48.7% did not undergo dental rehabilitation. The prosthetic outcome was not associated with tumour stage ( = 0.32). Oral health-related quality of life (OHrQoL) was best in patients with implant-supported dental rehabilitation (OHIP-49 median score = 7) and worst in those with conventional removable dentures (OHIP-49 median score = 54). The corresponding OHIP-49 median score for patients who could not undergo dental rehabilitation was 30.5. All Short Form-36 subscale scores were equal to or higher than the malignancy norm scores. : After microvascular jaw reconstruction, approximately one-third of the HNC patients received adequate implant-supported dental rehabilitation. However, the risk of dental rehabilitation failure was 50%. The different prosthetic outcomes affected OHrQoL, but not overall QoL.
PubMed: 38892821
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13113110