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Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2023Dental caries on the crown's surface is caused by the interaction of bacteria and carbohydrates, which then gradually alter the tooth's structure. In addition, calculus...
Dental caries on the crown's surface is caused by the interaction of bacteria and carbohydrates, which then gradually alter the tooth's structure. In addition, calculus is the root of periodontal disease. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been considered to be a promising tool for identifying dental caries; however, diagnosing dental caries in the early stage still remains challenging. In this study, we proposed an ultrahigh-resolution OCT (UHR-OCT) system with axial and transverse resolutions of 2.6 and 1.8 μm for differentiating the early-stage dental caries and calculus. The same teeth were also scanned by a conventional spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT) system with an axial resolution of 7 μm. The results indicated that early-stage carious structures such as small cavities can be observed using UHR-OCT; however, the SD-OCT system with a lower resolution had difficulty identifying it. Moreover, the estimated surface roughness and the scattering coefficient of enamel were proposed for quantitatively differentiating the different stages of caries. Furthermore, the thickness of the calculus can be estimated from the UHR-OCT results. The results have demonstrated that UHR-OCT can detect caries and calculus in their early stages, showing that the proposed method for the quantitative evaluation of caries and calculus is potentially promising.
PubMed: 38002442
DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10111317 -
Sports (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2023The purpose of this study was to evaluate oral health knowledge, and the incidence of self-reported dental injuries incidence, the frequency of mouthguard use, oral...
OBJECTIVES/AIM
The purpose of this study was to evaluate oral health knowledge, and the incidence of self-reported dental injuries incidence, the frequency of mouthguard use, oral hygiene habits, and oral health status among professional water polo players.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
During the 2022/2023 season, 114 water polo players from the Croatian First League participated in a questionnaire-based online survey. The data collected included sociodemographic and professional attributes, oral health knowledge questions, dental injury experiences, and practices related to mouthguard use. Respondents also rated their own oral health status and oral hygiene habits. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a regression analysis.
RESULTS
The respondents demonstrated inadequate knowledge of oral health, with a mean score of 6.4 ± 2.6 out of 12. Better knowledge correlated positively with older age ( ˂ 0.05) and consistent flossing ( = 0.014). Additionally, 27.2% (31 of 114) of reported dental injuries were related directly to incidents which occurred while participating in water polo. These injuries occurred more frequently during games (54.8%) and often involved the anterior maxillary incisors (71.0%) due to player contact (87.1%). Awareness of mouthguards was high (93.9%), whereas their actual use was low (7.0%) because 35.1% of respondents reported discomfort wearing them. The respondents' self-assessments revealed widespread dental problems, including tooth sensitivity (13.3%), erosion (15.8%), calculus (28.1%), and pigmentation (7.9%).
CONCLUSIONS
The research results indicate a lack of adequate knowledge among the respondents regarding oral health. This deficit was not associated with oral hygiene habits or oral cavity conditions. These findings highlight the disparities in oral health awareness and practices associated with water polo participation and emphasize the importance of education and prevention efforts.
PubMed: 37999440
DOI: 10.3390/sports11110223 -
International Dental Journal Apr 2024Virtual simulation (VS) technology has been widely utilised in various aspects of oral education. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of VS technology in a scaling...
BACKGROUND
Virtual simulation (VS) technology has been widely utilised in various aspects of oral education. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of VS technology in a scaling and root planing (SRP) teaching programme and explore an effective teaching approach.
METHOD
A total of 98 fourth-year undergraduates from Guanghua School of Stomatology at Sun Yat-sen University were enrolled in this study and randomly assigned to either the VS teaching group or the traditional teaching (TT) group. All participants received SRP training before undergoing an operational examination. Subsequently, questionnaires were administered to both students and teachers involved in the programme to assess the teaching effect and fidelity of the VS training system. Unpaired Student t test was used to analyse the final test scores and residual rates amongst students.
RESULTS
The overall residual rate of the calculus in the VS group was significantly lower than that in the TT group (48.81% ± 13.50% vs 56.89% ± 13.68%, P<.01). The difference was particularly notable in posterior teeth, proximal surfaces, and deep pockets. Additionally, the VS group students achieved higher final grades compared to the TT group (86.92 ± 6.10 vs 83.02 ± 6.05, P<0.01). In terms of teaching effectiveness assessment, the VS group students provided higher scores than the TT group, except in the areas of mastery of position, finger rests, and efficiency.
CONCLUSIONS
The implementation of VS technology demonstrated improvements in students' performance in SRP teaching. Therefore, a novel integrated pedagogic approaches method that combines VS technology with traditional teaching approaches could be further explored in future training programmes.
Topics: Humans; Root Planing; Dental Scaling; Technology; Teaching
PubMed: 37973524
DOI: 10.1016/j.identj.2023.09.007 -
Brazilian Oral Research 2023Although periodontal disease is common during pregnancy, little is known about socioeconomic, behavioral, or biological determinants related to clinically assessed...
Although periodontal disease is common during pregnancy, little is known about socioeconomic, behavioral, or biological determinants related to clinically assessed periodontal condition during this period. We assessed the prevalence of periodontal disease and associated factors in pregnant women. This population-based survey used data used from the 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort Study, Brazil. Pregnant women expected to give birth between December 2014 and May 2016 were interviewed and clinically examined by trained dentist, with periodontal measures collected in all teeth, six sites per tooth. Outcomes were periodontitis (using the 2012 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Periodontology criteria) and gingivitis (by the 2018 European Federation of Periodontology/ American Academy of Periodontology classification). Multivariate hierarchical Poisson regression was used to assess the associations between socioeconomic, systemic, and clinical oral factors and periodontal disease. A total of 2,474 pregnant women participated in the study. Prevalence of periodontitis and gingivitis was 14.63% and 21.67%, respectively. Lower educational level and calculus were associated with higher prevalence periodontitis and gingivitis (P<0.05). Smoking was also associated with periodontitis (P=0.05), and lower frequency of toothbrushing (P=0.005) with gingivitis. Periodontal disease, especially gingivitis, was prevalent in pregnant women and their determinants were socioeconomic, environmental, and clinical oral health factors.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Cohort Studies; Periodontal Diseases; Periodontitis; Gingivitis; Toothbrushing
PubMed: 37970930
DOI: 10.1590/1807-3107bor-2023.vol37.0110 -
Quaternary International : the Journal... Apr 2023The analysis of dental calculus (mineralised dental plaque) has become an increasingly important facet of bioarchaeological research. Although microscopic analysis of...
The analysis of dental calculus (mineralised dental plaque) has become an increasingly important facet of bioarchaeological research. Although microscopic analysis of microdebris entrapped within dental calculus has revealed important insights into the diet, health, and environment of multiple prehistoric populations, relatively few studies have examined the contributions of this approach to more recent historical periods. In this study, we analyze dental calculus from an English Post-Medieval, middle-class urban skeletal assemblage from Manchester, England using light microscopy. We characterize all types of microremains, observing heavily damaged starch and plant material, high quantities of fungal and yeast spores, the presence of wood particles, plant (cotton) and animal (wool) fibres, as well as limited quantities of microcharcoal and burnt debris. We observe the presence of non-native, imported plant products, including New World maize and potentially tapioca starch. We compare our results to similar studies from earlier time periods to reveal the impacts of the significant economic, social and environmental changes occurring during the Industrial period in England, including changes in food processing, food access, food storage, and air quality. We conclude by outlining important methodological considerations for the future study of Post-Medieval dental calculus and propose potential areas of future research.
PubMed: 37915533
DOI: 10.1016/j.quaint.2021.09.020 -
Cureus Sep 2023Aim Injectable platelet-rich fibrin (i-PRF) and leukocyte and platelet-rich fibrin (l-PRF) are both blood-derived products used in regenerative medicine and dentistry....
Aim Injectable platelet-rich fibrin (i-PRF) and leukocyte and platelet-rich fibrin (l-PRF) are both blood-derived products used in regenerative medicine and dentistry. They contain platelets, growth factors, and leukocytes, which can have antimicrobial properties to some extent, but their primary purpose is tissue regeneration and wound healing. i-PRF and l-PRF may have some indirect antimicrobial properties due to their composition and ability to enhance tissue healing and immune responses, and they are primarily used in dentistry for their regenerative and wound healing capabilities rather than as standalone antimicrobial agents. This study aims to compare the anti-microbial activity of i-PRF and l-PRF against oral microbes. Methodology This study included 30 patients who were selected using G*Power software version 3.1 (Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany) calculation with the population size. The plaque samples were collected from the subjects using area-specific Gracey curettes used for scaling and root planing to remove plaque and calculus from the teeth and root surfaces. The collected plaque samples were transferred to a tube containing 5 ml of saline (sterile saltwater). The purpose of using saline is to preserve the microbial content of the plaque sample without altering the microbial composition. To obtain a uniform solution, the samples in the saline-containing tube were vortexed for 5 minutes. After vertexing, a small amount of the suspension (0.1 ml) was taken for further analysis. The 0.1 ml suspension was used to plate blood agar using the streak method. A loop or needle is used to streak the sample back and forth across the surface of the agar, leading to the dilution and separation of the bacteria. Results Results state that i-PRF has a maximum zone of inhibition (2.19±0.47 mm) when compared with metronidazole (0.14±0.09 mm). It can be stated that platelet concentrates demonstrate better antimicrobial activity due to their higher oxygen metabolites which help in the aggregation and internalization of microorganisms, which enhances the clearance of pathogens from the bloodstream. Paired t-test has been used for the comparison between the two groups, and the p-value is >0.05 stating that the difference is statistically significant. Conclusion The present study states that i-PRF demonstrated better antimicrobial efficacy as compared to l-PRF. Hence, i-PRF helps in reducing microbial load at the periodontally infected sites when compared with l-PRF.
PubMed: 37905284
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46196 -
Microorganisms Oct 2023Taxonomic profiling of ancient metagenomic samples is challenging due to the accumulation of specific damage patterns on DNA over time. Although a number of methods for...
Taxonomic profiling of ancient metagenomic samples is challenging due to the accumulation of specific damage patterns on DNA over time. Although a number of methods for metagenome profiling have been developed, most of them have been assessed on modern metagenomes or simulated metagenomes mimicking modern metagenomes. Further, a comparative assessment of metagenome profilers on simulated metagenomes representing a spectrum of degradation depth, from the extremity of ancient (most degraded) to current or modern (not degraded) metagenomes, has not yet been performed. To understand the strengths and weaknesses of different metagenome profilers, we performed their comprehensive evaluation on simulated metagenomes representing human dental calculus microbiome, with the level of DNA damage successively raised to mimic modern to ancient metagenomes. All classes of profilers, namely, DNA-to-DNA, DNA-to-protein, and DNA-to-marker comparison-based profilers were evaluated on metagenomes with varying levels of damage simulating deamination, fragmentation, and contamination. Our results revealed that, compared to deamination and fragmentation, human and environmental contamination of ancient DNA (with modern DNA) has the most pronounced effect on the performance of each profiler. Further, the DNA-to-DNA (e.g., Kraken2, Bracken) and DNA-to-marker (e.g., MetaPhlAn4) based profiling approaches showed complementary strengths, which can be leveraged to elevate the state-of-the-art of ancient metagenome profiling.
PubMed: 37894136
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11102478 -
IScience Nov 2023Dental calculus samples are modeled as a mixture of DNA coming from dental plaque and contaminants. Current computational decontamination methods such as Recentrifuge...
Dental calculus samples are modeled as a mixture of DNA coming from dental plaque and contaminants. Current computational decontamination methods such as Recentrifuge and DeconSeq require either a reference database or sequenced negative controls, and therefore have limited use cases. We present a reference-free decontamination tool tailored for the removal of contaminant DNA of ancient oral sample called aKmerBroom. Our tool builds a Bloom filter of known ancient and modern oral k-mers, then scans an input set of ancient metagenomic reads using multiple passes to iteratively retain reads likely to be of oral origin. On synthetic data, aKmerBroom achieves over sensitivity and specificity. On real datasets, aKmerBroom shows higher read retainment ( on average) than other methods. We anticipate aKmerBroom will be a valuable tool for the processing of ancient oral samples as it will prevent contaminated datasets from being completely discarded in downstream analyses.
PubMed: 37876815
DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108057 -
Child Neurology Open 2023Moebius Syndrome, is a rare, non-progressive congenital neuropathological syndrome characterized primarily by the underdevelopment of the facial (CN VII) and abducens... (Review)
Review
Moebius Syndrome, is a rare, non-progressive congenital neuropathological syndrome characterized primarily by the underdevelopment of the facial (CN VII) and abducens nerve (CN VI). Other features of Moebius Syndrome include facial nerve paresis, ophthalmoplegias, orthodontic deficiencies (including crowded dentition, swollen and hyperplastic gingiva, dental calculus, etc.), musculoskeletal abnormalities, and impaired mental function. Due to the rarity of the disorder, very few case studies have been reported in the literature. This article summarizes the significant features of the disease according to commonalities in reported cases, along with several newly recognized features cited in recent literature. We have explored the different diagnostic criteria and the newly recognized imaging modalities that may be used. Understandably, the condition detrimentally affects a patient's quality of life; thus, treatment measures have also been outlined. This study aims to provide updated literature on Moebius Syndrome MBS and improve understanding of the condition.
PubMed: 37868706
DOI: 10.1177/2329048X231205405 -
Nature Communications Oct 2023During the Mesolithic in Europe, there is widespread evidence for an increase in exploitation of aquatic resources. In contrast, the subsequent Neolithic is...
During the Mesolithic in Europe, there is widespread evidence for an increase in exploitation of aquatic resources. In contrast, the subsequent Neolithic is characterised by the spread of farming, land ownership, and full sedentism, which lead to the perception of marine resources subsequently representing marginal or famine food or being abandoned altogether even at the furthermost coastal limits of Europe. Here, we examine biomarkers extracted from human dental calculus, using sequential thermal desorption- and pyrolysis-GCMS, to report direct evidence for widespread consumption of seaweed and submerged aquatic and freshwater plants across Europe. Notably, evidence of consumption of these resources extends through the Neolithic transition to farming and into the Early Middle Ages, suggesting that these resources, now rarely eaten in Europe, only became marginal much more recently. Understanding ancient foodstuffs is crucial to reconstructing the past, while a better knowledge of local, forgotten resources is likewise important today.
Topics: Humans; Seaweed; Europe; Agriculture; Vegetables
PubMed: 37848451
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41671-2