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Journal of King Saud University. Science May 2023The most grievous threat to human health has been witnessed worldwide with the recent outbreak of Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19). There is mounting evidence... (Review)
Review
The most grievous threat to human health has been witnessed worldwide with the recent outbreak of Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19). There is mounting evidence available regarding theconnect of COVID -19 and oral cavity, particularly periodontal disease. The current review provides an update on the diagnostic potential of dental calculus and how this bio resource may help in providing us huge amount of diagnostic regarding the causative virus. Contemporary standard method of diagnosis via nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) is tedious, may enhance the risk of aerosol contamination by inducing sneezing and detects the presence of active infection only.However,dental calculus being a mineralized deposit serves as a reservoir for biomoleculesand provides detection of past SARS CoV2 infection. Further, the abundance of information that can be obtained from this remarkable mineralized deposit on teeth regarding the viral genome, its evolution and interactions with the oral microflora shall enhance the understanding of the viral disease process and its connection with the periodontal disease. Additional diagnostic information, which may be obtained from this simple bio reservoir can complement the contemporary diagnostic strategies adopted in the management of COVID-19pandemic and enhance our existing knowledge for developing improvised novel approaches to mitigate the effects of mutated variants of the infectious agent.
PubMed: 36987442
DOI: 10.1016/j.jksus.2023.102646 -
Journal of Oral Biology (Northborough,... 2016An inverse relationship between dental calculus mineralization and dental caries demineralization on teeth has been noted in some studies. Dental calculus may even form...
BACKGROUND
An inverse relationship between dental calculus mineralization and dental caries demineralization on teeth has been noted in some studies. Dental calculus may even form superficial layers over existing dental caries and arrest their progression, but this phenomenon has been only rarely documented and infrequently considered in the field of Cariology. To further assess the occurrence of dental calculus arrest of dental caries, this study evaluated a large number of extracted human teeth for the presence and location of dental caries, dental calculus, and dental plaque biofilms.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 1,200 teeth were preserved in 10% buffered formal saline, and viewed while moist by a single experienced examiner using a research stereomicroscope at 15-25× magnification. Representative teeth were sectioned and photographed, and their dental plaque biofilms subjected to gram-stain examination with light microscopy at 100× magnification.
RESULTS
Dental calculus was observed on 1,140 (95%) of the extracted human teeth, and no dental carious lesions were found underlying dental calculus-covered surfaces on 1,139 of these teeth. However, dental calculus arrest of dental caries was found on one (0.54%) of 187 evaluated teeth that presented with unrestored proximal enamel caries. On the distal surface of a maxillary premolar tooth, dental calculus mineralization filled the outer surface cavitation of an incipient dental caries lesion. The dental calculus-covered carious lesion extended only slightly into enamel, and exhibited a brown pigmentation characteristic of inactive or arrested dental caries. In contrast, the tooth's mesial surface, without a superficial layer of dental calculus, had a large carious lesion going through enamel and deep into dentin.
CONCLUSIONS
These observations further document the potential protective effects of dental calculus mineralization against dental caries.
PubMed: 27446993
DOI: 10.13188/2377-987x.1000017 -
Biology Jan 2020From the earliest moments of life, contact with the outside world and with other individuals invalidates the sterility of the oral cavity. The oral cavity passes from a...
From the earliest moments of life, contact with the outside world and with other individuals invalidates the sterility of the oral cavity. The oral cavity passes from a sterility condition, that is present only during intrauterine life, to a condition in which a microbiota organizes and evolves itself, accompanying the person throughout their life. Depending on a patient's age, systemic conditions and/or oral conditions, different characteristics of the oral microbiome are shown. By verifying and analyzing this process it is possible to understand what is at the basis of the etiopathogenesis of some oral pathologies, and also the function of the oral microbiome.
PubMed: 31940979
DOI: 10.3390/biology9010017 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2023Oral homecare plays a major part in dental disease prevention but it can be difficult to perform and time-consuming. Furthermore, the product used can be of limited...
Oral homecare plays a major part in dental disease prevention but it can be difficult to perform and time-consuming. Furthermore, the product used can be of limited efficiency. The goal of this study was to assess the efficacy of a water additive to limit the accumulation of plaque and calculus in dogs. Forty dogs were selected and randomly allocated to one of the two groups after scaling and polishing on day 0. The control group received no oral hygiene while the second group received the water additive (Vet Aquadent FR3SH, Virbac) every day. After 30 days, plaque and calculus accumulations were evaluated under anesthesia. The Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI) was assessed on days 0 and 30. On day 30, the plaque and calculus indices were significantly smaller ( < 0.05) in the Aquadent group compared to the control group with median (Q1-Q3) scores of 1.22 (0.99-1.44) . 2.31 (1.65-3.86), respectively for plaque and 0.25 (0.15-0.42) . 0.33 (0.32-0.69) for calculus. Between day 0 and day 30, the GBI significantly decreased in the control group [from 0.39 (0.21-0.56) to 0.19 (0.08-0.29)] and in the Aquadent group [from 0.33 (0.18-0.47) to 0.00 (0.00-0.00)] but the decrease was significantly greater in the Aquadent group. These results show for the first time that the water additive tested can reduce dental deposit accumulation in dogs and improve gingival health. It can be recommended after a dental cleaning, especially to owners who are reluctant to provide dental care at home due to a lack of time or convenience.
PubMed: 37841470
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1241197 -
Heliyon Dec 2019The aim of the present systematic review was to examine the scientific evidence for the efficacy of stabilized stannous fluoride (SnF) dentifrice in relation to dental... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
The aim of the present systematic review was to examine the scientific evidence for the efficacy of stabilized stannous fluoride (SnF) dentifrice in relation to dental calculus, dental plaque, gingivitis, halitosis and staining.
DATA AND SOURCES
Medline OVID, Embase.com, and the Cochrane Library were searched from database inception until June 2017. Six researchers independently selected studies, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality. A meta-analysis of the 6-month gingivitis studies was done. Risk of bias was estimated using a checklist from the Swedish Agency for Health Technology Assessment (SBU, 2018).
STUDY SELECTION
Two studies on dental calculus, 21 on dental plaque and gingivitis, 4 on halitosis, and 5 on stain met the inclusion criteria. Risk of bias was high for the studies on dental calculus, halitosis, and stain, and varied for the dental plaque and gingivitis studies. Significant reductions in dental calculus and in halitosis were reported for the SnF dentifrice; no differences in stain reduction were noted. A meta-analysis on gingivitis found better results for the SnF dentifrice compared to other dentifrices, though the results of the individual trials in the meta-analyses showed a substantial heterogeneity.
CONCLUSIONS
The present review found that stabilized SnF toothpaste had a positive effect on the reduction of dental calculus build-up, dental plaque, gingivitis, stain and halitosis. A tendency towards a more pronounced effect than using toothpastes not containing SnF2 was found. However, a new generation of well conducted randomized trials are needed to further support these findings.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Adding a SnF toothpaste to the daily oral care routine is an easy strategy that may have multiple oral health benefits.
PubMed: 31872105
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02850 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Feb 2023It is axiomatic that knowledge of the diets of extinct hominin species is central to any understanding of their ecology and our evolution. The importance of diet in the...
It is axiomatic that knowledge of the diets of extinct hominin species is central to any understanding of their ecology and our evolution. The importance of diet in the paleontological realm has led to the employment of multiple approaches in its elucidation. Some of these have deep historical roots, while others are dependent upon more recent technical and methodological advances. Historically, studies of tooth size, shape, and structure have been the gold standard for reconstructing diet. They focus on species-level adaptations, and as such, they can set theoretical brackets for dietary capabilities within the context of specific evolutionary moments. Other methods (e.g., analyses of dental calculus, biogeochemistry, and dental microwear) have only been developed within the past few decades, but are now beginning to yield evidence of the actual foods consumed by individuals represented by fossil remains. Here we begin by looking at these more "direct" forms of evidence of diet before showing that, when used in conjunction with other techniques, these "multi-proxy" approaches can raise questions about traditional interpretations of early hominin diets and change the nature of paleobiological interpretations.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Hominidae; Diet; Ecology; Food; Adaptation, Physiological; Fossils
PubMed: 36745809
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2201421120 -
Scientifica 2016Our perception of our closest human relatives, the Neanderthals, has evolved in the last few decades from brutish ape-men to intelligent archaic human peoples. Our... (Review)
Review
Our perception of our closest human relatives, the Neanderthals, has evolved in the last few decades from brutish ape-men to intelligent archaic human peoples. Our understanding and appreciation of their cultural sophistication has only recently extended to their diet. Only within the last few years, with new techniques and a shift in focus, have we begun to truly investigate and understand the role of plants in their diet and culture. The more we learn about Neanderthals, the more we realize that biological and cultural distinctions between them and us were relatively small. Given that we coexisted and likely interacted with them for thousands of years, the more we learn about them, the better we may understand our own past. In that light, we review the current evidence, derived from such sources as plant remains (e.g., starch, pollen, phytoliths, and seeds) in soil and dental calculus, dental and tool wear, coprolites, and genetics, for Neanderthal's nutritional, medicinal, and ritual use of plants, which includes 61 different taxa from 26 different plant families found at 17 different archaeological sites. Further, we updated and standardized botanical nomenclature from many sources published over many decades to provide a more stable foundation for future work.
PubMed: 27843675
DOI: 10.1155/2016/8927654 -
Australian Dental Journal Sep 2009Non-surgical removal of plaque and calculus has been part of the initial phase of the management of patients with gingivitis and periodontitis for decades. It consists... (Review)
Review
Non-surgical removal of plaque and calculus has been part of the initial phase of the management of patients with gingivitis and periodontitis for decades. It consists of patient motivation and oral hygiene instruction as well as mechanical removal of supra and subgingival plaque deposits. The purpose of this review was to assess recent changes. The article reports on changes in our understanding of plaque as a biofilm, developments in patient plaque control, chemical plaque control and scaling instruments. It also comments on full-mouth disinfection, the use of lasers and host modulation. Modern technology has made removal of microbial deposits by the patient and dental professionals more efficient. However, other advancements need to be used in conjunction with mechanical debridement at this time.
Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Biofilms; Dental Calculus; Dental Plaque; Dental Prophylaxis; Dental Scaling; Humans; Laser Therapy; Mouthwashes; Oral Hygiene; Periodontal Diseases; Root Planing; Toothbrushing
PubMed: 19737271
DOI: 10.1111/j.1834-7819.2009.01146.x -
International Journal of Applied &... 2020Inadequate oral hygiene is the root cause of the initiation and establishment of the periodontal disease. Dental calculus serves as plaque retentive area, thereby...
Inadequate oral hygiene is the root cause of the initiation and establishment of the periodontal disease. Dental calculus serves as plaque retentive area, thereby contributing to gingivitis and periodontitis. The present unusual case is of a 55-year-old female patient reported to the department of periodontology with a chief complaint of hard deposit at the right maxillary and mandibular posterior region. The patient was found to have very heavy calculus deposition with respect to right maxillary and mandibular posterior teeth, and the patient was using the left side for mastication and avoiding chewing from the right side mainly due to some periodontal problem. The extraction of the hopeless teeth along with dental calculus was done. Dimensions of dental calculi at maxillary and mandibular teeth was 4 cm × 3 cm each.
PubMed: 32566531
DOI: 10.4103/ijabmr.IJABMR_84_19 -
The Saudi Dental Journal Jan 2014Dental plaque is considered to be a major etiological factor in the development of periodontal disease. Accordingly, the elimination of supra- and sub-gingival plaque... (Review)
Review
Dental plaque is considered to be a major etiological factor in the development of periodontal disease. Accordingly, the elimination of supra- and sub-gingival plaque and calculus is the cornerstone of periodontal therapy. Dental calculus is mineralized plaque; because it is porous, it can absorb various toxic products that can damage the periodontal tissues. Hence, calculus should be accurately detected and thoroughly removed for adequate periodontal therapy. Many techniques have been used to identify and remove calculus deposits present on the root surface. The purpose of this review was to compile the various methods and their advantages for the detection and removal of calculus.
PubMed: 24526823
DOI: 10.1016/j.sdentj.2013.12.003