Supragingival dental plaque samples were collected from 40 Swedish adolescents, including 20 with caries lesions (CAR) and 20 caries-free (CF). Fresh plaque samples were subjected to an ex vivo acid tolerance (AT) test where the proportion of bacteria resistant to an acid shock was evaluated through confocal microscopy and live/dead staining, and the metabolites produced were quantified by H-1 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (H-1 NMR). In addition, DNA was extracted and the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced by Illumina sequencing, in order to characterize bacterial composition in the same samples. There were no significant differences in AT scores between CAR and CF individuals. However, 7 out of the 10 individuals with highest AT scores belonged to the CAR group. Regarding bacterial composition, Abiotrophia, Prevotela and Veilonela were found at significantly higher levels in CAR individuals (p=0.0085, 0.026 and 0.04 respectively) and Rothia and Corynebacterium at significantly higher levels in CF individuals (p=0.026 and 0.003). The caries pathogen Streptococcus mutans was found at low frequencies and was absent in 60% of CAR individuals. Random-forest predictive models indicate that at least 4 bacterial species or 9 genera are needed to distinguish CAR from CF adolescents. The metabolomic profile obtained by NMR showed a significant clustering of organic acids with specific bacteria in CAR and/or high AT individuals, being Scardovia wiggsiae the species with strongest associations. A significant clustering of ethanol and isopropanol with health-associated bacteria such as Rothia or Corynebacterium was also found. Accordingly, several relationships involving these compounds like the Ethanol : Lactate or Succinate : Lactate ratios were significantly associated to acid tolerance and could be of predictive value for caries risk. We therefore propose that future caries risk studies would benefit from considering not only the use of multiple organisms as potential microbial biomarkers, but also their functional adaptation and metabolic output.

BACKGROUND:

No evidence is present on the risk for external apical root resorption (EARR) during orthodontic treatment (OT) of adult patients with periodontal disease.

AIM:

To examine EARR after OT in subjects with periodontal disease and to analyse how intrusion and change in inclination of the most proclined maxillary incisors influence EARR.

METHODS:

The study included 50 patients with periodontal disease. Sub-gingival debridement by ultrasonic instrumentation supplemented with hand instruments was performed by experienced dental hygienist after baseline examination for all patients. For the control group, final periodontal treatment (PT) was performed before orthodontic tooth movement. For the test group patients, final PT was performed after levelling and alignment phases were finished, before the active space closure with elastic chain and/or inter-arch elastic traction for sagittal correction was started. OT was performed with a straight-wire appliance. Micro-implants or implants were used for posterior anchorage. Cone beam computed tomography examinations were performed before and after OT. EARR of all single-rooted teeth were measured. EARR of the most proclined maxillary incisor was related to intrusion and change in inclination angle.

RESULTS:

EARR after OT was observed in median 80.7 per cent (interquartile range 22.02) of single-rooted teeth [mean 1.2 (standard deviation 0.44) mm]. In 82.3 per cent of teeth, EARR was 2 mm or less. Severe EARR was found in 8 per cent of patients and five maxillary incisors (less than 1 per cent of all teeth). The amount of intrusion and change in inclination angle of the most proclined maxillary central incisor influenced the extent of EARR. Mean EARR was significantly higher when OT lasted more than 18 months (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS:

OT in conjunction with PT in periodontal patients resulted in EARR in 81 per cent of all single-rooted teeth. Intrusion and change in inclination angle of the most proclined maxillary central incisor influenced the extent of EARR, as did longer OT. 

AIM:

To examine alveolar bone level (ABL) changes before (T1) and after (T2) orthodontic treatment (OT) in subjects with periodontal disease.

METHODS:

The study included 50 subjects with periodontal disease. All patients received subgingival debridement following baseline examination. Control group patients received final periodontal treatment before the start of OT. For the test group patients final periodontal treatment was performed simultaneous to OT. OT was performed with a straight-wire appliance. Micro-implants or temporary crowns on implants were used for posterior anchorage when needed. ABL measurements of 3821 tooth surfaces were performed on cone beam computed tomography images.

RESULTS:

No difference was observed between mean ABL at T1 and T2. ABL remained unchanged on 69 per cent of surfaces. A mean of 15.6 (SD 7.4) per cent of surfaces experienced ABL gain, and a mean of 15.1 (SD 7.5) per cent was found with ABL loss. Small significant median ABL difference was observed on mesial and distal surfaces (P < 0.001). A significant difference was found between median ABL changes on mesial/distal in comparison to buccal/lingual surfaces (P < 0.01). Significantly more buccal (17.9 %) and lingual (18.5 %) surfaces experienced ABL loss when compared with mesial (11.3 %) and distal (12.0 %) surfaces (P < 0.001). Significant difference was found in the median ABL change of intruded (0.5 (IQR 0.94) mm) and non-intruded (-0.4 (IQR 1.07) mm) maxillary incisors (P = 0.04). Significant median ABL gain was found on the lingual surface of maxillary incisors, which were retroclined more than 8.6 degree and intruded more than 1.6 mm.

CONCLUSIONS:

ABL changes after periodontal-orthodontic treatment in patients with periodontal disease were small. ABL gain was more observed on mesial and distal surfaces and ABL loss on buccal and lingual surfaces. Larger orthodontic movements of maxillary incisors influenced ABL gain. 

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To describe the experiences of radiation-induced xerostomia in patients with head and neck cancer.

BACKGROUND: Xerostomia is the most commonly occurring complication during and following radiotherapy. It can persist for several months or years and can have a significant impact on patients' quality of life.

DESIGN: This was a qualitative descriptive study.

METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of 20 participants. Inductive content analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data.

RESULTS: Analysis of the manifest content identified five categories: communication problems, physical problems, psychosocial problems, treatment problems and relief strategies. The latent content was formulated into a theme: due to lack of information from professionals, the patients had to find their own solutions for their problems.

CONCLUSIONS: Xerostomia is not only a biophysical symptom but also has a profound effect on the emotional, intellectual and sociocultural dimensions of life. The majority of patients continued to suffer from xerostomia and its associated symptoms after radiotherapy, in part, because of a lack of professional support, including the inability of nurses to provide oral health care.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Nurses need to be knowledgeable about the effects of radiotherapy on oral mucosa and about appropriate interventions. The healthcare system requires a symptom management platform for radiation-induced complications, to help patients, their families and healthcare professionals obtain information about self-care, treatments and relief strategies.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore the association between oral health and nutritional status in the context of daily care for older people.

BACKGROUND: Oral problems often increase with age and affect a person's ability to chew and swallow. They might also influence the ability to maintain a satisfactory nutritional status. Oral health awareness is therefore of great importance in nursing care for older people.

DESIGN: A retrospective cross-sectional study.

METHODS: Data from the Swedish quality register, Senior Alert, were used, including structured assessments of both oral and nutritional status using the Revised Oral Assessment Guide-Jönköping and the Mini Nutritional Assessment. In total, 1,156 persons (mean age: 82.8 ± 7.9) had both oral and nutritional assessments registered by the nursing staff in daily care.

RESULTS: Approximately 29% of participants had moderate oral health problems. Another 12% had severe problems. Over 60% of the persons were considered at risk of malnutrition or were malnourished. There was a weak correlation between poor nutritional status and poor oral health, and approximately one-third of the persons who were at risk or malnourished had simultaneous oral problems. A multivariate logistic regression revealed that when problems involving voice and swallowing were present, there was also a greater possibility of being assessed as at risk of malnourishment or being malnourished.

CONCLUSION: There is a relationship between oral health problems and nutritional status, indicating the importance of evaluating oral health status in older persons with nutritional problems.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Nursing staff involved in care for older people should be aware of the importance of including regular oral health check-ups in their work. There is also a need for nursing staff members and oral health professionals to exchange knowledge.

Aim: To compare two treatment strategies regarding the effect of orthodontic treatment on periodontal status in patients with plaque-induced periodontitis.

Subjects and Methods: This was a randomized clinical trial. Fifty periodontal patients were randomly assigned to the test or control groups according to periodontal treatment timing. All patients received supra- and subgingival debridement following baseline examination. Control group patients received cause-related periodontal treatment before the start of orthodontic treatment and which was performed simultaneous to orthodontic treatment for the test group patients.

Results: No difference between the test and control groups was found regarding change of clinical attachment level (CAL) after periodontal–orthodontic treatment. Fewer sites with initial pocket depth (PD) of 4–6 mm healed after periodontal–orthodontic treatment in the test group (20.5%, IQR = 11.9%) in comparison with controls (30.4%, IQR = 27.1%) (p =.03). Anterior teeth [OR 2.5] and teeth in male patients [OR 1.6] had a greater chance for PD improvement ≥2 mm. Total periodontal–orthodontic treatment duration was significantly longer for the control group (p <.01).

Conclusions: Both groups showed a gain of CAL and a reduction in sites with PD ≥ 4 mm. Orthodontic treatment, simultaneously to the periodontal treatment, could be used in the routine treatment of patients with plaque-induced periodontitis.

AIM: In the present study, we evaluated the direct and mediating (indirect) effects of clinical oral conditions, dental anxiety, sense of coherence (SOC), and socioeconomic variables on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and general health-related quality of life (GHRQoL) in Iranian adolescents.

METHODS: A longitudinal design was used with a sample of 1052 (694 males, mean age=15.05 years) schoolchildren from Qazvin, Iran. Each participant completed a background information sheet and the following scales at baseline: Modified Dental Anxiety Scale, SOC, PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scale, and PedsQL Oral Health Scale. The PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core and Oral Health scales were recompleted at the 18-mo follow up.

RESULTS: Father's education, monthly family income, dental anxiety, Community Periodontal Index (CPI), decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT), and SOC significantly and directly predicted OHRQoL at 18 mo. Father's education had indirect effects on OHRQoL through CPI and DMFT, family income had indirect effects through DMFT, and dental anxiety had indirect effects through CPI. OHRQoL at 18 mo (β=0.499) and SOC (β=0.084) had significant and direct and mediating effects through OHRQoL on GHRQoL, while father's education, monthly family income, dental anxiety, CPI, and DMFT only showed mediating effects.

CONCLUSIONS: Clinical oral indicators had direct effects on OHRQoL, but mediated the effects of dental anxiety and socioeconomic status on both OHRQoL and GHRQoL.

Aim: To assess trends over 40 years regarding prevalence and severity of periodontitis in a Swedish adult population.

Materials and methods: Cross-sectional examinations using the same clinical protocol have been repeated every 10years (1973-2013) in a Swedish city with focus on periodontal disease in adults. Periodontal recordings included all teeth, excluding 3rd molars. Periodontal disease experience was classified (no/minor, moderate and severe).

Results: The no/minor group increased from 43% in 1983 to 60% in 2013. There was a non-significant trend for a decrease of the severe group. Over the 40-year period, the number of teeth increased significantly and at the examination 2013, the severe group accounted for this increase. More than 60% of the study population in 2013 had no periodontal pockets (PD) 6mm. The number of PD 4mm and 6mm were unaltered between 2003 and 2013 in all age groups, except for the 20-year old individuals. This group showed a statistically significant increase of 4mm PD.

Conclusions: The periodontal health has improved in the population over the 40 years. The number of teeth increased significantly in the population, and in 2013, this increase occurred entirely in the severe group. Finally, there was a trend toward diminished prevalence of severe periodontitis.

AIM:

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect on peri-implant mucosal inflammation from the use of a novel instrument made of chitosan in the non-surgical treatment of mild peri-implantitis across several clinical centers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

In this 6-month multicenter prospective consecutive case series performed in six different periodontal specialist clinics, 63 implants in 63 patients were finally included. The subjects had mild peri-implantitis defined as radiographic bone loss of 1-2 mm, pocket probing depth (PPD) ≥4 mm and a positive bleeding on probing (mBoP) score. The patients were clinically examined at baseline and after 2, 4, 12 and 24 weeks, and radiographs were taken at baseline and at 3 and 6 months. Treatment of the implants with the chitosan brush seated in an oscillating dental drill piece was performed at baseline and at 3 months. Reductions in the clinical parameters (PPD and mBoP) were compared between baseline and the later examination time points.

RESULTS:

Significant reductions in both PPD and mBoP were observed at all time points compared with the baseline clinical measurements (p < 0.001). The mean PPD and mBoP at baseline were 5.15 mm (4.97; 5.32) and 1.86 (1.78; 1.93), respectively, whereas the mean PPD and mBoP at 6 months were 4.0 mm (3.91; 4.19) and 0.64 (0.54; 0.75), respectively. Stable reductions in PPD and mBoP were evident up to 6 months after the initial treatment and 3 months after the second treatment. All 63 implants were reported to have stable radiographic levels of osseous support.

CONCLUSIONS:

This case series demonstrated that an oscillating chitosan brush is safe to use and seems to have merits in the non-surgical treatment of dental implants with mild peri-implantitis. To measure the effectiveness of the method, a multicenter randomized clinical trial needs to be undertaken.