Comparison of interdental brush size and label information marketed in Korea / 대한구강보건학회지

Objectives@#This study compares the labeling information on the sizes of interdental brushes marketed in Korea to their actual sizes. Moreover, it analyzes the relationship between the size of the passage hole diameter (PHD), brush diameter, stem diameter, and stem length. @*Methods@#Among the commercially available interdental brushes in Korea, 171 interdental brushes, 3 in each size, were collected from 9 companies. The labels of the collected interdental brushes were researched, and the PHD was measured and compared. The correlation between the passage hole diameter, brush diameter, stem diameter, and stem length was analyzed. Multiple regression analysis was performed to verify the effect of brush diameter, stem diameter, and stem length on the determination of the PHD. @*Results@#The sizes of the interdental brushes were expressed using the ISO labeling or the Small, Medium, Large (S, M, L) labeling and indicated in units of 0.1. The concordance rate of the measured PHD and named PHD was 39.7%. The measured brush diameter, stem diameter, and stem length increased as the interdental brush size increased. There was a significant correlation (P<0.01) between PHD, brush diameter, stem diameter, and stem length. The order of variables with the most to least significant influence on PHD was stem diameter (β=0.528), brush diameter (β=0.404), and stem length (β=0.074). @*Conclusions@#This study shows that the label and actual size of interdental brushes did not match, and the concordance rate between the measured and labeled PHDs was low. Therefore, the interdental brush size labels among manufacturers should be standardized. Moreover, these manufacturers must provide the correct size information for the interdental brushes.

Short-term improvement of masticatory function after implant restoration

PURPOSE: Dental implants present several advantages over other tooth replacement options. However, there has been little research on masticatory function in relation to implant treatment. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the improvement of masticatory function two weeks after implant restoration. METHODS: Masticatory ability was evaluated with the subjective food intake ability (FIA) and objective mixing ability index (MAI) methods. Fifty-four subjects with first and second missing molars completed the study. The subjects were asked to complete a self-reported questionnaire about 30 different food items, and to chew wax samples 10 times both before and two weeks after implant restoration. A total of 108 waxes were analyzed with an image analysis program. RESULTS: Dental implant restoration for lost molar teeth on one side increased the FIA score by 9.0% (P<0.0001). The MAI score also increased, by 14.3% after implant restoration (P<0.0001). Comparison between the good and poor mastication groups, which were subdivided based on the median MAI score before implant restoration, showed that the FIA score of the poor group was enhanced 1.1-fold while its MAI score was enhanced 2.0-fold two weeks after an implant surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Using the FIA and MAI assessment methods, this study showed that masticatory function was improved two weeks after implant restoration. In particular, the enhancement of masticatory function by implant restoration was greater in patients with relatively poor initial mastication than in those with good initial mastication.

Evaluation of fluoride bioavailability in toothpastes / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to determine the total fluoride concentration and bioavailable fluoride concentration in different toothpastes, based on a newly suggested method by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and to compare the measured concentrations with the concentrations written on the packaging. METHODS: The concentrations of total fluoride (TF) and bioavailable fluoride (BF) were measured in six toothpastes. For the TF measurement, 1 g of each toothpaste was mixed with dipotassium hydrogen phosphate (K2HPO4), and hydrogen chloride (HCl) was placed. After 24 hours, the samples were centrifuged and total ionic strength adjustment buffer (TISAB) solution was added. For the BF measurement, the toothpaste was mixed with K2HPO4 for only 1 minute. The samples were centrifuged, and then HCl was placed and allowed to stand for 24 hours. The TISAB solution was added subsequently. The concentration of fluoride ions was measured using a fluoride ion-selective electrode and calculated against a standard curve. RESULTS: The six toothpastes were composed of different fluoride compounds and abrasives. The measured TF concentration ranged from 624.99 ppm to 1,353.00 ppm, and the similarity to the declared fluoride concentration ranged from 53.48% to 93.31%. The measured BF concentration ranged from 587.61 ppm to 1,360.05 ppm, and the similarity to the expected fluoride concentration ranged from 41.97% to 93.80%. Two samples were clearly separated when the samples were centrifuged, whereas the remaining four samples had unclear supernatants. The clearly separated toothpastes (i.e., toothpastes 5 and 6) had BF concentrations that were similar to or lower than the declared fluoride concentrations and the measured TF concentrations. However, the unclearly separated toothpastes showed inconsistent relationships between the measured TF and BF concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: The measured TF and BF concentrations of the six toothpastes did not reach the expected fluoride concentration. This finding resulted from the different compositions and forms of the toothpastes. Therefore, the properties of toothpastes need to be considered when measuring their fluoride concentrations.

Assessment of the erosive potential of carbonated waters / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to determine the erosive potential of several carbonated waters and to confirm the availability of a simple ISO protocol for screening the erosive potential of drinks. METHODS: A total of six carbonated waters were tested. Three products (Lemon-Sparkling water, Seagram, and Trevi) were domestic, and the other three (Perrier, San Pellegrino, and Rosbacher) were imported. Two kinds of carbonated drinks (Coca-Cola and Sprite) were used as controls. The erosive potential of each drink was assessed by measuring the initial pH (pH(I)), the final pH after degassing of carbon dioxide (pH(F)), and the titratable acidity to pH 5.5 (TA(5.5)) and 7.0 (TA(7.0)). The pH changes (DeltapH) caused by the addition of drinks to screening solutions were calculated according to the ISO protocol for evaluating the erosive potential of oral rinses. RESULTS: The overall erosive potential of the carbonated waters was lower than that of the control drinks. The pHI and pH(F) of the carbonated waters ranged from 3.94 to 5.84 and from 5.07 to 7.88, respectively. The Lemon-Sparkling water showed the highest erosive potential among the carbonated waters, having the lowest pH (3.94) and the highest TA(5.5) (1.67 ml). The DeltapH of all tested drinks ranged from -1.00 to 0.23. Also, the tendency of erosive potential measured by DeltapH was similar to that measured by TA(5.5). CONCLUSIONS: The carbonated waters tested in this study had a lower erosive potential than did the carbonated drinks. However, the erosive potential of domestic products was higher than that of imported products. The results of the ISO screening test could reflect the influence of the acid content as well as the pH of drinks. Therefore, this protocol could also be conveniently applied to evaluate the erosive potential of various drinks.

Detection of early changes in caries lesion using QLF-D and OCT / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare the differences in caries lesion changes when measured by QLF-D as fluorescence loss and by SS-OCT as lesion depth with respect to demineralized time, during formation of artificial early caries lesion. We also demonstrated that QLF-D and SS-OCT can be used effectively in monitoring the longitudinal progression of simulated caries lesions. METHODS: Ten bovine incisors were sectioned (5x4 mm) and embedded in epoxy resin. An acid-resistant nail varnish was applied to a part of the tooth surfaces to protect sound enamel (2x4 mm). To generate lesions, each specimen was immersed in 40 ml of a demineralizing gel for 20 days at 37degrees C. To measure mineral loss of the demineralized specimens, fluorescence loss (DeltaF, %) was measured by QLF-D and lesion depth (microm) was determined by SS-OCT from the captured cross-sectional image. All the specimens were analyzed daily by QLF-D image analysis software and SS-OCT image analysis program for 20 days. The repeated measures analysis of DeltaF and lesion depth was used. The paired t-test was used to assess differences between each day. The correlation between DeltaF and lesion depth was determined using the Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: On the 5th, 10th, and 15th day, compared to baseline values, DeltaF decreased in 12.7%, 25.0%, and 33.6% of the specimens, respectively, and the lesion depth increased in 9.9%, 16.0%, and 22.6% of the specimens, respectively. However, after 15 days, there was no change in the DeltaF and lesion depth. High significant correlation was identified between the resultant values of DeltaF obtained by QLF-D and those of lesion depth obtained by SS-OCT (r = -0.811, P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The QLF-D and SS-OCT could detect subtle changes in mineral loss and lesion depth with respect to demineralized time. Furthermore, these devices were useful for monitoring changes in mineral amount and lesion depth.

Assessing the clinical validity of a new caries activity test using dental plaque acidogenicity / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed at evaluating the clinical usability of a new caries activity test (Cariview(R)), which was based on the acidogenic potential of plaque by evaluating it's correlation with the DMFT index and comparing the results of Cariview(R) with those of previous caries activity tests in an adult group. METHODS: Teeth of 74 subjects were examined, and the DMFT index was calculated according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria to determine the past caries experience. Caries activity tests were performed according to manufacturer's instructions. For Cariview(R) test, plaque samples were collected from the tooth surface by using a sterile cotton swab and incubated at 37degrees C for 48 h; an indicator was added to observe the color changes according to the plaque acidogenicity. The subjects were classified into three groups (Low, Moderate, High) according to the level of caries risk. The data were assessed using one-way ANOVA to compare the caries experiences of risk groups according to the caries activity test results, and the relationships between the caries activity tests and the DMFT index were evaluated. RESULTS: The overall mean DMFT index was 5.70+/-4.42. There was a significant difference in the DMFT index among the caries risk groups (Low, Moderate, High) according to the Cariview(R) test result (P=0.036). Further, there was a positive correlation between the Cariview(R) score and the DMFT index (r=0.23, P=0.047) and between the Cariview(R) score and the previous caries activity tests score (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The new caries activity test (Cariview(R)) can be easily used at dental clinics and enables precise caries risk assessment.

In vitro quantification of occlusal caries lesion using QLF-D, ICDAS, and DIAGNOdent / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: To compare the QLF-D method and the ICDAS and DIAGNOdent techniques for in vitro quantification of occlusal caries and to assess the histological features of the caries. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-two extracted permanent teeth were selected, and the site of interest on the occlusal surface was examined using each detection method. The occlusal sites were classified according to the ICDAS II criteria based on the decision taken by two investigators, who have taken the ICDAS E-learning course. The examined site was then measured using the DIAGNOdent, and the peak value was recorded. In addition, by using the QLF-D, the occlusal site was photographed to obtain the DeltaFmax value. After all assessments were performed, the occlusal sites were vertically sectioned in order to assess the histological features. This was considered the gold standard. The histological criteria were graded using a 4-point scale as follows: S=sound (n=21), E1=limited enamel caries (n=27), E2=caries extending to the dento-enamel junction (n=49), D=caries involving the dentine (n=25). RESULTS: An ICDAS code between 0 and 4 was assigned to all the occlusal sites, and this revealed the QLF-D value, which was between -95 to 0. The DIAGNOdent value was between 8 and 99. The correlation values of QLF-D, ICDAS, and DIAGNOdent with the histological features were 0.68, 0.58, and 0.46, respectively (P<0.01). A highly significant correlation was observed between QLF-D and the gold standard, which showed a moderate correlation and an acceptable correlation was observed with ICDAS (r=0.75, P<0.01). A statistically significant difference was observed in the average QLF-D values of each histological grade i.e., -28.5 (S), -53.7 (E1), -68.1 (E2), and -84.4 (D). CONCLUSIONS: The QLF-D showed a significant correlation with the ICDAS and histological features. Therefore, visual inspection with QLF-D would improve the detection accuracy and ensure early diagnosis of dental caries.