Patients with dental calculus have increased saliva and gingival crevicular fluid fetuin-A levels but no association with fetuin-A polymorphisms

ABSTRACT: Fetuin-A is a potent inhibitor of calcium-phosphate precipitation and of the calcification process, therefore it can also be related with dental calculus. Thus, we aimed to investigate a possible relationship between fetuin-A gene polymorphism and the presence of dental calculus. A possible relationship between serum, saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of fetuin-A was also investigated. Fetuin-A c.742C > T and c.766C > G polymorphisms were investigated in 103 patients with or without dental calculus. Additionally, serum, saliva and GCF fetuin-A levels of patients were compared according to dental calculus presence. A significant difference was not observed in the distribution of the fetuin-A c.742C > T and c.766C > G polymorphisms between patients with or without dental calculus. Saliva and GCF fetuin-A concentrations of patients with dental calculus were statistically higher than those without dental calculus (P=0.001, P=0.036 respectively). According to our results, fetuin-A c.742C > T and c.766C > G polymorphisms were not associated with presence of dental calculus. However, higher GCF and saliva fetuin-A levels were detected in patients with dental calculus than in patients without dental calculus, which may result from an adaptive mechanism to inhibit mineral precipitation and eventually calculus formation.

Chemical salivary composition and its relationship with periodontal disease and dental calculus

Aim: To determine the relationship between the chemical composition of saliva, periodontal disease and dental calculus. Methods: An observational analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with patients over 55 years of age. Ethical principles of autonomy and risk protection were applied according to the international standards. Sociodemographic and diagnosis variables (presence of dental calculus and periodontal status) were considered to measure salivary concentrations of glucose (by the glucose oxidase/peroxidase method, amylase (by the colorimetric test), urea (by the amount of indophenol), total protein (by the Bradford method) and albumin (by the nephelometric method). Patients chewed a sterile rubber band and 3 mL of stimulated saliva were collected. The samples were stored at -5 °C, centrifuged at 2,800 rpm for 10 min, and the supernatant was removed and stored at -20 °C. Data were presented as frequencies and proportions for qualitative variables and measures of central tendency and dispersion for quantitative variables. Data were analyzed by either analysis of variance or Kruskal Wallis test . A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Significant relationships were observed between the concentration of salivary urea and periodontal status (p = 0.03) and the presence of dental calculus and urea (p = 0.04) was demonstrated. Conclusions: A relationship between the salivary urea concentration and the presence of periodontal disease and dental calculus is suggested.

Staining and calculus formation after 0.12 percent chlorhexidine rinses in plaque-free and plaque covered surfaces: a randomized trial

OBJECTIVES: Studies concerning side effects of chlorhexidine as related to the presence of plaque are scarce. The purpose of this study was to compare the side effects of 0.12 percent chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) on previously plaque-free (control group) and plaque-covered surfaces (test group). METHODS: This study had a single-blind, randomized, split-mouth, 21 days-experimental gingivitis design, including 20 individuals who abandoned all mechanical plaque control methods during 25 days. After 4 days of plaque accumulation, the individuals had 2 randomized quadrants cleaned, remaining 2 quadrants with plaque-covered dental surfaces. On the fourth day, the individuals started with 0.12 percent CHX rinsing lasting for 21 days. Stain index intensity and extent as well as calculus formation were evaluated during the experimental period. RESULTS: Intergroup comparisons showed statistically higher (p<0.05) stain intensity and extent index as well as calculus formation over the study in test surfaces as compared to control surfaces. Thus, 26.19 percent of test surfaces presented calculus, whereas calculus was observed in 4.52 percent in control surfaces. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of plaque increased 0.12 percent CHX side effects. These results strengthen the necessity of biofilm disruption prior to the start of CHX mouthrinses in order to reduce side effects.

A cariogenicidade da rapadura in situ em humanos / The cariogenicity od rapadura in situ in humans

A cariogenicidade da rapadura foi avaliada, in situ, em oito voluntários por meio de microdureza superficial do esmalte e pH do biofilme dental. Dois blocos de esmalte bovino, avaliados por microdureza, foram colocados em aparelhos palatinos e usados durante uma semana. Os blocos de esmalte foram supersaturados (4X/dia) com 10 gotas de uma soluçäo de rapadura (1: 3 em água deionizada, teste). Em outra semana, novos blocos foram supersaturados (4X/dia), com uma soluçäo de 10 por cento de sorbitol (controle positivo), e em uma terceira semana com uma soluçäo de 10 por cento de sorbitol (controle negativo). Os resultados mostraram que a rapadura é täo cariogênica quanto a sacarose

Adhesión del cálculo dental: estudio óptico y ultraestructural / Adhesion of dental calculus: an optic and ultrastructural study

Es bien conocido que el principal factor etiológico de la enfermedad periodontal es el depósito de placa bacteriana que al calcificarse da lugar a la formación del cálculo dental. El objetivo de este trabajo fue establecer con microscopía de luz, microscopía electrónica de barrido (MEB) y microscopía electrónica de transmisión (MET), cuáles son la estructuras que participan en la adhesión del cálculo a la superficie del diente. Se estudiaron 82 piezas con enfermedad periodontal avanzada, las cuales presentaban una significativa masa calcular adherida a la superficie cementaria. Las muestras se procesaron de acuerdo con las técnicas de rutina para microscopía de luz y microscopía electrónica de barrido, y la técnica de inclusión en resina Spurr para microscopía electrónica de transmisión. Al microscopio de luz se observó una delgada línea basófila de demarcación interpuesta entre el cálculo y la superficie dental. El MEB reveló la presencia de un material de naturaleza fibrilar dispuesto perpendicularmente a ambas superficies (cálculo y cemento) que actuaría como elemento responsable de tal adhesión. Al MET se comprobó que dicho material fibrilar corresponde a fibras colágenas con un patrón característico de periodicidad. En conclusión, el estudio óptico permitió el hallazgo de una zona homogénea continua en la interfase cálculo-diente. El estudio ultraestructural puso en evidencia que la íntima relación existente entre el cálculo y las irregularidades del cemento es atribuible a la firma adhesión que ofrecen las fibras colágenas entre estas dos superficies