Meta-Analysis of Assessment of Total Oxidative Stress and Total Antioxidant Capacity in Patients with Periodontitis.

Background: Periodontitis is intricately linked to oxidative stress-antioxidant (redox) imbalance. The antioxidant system scavenges the oxygen free radicals in biological fluids in patients with periodontitis. However, little is still known about the free radicals mediated oxidative stress and reductive ability of the antioxidant system. Thus, the present meta-analysis aims to quantitatively review the literature that assessed the oxidative stress marker total oxidative stress (TOS) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in various biological fluids of patients with periodontitis. Methodology. Electronic databases were searched for studies that assessed TOS and TAC levels in various biological samples of patients with periodontitis. Results: From the 1,812 articles identified, 1,754 were excluded based on title and abstract screening due to irrelevance to the topic of interest. A full-text assessment of the remaining 58 articles led to the selection of 42 articles that satisfied the inclusion criteria. Of these, only 24 studies had consistent data for quantitative analysis. The periodontitis group displayed significantly elevated TOS levels (p < 0.05) in serum, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), and saliva samples in the studies evaluated. In contrast, the periodontitis group exhibited significantly attenuated TAC levels (p < 0.01) compared to healthy controls in plasma, serum, and GCF samples of the studies evaluated, which was insignificant in salivary samples (p=0.433). At the same time, the periodontitis group displayed insignificantly elevated TAC levels after periodontal therapy (p=0.130). Conclusions: The present meta-analysis showed significantly higher TOS and lower TAC in periodontitis, reflecting the elevated oxidative stress level than the control group. Clinical Relevance. Scientific rationale for the study: The imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants (oxidative stress (OS)) plays a critical role in the onset and progression of periodontitis; the assessment of the relationship between OS-related biomarkers in regional samples and systemic samples of patients with periodontitis helps us to evaluate the periodontal disease progression. The OS biomarker levels can be used to assess periodontal disease and therapeutic efficacy.

Accuracy of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Software in Predicting the Size of Impacted Canine: A Preliminary Study.

Objective: To compare and analyze the precision, accuracy, and reliability of commonly used cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) software in predicting the mesiodistal diameter of impacted canines. Methods: This study was conducted on 11 patients (six males and five females, mean age: 17.5±5.5 years) with either unilateral or bilateral impacted canines in the maxilla or mandible. DICOM data sets of the patients obtained from CBCT scans were then loaded and visualized with four selected CBCT software to measure the widest mesiodistal diameter of the impacted teeth. Physical measurements using a digital vernier caliper, kept as a control, were also made on the extracted teeth and orthodontically erupted teeth. The collected data underwent statistical analysis, and the statistical significance level was set at p<0.05. Results: The Bland-Altman analysis was performed to quantify the agreement between different software to the digital caliper, showing a narrow difference for all plots. Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA test followed by a post hoc test was performed to determine whether there was any difference in measuring the mesiodistal diameter of the impacted canine among the five methods, and tend no statistically significant difference was found among the five methods. Intraclass correlation (ICC) was performed, and measurements made with all CBCT software yielded an ICC greater than 0.95, indicating high reliability of the selected software. Conclusion: All the evaluated CBCT imaging software exhibited a high degree of reliability, and accuracy in precise measurement of the mesiodistal diameter of an impacted tooth.

Assessment of glutathione peroxidase enzyme response and total antioxidant status in oral cancer - Systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress induced by free radical accumulation contributes to many pathologies, including cancer. Antioxidant defense system fails to scavenge free radicals when it is excessively accumulated. Assessing individual antioxidant enzymes and total antioxidant capacity could direct the customized therapeutic strategies. OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of total antioxidant status and enzyme glutathione peroxidase activity in the oral cancer group compared to the healthy control group. METHOD: The literature search included databases PubMed, Science Direct, Wiley Online Library, Cochrane and Cross Reference between 1999 and 2021. The database search was completed in the month of August 2022. The extracted data were analyzed by Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) version 3 software (Biostat Inc. Englewood, NJ). Based on search strategies, 1435 articles have been retrieved from the database. In the segregated articles, 1365 were excluded due to duplicated articles, animal studies, low-quality studies, articles unrelated to the research question, and with unmatched objectives. Based on inclusion criteria, 70 articles were selected for full-text valuation. However, 33 articles were found highly suitable for inclusion and data extraction. Finally, 11 articles were selected for meta-analysis. RESULTS: The meta-analysis of four included studies of tissue samples showed a significantly (p < .001) increased GPx activity in the oral cancer group, when compared to the control group, whereas three included studies of erythrocyte samples displayed a significantly (p < .001) decreased GPx activity in the oral cancer group than the control group with the pooled standardized mean difference value of -2.766 moles/min/g Hb at 95% CI (-3.297 to -2.234). The meta-analysis of the included studies depicted an insignificant (p = .947) reduction of salivary TAS levels in the oral cancer group when compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Our systematic review and meta-analysis depict antioxidant GPx enzyme activity in the regional tissue samples of the oral cancer group differs from other systemic biological fluid samples compared to the healthy control group.

A Comparative Analysis of Surface Characteristics of Enamel after Conventional Acid Etching and Er,Cr:YSSG Laser Irradiation.

Background: To evaluate the influence of Erbium, Chromium:Yttrium-Scandium-Gallium-Garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser irradiation (2W 15Hz, 2W 25Hz) on Penetration Depth, Surface Roughness, Surface Morphology and Etching Pattern of enamel and to compare it with conventional acid etching. Material and Methods: Sixty sound human premolars extracted for orthodontic reasons were used for this study. Penetration Depth and Surface Roughness between Acid Etched and Laser Etched Enamel were evaluated using Non-contact 3D- Profilometer .Surface Morphology and the Etching Pattern were evaluated using Field Emission - Scanning Electron Microscope. Results: On comparing the maximum depth and surface roughness values among all the three groups, highest was found in the acid-etched group, followed by the 2W 15Hz laser-etched group and the least was with the 2W 25Hz laser-etched group. The laser etching of enamel surface with an Er,Cr:YSGG laser system showed Type 3 etching pattern, whereas acid etched surface showed Type 1 etching pattern as described by Silverstone (1974). Conclusions: Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation produces favourable etching pattern and micro-irregularities that are suitable for resin penetration. Moreover, due to its decreased surface roughness and penetration depth, laser etching can significantly decrease the probability of formation of white spot lesions which is proved to be the potential disadvantage of conventional acid etching. Hence, laser etching can be preferred over the conventional phosphoric acid etching for orthodontic bonding. Key words:Laser, Er,Cr:YSGG, Surface Roughness, Etching Pattern,Penetration Depth,SEM, Laboratory Research, Acid etching.

Awareness survey about the effects of malocclusion among young adults.

BACKGROUND: Malocclusion has been a problem since ancient times. Diverse factors influence malocclusion such as oral habits, anomalies in the dentition like changes in shape, position and number of teeth. But awareness and attitude about the problem differs within the neighborhood, depending upon their understanding and education. Hence, observation is essential to diminish and avoid the deleterious effects of malocclusion. Hence the objective of this study is to perceive the knowledge of youngsters and enlighten their perception on misaligned teeth. METHODS AND MATERIAL: A cross sectional study was conducted among 1000 young adults between ages 18-22 in Sathyabama University, Chennai, India. A questionnaire consisting of 24 multiple choice questions were given to the participants to assess their awareness, attitude towards malocclusion and orthodontic treatment. Descriptive statistics and chi square test was done using SPSS software version 20. The level of significance was set at 0.05. RESULTS: More than 70% of the participants show concern and interest on self-image, 39.9% of the total study population were unhappy with the arrangement of their teeth. There was an overall lack of knowledge about the etiology and the effects of malocclusion among the participants. 60.2% of the population have not visited a dentist in the past 3 years. Many had false impressions towards orthodontic treatment. CONCLUSION: Awareness about the effects of malocclusion among young adults seems to be lacking. Most of the time, the treatment is neglected until the need for it arises.