Evaluation of two different remineralising toothpastes in children with drug-controlled asthma and allergic rhinitis: a randomised clinical trial.

AIM: To compare the efficacy of two remineralising toothpastes in children suffering from asthma and allergic rhinitis after a 6-month study. METHODS: 40 patients aged between 6-14 years with enamel demineralisations were enrolled for the study at the Unit of Dental Hygiene of the University of Pavia (Italy). The following indices were collected: Schiff air index (SAI), plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BoP), salivary pH, Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE), susceptibility index (SI) for hard and soft tissues' pathologies, and decayed missing filled teeth (DMFT). After mechanical debridement with piezoelectric instrumentation and glycine powder, patients were equally divided into two groups: Group 1 using a toothpaste with zinc hydroxyapatite, and Group 2 using a toothpaste containing calcium sodium phosphosilicate. The toothpaste had to be used twice a day. The time frames of the study were: baseline (T0), after 1 month (T1), after 3 months (T2), after 6 months (T3). CONCLUSION: The tested toothpastes can be proposed for home use in children with asthma and allergic rhinitis as they significantly reduced dental sensitivity and periodontal indices.

Historical and bibliometric notes on the use of fluoride in caries prevention.

AIM: The aim of the present report was to highlight historical and bibliometric aspects of fluoride in dentistry. METHODS: Study design: In the first part of the manuscript, history of fluoride has been reported. In the second part, some bibliometric considerations have been explained. The historical research evaluated the first documents about fluoride in dentistry. The bibliometric research considered Scopus-indexed documents from 1945 to 2019. RESULTS: Historical search showed the consistent presence of documents since 1803, even if modern research started in the 1930s. STATISTICS: Descriptive statistics of documents about fluoride showed a constantly increasing interest on the topic, starting from 1965 to nowadays. CONCLUSIONS: The topic of fluoride has a long history in dental practice, and future interesting research is needed in order to combine this well-known inorganic, monatomic anion with new emerging technologies.

Is laser conditioning a valid alternative to conventional etching for aesthetic brackets?

AIM: ER:Yag lasers have been described as a more conservative alternative to conventional acid-etching enamel conditioning technique, when bonding conventional metallic orthodontic brackets. Since the use of aesthetic orthodontic brackets is constantly increasing, the purpose of the present report has been to test laser conditioning with different aesthetic brackets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study Design: Five different aesthetic brackets (microfilled copolymer, glass fiber, sapphire, polyoxymethylene and sintered ceramic) were tested for shear bond strength and Adhesive Remnant Index scores using two different enamel conditioning techniques (acid etching and ER:Yag laser application). Two hundred bovine incisors were extracted, cleaned and embedded in resin. Specimens were then divided into 10 groups with random tables. Half of the specimens were conditioned with conventional orthophosphoric acid gel, the other half with ER:Yag laser. Different aesthetic brackets (microfilled copolymer, glass fiber, sapphire, polyoxymethylene and sintered ceramic) were then bonded to the teeth. Subsequently all groups were tested in shear mode with a Universal Testing Machine. Shear bond strength values and adhesive remnant index scores were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: When considering conventional acid etching technique, sapphire, polyoxymethylene and sintered ceramic brackets exhibited the highest SBS values. Lowest values were reported for microfilled copolymer and glass fiber appliances. A significant decrease in SBS values after laser conditioning was reported for sapphire, polyoxymethylene and sintered ceramic brackets, whereas no significant difference was reported for microfilled copolymer and glass fiber brackets. Significant differences in ARI scores were also reported. CONCLUSIONS: Laser etching can significantly reduce bonding efficacy of sapphire, polyoxymethylene and sintered ceramic brackets.

Extrusion of severely impacted mandibular first molar using partial orthodontics and temporary anchorage miniscrews.

BACKGROUND: This study reports a case in which a severely impacted lower first molar was recovered with a combined orthodontic therapy and minimally invasive oral surgery with special focus to patient's aesthetic demands. CASE REPORT: A 12-year- old female patient was complaining delayed eruption of mandibular right first molar. Radiographic exam showed a severe tooth impaction with a close relationship between tooth roots and mandibular nerve. As the patient refused full arches orthodontic treatment, a partial orthodontic approach was projected. During treatment, temporary miniscrews were placed in both upper and lower arches, in order to allow dental movement with maximum anchorage. After a 24 month-therapy the tooth was extruded, so the appliance and the miniscrews were removed. CONCLUSION: The present case shows that severe tooth impaction can be resolved with a combined partial orthodontic- minimally invasive surgical treatment.

[Abdominal aorta aneurysm in aged patients. Is an operation worthwhile?]. / Abdominale aorta-aneurisme in bejaarde pasiënte. Is die operasie die moeite werd?

Although abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an unpredictable and sometimes fatal condition, it can be cured, and studies have indicated that improved peri-operative care has led to a lowering of the operative risk in the elderly. In this study mortality after AAA repair was 3,8% in patients over 60 years compared with 3,2% in those under 60 years. Eighty-seven per cent of the over-60s regained their physical capacities after the operation, and 92% considered the operation to have been worth while. A plea is made that all patients with AAA be referred to a hospital for objective evaluation of the operative risks with a view to elective surgery, since the mortality from ruptured aneurysms is still in the region of 50%.