Efficacy of new oral rinse containing sodium hyaluronate in xerostomia: A randomized crossover study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of a new oral rinse containing sodium hyaluronate and other functional ingredients in reducing xerostomia-associated symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this 8-week, double-blind crossover study, xerostomia subjects used all three of GUM®HYDRAL™ Oral Rinse, placebo rinse, and Biotene® Oral Rinse as active control. Visual Analog Scale, a dry mouth questionnaire, Oral Health Impact Profile-14, unstimulated saliva flow rate (USFR), and Revised Oral Assessment Guide (ROAG) were assessed before and after 2 weeks of treatments. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients completed all three treatment modalities. Subjective measurements were significantly decreased by test product and active control; however, no significant difference was observed between the treatments. Test product and active control demonstrated a significant increase in USFR over 0.2 ml/min, a normal threshold of hyposalivation. Both test product and active control improved a total score of ROAG, whereas the effectiveness of the test product was significantly better than that of other two treatments. CONCLUSIONS: The new oral rinse may be beneficial to improve the quality of life of xerostomia patients as dry mouth symptoms were reduced for both subjective and objective measurements. Test oral rinse was found to be more effective than placebo or active control for some of the objective measurements.

Evaluation of In Situ Hardening ß-Tricalcium Phosphate/Poly(lactic-co-glycolide) Bone Substitute Used in Edentulous Ridge Preservation for Late Implant Placement: Case Series.

INTRODUCTION: The bioresorbable polymer poly(lactide-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) coated ß-tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP) (ß-TCP/PLGA) bone substitute hardens into a stable and porous hard tissue scaffold when exposed to body fluids. Effectiveness of the novel alloplast has been examined in edentulous ridge preservation (ERP) following tooth extraction with subsequent early endosseous dental implant placement; however, it is not clear that the biomaterial is capable of maintaining the edentulous ridge volume to allow for late implant placement due to the rapid bioresorption property of ß-TCP. The purpose of this case series is to determine if the ß-TCP/PLGA bone substitute is a desirable material for ERP followed by late implant placement. CASE PRESENTATION: Two patients were treated with ERP and prepared for future endosseous dental implant placement. The ß-TCP/PLGA alloplast was placed in the extraction socket. The grafted site of one of the patients was covered by a bioresorbable membrane due to the critical loss of buccal plate. Endosseous dental implant fixtures were placed in both patients 10 months following ERP. Bone core specimens were taken at the time of endosseous dental implant fixture placement and were prepared for histologic assessment. The edentulous ridge volume was successfully maintained for dental implant placement in both cases. Histomorphometric analysis showed that the ß-TCP/PLGA alloplast was replaced by newly formed bone with or without guided bone regeneration membrane placement, 54.1% and 34.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The ß-TCP/PLGA bone substitute exhibited effectiveness in edentulous ridge preservation followed by late endosseous dental implant placement.

Inhibitory effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha on migration of human periodontal ligament cells.

BACKGROUND: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is associated with chronic gingival inflammation and is suspected to influence periodontal destruction. However, the exact roles of TNF-alpha in wound healing and periodontal tissue regeneration are largely unknown. In the present study, we examined the effects of TNF-alpha on migration and proliferation of human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells. METHODS: PDL cells were cultured in the presence of TNF-alpha to determine its effects on cellular migration and proliferation. The protein expression profiles of alpha5 and beta1 integrin subunits and their related molecules, paxillin and focal adhesion kinases (FAK), were investigated. Gene expression of fibronectin also was assayed. Further, the activation of Rho-family small guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding protein (RhoA) was evaluated using a GTP-loading pull-down assay, and focal adhesion formation by PDL cells after transfection with the expression vector of paxillin-fused green fluorescent protein (GFP) also was observed with confocal microscopy. RESULTS: Cellular migration was impaired by TNF-alpha and recovered following the addition of anti-TNF-alpha antibodies. In contrast, PDL cell proliferation was not affected by TNF-alpha. TNF-alpha upregulated the expression of the alpha5 and beta1 integrin subunits, whereas fibronectin was not overexpressed. Phosphorylation of paxillin and FAK by PDL cells was induced, and RhoA activation also was induced. Confocal microscopic analysis revealed that TNF-alpha induced focal adhesion and stress fiber formation in all parts of the cells. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that TNF-alpha impairs cellular migration by enhancing cellular adhesive ability following significant focal adhesion and stress fiber formation.

[Application of dietary supplement to periodontal disease and osteoporosis].

It is known that there is a relationship between various systemic diseases, life style and periodontal disease. In such a situation, it is becoming clear a relationship between the systemic bone density and the mandibular bone, alveolar bone density and clinical periodontal parameters. And it is also cleared that to lower common risk factors related to these conditions might be useful to prevent osteoporosis and periodontal disease. As it is reported that medical treatment such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is effective not only preventing lowering skeletal bone density but also maintaining mandibular and alveolar bones, it is also considered that continuing supplementation of some nutritions such as calcium and isoflavone is also expected to have preventive effects.