Relationship between pain severity, satisfaction with life and the quality of sleep in Polish adults with temporomandibular disorders.

BACKGROUND: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) pose a serious health problem that can have a negative effect on patients' lives, impair work performance, and result in work absences and restrictions in daily activities. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this observational, cross-sectional study was to evaluate the level of satisfaction with life among Polish patients with TMD and to assess the influence of pain severity on this parameter. A secondary goal was to investigate sleep quality within this patient group and explore its relationship with pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 219 patients from the Outpatient Clinic for Temporomandibular Disorders at the University Dental Polyclinic in Wroclaw, Poland, participated in this study. These individuals underwent a clinical examination using the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) protocol and completed 2 validated questionnaires, namely the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Furthermore, the patients were assessed for the severity of masseter muscle pain (MMP) and temporal muscle pain (TMP), and the average pain in these muscles (AMP) was calculated. Subsequently, a statistical analysis was performed on the collected data. RESULTS: The group of patients with average satisfaction with life exhibited significantly higher levels of MMP (p = 0.025) and AMP (p = 0.044) as compared to the high-satisfaction group. Regarding sleep quality, 50.23% of the patients experienced poor sleep quality. Poor sleep quality was found to be statistically associated with higher levels of TMP (p = 0.032) and AMP (p = 0.028). Moreover, women demonstrated significantly worse sleep quality as compared to men (p = 0.002). The findings indicate that PSQI has a greater impact on SWLS than vice versa. CONCLUSIONS: Due to a large number of TMD patients experiencing poor sleep quality and the associated reduced life satisfaction, these parameters should be considered as influential factors that modify the management of patients with TMD.

Evaluation of Antimicrobial Efficacy of UVC Radiation, Gaseous Ozone, and Liquid Chemicals Used for Disinfection of Silicone Dental Impression Materials.

Effective disinfection of dental impressions is an indispensable requirement for the safety of dental personnel and patients. The ideal method should be not only effective but also convenient, cheap, and environmentally friendly. This study aimed to reliably evaluate the efficacy of ultraviolet C (UVC) radiation, gaseous ozone, and commercial liquid chemicals used for silicone dental impressions disinfection. These methods were applied to two types of elastomeric impression materials: condensation silicones and addition silicones of various consistency (putty, medium, and light). The antimicrobial effectiveness against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans was evaluated in vitro by counting colony-forming units (CFU) on the surface of samples. The one-way ANOVA with a Tukey HSD test or the Kruskal-Wallis with a Dunn's test was performed. The results obtained revealed the efficacy of the proposed methods for disinfection of both C-silicones and A-silicones in most of the studied groups. Only one material (Panasil initial contact Light) was not effectively disinfected after UVC irradiation or ozone application. In conclusion, the potential of each disinfection method should be evaluated separately for each material. Moreover, in further research, the possible influence of the proposed methods on the physical properties of the impression materials should be thoroughly investigated.

Biological Response Induced in Primary Human Gingival Fibroblasts upon Exposure to Various Types of Injectable Astringent Retraction Agents.

Traditional chemo-mechanical retraction/displacement materials can impact the gingival margin tissues. This study was undertaken to analyze biological responses induced in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) upon application of injectable astringent-based agents used in the cordless retraction technique. HGFs were exposed to hemostatic agents (five gels, three pastes, and one foam) based on aluminium chloride, aluminium sulphate and ferric sulphate. Changes in cell viability and proliferation were evaluated using an MTT assay and a BrdU assay. The cytoskeleton structure organization (zyxin and F-actin) was visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Oxidative stress was determined using the Griess Reagent System. The RNA expression levels of antioxidant enzymes were quantified by real-time RT-PCR. The statistical significance was evaluated using Student's t-test and one-way ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey HSD test. The evaluated agents did not downregulate fibroblast viability or proliferation. No significant cytoskeleton reorganization was observed. Only one agent (Expasyl) induced oxidative stress, demonstrated by the increased level of nitrites. Incubation with the studied agents significantly increased the RNA expression of some antioxidant enzymes (SOD1, SOD3, GPX1). However, no significant influence on the expression of SOD2 and HMOX1 was detected. The injectable forms of chemical retraction agents revealed biocompatibility with HGFs, suggesting their potential clinical usefulness in gingival margin retraction.

Effect of Different Surface Treatment Methods on Bond Strength of Dental Ceramics to Dental Hard Tissues: A Systematic Review.

For long-term successful use of ceramic materials in dental procedures, it is necessary to ensure reliable bonding of restorations to dental substrates. This can be achieved by the application of a proper luting cement and through additional surface conditioning. The present systematic review summarizes the most up-to-date evidence on the use of different surface modification methods to enhance the bond strength of dental ceramics to the hard tissues of the teeth. The authors of the review searched the Web of Science, Scopus, and MEDLINE databases to identify relevant articles published between 1 January 2010 and 1 January 2020. A total of 4892 records were identified, and after screening, the full text of 159 articles was evaluated, which finally resulted in the inclusion of 19 studies. The available reports were found to be heterogeneous in terms of materials and methodology, and therefore, only within-studies comparison was performed instead of comparison between studies. A statistically significant difference in the bond strength between the samples treated with different methods of surface conditioning, or between conditioned and nonconditioned samples, was revealed by most of the studies. Predominantly, the studies showed that a combination of mechanical and chemical methods was the most effective way of enhancing bond strength. Artificial aging and luting cement were also identified as the factors significantly influencing bond strength.

In vitro effects of vasoconstrictive retraction agents on primary human gingival fibroblasts.

The biological activity of chemical retraction/displacement agents in surrounding periodontal tissues is of unquestionable importance, but the activity of these agents has not been completely elucidated. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the in vitro effects of vasoconstrictive retraction agents on primary human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). A total of six commercial adrenergic solutions (0.05 and 0.01% HCl-epinephrine, two based on 0.05% HCl-tetrahydrozoline, 0.05% HCl-oxymetazoline, and 10% HCl-phenylephrine) and three experimental gel formulations (EG-1, EG-2, and EG-3) were used to treat primary HGFs. The biological effect of the retraction treatment on the expression of collagen types I and III was detected by performing immunocytochemical analysis. The generation of reactive oxygen species triggered by the retraction agents were evaluated by using the dichlorofluorescein (DCF) fluorescent probe. The effect of retraction agents on the expression of fibronectin was visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy. According to the results, experimental retraction gels did not limit the expression of collagen types I and III. EG-3 even induced the synthesis of both types of collagen. The DCF assay indicated oxidative stress similar to the control cells for most of the selected retraction agents. Experimental gels did not cause degradation of the cellular shape and morphology of the primary HGFs. The proposed experimental retraction gels in the present study demonstrated higher biocompatibility with primary HGFs, suggesting their use as clinical vasoconstrictive agents for the application of gingival retraction with minimal damage to periodontal tissues.

Prevalence and Overlaps of Headaches and Pain-Related Temporomandibular Disorders Among the Polish Urban Population.

AIMS: To investigate the prevalence and overlaps of headaches and pain-related temporomandibular disorders (TMD) among the Polish urban population. METHODS: The study was conducted in four Polish cities (Wroclaw, Lublin, Katowice, and Lodz) between February and November 2017. Participation in the study was voluntary. The examination consisted of two parts: a clinical examination of TMD using the Diagnostic Criteria for TMD Examination Form and the Head-HUNT Study questionnaire filled in by the participants to determine the occurrence and type of headaches. An experienced and qualified clinician trained all the examiners in the clinical examination protocol. Statistical analyses were based on descriptive and nonparametric statistics. In addition, univariate logistic regression was used. The significance level was set at α = .05. RESULTS: Overall, 213 individuals were examined (149 women and 64 men). The mean age of the participants was 37 ± 15.82 years. The diagnosis for 55.9% of the participants was pain-related TMD, including myalgia (47.4%), myofascial pain (14.1%), arthralgia (21.1%), or headache attributed to TMD (10.3%). In the study population, 48.8% were diagnosed with temporomandibular joint disorders, most frequently disc displacement with reduction (47.9%). A total of 73% of the individuals had experienced headaches in the previous 12 months. The majority of the participants described the headache episodes as occurring less than 7 days/month and lasting less than 4 hours. Among people with painful TMD, the frequency of headaches was almost twice as high as that in nondisordered individuals (48.35% and 25.35%, respectively; P < .0001). The logistic regression model confirmed a significant overlap between headache and painful TMD (OR = 4.77, 95% CI 2.44-9.32, P = .0000). For the entire studied population, no statistically significant connections were established between the occurrence of identified TMJ disorders and headache reports or diagnoses (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Headaches and pain-related TMD are major problems among the Polish urban population. Headache was a much more frequent problem for participants with painful TMD. This issue requires further research and identification of cause-and-effect relationships. Considering the entire studied population, the relationship between identified TMJ disorders and headache is negligible.

Does oral dryness influence quality of life? Current perspectives in elderly dental care.

BACKGROUND: The oral condition can functionally, socially and psychologically influence the quality of life. Oral dryness often occurs in the elderly due to the presence of systemic diseases and medications, which favors the development of many lesions and complaints, including dental caries, candidiasis, retention of full removable denture, taste disturbance and it enforces a change in nutrition. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of oral dryness on oral health-related quality of life in older subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Five hundred subjects of both genders, aged 65 and over (mean 74.4 ±7.4) were involved in the study. Oral dryness was evaluated clinically with use of the Challacombe scale (CODS, Clinical Oral Dryness Score). The oral health-related quality of life was assessed by the Oral Health Impact Profile scale (OHIP-14). RESULTS: Oral dryness occurred in 32.8% of subjects, most often on a mild level (29.6%). The average value of the OHIP-14 scale was 8.01 ±13.59. The regression analysis demonstrated a significant association between oral dryness and two domains of the OHIP-14 scale, i.e. functional limitation (p < 0.01) and psychological disability (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Oral dryness is substantially related to the oral health-related quality of life, which indicates the necessity of monitoring oral dryness as part of routine dental care.

Oral health condition and occurrence of depression in the elderly.

Depression is a common disorder among the elderly; however, it is not a standard element of the ageing process. Depression can affect oral health as a result of neglecting oral hygiene procedures, cariogenic nutrition, avoidance of necessary dental care which leads to an increased risk of dental caries and periodontal disease.Assessment of the relationship of oral health parameters with depression.500 subjects aged ≥65 (mean 74.4 ±â€Š7.4) were involved in the study. Dental condition (decay-missing-filled index [DMFT], number of missing teeth [MT], removable denture wearing, teeth mobility), periodontal condition (bleeding on probing [BoP], pocket depth [PD], loss of attachment), oral dryness (the Challacombe Scale) and depression according to the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scale were assessed.Depression on a minimal level was detected in 60.2% of the subjects, mild-in 22.2%, moderate-in 6.0% and moderately-in 2.6%. The mean of the PHQ-9 scale was 3.56 ±â€Š4.07. Regression analysis showed a positive relationship of the PHQ-9 value with DMFT, the number of MT, oral dryness and with age. No correlation was observed between other examined oral health indicators, such as periodontal condition (BoP, PD, clinical attachment level), periodontitis, removable denture wearing a PHQ-9.The results of our study have shown that among people aged 65 and over, the severity of depression increases with a higher number of MT, the number of decayed teeth, as well as prevalence of oral dryness.

The Co-Occurrence of Sexsomnia, Sleep Bruxism and Other Sleep Disorders.

BACKGROUND: Sleep sex also known as sexsomnia or somnambulistic sexual behavior is proposed to be classified as NREM (non-rapid eye movement) parasomnia (as a clinical subtype of disorders of arousal from NREM sleep-primarily confusional arousals or less commonly sleepwalking), but it has also been described in relation to REM (rapid eye movement) parasomnias. METHODS: The authors searched the PubMed database to identify relevant publications and present the co-occurrence of sexsomnia and other sleep disorders as a non-systematic review with case series. RESULTS: In the available literature the comorbidity of sexsomnia and other sleep disorders were reported mainly in case reports and less in case series. Sexsomnia was reported both with one and with multiple sleep-related disorders, with NREM parasomnias and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) being the most commonly reported. Furthermore, the authors enrich the article with new findings concerning two novel cases of sleep bruxism triggering recurrent sexsomnia episodes. CONCLUSIONS: Sexsomnia has still not been reported in the literature as often as other parasomnias. The coexistence of sexsomnia and other sleep-related disorders should be more thoroughly examined. This could help both in sexsomnia as well as other sleep-related disorders management.

The Setting Time of Polyether Impression Materials after Contact with Conventional and Experimental Gingival Margin Displacement Agents.

PURPOSE: The compatibility of chemical gingival margin displacement agents with polyether impression materials has not been determined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the setting time of polyether impression elastomers after contact with conventional and experimental gingival displacement agents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study compared the setting time of two polyether impression materials: medium body (Impregum Penta Soft) and light body (Impregum Garant L DuoSoft) after contact with 10 gingival displacement agents, including 5 conventional astringents (10%, 20%, and 25% aluminum chloride, 25% aluminum sulfate, and 15.5% ferric sulfate) and 5 experimental adrenergics (0.1% and 0.01% HCl-epinephrine, 0.05% HCl-tetrahydrozoline, 0.05% HCl-oxymetazoline, and 10% HCl-phenylephrine). As many as 120 specimens (60 light body and 60 medium body) were mixed with 20 µl of each of 10 gingival displacement agents, and the time to achieve maximum viscosity was measured with a viscometer. The setting times of these specimens were compared with the control group of 12 specimens, which were polymerized without contact with the displacement agents. The experiments were performed in two environments: 23°C and 37°C (± 0.1°C). Individual and average polymerization time compatibility indices (PTCI) were calculated. Data were analyzed by 2-way ANOVA (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The evaluated chemical displacement agents from both groups changed the setting time of light- and medium-body PE. The negative individual PTCI values achieved astringent (20% aluminum chloride) with two PE in both temperature environments. The average PTCI values of the experimental displacement agents at laboratory and intraoral temperatures were significantly higher than the conventional agents. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings suggest that experimental retraction agents can be recommended clinically as gingival margin displacement agents with minimal effects on the setting time of medium- and light-body polyether impression materials; however, direct contact of chemical displacement agents and polyether impression materials can be avoided.

Evidence to Use Botulinum Toxin Injections in Tension-Type Headache Management: A Systematic Review.

Tension-type headache (TTH) is the most common type of chronic recurring head pain. It can occur twice as often in women as in men. It is the most common type of headache. Its lifetime prevalence is 30% to 78% in the general population. TTH treatment should be multilevel. It often consists of taking pain medication, muscle relaxants, antidepressants, using biofeedback therapy, acupuncture, and attending behavioral therapy. Several clinical trials also suggest that botulinum toxin (BTX) may be an effective treatment option for such patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate if BTX can be used as a treatment method in TTH in the light of current medical literature. The authors searched the PubMed, EBSCOhost, OVID, Web of Knowledge, Cochrane Library and CINAHL databases to identify relevant publications. The authors finally included 11 papers-prospective and retrospective cohort studies. Among most of the selected studies, there was a significant correlation between using BTX and reduction of TTH pain intensity and severity. By analyzing qualified studies, it can be concluded that botulinum toxin seems to be effective in TTH management.

Mental Status as a Common Factor for Masticatory Muscle Pain: A Systematic Review.

Masticatory muscle pain (MMP) is the primary reason for chronic non-odontogenic orofacial pain in the human population. MMP has become a considerable social problem, which affects about 12-14% of the adult population and is 1.5-2 times more frequent in women than in men. This term defines a pain which has its origins in the masticatory muscles. Although MMP is typically felt in the face, jaws, and preauricular area, MMP can radiate to the ear, teeth, head, and neck. This systematic review explains the relationship between MMP and common mental states, such as anxiety, depression, mood and stress-related disorders, and is reported in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. We performed a search in the PubMed database for peer-reviewed articles published after November 1st 2006 in the context of MMP and mental states. According to the defined criteria, 38 studies were finally included into the systematic review, of which prospective cohort studies were found to be the most common. We investigated four primary outcomes (anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and stress-related disorders) and several secondary outcomes of search. Seventy-nine percent of studies concerned depression, 42% anxiety, 29% mood disorders, and 21% stress-related disorders. Most of the studies showed a relationship between MMP and alterations in mental status. Nonetheless, the researchers usually evidenced only the co-occurrence of psychiatric disorders and dysfunctions of the masticatory muscles among the group of patients, in large part in women. Moreover, some studies were marked with limited generalizability of the reported results, quality flaws and heterogeneity. In the light of the analyzed literature, the causal relationship between mental states and MMP is still not clearly established.

Association between Periodontal Health Status and Cognitive Abilities. The Role of Cytokine Profile and Systemic Inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Contemporary neurobiology, periodontal medicine, and immunology are now focusing on the relationship between chronic periodontitis and systemic diseases, which also include Alzheimer's disease (AD). However a causative relationship between dementia and periodontitis has yet to be confirmed. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine whether periodontal health status and cognitive abilities are correlated with the relative changes in systemic measures of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines as a reflection of systemic inflammation. We hypothesized that poor periodontal health status may be associated with cognitive impairment and dementia via the exacerbation of systemic inflammation. METHODS: Based on the periodontal and psychiatric examinations and the cytokine levels produced by unstimulated and LPS-stimulated PBL isolated from 128 participants, we have examined if the coexisting of these two clinically described conditions may have influence on the systemic inflammation. Mini- Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Bleeding on Probing (BoP) test results were combined into the one mathematical function U, which determines the severity of specific condition, called Cognitive and periodontal impairment state. Similarly, the levels of cytokines were combined into the one mathematical function V, whose value determines the level of Inflammatory state. The correlation between U and V was determined. RESULTS: These results confirm that the presence of cognitive decline and the additional source of proinflammatory mediators, like periodontal health problems, aggravate the systemic inflammation. CONCLUSION: It is most likely that the comorbidity of these two disorders may deepen the cognitive impairment, and neurodegenerative lesions and advance to dementia and AD.

Application of Chitosan and Propolis in Endodontic Treatment: A Review.

Chitosan and propolis are natural substances that can be commonly found in the environment. Chitosan is one of the several cationic polysaccharides found in nature. It is a natural biopolymer transformed from chitin which is a product of crustacean shells. Propolis is produced by honeybees through mixing the secretions of their hypopharyngeal glands with the digested product of resins collected from plants. Due to their excellent chemical and biological properties, chitosan and propolis arouse keen interest in dental science, including endodontics. There are various possibilities for applying propolis and chitosan based medicaments in endodontic treatment of root canals, and what is particularly emphasized is their potential effectiveness against resistant microorganisms such as E. faecalis and C. albicans, as well as biocompatible to the periapical tissues in comparison with the most commonly used agents. They aim at microflora which is difficult to eliminate, and their medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antiseptic properties, make them suitable for use in endodontic treatment. Due to the potential side effects of commonly used synthetic drugs and other safety related reasons, natural alternatives for endodontic usage are continuously explored and tested. The paper presents the possibilities of applying propolis and chitosan in endodontic treatment on the basis of chosen articles published in recent years.

Oral Health and Quality of Life in Old Age: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Project in Germany and Poland.

BACKGROUND: The process of ageing influences all dimensions of social life and personal well-being, but the influence of health on different dimensions of quality of life (QoL) among the elderly is rarely examined. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the pilot study is to test the feasibility of a comprehensive study design to evaluate general and dental health as well as QoL in a bi-national sample. In addition, this pilot study should allow for the exploration of potential interactions between QoL, socioeconomic, health and oral health variables. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Individuals aged 64 years and older (n = 100) from university dental clinics of the Wroclaw Medical University, Poland (n = 50) and of the University Hospital in Dresden, Germany (n = 50) were examined. The oral health status of participants was assessed by clinical examination. Socio-demographic, environmental and general health status were evaluated during the medical interview. General quality of life (GQoL) was assessed by an overall question with a visual analogue scale (VAS) from -5 (worst) to +5 (best). Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) were measured with the EQ-5D and OHIP-14 questionnaires. Statistical analyses comprised Pearson's c2 test, Wilcoxon test, linear regression model for statistical analysis and different multivariate linear regression analyses. RESULTS: For the GQoL-VAS-Score the results for QoL measurements were 1.22 ± 2.62 (x± SD), for EQ-5D-Score 7.45 ± 2.25 (x± SD), and for OHIP-14-ADD-Score 11.04 ± 13.56 (x± SD). Differences between Polish and German populations were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The study design proved to be feasible for a senior population. The overall GQoL question, EQ-5D and OHIP-14 were regarded as appropriate instruments. Subjective and objective (oral) health measures showed differences between Germany and Poland. For methodological reasons, these differences are not generalizable, but of value for study hypotheses in larger samples.

Evaluation of the Elastic Properties of Thirteen Silicone Interocclusal Recording Materials.

Background. Addition silicones are popular as dental impression materials and are used in bite registration procedures. Objective. This study aimed to compare the postsetting elasticities and other mechanical properties of thirteen addition silicone interocclusal recording materials. Materials and Methods. The following materials were investigated: Colorbite D, Futar D, Genie Bite, Jet Blue Bite fast, Memoreg 2, O-Bite, Occlufast Rock, Omni-Bite Plus, Regidur i, Registrado X-tra, Regofix transparent, StoneBite, and Variotime Bite. Thirty specimens of each material were tested. The elasticities and strengths of the materials were measured with a universal testing machine, and computer software was used to determine the E-moduli, ultimate tensile strengths, and ultimate elongations of the specimens. Results. The results were subjected to statistical analysis using the Kruskal-Wallis test (p ≤ 0.05). The statistics revealed that the mean E-modulus values varied significantly across the materials (p = 0.000) and were highest for the StoneBite and Registrado X-tra and lowest for the Regofix transparent. The ultimate tensile strengths were highest for the Regofix transparent and Registrado X-tra (p = 0.000) and lowest for the Jet Blue Bite fast and Memoreg 2 (p = 0.000). The elongation percentages at the point of breaking varied significantly across the materials (p = 0.000); the lowest value was observed for the StoneBite, whereas the Regofix transparent nearly doubled original length. Conclusions. The authors concluded that materials with the high E-moduli and great ultimate tensile strengths may be most useful clinically. Registrado X-tra and StoneBite best met these criteria.

The Distribution of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in Patients with Alcoholic Disease: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Both drinking and periodontal disease are serious health and social problems. Findings on the effect of alcohol consumption on periodontal disease are inconclusive. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate, in patients with alcoholic disease, the composition of the main periopathogens: Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 25 alcoholics from the Department of Alcohol Addiction Closed Treatment and 25 non-alcoholic patients from the Department of Periodontology, Wroclaw Medical University. Subgingival biofilm samples were obtained from the 4 deepest sites (≥ 4 mm). The presence of 4 bacterial taxa was analysed using the PCR technique. RESULTS: The prevalence of bacterial species was significantly different between groups. Alcoholics showed significantly higher mean DNA counts for Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola. In the qualitative analysis, no difference was observed between the groups. The study showed no statistically significant association between the amount of alcohol consumed and the composition of subgingival flora in patients suffering from alcoholism. CONCLUSIONS: Alcoholics demonstrated the presence of pathogenic bacteria in similar amounts to people diagnosed with chronic periodontal disease, but showed significantly higher mean DNA counts for Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola but there is no correlation between the amount of alcohol consumption and the level of periopathogens.

Augmentation of the hard palate thin masticatory mucosa in the potential connective tissue donor sites using two collagen materials-Clinical and histological comparison.

BACKGROUND: Due to the similarity of keratinized gingival and palatal mucosa the latter can pose as a potential donor site for gingival recession coverage. However, its availability is restricted and a thin transplant bears the risk of being rejected. The aim of the present study was to compare the clinical and histological results of thin palatal mucosa augmentation, using lyophilized Biokol® xenogenous collagen sponge and a suspension of xenogenous Gel 0® pure collagen with non-augmented tissue from the same patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients simultaneously underwent bilateral augmentation procedures using Biokol® and Gel 0® collagen material. The donor sites were augmented 8 weeks prior to the harvesting of the connective tissue graft (CTG) for the gingival recession coverage procedures. Prior to the implantation of the collagen material and during the course of harvesting the augmented CTG, tissue specimens were taken for histological examination. Prior to the commencement of the study and after it, the parameters of palatal gingival thickness at 4mm (PGT1), and at 8mm apical to the gingival margin (PGT2) around the teeth neighboring the operating fields were determined. RESULTS: In both groups the palatal mucosa had thickened significantly in both measuring sites. An intergroup comparison revealed greater thickening of the masticatory mucosa in the Biokol® group at both measuring points. The histological image of the grafts, obtained from sites augmented using both test methods, revealed a typical pattern of mature fibrous connective tissue. No epithelial cells were found. CONCLUSION: Augmentation of thin masticatory mucosa using Biokol® or Gel 0® collagen materials resulted in a significant thickening of the mucosa, which could be demonstrated to be greater in the first group.

Validation of the Polish version of the oral health impact profile-14.

BACKGROUND: The Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) is an example of a specific questionnaire used for assessing the quality of life in relation to oral health. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to validate the Polish version of the original English Short-Form OHIP-14 questionnaire. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Polish version of the OHIP-14 instrument had been prepared in accordance with generally accepted standards. The main study was conducted among a group of 150 subjects of both genders, aged from 35 to 91 who were randomly selected. Statistical analysis was made by STATISTICA software using the Cronbach alpha reliability test, Mann-Whitney U test, multiple comparison post-hoc test - LSD and Spearman`s correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The total OHIP-14 score was 8.72 ± 13.39, out of which the highest value was for item 4 (uncomfortable to eat 0.89 ± 1.19). The value of the alpha Cronbach coefficient was above 0.9 for all 14 items of the OHIP-14 instrument indicating excellent internal consistency. Positive relationships between all items of the matrix of the inter-items correlation coefficients were found. The value of coefficients ranged from 0.56 to 0.90 at a significance level of p < 0.01. Construct validity was supported by the fact that oral health condition was correlated with total OHIP score. It was observed that there is a correlation between the quality of life evaluated with the OHIP-14 test and dental condition, dental needs, wearing removable dentures and self-assessment of general health and oral health condition. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained data indicated the reliability and validity of OHIP-14 instrument for the assessment of oral health-related quality of life for in Polish adult population.

Polymorphisms of Toll-Like Receptor 4 as a Risk Factor for Periodontitis: Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Toll-like receptors play an important role in the recognition of periopathogens. There are widely known polymorphisms of these receptors that may alter host susceptibility to periodontitis. OBJECTIVES: Evaluating the association of TLR4 polymorphisms (Asp299 and Thr399Ile) with the occurrence of periodontitis and its two clinical types: chronic (CP) and aggressive (AgP) among Caucasians. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A review of 4 electronic databases was made to identify studies that match the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis and were published up to December 31, 2013. RESULTS: Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. For Asp299Gly polymorphism 1621 patients with periodontitis (1148 with CP and 473 with AgP) and 1755 individuals without clinical signs of periodontitis were included in the meta-analysis. The occurrence of polymorphism The 399Ile was evaluated among 1522 patients with periodontitis (1017 with CP and 505 with AgP) and 1461 subjects in the control group. The pooled OR with a random effects model for the Asp299Gly and chronic periodontitis was 1.35 (95% CI: 1.02-1.8, p = 0.038), indicating a possible association between this polymorphism and CP. Other published meta-analyzes showed no significant association between single nucleotide polymorphisms of TLR4 and periodontitis nor its clinical types. No publication bias was reported. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis showed statistically significant association between TLR4 Asp299Gly allele and increased susceptibility to chronic periodontitis.