Evaluation of muco-adhesive tacrolimus patch on caspase-3 induced apoptosis in oral lichen planus: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The study compared the clinical effectiveness of topical Tacrolimus (TAC) in patches or gel with Triamcinolone acetonide (TRI) gel for erosive/atrophic oral lichen planus (OLP) and investigated the influence of these therapies on Caspase-3 expression as a marker of apoptosis. METHODS: Thirty patients were randomly assigned into three equal groups to receive either topical TAC 0.1% patch twice daily, topical TAC 0.1% gel, or topical TRI 0.1% gel four times daily for 8 weeks. Each patient's clinical score (CS), visual analogue scale (VAS), and total atrophic area (TAA) of the marker lesion were measured at baseline, 2, 4, and 8 weeks of treatment, as well as after 4 weeks of treatment free period. Caspase-3 expression and lymphocytic counts (LC) were assessed in pre- and post-treatment biopsied stained sections. RESULTS: TAC patch resulted in a higher reduction in CS [- 14.00 (15.54%)] and VAS [- 70.21 (15.82%)] followed by TAC gel then TRI gel within the first two weeks. The reduction in VAS and TAA were significantly higher in TAC groups compared to TRI gel, although the difference between TAC treatment was not significant and this was observed throughout the treatment and follow-up periods. Caspase-3 expression increased in connective tissue in all groups. It decreased significantly within the epithelium in both TAC groups but increased in TRI gel. (LC) were significantly lowered with the TAC patch compared to other groups. The percentage change in Caspase-3 epithelial expression was significantly correlated to the CS, TAA, and LC. CONCLUSION: Both TAC patch and gel significantly decreased pain and lesion size than TRI gel, with a significant reduction in Caspase-3 expression within the epithelium in comparison to the increase seen with TRI gel. The study protocol was registered at www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov (NCT05139667) on 01/12/2021.

Validity and reliability of three-dimensional palatal superimposition of digital dental models.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the validity and reliability of three-dimensional (3D) landmark-based palatal superimposition of digital dental models using Ortho Mechanics Sequential Analyzer (OMSA). METHODS: The sample consisted of pre- and post-treatment digital maxillary dental models of 20 orthodontic cases. For each case, the pre- and post-treatment digital models were superimposed using surface-based methods utilizing 3dMD Vultus and Invivo 5 software as well as a landmark-based method utilizing OMSA. The same set of parameters were measured on the superimposed 3D data by the three softwares for comparison. Agreement in the superimposition outcomes among the three superimposition methods was evaluated with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), Bland-Altman plots, and repeated measures ANOVA. A P value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Repeatability was acceptable for all methods based on the ICCs. Agreement as measured by the ICCs and repeated measures ANOVA was high among the three methods. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that OMSA offers a valid and reliable tool for 3D landmark-based digital dental models superimposition using 3 points marked along the midpalatal raphe as reference.

Reliability of linear and angular dental measurements with the OrthoMechanics Sequential Analyzer.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of newly developed software in the assessment of orthodontic tooth movement 3 dimensionally. METHODS: The sample consisted of pretreatment and posttreatment computed tomography scans and plaster dental models of 20 orthodontic patients treated with a hyrax palatal expander as a part of their comprehensive orthodontic treatment. Dental-arch measurements, including arch widths, tooth inclinations, and angulation parameters, were measured on the scans using InvivoDental 3D imaging software (version 5.1; Motionview, Hixson, Tenn). The plaster dental models were laser scanned and superimposed, and measurements were obtained digitally using the new software. Agreement between the digital models and the computed tomography measurements was evaluated with intraclass correlation coefficients, paired t tests, and Bland-Altman plots. A P value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: High agreement, a nonsignificant paired t test, and no indication of agreement discrepancies were observed for most of the measured parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirmed that the new software program offers a reliable tool for dental-arch measurements obtained from 3-dimensional laser-scanned models.

Periodontitis and cardiovascular disease: Floss and reduce a potential risk factor for CVD.

There is evidence supporting an association between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and periodontitis. We determined whether patients with chronic periodontitis, who are otherwise healthy individuals, have higher serum concentrations of emerging risk markers of CVD such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) and investigated the effect of subsequent periodontal treatment on the levels of these markers. A total of 40 individuals were included in the study. Serum levels of CRP and IL-6 were estimated twice, once on the initial visits and the other 3 months after periodontal therapy. The mean CRP and IL-6 levels were significantly higher (P < .001) in the patients compared with controls and significantly decreased (P < .001) following periodontal treatment. This study suggests that periodontitis is a potential modifiable risk factor for CVD.