In Vivo Performance of Visual Criteria, Laser-Induced Fluorescence, and Light-Induced Fluorescence for Early Caries Detection.

This study aims to compare the diagnostic reliability of ICDAS-II visual criteria, light-induced fluorescence (using the VistaCam iX, Dürr Dental, Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany), and laser-induced fluorescence (using the DIAGNOdent Pen, KaVo, Biberach, Germany) on occlusal caries. Permanent and temporary molars were selected according to the inclusion criteria. Out of 160 teeth that met the inclusion criteria, 139 were chosen and examined by two previously trained and calibrated examiners. The kappa value was 0.95 for both VistaCam iX and DIAGNOdent Pen. Results from visual examination and the readings of the two fluorescence devices were computed, lesions being divided into non-cavitated, enamel lesions, and lesions extended to dentin. All statistical analyses were performed using R (version 4.2.2). Spearman's rank correlation was computed to assess the relationship between the scores of diagnostics reliabilities of the three methods mentioned above. There was a positive, statistically significant Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, ρ = 0.25, between VistaCam iX and ICDAS II, and a positive, not statistically significant Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, ρ = 0.11, between DiagnoDent Pen and ICDAS II. Considering the temporary teeth, there was a positive, statistically significant Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, ρ = 0.52, between VistaCam iX and DiagnoDent Pen; a positive, statistically significant Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, ρ = 0.35, between VistaCam iX and ICDAS II; and the lowest, not statistically significant Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, ρ = 0.16, between DiagnoDent Pen and ICDAS II. Conclusions: In conclusion, ICDAS II and light-induced fluorescence are better diagnostic methods than the laser-induced fluorescence devices for detecting occlusal caries. Clinical Significance: This study may support clinicians in selecting the most efficient tool for diagnosing carious lesion in the earliest stages possible. Furthermore, such technologies raise the availability for more preventive approaches, as opposed to invasive procedures.

Enhancing the Antimicrobial Effect of Ozone with Mentha piperita Essential Oil.

This study aimed to obtain and analyse Mentha piperita essential oil (MpEO) for the prospect of being used as an enhancement agent for the antimicrobial potential of ozone against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and fungi. The research was done for different exposure times, and it gained time-dose relationships and time-effect correlations. Mentha piperita (Mp) essential oil (MpEO) was obtained via hydrodistillation and further analysed by using GC-MS. The broth microdilution assay was used to determine the strain inhibition/strain mass growth by using spectrophotometric optical density reading (OD). The bacterial/mycelium growth rates (BGR/MGR) and the bacterial/mycelium inhibition rates (BIR/MIR) after ozone treatment in the presence and absence of MpEO on the ATTC strains were calculated; the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) and statistical interpretations of the time-dose relationship and specific t-test correlations were determined. The effect of ozone on the following tested strains at maximum efficiency was observed after 55 s of single ozone exposure, in order of effect strength: S. aureus > P. aeruginosa > E. coli > C. albicans > S. mutans. For ozone with the addition of 2% MpEO (MIC), maximum efficacy was recorded at 5 s for these strains, in order of effect strength: C. albicans > E. coli > P. aeruginosa > S. aureus > S. mutans. The results suggest a new development and affinity regarding the cell membrane of the different microorganisms tested. In conclusion, the use of ozone, combined with MpEO, is sustained as an alternative therapy in plaque biofilm and suggested as helpful in controlling oral disease-causing microorganisms in medicine.

Cephalometric assessment regarding craniocervical posture in orthodontic patients.

A major factor that contributes to dental malocclusions is represented by the positioning of the mandible. Considering the existing interconnections between the craniocervical and craniomandibular systems it is interesting to assess how changes in one system can influence the other, thus establishing a pattern in terms of certain cephalometric landmarks that orthodontists could consider when diagnosing and evaluating an orthodontic case. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the connections between cervical posture, head position, hyoid bone position in orthodontic patients with different skeletal patterns. 45 lateral cephalometric radiographs were analyzed. Skeletal class and vertical growth were the main elements that were considered when classifying patients. Craniofacial and Cervical landmarks were determined on the cephalograms, from which lines and angles resulted which were considered relevant in our study. Correlations between cephalometric variables of the patients were determined. there were some statistically significant changes identified concerning craniocervical posture and hyoid bone position between the patients in the following parameters: H-Rgn, OPT/HOR, CVT/HOR, OPT/SN, CVT/SN, H-SN. The results obtained allowed us to conclude that there were some differences at the skeletal level of the sample of patients studied. The findings are indicating that there is a close relationship between, mandible position, cervical- and head posture and the hyoid bone. The information obtained in this study could help to better understand the development of malocclusions, and to improve the orthodontic diagnostic and treatment plan.

Impact of Dentistry Materials on Chemical Remineralisation/Infiltration versus Salivary Remineralisation of Enamel-In Vitro Study.

The aim of this study is to evaluate salivary remineralisation versus chemical remineralisation/infiltration of enamel, using different dentistry materials. The enamel changes were studied using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and the depth of lesions and demineralisation/remineralisation/infiltration percentage were calculated. Additionally, the macro elemental composition of the teeth was performed using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Two studies were performed: (i) demineralisation of enamel in 3% citric acid and infiltration treatment with infiltration resin (Icon, DMG), remineralisation with Fluor Protector (Ivoclar Vivadent) and artificial saliva pH 8; and (ii) enamel demineralisation in saliva at pH 3 and remineralisation at salivary pH 8. The results showed that, firstly, for the remineralisation of demineralised enamel samples, Fluor Protector (Ivoclar Vivadent) was very effective for medium demineralised lesions followed by saliva remineralisation. In cases of deep demineralisation lesions where fluoride could not penetrate, low viscosity resin (Icon, DMG, Hamburg) effectively infiltrated to stop the demineralisation process. Secondly, remineralisation in salivary conditions needed supplementary study over a longer period, to analyse the habits, diet and nutrition of patients in detail. Finally, demineralisation/remineralisation processes were found to influence the macro elemental composition of enamel demineralisation, with natural saliva proving to be less aggressive in terms of decreasing Ca and Mg content.

Dental Caries, Oral Health Behavior, and Living Conditions in 6-8-Year-Old Romanian School Children.

Dental caries still have a high prevalence in Romania. The aim of this paper is to determine the prevalence of caries in children (aged 6 to 8 years) correlated with individual-level predictors and socio-economic variables. A stratified, randomized nationally representative sample was established, taking into consideration the total number of preschool children and based on administrative units and residence. Self-assessment was performed by means of the Oral Health Questionnaire for Children (WHO). Examinations were conducted by 10 standardized examiners, with International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) caries codes higher than 3 considered as dentinal caries, missing teeth as MT, and restorations as FT. DMFT and SiC indexes were calculated accordingly. The dataset for each outcome variable was analyzed by the Hurdle approach analyzed. The gender distribution was similar (47.22% male and 52.78% female), with 42.65% residing in rural areas. The mean DMFT value for the sample was 4.89 and SiC index 9.83. A negative association could be seen between DMFT and the father's level of education (ß = −0.33, SE = 0.07, p < 0.01) as well as the mother's education (ß = −0.25, SE = 0.07, p < 0.01). In conclusion, caries prevalence is very high in Romania as compared to the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation for this age group in correlation with socio-economic factors and oral health behavior.

In Vitro Assessment of the Cytotoxic and Antiproliferative Profile of Natural Preparations Containing Bergamot, Orange and Clove Essential Oils.

Medicinal plants and essential oils (EOs), in particular, were intensively studied in recent years as viable alternatives for antiproliferative chemical synthetic agents. In the same lines, the present study focuses on investigating the effects of natural preparations (emulsions) based on EOs obtained from Citrus bergamia Risso (bergamot-BEO), Citrus sinensis Osbeck (orange-OEO), and Syzygium aromaticum Merill et L. M. Perry (clove-CEO) on different healthy (human immortalized keratinocytes-HaCaT and primary human gingival fibroblasts-HGF) and human tumor cell lines (human melanoma-A375 and oral squamous carcinoma-SCC-4) in terms of the cells' viability and cellular morphology. The obtained results indicate that the CEO emulsion (ECEO) induced a dose-dependent cytotoxic in both healthy (HaCaT and HGF) and tumor (A375 and SCC-4) cells. OEO emulsion (EOEO) increased cell viability percentage both for HaCaT and A375 cells and had an antiproliferative effect at the highest concentration in HGF and SCC-4 cells. BEO emulsion (EBEO) decreased the viability percentage of SCC-4 tumor cells. By associating OEO with CEO as a binary mixture in an emulsified formulation, the inhibition of tumor cell viability increases. The E(BEO/OEO) binary emulsion induced an antiproliferative effect on oral health and tumor cells, with a minimal effect on skin cells. The non-invasive tests performed to verify the safety of the test compound's emulsions at skin level indicated that these compounds do not significantly modify the physiological skin parameters and can be considered safe for human skin.

Natural Preparations Based on Orange, Bergamot and Clove Essential Oils and Their Chemical Compounds as Antimicrobial Agents.

Since ancient times complementary therapies have been based on the use of medicinal plants, natural preparations and essential oils in the treatment of various diseases. Their use in medical practice is recommended in view of their low toxicity, pharmacological properties and economic impact. This paper aims to test the antimicrobial effect of natural preparation based on clove, orange and bergamot essential oils on a wide range of microorganisms that cause infections in humans including: Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella flexneri, Candida parapsilosis, Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium and Haemophilus influenza. Three natural preparations such as one-component emulsions: clove (ECEO), bergamote (EBEO), and orange (EOEO), three binary: E(BEO/CEO), E(BEO/OEO), E(CEO/OEO) and a tertiary emulsion E(OEO/BEO/CEO) were obtained, characterized and tested for antimicrobial effects. Also, the synergistic/antagonistic effects, generated by the presence of the main chemical compounds, were studied in order to recommend a preparation with optimal antimicrobial activity. The obtained results underline the fact that the monocomponent emulsion ECEO shows antimicrobial activity, while EOEO and EBEO do not inhibit the development of the analyzed strains. In binary or tertiary emulsions E(BEO/CEO), E(CEO/OEO) and E(OEO/ BEO/CEO) the antimicrobial effect of clove oil is potentiated due to the synergism exerted by the chemical compounds of essential oils.

Synergistic/Antagonistic Potential of Natural Preparations Based on Essential Oils Against Streptococcus mutans from the Oral Cavity.

The present paper addresses a thematic of interest in preventive dental medicine, namely the possibility of using essential oils (EOs) for the inhibition of the development of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) in the oral cavity, as a viable alternative to chemical products with protective role in oral health. For this purpose, four EOs (cinnamon, clove, bergamote, and orange) were chemically characterized by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and in vitro tested against S. mutans (ATCC 25175). The results obtained revealed the antibacterial effect on S. mutans exercised by the essential oils of clove (CLEO), bergamote (BEO), and orange (OEO), which were included in the production of natural emulsion-type preparations with application in dental medicine. In order to highlight the synersistic/antagonistic effects generated by the chemical constituent of essential oils, binary and tertiary emulsions were prepared and used in saliva-enhanced medium against S. mutans. The saliva tests proved the synergistic effect exercised by the active components of EOs tested from tertiary emulsions, which cause an inhibition of the development of S. mutans in oral cavities.