Near-Surface Studies of the Changes to the Structure and Mechanical Properties of Human Enamel under the Action of Fluoride Varnish Containing CPP-ACP Compound.

Changes to the features of the enamel surface submitted to induced demineralisation and subsequent remineralisation were studied. The in vitro examination was conducted on polished slices of human molar teeth, divided in four groups: the untreated control (n = 20), challenged by a demineralisation with orthophosphoric acid (H3PO4) (n = 20), and challenged by a demineralisation following remineralisation with fluoride (F) varnish containing casein phosphopeptides (CPP) and amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) compounds (n = 20). The specimens' enamel surfaces were subjected to analysis of structure, molecular arrangement, mechanical features, chemical composition, and crystalline organization of apatite crystals. Specimens treated with acid showed a significant decrease in crystallinity, calcium, and phosphorus levels as well as mechanical parameters, with an increase in enamel surface roughness and degree of carbonates when compared to the control group. Treatment with fluoride CPP-ACP varnish provided great improvements in enamel arrangement, as the destroyed hydroxyapatite structure was largely rebuilt and the resulting enamel surface was characterised by greater regularity, higher molecular and structural organisation, and a smoother surface compared to the demineralised one. In conclusion, this in vitro study showed that fluoride CPP-ACP varnish, by improving enamel hardness and initiating the deposition of a new crystal layer, can be an effective remineralising agent for the treatment of damaged enamel.

IL4 gene VNTR polymorphism in chronic periodontitis in end-stage renal disease patients.

OBJECTIVE: Interleukin-4 gene polymorphisms were found to be associated with periodontitis. The purpose of this case-control study was to evaluate association of IL4 VNTR polymorphism with periodontitis in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We examined 180 ESRD patients with chronic periodontitis, 82 without CP and 180 healthy controls. Genomic DNA from all subjects was genotyped for the IL4 VNTR polymorphism by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Genotype distribution in all groups followed Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Significant differences in genotype and allele frequencies were observed between groups. The patient group had higher frequency of P1 allele than controls, with odds ratio for P1 allele 1.6 (95% CI 1.1-2.3) and P1P1 genotype 2.73 (95% CI 1.06-7.5). There were no differences in polymorphism distribution between ESRD patients without CP and controls. Periodontal disease was more severe in older patients (≥50 years). Similarly, patients with T2DM had more severe manifestation of CP than patients without diabetes (p = 0.01 for plaque index, p = 0.004 for bleeding index and p = 0.03 for gingival index). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that VNTR polymorphism in IL4 gene might be a risk factor for chronic periodontitis in patients with ESRD.

Entamoeba gingivalis - prevalence and correlation with dental caries in children from rural and urban regions of Lublin Province, Eastern Poland.

INTRODUCTION: Entamoeba gingivalis, as the name implies. typically lives around the gumline of the teeth in the tartar and gingival pockets of the oral cavity. Pathogenicity of protozoa in the oral cavity is not completely understood. The occurrence in patients with a good state of the immune system usually does not cause any pathological changes. In the presentede survey, an increased incidence of Entamoeba gingivalis in conjunction with pathological changes in the oral cavity was found. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of Entamoeba gingivalis in children treated in Department of Paediatric Dentistry of the Medical University in Lublin and its correlation with dental caries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Diagnostic materials in the form of swabs were obtained from 154 children in the age 2-18 years old, treated in the Department of Paediatric Dentistry of the Medical University in Lublin. The main index for epidemiological surveys in oral health - DMFT (decayed, missed, and filled teeth) for permanent teeth and DMFT for deciduous teeth was calculated. RESULTS: The average number of Entamoeba gingivalis in urban children was 12.84. The DMFT number in the deciduous teeth was lower in urban patients (5.0) than from rural patients (5.4). The DMFT number in the permanent teeth was lower in urban patients (3.155) than rural patients (3.98). There was no statistically significant correlation between the DMFT value and the number of Entamoeba gingivalis. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Entamoeba gingivalis occurs in the oral cavity of children. 2) In the presented survey, both DMFT and dmft indexes were high which proves high activity of dental carious. 3) There was no significant statistical correlation observed between dental caries and the presence of Entamoeba gingivalis.

Problems with access to dental treatment for children with epilepsy.

INTRODUCTION: Epilepsy is a common medical disorder and due to a variety of barriers, people with epilepsy may not have access to needed healthcare services, particularly based on their place of residence. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess access to dental treatment in children and adolescents with epilepsy in Lublin Voivodeship. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Clinical and questionnaire examinations were performed in 107 children and young people, of both sexes, in the ages between 6 and 18years old from the Lublin macroregion. RESULTS: The majority (77.57%) of respondents regularly visited a general practitioner. Most of the children did not undergo regular dental checkups. Children from the large cities significantly more often went to a dentist compared with examinees from a small town and from rural areas. According to the respondents 46.73% have encountered barriers to dental care of their child.

Life style and risk of development of dental caries in a population of adolescents.

INTRODUCTION: Oxygen is an essential element for sustaining the life of aerobes; however, in certain conditions it may be toxic for these organisms. This is due to so-called reactive oxygen species - ROS. Factors which cause the production of free radicals include ionizing radiation, UV radiation, high temperature, and hazardous substances, such as phenols, carbon monoxide, e.g. in smokers, also air pollution and drugs. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was analysis of the total antioxidant status (TAS) in stimulated and unstimulated saliva, according to the number of active carious lesions in generally healthy non-smokers aged 15-17. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The study covered 113 adolescents aged 15-17 in whom the state of dentition was evaluated using the DMFT (Decayed-Missing-Filled) index, and oral hygiene assessed based on the OHI-S (Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified) index. TAS in saliva was determined by means of a Randox Labolatories Ltd. test kit, by the spectrophotometric method. RESULTS: Based on the results of the study, it was found that in the population examined an increase in the number of carious lesions was accompanied by a significant decrease in the TAS, both in stimulated and unstimulated saliva. CONCLUSIONS. A health-promoting life style, maintenance of basic principles of oral hygiene and care of general health through the elimination of harmful habits decrease the risk of dental caries.

Passive smoking as an environmental health risk factor.

Initially, tobacco was considered as a decorative plant and only later began to be treated as a herb with special therapeutic properties. With time, it was found that tobacco had strong insecticidal and addictive properties. There also occurred reports about the negative influence of tobacco on human health. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies smoking as a chronic, progressive disease which is also 'contagious'. It is also considered to be a neurobiotic addiction. Nicotine addiction does not cause changes in the behaviour or functioning of a smoker; however, it adversely affects his or her general health status and the health status of people within their environment. Passive smoking (so-called ETS--Environmental Tobacco Smoke), which means accompanying smokers negatively influences the health of passive smokers. Environmental tobacco smoke, on the one hand, is the result of spontaneous cigarette burning and, on the other hand, the result of the side-stream of cigarette smoke, as well as the smoke exhaled by active smokers. Health personnel should clearly and convincingly present the data concerning the adverse results of smoking, as well as the dangers of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, thereby making their patients aware that breaking their addiction will not only be beneficial for their own health, but will also protect non-smokers in their environment from the adverse effects of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.