Etiological Factors of Molar Incisor Hypomineralization: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a defect of the dental enamel that predominantly affects first molars and permanent incisors. Identifying the significant risk factors associated with MIH occurrence is essential for the implementation of prevention strategies. The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the etiological factors associated with MIH. A literature search was carried out from six databases until 2022; it covered pre-, peri-, and postnatal etiological factors. The PECOS strategy, PRISMA criteria, and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale were used, and 40 publications were selected for qualitative analysis as well as 25 for meta-analysis. Our results revealed an association between a history of illness during pregnancy (OR 4.03 (95% CI, 1.33-12.16), p = 0.01) and low weight at birth (OR 1.23 (95% CI, 1.10-1.38), p = 0.0005). Furthermore, general illness in childhood (OR 4.06 (95% CI, 2.03-8.11), p = 0.0001), antibiotic use (OR 1.76 (95% CI, 1.31-2.37), p = 0.0002), and high fever during early childhood (OR 1.48 (95% CI, 1.18-1.84), p = 0.0005) were associated with MIH. In conclusion, the etiology of MIH was found to be multifactorial. Children with health disorders in the first years of life and those whose mothers underwent illnesses during pregnancy might be more susceptible to MIH.

Dental Pulp Mesenchymal Stem Cells as a Treatment for Periodontal Disease in Older Adults.

Periodontal disease (PD) is one of the main causes of tooth loss and is related to oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. Although different treatments have been proposed in the past, the vast majority do not regenerate lost tissues. In this sense, the use of dental pulp mesenchymal stem cells (DPMSCs) seems to be an alternative for the regeneration of periodontal bone tissue. A quasi-experimental study was conducted in a sample of 22 adults between 55 and 64 years of age with PD, without uncontrolled systemic chronic diseases. Two groups were formed randomly: (i) experimental group (EG) n = 11, with a treatment based on DPMSCs; and a (ii) control group (CG) n = 11, without a treatment of DPMSCs. Every participant underwent clinical and radiological evaluations and measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) by tomography. Saliva samples were taken as well, to determine the total concentration of antioxidants, superoxide dismutase (SOD), lipoperoxides, and interleukins (IL), before and 6 months after treatment. All subjects underwent curettage and periodontal surgery, the EG had a collagen scaffold treated with DPMSCs, while the CG only had the collagen scaffold placed. The EG with DPMSCs showed an increase in the BMD of the alveolar bone with a borderline statistical significance (baseline 638.82 ± 181.7 vs. posttreatment 781.26 ± 162.2 HU, p = 0.09). Regarding oxidative stress and inflammation markers, salivary SOD levels were significantly higher in EG (baseline 1.49 ± 0.96 vs. 2.14 ± 1.12 U/L posttreatment, p < 0.05) meanwhile IL1ß levels had a decrease (baseline 1001.91 ± 675.5vs. posttreatment 722.3 ± 349.4 pg/ml, p < 0.05). Our findings suggest that a DPMSCs treatment based on DPMSCs has both an effect on bone regeneration linked to an increased SOD and decreased levels of IL1ß in aging subjects with PD.

Retrieval of a periodontally compromised tooth by allogeneic grafting of mesenchymal stem cells from dental pulp: A case report.

Objective To report a case of successful allogeneic grafting of mesenchymal dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) as preliminary findings in a patient with periodontal disease enrolled into clinical trial ISRCTN12831118. Methods Mesenchymal stem cells from the dental pulp of a deciduous tooth from a 7-year-old donor were separated from the pulp chamber and processed via enzymatic digestion and centrifugation. DPSCs were passaged and cultured on a 35 × 13 mm culture dish in minimum essential medium-alpha, without supplementation. After reaching 80% confluency, 5 x 106 allogeneic DPSCs in 250 µl phosphate buffered saline were seeded onto a dry scaffold of lyophilized collagen-polyvinylpyrrolidone sponge placed in the left lower premolar area of a 61-year-old patient with periodontal disease. Surgical access to the lower premolar area was achieved using the flap technique. Results At 3 and 6 months following allogeneic graft, the patient showed no sign of rejection and exhibited decreases in tooth mobility, periodontal pocket depth and bone defect area. Bone mineral density had increased at the graft site. Conclusions Regenerative periodontal therapy using DPSCs of allogeneic origin may be a promising treatment for periodontal disease-induced bone defects.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells of Dental Origin for Inducing Tissue Regeneration in Periodontitis: A Mini-Review.

Periodontitis is a chronic disease that begins with a period of inflammation of the supporting tissues of the teeth table and then progresses, destroying the tissues until loss of the teeth occurs. The restoration of the damaged dental support apparatus is an extremely complex process due to the regeneration of the cementum, the periodontal ligament, and the alveolar bone. Conventional treatment relies on synthetic materials that fill defects and replace lost dental tissue, but these approaches are not substitutes for a real regeneration of tissue. To address this, there are several approaches to tissue engineering for regenerative dentistry, among them, the use of stem cells. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) can be obtained from various sources of adult tissues, such as bone marrow, adipose tissue, skin, and tissues of the orofacial area. MSC of dental origin, such as those found in the bone marrow, have immunosuppressive and immunotolerant properties, multipotency, high proliferation rates, and the capacity for tissue repair. However, they are poorly used as sources of tissue for therapeutic purposes. Their accessibility makes them an attractive source of mesenchymal stem cells, so this review describes the field of dental stem cell research and proposes a potential mechanism involved in periodontal tissue regeneration induced by dental MSC.

Tai Chi exercise increases SOD activity and total antioxidant status in saliva and is linked to an improvement of periodontal disease in the elderly.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Tai Chi on biological markers of oxidative stress in saliva and its relationship with periodontal disease (PD) in older adults. We carried out a quasi-experimental study with a sample of 71 sedentary volunteers with PD who were divided into a control group of 34 subjects and an experimental group of 37 subjects who performed Tai Chi 5 days a week for a period of 6 months. PD status was characterized using the Periodontal Disease Index (PDI). Superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant status (TAS), and TBARS levels of both groups were measured by spectrophotometric methods. In addition, inflammation markers (TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10) were measured by flow cytometry. We found a statistically significant increase in SOD activity (P < 0.001) and TAS concentration (P < 0.05), whereas levels of IL-1ß were significantly lower (P < 0.01). Likewise, a statistically significant decrease in the PDI (P < 0.05) was observed in subjects who performed Tai Chi during a period of 6 months. Our findings suggest that the practice of Tai Chi has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that are linked to the improvement of PD in older adults.