The Influence of Environmental Exposure to Heavy Metals on the Occurrence of Selected Elements in the Maxillary Bone.

The elemental composition of the body's calcified tissues may reflect the environmental exposure of the population to heavy metals. The aim of the study was to assess whether the elemental composition of the maxillary bone from individuals belonging to a given population reflects the environmental exposure of this population to lead and cadmium. The research material consisted of cortical bone from the anterolateral walls of the maxilla collected from 126 patients during Caldwell-Luc maxillary sinus surgery on residents of two cities differing in terms of the lead and cadmium pollution of the natural environment. The content levels of lead, cadmium, iron, manganese, chromium, copper, and iron were determined by using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The content levels of lead and cadmium in the samples of the maxillary bones of residents of Bielsko-Biala were 3.26 ± 2.42 µg/g and 0.74 ± 0.38 µg/g, respectively, whereas in the samples from the residents of Katowice, they were 7.66 ± 2.79 µg/g and 1.12 ± 0.08 µg/g, respectively. It was found that the lead and cadmium levels in the maxillary bone corresponded to the environmental exposure to these heavy metals in the place of residence, which was proven here via the example of the residents of two cities with different concentrations of these heavy metals in the air over long time periods. Additionally, higher content levels of essential metals such as manganese, chromium, copper, and iron are characteristic of the maxillary bone samples of residents of the area that is more polluted with heavy metals.

Evaluation of the Proximal Tibia as a Donor Site of Cancellous Bone for Intraoral Grafting Procedures-A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Autogenous bone grafts remain the "gold standard" in maxillofacial reconstructive procedures. The objective of this study was to evaluate the proximal tibia as a donor site of cancellous bone for bone grafting procedures of the mandible on the basis of intraoperative parameters and clinical observations. METHODS: The study was based on a medical record search of 40 patients who underwent surgical procedures because of benign pathological lesions of the jaws resulting in 3-wall bone defects of the mandible and qualified for surgical removal of the lesion with simultaneous bone grafting of the defect with autogenous cancellous bone harvested from the proximal tibia. RESULTS: The use of the proximal tibia for bone grafting procedures enables large amounts of cancellous bone (15.09 cc in average) to be obtained. The procedure is characterized by a low risk of early and late complications, which include excessive bleeding, wound infection, lengthy healing time, scars, a loss of sensation around the scars, aching, a dip in bone, swelling and tenderness. CONCLUSIONS: The ability to obtain large amounts of cancellous bone and a low risk of intra- and postoperative complications make the proximal tibia an attractive donor site for the bone grafting procedures in maxillofacial surgery.

Outcomes and Stability of Anterior Open Bite Treatment with Skeletal Anchorage in Non-Growing Patients and Adults Compared to the Results of Orthognathic Surgery Procedures: A Systematic Review.

The objective of this review is to evaluate, on the basis of the available literature, if anterior open bite (AOB) can be successfully treated with the intrusion of molar teeth using skeletal anchorage in non-growing patients and adults and if this treatment modality provides comparable results to those obtained by orthognathic surgery procedures. METHODS: A systematic review of published data in major databases from 2000 to 2021 was performed. RESULTS: In total, 92 articles were included in title and abstract screening, and only 16 articles (11 concerning AOB correction by molar intrusion with skeletal anchorage, and five considering AOB treatment by orthognathic surgical intervention) qualified for thorough data extraction and analysis. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of this review, it seems to be possible to obtain successful results for AOB treatment in non-growing patients and adults by means of the intrusion of molar teeth with skeletal anchorage. However, due to the different methods of assessing treatment outcomes used by different authors, it is not possible to state conclusively whether the treatment of AOB by means of molar intrusion with skeletal anchorage provides long-term results that are comparable to orthognathic surgery procedures.

Use of finite element analysis for the assessment of biomechanical factors related to pain sensation beneath complete dentures during mastication.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The pain commonly suffered by denture wearers during mastication is not documented in the objective biomechanical criteria for the pressure pain threshold. PURPOSE: The purpose of this finite element analysis study was to determine whether the pressures developed beneath a removable mandibular complete denture during mastication would exceed the average pressure pain threshold in patients for whom the denture foundation had an acceptable load-bearing capacity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A patient with an acceptable load-bearing denture foundation was modeled with finite element analysis. The denture/mucosa interface was modeled as a sliding or detaching interface. A convex mandibular residual ridge, resilient mucosa, and denture were modeled in computer-aided design (CAD) software using curves and cross sections. A unilateral vertical occlusal load of 100 N was assumed only for model verification, and an oblique mastication load of 141 N was assumed for simulated mastication with balanced articulation. The nonworking-side occlusal contact was simulated in 2 situations: prompt nonworking-side occlusal contact and delayed nonworking-side occlusal contact by setting an initial distance of 0.1 mm or 1 mm between the denture and a flat solid above the nonworking side. RESULTS: The denture was held to the mucosa under vertical force and a maximum pressure of 203 kPa. The denture was tilted under an oblique mastication load and achieved stability through nonworking-side occlusal contact. This means that the denture was supported not only by the denture foundation but also by the nonworking-side occlusal contact and had a downwardly directed stabilizing reaction force. The denture was weakly supported on the delayed nonworking-side occlusal contact compared with the prompt nonworking-side occlusal contact and weakly supported on the denture foundation. In delayed nonworking-side occlusal contact, the pressure beneath the denture was 783 kPa (>pressure pain threshold) compared with 484 kPa (

Selected toxic and essential heavy metals in impacted teeth and the surrounding mandibular bones of people exposed to heavy metals in the environment.

BACKGROUND: The elemental composition of bones and teeth can allow exposure to heavy metals in the environment to be estimated. The aim of this study was to determine whether impacted mandibular teeth and the surrounding bones can be used as biomonitoring media to assess exposure to heavy metals. METHODS: The research materials were 67 impacted lower third molars and samples of the cortical bone removed when the wisdom teeth were surgically extracted. The samples were from people living in two areas with different environmental concentrations of heavy metals. The cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, and zinc concentrations in the samples were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry with flame atomization. RESULTS: The cadmium and lead concentrations in the impacted third molars and the bones surrounding the teeth were significantly higher for people living in the relatively polluted Ruda Slaska region than for people living in Bielsko-Biala region. Significantly higher chromium, copper, manganese, and zinc concentrations were found in the bones surrounding the impacted teeth from people living in Ruda Slaska than in the bones surrounding the impacted teeth from people living in Bielsko-Biala. The cadmium concentrations in impacted teeth and the surrounding bones were significantly positively correlated. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that impacted mandibular teeth and the surrounding mandibular bones may reflect the exposure of people to cadmium and lead in the environment. This conclusion, however, must be verified in future research projects designed to exclude the possibility of additional dietary, occupational, and other types of exposure to heavy metals.

Influence of aging solutions on wear resistance and hardness of selected resin-based dental composites.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different plasticizing aging solutions on wear resistance and hardness of selected universal resin-based dental composites. METHODS: Three light cured (one nanofilled, two microhybride) and one hybride chemical cured composites were aged at 37 °C for 48 h in distillated water, ethyl alcohol solution or Listerine mouthwash. After aging the microhardness tests were carried out and then tribological tests were performed in the presence of aging solution at 37 °C. During wear testing coefficients of friction were determined. The maximal vertical loss in micrometers was determined with profilometer. RESULTS: Aging in all liquids resulted in a significant decrease in hardness of the test materials, with the largest values obtained successively in ethanol solution, mouthwash and water. The effect of the liquid was dependent on the particular material, but not the type of material (interpreted as the size of filler used). Introduction of mouthwash instead of water or ethanol solution resulted in a significant reduction in the coefficient of friction. The lowest wear resistance was registered after aging in ethanol and for the chemical cured hybrid composite, but the vertical loss was strongly material dependent. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of different aging solution, including commercial mouthrinse, on hardness and wear was material dependent, and cannot be deduced from their category or filler loading. There is no simple correlation between hardness of resin-based dental composites and their wear resistance, but softening of particular composites materials during aging leads to the reduction of its wear resistance.

The study of barium concentration in deciduous teeth, impacted teeth, and facial bones of Polish residents.

The study determines the concentration of Ba in mineralized tissues of deciduous teeth, permanent impacted teeth, and facial bones. The study covers the population of children and adults (aged 6-78) living in an industrial area of Poland. Teeth were analyzed in whole, with no division into dentine and enamel. Facial bones and teeth were subjected to the following preparation: washing, drying, grinding in a porcelain mortar, sample weighing (about 0.2 g), and microwave mineralization with spectrally pure nitric acid. The aim of the study was to determinate the concentration of Ba in deciduous teeth, impacted permanent teeth, and facial bones. The concentration of barium in samples was determined over the ICP OES method. The Ba concentration in the tested bone tissues amounted to 2.2-15.5 µg/g (6.6 µg/g ± 3.9). The highest concentration of Ba was present in deciduous teeth (10.5 µg/g), followed by facial bones (5.2 µg/g), and impacted teeth (4.3 µg/g) (ANOVA Kruskal-Wallis rank test, p = 0.0002). In bone tissue and impacted teeth, Ba concentration increased with age. In deciduous teeth, the level of Ba decreased with children's age.

[Malignant lymphoma or inflammation? Diagnostic and treatment difficulties--2 cases report]. / Chloniak zlosliwy czy stan zapalny? Trudnosci diagnostyczno-lecznicze--opis dwóch przypadków.

Soft and hard tissue in the oral cavity can be the first coexisting place of systemic diseases manifestation. The aim of this study was to report the diagnostic and treatment difficulties in two patients with malignant lymphomas. The first case was a 66-year-old woman who had undergone surgery procedures connected with radiotherapy and chemotherapy because of malignant lymphoma in nasal cavity in 2001 year. In 2002 she was treated in our department after finding tumor in oral cavity, also diagnosed as malignant lymphoma. The second patient was a 58-year-old man who had undergone an operation (surgery) by reason of maxillary inflammation tumor in 2002 year. On the next year he underwent an operation of removal cervical lymp nodes because of malignant lymphoma. In 2004 year he underwent surgery on account of maxillary tumor suspected by malignant lymphoma, which was diagnosed as inflammation. Conclusions. In differentiation tumors of head and neck one should take an account of lymphoma malignant. The similar clinic and radiological symptoms and laboratory results of malignant lymphomas and inflammations of head and neck can cause the late diagnosis and aggravate the prognosis of this severe disease.

Characteristics of maxillofacial injuries resulting from road traffic accidents--a 5 year review of the case records from Department of Maxillofacial Surgery in Katowice, Poland.

BACKGROUND: In spite of employing numerous devices improving the safety in motor vehicles, traffic accidents are still among the main reasons of maxillofacial injuries. The maxillofacial injuries remain the serious clinical problem because of the specificity of this anatomical region. The knowledge of etiologic factors and mechanisms of injuries can be helpful in a satisfactory trauma prevention. The aim of this study was to find out the incidence and the pattern of maxillofacial injuries resulting from traffic accidents in the patients treated in the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery (Silesian Medical Academy in Katowice, Poland) from January 2001 to December 2005. METHODS: The material consisted of 1024 case records of patients with maxillofacial injuries treated in the Maxillofacial Surgery Department of Silesian Medical Academy. The detailed analysis was carried out on the case records of 198 patients in the age of 3 to 68 with maxillofacial injuries resulting from traffic accidents. On the basis of data from a history, examination on admission, consultations and radiological examinations, patients' age and gender, we obtained the information on a pattern of injury and detailed description of an accident (the date and the time of an accident, the role of the patient in an accident). RESULTS: The traffic accidents were the cause of 19.93% maxillofacial injuries in the analyzed period of time. Most of the patients had injuries to the soft tissues of the face (22.21%), followed by tooth and alveolar process injuries (20.71%) and mandibular fractures (18.69%). All the types of injuries were more common in men than in women. The majority of the patients were car drivers followed by car passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and motor cyclists. The peak age of the patients was between 18 to 25 years. The prevalent number of accidents resulting in injuries to this region took place in spring, especially between noon and 4 PM. CONCLUSION: Our results exhibit that road traffic accidents remain among the main reasons of maxillofacial injuries following the traumas resulting from assaults and interpersonal violence. This succession of etiologic factors is in accordance with the data from the most developed countries. The relatively high incidence of injuries resulting from traffic accidents indicates the necessity to reinforce legislation aimed to prevent road traffic crashes and thus to reduce maxillofacial injuries among children and adults.

Do the levels of selected metals differ significantly between the roots of carious and non-carious teeth?

Since the metals deposited in teeth during formation and mineralization processes are to a large extent retained, human teeth receive a considerable attention as the indicators of the heavy metal exposure. The use of permanent teeth is limited because the extraction of healthy permanent teeth just for this purpose is hardly acceptable. As the issue of the loss of elements from a carious lesion in the coronal part of a tooth remains controversial, the valuable material could only be the root of carious and fractured permanent teeth. However, to ensure the validity of the results, it should be ascertained that the levels of certain toxic and essential elements do not differ significantly between the roots of non-carious and carious teeth, and therefore this is the aim of this project. The levels of cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, lead, zinc, potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium were determined in the roots of 344 permanent teeth (189 carious and 155 caries-free teeth) from the residents of Ruda Slaska, Poland, aged 18 to 34. No statistically significant difference between the concentration of these metals in the roots of non-carious and carious teeth was found. This finding applies to both the general population and after the grouping by donor's gender and tooth type. The concentration of lead, iron, calcium and manganese in the roots of non-carious and carious teeth exhibited dependence upon tooth type, as well as the concentration of potassium in the roots of carious teeth. Since the mineral composition of the roots of permanent teeth is similar for the non-carious, as well as the carious teeth, they can be indiscriminately selected for the tests required by a research project, as they will produce the comparable results. However, in the case of lead, iron, calcium, potassium and manganese, the comparison should be made after grouping by tooth type.

[Effect of passive smoking on the level of selected metals in deciduous teeth]. / Wplyw biernego narazenia na dym tytoniowy na wystepowanie wybranych metali w zebach mlecznych.

The cigarette smoke is a significant source of heavy metals, which after being absorbed into the human organism, may be accumulated in a calcified tissue. The accumulation process may be also a result of a passive exposure to the cigarette smoke. As the hard tissues of deciduous teeth are relatively stable in chemical composition, they are widely used as the indicators of the exposure to heavy metals in children. This project is aimed to estimate the effect of passive smoke on the levels of selected toxic and essential elements in deciduous teeth. The research material consisted of 386 deciduous teeth. Out of this, 205 teeth were from the children exposed to the cigarette smoke in the apartments. The levels of cadmium, copper, iron, manganese, lead, zinc, calcium and magnesium were determined using atomic absorption spectrometer with flame atomization. It was concluded that the exposure to the cigarette smoke in children is a factor producing the changes in the levels of selected toxic and essential elements in deciduous teeth. This particularly results in the higher levels of cadmium, copper, lead and zinc, which are the permanent constituents of the cigarette smoke, and the lower levels of manganese, calcium and magnesium. Moreover, the disturbed gradient of lead levels dependent on the tooth type is observed in the children exposed to the cigarette smoke in the apartments.

[Smoking and drug use among students of selected univerities]. / Palenie tytoniu i stosowanie innych uzywek wsr6ód studentów wybranych uczelni.

Smoking, drinking alcohol and drugs are still actual social and health problems in Poland and in the world as well. Conducted studies, considering health behaviours among children and youth, indicate high percentage (between 20-30%) of smokers in mentioned population, depending on age, gender and environment. Health effects caused by smoking occur usually in adulthood as smoking related diseases, despite the addiction leading to the health problem begins earlier, even in childhood. Statistics, considering drinking alcohol and drugs abuse among young people are also frightening. The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the state of knowledge about harmful effects of smoking, drinking alcohol and drugs use among students of Silesian Medical University, Silesian University of Technology and Academy of Physical Education and to evaluate and compare health attitudes towards mentioned addictions among students of different Universities. 315 students at age between 19-24 years took part in the study and filled in the anonymous questionnaire prepared by authors. Surveyed population included 108 students of Silesian Medical University, 110 students of Silesian University of Technology and 97 students of Academy of Physical Education in Katowice. Knowledge, presented by all students, about harmful effects of smoking, drinking alcohol and drugs use is not put into practice and does not result in healthy behaviours in examined part of life style. Students of Silesian Medical University demonstrate the highest state of knowledge about drugs. Students of Academy of Physical Education in Katowice have the most improper behaviours in the area of addictions. There is a necessity of preparing and spreading efficacious prophylactic programmes in order to raise awareness about the harmfulness of smoking, drinking and drugs use.

[Influence of smoking tobacco on the condition of dentition and occurence of periodontal diseases in patients of the Clinic of Maxillo-Facial Surgery at the Silesian Medical Academy in Katowice]. / Wplyw palenia tytoniu na stan uzebienia i wystepowania chorób przyzebia wsród pacjentów Kliniki Chirurgii Szczekowo- Twarzowej SAM w Katowicach.

Popularity of smoking cigarettes in the Polish society is a widely known and discussed subject. Negative effects of smoking cigarettes as well as passive expose to the tobacco smoke are often described. Still, only a few publications focus on the frequency of a smoking habit among patients of clinics and facial and maxillary surgery wards as well as its influence on condition of their oral cavities. It is obvious that these people should particularly avoid smoking cigarettes due to the deterioration of the oral cavity hygiene, substantial differences in healing wounds and induction of neo-plastic changes. The goal of the survey was examining the frequency of the smoking habit among patients of the Departmental Outpatient Clinic of Maxillo-Facial Surgery at the Silesian Medical Academy in Katowice, the assessment of influence of the smoking habit on the oral cavity condition and hygiene. The survey covered 50 patients have been selected at random and they are all treated in the Departmental Outpatient Clinic of Maxillo-Facial Surgery at the Silesian Medical Academy in Katowice. The patients' age was from 21 to 64. In the group being surveyed, 17 patients (34% of the whole) admitted to the smoking habit. 7 patients, the so-called "heavy smokers", admitted to smoking more than 5 cigarettes a day (this group equalled 14% of the whole). Ten patients (20% of the whole) were moderate smokers who smoked fewer than 5 cigarettes a day. In spite of efforts of managing physicians, advertisements supporting a healthy lifestyle, and discouraging information on packets of cigarettes, fighting the habit is very difficult and it does not always lead to giving up smoking.

[Effect of cigarette smoking on coexistence of cadmium and zinc in retained wisdom teeth]. / Wplyw palenia papierosów na charakter wspólwystepowania kadmu i cynku w zatrzymanych zebach madrosci.

The change in coexistence pattern of elements (antagonism-synergism) in conditions of excessive level of toxic element is observed in many biological samples. The aim of this study was to establish the cadmium and zinc content in hard tissues of retained wisdom teeth of smokers and non-smokers and to find out if active exposure to cigarette smoke has an influence on coexistence of both metals in these tissues. Material consisted of 127 retained wisdom teeth (65 from smokers and 62 from non-smokers). Cadmium and zinc contents were determined by means of atomic absorption spectrometry. We found out that retained wisdom tooth from smokers exhibited higher cadmium and zinc contents compared to non-smokers' teeth. Moreover, coexistence pattern of cadmium and zinc in teeth depends on exposure to heavy metals and exhibits strong synergism in smokers.

[The effect of tobacco smoking on occurrence of precancerous lesions and cancers of oral cavity--literature reviews and own experiences]. / Wplyw palenia tytoniu na wyst powanie zmian przednowotworowych i nowotworów jamy ustnej--przeglqd pismiennictwa i doswiadczenia wlasne.

Tobacco smoking results in many serious health problems. It exhibits also significant influence on oral health and is linked with occurrence of oral precancers and cancers. In this paper, on the basis of literature review and own experiences, we tried to prove the close relationship between tobacco smoking and occurrence of oral precancers, their malignant transformations and therapeutic effects. We pointed out on significantly higher cancer occurrence in this region among smokers. We emphasized the role of physicians, whose professional interest was focused on oral health, in prophylaxis of oral cancers and advising patients smoking cessation.

[Evaluation of knowledge and health attitude towards cigarette smoking, alcohol and drugs use among students]. / Ocena wiedzy i postaw zdrowotnych studentów w zakresie palenia tytoniu i stosowania innych uzywek.

Cigarette smoking, drinking alcohol and drug use are important epidemiological problems affecting state of health. Negative effects of these unhealthy behaviors are commonly known and result in many socioeconomic consequences. Despite relatively good knowledge about harm-fullness of cigarette smoking a percentage of smokers in polish population is still high, especially in young population, and hesitates between 20-30% depending on age, sex and socioeconomic conditions. Negative health attitude towards smoking, drinking alcohol and drug use among young people requires further education and promotion in this area. Aim of the study was evaluation of knowledge about harmful effects of smoking, drinking alcohol and drug use among students of Silesian University of Technology and evaluation of health attitudes towards smoking, drinking alcohol and drug abuse in examined population. 109 students of Silesian University of Technology at age between 19-24 years took part in the study and filled the anonymous questionnaire prepared by authors. The study revealed that 8% of Silesian University of Technology students smoke cigarettes regularly. 15% of students declare smoking occasionally despite most of them know negative effects of such smoking. Almost 80% do not smoke at all. In opinion of 66,7% passive model of smoking is as harmful as the active one. Relatively many (8%) of examined students admit drinking alcohol regularly. Only 15% do not drink alcohol. 35% of students declare taking a drug, at least once during entire life, and some of examined consider marihuana as not addictive. High knowledge about harmful effects of smoking among students results in a relatively low percentage of inveterate smokers. Despite knowledge about harmfulness of drinking alcohol and drug abuse proper healthy behaviors in this area are not put into practice in examined motion in order to reduce unhealthy behaviors among young people.

[Cigarette smoking practices in patients with malignant neoplasms of the oral cavity and jaws]. / Palenie papierosów wsród pacjentów z nowotworami jamy ustnej i szczek.

The aim of this study was to estimate the cigarette smoking practices in patients with malignant neoplasms of the oral cavity and jaws, who were treated in the Outpatient Department of the Maxillofacial Department of Silesian Medical Academy in Katowice from january 2000 to june 2004. It was found that significant number of patients (100% of men and 72.72% of women) with oral squamous cell carcinoma had been smoking in the period of time preceding appearance of neoplasm. The men smoked more cigarettes a day and started smoking in a younger age than women. Gender factor did not influence significantly the period of time from starting of smoking practices to the appearance of neoplasm. The patients with the other types of neoplasms denied cigarette smoking.

[Lead and cadmium occurrence in deciduous teeth of children exposed to cigarette smoke in apartments]. / Wystepowanie olowiu i kadmu w zebach mlecznych dzieci dodatkowo narazonych w mieszkaniach na dym tytoniowy.

The aim of this study was to find out if children's exposure to tobacco smoke in the apartments influences the lead and cadmium content and the values of Pb/Ca and Cd/Ca ratios in hard tissues of their deciduous teeth. Material consisted of 71 shed deciduous teeth; 37 from children in the age of 6 to 13 years additionally exposed to tobacco smoke in the apartments and 34 from children in the same age, whose apartments were free of tobacco smoke. Lead, cadmium and calcium content was determined by means of flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Deciduous teeth of children additionally exposed to tobacco smoke in the apartments exhibited higher lead and cadmium content and higher values of Pb/Ca and Cd/Ca ratios, which indicated significant accumulation of these metals, when compared to deciduous teeth of children whose apartments were free of tobacco smoke.