Pneumonia prevention effects of perioperative oral management in approximately 25,000 patients following cancer surgery.

AIM: We conducted a multicenter study to explore the risk factors of developing pneumonia and the effectiveness of perioperative oral management (POM) for the prevention of pneumonia in postsurgical patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: A survey covering eight regional hospitals was conducted over 4 years, from April 2010 to March 2014. Using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database, a target group of 25,554 patients with cancer who underwent surgery was selected and assessed from a population of 346,563 patients without pneumonia on admission (sample population). The study compared the incidence of pneumonia and attempted to identify the significant predictive factors for its occurrence in these patients using multiple logistic regression analysis. Comparative assessment for the occurrence of pneumonia before and after POM implementation showed a significant incidence decrease after POM introduction in the target group, with no such change observed in the sample population. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratio for pneumonia occurrence after POM introduction was 0.44, indicating a reduced risk of pneumonia. CONCLUSION: POM in cancer patients was indeed effective in reducing the incidence of pneumonia in hospitals and thereby helped in preventing pneumonia during hospitalization.

Clinical survey of cervical tooth lesions in first-appointment patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between cervical lesions and patient age, brushing method and bruxism based on a clinical survey of first-appointment patients. METHODS: Two hundred and nine patients (118 male, 91 female) who had unfilled cervical lesions were examined. Information on patient age, teeth with lesions, classification of the lesions, brushing method and bruxism was obtained. The data were analysed statistically. RESULTS: Cervical lesions started to develop in the first premolar teeth in the early twenties and became more prevalent with age. A habit of bruxism was associated with an increase in cervical lesions. Brushing was not directly associated with the development of cervical lesions. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that cervical lesions should be treated at an early stage to prevent further problems.

Clinical evaluation and interfacial morphology observation of Xeno III self-etching resin bonding and restorative system.

This study was a clinical trial of a one-step, total priming and bonding system, Xeno III. Thirty restorations were placed in minimally invasive V-shaped, Class V cervical cavities. Immediately after placement, baseline records were made after restorations were assessed using modified Ryge/USPHS criteria. Subsequently, restorations were evaluated at recall intervals up to 18 months. Additionally, the measurement of tensile bond strength and the FE-SEM observation of resin-tooth interface were performed in vitro. At 18 months, all restorations were classified as clinically satisfactory and assigned with an Alpha rating. Tensile bond strength of Xeno III was not significantly different from that of Clearfil SE Bond. Resin-enamel/dentin interface was very tight, with the presence of a very thin hybrid layer at the superficial dentin. Based on the results obtained, the Xeno III resin bonding system seemed promising as a one-step, self-etch adhesive.

Short-term clinical evaluation of a resin-modified glass-ionomer luting cement.

OBJECTIVES: Resin-reinforced glass-ionomer cements were developed by adding resin components to conventional glass-ionomer cement. This improved physical properties and bonding characteristics. FujiCEM is the first paste-paste-type resin-modified glass-ionomer luting cement that enables consistent mixture. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short-term clinical performance of FujiCEM, which was used for final cementation of indirect restorations, such as inlays, crowns, and fixed partial dentures. METHOD AND MATERIALS: A total of 290 restorations (165 crowns, 71 inlays, 15 onlays, 36 fixed partial dentures, 3 implant superstructures) were placed in 268 patients (137 males, 131 females) with a mean age of 54.4+/-13.0 years. Restorations were luted with FujiCEM mixed for 10 seconds after the teeth surfaces were treated with a conditioner containing 10% citric acid and 2% ferric chloride for 20 seconds, washed, and dried with gentle air flow. Out of the investigated 337 teeth, 99 (29%) teeth were vital, and 238 (71%) were nonvital. These restorations were followed up for a period of 21 months. All the restorations were evaluated for postoperative sensitivity, secondary caries, gingival condition, and pocket depth. RESULTS: No clinical failures (eg, dislodgment, secondary caries, irritation of soft tissue, and postoperative sensitivity) were observed. CONCLUSION: FujiCEM had promising clinical performance with inlays, crowns, onlays, fixed partial dentures, and implant superstructures at 21 months after service.