Polymethylmethacrylate-hydroxyapatite antibacterial and antifungal activity against oral bacteria: An in vitro study.

Objective: Reconstruction of alveolar bone defects resulting from aging, trauma, ablative surgery or pathology, remains a significant clinical challenge. The objective of this study was to investigate the antibacterial and antifungal activities of mixed polymethylmethacrylate-hydroxyapatite (PMMA-HA) against oral microorganisms. Our findings could provide valuable insights into the prospective application of PMMA-HA as a synthetic bone graft material to manage alveolar bone defects via tissue engineering. Methods: HA powder was obtained from the Center for Ceramics in Indonesia and PMMA granules were obtained from HiMedia Laboratories; these were prepared in 20:80, 30:70, and 40:60 ratios. The antibacterial diffusion method was then performed against Staphylococcusaureus, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Fusobacterium nucleatum, while the antifungal diffusion method was used to test against Candida albicans. Standardized protocols were used for microbial culturing and inhibition zones were measured with digital calipers. Statistical analyses included one-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests, supplemented by post-hoc Tukey HSD tests. Results: A PMMA-HA scaffold with a 20:80 ratio demonstrated the highest antibacterial activity against S. aureus, A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis, and F. nucleatum. This was followed by the 30:70 and 40:60 ratios in terms of antibacterial activity. Statistical significance was achieved with p < 0.05 in comparison to controls. However, none of the PMMA-HA ratios showed antifungal activity against C. albicans. Conclusion: PMMA-HA scaffolds have significant activity against bacteria, but not against fungi.

Analysis of Saliva Composition: Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein, Total Protein, and Secretory Immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in Rattus norvegicus with Stunted Growth.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine total protein, secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) and parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) levels in the saliva of rats with stunted growth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experimental laboratory research with a pre-and posttest control group design was conducted. Seventeen albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) were divided into the control group (eight rats) and the treatment group (nine rats). Rats in the treatment group were exposed to aflatoxin B1 5µg/kg orally for 5 weeks. Anthropometry data (body length, body weight) and saliva of R. norvegicus were collected. The levels of PTHrP and sIgA in the saliva were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit for rats and the Bradford test for total protein and analyzed using SPSS 25.0. RESULTS: Aflatoxin caused stunted growth in rats in the treatment group. There was a significant difference in body length, salivary flow, PTHrP, sIgA, and total protein in the treatment group compared with the control group. The average rat's body length change in the control group was 6.4 ± 1.1mm/5 weeks, while in the treatment group, the change was 3.7 ± 0.9 mm /5 weeks. There was no significant weight gain in the treatment group compared with the normal group. The average values of PTHrP, sIgA, and total protein in the control group were x̄0.9, x̄18, and x̄0.7 m./L, respectively, while in the treatment group, they measured x̄0.4, x̄10.7, and x̄0.5 mg/L, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study showed that salivary flow, PTHrP, sIgA, and total protein levels in the saliva were significantly lower in stunted rats compared with normal rats.

Management of impacted maxillary central incisor and abnormality of labial frenulum in children: case report.

Deposition of the maxillary permanent central incisor is a rare occurrence in dental practice. It is a difficult condition to treat due to its importance to facial esthetics. If complications are to be avoided, early detection of such teeth is important. The present case report of impacted maxillary central incisor encased within an abnormally thickened labial frenulum. A 9-year-old boy, came with his parents to the Pediatric Dentistry Specialist, Dental and Oral Hospital, Airlangga University (UNAIR) with a chief complaint that his left maxillary front teeth did not grow while his right front teeth had grown perfectly. From the anamnesis, the patient had experienced a falling trauma when he was young, which caused the deciduous tooth to fall out. Good general health, no history of allergies, and no medical history of case management. This is a fixed orthodontic treatment with surgical exposure of impacted teeth and frenectomy of labial frenulum. After the crown of the impacted incisor was surgically exposed, eruption ball chain was bonded to traction the incisor. The left maxillary incisor fully erupted and normally to percussion, mobility, and sensitivity testing with good attached gingiva in the next 9 months. Management abnormality of labial frenulum in this case with frenectomy by using electrocautery for minimalized trauma in children. Fixed orthodontic therapy was continued to achieve proper alignment leading to good esthetic and functional rehabilitation. The treatment of an unerupted tooth will depend on its state, position, and presence of enough space in the dental arch to accommodate.

Effect of Topical Epigallocatechin-Gallate on Lipopolysaccharide-induced Pulpal Inflammation in Rat Models.

Introduction: Pulpal inflammation can be marked by an increase in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF- α), malondialdehyde (MDA) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) level. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) demonstrates the ability to reduce cytokine expression, influence immune receptors, reduce inflammation, neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) and to inhibit pain conduction. The present research aimed to determine the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and pain conduction inhibition of topical EGCG hydrogels in Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pulpal inflammation in rats. Methods and Materials: A total of 28 male Wistar rats were divided equally into four groups. The negative control group (N) received no treatment, while the positive control group (C) and the other two treatment groups (T1, T2) were induced with LPS for 6 h, followed by the application of topical polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels for C group, 25 ppm EGCG hydrogels for T1 group and 75 ppm EGCG hydrogels for T2 group, before being filled with glass ionomer cement (GIC). After 24 h, PEG and EGCG were reapplied and refilled with GIC for 24 h. The pulp tissue samples were examined by means of immunohistochemistry (IHC) to identify TNF-α, MDA and CGRP expression. All the data obtained was analyzed with one-way analyses of variance (ANOVA) test. Results: The T1 and T2 groups showed a significant decrease in TNF-α and CGRP expression compared to the control group, but there was no significant decrease in MDA in either group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, topical application of 75 ppm EGCG hydrogels to the tooth cavities with six hours of pulpal inflammation has the optimal result in reducing the expression of TNF-α and CGRP, but not of MDA.