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Purpose: This study investigated the magnitude, direction, and temporal aspects of the force applied during instrumentation with a piezoelectric ultrasonic periodontal scaler, compared this force with recommendations in the literature, and assessed the influence of the profession (dentist or dental hygienist) and calculus hardness. Materials and Methods: The force applied by ten dental hygienists and six dentists during debridement of comparatively soft and hard artificial dental calculus with a piezoelectric ultrasonic scaler was recorded in-vitro. The total force and its components in three axes were statistically analysed. Results: During debridement of soft artificial dental calculus, the mean total force applied by dental hygienists was 0.34 N (± 0.18 N, range: 0.13 N to 0.59 N) and by dentists 0.28 N (± 0.33 N, range: 0.06 N to 0.95 N), and the total force exceeded 0.5 N approximately 23% and 14% of the time for dental hygienists and dentists, respectively. During debridement of hard artificial dental calculus, the mean total force applied by dental hygienists was 0.63 N (± 0.40 N, range: 0.28 N to 1.64 N) and by dentists 0.57 N (± 0.17 N, range: 0.34 N to 0.76 N); the total force exceeded 0.5 N more than half of the time for both professions. On average, dental hygienists applied 1.85x (p = 0.04) and dentists 2.04x (p = 0.06) higher force on hard than on soft artificial calculus. However, dental hygienists and dentists used similar forces during the debridement of both hard (p = 1.00) and soft (p = 0.26) calculus. Conclusion: The force applied during the debridement of hard artificial dental calculus was statistically significantly higher than during the debridement of soft artificial dental calculus. No statistically significant difference between dentists and dental hygienists was found. The force applied by both groups on soft and hard artificial dental calculus frequently exceeded recommended values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the effect of full-mouth disinfection on the sizes of the periodontal wound and periodontal inflammatory burden and whether it leads to a decrease in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Materials and Methods: The study included 20 systemically healthy subjects (11 women and 9 men) 30 to 68 years old with localised or generalised periodontitis (stage III, grade C). The sizes of the periodontal wound and periodontal inflammatory burden were measured with the web application “Periodontalwound”, which is based on measurements of average tooth cervices, as well as probing depths and bleeding on probing assessed at six sites around each tooth present in the oral cavity. The levels of hsCRP (high-sensitivity CRP) were measured with an immunochemical method. All three parameters were measured before initial treatment and 3 months after therapy. Full-mouth disinfection included removal of plaque and calculus with ultrasonic and hand instruments in one session. Results: The results showed a statistically significant decrease in the size of the periodontal wound (p < 0.001), a statistically significant decrease in the size of periodontal inflammatory burden (p < 0.001), and a decrease in hsCRP levels 3 months after therapy. Conclusion: Full-mouth disinfection leads to a decrease in the periodontal wound and periodontal inflammatory burden size, as well as a decrease in the levels of hsCRP in patients with localised or generalised periodontitis (stage III, grade C) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Intraoral photographic images are instrumental in the early screening and clinical diagnosis of oral diseases. In addition, people have been trying to apply artificial intelligence to these images. The purpose of this study is to investigate and evaluate a deep learning system designed to segment intraoral photographic images for the detection of dental caries, dental calculus, and gingivitis, and to assess the degree of dental calculus based on the overall features of the tooth surface and gingival margin. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study collected 3,365 oral endoscopic images, randomly distributed in training datasets (2,019 images), validation dataset (673 images), and test dataset (673 images). The training set and verification set images are manually labeled. An oral endoscopic image segmentation method based on Mamba (Oral-Mamba) and an intelligent evaluation model of dental calculus degree were proposed, achieving the segmentation of two types of oral diseases, namely gingivitis and dental caries, as well as the segmentation of dental calculus regions, and the intelligent evaluation of the degree of dental calculus. Results: Oral-Mamba demonstrated high accuracy in segmentation, with accuracy rates for gingivitis, dental caries, and dental calculus at 0.83, 0.83, and 0.81, respectively. In particular, these rates surpassed those of the U-Net model in IoU, accuracy, and recall metrics. Furthermore, Oral-Mamba runs 25% faster than U-Net.The accuracy of degree classification in the intelligent evaluation model of dental calculus degree is 85%. Conclusion: The proposed deep learning system is expected to be used for the detection of two types of oral diseases and dental calculus, and the degree judgment of photographic images from an intraoral camera. This system offers a practical method to assist in the oral screening of dental caries, dental calculus, and gingivitis, providing benefits such as intuitive use, time efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and ease of deployment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of the Anson Street African Burial Ground Project, we characterized the oral microbiomes of twelve 18th century African-descended individuals (Ancestors) from Charleston, South Carolina, USA, to study their oral health and diet. We found that their oral microbiome composition resembled that of other historic (18th-19th century) dental calculus samples but differed from that of modern samples, and was not influenced by indicators of oral health and wear observed in the dentition. Phylogenetic analysis of the oral bacteria, Tannerella forsythia and Pseudoramibacter alactolyticus, revealed varied patterns of lineage diversity and replacement in the Americas, with the Ancestors carrying strains similar to historic period Europeans and Africans. Functional profiling of metabolic pathways suggested that the Ancestors consumed a diet low in animal protein. Overall, our study reveals important insights into the oral microbial histories of African-descended individuals, particularly oral health and diet in colonial North American enslavement contexts. Oral microbiomes from dental calculus of 18th century African-descended individuals in Charleston, South Carolina (USA), yield insights into their health and diet through metagenomic sequencing, phylogenetic analysis and functional profiling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dental caries is a major, multifactorial oral condition that causes the demineralization of tooth enamel and impacts approximately half of the world's child population. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dental caries among school-going children aged 7 to 13 years in Kabul city. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 491 students aged 7 to 13 years in Kabul during the first half of 2019. A multistage cluster sampling method was used, in which educational zones, schools, and classes were selected. The data were collected using pre-structured questionnaires through face-to-face interviews and oral examinations of students using dental probes and mouth mirrors while adhering to infection control protocols. The collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 21.0, and a p-value < 0.005 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The average age of the study participants was 9.9 ± 1.8 years. Boys made up approximately 45% of the participants, while 54.8% were girls. The overall prevalence of dental caries was 78.8%, with 62.1% in deciduous teeth and 42.8% in permanent teeth. Among students who did not brush their teeth, the prevalence of dental caries was 84.8%, compared to 81.7% for those who brushed once daily, 78.7% for those brushing twice daily, and 67.4% for those brushing three times daily (p = 0.022). About 10% of students had dental calculus, with a prevalence of 17.0% among those aged eleven and older, 10.0% among students aged nine to ten years, and 5.9% among students aged eight and younger (p = 0.006). Poor oral hygiene affected nearly one-third of the students, with 34.2% among boys and 30.9% among girls. Poor oral hygiene was more prevalent in students aged eight and younger (38.8%) compared to those aged eleven and older (25.9%) (p = 0.023). Conclusions: The prevalence of dental caries among students aged 7 to 13 years in Kabul schools was similar to that in most developing countries. The prevalence of dental calculus was greater among students aged eleven years and older. Over 99% of the students surveyed had not undergone any dental treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the results of a study of dental pathology (specifically dental wear, caries, dental calculus, and enamel hypoplasia) carried out on 1108 teeth and empty alveoli of Bronze Age human populations that inhabited the rural settlement of Nahal Refaim, on the outskirts of the city of Jerusalem. The remains derive from a tomb complex that spans three phases of the period; Intermediate Bronze Age and the Middle Bronze Age I and Middle Bronze Age II village that replaced them (ca. 2500–1550 BC). Dental pathology can reflect diet and therefore offers a unique insight into the lifeways of past populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent to which the dental health of this rural population was influenced by the far‐reaching socioeconomic changes associated with the regional shift to urbanism by the Middle Bronze Age II. Although constrained by small sample sizes, we found that the pattern of dental pathology varied in a nonlinear fashion over time and discuss the factors that may have attributed to this variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Periodontal tissue damage is mainly caused by the active form of collagenolytic matrix metalloproteinase-8, aMMP-8, the concentration of which in the mouth rinse can be measured with a mouth rinse chairside-test. The mouth rinse chair side test can be used to identify adolescents with a risk of periodontitis. Methods: The data were collected at the Kotka Health Centre (2004–2005, N = 501 and 2014–2015, N = 47) and at the Hämeenlinna Health Centre (2017–2018, N = 125) consisting of adolescents aged 14–17. They underwent a complete periodontal examination, and some were subjected to the aMMP-8-test. Results: We identified bacterial plaques in combination with increased bleeding on probing (BOP), elevated aMMP-8 concentration, smoking and male sex as the main risk factors for initial periodontitis. Approximately 10% of adolescents had subclinical periodontitis, they were not periodontally healthy, but also not sick. They may not develop periodontitis, but they are at the risk. The aMMP-8 test positivity had a stronger association with initial periodontitis than BOP. Conclusions: In addition to identifying risk factors, these adolescents need individual prevention and, if necessary, early treatment. For the periodontal health biomarker aMMP-8, test negativity ([-], ≤20 ng/mL) should be sought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strontium (Sr) isotopes measured in fossil remains have been a useful tool to assess the geographical origin and even migrations of humans and other animals. In particular, dental enamel generally represents the ideal material, as it is dense and less prone to diagenetic replacement of Sr post-burial. However, fossil teeth can often be precious artefacts and difficult to access for destructive analysis. Here, we assess whether measuring Sr isotopes in fossil dental calculus could be used at least as a rangefinder to determine the geographical origin of an individual. We measured trace element concentrations in modern calculus (from a local dental practice), and trace element concentrations and 87Sr/86Sr ratios in human fossil calculus, dentine, and enamel from specimens collected in York, UK. Comparing trace element concentrations between modern and fossil calculus show that metals present in fossil calculus are mostly acquired post-burial, including Sr. The relationship between 87Sr/86Sr and Rb/Sr ratios in fossil calculus, dentine, and enamel suggests that the diagenetic end member would have a 87Sr/86Sr ratio consistent with the one modelled for the York region, but a low Rb/Sr. Without calculus data, dentine and enamel data would have probably suggested a lower 87Sr/86Sr ratio for a diagenetic end member, expecting high Rb/Sr values. Thus, while Sr isotopes in fossil calculus may not be useful to identify the geographical origin of an individual, they may be useful in constraining the composition of the diagenetic end member. Combining Sr isotopes in fossil dental calculus and enamel could be a more robust approach to identify geographical origin than using enamel alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chin-Hsuan Yeh,1,&ast; Chia-Hsuan Lin,2,&ast; Tien-Li Ma,3 Tzu-Yu Peng,4 Thi Thuy Tien Vo,5 Wei-Ning Lin,6 Yu-Hsu Chen,7,8 I-Ta Lee4 1Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Dentistry, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; 2Department of Family Medicine, Taoyuan General Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taoyuan, Taiwan; 3School of Dental Technology, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; 4School of Dentistry, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; 5Faculty of Dentistry, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam; 6Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan; 7Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Taoyuan General Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taoyuan, Taiwan; 8Department of Biology and Anatomy, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: I-Ta Lee, School of Dentistry, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan, 250 Wuxing St, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan, Tel +886-2-27361661 ext. 5162, Fax +886-2-27362295, Email itlee0128@tmu.edu.twAbstract: This integrative literature review evaluates the effectiveness of power toothbrushes (PTBs) compared to manual toothbrushes (MTBs) across various populations, focusing on plaque removal, gingival health, calculus reduction, and stain removal. PTBs equipped with advanced technologies such as oscillating-rotating and high-frequency sonic mechanisms have been examined for their potential to enhance oral hygiene. Special attention is given to vulnerable groups, including the elderly and individuals with intellectual disabilities, to assess how PTBs meet their specific oral health needs. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Google Scholar using keywords such as “power toothbrush”, “electric toothbrush”, “manual toothbrush”, “plaque removal”, “gingivitis”, “calculus”, “dental stains”, “oral hygiene”, “elderly”, and “intellectual disabilities”. Studies published between 2000 and 2024 were selected based on their relevance to the PTB and MTB comparison, with an emphasis on outcomes related to oral hygiene efficacy. As this review is narrative rather than systematic, it focuses on synthesizing existing knowledge without applying strict inclusion or exclusion criteria. The results indicate that PTBs generally outperform MTBs in reducing plaque, gingivitis, and stains, though the benefits for special populations are less pronounced but still significant. However, practical issues such as user experience and mechanical reliability of PTBs warrant further investigation. In conclusion, this review enhances the understanding of PTB effectiveness, guides consumer choices, and informs future technological advancements in dental care practices.Keywords: power toothbrushes, manual toothbrushes, plaque removal, gingival health, dental calculus, oral hygiene

BACKGROUND: With the improvement of diet and living standards, acidic diet and orthodontic treatment have become the main causes of enamel surface demineralization. As the first step of dental caries, enamel demineralization should be actively intervened. Mechanical grinding has great damage and does not conform to the concept of minimally invasive medicine. Biomimetic remineralization is the best way to deal with enamel demineralization at present. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the mechanism, application and research progress of biomimetic remineralization of early enamel demineralization, and provide ideas for further overcoming the hot issues of biomimetic remineralization. METHODS: English keywords "enamel demineralization, biomimetic remineralization, amelogenin, amorphous calcium phosphate" were used to search PubMed. Chinese keywords "enamel demineralization, biomimetic remineralization, amelogenin" were used to search CNKI. Through screening, 72 articles were finally obtained for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) At present, there are drug treatments for enamel demineralization, such as fluoride preparations, laser treatment, resin penetration, remineralization treatment and other treatment methods. Biomimetic remineralization is the most ideal repair method for early enamel demineralization. (2) In the narrow sense, enamel remineralization refers to the mineral re-deposition inside the enamel after early enamel demineralization. In the broad sense, enamel remineralization includes the mineralization deposition on the surface and inside of enamel. (3) Clinical biomimetic remineralization reagents are mainly composed of amelogenin, non amelogenin, amelogenin peptide, casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate complex, etc. The advantages of protein and peptide materials are that they conform to the physiological mechanism and can generate high-strength remineralized materials by inducing orientation. The disadvantages are that the manufacturing process is relatively complex and the cost is high. The remineralization effect of amorphous calcium phosphate complex is good, but it needs to be combined with other materials to play a role. Other calcium phosphate materials are easy to carry and beautiful, but they are easy to cause the formation of dental calculus. (4) Future research should focus on the following aspects: increasing experimental data and clinical results, and clarifying the indications of various methods; explore more biomimetic remineralization methods and find suitable alternative materials; find a reasonable way to combine materials, so that their advantages and disadvantages complement each other. The portability of clinical application can be strengthened to increase the frequency of daily use, so that short-term experimental conclusions can be supported by long-term clinical data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background This study focuses on the determination and classification of patients as rapid or slowcalculusformersbasedontherateofcalculusformationafteroralprophylaxis. It also aims to determine the factors that positively impact the formation and deposition of calculus in patients and identify the factors that accelerate or decelerate the deposition of calculus. Methods The study was conducted in the Department of Periodontology, Dr Harvansh Singh Judge Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Panjab University Chandigarh, India. We examined 51 patients after a month of the oral prophylaxis, recorded the amount of calculus present in the oral cavity, and then recorded a detailed history which was briefly divided into Age, Sex, Residence, Oral habits, and maintenance of oral hygiene. Results An evident and meaningful link was found between age and the rate at which dental calculus forms. The average age of individuals differed significantly between the rapid and slow calculus formers, which could be ascribed to the decline in manual dexterity as age increases, resulting in less effective oral hygiene habits, including toothbrushing. None of the other factors dietary and oral hygiene related could be identified distinctly, probably owing to the small sample of the study. The oral health status exhibited a significant difference between slow and rapid calculus formers. Conclusions Within the limitations of the study, the data analyzed, identified age as a significant determinant that impact the rate of formation of calculus in patients and reported a significant difference in the oral health status of rapid and slow calculus formers.

Abstract Dental calculus is a microbial biofilm that contains biomolecules from oral commensals and pathogens, including those potentially related to cause of death (CoD). To assess the utility of calculus as a diagnostically informative substrate, in conjunction with paleopathological analysis, calculus samples from 39 individuals in the Smithsonian Institution’s Robert J. Terry Collection with CoDs of either syphilis or tuberculosis were assessed via shotgun metagenomic sequencing for the presence of Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) DNA. Paleopathological analysis revealed that frequencies of skeletal lesions associated with these diseases were partially inconsistent with diagnostic criteria. Although recovery of T. p. pallidum DNA from individuals with a syphilis CoD was elusive, MTBC DNA was identified in at least one individual with a tuberculosis CoD. The authenticity of MTBC DNA was confirmed using targeted quantitative PCR assays, MTBC genome enrichment, and in silico bioinformatic analyses; however, the lineage of the MTBC strain present could not be determined. Overall, our study highlights the utility of dental calculus for molecular detection of tuberculosis in the archaeological record and underscores the effect of museum preparation techniques and extensive handling on pathogen DNA preservation in skeletal collections.

Dental diseases are among the most prevalent diseases globally, and accurate segmentation of dental calculus images plays a crucial role in periodontal disease diagnosis and treatment planning. However, the current methods are not stable and reliable enough due to the variable morphology of dental calculus and the blurring of the boundaries between the dental edges and the surrounding tissues; therefore, our hope is to propose an accurate and reliable calculus segmentation algorithm to improve the efficiency of clinical detection. We propose a multi-scale attention pyramid pooling network (MAPPNet) to enhance the performance of dental calculus segmentation. The network incorporates a multi-scale fusion strategy in both the encoder and decoder, forming a model with a dual-ended multi-scale structure. This design, in contrast to employing a multi-scale fusion scheme at a single end, enables more effective capturing of features from diverse scales. Furthermore, the attention pyramid pooling module (APPM) reconstructs the features on this map by leveraging a spatial-first and channel-second attention mechanism. APPM enables the network to adaptively adjust the weights of different locations and channels in the feature map, thereby enhancing the perception of important regions and key features. Experimental evaluation of our collected dental calculus segmentation dataset demonstrates the superior performance of MAPPNet, which achieves an intersection-over-union of 81.46% and an accuracy rate of 98.35%. Additionally, on two publicly available datasets, ISIC2018 (skin lesion dataset) and Kvasir-SEG (gastrointestinal polyp segmentation dataset), MAPPNet achieved an intersection-over-union of 76.48% and 91.38%, respectively. These results validate the effectiveness of our proposed network in accurately segmenting lesion regions and achieving high accuracy rates, surpassing many existing segmentation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study focuses on the determination and classification of patients as rapid or slowcalculusformersbasedontherateofcalculusformationafteroralprophylaxis. It also aims to determine the factors that positively impact the formation and deposition of calculus in patients and identify the factors that accelerate or decelerate the deposition of calculus. Methods: The study was conducted in the Department of Periodontology, Dr Harvansh Singh Judge Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Panjab University Chandigarh, India. We examined 51 patients after a month of the oral prophylaxis, recorded the amount of calculus present in the oral cavity, and then recorded a detailed history which was briefly divided into Age, Sex, Residence, Oral habits, and maintenance of oral hygiene. Results: An evident and meaningful link was found between age and the rate at which dental calculus forms. The average age of individuals differed significantly between the rapid and slow calculus formers, which could be ascribed to the decline in manual dexterity as age increases, resulting in less effective oral hygiene habits, including toothbrushing. None of the other factors dietary and oral hygiene related could be identified distinctly, probably owing to the small sample of the study. The oral health status exhibited a significant difference between slow and rapid calculus formers. Conclusions: Within the limitations of the study, the data analyzed, identified age as a significant determinant that impact the rate of formation of calculus in patients and reported a significant difference in the oral health status of rapid and slow calculus formers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tell Kamid el-Loz (Lebanon) was an important Bronze Age urban center that dominated one of the central crossroads of the Ancient Near East, connecting Egypt and the Levant with northern Mesopotamia, Anatolia, and Syria, as well as the interior with the Mediterranean coast. However, by the early Iron Age, the site had shrunk to a small rural settlement. Later, in the Iron Age III / Persian-Hellenistic, only enigmatic pits and a large cemetery remained. In this paper, we analyzed plant micro-remains from the dental calculus of 15 individuals (3 from the Middle Bronze Age II and 12 from the Iron Age III / Persian-Hellenistic) and δ13C and δ15N stable isotope data from tbulk bone collagen of 74 individuals (10 from the Middle Bronze Age II and 64 from the Iron Age III / Persian-Hellenistic) and 13 Late Bronze Age animal bones (7 Ovis/Capra and 6 Bos). Our results indicate general stability of human diet throughout the Middle Bronze Age II and the Iron III / Persian-Hellenistic periods, with a reliance on C3 plant crops and terrestrial animals also consuming C3 plants. In the later period, the plant micro-remains indicate the consumption of C4 plants and sedges, and the stable isotope analysis indicates differences in diet between males and females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of dentistry, the presence of dental calculus is a commonly encountered issue. If not addressed promptly, it has the potential to lead to gum inflammation and eventual tooth loss. Bitewing (BW) images play a crucial role by providing a comprehensive visual representation of the tooth structure, allowing dentists to examine hard-to-reach areas with precision during clinical assessments. This visual aid significantly aids in the early detection of calculus, facilitating timely interventions and improving overall outcomes for patients. This study introduces a system designed for the detection of dental calculus in BW images, leveraging the power of YOLOv8 to identify individual teeth accurately. This system boasts an impressive precision rate of 97.48%, a recall (sensitivity) of 96.81%, and a specificity rate of 98.25%. Furthermore, this study introduces a novel approach to enhancing interdental edges through an advanced image-enhancement algorithm. This algorithm combines the use of a median filter and bilateral filter to refine the accuracy of convolutional neural networks in classifying dental calculus. Before image enhancement, the accuracy achieved using GoogLeNet stands at 75.00%, which significantly improves to 96.11% post-enhancement. These results hold the potential for streamlining dental consultations, enhancing the overall efficiency of dental services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Various orodental problems affect patients with inborn errors of immunity (IEI), but there are limited studies on these issues. Aim: To study orodental status and its confounding factors in patients with IEI. Design: Caries, enamel defects, gingival, and soft tissue conditions were examined. Data on patient characteristics, dental hygiene habits, dental attendance, and household income were collected. Statistical analysis and logistic regression were performed. Results: Forty‐five participants with a mean age of 9.20 ± 6.41 years were included. Almost all participants had gingivitis (42 of 45; 93.3%), whereas a small number had periodontitis (five of 45; 11.1%). Calculus was found in 33 (73.3%) and caries in 30 (66.7%). Mucosal ulcers, enamel defects, and candidiasis were observed in 23 of 45 (51.1%), 16 of 43 (37.2%), and six of 43 (14.0%), respectively. Chances of having caries, moderate‐to‐severe gingivitis, periodontitis, calculus, and ulcers increased with age. Taking antibiotics in the last two months increased the risk of caries by five times. Lower income increased the risk of calculus deposit by nine times. Conclusion: Gingivitis, calculus, caries, and mucosal ulcers were the most common orodental findings in patients with IEI. Antibiotics increased the risk of caries, and low‐income children had higher calculus accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS) is an ulcerative and/or proliferative disease that typically affects the palatoglossal folds. Because of its unknown pathogenesis and long disease course, it is difficult to treat and has a high recurrence rate. Most of the bacteria in the oral microbiota exist in the mouth symbiotically and maintain a dynamic balance, and when the balance is disrupted, they may cause disease. Disturbance of the oral microbiota may play an important role in the development of FCGS. In this study, the medical records of 3109 cats in three general pet hospitals in Xi 'an were collected. Sixty-one cats with FCGS were investigated via questionnaires, routine oral examinations and laboratory examinations. Oral microbiota samples were collected from 16 FCGSaffected cats, and microbial species were identified by 16S rDNA sequencing. The results showed that the incidence of FCGS had no significant correlation with age, sex or breed. However, the incidence of FCGS was associated with immunization, a history of homelessness and multicat rearing environments. The number of neutrophils and the serum amyloid A concentration were increased, and the percentage of cells positive for calicivirus antigen was high in all cases. All the cats had different degrees of dental calculus, and there were problems such as loss of alveolar bone or tooth resorption. Compared with those in healthy cats, the bacterial diversity and the abundance of anaerobic bacteria were significantly increased in cats with FCGS. Porphyromonas, Treponemas and Fusobacterium were abundant in the mouths of the affected cats and may be potential pathogens of FCGS. After tooth extraction, a shift could be seen in the composition of the oral microbiota in cats with FCGS. An isolated bacteria obtained from the mouths of the affected cats was homologous to P. gulae. Both the identified oral microbiota and the isolated strain of the cats with FCGS had high sensitivity to enrofloxacin and low sensitivity to metronidazole. This study provides support to current clinical criteria in diagnosing FCGS and proposes a more suitable antibiotic therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The dissolution of dental calculus, safely and at home, is among the more challenging issues facing the over-the-counter healthcare industry. Pontis Biologics, Inc. has developed novel model of calculus development and structure and has formulated a dentifrice (Tartarase™) using digestive enzymes as active ingredients that is shown to dissolve dental calculus in this Proof of Principle clinical trial. Methods: This investigation was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel enzyme formulation to remove existing calculus deposits in 4 weeks, measured using the Volpe-Manhold Index (V-MI) on lingual surfaces of 6 lower anterior teeth. The test formulation was compared to Crest Cavity Protection, as a control dentifrice. A total of 40 randomized test subjects began the study with 20 assigned to the control dentifrice and 20 assigned to the Tartarase groups (ten each, one brushing with Tartarase twice daily and one brushed with Tartarase and wore a dental tray filled with Tartarase for 30 min then brushed again with Tartarase, once daily). Results: The Crest group experienced a 12% increase in calculus, in contrast to the results of both Tartarase groups that experienced a 40% reduction in calculus in 4 weeks of unsupervised at home use of the Tartarase toothpaste formulation. Conclusions: This proof of principle study demonstrates that a dentifrice, formulated along the lines of the Tartarase material, is capable of combating calculus accumulation using the same oral hygiene habits that are common worldwide. Trial registration: This trial was registered retrospectively at clinicaltrials.gov and has the Unique Identification Number: NCT06139835, 14/11/2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Calcifying nanoparticles (CNPs), referred to as nanobacteria (NB), are recognized to be associated with ectopic calcification. This study aims to isolate and culture CNPs from the dental plaque of patients with periodontal disease and investigate their possible role in unravelling the aetiology of periodontal disease. Material and Methods: Supragingival and subgingival plaques were sampled from 30 periodontitis patients for CNPs isolation and culture. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) content changes were tracked over time. Positive samples underwent thorough morphological identification via hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, Alizarin red S (ARS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The chemical composition of CNPs analysis involved calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) content determination, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Results: The subgingival plaque dental group exhibited a higher CNPs isolation rate at 36.67% (11/30) compared to the supragingival dental plaque group at 66.67% (20/30). ALP activity varied among the positive, negative and control groups. Morphological observation characterized the CNPs as round, oval, and ellipsoid particles with Ca deposits. Chemical analysis revealed the Ca/P ratio was 0.6753. Hydroxyl, methyl, carbonate, phosphate, hydrogen phosphate, and dihydrogen phosphate were detected by FTIR; the main chemical components detected by XRD were hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate. Conclusion: CNPs were found in periodontitis‐related dental plaque and exhibited the potential to develop calcified structures resembling dental calculus. However, the potential involvement of ALP in CNPs formation requires deeper exploration, as does the precise nature of its role and the interrelation with periodontitis demand a further comprehensive investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Periodontitis represents the foremost oral condition in young men, strongly correlated with socioeconomic elements and oral health behaviors. This research aimed to assess the prevalence of periodontitis and associated associations with socio-demographics and oral health practices for subsequent Hazard Ratio (HR) estimation. Methods: A total of 46,476 young men were recruited to the study between August 2022 and October 2023. A questionnaire on socio-demographic factors and oral health-related behaviors related to periodontitis was completed. The standard procedure was used for oral examination. Logistic regression and hazard ratios were used to estimate the influencing factors, whereas the nomogram was used to predict the risk of periodontitis in young men. Results: A total of 46,476 young men were surveyed and completed the questionnaire. The overall prevalence of periodontitis among young men was 1.74%. Out of these, 1.7% had mild periodontitis and 0.6% had moderate periodontitis. Age and dental calculus were important factors in the periodontal health of young men. This nomogram, which includes 7 easily obtainable clinical characteristics routinely collected during periodontitis risk assessment, provides clinicians with a user-friendly tool to assess the risk of periodontal disease in young men. Conclusions: Regular dental prophylaxis is crucial for young men to maintain their gingival health and prevent the onset of periodontitis. Dental calculus plays a prominent role in this matter, as it serves as a significant contributing factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses ethical frameworks for planning and implementing composite research in the United States. Composites, defined here as archaeological materials with multiple genetic sources, include materials such as sediment, coprolites, birch pitch, and dental calculus. Although composites are increasingly used in genetic research, the ethical considerations of their use in ancient DNA studies have not been widely discussed. Here, we consider how composites' compositions, contexts, and potential to act as proxies can affect research plans and offer an overview of the primary ethical concerns of ancient DNA research. It is our view that ethical principles established for analyses of Ancestral remains and related materials can be used to inform research plans when working with composite evidence. This work also provides a guide to archaeologists unfamiliar with genetics analyses in planning research when using composite evidence from the United States with a focus on collaboration, having a clear research plan, and using lab methods that provide the desired data with minimal destruction. Following the principles discussed in this article and others allows for engaging in composite research while creating and maintaining positive relationships with stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stable isotope‐based dietary reconstructions of late Holocene agriculturalists from Sabana de Bogotá (Colombia) are limited to the late Muisca period. Accordingly, the dietary patterns and feeding behaviors of people living during the Herrera and Early Muisca periods remain largely unknown. This study aims to present new stable isotope data to discuss the dietary patterns of agriculturalists inhabiting Nueva Esperanza (Sabana de Bogota) during the last 2300 years B.P. In addition, we present the radiocarbon chronology of the site to assess dietary change during the site occupation phases. Data for δ13Ccol and δ15Ncol were obtained from bone/dentine collagen and dental calculus from humans (n = 71) and faunal (n = 20) skeletal remains. The local isotopic ecology was investigated, and the human data were assessed by age, sex, and time period. Humans presented mostly mixed diets with a predominance of maize, supplemented by C3 resources (plants and animals), although some individuals exhibited distinct trends across the C3–C4 range. According to isotopic ecology and other lines of archaeological evidence, maize and C3 resources (plants and animals) mostly contributed to the human diets, whereas C4‐feeding animals were less important resources. Bone/dentine collagen and calculus isotope data revealed only minor differences among age groups, sexes, and periods suggesting relatively homogeneous diets at the NE society throughout the late Holocene. Likewise, both kinds of isotopic data display distinct dietary trends suggesting the effect of postmortem processes in the isotopic composition of dental calculus. The isotopic evidence for the NE site suggests similar diachronic trajectories of dietary specializations at the regional level and minor differences regarding maize incorporation into the diet and its standardized use and consumption. These results suggest at the regional level similar patterns of dietary change at the Sabana de Bogotá during the late Holocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to conduct a scoping review to know children and adolescents' main oral health concerns with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and thus identify any oral characteristic that stands out, aiming at preventive and interceptive clinical conduct. A search was performed in the three electronic databases and the gray literature; in September 2021. A total of 562 studies were identified, and after applying the eligibility criteria, 73 articles were included in the synthesis of this scoping review. The mean decayed, lost, and restored teeth index (DMFT/dfmt) ranged from 0 to 12.37; the mean DMFT index (permanent dentition) from 0.06 to 6.2; and the average dmft index (deciduous dentition) ranged from 0.29 to 9.91. The mean simplified oral hygiene index (OHIS) ranged from 0 to 3.4; gingival index (GI) from 0.29 to 2; and plaque index (PI) from 0.005 to 3.15. Plaque prevalence was 25.9% to 90%; dental calculus from 4.7% to 59.41%; gingivitis from 36.7% to 100%. Bruxism was 10.3% to 73%, and dental trauma was 4.7% to 100%. This disparity in the results shows the heterogeneity of this population, with different degrees of socio-behavioral impairment, which can directly influence oral hygiene and the consequent accumulation of biofilm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most promising areas of research in palaeomicrobiology is the study of the human microbiome. In particular, ancient dental calculus helps to reconstruct a substantial share of oral microbiome composition by mapping together human evolution with its state of health/oral disease. This review aims to trace microbial characteristics in ancient dental calculus to describe the evolution of the human host-oral microbiome relationship in oral health or disease in children and adults. Following the PRISMA-Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines, the main scientific databases (PubMed, Scopus, Lilacs, Cochrane Library) have been drawn upon. Eligibility criteria were established, and all the data collected on a purpose-oriented collection form were analysed descriptively. From the initial 340 records, only 19 studies were deemed comprehensive enough for the purpose of this review. The knowledge of the composition of ancient oral microbiomes has broadened over the past few years thanks to increasingly well-performing decontamination protocols and additional analytical avenues. Above all, metagenomic sequencing, also implemented by state-of-the-art bioinformatics tools, allows for the determination of the qualitative-quantitative composition of microbial species associated with health status and caries/periodontal disease. Some microbial species, especially periodontal pathogens, do not appear to have changed in history, while others that support caries disease or oral health could be connected to human evolution through lifestyle and environmental contributing factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, many aquariums and zoos around the world keep walruses in captivity. However, the presence of tusks in walruses creates difficulties in their maintenance and preservation of their health since they wear them down on the structure of the pools. In this study, the morphometric parameters of walrus skulls from captivity and wild of similar age were examined (35 skull measurements and 21 mandible measurements were taken). An examination of the skulls of three female walruses that were kept in the Moscow Zoo for 8, 11, and 22 years, respectively during the period of 1953–2005 was conducted. The tusks of one walrus, at the age of 4 years, were surgically removed, while the tusks of the others were not. There were slight deviations in the skull development of these walruses. The skull of captive walruses is slightly smaller in the mastoid processes and zygomatic arches, and facial part, and the lower jaw is smaller in width and symphysis circumference compared to wild walruses. The surface of the skull and lower jaw is smoother in comparison to wild walruses. Diseases such as odontogenic osteomyelitis, pulpitis, periodontitis, dental calculus and caries are observed. Due to frequent inflammations and surgical interventions, early fusion of sutures is noted, leading to skull deformities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Ancient human dental calculus is a unique, nonrenewable biological resource encapsulating key information about the diets, lifestyles, and health conditions of past individuals and populations. With compounding calls its destructive analysis, it is imperative to refine the ways in which the scientific community documents, samples, and analyzes dental calculus so as to maximize its utility to the public and scientific community. Materials and Methods: Our research team conducted an IRB‐approved survey of dental calculus researchers with diverse academic backgrounds, research foci, and analytical specializations. Results: This survey reveals variation in how metadata is collected and utilized across different subdisciplines and highlights how these differences have profound implications for dental calculus research. Moreover, the survey suggests the need for more communication between those who excavate, curate, and analyze biomolecular data from dental calculus. Discussion: Challenges in cross‐disciplinary communication limit researchers' ability to effectively utilize samples in rigorous and reproducible ways. Specifically, the lack of standardized skeletal and dental metadata recording and contamination avoidance procedures hinder downstream anthropological applications, as well as the pursuit of broader paleodemographic and paleoepidemiological inquiries that rely on more complete information about the individuals sampled. To provide a path forward toward more ethical and standardized dental calculus sampling and documentation approaches, we review the current methods by which skeletal and dental metadata are recorded. We also describe trends in sampling and contamination‐control approaches. Finally, we use that information to suggest new guidelines for ancient dental calculus documentation and sampling strategies that will improve research practices in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The starch grains present in the dental calculus of four Neolithic individuals of the Dehesilla Cave (Cadiz, South of Spain) were extracted and observed with light microscopy. The variant of the extraction technique used proved to be very effective. A number of Poaceae-Triticeae taxa [wheat (Triticum sp., the main crop, including Triticum aestivum), barley (Hordeum sp.)], Fabaceae-Fabeae-Cicereae and Fagaceae (oaks = Quercus sp., which constitute new data for the area in question) were identified. Some pollen grains and fungal spores were also identified, which helped to provide information on the ecological framework of the crops associated with the archaeological site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human feeding patterns have been reconstructed in Archaeology by analysing either oral pathology or stable isotope ratios in human skeletal remains. However, no clear agreement has been developed between these two methodologies. The main objective of this study is to determine if we can establish a link between them when analysing a population with a hyper-specialized diet, in this case marine resources (and millet/maize). To reach this goal we developed a conjoined multi-isotope analysis using collagen and bioapatite (δ13Ccol, δ15Ncol and δ13Ccar) and a detailed study of oral health (caries, antemortem loss, periapical lesions, periodontal disease, calculus, and wear). All available skeletons with at least one preserved tooth from two cemeteries of the medieval town of Pontevedra (n = 34) were studied. The buried individuals belonged to the guild of fishers and artisans, professions which were dominant among the families of medieval Pontevedra. A detailed FTIR-ATR study of extracted bone bioapatite showed a high correlation between bioapatite carbonate content, carbonate typical vibrations, and FTIR-ATR indices related to bone diagenesis, which is in line with previous research. No significant correlations were found with bioapatite yield and isotopic composition (δ13Ccar and Δ13C), ruling out possible diagenetic effects. The diet was based on marine fish protein with contributions of millets (e.g., δ13Ccar -11.9 ± 1.8‰) that seems to be slightly higher in individuals linked to artisanal guilds. The oral pathology study shows severe dental wear from an early age (Grade 2–4 in permanent dentition for 20% of infants and 60% of juveniles in M1), as well as moderate-high presence of caries in permanent dentition (64%, 22/34) and dental calculus (72%, 24/33). Both the oral pathology and the isotopic signal differ from that observed in other areas of the Iberian Peninsula. This study points to the existence of connections between findings of the two methodologies, and specifically an association between intense dental wear and high consumption of marine resources and millet. At the same time, this analysis implies the necessity of caution in estimation of age by dental wear in populations linked to the sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Root surface biomodification has been used to treat gingival recession and periodontitis. For example, to improve treatment efficacy of gingival recessions (GR), chemical preparation of the exposed root surface is advocated. The principle for this procedure is to remove the smear layer from the root surfaces, which leads to exposition of surface collagen fibers and improved healing. The aim of present article is to evaluate the importance of root surface biomodification after scaling and root planing (SRP) and a comparative review of various root conditioning agents. The review was written during the search for English-language literature in the Google Scholar and PubMed databases. 104 literary sources were identified during the literature review. After excluding publications that did not meet the inclusion search criteria, the total number of included articles has become 55. The instrumented root surface is always covered by a smear layer, containing remnants of dental calculus, contaminated root cementum, bacterial endotoxin and subgingival plaque after the scaling and root planning procedure. The root conditioning agents, described in this study, were found to be effective in the removal of the smear layer, able to produce uncovering and widening the dentin tubules, and unmasking the dentin collagen matrix. Within the limits of this study, the most frequently used conditioning agents are tetracycline, EDTA, and citric acid; among them Tetracycline HCL is the most reliable agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 49-year-old man attended an oral health campaign for a preliminary screening of potentially malignant lesions using a fluorescent developer substance. At the time of examination, he displayed no apparent symptoms. However, upon questioning, the man disclosed having uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension, as well as a history of alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking. He reported no family history of cancer, no prior surgeries or dental procedures, and no dental visits in the past decade. Clinical examination of the oral cavity revealed poor oral health, tooth loss, and mobility, with bleeding noted in some posterior teeth. Application of the fluorescent substance revealed areas with discoloration distinct from the oral mucosa, leading to a presumptive positive diagnosis of potentially malignant oral lesions. Additionally, dental tartar and floating dentobacterial plaque were identified. The substance's use also aids in the identification of microbial structures, facilitating easy detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Understanding the distinct proteomics profiles in dogs' oral biofluids enhances diagnostic and therapeutic insights for canine oral diseases, fostering cross-species translational research in dentistry and medicine. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review to investigate the similarities and differences between the oral biofluids' proteomics profile of dogs with and without oral diseases. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched with no restrictions on publication language or year to address the following focused question: "What is the proteome signature of healthy versus diseased (oral) dogs' biofluids?" Gene Ontology enrichment and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses of the most abundant proteins were performed. Moreover, protein-protein interaction analysis was conducted. The risk of bias (RoB) among the included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist for Studies Reporting Prevalence Data. Results: In healthy dogs, the proteomic analysis identified 5,451 proteins, with 137 being the most abundant, predominantly associated with 'innate immune response'. Dogs with oral diseases displayed 6,470 proteins, with distinct associations: 'defense response to bacterium' (periodontal diseases), 'negative regulation of transcription' (dental calculus), and 'positive regulation of transcription' (oral tumors). Clustering revealed significant protein clusters in each case, emphasizing the diverse molecular profiles in health and oral diseases. Only six studies were provided to the JBI tool, as they encompassed case-control evaluations that compared healthy dogs to dogs with oral disease(s). All included studies were found to have low RoB (high quality). Conclusion: Significant differences in the proteomics profiles of oral biofluids between dogs with and without oral diseases were found. The synergy of animal proteomics and bioinformatics offers a promising avenue for cross-species research, despite persistent challenges in result validation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dental data can reveal evidence for a past population's oral health, nutrition, and certain cultural activities. This study aims to explore oral health and dental attrition during the late Bronze Age in order to explore health outcomes in different subgroups as well as aspects of foodways and changes in subsistence strategies during the second millennium BCE in northwest China. To do this, the skeletal remains of adult individuals associated with the Siwa material culture (1400–1100 BC) from the Mogou site (n = 28) were macroscopically assessed and compared with previously published data derived from a subsample of individuals associated with Qijia period material culture complex (1750–1400 BC) from the same site. The results show that the Siwa‐period population experienced a high frequency of carious lesions and antemortem tooth loss associated with advanced attrition (of both molars and nonmolar teeth), which did not vary significantly by sex. Females had a higher prevalence of carious lesions and antemortem tooth loss than did males, while males had a higher prevalence of dental calculus. These male/female health outcomes are also attested during the earlier Qijia period at the Mogou site. The Siwa period differs from the Qijia in that females experienced slightly worse attrition than their predecessors. Overall, oral health does not diverge significantly between the Qijia and Siwa periods, suggesting that the factors that contributed to oral health including dietary practices may have persisted diachronically for individuals buried at this site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case report presents a rare, large torus mandibularis found in the left lower jaw of a 16-year-old female. The patient reported a painless swelling under the tongue, causing discomfort while chewing and accompanied by gingival bleeding with brushing. Clinical examination revealed a significant indurated swelling covering a quarter of the mouth's floor with more pronounced calculus deposits in the left lower quadrant, indicating a periodontal problem. An incisional biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of torus mandibularis, leading to the decision for a complete surgical excision. The case emphasises the importance of recognizing torus mandibularis as both a normal variation and a potential source of complications. Dentists are reminded to stay vigilant; regular monitoring is essential to ascertain whether the torus is experiencing growth, as its size may potentially lead to other oral health issues such as periodontal disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The taxonomic characterization of ancient microbiomes is a key step in the rapidly growing field of paleomicrobiology. While PCR amplification of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene is a widely used technique in modern microbiota studies, this method has systematic biases when applied to ancient microbial DNA. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing has proven to be the most effective method in reconstructing taxonomic profiles of ancient dental calculus samples. Nevertheless, shotgun sequencing approaches come with inherent limitations that could be addressed through hybridization enrichment capture. When employed together, shotgun sequencing and hybridization capture have the potential to enhance the characterization of ancient microbial communities. Here, we develop, test, and apply a hybridization enrichment capture technique to selectively target 16S rRNA gene fragments from the libraries of ancient dental calculus samples generated with shotgun techniques. We simulated data sets generated from hybridization enrichment capture, indicating that taxonomic identification of fragmented and damaged 16S rRNA gene sequences was feasible. Applying this enrichment approach to 15 previously published ancient calculus samples, we observed a 334-fold increase of ancient 16S rRNA gene fragments in the enriched samples when compared to unenriched libraries. Our results suggest that 16S hybridization capture is less prone to the effects of background contamination than 16S rRNA amplification, yielding a higher percentage of on-target recovery. While our enrichment technique detected low abundant and rare taxa within a given sample, these assignments may not achieve the same level of specificity as those achieved by unenriched methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a case of allergic cheilitis caused by stannous fluoride-containing toothpaste, which is the first reported case in Italy. The patient experienced lip swelling, blisters, itching, and redness, which improved with corticosteroids and antihistamines but returned when treatment was stopped. Patch tests confirmed a positive reaction to stannous oxalate, and the toothpaste used by the patient was found to contain stannous fluoride. After switching to a toothpaste without stannous fluoride, the symptoms resolved. The article also provides a mini-review of previously published cases of allergic contact cheilitis caused by stannous-containing toothpaste. [Extracted from the article]

The article explores the impact of inadequate calculus removal on periodontal therapy outcomes, based on the 2018 classification of periodontal disease. It also discusses the development of decision points and guidelines for periodontal therapy, the role of calculus in inflammation, and the need for rigorous reevaluation and advanced therapy in cases where calculus removal is incomplete.

The Neolithic communities of Eastern Sudan combined intensive pastoralism with plant exploitation as their main subsistence strategies. However, to date, it remains unclear which plant species were part of the human diet during the Neolithic. This contribution presents direct data on plant consumption in Eastern Sudan from the Early to Late Neolithic, obtained through the analysis of microdebris inclusions in the dental calculus of 37 individuals, integrated by dentoalveolar pathology analysis of 78 individuals, from the sites UA53 (4th millennium BCE) and Mahal Teglinos (3rd–2nd millennium BCE), located in the Gash Delta/Kassala region. Dental calculus inclusions indicate a diverse intake of cereals, legumes, and tubers during the Middle Neolithic, thus supporting the hypothesis of high reliance on plant resources. Dentoalveolar pathologies, possibly related to the consumption of carbohydrate-rich foods, have also been recorded. For the Late Neolithic, consistent with the shift towards aridity that occurred in the Middle/Late Holocene, dental calculus exclusively indicates the exploitation of sorghum and tubers—species well adapted to arid conditions—showing how the Neolithic communities modified their subsistence in response to environmental changes. Evidence of plant processing techniques, such as cooking/heating, was also revealed from the dental calculus analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants have always represented a key element in landscape delineation. Indeed, plant diversity, whose distribution is influenced by geographic/climatic variability, has affected both environmental and human ecology. The present contribution represents a multi‐proxy study focused on the detection of starch, pollen and non‐pollen palynomorphs in ancient dental calculus collected from pre‐historical individuals buried at La Sassa and Pila archaeological sites (Central Italy). The collected record suggested the potential use of plant taxa by the people living in Central Italy during the Copper‐Middle Bronze Age and expanded the body of evidence reported by previous palynological and palaeoecological studies. The application of a microscopic approach provided information about domesticated crops and/or gathered wild plants and inferred considerations on ancient environments, water sources, and past health and diseases. Moreover, the research supplied data to define the natural resources (e.g., C4‐plant intake) and the social use of the space during that period. Another important aspect was the finding of plant clues referable to woody habitats, characterised by broad‐leaved deciduous taxa and generally indicative of a warm‐temperate climate and grassy vegetation. Other unusual records (e.g., diatoms, brachysclereids) participated in defining the prehistoric ecological framework. Thus, this work provides an overview on the potential of the human dental calculus analysis to delineate some features of the ancient plant ecology and biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To systematically evaluate randomized controlled trials (RCTs), with at least 6 months of follow‐up, on whether professional mechanical plaque removal (PMPR) including supragingival scaling should be performed prior and separately from subgingival scaling and root planning (SRP) in nonsurgical periodontal therapy (NSPT), in terms of clinical and patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) (CRD42020219759). Methods: The MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, LILACS and Web of Science electronic databases, as well as grey literature sources, were searched by two independent reviewers up to May 2023. The Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias tool (RoB 2.0) was used for quality appraisal and GRADE for assessing the certainty of evidence. Random‐effects pairwise meta‐analyses compared the changes in probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), and bleeding on probing (BoP) of a stepwise NSPT approach (PMPR prior and separately from SRP) and conventional one‐step NSPT through mean differences (MDs) and associated confidence intervals (95% CI). Results: Two RCTs were included, including data of 77 participants with severe periodontitis. One RCT presents high risk of bias and the other has some concerns. No significant differences were found between the stepwise approach and performing both steps simultaneously for any clinical outcomes, with overall very low certainty on evidence. No adverse effects were detected and there was no data on PROs. Conclusions: There is very‐low certainty evidence of no significant difference on PPD and BoP reductions and CAL gain between supragingival scaling performed prior and separately from SRP and conventional one‐step NSPT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of three different techniques, namely virtual simulation technology (VS), traditional pathological typodont (TT), and quail egg (QE), in pre-clinical training of periodontal ultrasonic scaling. It also aimed to propose an integrated teaching approach for ultrasonic scaling teaching. Methods: This single-blind randomized multi-arm trial enrolled 108 fourth-year students from Guanghua School of Stomatology at Sun Yat-sen University. The participants were randomly, evenly assigned to VS, TT, or QE group. First, the participants received theoretical review on ultrasonic scaling and demonstrative teaching. Then in the 90-minute operation training by group, students used traditional typodont equipped in head-simulators, raw quail eggs, or scaling module of the UniDental VS system respectively. Then all participants practiced on pathological models for 30 min. In the final operation examination, participants were instructed to remove the supra- and sub-gingival calculi pre-set on designated teeth by ultrasonic scalers within 30 min. Their performances were evaluated by residual calculus rate and a multi-perspective scoring scale. After the examination, questionnaires were provided to assess the teaching effects of each method and the fidelity of VS. Statistical analysis was carried out using one-way, two-way ANOVA, and multiple t-test. Results: Students in VS group had significant higher total test scores than QE group (87.89 ± 6.81, 83.53 ± 8.14) and TT group (85.03 ± 6.81). VS group scored higher in several dimensional comparisons with the other two groups, especially in difficult situations. QE group had higher scores particularly in force application and supra-gingival scaling. TT group scored the highest in pivot stability practice and body position training. Students gave higher scores when assessing the fidelity of VS than experienced teachers. Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of specialized pre-clinical training on ultrasonic scaling for dental students. The methods adopted in current study (VS, TT and QE) each offered unique advantages in education, which can be combined to create an integrative teaching procedure. This procedure aims to provide an effective, advisable and normative pre-clinical training procedure for ultrasonic scaling. By utilizing the strengths of each method, dental educators can deliver high-quality training and ensure that students are well-prepared for clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research explores how bone isotopic data (δ13C, δ15N), in combination with analyses of dental pathology, dental calculus, and archival research, can illustrate relationships between food, colonization, social identities, and the norms of religious life in Colonial and Republican Bogotá, Colombia. We analyze skeletal remains from the San Ignacio Jesuit Church, an important colonial landmark that has served as a space of sacred burial for 400 years. Through our multidisciplinary approach to variables such as social status and membership in a religious order, we show how the colonization of bodies and minds transformed the way that people mobilized food as a symbol of social identity, often in unexpected ways. For example, Jesuit priests consumed significant amounts of meat in their diets, which contravenes notions of piety and vows of poverty typical of their congregation. Similarly, there are varying levels of diversity in the plants being consumed among different segments of the local population, suggesting deliberate choices around the inclusion of native or foreign species in people's diets. In the early Republican period (nineteenth century), we see a difference in food choices among local elites, along with the adoption of new oral hygiene practices, as embodying new cultural notions of modernity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]