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Objective: The aim of this in vitro research was to assess if the different stratification techniques could influence the marginal gap in V class restoration. Material and methods: Standard 6 × 4 × 4 mm class V cavities were prepared on the buccal side of 24 extracted sound human premolars. Specimens were randomly divided in two groups: (A) Bulk filling technique; (B) Wedge-shape layering technique. The interfacial sealing ability of the stratification techniques was evaluated by scoring the 7% methylene blue penetration depth through optical microscope observations. The infiltration assessment was performed with a progressive score. Differences in infiltration scores recorded for the tested techniques were evaluated for statistical significance (Mann–Whitney U test, p

Background: Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) plays a crucial role in endothelial function and maybe a link for the known interaction of periodontitis and coronary heart disease (CHD). In this pilot study, we compared the impact of gingival health, periodontitis (CP), CHD, or of both diseases (CP + CHD) on salivary and serum ADMA levels.Methods: The clinical and periodontal characteristics, serum, and saliva samples were collected from 35 patients with CP, 33 patients with CHD, 35 patients with both CP + CHD, and 35 healthy subjects. Levels of ADMA and C-reactive protein (CRP) were assessed with a commercially available kit.Results: The median (25% and 75% percentile) concentrations of salivary and serum ADMA were significantly higher in the CHD group [serum: 1.5 (1.2 to 1.8) μmol/L; salivary 1.3 (1 to 1.7) μmol/g protein, P < 0.01] and in the CP + CHD [serum: 1.8 (1.4 to 2.0) μmol/L; salivary 1.5 (1.2 to 1.7) μmol/g protein, P < 0.001] group compared to CP patients and controls. In univariate models, CP (P = 0.034), CHD (P < 0.001), and hs-CRP (P < 0.001) were significantly associated with serum ADMA, whereas in a multivariate model, hs-CRP remained a significant predictor of serum ADMA (P < 0.001). In a multivariate model, the significant predictors of salivary ADMA levels were hs-CRP (P < 0.001) and education socioeconomic status (P = 0.042).Conclusions: Patients with CHD and CP + CHD presented higher levels of salivary and serum ADMA compared to healthy subjects and CP patients. hs-CRP was a significant predictor of increased salivary and serum ADMA levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study investigated and compared the effectiveness of a phytotherapeutic drug composed of herbal extracts on postsurgical discomfort after mandibular third molar surgery. Materials and methods: Eighty-two patients requiring the surgical removal of a mandibular third molar were randomly assigned to receive placebo (group 1), ibuprofen (group 2), and a phytotherapeutic drug (composed of baicalin, 190 mg; bromelain, 50 mg; escin, 30 mg) (group 3). Drugs were administered after tooth extraction twice a day for 5 days. The primary outcome, pain, was evaluated using a visual analogue scale at 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 7 and 10 days after surgery. The secondary outcomes were the changes in maximum mouth opening and facial contours (mm) between baseline and at 24 h, 72 h, and 7 and 10 days after surgery. Results: Compared to the baseline, all treatments demonstrated an improvement in the primary and secondary outcomes. Moreover, compared to groups 1 and 2, patients in group 3 yielded a significant reduction of the postoperative pain score at 12 h (p < 0.001), 24 h (p = 0.010), and 48 h (p = 0.048) after surgery. The mean reduction of the swelling and trismus was similar between groups. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that a postoperative administration of a phytotherapeutic drug was found to be effective in postoperative pain management after the surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars. Clinical relevance: The phytotherapeutic drug composed of herbal extract determined a decrease in the severity of postoperative pain compared to ibuprofen and placebo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthritis on the functional disability and quality of life in patients affected by juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Materials and Methods Sixty-two consecutive patients with JIA with or without TMJ arthritis and 35 healthy control subjects were enrolled in the study. The demographic data, disease activity and clinical characteristics were obtained from all patients. The functional disability was assessed using the Italian version of the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (C-HAQ). The oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) was assessed using the Child Perception Questionnaire (CPQ11-14). Possible determining factors of TMJ arthritis comprised demographic, disease characteristics and scores derived from questionnaires that were assessed by a uni and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results Compared with patients without TMJs arthritis, JIA patients with TMJ arthritis presented higher functional disability. The multivariable logistic regression analysis performed showed that female subjects (OR = 1.5, P = 0.041), with a JIA duration over 3.9 years (OR = 2.7, P = 0.033) and presenting higher C-HAQ and CPQ11-14 scores (OR = 2.7, P = 0.012 and OR = 2.9, P = 0.015, respectively) were the greatest determining factors for TMJ arthritis. Conclusions JIA patients with TMJ arthritis presented higher functional disability and lower OHRQoL scores compared with JIA patients without TMJ arthritis. TMJ arthritis was strongly associated with JIA duration and activity, especially in female patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates salivary immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in saliva of children and its correlation to tooth decay severity. Fifty-nine patients were divided into two groups: caries free (A group) and caries active (B group). B group was investigated according to Mount and Monse indices. Mean salivary IgA rate between two groups (A 16.7 ± 4.5 mg/dL vs. B 21.8 ± 12.9 mg/dL) was not significant, while IL-6 rate (A 19.02 ± 5.3 pg/mL vs. B 30.2 ± 11.8 pg/mL) was statistically different. This study revealed that salivary IL-6 levels were significantly higher in children with active caries when compared with the caries-free group, while the s-IgA rate showed no significant differences between the two groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrocolloids were the first elastic materials to be used in the dental field. Elastic impression materials include reversible (agar-agar), irreversible (alginate) hydrocolloids and synthetic elastomers (polysulfides, polyethers, silicones). They reproduce an imprint faithfully, providing details of a high definition despite the presence of undercuts. With the removal of the impression, being particularly rich in water, the imprints can deform but later adapt to the original shape due to the elastic properties they possess. The advantages of using alginate include the low cost, a better tolerability on the part of the patient, the ease of manipulation, the short time needed for execution, the instrumentation and the very simple execution technique and possibility of detecting a detailed impression (even in the presence of undercuts) in a single step. A comprehensive review of the current literature was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines by accessing the NCBI PubMed database. Authors conducted a search of articles in written in English published from 2008 to 2018. All the relevant studies were included in the search with respect to the characteristics and evolution of new marine derived materials. Much progress has been made in the search for new marine derived materials. Conventional impression materials are different, and especially with the advent of digital technology, they have been suffering from a decline in research attention over the last few years. However, this type of impression material, alginates (derived from marine algae), have the advantage of being among the most used in the dental medical field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dental pulp is formed by connective tissue and it is localized in cavity of tooth. In the dental pulp is verified all defensive processes so as in all connective tissues. This tissue is continuously exposed to mechanical stresses during the phases of orthodontic therapy [1]. The progression of the inflammatory process in human pulp fibroblasts apparently depends on stimulation by neuropeptides and production of inflammatory cytokines. A recent report described apoptosis in dental pulp tissues of rats undergoing orthodontic treatment [2]. The literature shows conflicting results for correlation of pulpal changes incident to orthodontic force. Some reports suggested permanent damage to pulpal tissue from orthodontic force, but others claimed no significant long-lasting effects on the pulp [2]. However tissue reactions incident to orthodontic tooth movement depend mainly on the pattern of stress-strain distribution in the paradental tissue. In recent years, the alterations in pulpal vasculature and blood flow in response to orthodontic force have gained much attention. The clinical impact of these studies was to determine whether any alterations in pulpal tissue could jeopardize the long-term vitality of the teeth. In this study we analyzed in vivo human samples of dental pulp of 18 subjects, scheduled for orthodontic treatment at the Department of Dentistry of Messina University. The premolars were subjected to a buccally directed tipping force (50 g) with Nickel Titanium closed coil spring (American Orthodontics). On dental pulp samples, after extraction of the premolars, were monitored by analysis of the expression of different proteins that compose it and by analysis of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). We have demonstrated an initial decrease in blood flow at 7 days, followed by an increase in blood flow at 28 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]