Impact of COVID-19 on Dental Practices in El Salvador and Mexico: A Comprehensive Survey Analysis.

Background And Objectives: This study aimed to identify the relationship between prevention measures and protective barriers in dental practice in El Salvador and Mexico during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

Materials And Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted from June 2020 to December 2021, involving 1,719 dentists divided into four groups based on location and year. A 20-question survey in Spanish was utilized and validated with a Cronbach's alpha value of 0.

Osteoregeneration of Critical-Size Defects Using Hydroxyapatite-Chitosan and Silver-Chitosan Nanocomposites.

Bone is a natural nanocomposite composed of proteins and minerals that can regenerate itself. However, there are conditions in which this process is impaired, such as extensive bone defects and infections of the bone or surrounding tissue. This study evaluates the osteoregenerative capacity of bone grafting materials in animals with induced bone defects.

Traumatic dental injuries in 6 to 12 years old schoolchildren: a multicenter cross-sectional study in Mexico.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of dental trauma in schoolchildren 6 to 12 years of age and associated clinical, sociodemographic, and socioeconomic variables. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 477 children from public elementary schools in four locations in Mexico. The dependent variable was dental trauma, which was dichotomized in 0 = without dental trauma and 1 = with dental trauma.

Antimicrobial Activity of 3D-Printed Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) Polymer-Coated with Silver Nanoparticles.

Medical devices with antimicrobial properties are a potential long-term solution to the high rate of multi-drug-resistant healthcare-associated infections. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are an established agent for effectively eliminating a wide range of microbial strains. AgNPs have been commonly incorporated into traditional plastic materials; however, recently, there has been increased interest in using AgNPs combined with 3D-printing technology for medical devices due to the accessibility and customizability of 3D-printed products.

Should We Be Concerned about the Association of Diabetes Mellitus and Periodontal Disease in the Risk of Infection by SARS-CoV-2? A Systematic Review and Hypothesis.

The objective of this article was to conduct a systematic review of the literature to contrast the existing evidence regarding the relationship between periodontal disease (PD) and diabetes mellitus (DM) with the possibly increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as to establish a hypothesis that explains the ways in which this interaction could take place. A literature search up from 1 January 2020 to 21 March 2021 was conducted in three electronic databases, namely, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, in order to identify studies on periodontal disease alone or in conjunction with diabetes mellitus, reporting any relation with SARS-CoV-2 infection as a primary outcome. Only articles published in the English language were included.

Levels of matrix metalloproteinase-8 and cold test in reversible and irreversible pulpitis.

Researchers have reported false positive/negative results of the cold test in the diagnosis of pulpitis. Knowledge of the correlation between results of the cold test and proteins could aid in decreasing the frequency of incorrect diagnosis. To associate the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) with the responses (in seconds) to the cold test in teeth diagnosed with reversible and irreversible pulpitis.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor gene polymorphisms as exacerbating factors of apical periodontitis.

Background: Two polymorphisms in the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) gene have been associated with inflammatory diseases (-794 CATT5-8 and -173G>C); however, so far there are no reports of studies related to oral health.

Objectives: To genotype the -794 CATT5-8 and -173G>C MIF polymorphisms in Mexican patients with apical periodontitis as a genetic risk of exacerbation.

Material And Methods: The study involved 120 patients with apical periodontitis: 60 with a diagnosis of acute apical periodontitis (Group A) and 60 without previous episodes of exacerbation (Group B).

Expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide and pulp sensitivity tests in irreversible pulpitis.

The aim of the present study was to identify the relationship between the expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and the responses of pulp sensitivity tests in healthy pulps and irreversible pulps by performing a cross-sectional study on patients. Two hundred subjects were evaluated. A total of 75 subjects complied with the criteria.

Diagnostic accuracy of three placement sites for the cold test in subjects amongst different age groups.

Background: The cold test is a specific test of pulp sensitivity and is part of the endodontic diagnosis. The aim of this study was to identify the diagnostic accuracy including sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value in three sites for the cold test in teeth with a need for endodontic treatment within different age groups from both genders.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed, evaluating 425 subjects.

In Vitro Synergism of Silver Nanoparticles with Antibiotics as an Alternative Treatment in Multiresistant Uropathogens.

The increase in the prevalence of bacterial resistance to antibiotics has become one of the main health problems worldwide, thus threatening the era of antibiotics most frequently used in the treatment of infections. The need to develop new therapeutic strategies against multidrug resistant microorganisms, such as the combination of selected antimicrobials, can be considered as a suitable alternative. The in vitro activities of two groups of conventional antimicrobial agents alone and in combination with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were investigated against a set of ten multidrug resistant clinical isolate and two references strains by MIC assays and checkerboard testing, as well as their cytotoxicity, which was evaluated on human fibroblasts by MTT assay at the same concentration of the antimicrobial agents alone and in combination.

Evaluation of cardiovascular responses to silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are used in the medical, pharmaceutical and food industry. Adverse effects and toxicity induced by AgNPs upon cardiac function related to nitric oxide (NO) and oxidative stress (OS) are described. AgNPs-toxicity may be influenced by cardiovascular pathologies such as hypertension.

Effect of silver nanoparticles upon the myocardial and coronary vascular function in isolated and perfused diabetic rat hearts.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are promising antibacterial nanomaterials for diagnostic and treatment of diabetes. However, toxicity and adverse cardiac responses induced by AgNPs related to nitric oxide (NO) and oxidative stress (OS) are described. Moreover, little is known about the diabetes influence upon AgNPs-toxicity.

Evaluation of vascular tone and cardiac contractility in response to silver nanoparticles, using Langendorff rat heart preparation.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been widely used because of their antimicrobial properties. However, several reports suggest that AgNPs exposure promote cardiac effects that involve nitric oxide (NO) and oxidative stress (OS). Nevertheless, there are no studies related to AgNPs-induced effects in cardiac physiology.

Effective Control of Molds Using a Combination of Nanoparticles.

Molds are filamentous fungi able to grow on a variety of surfaces, including constructed surfaces, food, rotten organic matter, and humid places. Mold growth is characterized by having an unpleasant odor in enclosed or non-ventilated places and a non-aesthetic appearance. They represent a health concern because of their ability to produce and release mycotoxins, compounds that are toxic to animals and humans.

Biologic monitoring and causes of failure in cycles of sterilization in dental care offices in Mexico.

Background: Biologic indicator tests (BIs) are considered the most meaningful way to verify sterilization.

Objective: To monitor the cycles of sterilization using BIs in dry heat sterilizers and steam autoclaves and to identify the causes of failures in the cycles of sterilization in dental offices in San Luis Potosí, México.

Methods: An invitation to participate was sent to 400 dental offices, and 206 practitioners of 200 dental offices were included.

Silver nanoparticles with antimicrobial activities against Streptococcus mutans and their cytotoxic effect.

Microbial resistance represents a challenge for the scientific community to develop new bioactive compounds. The goal of this research was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against a clinical isolate of Streptococcus mutans, antibiofilm activity against mature S. mutans biofilms and the compatibility with human fibroblasts.

Predictive values of thermal and electrical dental pulp tests: a clinical study.

Introduction: For a diagnostic test to be useful, it is necessary to determine the probability that the test will provide the correct diagnosis. Therefore, it is necessary to calculate the predictive value of diagnostics. The aim of the present study was to identify the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, accuracy, and reproducibility of thermal and electrical tests of pulp sensitivity.

Effectiveness of bonding resin-based composite to healthy and fluorotic enamel using total-etch and two self-etch adhesive systems.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the bond strength of three adhesive systems: Excite™, Adper Prompt L-Pop™ and AdheSE One™ to varying degrees of fluorotic enamel using micro-tensile bond strength (μTBS) tests. Human enamel was classified according to the Thylstrup and Fejerskov Index. The interface resin-enamel was observed using stereoscopic and electron microscopy.

Shear bond strength evaluation of bonded molar tubes on fluorotic molars.

Objective: To study the shear bond strength (SBS), sites of failure, and micromorphology of bonded molar tubes used on teeth affected by dental fluorosis.

Materials And Methods: This in vitro study included 140 first molars classified according to Dean's index for dental fluorosis. Samples were divided into seven groups: (1) healthy teeth etched for 15 seconds, (2) teeth with moderate fluorosis (MOF) etched for 15 seconds, (3) teeth with MOF etched for 150 seconds, (4) teeth with MOF microabrasion etched for 15 seconds, (5) teeth with severe fluorosis (SEF) etched for 15 seconds, (6) teeth with SEF etched for 150 seconds, and (7) teeth with SEF microabrasion etched for 15 seconds.