Caries Severity, Decayed First Permanent Molars and Associated Factors in 6-7 Years Old Schoolchildren Living in Palermo (Southern Italy).

To date, there are very few epidemiologic studies on caries disease in 6-7 year old children living in Sicily (Southern Italy). The first permanent molar (FPM) is the most commonly affected tooth in this target population, and a one-unit increase in the number of decayed FPMs is predictive of caries in other teeth and in adulthood. The primary aim of this research is to estimate the prevalence of caries in 6-7 year old schoolchildren living in Palermo and, as a secondary aim, to estimate the prevalence of affected FPMs.

Salivary Biomarkers for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Diagnosis and Follow-Up: Current Status and Perspectives.

Oral cancer is the sixth most common cancer type in the world, and 90% of it is represented by oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Despite progress in preventive and therapeutic strategies, delay in OSCC diagnosis remains one of the major causes of high morbidity and mortality; indeed the majority of OSCC has been lately identified in the advanced clinical stage (i.e.

Probiotics Can Cure Oral Aphthous-Like Ulcers in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients: A Review of the Literature and a Working Hypothesis.

Dysbiosis has been associated with the onset of several chronic autoimmune or inflammatory pathologies (e.g., inflammatory bowel diseases-IBD), because of its primary role in the establishment of a chronic inflammatory process leading to tissue damage.

How do skeletal morbidity rate and special toxicities affect 12-week versus 4-week schedule zoledronic acid efficacy? A systematic review and a meta-analysis of randomized trials.

Background: Zoledronic Acid is a bisphosphonate used in a 4-week schedule for the treatment of bone metastases. Some randomized trials supported its role also when administered every 12 weeks.

Methods: we performed a systematic review and a meta-analysis in order to evaluate the two different schedules in terms of skeletal morbidity rate (SMR), skeletal related events (SRE) and adverse events (AEs).

Assessment of tobacco dependence curricula in Italian dental hygiene schools.

The aim of this study was to assess the level of tobacco dependence education offered by Italian dental hygiene programs. A fifty-question survey was mailed to the thirty-one active public and private dental hygiene programs in Italy during the 2008-09 academic year. The survey assessed faculty confidence in teaching tobacco treatment, which courses contained tobacco dependence content, the number of minutes spent on specific content areas, and the level of clinical competence that dental hygiene graduates should be able to demonstrate.

Topical fluoride for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents.

The use of topically applied fluoride has been widely researched as a means to reduce the risk of dental caries in conjunction with other treatment modalities (mechanical oral hygiene, dietary control, antimicrobial intervention, pit and fissure sealants). There is overwhelming evidence that reports not only the significance and importance of the use of fluoride as a caries-preventive agent, but also how safe fluoride application is when used appropriately, particularly in higher risk individuals and populations. This paper reviews the caries-protective benefits of topical fluoride application in children and adolescents, with an emphasis on the clinical efficacy and safety of the vehicles by which fluoride is topically delivered.

Effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on periodontal status of postmenopausal women.

Background: The risks/benefits balance of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the periodontal status of a postmenopausal women group receiving HRT and to determine the effects of HRT on clinical measures of periodontal disease.

Material/methods: Ninety-one postmenopausal women, 52 taking HRT (HRT+) and 39 not taking HRT (HRT-), completed the study.

Prevalence and socio-behavioral determinants of dental caries in Sicilian schoolchildren.

Background: Epidemiological data revealed a marked decline in dental caries prevalence in schoolchildren of Western industrialized countries. In Italy this decline is not well documented, particularly for schoolchildren living in southern Italy. This study investigated the prevalence of caries in schoolchildren in the city of Palermo, Sicily, and assessed the relationship between socio-behavioral determinants and caries.

Genetic disorders and periodontal health: a literature review.

Periodontal diseases include a group of inflammatory diseases characterized by progressive destruction of the periodontium. Dental plaque is the initiator of periodontal disease, but disease severity and response to treatment are determined predominantly by host-based risk factors. Genetic disorders can modify the host defense mechanisms or influence the homeostasis of the periodontium during childhood, thus increasing patients' susceptibility to periodontal disease.

Community water fluoridation and caries prevention: a critical review.

The aim of this paper was to critically review the current role of community water fluoridation in preventing dental caries. Original articles and reviews published in English language from January 2001 to June 2006 were selected through MEDLINE database. Other sources were taken from the references of the selected papers.

The effects of antimicrobial sprays and mouthrinses on supragingival plaque regrowth: a comparative study.

Background: Due to the side effects of chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) mouthrinsing, a spray has been proposed as an alternative method of CHX delivery to the oral cavity. The aim of this study was to investigate the plaque inhibitory effects of CHX, cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), and triclosan (TRN) delivered by sprays and mouthrinses.

Methods: The study was an observer-masked, randomized cross-over design balanced for carryover effects, involving 15 healthy volunteers in a 4-day plaque regrowth model.

The effects of an amine fluoride/stannous fluoride and an antimicrobial host protein mouthrinse on supragingival plaque regrowth.

Background: Chlorhexidine (CHX)-containing mouthrinses are recommended as adjuncts to mechanical oral hygiene. The problem associated with side effects, however, has stimulated the search for alternative antiplaque agents. The aim of this study was to investigate the plaque inhibitory effects of two mouthrinses containing amine fluoride/stannous fluoride (ASF) and antimicrobial host proteins (lactoperoxidase, lysozyme and lactoferrin; LLL), respectively.