Mycobiology of Dental Unit Water: A Systematic Scoping Review.

Fungi present in Dental Unit Water (DUW) can pose a health hazard to patients and dental personnel. Yet, the issue of fungal contamination of DUW and their conduits, DUW Lines (DUWLs) has been poorly addressed despite a growing body of data on the subject. In this comprehensive review, we aim to address this gap by examining the diverse fungal contaminants found in DUW, the challenges associated with controlling their growth within waterline biofilms, and the various measures employed for fungal decontamination.

Cannabidiol alleviates LPS-inhibited odonto/osteogenic differentiation in human dental pulp stem cells in vitro.

Aim: Cannabidiol (CBD), derived from the Cannabis sativa plant, exhibits benefits in potentially alleviating a number of oral and dental pathoses, including pulpitis and periodontal diseases. This study aimed to explore the impact of CBD on several traits of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSC), such as their proliferation, apoptosis, migration and odonto/osteogenic differentiation.

Methodology: hDPSCs were harvested from human dental pulp tissues.

Mechanical force modulates inflammation and immunomodulation in periodontal ligament cells.

Mechanical forces control a multitude of biological responses in various cells and tissues. The periodontal ligament, located between the tooth's root and alveolar bone, is a major tissue compartment that is incessantly subjected to such mechanical stimulation through either normal or abnormal oral functionality. It is now known that mechanical stimulation activates periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) to modulate periodontal immunity and regulate inflammation - a basic feature of periodontal disease that affects virtually every human during their lifetime.

Dental Unit Waterlines: Disinfection and Management.

Dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) are the conduits within the dental chair through which water derived from the municipal or other peripheral supply systems flows through the dental chair to reach the dental patient. The quality of the water so delivered must have a low pathogenic microbial burden so as to be safe for the patient and the dental personnel. Regulatory bodies have therefore set minimum standards for the quality of water that exits from DUWLs as part of routine infection control.

Periodontitis Is Associated With Arterial Stiffness as Measured by Serial Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index (CAVI): A 10-Year Cohort Study.

Aim: To investigate the effect of periodontitis on the long-term changes of the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI).

Materials And Methods: A 10-year retrospective cohort study of 3842 Thai participants (range 25-76 years) with normal CAVI at the study initiation was undertaken. Full-mouth periodontal examination was performed by calibrated periodontists, and the extent and severity of periodontitis were determined at 5-year intervals.

Betaine Induces Apoptosis and Inhibits Invasion in OSCC Cell Lines.

Betaine, known as trimethylglycine, is a non-toxic natural substance reported to affect cancer cell responses. This study delves into the impact of betaine on the survival, proliferation, and invasion of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells in vitro. Human OSCC cells (HSC-4 and HSC-7) were subjected to varying concentrations of betaine, and their viability and proliferation were assessed through colourimetric MTT and colony-forming unit assays.

The association between interdental cleaning and periodontitis in an urban Thai adult cohort: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Plaque biofilm is a major etiologic factor of periodontitis, and its effective removal prevents or ameliorates the disease. However, toothbrushing alone does not sufficiently clean the interdental area, and additional interdental cleaning is required to completely remove the plaque from this locale. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the association of interdental cleaning on the prevalence of periodontitis in a large urban Thai adult cohort.

Efficacy of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) in arresting dentin caries against inter-kingdom biofilms of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans.

Objectives: To compare, in vitro, the efficacy of three proprietary silver diamine fluoride (SDF) products in mitigating progression of dentinal caries induced by an inter-kingdom, dual-species, bacterial-yeast biofilm.

Methods: Human dentin blocks were demineralized to create artificial caries lesions and randomized into three SDF test groups: Saforide, Topamine, T-SDF, and an aqueous control (n = 26 per group). After application of foregoing SDF variants, the blocks were incubated with Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans for 24 h for biofilm development, and subsequently subjected to a microbe-induced, pH-cycling process for 7 days, to mimic the oral eco-system.

The Potential Effect of Periodontal Disease on the Development of Metabolic Syndrome: A 10-Year Observational Study in a Thai Adult Cohort.

Aim: As data are sparse on the long-term association between periodontal diseases and development of metabolic syndrome (MetS), we investigated their relationship in a Thai cohort over a 10-year observational period.

Methods: Medical records and data on periodontal assessments of 2161 employees of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand collected at two time points, 2003 and 2013, were used. Experienced periodontists used standard national and international criteria to define periodontitis and MetS.

Molecular analyses indicate profuse bacterial diversity in primary and post- treatment endodontic infections within a cohort from the United Arab Emirates-A preliminary study.

Objective: Endodontic microbiota appears to undergo evolutionary changes during disease progression from inflammation to necrosis and post-treatment. The aim of this study was to compare microbiome composition and diversity in primary and post-treatment endodontic infections from a cohort of patients from the UAE.

Design: Intracanal samples were collected from primarily infected (n = 10) and post-treatment infected (n = 10) root canals of human teeth using sterile paper points.

MicroRNA expression in JAG1/Notch-activated periodontal ligament stem cells.

Objectives: The study explored the expression profile of miRNAs in Notch-activated periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) and examined their potential cellular targets.

Methods: PDLSCs were cultured and treated with indirect immobilized Jagged1. The miRNA expression profile was examined using NanoString analysis.

A Reappraisal of the Accuracy of the Tactile Method for the Detection of the Subgingival Cementoenamel Junction: An In Vivo Study.

Objectives:  This article reappraises the accuracy and factors associated with the detection of the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) using the tactile method.

Materials And Methods:  A total of 111 tooth sites of 7 patients scheduled for flap surgery were selected for the study. The CEJ was detected in a blind manner using the conventional tactile method with a standard periodontal probe by a single, trained examiner.

The first report of the presence of collagen X in mammalian dentinal matrix.

Collagen X is an extracellular matrix protein, usually found in the hypertrophic cartilage destined to be mineralized. It is intimately associated with the mineralization process of the mammalian hard tissues, and particularly, regulating the compartmentalization of matrix components. Despite the fact that the dentine of the tooth is highly mineralized, there are no previous reports to indicate the presence of collagen X in this connective tissue.

Tooth agenesis related to a novel KDF1 variant: A case report and literature review.

Objectives: To investigate the role of Keratinocyte Differentiation Factor 1 (KDF1) in ectodermal dysplasia (ED) and nonsyndromic tooth agenesis (NSTA) and perform a literature review.

Methods: Genome sequencing was used to identify genetic variants in a Thai, NSTA proband and validated through Sanger sequencing. Pathogenicity was assessed using ACMG guidelines, MetaRNN and AlphaMissense.

The gingival phenotypes and related clinical periodontal parameters in a cohort of Pakistani young adults.

Objective: To evaluate the gingival phenotypes of healthy young adult Pakistanis attending a dental institution.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of gingival phenotype, probing depth (PD), papilla height (PH), gingival width (GW), gingival thickness (GT), crown width (CW) and crown length (CL) of maxillary central incisors was conducted in 510 healthy, Pakistani young adults, aged 20-35 years, attending a regional dental hospital in Pakistan. The K-means clustering technique was employed to delineate clusters based on the characteristics of the periodontal phenotypes.

Mucormycosis of the Mandible and Tongue: A Systematic Scoping Review.

Aim: Mucormycosis is a rare human infection associated with Mucorales, a group of filamentous moulds found in different environmental niches. Its oral manifestations may occur in the mandible and tongue despite being rare. We aimed to systematically review the data on clinical manifestations, risk factors, diagnostic approaches, treatment options, and outcomes of mandibular and tongue mucormycosis.

Denture Plaque Biofilm Visual Assessment Methods: A Systematic Review.

Denture plaque, a biofilm that develops on denture surfaces, could contribute to many oral and systemic afflictions. Hence, a quantitative assessment of denture plaque is important to evaluate the denture hygiene of denture wearers, particularly to prevent plaque biofilm-associated diseases. The aim of this systematic review, therefore, was to review and summarize the visual denture hygiene assessment methods using denture plaque indices and with planimetries published in the literature.

The gut microbiota-neuroimmune crosstalk and neuropathic pain: a scoping review.

Environmental stressors can disrupt the gut-brain relationship and alter the gut microbial composition, potentially leading to chronic pain, including neuropathic pain (NP). To understand this complex relationship, we conducted a systematic scoping review to examine the gut microbial-neuroimmune connection to NP and the potential therapeutic targets. The review includes English-language manuscripts in databases such as MEDLINE, Cochrane, and DOAJ between January 2000 and April 2022.

Recrudescence of Scarlet Fever and Its Implications for Dental Professionals.

A significant increase in the incidence of scarlet fever, mainly in Europe, has been noted during the COVID-19 postpandemic period. Scarlet fever is caused by a pyrogenic exotoxin-producing streptococcus-Streptococcus pyogenes-responsible for more than 500,000 deaths annually worldwide. Superantigens (SAgs) secreted by this Group A streptococcus (GAS) usually overstimulate the human immune system, causing an amplified hypersensitivity reaction leading to initial symptoms such as sore throat, high fever, and a sandpaper-like skin rash.