Oral and systemic health: is there a "new" link with COVID-19?

Objectives: The objective of the present narrative review was to evaluate the evidence of a possible association between periodontitis and COVID-19, and its biological plausibility, using as models the potential associations with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and some respiratory diseases.

Methods: A recent systematic review was used as main reference to explore the associations of periodontitis with different respiratory diseases, including COVID-19, following two focussed questions: a PECOS question, aimed to explore epidemiological evidence, and a PICOS question, designed to explore the evidence derived from intervention studies. In addition to that evidence, other relevant scientific documents, including consensus papers, were carefully selected and appraised.

Is the oral cavity relevant in SARS-CoV-2 pandemic?

Objectives: Recent scientific evidences suggest a relevant role of the oral cavity in the transmission and pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2.

Methods: A literature search was performed in PubMed, up to April 30, 2020, focusing on SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, oral cavity, and antimicrobial agents.

Results: Oral viral load of SARS-CoV-2 has been associated with the severity of COVID-19, and thus, a reduction in the oral viral load could be associated with a decrease in the severity of the condition.

Efficacy of adjunctive therapies in patients with gingival inflammation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of adjunctive therapies in reducing gingivitis and plaque by means of a systematic review of randomized clinical trials (RCTs).

Material And Methods: A search protocol was designed to identify 6-month RCTs that investigated the efficacy of adjuncts to mechanical plaque control on gingivitis and plaque. Following screening, relevant information was extracted, and quality and potential risk of bias were estimated.

Efficacy of adjunctive anti-plaque chemical agents in managing gingivitis: A systematic review and network meta-analyses.

Aim: The aim of this network meta-analysis (NMA) was to compare the efficacy of different oral hygiene products for chemical biofilm control, in 6-month home-use, randomized clinical trials (RCTs), in terms of changes in gingival index (GI).

Material And Methods: Six-month RCTs assessing GI were identified and screened for inclusion. Relevant information was extracted, and quality and potential risk of bias were estimated.

Efficacy of adjunctive anti-plaque chemical agents: a systematic review and network meta-analyses of the Turesky modification of the Quigley and Hein plaque index.

Aim: The aim of this systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) was to compare the efficacy of different anti-plaque chemical agents, in 6-month, home-use, randomized clinical trials (RCTs), in terms of plaque index (PlI) changes.

Material And Methods: RCTs assessing PlI were identified, screened, and evaluated for inclusion. Relevant information was extracted, and quality and risk of bias were assessed.

Effect of professional mechanical plaque removal on secondary prevention of periodontitis and the complications of gingival and periodontal preventive measures: consensus report of group 4 of the 11th European Workshop on Periodontology on effective prevention of periodontal and peri-implant diseases.

Background And Aims: The scope of this working group was to review: (1) the effect of professional mechanical plaque removal (PMPR) on secondary prevention of periodontitis; (2) the occurrence of gingival recessions and non-carious cervical lesions (NCCL) secondary to traumatic tooth brushing; (3) the management of hypersensitivity, through professionally and self administered agents and (4) the management of oral malodour, through mechanical and/or chemical agents.

Results And Conclusions: Patients undergoing supportive periodontal therapy including PMPR showed mean tooth loss rates of 0.15 ± 0.

Efficacy of adjunctive anti-plaque chemical agents in managing gingivitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the efficacy of anti-plaque chemical formulations for managing gingivitis, in 6-month, home-use, randomised clinical trials (RCTs).

Material And Methods: A protocol was designed, including inclusion and exclusion criteria to identify RCTs assessing gingival and/or bleeding indices. Electronic and hand-searches identified relevant papers, which were screened and evaluated for inclusion.

[Halitosis management by the general dental practitioner- results of an International Consensus Workshop*].

Clinical investigations on patients suffering from halitosis clearly reveal that in the vast majority of cases the source for an offensive breath odor can be found within the oral cavity (90%). Based on these studies, the main sources for intra-oral halitosis where tongue coating, gingivitis/periodontitis and a combination of the two. Thus, it is perfectly logical that general dental practitioners (GDPs) should be able to manage intra-oral halitosis under the conditions found in a normal dental practice.

An approach to classification and capacitance expressions in electrochemical capacitors technology.

The proliferation of novel types and designs of electrochemical capacitors makes it necessary to obtain a better understanding of the behavior of these systems together with a more systematic classification of them. In this study a rational classification of supercapacitors based on the charge storage mechanism and the active material of each electrode is proposed. The internationally accepted terminology - the terms symmetric, asymmetric and hybrid - is also clarified in an attempt to standardize the current definitions and facilitate the systematic classification of each device.

Efficacy of periodontal plastic procedures in the treatment of multiple gingival recessions.

Objective: To systematically review the efficacy of periodontal plastic procedures (PPP) in the treatment of multiple gingival recessions (MGR).

Methods: Randomized clinical trials (RCT) on MGR treatment with at least 6 months duration were identified through electronic databases and hand-searched journals. Primary outcomes were complete root coverage (CRC) and percentage of root coverage (PRC).

Periodontal bacterial invasion and infection: contribution to atherosclerotic pathology.

Objective: The objective of this review was to perform a systematic evaluation of the literature reporting current scientific evidence for periodontal bacteria as contributors to atherosclerosis.

Methods: Literature from epidemiological, clinical and experimental studies concerning periodontal bacteria and atherosclerosis were reviewed. Gathered data were categorized into seven "proofs" of evidence that periodontal bacteria: 1) disseminate from the oral cavity and reach systemic vascular tissues; 2) can be found in the affected tissues; 3) live within the affected site; 4) invade affected cell types in vitro; 5) induce atherosclerosis in animal models of disease; 6) non-invasive mutants of periodontal bacteria cause significantly reduced pathology in vitro and in vivo; and 7) periodontal isolates from human atheromas can cause disease in animal models of infection.

Antimicrobial therapy in periodontitis: the use of systemic antimicrobials against the subgingival biofilm.

Objectives: The aim was to answer three relevant questions: can systemic antimicrobials be efficacious if the biofilm is not disrupted? Can the type of debridement of the subgingival biofilm impact upon the clinical outcomes of the adjunctive antimicrobial therapy? Is the efficacy of the adjunctive systemic antimicrobial therapy dependent on the quality of the debridement of the subgingival biofilm and the sequence debridement-antibiotic usage?

Material And Methods: Relevant papers were searched, critically analysed and their data were extracted.

Results: For the first question, studies assessing susceptibility of bacteria in biofilms, and clinical studies evaluating systemic antimicrobials as monotherapy, were reviewed. For the second question, clinical studies comparing systemic antimicrobials as adjuncts to non-surgical debridement or to periodontal surgery and clinical trials using systemic antibiotics with periodontal surgery were evaluated.

A combined therapeutic approach to manage oral halitosis: a 3-month prospective case series.

Background: Clinical research assessing different therapeutic protocols aimed at treating oral halitosis is scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a combined mechanical and pharmacological approach to treat oral halitosis on clinical and microbiological outcomes on patients followed for 3 months.

Methods: Nineteen subjects with oral malodor participated.

Comparative effects of different chlorhexidine mouth-rinse formulations on volatile sulphur compounds and salivary bacterial counts.

Aim: To compare five different commercial mouth rinses with chlorhexidine (CHX) with respect to their anti-halitosis effect and anti-microbial activity on salivary bacterial counts, following a standardised research protocol. And secondly, to validate the study model proposed in the evaluation of patients suffering from halitosis.

Patients And Methods: Ten volunteers, with a healthy oral status, were enrolled in a double-blind, cross-over design, using sterile saline as negative control and five CHX-containing mouth rinses: 0.

A systematic review on the effect of systemic antimicrobials as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in periodontitis patients.

Background: Scaling and root planing (SRP) are the bases of non-surgical therapy in the treatment of periodontitis. However, results from this therapy are often unpredictable and dependable from many different factors.

Objectives: The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness of the adjunctive use of systemic antimicrobials with scaling and root planing (SRP) vs.

Differences in antimicrobial activity of four commercial 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthrinse formulations: an in vitro contact test and salivary bacterial counts study.

Aim: To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activity of four commercial 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthrinses.

Material And Methods: The in vitro antimicrobial activity test consisted in a modified contact test where 20 selected bacterial species were tested during 1 min with each test product.