Hematological biomarkers of systemic inflammation in genuine (physiologic and pathologic) halitosis.

Halitosis is an unpleasant odor discharged through the oral cavity with a prevalence as high as 30%-50% of the general population. Conventional diagnostic methods have been focused on mouth air analysis measuring the amount of sulfur compounds which does not directly reflect the cause of halitosis. Also, the possible role of halitosis as an indicator of general health status has been steadily suggested and inflammation has been constantly associated with aversive body odor.

Direct effect of chlorine dioxide, zinc chloride and chlorhexidine solution on the gaseous volatile sulfur compounds.

Objective: This study focused on the ability of aqueous anti-volatile-sulfur-compound (VSC) solutions to eliminate gaseous VSCs by direct contact in a sealed space to describe possible mode of action of anti-VSC agents.

Materials And Methods: Twenty milliliters of each experimental solution, 0.16% sodium chlorite, 0.

Relationships between disk displacement, joint effusion, and degenerative changes of the TMJ in TMD patients based on MRI findings.

This study was performed to investigate the relationships between disk displacement, joint effusion, and degenerative changes in patients with temporomandibular disorders using MRI. Randomly selected MRIs of 508 temporomandibular joints of 254 patients (92 males and 162 females, mean age was 30.5±12.

Dry mouth among the elderly in Korea: a survey of prevalence, severity, and associated factors.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and severity of dry mouth among elderly population of Korea and to evaluate associate factors and their impact.

Study Design: Telephone interviews were conducted on a stratified random sample of 1,012 subjects aged ≥ 55 years. Prevalence of dry mouth symptoms, severity of overall oral dryness, and associated factors were assessed using a structured questionnaire.

Effect of botulinum toxin on pressure pain threshold and EMG power spectrum of masseter muscle during sustained fatiguing contraction.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to test the effect of botulinum toxin on a reversible, prolonged, experimental pain and on muscle fatigue in human masseter muscle, both caused by a sustained clench.

Design: The masseter muscles were injected with botulinum toxin in 19 subjects and with isotonic saline in 16 subjects. We measured electromyographic activity at maximum voluntary contraction, pressure pain threshold before and after a 70% maximum voluntary contraction clench sustained to pain tolerance, and the median frequency of the electromyographic power spectrum during that clench at baseline and at 1, 2, and 3 mos after botulinum toxin or saline injection.

A comparison of neurosensory alteration and recovery pattern among different types of orthognathic surgeries using the current perception threshold.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare postsurgical neurosensory alteration and recovery patterns among different nerve fiber types and orthognathic surgeries by measuring current perception thresholds (CPT).

Study Design: CPTs of 186 patients who underwent various orthognathic surgeries (Le Fort I or II, bilateral sagittal split [BSSRO] or intraoral vertico-sagittal [IVSRO] ramus osteotomy with or without genioplasty) were measured at 2000, 250, and 5 Hz, assessing 3 different nerve fiber types before surgery and at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery.

Results: CPTs were highest at 3 months postsurgery and gradually returned to presurgical levels until 12 months postsurgery in most cases.

Effect of botulinum toxin injection on nocturnal bruxism: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of botulinum toxin type A on nocturnal bruxism.

Design: Twelve subjects reporting nocturnal bruxism were recruited for a double-blind, randomized clinical trial. Six bruxers were injected with botulinum toxin in both masseters, and six with saline.

Salivary levels of IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha in patients with burning mouth syndrome.

Objective: To compare salivary IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha levels between patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) and controls.

Design: Forty female patients with BMS (mean age: 61.6+/-10.

Effects of CYP2D6 and CYP3A5 genotypes on the plasma concentrations of risperidone and 9-hydroxyrisperidone in Korean schizophrenic patients.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the CYP2D6 and CYP3A5 genotypes on the steady-state plasma levels of risperidone (RIS), 9-hydroxyrisperidone (9-OH-RIS), and the active moiety (RIS plus 9-OH-RIS) in Korean schizophrenic patients. Sixty-four Korean schizophrenic patients were enrolled. CYP2D6 and CYP3A5 genotypes were determined, and the plasma levels of RIS and 9-OH-RIS were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography.

Development of third molars in Korean juveniles and adolescents.

The aim of the present study was to provide reference data of the Korean population which is adequate to compare with other mongoloid populations and can be applied to the age estimation of Korean juveniles and adolescents. A cross-sectional study was performed on a randomly selected sample of 3301 orthopantomographs taken of patients aged from 4 to 26 years, and the developmental stages of the third molars were evaluated based on Demirjian's stages. The results showed that the development of third molars in the Korean population was likely to begin at age 7 in both males and females and be completed by age 22 in males and 24 in females at the latest, and the level of development of all four third molars correlated significantly with age in both genders.

A new organoleptic testing method for evaluating halitosis.

Background: Halitosis is a common condition in the adult population. The organoleptic method has been used widely in the clinical field for the diagnosis of halitosis because of its simplicity; however, this method has limitations as a result of its lack of objectivity and reproducibility. We developed a new method of organoleptic testing using a gastight syringe to overcome these limitations.

Age estimation of Korean children based on dental maturity.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between age and dental maturity and to establish the standard database of dental maturity based on the Demirjian's stages, which can be used for the age estimation of Korean children. For this purpose, dental maturity was measured by the Demirjian's stages on a randomly selected sample of panoramic radiographs taken from 2706 patients between 1 and 20 years of age and analyzed by multiple linear regression analysis based on the method of least squares. The results showed that, except for the third molars, the development of permanent teeth in Korean children was more advanced in females.

Age estimation of Korean adults by occlusal tooth wear.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the validity of the modified Kim's scoring system as a practical method of recording occlusal tooth wear and estimating age. For this purpose, 1092 pairs of maxillary and mandibular full-arch casts were randomly selected, scored, and analyzed. The results showed that the modified Kim's scoring system had excellent reliability, and that occlusal tooth wear had a positive correlation with age.

Volatile sulfur compounds produced by Helicobacter pylori.

Goals: To assess the volatile sulfur compounds produced by three strains of Helicobacter pylori in broth cultures mixed with sulfur-containing amino acids.

Background: Halitosis has been reported in H. pylori-positive patients, and volatile sulfur compounds such as hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan are known to be responsible for inducing oral malodor.

Influences of animal mucins on lysozyme activity in solution and on hydroxyapatite surfaces.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of animal mucins on lysozyme activity in solution and on the surface of hydroxyapatite (HA) beads. The effects of animal mucins on lysozyme activity in solution were examined by incubating porcine gastric mucin (PGM) or bovine submaxillary mucin (BSM) with hen egg-white lysozyme (HEWL) or salivary samples. HA-immobilised animal mucins or lysozyme were used to determine the influence of animal mucins on lysozyme activity on HA surfaces.

The relationship between phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) and 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) taster status and taste thresholds for sucrose and quinine.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of taster status with taste detection and recognition thresholds for sucrose and quinine.

Design: Sixty-nine subjects (35 men and 34 women; mean age, 23.9+/-1.

The relationship between PTC taster status and taste thresholds in young adults.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare taste detection and recognition thresholds of young males and females, and young phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) "tasters" and "nontasters" for stimuli representing sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami classes of taste sensations.

Study Design: Thirty-eight men and 37 women (mean [SD] age = 24.5 [2.

Chronic orofacial pain among Korean elders: prevalence, and impact using the graded chronic pain scale.

The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of orofacial pain symptoms in the Korean elderly population, and to evaluate factors associated with orofacial pain and graded chronic pain. Of 4,342 Korean elders from the cohort of Korean National Interview Survey of Oral Health Status in 2000, telephone interviews were conducted on a stratified random sample of 1,032 people aged 55 years or older. Prevalence of five orofacial pain symptoms (jaw joint pain, face pain, toothache, oral sores, and burning mouth) in the past 6 months along with questions from the graded chronic pain scale were assessed by telephone using a structured questionnaire.

The relationship between oral Candida carriage and the secretor status of blood group antigens in saliva.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between oral Candida carriage and the secretor status of blood group antigens.

Study Design: Unstimulated whole saliva and oral rinse samples were obtained from 180 healthy subjects. These samples were plated on Sabouraud's dextrose agar media to determine oral Candida carriage.

The relationship between volatile sulfur compounds and major halitosis-inducing factors.

Background: Although tongue coating and periodontal conditions have been reported to be major halitosis-inducing factors, the relationship between volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) and these 2 major factors is not yet fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of VSC concentrations to tongue coating and periodontal health.

Methods: Forty subjects (mean age 33.

Analysis of residual saliva and minor salivary gland secretions in patients with dry mouth.

The importance of oral mucosal wetness in the condition of dry mouth and the role of salivary proteins in proper oral function are acknowledged. A negative correlation between mucosal wetness and the protein concentration of residual saliva has been reported in normosalivators. Here, to examine the suggestion that a reduction in residual salivary volume leads to a concomitant elevation of its protein concentration, the amount of residual saliva and minor salivary gland secretions, and their protein concentrations, were measured in hyposalivators and normosalivator controls.