Exploratory Analysis of Objective Outcome Measures for the Clinical Assessment of Erosive Tooth Wear.

This study proposed using enamel surface texture and thickness for the objective detection and monitoring of erosive tooth wear (ETW), comparing them to the standard subjective Basic Erosive Wear Evaluation (BEWE). Thirty-two subjects ( = 597 teeth) were enrolled in this longitudinal observational clinical study. Enamel thickness (by cross-polarization optical coherence tomography, CP-OCT) and 3D dental microwear parameters, i.

Characterizing clinical findings of Sjögren's Disease patients in community practices using matched electronic dental-health record data.

Established classifications exist to confirm Sjögren's Disease (SD) (previously referred as Sjögren's Syndrome) and recruit patients for research. However, no established classification exists for diagnosis in clinical settings causing delayed diagnosis. SD patients experience a huge dental disease burden impairing their quality of life.

Xerostomia/Salivary Gland Hypofunction: Diagnosis and Management.

The patient with xerostomia (sensation of dry mouth) or inadequate saliva (salivary gland hypofunction) may present with a wide range of clinical signs and symptoms affecting the oral cavity and systemic health. Recognition of these clinical presentations allows the dental healthcare professional to perform objective tests to identify the status of salivary gland function. Based on these results, recommendations for treatment using over-the-counter and prescription medications can be made.

Epithelial expression of keratinocytes growth factor in oral precancer lesions.

Background: Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) is a potent epithelial mitogen that acts by binding the KGF receptors (KGFRs) expressed on epithelial cells and regulates proliferation and differentiation. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression of KGF in the epithelium in oral precancer.

Materials And Methods: Archival tissues of oral submucous fibrosis (SMF) and leukoplakia were assessed for epithelial KGF expression by immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Designing a safety checklist for dental implant placement: a Delphi study.

Background: Complications during and after dental implant placement can be a hindrance to successful treatment. Checklists are emerging as useful tools in error reduction in various fields. The authors selected a Delphi panel to explore the appropriate clinical practices involved in implant placement, with the objective of formulating a safety checklist that would aid in reducing errors.

Intraoral electrostimulator for xerostomia relief: a long-term, multicenter, open-label, uncontrolled, clinical trial.

Objective: A previous sham-controlled multinational study demonstrated the short-term efficacy and safety for xerostomia treatment of an intraoral device that delivers electrostimulation to the lingual nerve. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that those beneficial effects would be sustained over an 11-month period.

Study Design: The device was tested on a mixed sample of 94 patients with xerostomia in an open-label, uncontrolled, prospective multicenter trial.

Quality assessment of saliva bank samples.

Introduction: Biospecimens, such as urine, blood, saliva, tissue, cells, DNA, RNA, and protein, are biological material to be stored in a biorepository. They constitute critical resources of molecular data for basic and translational research integrated with diagnostic, therapeutics, and prevention of human diseases. The reliability of the molecular data is dependent on the quality and the consistency of the biospecimen being analyzed.

Differential expression of TLR-2 and TLR-4 in the epithelial cells in oral lichen planus.

Objective: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the mucosa mediated by a complex signalling network between the keratinocytes and the sub-epithelial lymphocytes. Since OLP occurs in constantly renewing epithelium continuously exposed to commensals, we hypothesised that the epithelial cell microflora interactions may mediate the persistent inflammation. By virtue of their ability to respond to most oral commensal microorganisms, the toll like receptor-2 (TLR-2) and TLR-4 are the most widely investigated receptors in oral diseases.

Efficacy and safety of an intraoral electrostimulation device for xerostomia relief: a multicenter, randomized trial.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of an intraoral electrostimulation device, consisting of stimulating electrodes, an electronic circuit, and a power source, in treating xerostomia. The device delivers electrostimulation through the oral mucosa to the lingual nerve in order to enhance the salivary reflex.

Methods: The device was tested on a sample of patients with xerostomia due to Sjögren's syndrome and other sicca conditions in a 2-stage prospective, randomized, multicenter trial.

Bisphosphonates treatment and orthodontic considerations.

Currently, the use of oral and systemic forms of bisphosphonates is increasing dramatically in a large group of patients either in the form of anti-osteoporosis medications or as a part of a chemotherapeutic regimen for several malignant diseases. As adult orthodontic treatment has become more widely accepted in most orthodontic practices, orthodontists must be aware of the risks, benefits, and effects of bisphosphonates use on the patient's general health status, as well as on their orthodontic treatment outcomes. This review aims to discuss the use of bisphosphonates, the complications associated with their use, and their impact on orthodontic treatment.

Soluble forms of Toll-like receptor 4 are present in human saliva and modulate tumour necrosis factor-alpha secretion by macrophage-like cells.

In health, mucosal inflammation is prevented by tightly regulated responses via Toll-like receptors (TLR) that interact with specific microbe associated molecular patterns. Currently, 13 TLRs have been identified. Based on the specificity of ligand recognition, TLR-2 and TLR-4 can recognize most oral commensal microorganisms.

Correlation between micro-computed tomography and histomorphometry for assessment of new bone formation in a calvarial experimental model.

Conventional histologic or histomorphometric evaluation provides clear evidence of the bone healing process. However, the sample preparation process is tedious and destructive, and the three-dimensional (3D) anisotropic information of the bone trabeculae is compromised. Micro-computed tomography (microCT) has been introduced as an alternative to these traditional evaluation methods.

Evaluation of the dry mouth patient.

This paper examines the questions "who is the dry mouth patient and how is the dry mouth patient evaluated"? It reviews the clinical features of dry mouth. It presents current treatment options for dry mouth care.

Soluble CD14 and toll-like receptor-2 are potential salivary biomarkers for oral lichen planus and burning mouth syndrome.

Oral lichen planus (OLP) and burning mouth syndrome (BMS) are chronic conditions affecting the oral mucosa characterized by pain and burning sensation. Saliva plays a significant role in the maintenance of physical and functional integrity of normal oral mucosa. Identification of potential "salivary biomarkers" for early diagnosis and/or monitoring of human diseases is being explored.

Suppression of immune responses in collagen-induced arthritis by a rationally designed CD80-binding peptide agent.

Objective: The CD80/CD86-CD28/CD152 costimulatory pathways transmit signals for CD4+ T cell activation and suppression and are critically involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A significant number of CD4+ T cells and macrophages in the rheumatoid synovium express elevated levels of CD80, increasing the potential for costimulation in trans of naive T cells. To determine the effect of blockade of this costimulatory axis in RA, we designed novel CD80-binding peptides and evaluated their therapeutic potential in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), an animal model of RA.

Papillary squamous cell carcinoma presenting on the gingiva.

Background: Papillary squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) is a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma. PSCC can occur as either an in situ or invasive tumor. The sites of occurrence in order of the most to least prevalent are the larynx, oropharynx, and nasopharynx.

A screening test for unstimulated salivary flow measurement.

It is well established that saliva is an important factor for the health of both soft and hard tissues in the oral cavity. This study determined: 1) the correlation between unstimulated salivary flow assessed using the Modified Schirmer tear strip Test (MST), with gravimetric and volumetric measurements and 2) the MST value that would allow the most reliable identification of patients with severe (<0.1 ml/minute) and moderate (<0.

Hydroxyapatite/PMMA composites as bone cements.

Currently PMMA is the polymer most commonly used as a bone cement for the fixation of total hip prostheses. Ideally, a bone cement material should be easy to handle, biologically compatible, nonsupporting of oral microbial growth, available in the particulate and molded forms, easy to obtain, nonallergenic, adaptable to a broad range of dental and medical applications, in possession of high compressive strength, and effective in guided tissue regenerative procedures. One of the problems associated with the conventional types of bone cement used is their unsatisfactory mechanical and exothermic reaction properties.

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis remains a commonly occurring cause of oral pain and ulceration. Although the ulcerations of RAS are multifactorial and of unknown cause, recognition of the role of patient and environmental factors may be helpful in developing recommendations for treatment and prevention of future ulcers.

Comparison of computer-assisted brush biopsy results with follow up scalpel biopsy and histology.

Oral brush biopsy results were compared with scalpel biopsy and histology to determine the positive predictive value of an abnormal brush biopsy finding. Of 243 patients with abnormal brush biopsies, 93 proved positive for dysplasia (79) or carcinoma (14) and 150 were negative for either dysplasia or carcinoma. Therefore, the positive predictive value of an abnormal brush biopsy was 38% (93/243).

Transepithelial Brush Biopsy: an adjunctive diagnostic procedure.

The TBBCA is an easy-to-use, chairside technique for determining the significance of an oral lesion. It was accurate in the detection of precancerous and cancerous lesions in multicenter trials. It is well accepted by patients because there is almost no pain or discomfort, minimal bleeding, and no need for sutures.

Linear IgA disease histopathologically and clinically masquerading as lichen planus.

In each of 2 cases reported, the patient presented with features of erosive lichen planus or lichenoid drug eruptions and an incisional biopsy taken from the patient was diagnosed histologically as lichen planus. Subsequent recurrences or exacerbations were associated with vesiculobullous lesions. Simultaneous or subsequent direct immunofluorescence studies--from the same tissue sample in one case and from a similar site in the other case--demonstrated classic features of linear IgA disease.

Oral lichen planus: an immunohistochemical study of heat shock proteins (HSPs) and cytokeratins (CKs) and a unifying hypothesis of pathogenesis.

The expression of heat shock proteins HSP60 and HSP70 and cytokeratins CK1/10 and CK7/18 were compared in epithelium of oral lichen planus (OLP) lesions and oral fibromas using an avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) immunohistochemical method. An immunostaining intensity distribution (IID) index was developed to assess staining intensity and the proportion of positively stained cells in different layers of the epithelium. The expression of HSP60 in the basal layer was significantly higher in OLP than in fibromas.