Restoration of Non-carious Cervical Lesions: A Brief Review for Clinicians.

Non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) become common in individuals over the age of 40 and are progressive. Those that are wedge-shaped in cross-section likely develop hazardous stress concentrations along their sharp axial extent, which can be distributed to lower, safer levels over a larger area via adhesive restoration. Restoration is indicated once a lesion progresses to a minimum restorable axial depth of at least 1.

Intermittent clearance of p21-highly-expressing cells extends lifespan and confers sustained benefits to health and physical function.

A key challenge in aging research is extending lifespan in tandem with slowing down functional decline so that life with good health (healthspan) can be extended. Here, we show that monthly clearance, starting from 20 months, of a small number of cells that highly express p21 (p21) improves cardiac and metabolic function and extends both median and maximum lifespans in mice. Importantly, by assessing the health and physical function of these mice monthly until death, we show that clearance of p21 cells improves physical function at all remaining stages of life, suggesting healthspan extension.

Interdisciplinary Role of Orthodontist in Screening and Managing Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children and Adults.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can affect children and adults, and, if left untreated, could have a major impact on the general and overall well-being of the patient. Dental health care providers and orthodontists have an interdisciplinary role in screening patients at risk for OSA and make a referral to establish a definitive diagnosis by a sleep physician. The gold standard of diagnostic testing is polysomnography.

Positional, morphologic, and volumetric differences in TMJ in unilateral posterior crossbites and controls: A retrospective CBCT study.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate if there are any morphologic, positional, and volumetric differences in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of patients with unilateral posterior crossbite (UPC) compared to controls. Another objective was to analyse the discrepancy in the TMJ between the crossbite versus non-crossbite side in UPC versus right and left sides in controls. Additionally, this study aimed to evaluate the differences in the bone density at the masseteric insertion site at the angle of mandible in the UPC group and control group.

Biomechanics of conventional and miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion.

Posterior Crossbite is a common condition resulting because of transverse maxillary deficiency. The growth of the craniofacial complex finishes first in the transverse dimension, followed by sagittal and vertical dimensions. Conventional rapid palatal expansion (RPE) appliances are commonly used to correct transverse maxillary deficiency.

Does the Outcome of Graft Materials at Dental Implant Sites Differ Between Patients With Normal and Compromised Bone Health?

The objective of this paper was to assess the outcome of bone graft material at alveolar bone augmentation sites combined with dental implants in postmenopausal women with compromised bone health by evaluating cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT) scans at multiple time points.CBCT scans were analyzed on 55 postmenopausal women with compromised bone health status to determine the fate of alveolar bone augmentation. CBCT scans were taken immediately after surgery and 9 and 24 months postoperatively.

Blockchain technology and federated machine learning for collaborative initiatives in orthodontics and craniofacial health.

There is a paucity of largescale collaborative initiatives in orthodontics and craniofacial health. Such nationally representative projects would yield findings that are generalizable. The lack of large-scale collaborative initiatives in the field of orthodontics creates a deficiency in study outcomes that can be applied to the population at large.

Maintaining a strong rural dental workforce.

Aims: This study was designed to examine demographics of University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry graduates over a recent 10-year period and factors related to their choice of rural or urban practice. Findings were compared to similar previous studies to analyze trends.

Methods: Using data from the annual Health Professions Tracking Service 2019 Dentistry Profile survey, we examined the demographic information of 169 graduates from 2009 to 2018 practicing in Nebraska at the end of 2018.

Performance of a commercially available multiplex platform in the assessment of circulating cytokines and chemokines in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Background/objective: Cytokines and chemokines (cytokines) are central to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis, with increasing use of multiplex immunoassays in clinical/research settings. Rheumatoid factor (RF) may interfere with assay outcomes by nonspecifically binding detection analytes. We evaluated the performance of a commercially available multiplex platform, including assessment of the impact of RF depletion.

A Guide to Medications Inducing Salivary Gland Dysfunction, Xerostomia, and Subjective Sialorrhea: A Systematic Review Sponsored by the World Workshop on Oral Medicine VI.

Background: Medication-induced salivary gland dysfunction (MISGD), xerostomia (sensation of oral dryness), and subjective sialorrhea cause significant morbidity and impair quality of life. However, no evidence-based lists of the medications that cause these disorders exist.

Objective: Our objective was to compile a list of medications affecting salivary gland function and inducing xerostomia or subjective sialorrhea.

World Workshop on Oral Medicine VI: a systematic review of medication-induced salivary gland dysfunction.

The aim of this paper was to perform a systematic review of the pathogenesis of medication-induced salivary gland dysfunction (MISGD). Review of the identified papers was based on the standards regarding the methodology for systematic reviews set forth by the World Workshop on Oral Medicine IV and the PRISMA statement. Eligible papers were assessed for both the degree and strength of relevance to the pathogenesis of MISGD as well as on the appropriateness of the study design and sample size.

The functions of human saliva: A review sponsored by the World Workshop on Oral Medicine VI.

This narrative review of the functions of saliva was conducted in the PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases. Additional references relevant to the topic were used, as our key words did not generate references which covered all known functions of saliva. These functions include maintaining a moist oral mucosa which is less susceptible to abrasion, and removal of micro-organisms, desquamated epithelial cells, leucocytes and food debris by swallowing.

An in-vitro evaluation of mechanical and esthetic properties of orthodontic sealants.

Objective: To evaluate mechanical and esthetic Properties of two commercially available orthodontic sealants: Opal(®)Seal (OS) and L.E.D.

Soldering in prosthodontics--an overview, part I.

The fit of fixed multiunit dental prostheses (FDP), traditionally termed fixed partial dentures (FPDs), is an ongoing problem. Poorly fitting restorations may hasten mechanical failure, due to abutment caries or screw failure. Soldering and welding play an important role in trying to overcome misfit of fixed multiunit prostheses.

Plakophilin-1 localizes to the nucleus and interacts with single-stranded DNA.

Plakophilins (Pkp-1, -2, and -3) comprise a family of armadillo repeat-containing proteins first identified as desmosomal plaque components, in which they link desmoplakin to the desmosomal cadherins. In addition to their role in desmosomal cell-cell adhesion, Pkps also localize to the nucleus, where they perform unknown functions. Of the three Pkps, Pkp-1 is most readily detected in the nucleus, where it is localized to the nucleoplasm.

Laboratory evaluations of a bi-level, extremely tapered bristled toothbrush and a conventional uniform bristled toothbrush.

Purpose: To compare a uniquely shaped tapered-bristle manual toothbrush to a toothbrush with bristles uniform in height and diameter for the ability to remove artificial plaque deposits in areas of the mouth that are difficult to access; interproximal areas, the gingival margin and subgingival.

Methods: This study compared a GUM Summit+ Compact toothbrush featuring extremely tapered bristles and conventional bristle ends in a bi-level design. The upper, longest tapered bristles have the final 6 mm tapered to 0.

Oral histoplasmosis: an unusual presentation.

Background: Histoplasmosis is a localized or systemic fungal infection which may present as an acute primary or "reactivation" infection in the setting of immunosuppression. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) antagonists, used in the management of rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn disease, have been linked to reactivation of quiescent histoplasmosis. Microscopically, granulomas are either not evident or are infrequent in histoplasmosis when associated with TNF antagonist therapy presumably due to the suppression of macrophage activity.

Comparison of irrigation to floss as an adjunct to tooth brushing: effect on bleeding, gingivitis, and supragingival plaque.

Objective: The purpose of this twenty-eight day, randomized, single-blind clinical trial was to assess the efficacy of the addition of daily oral irrigation to both power and manual tooth brushing, compared to a traditional regimen of manual tooth brushing and flossing, to determine which regimen had the greatest effect on the reduction of gingival bleeding, gingivitis, and supragingival plaque.

Methodology: The study was designed for a total of 105 subjects to participate in a twenty-eight day trial, with 35 subjects randomly assigned to one of three groups: Group 1-manual toothbrush and floss; Group 2-manual toothbrush and dental water jet; and Group 3-sonic toothbrush and dental water jet. All subjects received written and verbal instructions for using their regimens.

Inflammatory cytokines activate p38 MAPK to induce osteoprotegerin synthesis by MG-63 cells.

Inflammatory bone diseases are characterized by the presence of pro-inflammatory cytokines that regulate bone turnover. Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a soluble osteoblast-derived protein that influences bone resorption by inhibiting osteoclast differentiation and activation. In the present study, we demonstrate that interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha induce OPG mRNA production and OPG secretion by osteoblast-like MG-63 cells.

Muscle and temporomandibular joint forces associated with chincup loading predicted by numerical modeling.

Development of the components of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is thought to reflect joint loading. The aims of this project were to test 3 hypotheses: whether effective eminence morphology, masticatory muscle forces, and predicted TMJ forces during chincup loading of the mandible were consistent with the objectives of minimization of joint loads (MJL) or muscle effort (MME), or both. Regression relationships of MJL model-predicted versus measured eminence shapes in 9 subjects indicated a high degree of correlation (mean slope = 0.

A comparison of a waterpik dual-motor powered toothbrush and a manual toothbrush in affecting interproximal bleeding reduction and dental biofilm accumulation.

Objective: This single-blind, 21-day clinical study was designed to compare the effectiveness of a dual-motor powered toothbrush (SynchroSonic) and a manual toothbrush in affecting interproximal bleeding reduction and dental biofilm accumulation in a cohort of 70 subjects.

Methodology: After baseline evaluations of soft tissue trauma, dental biofilm and interproximal bleeding, subjects were randomly assigned to one of the two experimental groups, given toothbrushing instructions and had their teeth cleaned. At 21 days, the clinical parameters were again evaluated.

Facial slot Class II restorations: a conservative technique revisited.

Conservative instrumentation of initial posterior approximal caries is beneficial to patients and simplifies surgical management. This article describes a minimally invasive technique for preparing Class II lesions while keeping the marginal ridge and occlusal surface intact. Eradication of caries by minimally invasive techniques and restoration of tooth form after such cavity preparation necessitates specialized restorative materials that feature adhesion to tooth structure and ion exchange to facilitate remineralization.

Porosity in manually and machine mixed resin-modified glass ionomer cements.

The powder and liquid components of resin-modified glass ionomer cements are available in manual and machine mixed forms. This study quantified the effect mixing methods have on the porosity and shear strength of a resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC). A RMGIC (Fuji II LC) was manually or machined mixed according to manufacturer's instructions.

Strain rate dependent orthotropic properties of pristine and impulsively loaded porcine temporomandibular joint disk.

The purpose of this study was to characterize the tensile stress-strain behavior of the porcine temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disk with respect to collagen orientation and strain rate dependency. The apparent elastic modulus, ultimate tensile strength, and strain at maximum stress were measured at three elongation rates (0.5, 50, and 500 mm/min) for dumbbell-shaped samples oriented along either anteroposterior or mediolateral axes of the disks.