Comparison of oral Candida carriage in waterpipe smokers, cigarette smokers, and non-smokers

The aim of the present cohort study was to compare oral carriage of Candida in waterpipe smokers (WS), cigarette smokers (CS), and non-smokers (NS). A total of 141 individuals (46 WS, 45 CS, and 50 NS) were included. A questionnaire was used to gather demographic information and data on the daily frequency and duration of smoking habits, the reasons for smoking, and daily oral hygiene maintenance habits. Oral Candida (C.) samples were cultured and yeast species were identified using polymerase chain reaction. Unstimulated whole salivary flow rate (UWSFR) was also recorded. The numbers of missing teeth (MT) were counted and tongue lesions were clinically identified. C. albicans was the most prevalent yeast species isolated from all groups. Oral C. albicans carriage was higher among WS (P < 0.05) and CS (P < 0.05) than among NS. Oral C. tropicalis carriage, age, UWSFR and the number of MT were comparable among the groups. Oral Candida carriage was significantly higher among WS and CS than among NS. Therefore it appears that WS and CS are at an increased risk of developing oral candida infections.

Influence of involuntary cigarette smoke inhalation on osseointegration: a systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical studies

There are no studies that have systematically reviewed the influence of involuntary cigarette smoke inhalation (ICSI) on the stability of implants. The aim of the present study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical studies that assessed the influence of involuntary cigarette smoke inhalation ICSI on osseointegration. Indexed databases (PubMed, Google-Scholar, Scopus, EMBASE, and Web of Knowledge) were searched till September 2017. Titles and abstracts of studies identified using the above-described protocol were independently screened by 2 authors. Full-texts of studies judged by title and abstract to be relevant were independently evaluated for the stated eligibility criteria. Nine studies were included. Six studies showed that ICSI compromised bone area contact around implants. In 4 studies, peri-implant bone mineral density was significantly higher in the control group than among subjects exposed to ICSI. For the effects of ICSI on the osseointegration of dental implants, significant differences could be observed for bone-to-implant contact for test subjects in cancellous (Z=-4.08, p<0.001) and cortical bone (Z=-4.31, p<0.001) respectively. ICSI may negatively influence osseointegration of dental implants. It is imperative to educate patients about the negative effects of passive smoking on dental and systemic health.

Does incorporating collagen and chondroitin sulfate matrix in implant surfaces enhance osseointegration? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Implant surface modification has been used to improve osseointegration. However, evidence regarding improved new bone formation (NBF) and osseointegration with the use of collagen-chondroitin sulfate (CS) matrix coated implants remains unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of collagen-CS matrix coating on the osseointegration of implants. The focused question was "Does the incorporation of collagen-CS matrix in implant surfaces influence osseointegration?" To answer the question, indexed databases were searched up to July 2017 using various combinations of the key words "collagen", "chondroitin sulfate", "osseointegration", and "implants". The initial literature search identified 497 articles, of which 18 reporting experimental studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Thirteen of the studies included (72%) reported that implants coated with a collagen-CS matrix presented higher NBF, bone-to-implant contact, and/or bone volume density. The strength of this observation was supported by meta-analysis results. Nevertheless, the results should be interpreted with caution due to the lack of standardization regarding the dosage formulation of collagen-CS, short-term follow-up, and lack of assessment of confounders. On experimental grounds, the incorporation of collagen-CS matrix into implant surfaces appears to promote osseointegration. From a clinical perspective, the results from animal models support phase I studies in healthy humans.

Influence of implant location in patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus: 2-year follow-up

The aim of the present cross-sectional retrospective 2-year follow-up clinical study was to assess the influence of implant location on clinical and radiographic parameters around dental implants placed in patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Twenty-seven patients with T2DM and 25 non-diabetic controls were included. Implants were classified into three zones according to their location: (1) anterior zone: implant/s replacing anterior teeth, (2) middle zone: implant/s replacing premolars, and (3) posterior zone: implant/s replacing molars. Peri-implant bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), and crestal bone loss (CBL) were measured. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The mean age of patients with T2DM was 42.5 years and that of non-diabetic controls was 40.6 years. The mean fasting blood glucose levels of patients with and without T2DM were 74.5mg/dl (66-80mg/dl) and 82.5mg/dl (79-88.1mg/dl), respectively. The mean duration of T2DM was 4.3 years. There was no significant difference in BOP, PD, or CBL around implants placed in any of the zones in the jaws of patients with and without T2DM. There is no influence of implant location on clinical and radiographic parameters around dental implants placed in patients with and without T2DM.

Oral Candida carriage and species prevalence in denture stomatitis patients with and without diabetes

The objective of this study was to assess the oral Candida carriage and species prevalence in denture stomatitis (DS) patients with and without diabetes mellitus (DM). To address the focused question “In patients receiving dentures, how does having diabetes compared to no diabetes influences the carriage and species prevalence of oral Candida?” Indexed databases were explored without time or language restrictions up to and including February 2017. Nine studies were included. In these studies, the number of diabetics ranged between 14 patients and 405 individuals with mean ages ranging between 33 years and 66.4 years. In five studies, the percentage of hyperglycemic patients in the diabetic group ranged from 14.3% to 100%. In one study, all diabetic patients were normoglycemic. Seven studies reported Candida-associated DS to be significantly higher among diabetics than non-diabetics. Candida albicans was the most prevalent species isolated among diabetics and non-diabetics with DS. Denture-wearers with DM are more susceptible to Candida-associated DS as compared to non-diabetics.

Recent updates on electronic cigarette aerosol and inhaled nicotine effects on periodontal and pulmonary tissues

E-cigarette-derived inhaled nicotine may contribute to the pathogenesis of periodontal and pulmonary diseases in particular via lung inflammation, injurious, and dysregulated repair responses. Nicotine is shown to have antiproliferative properties and affects fibroblasts in vitro, which may interfere in tissue myofibroblast differentiation in e-cig users. This will affect the ability to heal wounds by decreasing wound contraction. In periodontics, direct exposure to e-vapor has been shown to produce harmful effects in periodontal ligament and gingival fibroblasts in culture. This is due to the generation of reactive oxygen species/aldehydes/carbonyls from e-cig aerosol, leading to protein carbonylation of extracellular matrix and DNA adducts/damage. A limited number of studies regarding the effects of e-cig in oral and lung health are available. However, no reports are available to directly link the deleterious effects on e-cigs, inhaled nicotine, and flavorings aerosol on periodontal and pulmonary health in particular to identify the risk of oral diseases by e-cigarettes and nicotine aerosols. This mini-review summarizes the recent perspectives on e-cigarettes including inhaled nicotine effects on several pathophysiological events, such as oxidative stress, DNA damage, innate host response, inflammation, cellular senescence, profibrogenic and dysregulated repair, leading to lung remodeling, oral submucous fibrosis, and periodontal diseases.

Role of diode lasers in oro-facial pain management

With the increasing use of low level laser therapy (LLLT) in clinical dentistry, the aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of diode lasers in the management of orofacial pain. Indexed databases were searched without language and time restrictions up to and including July 2016 using different combinations of the following key words: oral, low level laser therapy, dental, pain, diode lasers, discomfort and analgesia. From the literature reviewed it is evident that LLLT is effective compared to traditional procedures in the management of oro-facial pain associated to soft tissue and hard tissue conditions such as premalignant lesions, gingival conditions and dental extractions. However, it remains to be determined which particular wavelength will produce the more favorable and predictable outcome in terms of pain reduction. It is highly recommended that further randomized control trials with well-defined control groups should be performed to determine the precise wavelengths of the diode lasers for the management of oro-facial pain. Within the limits of the present review, it is concluded that diode lasers therapy is more effective in the management of oro-facial pain compared to traditional procedures.

Effect of Nd:YAG laser-assisted non-surgical periodontal therapy on clinical periodontal and serum biomarkers in patients with and without coronary artery disease: A short-term pilot study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

We hypothesized that nonsurgical-periodontal-therapy (NSPT) with adjunct Nd:YAG laser therapy is more effective in reducing periodontal inflammatory parameters (plaque index [PI], bleeding-on-probing [BOP], and probing-pocket-depth [PPD]) and serum interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) levels in patients with and without coronary artery disease (CAD) than NSPT alone. The aim of this short-term pilot study was to assess the effect of NSPT + Nd:YAG laser therapy on periodontal parameters and serum IL-1β and MMP-9 levels in patients with and without CAD.

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective randomized clinical study was conducted on 87 patients who were divided into two groups: Group-1: 44 patients with CAD and periodontal disease (PD) and Group-2: 43 patients with PD alone. Treatment-wise, these individuals were randomly divided into two subgroups: (i) NSPT alone and (ii) NSPT + Nd:YAG laser therapy. Demographic information was collected using a self-completed questionnaire. Periodontal parameters (PI, BOP, and PPD) and serum IL-1β and MMP-9 levels were measured at baseline and after 3 months of treatment. P-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

At 3 months follow-up, PI (P < 0.01), BOP (P < 0.01), PPD ≥ 4 mm (P < 0.01), and serum IL-1β (P < 0.01) and MMP-9 (P < 0.01) levels were significantly higher in patients treated with NSPT alone than those treated with NSPT + Nd:YAG laser therapy. Among patients that underwent NSPT + laser therapy in both groups, periodontal parameters and serum IL-1β, and MMP-9 levels were comparable at 3-months follow-up.

CONCLUSION

NSPT + Nd:YAG laser therapy may be more effective in reducing periodontal inflammation and serum IL-1β and MMP-9 levels in patients with and without CAD than NSPT alone. Lasers Surg. Med. 48:929-935, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.