Association between asthma and severe tooth loss in the adult population of the United States

Fit and Retention of Cobalt-Chromium Removable Partial Denture Frameworks Fabricated with Selective Laser Melting

PURPOSE

To evaluate fit and retention of cobalt-chromium removable partial denture (RPD) frameworks fabricated with selective laser melting (SLM).

METHODS

Three types of framework for clasp-retained RPDs were virtually designed and fabricated using SLM (n = 30). For comparison, 30 additional frameworks were produced using conventional lost-wax casting. A biomechanical model was created, incorporating extracted teeth mounted on flexible metal posts. Using this model, horizontal constraint forces resulting from a misfit were measured using strain gauges, while vertical forces were not recorded. The constraint force components and resultant forces were determined for all abutment teeth, and the maximum retention force during RPD removal from the model was also assessed. For statistical evaluation, the two fabrication methods were analyzed by calculating the means and standard deviations.

RESULTS

The average horizontal constraint forces showed similar values for both fabrication methods (SLM: 3.5 ± 1.0 N, casting: 3.4 ± 1.6 N). The overall scatter of data for cast RPDs was greater compared to those fabricated using SLM, indicating a better reproducibility of the SLM process. With regard to retention, the intended retention force of 5-10 N per abutment tooth was not attained in one of the cast groups, while it was consistently achieved in all SLM groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This in vitro study found that SLM is a promising option for the manufacture of cobalt-chromium RPD frameworks in terms of fit and retention.

Association between Asthma and Oral Health Symptoms in Adolescents

Oral health is an indicator of patients' overall quality of life. Poor oral health among adolescents with asthma can affect their health in adulthood. This study researched the association between asthma and oral health symptoms in South Korean adolescents. Data from the 2020 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey were used. A total of 44,940 students participated in this study. The dependent variables were self-reported oral health symptoms. Asthma was the primary independent variable based on diagnosis in the past 12 months. The chi-squared test and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used. Students with asthma were associated with oral health symptoms, compared with those without asthma (boys, odds ratio (OR): 1.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01-1.66; girls, OR: 1.94, 95% CI = 1.40-2.69). Poor health habits, such as low physical activity, higher sweetened beverage consumption, and fewer sleeping hours, were associated with oral health symptoms. Students who did not receive asthma treatment also had higher oral health symptoms (boys, OR: 1.29, 95% CI = 1.13-1.48, girls, OR: 1.34, 95% CI = 1.15-1.57). Students with absence due to asthma had a higher risk of oral health than those without asthma (boys, OR: 1.31, 95% CI = 1.17-1.46, girls OR: 1.28, 95% CI = 1.12-1.46). Students with asthma had a high risk of poor oral health among South Korean adolescents, suggesting more attention be given to regular dental check-ups and maintaining oral hygiene.

The Role of Oral Health in the Acquisition and Severity of SARS-CoV-2: A Retrospective Chart Review

Objective

Studies have shown that gingival crevices may be a significant route for SARS-CoV-2 entry. However, the role of oral health in the acquisition and severity of COVID-19 is not known.

Design

A retrospective analysis was performed using electronic health record data from a large urban academic medical center between 12/1/2019 and 8/24/2020. A total of 387 COVID-19 positive cases were identified and matched 1:1 by age, sex, and race to 387 controls without COVID-19 diagnoses. Demographics, number of missing teeth and alveolar crestal height were determined from radiographs and medical/dental charts. In a subgroup of 107 cases and controls, we also examined the rate of change in alveolar crestal height. A conditional logistic regression model was utilized to assess association between alveolar crestal height and missing teeth with COVID-19 status and with hospitalization status among COVID-19 cases.

Results

Increased alveolar bone loss, OR = 4.302 (2.510 - 7.376), fewer missing teeth, OR = 0.897 (0.835-0.965) and lack of smoking history distinguished COVID-19 cases from controls. After adjusting for time between examinations, cases with COVID-19 had greater alveolar bone loss compared to controls (0.641 ± 0.613 mm vs 0.260 ± 0.631 mm, p < 0.01.) Among cases with COVID-19, increased number of missing teeth OR = 2.1871 (1.146- 4.174) was significantly associated with hospitalization.

Conclusions

Alveolar bone loss and missing teeth are positively associated with the acquisition and severity of COVID-19 disease, respectively.

Association between asthma and periodontitis in the US adult population: A population-based observational epidemiological study

AIM

To examine the association between asthma and periodontitis in a nationally representative sample of adults in the United States.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data obtained from 10,710 adult men and women who participated in National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey from 2009 to 2014 were analysed. Asthma was measured based on self-reported physician diagnosis. Periodontitis was the outcome of interest. It was classified into mild, moderate, and severe periodontitis according to the updated CDC/AAP case definitions. Multivariable models were developed to examine the association of asthma with periodontitis while controlling for age, race/ethnicity, gender, education, income, body mass index, diabetes, and smoking. Odds ratio (OR) and respective 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Replication was performed by differently classifying the outcome using another system called periodontal profile class (PPC).

RESULTS

Current asthmatics, in reference to never asthmatics, had lower odds of severe periodontitis [(adjusted OR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.30-0.87) and (adjusted OR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.35-0.97) as classified using CDC/AAP case definitions and PPC system, respectively]. However, there was no statistically significant association between asthma and any other forms of periodontitis (p value >.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In the United States, current-asthmatic adults were less likely to have severe periodontitis as compared with never-asthmatic adults. Further research is required to fully understand this association.

Edentulism and select chronic diseases among adults aged ≥45 years in China, 2011-2018: A longitudinal study

OBJECTIVES

Information on the association between edentulism and chronic medical conditions in developing countries is lacking. We investigated such information among adults aged ≥45 years in China.

METHODS

A national longitudinal data set from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) 2011-2018 was analysed. A multilevel logistic regression model was applied to analyse the association between edentulism and select chronic diseases.

RESULTS

There were 74 240 Chinese adults aged ≥45 years in this study. The prevalence of self-reported edentulism was 8.8% in 2011 and had increased to 16.4% by 2018.

CONCLUSION

Edentulism was a factor associated with a higher risk of various self-reported chronic diseases among adults aged ≥45 years in China. Edentulism is one of the comorbidities among ageing people with chronic conditions. Preventive public health policy should consider controlling shared risk factors at an earlier age.

The role of oral microbiome in respiratory health and diseases

The oral cavity (mouth) has various microbial habitats, including, teeth, gingival sulcus, gingiva, tongue, inner cheek, hard palate, and soft palate. The human oral cavity houses the second most diverse microbiome in the body harboring over 700 bacterial species. The fine-tuned equilibrium of the oral microbiome ecosystem maintains oral health. Oral dysbiosis caused by food habits and poor oral hygiene leads to various oral diseases such as periodontitis, caries, gingivitis, and oral cancer. Recent advances in technology have revealed the correlation between the oral microbiome and systemic diseases such as pulmonary diseases, cardiovascular diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and other metabolic diseases. Since the oral cavity directly connects with the upper respiratory tract, the oral microbiome has easier access to the respiratory system compared to other organ systems. Direct aspiration of oral microflora in the respiratory system and oral dysbiosis-induced host immune reaction and inflammation are mainly responsible for various pulmonary complications. Numbers of literature have reported the correlation between oral diseases and pulmonary diseases, suggesting the possible role of the oral microbiome in respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, pneumonia, lung cancer, etc. This paper reviews the current evidence in establishing a link between the oral microbiome and pulmonary diseases. We also discuss future research directions focusing on the oral microbiome to unravel novel therapeutic approaches that could prevent or treat the various pulmonary complications.