Number of Non-vital Teeth as Indicator of Tooth Loss during 10-year Maintenance: A Retrospective Study

Super Minimally Invasive Pulp Therapy for Severe Pulpitis: A Report of Two Cases

In regions where preventive dentistry is widespread, tooth loss due to root fracture occurs approximately 10 times more frequently than that due to caries and periodontal disease. Root fracture is most likely to occur in non-vital teeth, where the dental pulp has been removed, often through a procedure known as pulpectomy. However, super minimally invasive pulp (SMIP) therapy has recently been reported as a novel treatment approach for pulpitis of any degree. In this study, SMIP therapy was performed to preserve the vitality of teeth in two patients with severe pulpitis. Case one involved a 35-year-old man with a history of hypertension who presented with intense spontaneous pain in tooth #34. The pain was particularly severe while sleeping at night and on exposure to cold water or heat, but it was absent on percussion. Following the detection of cervical caries and severe pulp exposure, SMIP therapy was administered, and the tooth was subsequently restored using glass ionomer cement. Case two involved an 18-year-old woman with no significant medical history who had deep caries in tooth #46. She experienced mild tooth pain when exposed to cold water, and examination revealed pulp exposure. We applied mineral trioxide aggregate over the dental pulp and restored the tooth using composite resin. The vitality of both teeth was maintained at the three-month follow-up. To our knowledge, this is the first report of SMIP therapy for teeth with severe pulpitis. SMIP therapy is an innovative treatment that may cause a paradigm shift from conventional dental treatment.

Dopamine is involved in reparative dentin formation through odontoblastic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells

Conventional direct pulp-capping materials induce pulp cells to secrete various biomolecules in pulp tissues that promote reparative dentin formation through induction of odontoblastic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs). However, these biomolecules sometimes induce bone-like dentin with poor sealing properties. Therefore, exploration of biomolecules that allow tight sealing by tubular reparative dentin is required. We recently reported that dopamine (DA) is involved in dentinogenesis. Hence, we investigated the effect of DA on odontoblastic differentiation of DPSCs and reparative dentin formation. Both tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a DA synthetase, and DA were expressed in odontoblast-like cells in vivo. In vitro, their expression was increased during odontoblastic differentiation of DPSCs. Furthermore, TH-overexpressing DPSCs had promoted odontoblastic differentiation and DA production. Moreover, DA stimulation promoted their differentiation and induced tubular reparative dentin. These results suggest that DA produced by TH is involved in odontoblastic differentiation of DPSCs and has an inductive capacity for reparative dentin formation similar to primary dentin. This study may lead to the development of therapy to preserve vital pulp tissues.

Ten-year clinical performance of non-precious metal double crowns with friction pins in severely reduced dentitions—a retrospective study

Objectives

This follow-up study aimed at collecting long-term data for removable partial dentures (RPDs) retained by double crowns with spark-eroded friction pins (DCP) and comparing them in the presence of severely reduced dentition (SRD) and non-SRD (NSRD, i.e. residual dentition with more than three abutment teeth) after a 10-year wearing period.

Materials and methods

A total of 158 participants (n = 71, 44.9% women) aged 62.5 ± 12.7 years with 182 prostheses on 520 abutment teeth were followed up between 2006 and 2022. The SRD group included 144 RPDs supported by 314 abutment teeth. The data collection was performed retrospectively. 10-year survival rates of RPDs and abutment teeth were determined using the Kaplan–Meier method and compared using the log-rank test for SRD and NSRD, among others. Cox regression analyses were conducted to isolate risk factors for the survival of both RPDs and abutment teeth.

Results

The 10-year cumulative survival rate of all abutment teeth was 65.6% with significantly lower values in the SRD group (53.5%) (p < 0.001). The survival rate for all RPDs was 65.5%. The SRD group showed lower survival rates (57.9%) (p = 0.004). The number and location of the abutment teeth had a significant influence on the survival rates of the RPDs and the abutment teeth. Age, sex, jaw, relining, and vitality had a significant influence on the abutment teeth survival rates.

Conclusions

RPDs showed an acceptable clinical survival rate after 10 years. The number, location, and vitality of abutment teeth were factors that influenced the survival of both RPDs and abutment teeth.

Clinical relevance

Consideration of the influencing factors found can help improve the prognostic assessment of double crown-retained dentures in the context of prosthetic therapy planning.

Maintaining Tooth Vitality With Super Minimally Invasive Pulp Therapy

In aging humans, tooth loss is a predictor of decreased longevity. Tooth loss is mainly caused by dental caries and periodontal disease. Pulpitis refers to inflammation of the dental pulp caused by bacterial infection secondary to dental caries. It is accompanied by severe toothache and has infectious disease-associated pathophysiology. Pulpitis is mainly treated by pulpectomy, which is aimed at removing the infected dental pulp and controlling pain by removing nociceptive nerve fibers. However, teeth without dental pulp have a poor prognosis. In this report, we proposed a novel “super minimally invasive pulp” therapy for treating pulpitis without pulpectomy, which combines antibiotics, steroids, and ultrasound-guided trigeminal nerve block (UGTNB) to protect the dental pulp. UGTNB is used as an analgesic for severe pain, antibiotics for pulp infections, and steroids as antiinflammatory drugs. This novel therapy could improve the longevity of the tooth and thereby oral health.

Risk Factors for Tooth Loss in Patients with ≥25 Remaining Teeth Undergoing Mid-Long-Term Maintenance: A Retrospective Study

Tooth loss represents a diffused pathologic condition affecting the worldwide population. Risk factors have been identified in both general features (smoking, diabetes, economic status) and local tooth-related factors (caries, periodontitis). In this retrospective study, we examined the data of 366 patients with a large number of remaining teeth (≥25) undergoing maintenance therapy in order to identify specific risk factors for tooth loss. The number of remaining teeth, number of non-vital teeth, and number of occlusal units were investigated for their correlation with tooth loss. The mean follow-up of patients was 9.2 years (range 5 to 14). Statistically significant risk factors for tooth loss were identified as number of remaining teeth at baseline (p = 0.05), number of occlusal units (p = 0.03), and number of non-vital teeth in posterior regions (p < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression showed that the number of occlusal units and number of non-vital teeth in the posterior regions were significantly associated with a greater risk of tooth loss (odds ratio 1.88 and 3.17, respectively). These results confirm that not only the number of remaining teeth, but also their vital or non-vital status and the distribution between the anterior and posterior regions influence the long-term survival.

Risk factors for tooth loss with a mean follow-up period of 13.9 years in supportive periodontal therapy patients

Background

Clinical evidence indicates that there are various risk factors of tooth loss. However, the degree of this risk among other risk factors remains unclear. In this retrospective cohort study, the authors evaluated the hazard ratios of several risk factors for tooth loss.

Methods

Included patients had all been treated for dental disorders, were in the supportive phase of periodontal therapy by dental hygienists, and visited a Japanese dental office continually during a 10-year period. Periodontal parameters, tooth condition, and general status of all teeth (excluding third molars) at the initial visit and at least 10 years later were evaluated by using multiple classification analysis.

Results

The authors evaluated a total of 7584 teeth in 297 patients (average age: 45.3, mean follow-up time: 13.9 years) Non-vital pulp was the most significant predictor of tooth loss according to Cox hazards regression analysis (hazard ratio: 3.31). The 10-year survival rate was approximately 90% for teeth with non-vital pulp and 99% for teeth with vital pulp. Fracture was the most common reason for tooth loss.

Conclusions

Non-vital pulp had the most significant association with tooth loss among the parameters. Therefore, it is very important to minimize dental pulp extirpation.

Reasons for Extraction of Permanent Teeth in a University Dental Clinic Setting

Purpose

This study aimed to explore the reasons for tooth extraction and investigated the potential correlations between tooth loss and several variables including age, gender, education level, and other risk factors, such as diabetes and smoking habit.

Patients and Methods

The study retrospectively analyzed 1811 dental records of patients who underwent extraction procedure of at least one tooth. Patients’ variables included: age, gender, level of education, diabetes, and smoking habit. Reasons for extraction were recorded as follows: caries, periodontal disease, endodontic treatment complications, orthodontic treatment, impactions, trauma, pre-prosthetic, and others (esthetic reasons, tooth malposition, or unspecified reasons).

Statistical analysis

The significance of variables was analyzed by Chi square test, P < 0.05. The variances in the mean number of extracted teeth per patient were investigated using ANOVA. Pearson correlation test was used to test the strength of the association among the tested variables, P < 0.01.

Results

Out of 1811 reviewed patients’ records, 2654 extracted teeth were identified. Males had a higher number of extracted teeth, 1447 (54.5%), than females, 1207 (45.5%). Males had more extractions due to periodontal disease, while females had more extractions for orthodontic and pre-prosthetic reasons. The highest mean of extracted teeth was identified among the 51-year-old and above age groups (3.73 ± 0.53 teeth) where periodontal disease was shown to have a significant association (P < 0.05). Diabetic patients showed a significant association with periodontal diseases, while smokers showed a significant association with caries. Both diabetics and smokers had moderate correlation (0.055 and 0.04, respectively).

Conclusion

Caries, periodontal disease, and endodontic complications were the most common causes of tooth extraction. In addition, this study indicated that age, diabetes, and smoking habits were found to be suitable forecasters for permanent tooth loss as these variables displayed significant statistical association.

Risk Factors for Tooth Loss in Patients Undergoing Mid-Long-Term Maintenance: A Retrospective Study

In this retrospective study, we identified risk factors for tooth loss in patients undergoing mid-long-term maintenance therapy. We surveyed 674 maintenance patients for ≥5 years after active treatment who visited a dental clinic between January 2015 and December 2016. Of these, 265 were men (mean age 54.6 ± 8.0 years old) and 409 were women (mean age 54.0 ± 7.9 years old). Study variables included patient compliance, sex, number of teeth lost, cause of tooth loss (dental caries, periodontal disease, root fracture, others, vital or non-vital teeth), age at start of maintenance, number of remaining teeth at start of maintenance, smoking, use of salivary secretion inhibitors, presence of diabetes mellitus, condition of periodontal bone loss, and use of a removable denture. Most lost teeth were non-vital teeth (91.7% of all cases) and the most common cause of tooth loss was tooth fracture (62.1% of all cases). A statistically significant risk factors for tooth loss was number of remaining teeth at the start of maintenance (p = 0.003).

Influence of Metal Post in Adjacent Teeth in the Detection of Vertical Root Fracture Using Cone-beam Computed Tomography with Different Acquisition Parameters

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the detection of vertical root fracture (VRF) in the presence of adjacent teeth restored with a metal post and the influence of acquisition parameters (tube current and metal artifact reduction [MAR] algorithm) on this diagnostic task.

METHODS

Cone-beam computed tomographic images of 10 single-rooted teeth were acquired before and after the simulation of VRF. The acquisitions were set up to simulate different conditions regarding the presence of adjacent teeth restored with a metal post (control, 1 adjacent tooth, and both adjacent teeth), different tube currents (4, 8, and 10 mA), and the use of MAR (without MAR and with MAR). Images were assessed by 5 oral and maxillofacial radiologists using a 5-point scale for the presence of VRF. Diagnostic values were calculated and compared by 2-way analysis of variance (significance level of 5%).

RESULTS

The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (Az) values for VRF detection were affected by the presence of adjacent teeth and the variation of milliamperes. For 4 mA, when both restored teeth were present, Az values were significantly lower than the control group (P ≤ .05). In the presence of both restored teeth, 8 mA presented significantly higher Az values compared with 4 mA (P ≤ .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of both adjacent teeth restored with a metal post impairs VRF detection; however, an increase in tube current up to 8 mA may aid in this diagnostic task. Moreover, the MAR tool does not seem to be efficient in those cases.

DENTAL WEAR AND TOOTH LOSS IN MORBID OBESE PATIENTS AFTER BARIATRIC SURGERY

BACKGROUND

Obesity and its surgical treatment have been related with oral diseases. Aim: To evaluate and compare dental wear and dental loss in eutrophic and morbidly obese patients submitted to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

METHOD

Observational and analytical study with gender and age matching. The sample consisted of 240 patients, divided into four groups: eutrophic (GC=60), morbidly obese (GO=60), operated with up to 24 months (G24=60) and operated on for more than 36 months (G36=60). The following variables were analyzed: race, schooling, economic class, hypertension, diabetes, triglycerides, cholesterol, BMI, weight loss, waist-hip ratio, smoking, alcoholism, tooth loss and tooth wear.

RESULTS

GO presented lower economic class (p=0.012), hypertension (p<0.001), diabetes (p<0.001), cholesterol (p=0.001), BMI (p<0.001), waist-hip ratio (p<0.001) and percentage of weight loss percent (p<0.001) than groups G24 and G36. Dental wear was higher among the II and V sextants.

CONCLUSION

Individuals submitted to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, regardless of the surgery period, presented more dental wear on the incisal/occlusal surfaces, and the anterior teeth were the most affected. Dental wear was associated with age and number of missing teeth.