Microbiological Analysis of Primary Infected Root Canals with Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Apical Periodontitis of Young Permanent Teeth

EO-based mouthwashes: Is there something that should be known?

The possibility to utilize the antibacterial and antibiofilm potential of essential oils (EOs) in dentistry is recognized and best seen in the design of EO-based mouthwashes. The up-to-date results, obtained with the most commonly used formulation being consisted of thymol, eucalyptol, menthol, and methyl salicylate (Listerine), proved its efficacy against plaque and gingival inflammation. However, novel alcohol-free products remain to be further investigated. Commercially available mouthwash containing curcumin, clove oil, mentha oil, eucalyptol, thymol and tea tree oil, and the mouthwash based on ginger EO (a-zingiberene, b-bisabolene, b-sesquiphellandrene, curcumene), reduced plaque index and improved periodontal status of the patients. The plaque index was also reduced and overall healing was improved after the surgical removal of the third molar by mouthwash containing John wort oil. In addition, Cinnamomum zeylanicum EO-based mouthwash and mouthwash containing peppermint oil were efficient against stomatitis and xerostomia, respectively. In addition to beneficial effects achieved in the mouth, i.e. at the appropriate site of application, novel investigations pointed-out that EO-based mouthwashes could be recognized as efficient in the reduction of bacterial and viral aerosols. This has been shown for Listerine, and for several mouthwashes containing following active substances of plants' EO origin: a-farnesene, b-farnesene, farnesol, nerolidol, a-bulnesene, eremanthin, b-sesquiphellandrene, spiroether, cinnamylacetate, cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, menthol, and carvacrol. This finding could be of special interest, in order to be included in further clinical studies related to COVID -19 pandemic.

Essential oils as adjuvants in endodontic therapy: myth or reality?

To enhance endodontics, the search for new antibacterials that can improve infected tooth root canal treatment is ongoing. As potent antibacterial and antibiofilm agents, essential oils (EOs) have been suggested as novel endodontic materials. Several studies indicate that EO-based irrigants and medicaments show promising reductive potential against the most important intracanal pathogen, Enterococcus faecalis, and notably contribute to intracanal biofilm eradication. In terms of additional benefits that EO-based endodontic materials can provide, their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential are also important, but they have only scarcely been explored in research. Investigations into the benefits of EO-based endodontic materials together with their biocompatibility are needed. The results presented in this review strongly encourage further research on this topic.

Case report: Successful management of Parvimonas micra pneumonia mimicking hematogenous Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia

Parvimonas micra is an anaerobic Gram-positive coccus frequently found in the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract, but rarely in the lung. Therefore, pneumonia caused by P. micra is also rare. Although there are some reports of P. micra related pneumonia due to aspiration or blood-borne infection with definite remote infection source, there are no reported cases of hematogenous P. micra pneumonia in healthy adults lacking a remote source of infection. Herein, we described the intact disease of P. micra-related pneumonia mimicking hematogenous Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia in terms of chest imagery and diagnosed via metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS). Interestingly, there was no clear remote pathogenic source identified in the patient. Microbiome analysis revealed dysbiosis of the oral flora possibly related to poor oral hygiene and a long history of smoking. The patient was treated with moxifloxacin for 3 months. Ultimately, computed tomography (CT) of the chest showed total resolution of the lung lesion. Clinicians need to update the etiology of community-acquired pneumonia. When antibiotic therapy is not effective, pathogen examination becomes very important. New methods of pathogen detection such as mNGS should be employed to this end. For the treatment of P. micra pneumonia, no standardized course of treatment was reported. Imaging absorption of lung infections may provide a more objective guidance for the duration of antibiotics in P. micra pneumonia.