Establishing the Effect of Brushing and a Day's Diet on Tooth Tissue Loss in Vitro

Advances in hybridized nanoarchitectures for improved oro-dental health

On a global note, oral health plays a critical role in improving the overall human health. In this vein, dental-related issues with dentin exposure often facilitate the risk of developing various oral-related diseases in gums and teeth. Several oral-based ailments include gums-associated (gingivitis or periodontitis), tooth-based (dental caries, root infection, enamel erosion, and edentulous or total tooth loss), as well as miscellaneous diseases in the buccal or oral cavity (bad breath, mouth sores, and oral cancer). Although established conventional treatment modalities have been available to improve oral health, these therapeutic options suffer from several limitations, such as fail to eradicate bacterial biofilms, deprived regeneration of dental pulp cells, and poor remineralization of teeth, resulting in dental emergencies. To this end, the advent of nanotechnology has resulted in the development of various innovative nanoarchitectured composites from diverse sources. This review presents a comprehensive overview of different nanoarchitectured composites for improving overall oral health. Initially, we emphasize various oral-related diseases, providing detailed pathological circumstances and their effects on human health along with deficiencies of the conventional therapeutic modalities. Further, the importance of various nanostructured components is emphasized, highlighting their predominant actions in solving crucial dental issues, such as anti-bacterial, remineralization, and tissue regeneration abilities. In addition to an emphasis on the synthesis of different nanostructures, various nano-therapeutic solutions from diverse sources are discussed, including natural (plant, animal, and marine)-based components and other synthetic (organic- and inorganic-) architectures, as well as their composites for improving oral health. Finally, we summarize the article with an interesting outlook on overcoming the challenges of translating these innovative platforms to clinics.

Dental Status and Periodontal Health of Patients with Phenylketonuria in Latvia

Objectives

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder of phenylalanine metabolism resulting from a deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dental status and periodontal health of PKU patients in Latvia.

Material and Methods

Forty-five PKU patients and age/sex-matched controls were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Their anamnestic data, periodontal health and dental status were assessed by one experienced dentist.

Results

Dental and periodontal clinical evaluation revealed that the median number of filled teeth was significantly smaller among PKU patients compared to the control group (p=0.021). PKU patients had a significantly larger median number of carious teeth than their healthy counterparts (p<0.001). Significant differences between the PKU and control groups were observed for several oral hygiene indices (p<0.001): Silness-Löe plaque index, OR=29.3 (95% CI: 3.7-232.4); CPITN index, OR=35.2 (95% CI: 4.5-278.3); Greene-Vermillion index, OR=10.2 (95% CI: 2.8-38.0); calculus removal necessity, OR=12.3 (95% CI: 3.3-45.4).

Conclusion

Dental status and periodontal health of PKU patients was found to be significantly inferior compared to healthy controls. This is likely due to the regular consumption of PKU formula and the difficulties which mentally and/or physically disabled PKU patients experience with their oral hygiene. To prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease, PKU patients should visit a professional oral hygienist every three to six months. Furthermore, they should adopt the habit of rinsing their mouth with water immediately after consuming PKU formula to counteract the acidity in their oral cavity.

Characterisation of mechanical and surface properties of novel biomimetic interpenetrating alumina-polycarbonate composite materials

OBJECTIVE

To determine the mechanical and surface characteristics of two novel biomimetic interpenetrating phase alumina-polycarbonate (Al₂O₃-PC) composite materials, comprising aligned honeycomb-like porous ceramic preforms infiltrated with polycarbonate polymer.

METHOD

Two composite materials were produced and characterised. Each comprised a porous structure with a ceramic-rich (polymer-poor) top layer, graduated through to a more porous ceramic-poor (polymer-rich) bottom layer. In addition, pure polycarbonate and dense alumina specimens were subjected to the same characterisation namely: density, compression, three-point bend, hardness, surface loss and surface roughness testing. Scanning electron microscopy and micro computerised tomography were employed for structural examination.

RESULTS

Three-dimensional aligned honeycomb-like ceramic structures were produced and full interpenetration of the polymer phase was observed using MicroCT. Depending on the ceramic volume in the initial aqueous ceramic suspension, the density of the final interpenetrating composites ranged from 2.64 to 3.01g/cm³, compressive strength ranged from 192.43 to 274.91MPa, flexural strength from 105.54 to 148.47MPa, fracture toughness from 2.17 to 3.11MPa.m^½, hardness from 0.82 to 1.52GPa, surface loss from 0.71 to 1.40μm and surface roughness, following tooth brushing, from 0.70 to 0.99μm. Composite specimens showed characteristic properties part way between enamel and polycarbonate.

SIGNIFICANCE

There was a correlation between the initial solid ceramic loading in the aqueous suspension, used to produce the porous ceramic scaffolds, and the subsequent characteristic properties of the composite materials. These novel composites show potential as aesthetic orthodontic bracket materials, as their properties fit part way between those of ceramic, enamel and polycarbonate.