Tooth movement, orofacial pain, and leptin, interleukin-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α levels in obese adolescents

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate tooth movement, orofacial pain, and leptin, interleukin (IL)-1β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α cytokine levels in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) during orthodontic treatment in obese adolescents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Participants included adolescent patients aged 12-18 years: group 1, obese (n = 30), and group 2, nonobese controls (n = 30). They were evaluated before (T0) and after 1 hour (T1), 24 hours (T2), and 1 week (T3) of fixed appliance bonding. Periodontal examination (T0), collection of GCF (T1, T2, T3), and evaluation of Little's irregularity index (T0, T3) were performed, and a visual analog scale was used to measure pain (T1, T2, T3). Evaluation of IL-1β, TNF-α, and leptin cytokines was performed using a Luminex assay. Mann-Whitney and t-tests were used for intergroup comparisons, and a generalized estimating equation and cluster analyses were used for comparisons among observation times (P < .05).

RESULTS

The obese group had a higher prevalence of probing depth of ≥4 mm and bleeding on probing. Orthodontic tooth movement was similar in both groups. Peak of pain was at T2 in both groups and was higher in the obese patients. TNF-α showed a slight increase at T1, followed by a gradual decrease at T2 and T3 in both groups. The obese group had a higher concentration of IL-1β before and during orthodontic treatment. There was no difference in tooth movement between obese and control patients during the first week of orthodontic treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Obese adolescents had a greater subjective report of orofacial pain after 24 hours of orthodontic treatment and higher concentrations of IL-1β proinflammatory cytokine before and during tooth movement as compared with nonobese control adolescents.

Erosion and abrasion-inhibiting in situ effect of the Euclea natalensis plant of African regions

This study evaluated the effect of Euclea natalensis gel on the reduction of erosive wear with or without abrasion, in enamel and dentin. During two five-day experimental crossover phases, volunteers (n = 10) wore palatal devices containing human enamel and dentin blocks (E = 8 and D = 8). The gel was applied in a thin layer in the experimental group, and was not applied in the control group. In the intraoral phase, volunteers used the palatal appliance for 12 h before the gel treatment, and were instructed to start the erosive challenges 6 h after the gel application. Erosion was performed with Coca-Cola® (for 5 min) 4 times/day. The appliance was then put back into the mouth and was brushed after 30 minutes. After intraoral exposure, the appliances were removed and the specimens were analyzed using profilometry (mean ± SD, μm). The Euclea natalensis gel caused less wear in enamel in the experimental group (EROS = 12.86 ± 1.75 µm; EROS + ABRAS = 12.13 ± 2.12 µm) than in the control group (EROS = 14.12 ± 7.66 µm; EROS + ABRAS = 16.29 ± 10.72 µm); however, the groups did not differ from each other significantly. A statistically significant value was found for erosion and eros + abrasion in dentin (p = 0.001). Euclea natalensis may play a role in the prevention of dentin loss under mild erosive and abrasive conditions. A clinical trial is required to confirm these promising results in a clinical situation.

Oral manifestations in HIV+ children in Mozambique

The scope of this study was to identify the prevalence of oral manifestations in HIV+/AIDS patients at the DIA Pediatric Hospital of Maputo. All 90 patients were included in the research. Data on dental caries (dmft/DMFT index), soft tissues and saliva flow were analyzed. Information on diet and hygienic habits was obtained in a semi-structured questionnaire. The t- student and chi-square tests were used for statistical assessment. The most frequent oral lesion was candidiasis (5.5%) and upon further oral examination the prevalence of parotid enlargement was 23.0%. The mean dmft 2.6 (SD 3.6) was considerably higher in relation to DMFT of 0.6 (SD 1.6), and the differences between them were statistically significant (P<0.05). The occurrence of mucosal lesions was higher in children who did not take antiretroviral therapy (ART) (p= 0.026). The use of ART is associated with reduced prevalence of oral lesions in HIV+ patients; however, rampant caries were highest in this group. Primary dentition of HIV+ patients should be considered high risk for caries.

Dental caries in adolescents from public schools in Maputo, Mozambique

AIM

To assess dental caries prevalence in adolescents at urban and sub-urban areas of Maputo-City, Mozambique and to identify its relationship with dental fluorosis, dental plaque, nutritional status, frequency of sugar consumption and the concentration of fluoride in public water supply.

METHODS

Subjects (n=601) were randomly selected from five urban schools and five sub-urban schools. Clinical examinations were performed under standardised conditions by a trained examiner using DMFT index, SiC index, fluorosis index, PHP, BMI, a sugar consumption questionnaire and water supply analysis. The bivariate analysis and Pearson correlation was used (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

The mean (DMFT) was 0.9 (+/- 1.65 SD). Children in urban schools showed less dental caries (0.8 +/- 1.49 SD) than children in sub-urban schools (1.1 +/- 1.80 SD, p = 0.03). Only 8.15% had very mild to moderate fluorosis but most presented poor oral hygiene. Cases of malnutrition were found in more sub-urban schools (n=109; 36.22%) than in urban schools (n=66; 22.00%) (p = 0.03). The frequency of sugar consumption was higher among urban children compared to suburban schools (p < 0.00). The level of fluoride in water consumption in urban schools was 0.4 ppmF, above the level of fluoride in sub-urban schools, 0.2 ppmF.

CONCLUSION

Dental caries should not be considered a major oral health problem in Maputo at the moment. However the data suggest the implementation of a population strategy to reduce dental caries rates, in children of both urban and sub-urban areas, in Maputo.