Characteristics of Pressure on the Apophysis in the Course of Paediatric Heel Pain-Preliminary Report

Increased pressure on the heel apophysis is often implicated as a cause of paediatric heel pain. However, there are few reports on the causes of the increased pressure and its origin. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyse the distribution of pressure on the feet in children with heel pain. The study included 33 paediatric patients with non-traumatic heel pain, i.e., 24 boys (73%) and 9 girls (27%), aged on average 11.2 years (±3 years). Pedobarographic diagnostics proved a decrease in the pressure on the heels in relation to the ground and the transfer of the projection of the centre of gravity to the forefoot. While standing, the average contribution of the pressure on the heel was 0.52, SD = 0.14 in children with normal and reduced weight. In overweight children, the average pressure on the heel was higher (0.60, SD = 0.08), but the small number of children with this characteristic (n = 4) did not allow conclusions to be drawn in this area. Heel underload was also demonstrated during gait. However, the assessment of this aspect requires additional observational analyses in the field of propulsion and gait phases. The reduced pressure on the heel promotes apophysis traction, causing intracanal compression. Studies have shown that the causes of apophysis traction may be postural defects (in particular, forward inclination of body posture) and overpronation of the foot, or defects in the metatarsal area.

Potential Clinical Applications of Ozone Therapy in Dental Specialties-A Literature Review, Supported by Own Observations

Apart from conventional treatment, dentists are increasingly relying on physical therapy modalities in their clinical practice. The aim of this literature review is to analyze the clinical relevance and potential uses of ozone in modern dentistry. The research question is geared towards detailing the multiple potential applications of ozone therapy in a range of dental specialties. Based on the available literature, accessed via the PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and EBSCO databases, a detailed search of the electronic literature was performed for 2001-2022. Eligible studies were chosen according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, using keywords: ozone, ozone therapy, therapeutic applications, oxidants, dental disinfectants, oral medicine, physical therapy in dentistry. Out of 834 manuscripts, 273 studies were curated. A total of 70 publications were used in the final consideration. After assessing their quality, they were analyzed to determine the relevance and potential use of ozone in the various aspects of modern dentistry. Ozone therapy is used mainly as an adjunct to the primary clinical or pharmacological treatment. In some cases of oral mucosal disease, it has proven effective as a primary therapy. During the literature analysis, it was noted that ozone therapy in dentistry is a subject of ongoing research, and the results are not always consistent. The multitude of studies in the literature on the applications of ozone in dentistry reflects the search for its undiscovered physical therapeutic potential.

Cone Beam Computed Tomography in the Assessment of the Effectiveness of Physical Therapy with the Use of the Electromagnetic Field Combined with Light Radiation Emitted by LEDs in the Treatment of Inflammation of the Paranasal Sinuses-A Case Study

Modern high-resolution volumetric tomography, commonly known as cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), is one of the most innovative imaging techniques which can provide views of anatomical structures not attainable by conventional techniques. Magnetic field LED therapy is a physical therapy method, combining the effects of the Extremely Low Frequency-Electromagnetic Field (ELF-EMF) and high-power light radiation emitted by Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). The method has been widely applied in the treatment and rehabilitation of complications of many medical conditions, including in dentistry. The aim of this study was to use CBCT to assess the effectiveness of the simultaneous use of electromagnetic field and LED light in the physical therapy of paranasal sinusitis. Treatments employing the electromagnetic field combined with LED light were administered to a 39-year-old female outpatient of the physiotherapy ward for rehabilitation therapy of paranasal sinusitis. Normal sinus pneumatization was restored almost completely. Reduction in the swelling of the sinus mucosa was so significant that even the pneumatization of the ethmoid bulla was restored. Physical therapy with the simultaneous use of ELF-EMF and LED light was found to be effective in the rehabilitation of the patient with paranasal sinusitis. Positive effects of the treatment were confirmed by CBCT findings.

The change of electric potentials in the oral cavity after application of extremely low frequency pulsed magnetic field

Electric potentials occurring in the oral cavity deserve attention as they may cause various diseases and subjective feelings, which are very difficult to treat. The aim of this study was to evaluate the electric potentials within the oral cavity in patients with metal fillings and metal prosthetic restorations, after using a pulsed electromagnetic field. The study was carried out on 84 patients. The Viofor JPS Classic device was used in the treatment. It generates a pulsed electromagnetic field with low induction of the extremely low frequency (ELF) range. Average values of electric potentials in the preliminary test were about the same in both groups; they were 148.8 mV and 145.5 mV. After another appliance of ELF fields there was found a steady decline in the average value of electric potentials in the study group. This decrease was statistically highly significant, while mean values of electric potentials in the control group were characterized by a slightly upward tendency. The obtained statistically significant reduction of electric potentials in the oral cavity of patients having metal fillings and metal prosthetic restorations, after application of the Viofor JPS Classic device, implies a huge impact of ELF pulsed electromagnetic field on inhibition of electrochemical processes, as well as on inhibition of dental alloy corrosion. 

Surface of root cementum following air-polishing with bioactive hydroxyapatite (Ca and P mapping). A pilot study

Air-polishing is a well-known and common technique to remove plaque, tartar and different kind of stains from teeth, using abrasive materials. Commonly used cleaning powders contain Al (aluminium) which is still controversial in terms of its inertness and harmfulness for human body. Nowadays, new air-polishing materials, including biomaterials, are being introduced. In particular, biomaterials the structure of which imitates that of natural tissue are very promising materials of reparative and reconstructive features. The purpose of the study was to assess in vitro the influence of natural hydroxyapatite on cementum surface and to assess superficial qualitative distribution of such elements as calcium and phosphorus before and after air-polishing. Four teeth extracted for periodontal reasons were airpolished. Bioactive hydroxyapatite (prepared in the Cracow Institute of Technology) was a cleaning powder with particle size of up to 10 μm. Bioactive natural hydroxyapatite is a very effective cleaning powder, which removes efficiently tartar from cementum surface and does not cause any damage. The qualitative analysis of cementum images after air-polishing with natural hydroxyapatite showed that the cementum surface was fully saturated with such elements as calcium and phosphorus, which was not observed on control cementum images.

Limited effect of low frequency magnetic fields on the concentrations of calcium, magnesium and fluoride in saliva

AIM

To assess the influence of low frequency magnetic fields on the contents of calcium, magnesium and fluoride in saliva.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Sixty two patients were subjected to magnetic stimulation with low frequency magnetic fields of mean induction 3 microT at the first intervention and 4 microT at the following fourteen ones. Saliva was sampled before magnetic stimulation and after the 5th, 10th and 15th interventions. The contents of calcium and magnesium ions were measured by means of atomic absorption spectrometry. The content of fluoride was determined using an ion-selective electrode.

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences were found between the calcium concentrations before magnetic stimulation and after 5, 10 and 15 interventions. Statistically significant differences in the magnesium concentrations were observed only between 10th and 15th interventions. No statistically significant differences in fluoride concentrations were found.

CONCLUSION

Low frequency magnetic fields have no or weak influences on the content of calcium, magnesium and fluoride in saliva.

[Oral cavity health condition of HIV carriers]

INTRODUCTION

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a disease, which damages the cell immunity of an organism. Changes in the oral cavity have an important role in the diagnostics of contagion. The aim of the paper was the assessment of the state of the oral cavity of the patients who had HIV. They had also antiretroviral and immunomodulating treatment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

90 people, aged from 20 to 60, residents of Zachodniopomorskie region, were members of the examined group. They were divided into three groups. The intensity of the dental caries was assessed and an average PUW number. The history of the previous dental services was done. Also patients' stomatological needs were assessed. Medical services were assessed according to index of stomatological treatment and its structure. Additionally, oral cavity was evaluated with the use of plaque index. State and treatment needs of the paradontium were evaluated with the use of CPITN index.

RESULTS

The indicator of caries, cavity and filling average values were statistically not essential in all the groups. Caries active dental caries was present in every group. The average number of extracted teeth was higher than in the control group. It is statistically essential. The average number of filled teeth of people with and without treatment was lower than in the control group. That was statistically essential. The rise of the medical services structure values index shows that the number of tooth extracting services is becoming proportionally higher to other effective stomatological services. The gained results show the inadequate stomatological treatment of the infected. The level of hygiene was higher in the group of not infected people than in the group of the people with HIV, who were undergoing antiretroviral treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with HIV were characterised by the low level of hygiene of the oral cavity and by the bad state of teeth. Extractions of the teeth of the infected people were the most often stomatological services. Too low oral cavity hygiene of the people with HIV influences the state of their teeth. The highest requirements of the paradontium stomatological services are in the group of patients who are taking antiretroviral medicines.

[The impact of treatment by extremely low frequency magnetic fields on the electropotentials in an oral cavity and some chemical elements content in saliva]

INTRODUCTION

Introducing new methods of treatment in dentistry cause various alloys to appear in oral cavities. These alloys present in the oral cavity may generate an electrolytic cell, while saliva serves as a fine electrolytic conductor. Hence, the electropotentials that occur may initiate different illnesses.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was conducted among 25 patients. All of them have undergone treatment with the Viofor JPS system. The electropotentials in the oral cavity have been checked, as saliva's pH and selected levels of chemical elements have been estimated.

RESULTS

After having applied a series of treatments with the JPS system it was found that the electropotentials decreased, pH level of saliva increased, the content of copper in the non stimulated saliva fell, no alterations in the remaining elements before and after the treatments were observed.

[Ozone therapy with the OzonyTron apparatus]

PURPOSE

OzonyTron is one of the newest devices for the generation of ozone. The aim of this study was to assess the benefits of ozone in some pathologies.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Ozone therapy was used in 20 patients, including eight with lip herpes, five after dental surgery and chiseling of third molars, six with seborrheal inflammation of facial skin and one with mycosis of the toes.

RESULTS

Treatment with OzonyTron is noninvasive and painless. The oxidative properties of ozone are exploited to combat microbial infection. Thus, the device is valuable primarily for its antiseptic action. Following ozone therapy, a very good effect was observed in each case.

[Orthodontic appliance made from silicone elastomer, evaluated clinically and from patient opinions after treatment for malocclusion]

Elastodontics is a new branch of orthodontics dealing with orthodontic appliances made with silicone elastomer. The appliances are simple in construction and function, easy to use, and safe. One of the simplest is the elasto-aligner used in some forms of malocclusion. The purpose of this work was: 1) to evaluate the results of treatment of malocclusion with this type of appliance in relation to age of patient and duration of treatment; 2) to gather the opinions of patients; 3) to assess the costs and duration of treatment. 70 patients were examined clinically and asked to fill in a questionnaire (Tab. 1, 3). The elasto-aligner was especially useful when applied in malocclusion after treatment with a fixed appliance. The silicone appliance is recommended for the youngest of patients and should be worn for at least 12 hours per day (Tab. 2). Adaptation to the silicone appliance was long and the most uncomfortable symptoms were toothache, excessive salivation, and dry lips in elderly patients (Fig. 1). The time needed to make the elasto-aligner was up to 20 hours and the cost of materials varied between an acrylic activator and a fixed appliance.