Frequent and Persistent Salivary Gland Ectasia and Oral Disease After COVID-19

The clinical picture of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in various target organs has been extensively studied and described. However, relatively little is known about the characteristics of oral cavity involvement. This is surprising, considering that oral mucosal and salivary gland cells are known targets for the direct replication of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and that the presence of the virus in saliva is a source of transmission of the infection. The aim of our study was to investigate the presence and prevalence of oral manifestations in COVID-19 survivors. We profiled the oral involvement in 122 COVID-19 survivors that were hospitalized and followed up at a single-referral university hospital in Milan, Italy, between July 23, 2020 and September 7, 2020, after a median (interquartile range) time from hospital discharge of 104 (95 to 132) d. We found that oral manifestations, specifically salivary gland ectasia, were unexpectedly common, with oral manifestations being detected in 83.9% while salivary gland ectasia in 43% of COVID-19 survivors. Salivary gland ectasia reflected the hyperinflammatory response to SARS-CoV-2, as demonstrated by the significant relationship with C-reactive protein (CRP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels at hospital admission, and with the use of antibiotics during acute disease. Both LDH levels and antibiotic administration survived as independent predictors of salivary gland ectasia at multivariable analysis. Temporomandibular joint abnormalities, facial pain, and masticatory muscle weakness were also common. Overall, this retrospective and prospective cohort study of COVID-19 survivors revealed that residual damage of the oral cavity persists in the vast majority of patients far beyond clinical recovery, and suggests that the oral cavity represents a preferential target for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Further studies are needed to clarify the connection between SARS-CoV-2 infection and oral disorders.

The association between minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), children's poor oral condition, and underlying negative psychosocial habits and attitudes towards oral hygiene

BACKGROUND

Minor Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (RAS) represents a disease which is very difficult to prevent. This case-control study focused on possible associations between minor Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis in children, their oral health, and underlying behavioral indexes of children's attitudes and habits pertaining to (home) oral hygiene, with the further goal of enabling the dentist to prevent these specific kind of lesions, both from a clinical and a broader psychosocial perspective.

METHODS

Four hundred one school-children (5-10 years old) in Milan (Italy) were submitted to an intra-oral examination, and interviewed with the aid of a brief psychosocial questionnaire.

RESULTS

At the clinical level, statistically significant associations were observed between the presence of decayed teeth and minor Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (Odds Ratio: 3.15; 95% CI: lower limit 1.06; upper limit: 9.36; Z-test: 2.07, p = 0.039; Chi-square = 4.71, p = 0.030), and between the Decayed Missing or Filled Teeth (DMFT) index and minor aphthous stomatitis (Odds Ratio: 3.30; 95% CI: lower limit 1.13; upper limit: 9.67; Z-test = 2.18, p = 0.029; Chi-square = 5.27; p = 0.022), both results pointing to a significant increase-by circa 3 times-in the risk of developing minor Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis in children exposed to the two above-identified factors (i.e., the presence of decayed teeth and a clearly compromised oral condition, as signaled by the DMFT index), if compared with the risk run by their non-exposed counterparts. At the psychosocial level of analysis, statistically significant associations were observed (1) between children's practice of spontaneously brushing teeth when not at home and a comparatively lower (i.e. better) Decayed Missing or Filled Teeth index (Chi-square: 8.95; p = 0.011), and (2) between receiving parental aid (e.g., proper brushing instructions) while practicing home oral hygiene and a significantly reduced presence of decayed teeth (Chi-square = 5.40; p = .067; Spearman's Rho, p = .038). Further, significant associations were also observed between children's reported severity of dental pain and both (a) the presence of decayed teeth (Chi-square = 10.80; p = 0.011), and (b) children's (poor) oral health condition as expressed by the Decayed Missing or Filled Teeth index (Chi-square = 6.29; p = 0.043). Interestingly, specific lifestyles and social status, showed no systematic association to other clinical or psychological/psychosocial indices.

CONCLUSIONS

These systematic relations suggest that, in the presence of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis in pediatric patients, the dentist should carefully monitor children for potential carious lesions, implement protocols of prevention to control Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis disease in children affected by caries, and also be particularly aware of the right or wrong habits children may acquire in the course of continued social exchange with their caregivers and peers.

Fiber reinforced composites orthodontic retainers

AIM

Retention is the phase of orthodontic treatment that attempts to hold teeth in their corrected positions after orthodontic therapy is completed. The aim of this study was to consider fiber-reinforced composites (FRC) as a possible alternative to conventional multistranded stainless steel wire for retention through SEM analysis.

METHODS

Two different FRC orthodontic retainers were investigated, i.e. Everstick® (Stick Tech Ltd, Turku, Finland) (type A, 24 samples), with a diameter of 0.76 mm made of glass fibers and a Young's modulus of elasticity of 28 gpa, and Ribbond® (Ribbond, Inc., Seattle, Washington, WA, USA) (type B, 24 samples), with ultra high molecular weight and with an high Young's modulus of elasticity by polyethylene fibers cold treated with plasma gas. Six groups were created: control groups A1 and B1, composed by 8 type A and 8 type B samples without impregnation and only with fluid resin before curing; groups A2 and B2, composed respectively by 8 type A and 8 type B samples impregnated with fluid resin Heliobond for 6 seconds; groups A3 and B3, composed respectively by 8 type A and 8 type B samples impregnated with fluid resin Heliobond for 6 minutes before curing.

RESULTS

Cross- and lengthwise SEM analysis of the sectioned samples made showed that fiber without impregnation with fluid resin, before curing, showed interwoven and straight directed cylindrical fibers. The SEM analysis denoted that the two types of fiber shows structural characteristics differing in dimension, number, diameter and orientation of FRC without a preliminary treatment through impregnation of the fibers with fluid resin.

CONCLUSION

An impregnation time of 6 seconds could considerably reduced voids, crazes and microcracks of the fibers, making them more resistant to the other oral and bacterial agents. A larger time of impregnation (6 minutes), with fluid resin before hardening, further enhances the morphological characteristics of the FRC.

Orientation of craniofacial planes and temporomandibular disorder in young adults with normal occlusion

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between orientation of craniofacial planes relative to the true horizontal and temporomandibular disorder (TMD), in normal occlusion. Fourteen university dental students, with full natural dentition and bilateral Angle Class I occlusion, who exhibited signs and symptoms of TMD, were compared with 14 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Frontal and lateral photographs were taken in natural head position with the subject standing up, clenching a Fox plane and having a facial arch positioned. Photographs were examined by a standardized image analysis. Inter-pupillary axis, Frankfurt, occlusal and Camper planes were evaluated. In frontal view, the Frankfurt plane was right rotated relative to the true horizontal both in TMD subjects (P < 0.01) and controls (P < 0.05), but rotation was larger in TMD subjects (mean difference between groups, 1.1 degrees, 95% confidence interval, 95% CI, 0.2-2.0 degrees ). No significant deviation from the horizontal or difference between groups was observed for the interpupillary axis and occlusal plane. In lateral view, the Frankfurt plane was upward-orientated relative to the true horizontal in TMD group (mean angular deviation 2.8 degrees, 95% CI, 1.0-4.6 degrees ). The occlusal and Camper planes were downward-orientated in both groups (P < 0.0001), but inclination of occlusal plane tended to be smaller in TMD subjects (mean difference between groups, -3.8 degrees, 95% CI, -7.6-0.1 degrees ). Angles between any craniofacial planes did not significantly differ between groups. The findings show that in young adults with normal occlusion, a weak association exists between the orientation of craniofacial planes in natural head position and signs and symptoms of TMD. Furthermore, they suggest that, within this population, TMD might be mainly associated with head posture rather than with craniofacial morphology.

The distribution of occlusal contacts in the intercuspal position and temporomandibular disorder

The aim of this study was to describe the distribution of occlusal contacts in subjects with signs or symptoms of temporomandibular disorder (TMD), and to assess whether any difference exists with healthy subjects. Twenty-five university dental students with complete natural dentition who exhibited TMD (13 females and 12 males, age from 19 to 30 years) and 25 age- and sex-matched controls entered the study. Occlusal contacts were evaluated in the intercuspal position and wax registrations were made in all subjects. Occlusal contacts were classified according to location and intensity. No differences were found between TMD and control groups for the overall number and distribution of contacts or for any side and intensity of contact. An intra-subject analysis showed that TMD subjects had significantly greater bilateral asymmetry in the number of contacts than controls. Median absolute difference of the number of contacts on right and left sides was 3 (95% CI, 2-4) in TMD subjects and 2 (95% CI, 1-2) in controls. In TMD subjects with mono-lateral TMD there was a significant concordance (88.9%) between the side of disorder and the side of higher number of contacts. These findings, while confirming that a significant relationship exists between distribution of occlusal contacts and TMD, further suggest that in young adults it may be primarily expressed by asymmetries in occlusal contact patterns. Existence and aetiology of any association of TMD with occlusal contacts should be further investigated.

The relationship of bruxism with craniofacial pain and symptoms from the masticatory system in the adult population

The association of bruxism with craniofacial pain and symptoms of dysfunction of the masticatory system was assessed in a sample of 483 adult subjects, aged 18-75 years and selected from the general population living in the municipality of Segrate, a metropolitan area in northern Italy. Subjects were interviewed by a questionnaire about oral conditions, occurrence of symptoms of masticatory disturbances, craniofacial and neck pain. The overall prevalence of bruxism was 31;4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 27;3-35;5%). At univariate analysis bruxism was significantly associated with craniofacial pain, difficulty in closing the mouth, difficulty in opening the mouth wide or in locking the mouth, temporomandibular joint sounds, pain on movement, a feeling of stiffness or fatigue of the jaws, and neck pain. After adjustment for reciprocal influences and confounding variables, logistic regression analysis disclosed a strong independent association of bruxism with difficulty in closing the mouth (adjusted odds ratio, (OR): 2;84, 95% CI: 1;68-4;48), and a weaker relationship with craniofacial pain (adjusted OR: 1;84, 95% CI: 1;16-2;93) and temporomandibular joint sounds (adjusted OR: 1;64, 95% CI: 1;00-2;69). The findings show that in the general adult population there is a complex connection among bruxism, craniofacial pain and symptoms of masticatory disturbances. Furthermore, they suggest that the most direct relationship of bruxism may be with difficulties in mouth movements, but also an independent association may exist with craniofacial pain and other symptoms of temporomandibular disorder.

Association between loss of occlusal support and symptoms of functional disturbances of the masticatory system

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of loss of occlusal support with symptoms of functional disturbances of the masticatory system, in particular with the ones related to the temporomandibular dysfunction. A total of 483 adult subjects randomly selected from the population living in the municipality of Segrate, northern Italy, were studied. Subjects were interviewed by questionnaire about oral conditions and occurrence of symptoms of disturbances of the masticatory system. Also, denture was examined by dentists during the interview. Loss of occlusal support was observed in 60.2% of the subjects, symptoms of functional disturbances in 68.7% and temporomandibular dysfunction in 55.1%. At univariate analysis loss of occlusal support was mainly associated with a feeling of stiffness or fatigue of the jaws (P < 0.001), difficulty in closing the mouth (P < 0.005) and difficulty on mastication (P < 0.0001). Association with temporomandibular dysfunction as a whole was significant also (P < 0.001). Multiple age- and sex-adjusted logistic analysis disclosed a significant strong impact of loss of occlusal support on difficulty with mastication (odds ratio = 7.0, P < 0.0001). At that analysis, no significant relationship resulted with symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction. These findings confirm that presence of an adequate occlusal support is a relevant factor in maintaining an efficient chewing, and also suggest that it may play any indirect role in preventing occurrence of symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction.

[Magnetic attachments for implants in complete dentures]

In this research work we examine and apply to patients new types of technologies, describing advantages and disadvantages of using them. This osseointegrated implantation with magnetic prosthetic connection, allow to stabilize complete denture in patients suffering from serious atrophy.

[Cephroxadine--a new antibiotic. Clinical experience]

Cephroxadine is an orally active cephalosporin of third generation. The most important characteristics are: 1) bacterial cell wall synthesis inhibition during active multiplication; 2) wide spectrum of action, including Gram+ and Gram- bacteria and also penicillinase and beta-lactamase producers; 3) possibility of oral administration, quick assimilation and daily moderate dosage (500 mg/12 h). This antibiotic was tested on 71 patients to prevent and resolve dental pre-and post-operating infections. In all tested cases Cephroxadine was very effective and resolved well symptoms on second day, generally. Moreover no patient had any collateral effect to justify interruption of therapy.