{"title":"Understanding analgesic drug mechanisms of action to aid in postoperative dental pain management.","authors":"Jason H Goodchild, Mark Donaldson","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12571,"journal":{"name":"General dentistry","volume":"73 3","pages":"13-19"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143997779","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The connection between poor oral health and metabolic disease: the sugar link theory.","authors":"Herman B Dumbrigue","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The purpose of this narrative review is to explore the idea that habitual and excessive intake of sugar and ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) may be the link between poor oral health (specifically dental caries) and metabolic disease and the common upstream factor that explains the association between these conditions. This proposed sugar link theory posits a parallel between declines in oral health and systemic health, beginning with the detrimental impacts of sugar and UPFs on the oral and gut microbiomes (dysbiosis). The resulting ecologic shifts produce biochemical alterations that lead to oral and systemic disease. One way for dentists to mitigate the worldwide impact of dental caries and metabolic disease is to encourage their patients to avoid habitual and excessive intake of sugar and UPFs.</p>","PeriodicalId":12571,"journal":{"name":"General dentistry","volume":"73 3","pages":"60-67"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143987292","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Comparison of the antimicrobial effects of 0.2% curcumin mouthwash and chlorhexidine mouthwash on <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> in orthodontic patients: a randomized clinical trial.","authors":"Tahura Etezadi, Ali Semnani, Hodis Ehsani, Hamid Reza Goli, Amirreza Samaei, Farhad Sobouti","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The use of mouthwash is a practical approach to decreasing bacteria during orthodontic treatment. This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial effect of 0.2% curcumin mouthwash on <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> in individuals undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. For this double-blinded clinical study, 22 orthodontic patients aged 15 years or older with no systemic or periodontal diseases were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups of 11 individuals. One group received 0.2% curcumin mouthwash (intervention), while the other group received 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash (control) to use twice daily. Orthodontic elastics were collected from the patients' mouth immediately before the first use of the mouthwash, immediately after the first use, and after 20 days of mouthwash use. The elastics were stored in normal saline, and the samples were transferred to a microbiology laboratory for serial dilution, plating, and incubation. After 48 hours, the number of colony-forming units (CFUs) of <i>S mutans</i> were counted and compared. The Friedman and Wilcoxon tests were used for statistical analysis of intragroup data, while the Mann-Whitney U test was used for intergroup comparisons. A difference of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Both the curcumin and chlorhexidine groups demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in CFUs of <i>S mutans</i> immediately after the initial use as well as after 20 days' use (P < 0.05). After the first use, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in the reduction of CFUs (P = 0.071). However, after 20 consecutive days of mouthwash use, the curcumin group had a significantly greater decrease in CFUs of <i>S mutans</i> than the chlorhexidine group (P < 0.001). Both chlorhexidine and curcumin mouthwashes significantly reduced the number of <i>S mutans</i> colonies when used regularly. The results of the present study suggest that curcumin herbal mouthwash is a superior choice to chlorhexidine for orthodontic patients due to its long-term antibacterial properties.</p>","PeriodicalId":12571,"journal":{"name":"General dentistry","volume":"73 3","pages":"73-77"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143996151","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Complementary examinations in the diagnosis of Sjögren syndrome: a report of 2 cases.","authors":"Thaís Xavier Pereira da Silva, Thaylla Núñez Amin Dick, Adriana Dibo Cruz, Janete Dias Almeida, Monica Ghislane Oliveira Alves, Geraldo Oliveira Silva-Júnior","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sjögren syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine glands. Its clinical manifestations vary, ranging from sicca syndrome, which is characterized by xerostomia, xerophthalmia, and xeroderma, to the systemic involvement of organs. SS typically affects middle-aged women and may be associated with other autoimmune diseases. This article reports the diagnosis and treatment of SS in 2 women aged 58 and 56 years, highlighting the importance of proper disease management and complementary diagnostic tests. The patients reported xerostomia, xerophthalmia, and difficulty eating. Both had been previously diagnosed with other autoimmune diseases and exhibited unfavorable oral conditions. The diagnostic process comprised sialometry; anti-SSA, anti-SSB, and antinuclear antibody factor blood tests; ophthalmologic tests; biopsy of minor salivary glands; and ultrasound of major salivary glands. Results confirmed the diagnosis of SS in each patient. Subsequently, the patients received multidisciplinary treatment and support, but follow-up examinations showed no substantial improvement. Given the range of clinical manifestations that can mimic other diseases, delays in SS diagnosis are common and can lead to considerable patient morbidity. Healthcare professionals involved in the diagnosis of SS must possess knowledge about the necessary complementary tests and perform them when appropriate.</p>","PeriodicalId":12571,"journal":{"name":"General dentistry","volume":"73 3","pages":"51-55"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144009982","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zahra Javaheri, Sogol Jafari-Pozve, Nasim Jafari-Pozve, Seyed Sasan Aryanezhad, S Marjan Arianezhad
{"title":"Evaluation of pulp stones in unerupted teeth and their correlation with principal biochemical factors using cone beam computed tomography.","authors":"Zahra Javaheri, Sogol Jafari-Pozve, Nasim Jafari-Pozve, Seyed Sasan Aryanezhad, S Marjan Arianezhad","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pulp stones result from the calcification of dental pulp tissue. There is limited research on pulp stones in unerupted teeth, but they are more suitable for investigating the influence of systemic factors on pulp stone formation because they are not exposed to the conditions of the oral cavity. The objectives of this cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study were to use cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to evaluate pulp stones in unerupted teeth and to be the first investigation to assess the correlation between pulp stones and blood levels of principal biochemical factors. The CBCT records of 90 patients were evaluated, and 3 groups were defined based on the size of pulp stones: small pulp stone (including total absence as well as minute particles with maximum diameter < 0.05 mm); moderate-sized pulp stone (maximum diameter 0.05-1.59 mm); or large pulp stone (maximum diameter ≥ 1.60 mm). This was followed by assessment of the patients' blood levels of 5 principal biochemical factors: fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). The data were analyzed by chi-square test, 1-way analysis of variance, and Kruskal-Wallis test, and values of P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Individuals with a large pulp stone were significantly older than individuals with a small pulp stone (P = 0.024). No statistically significant difference was found in the distribution of the sexes in the 3 pulp stone groups, nor was there any association between pulp stones in unerupted teeth and FBG, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, or LDL level (P > 0.05). The prevalence of tooth types followed a consistent pattern across all 3 groups, with canines being the most commonly affected, followed by premolars. In the present study, confounding variables were minimized by using unerupted teeth. CBCT was found to be an accurate 3-dimensional imaging modality for evaluation of pulp stones. As people age, the likelihood of pulp stone formation increases. No statistically significant association was observed between the prevalence of pulp stones and patients' sex or biochemical factor levels.</p>","PeriodicalId":12571,"journal":{"name":"General dentistry","volume":"73 3","pages":"35-41"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143996839","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gary Greenstein, Sultan Albeshri, Ahmad Majeed-Saidan
{"title":"Surgical and prosthetic criteria for selecting prefabricated vs custom implant abutments.","authors":"Gary Greenstein, Sultan Albeshri, Ahmad Majeed-Saidan","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The abutment is an integral part of a prosthetic dental implant restoration. Both prefabricated and custom abutments aim to ensure proper gingival contours, maximum crown retention, proper emergence profiles, and the desired subgingival depth of the crown margins. To achieve good outcomes, abutment selection must be guided by biologic and prosthetic principles. In this narrative review, the dental literature was searched for articles addressing criteria used to select dental implant abutments. The literature indicates that both prefabricated and custom abutments can be used to enhance restorative therapy. A variety of clinical scenarios that cannot be resolved with prefabricated abutments (eg, excessive interocclusal space) can be managed with custom abutments. Technological advancements, such as computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing, can help attain clinical benefits usually accomplished with traditionally made custom abutments. The review identified 15 surgical and prosthetic criteria that can be used to guide the selection of prefabricated vs custom dental implant abutments: implant position, implant angulation, sink depth, emergence profile, collar height, peri-implant crevicular depth, esthetics, restorative margin location, cement removal, running room, diameter parity or disparity, tissue sculpting, retention and resistance forms, interocclusal space, and gingival phenotype. Careful consideration of these factors will promote gingival health around a restoration, enhance esthetics, preclude food entrapment, and facilitate oral hygiene for the patient.</p>","PeriodicalId":12571,"journal":{"name":"General dentistry","volume":"73 3","pages":"20-26"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143996268","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Edgar D Garcia, Del Valle Lovato Juan, Courtney S Babb, Mario F Romero
{"title":"Mucocompressive impression technique for alveolar ridges with flabby tissues: a case report.","authors":"Edgar D Garcia, Del Valle Lovato Juan, Courtney S Babb, Mario F Romero","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Fabrication of complete dentures for alveolar ridges with flabby tissues can be challenging, primarily due to the difficulties encountered during the impression phase and complexity of ensuring stable occlusion. This case report, which describes fabrication of a replacement for an ill-fitting maxillary denture that had been used for more than 15 years, illustrates a mucocompressive impression technique that posteriorly displaces the flabby tissue to capture its shape and position in a more functional state, thereby enhancing denture stability. The use of a digital workflow for denture fabrication improves not only precision but also denture retention, function, and patient satisfaction. In addition, the more stable denture provides better support to flabby tissues, which may contribute to their healing.</p>","PeriodicalId":12571,"journal":{"name":"General dentistry","volume":"73 2","pages":"70-74"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143624231","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abdiel Silva Guimarães, Thaís Silva Mendonça, Gustavo Adolfo Martins Mendes, Gustavo Mendonça, Cássia Maria Fischer Rubira, Lawrence Gonzaga Lopes
{"title":"Hybrid CAD/CAM workflow for diastema closure using a minimal intervention technique: a case report.","authors":"Abdiel Silva Guimarães, Thaís Silva Mendonça, Gustavo Adolfo Martins Mendes, Gustavo Mendonça, Cássia Maria Fischer Rubira, Lawrence Gonzaga Lopes","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This case report outlines the procedural sequence used for anterior diastema closure via laminated lithium disilicate veneers fabricated with a computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing system. A hybrid digital workflow was employed to close a diastema between the maxillary central incisors of a 42-year-old woman. The planning phase involved the creation of provisional resin veneers based on digital smile design, facilitating minimally invasive dental preparations. Subsequently, lithium disilicate veneers, produced from a conventional impression, were crafted and bonded using preheated composite resin. The inclusion of provisional printed veneers in the planning process enabled minimal enamel removal for the placement of thin laminated veneers, successfully restoring the esthetic harmony of the patient's smile.</p>","PeriodicalId":12571,"journal":{"name":"General dentistry","volume":"73 2","pages":"56-60"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143624286","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}