Dilsah Cogulu

Oral and dental manifestations of young asthmatics related to medication, severity and duration of condition

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the caries risk of asthmatics in relation to dental plaque indices, salivary flow rate, pH and buffer capacity, saliva composition and salivary levels of Streptococcus mutans compared with healthy subjects and also to evaluate these parameters within different groups of asthmatics according to their medication, duration and severity of the disease.

Microbiological evaluation and antibiotic susceptibility of dental unit water systems in general dental practice

OBJECTIVE The microbial quality of water in a dental unit water systems (DUWS) is of considerable importance because patients and dental staff are regularly exposed to water and aerosol generated from the dental units. The objective of this study was to evaluate the 20 DUWS in general dental practices and to determine the antibiotic susceptibility of the colonizing bacteria. METHODS Three water and one biofilm samples from each DUWS were investigated for total viable count (TVC), oral streptococci, Pseudomonas spp., Enterobacteria, Candida albicans and Legionella pneumophila. RESULTS A total of 44 morphologically different colonies were obtained from water samples and 20 types of colonies (45.5%) could be identified using API test strips. The mean TVC values were 4.36 log CFU ml(-1) for source waters, 4.95 log CFU ml(-1) for 3-in-1 syringe samples, 4.91 log CFU ml(-1) for air rotor samples and 3.66 log CFU cm(-2) for biofilm samples. Susceptibilities of the isolates were tested against piperacillin, ampicillin, ceftazidime, meropenem, gentamicin, tetracycline, ofloxacin and chloramphenicol by using microdilution method according to NCCLS. The meropenem and ofloxacin have shown the broadest spectrum against to the tested isolates. CONCLUSION The study emphasizes the need for effective mechanisms to reduce the microbial contamination in DUWS, and highlights the risk for cross-infection in general dental practice.

PCR-based identification of selected pathogens associated with endodontic infections in deciduous and permanent teeth.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence of the selected pathogens in samples from deciduous and permanent tooth root canals by using PCR method and to determine the association of these organisms with clinical symptoms. STUDY DESIGN A total of 145 children, 5 to 13 years old, were involved in this study. The presence of selected pathogens (Actinomyces israelii, Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas endodontalis, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Streptococcus intermedius, Treponema denticola, Parvimonas micra, Tannerella forsythensis, Enterococcus faecium, Prevotella melaninogenica) in infected root canals was studied using PCR. RESULTS T. denticola (P = .012, .02) and E. faecalis (P = .012, .04) were highly associated with periapical radiolucency and previous pain, while P. gingivalis was associated with tenderness to percussion in both deciduous and permanent teeth (P = .01, .015). CONCLUSION The results of the present study confirm that certain species of microorganisms are associated with clinical signs and symptoms of endodontic disease in both deciduous and permanent teeth.

Exclusion of candidate genes in seven Turkish families with autosomal recessive amelogenesis imperfecta

Amelogenesis imperfectas (AI) are a group of inherited defects of dental enamel formation that show both clinical and genetic heterogeneity. Seven Turkish families segregating autosomal recessive AI (ARAI) were evaluated for evidence of a genetic etiology of AI for the seven major candidate gene loci (AMBN, AMELX, ENAM, FAM83H, KLK4, MMP20, and TUFT1). Dental and periodontal characteristics of the affected members of these families were also described. The mean scores of DMFS and dfs indices were 9.7 and 9.6, respectively. The mean PPD was 2.2 mm and the percentage of the sites with plaque and BOP were 87.8% and 72.4%, respectively. The exons and intron/exon junctions of the candidate genes were sequenced and no gene mutations were identified in any individuals. These findings support the existence of an additional gene(s) that are etiologic for ARAI in these families.

Potential effects of a multistrain probiotic-kefir on salivary Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus spp.

Background/purpose It has recently been documented that various probiotic formulations have beneficial effects in reducing caries risk as well as promoting human health. The aim of the present study was to examine the efficacy of short-term consumption of a multistrain probiotic-kefir on salivary counts of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus spp. in young adults. Materials and methods In total, 104 subjects aged 20-27 years were included in the study. The salivary flow rate, buffer capacity, salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli counts were detected in each subject after a 3-week washout period using chair-side kits at baseline. Subjects were randomly assigned into three groups: Group I consumed 100 mL kefir per day ( n = 35); Group II consumed 2 ± 100 mL kefir per day ( n = 35); and Group III consumed 100 mL milk (n = 34). A questionnaire investigating the oral and dietary habits of the subjects was also filled out by each subject. After 3 weeks of consumption of the experimental materials, salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli counts were reevaluated. Results Statistically significant reductions were observed in both salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in Group II compared to the baseline (P = 0.001 and P=0.01, respectively). Conclusion Short-term consumption of kefir might reduce high levels of salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli.

The Role of Vitamin D Receptor Polymorphisms on Dental Caries.

OBJECTIVE To determine the association between the ApaI, FokI, Cdx2 and TaqI polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene in caries-active (high-moderate) and caries-free children. STUDY DESIGN A hundred and fifty children (75 males, 75 females, mean age: 10.19 ± 1.61 years) were included in the study. The subjects were divided into three groups as high caries risk group (DMFT, dft>4)(n=55), moderate caries risk group (DMFT, dft=1-4)(n=57) and caries-free group (n=38). From each individual, blood samples were collected and DNA was extracted. The VDR gene was genotyped for the polymorphisms ApaI, FokI, Cdx2 and TaqI using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. All data were analyzed by chi-square test, Fishers exact test and t test. RESULTS There was statistically significant difference in the frequency of TaqI genotypes (tt) between caries-active and caries-free children (p=0.029). No statistically significant differences were detected between ApaI, FokI, Cdx2 genotypes and dental caries. CONCLUSION In the future, VDR gene polymorphisms may be used as a marker for the identification of patients with high caries risk.

Associations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-1 receptor antagonist, and IL-10 with dental caries

Streptococcus mutans is important in dental caries. Although the role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of dental caries is not clear, components of S. mutans were found to stimulate production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. We examined the associations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), and IL-10 with dental caries. Unstimulated whole saliva and blood samples were obtained from 108 children aged 6-12 years with high caries (decayed, missing, or filled teeth [dmft/DMFT] index >4, n = 37), moderate caries (dmft/DMFT = 1-4, n = 37), or caries-free (dmft/DMFT = 0, n = 34). S. mutans level was classified as low (<10(5) colony-forming units [CFU]/mL) or high (≥10(5) CFU/mL). Saliva and serum concentrations of IL-1β, IL-1ra, and IL-10 were determined by ELISA. IL-1β, IL-1ra, and IL-10 gene polymorphisms were genotyped using PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, one-way ANOVA, posthoc, Fishers exact, and t tests were used in statistical analysis. Dental caries was not correlated with salivary or serum concentrations of the studied cytokines. S. mutans level positively correlated with saliva IL-1β concentration and inversely correlated with saliva IL-1ra concentration. There was no correlation of IL-1β, IL-1ra, or IL-10 gene polymorphisms with dental caries. S. mutans is important in stimulating saliva IL-1β and inhibiting IL-1ra. Future studies of associations between cytokines and dental caries should investigate additional cytokines and enroll a larger number of participants.

Comparison of conventional versus colored compomers for class II restorations in primary molars: a 12-month clinical study.

Objective: To evaluate the 12-month clinical performance of conventional (Compoglass F) and colored (Twinky Star) compomer restorative materials in class II restorations of primary molars. Materials and Methods: A total of 196 restorations were placed in 98 children aged between 5 and 10 years (mean age: 7.43 ± 1.31 years) who had bilateral matched pairs of carious posterior class II primary molars. A split-mouth design was used in which 2 materials (Compoglass F, Twinky Star) were randomly placed on contralateral sides by 3 dentists. At baseline, after 6 and after 12 months, the restorations were evaluated using modified US Public Health Service criteria for: secondary caries, marginal integrity, marginal discoloration, anatomic form and surface texture. The Alpha and Bravo scores were considered as clinical success. The data were subjected to statistical analysis by the Wilcoxon and McNemar tests (p < 0.05). The Kaplan-Meier survival method was applied to estimate survival percentages. Results: No significant difference was found among the groups at all recalls regarding marginal integrity, marginal discoloration, anatomic form, secondary caries and surface texture. The 12-month mean cumulative survival rate of Compoglass F was 95.7%, while in the Twinky Star group, the survival rate was 93% in class II restorations with no significant difference between the groups for either material. Conclusion: Both conventional and colored compomer materials are suitable restorative materials for primary teeth for at least 12 months. Colored compomers could also be a good alternative to tooth-colored compomers in the restoration of primary molars.