Hitoshi Abekura

Evaluation of the efficiency of denture cleaners for removing denture adhesives

OBJECTIVE We developed a new scoring index for assessing the removability of denture adhesives and evaluated the removal efficiency of denture cleaners. BACKGROUND Although our understanding of the importance of denture care is increasing, little is known about the effectiveness and efficiency of denture cleaners on denture adhesives. Therefore, guidelines for proper cleaning are necessary. MATERIALS AND METHODS We used five denture cleaner solutions on two cream adhesives, one powder adhesive and one cushion adhesive. After immersion in the denture cleaners for a designated time, we evaluated the area of the sample plate still covered by denture adhesive. RESULTS Cream adhesives were removed more completely after immersion in majority of the denture cleaners than in water. Powder adhesive was removed more quickly than cream adhesives. Cushion adhesive was not removed by immersion in either the denture cleaners or water control. CONCLUSION Some denture cleaners could liquefy cream adhesives more than water, but these differences were not observed in case of powder and cushion adhesives.

Relationship between behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia and oral health status in the elderly with vascular dementia

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and oral status in the elderly with vascular dementia. BACKGROUND There have been some reports of a relationship between disease symptoms and oral status in the elderly with Alzheimers disease, but few reports have been conducted in the elderly with vascular dementia. Until now, the relationship between BPSD and oral status has been unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS An investigation was conducted concerning BPSD and oral status among 57 subjects with vascular dementia (mean age, 85.7 ± 5.5 years). The wearing of dentures and oral activities of daily living (oral ADL) were examined. RESULTS Subjects with activity disturbances and those with aggressiveness had significantly lower rates of denture wearing than those without these two symptoms (p < 0.05). Significantly lower oral ADL scores were obtained from subjects with delusional ideas, hallucinations, activity disturbances and diurnal rhythm disturbances (p < 0.05), as well as those with affective disturbances (p< 0.01). CONCLUSION This study indicated a relationship between BPSD and the wearing of dentures in the elderly with vascular dementia. The study also demonstrated relationships between BPSD and oral ADL.

Accelerating effects of cellulase in the removal of denture adhesives from acrylic denture bases

PURPOSE Studies of effective methods for the easy removal of denture adhesives from a denture base are not well represented in the literature. We previously assessed the removability of denture adhesives by immersing within denture cleaners, showing that some cleaners have a weak effect, insufficiently effective in daily use. In this study, we prepared a cellulase, as a potential component for denture adhesive removers, and we examined whether the addition of cellulase to denture cleaners is effective in the removal of cream denture adhesives. METHODS We prepared the cellulase Meicelase as one component for the liquefaction of denture adhesives. We used two denture cleaners and two cream adhesives. After the immersion of plates in sample solutions, we evaluated the area of the sample plate still covered with adhesives. Biofilm removal assay was also performed using denture cleaners containing cellulase. RESULTS The addition of cellulase accelerated the removal of cream adhesives in immersion experiments to a rate faster than that of water and denture cleaners. However, it did not influence the removability of Candida albicans biofilms from acrylic resin specimens. CONCLUSION Cellulase hastened the liquefaction of cream adhesives.

Application of interconnected porous hydroxyapatite ceramic block for onlay block bone grafting in implant treatment: A case report (Review)

Autogenous block bone grafting as treatment for alveolar ridge atrophy has various disadvantages, including a limited availability of sufficiently sized and shaped grafts, donor site morbidity and resorption of the grafted bone. As a result, interconnected porous hydroxyapatite ceramic (IP-CHA) materials with high porosity have been developed and used successfully in orthopedic cases. To the best of the authors knowledge, this is the first report of clinical application of an IP-CHA block for onlay grafting for implant treatment in a patient with horizontal alveolar atrophy. The present study performed onlay block grafting using an IP-CHA block to restore bone volume for implant placement in the alveolar ridge area without collecting autogenous bone. Dental X-ray findings revealed that the border of the IP-CHA block became increasingly vague over the 3-year period, whereas CT scanning revealed that the gap between the block and bone had a smooth transition, indicating that IP-CHA improved the process of integration with host bone. In follow-up examinations over a period of 5 years, the implants and superstructures had no problems. An IP-CHA block may be useful as a substitute for onlay block bone grafting in implant treatment.