Leonardo Marchini

Biofilm microbial communities of denture stomatitis

INTRODUCTION Denture stomatitis is a common lesion that affects denture wearers. Its multifactorial etiology seems to depend on a complex and poorly characterized biofilm. The purpose of this study was to assess the composition of the microbial biofilm obtained from complete denture wearers with and without denture stomatitis using culture-independent methods. METHODS Samples were collected from healthy denture wearers and from patients with denture stomatitis. Libraries comprising about 600 cloned 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) bacterial sequences and 192 cloned eukaryotic internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequences, obtained by polymerase chain reactions, were analyzed. RESULTS The partial 16S rDNA sequences revealed a total of 82 bacterial species identified in healthy subjects and patients with denture stomatitis. Twenty-seven bacterial species were detected in both biofilms, 29 species were exclusively present in patients with denture stomatitis, and 26 were found only in healthy subjects. Analysis of the ITS region revealed the presence of Candida sp. in both biofilms. CONCLUSION The results revealed the extent of the microbial flora, suggesting the existence of distinct biofilms in healthy subjects and in patients with denture stomatitis.

Urinary levels of catecholamines among individuals with and without sleep bruxism

IntroductionSleep bruxism (SB) is characterized by repetitive and coordinated mandible movements and non-functional teeth contacts during sleep time. Although the etiology of SB is controversial, the literature converges on its multifactorial origin. Occlusal factors, smoking, alcoholism, drug usage, stress, and anxiety have been described as SB trigger factors. Recent studies on this topic discussed the role of neurotransmitters on the development of SB.ObjectiveThus, the purpose of this study was to detect and quantify the urinary levels of catecholamines, specifically of adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine, in subjects with SB and in control individuals.Materials and methodsUrine from individuals with SB (n = 20) and without SB (n = 20) was subjected to liquid chromatography. The catecholamine data were compared by Mann–Whitney’s test (p ≤ 0.05).ResultsOur analysis showed higher levels of catecholamines in subjects with SB (adrenaline = 111.4 µg/24 h; noradrenaline = 261,5 µg/24 h; dopamine = 479.5 µg/24 h) than in control subjects (adrenaline = 35,0 µg/24 h; noradrenaline = 148,7 µg/24 h; dopamine = 201,7 µg/24 h). Statistical differences were found for the three catecholamines tested.ConclusionIt was concluded that individuals with SB have higher levels of urinary catecholamines.

TMD and GOHAI indices of Brazilian institutionalised and community‐dwelling elderly

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES Considering the controversy in the literature regarding several aspects of temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) in elderly populations and the absence of reliable data on elderly Brazilians in this field, this study consisted of an evaluation of TMD prevalence and the self-perception of oral health among institutionalised and community-dwelling elderly in São José dos Campos, Brazil. METHODS Two hundred and fifteen community-dwelling and 185 institutionalised elderly people were evaluated by the Helkimo anamnestic (Ai) and clinical dysfunction (Di) indices and answered a questionnaire using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). RESULTS The major prevalence of TMD symptoms was for the Ai0 (symptom-free) group (69.5%), while the major prevalence of clinical signs was for the DiI (mild) group (56%). Women presented a higher AiII classification than men (chi(2) test, p = 0.049). Community-dwelling elderly presented a significantly lower Ai0 classification than the institutionalised ones (Two ratios equality test, p < 0.001). There was no relationship between the institutionalised status and the clinical dysfunction index for Di0 and DiIII classification (Two ratios equality test, p = 0.194 and 0.535 respectively). The institutionalised elderly presented greater (One-way ANOVA = 0.005) self-perception of oral health (33.45) than did the community-dwelling group (32.66). There were only weak Pearsons correlations among the anamnestic (-33.0%) or clinical (-14.7%) findings by the TMD and GOHAI indices. Symptom-free (Ai0) institutionalised elderly presented better scores in all GOHAI dimensions and elderly representing an absence of clinical TMD signs (Di0) presented higher GOHAI physical dimension scores in both groups. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of TMD symptoms among this sample of elderly individuals was relatively low, self-perception of oral health was reasonable and a weak, inverse correlation was found between TMD signs and symptoms and elderly self-perception of oral health measured by the GOHAI index.

Incidence of sleep bruxism among children in Itanhandu, Brazil

PurposeSleep bruxism (SB) in children may be related to headaches and causes extensive damage of primary teeth. This paper evaluates the incidence of SB in children from Itanhandu, MG, Brazil.MethodsThe presence of teeth wear facets was verified through clinical examinations on a sample of children, whose parents answered a questionnaire about their children’s behavior and habits. Analysis of variance and chi-square tests (p = 0.05) were applied to identify possible correlations between the presence of SB and the parents’ responses to the questionnaire.ResultsThe sample comprised of 170 children, 51.76% (n = 88) of which were girls, while the average age was 4.37 (±1.69) years. A total of 15.29% (n = 26) had been diagnosed as bruxers, 46.47% displayed restless behavior, and only 10% used medication. The average duration of breastfeeding was 4.4 (±0.25) months. A positive correlation was found between restless behavior and the presence of SB (p < 0.001). No correlation was found between SB and medication (p = 0.573), or between the duration of breastfeeding and restless behavior (p = 0.102), SB (p = 0.565) and medication (p = 0.794).ConclusionRestless behavior was positively correlated with SB, although no correlation was found between SB and medication or duration of breastfeeding.

Sleep bruxism associated with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in children.

AIMS Sleep bruxism (SB) and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) are often observed in children and may have several health implications. The aim of this paper is to evaluate their prevalence and to test for possible associations between these two conditions. METHODOLOGY The sample consisted of 496 children randomly selected among the preschoolers of Taubaté, Brazil; 249 (50·2%) were boys and 247 (49·8%) were girls. Diagnoses of SB and OSAS were made by clinical examinations and questionnaires filled out by the childrens parents in a cross-sectional design. Analysis of variance and Chi-square tests were applied to verify possible association among the variables in question. RESULTS The average age was 4·49 years (SD: ±1·04 years). A total of 25·6% were diagnosed with SB, while 4·83% were diagnosed with OSAS, and only 2·82% presented both conditions. A statistical association was found between SB and OSAS (P<0·001; Chi-square test): 11·03% of subjects with SB also presented with OSAS, and 97·18% of subjects without SB did not present with OSAS. No association was found among childrens gender and age and the presence of SB or OSAS. CONCLUSIONS Within the limits of this study, SB was associated with OSAS.

Negative Effects of Alcohol Intake and Estrogen Deficiency Combination on Osseointegration in a Rat Model

Alcohol intake and estrogen deficiency can both affect bone physiology and have shown to have an adverse effect on dental implant therapy. However, the combination of both factors on osseointegration is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate osseointegration in rats fed with alcohol and presenting induced estrogen deficiency. Ninety-six female rats were divided according to diet and hormonal condition into 6 groups as follows: group Sh-W: sham (simulated ovariectomy) control, food and water ad libitum; group Sh-Et: sham, food and 20% ethanol solution ad libitum; group Sh-Su: sham, food and sucrose solution controlled to ensure an isocaloric diet in relation to Sh-Et; group Ov-W: ovariectomy, food and water ad libitum; group Ov-Et: ovariectomy, food and 20% ethanol solution ad libitum; and group Ov-Su: ovariectomy, food and sucrose solution controlled to ensure an isocaloric diet as Ov-Et. The groups were subdivided according to time of euthanasia: 30 and 45 days after placement of implants. Implant surgery was performed 1 month after ovariectomy or sham. After euthanasia, the femurs were removed and evaluated by histomorphometry. Groups Ov-Et and Ov-Su showed the lowest percentage of bone-to-implant contact. The combination of alcohol intake and estrogen deficiency, and the combination of estrogen deficiency and reduced ingestion of food can negatively affect osseointegration in rats.

Extended Periods of Alcohol Intake Negatively Affects Osseointegration in Rats.

The negative effects of chronic and excessive consumption of alcohol on bone metabolism are reported in the literature. Alcoholism causes a reduction in bone quality and delays fracture repair, among other deleterious effects. However, its effect on osseointegration in dental implants is not fully established. The aim of this research was to investigate the influence of prolonged and excessive consumption of alcohol on osseointegration in rats. Thirty-five female rats, 3 months of age, were divided into five groups according to alcohol consumption period: control (no alcohol), and 3, 4, 5, and 6 months of alcohol consumption. All animals received solid food ad libitum. At 8 months of age, all animals received a dental implant in the right femur, and euthanasia was performed 1 month after the implant placement (final n = 27). Quantification of the percentage of bone-implant direct contact was performed by histomorphometry. Serum levels of calcium and phosphate were also measured. The groups that consumed alcohol for longer periods presented decreased percentages of bone-implant direct contact. The difference was higher in implants apical region. Alcohol consumption did not affect serum calcium levels but raised the level of serum phosphate. Alcohol consumption increased caloric intake but also increased weight loss. It was concluded that chronic and excessive consumption of alcohol can impair osseointegration in rats.

General and oral health-related quality of life among caregivers of Parkinson's disease patients

Aim:  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the general and oral health‐related quality of life among caregivers of patients with Parkinsons disease.

Oral health of Alzheimer's patients in São José dos Campos, Brazil

Aim:  Neglecting oral health can negatively affect the quality of life of Alzheimers patients. This work evaluates the oral health of Alzheimers patients in São José dos Campos, Brazil.

The Influence of Alcohol Consumption in Conjunction with Sex Hormone Deficiency on Ca/P Ratio in Rats

Deficiency of sex hormones and excessive alcohol consumption are factors that have been related to alterations in the pattern of bone mineralization and osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible alterations in the calcium/phosphorus (Ca/P) ratio in the femur of rats subjected to sex hormone deficiency and/or alcohol consumption. Methods. Female and male Wistar rats (n = 108) were divided into ovariectomized (Ovx), orchiectomized (Orx), or sham-operated groups and subdivided according to diet: alcoholic diet (20% alcohol solution), isocaloric diet, and ad libitum diet. The diets were administered for 8 weeks. The Ca/P ratio in the femur was analyzed by energy dispersive micro-X-ray spectrometer (μEDX). Results. Consumption of alcohol reduced the Ca/P ratio in both females and males. The isocaloric diet reduced the Ca/P ratio in females. In groups with the ad libitum diet, the deficiency of sex hormones did not change the Ca/P ratio in females or males. However, the combination of sex hormone deficiency and alcoholic diet presented the lowest values for the Ca/P ratio in both females and males. Conclusions. There was a reduced Ca/P ratio in the femur of rats that consumed alcohol, which was exacerbated when combined with a deficiency of sex hormones.