Search Results (5)

Background. Transparent aligners are recently introduced orthodontic devices considered promising for the improvement of oral health conditions, in terms of faster treatment times and enhanced comfort, especially if compared with traditional fixed orthodontic therapy. This systematic review aimed to evaluate at-home protocols for proper oral hygiene and aligners cleaning during orthodontic treatment. Methods. A search was conducted using the following four databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus. The systematic review (registered as CRD 42024562215) followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines and included prospective studies, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), controlled clinical trials, and in vivo and ex vivo studies; they had to assess treatment with invisible orthodontics compared to treatment with fixed orthodontics, home oral hygiene, or aligner disinfection protocols. The evidence in the studies was evaluated for risk of bias using the RoB-2 (for RCTs and randomized crossover studies) and ROBINS-I tools (for observational studies). Results. Eleven studies were included in this systematic review: four RCTs, four crossover studies, and three cross-sectional observational studies. Seven studies considered patients undergoing orthodontic treatment, whereas four examined orthodontic aligners. The cleaning protocols of the aligners were evaluated based on the analysis of residual biofilm on the thermoplastic surfaces. Studies included were characterized by a low level of certainty, thus further evidence is needed. Conclusions. The most effective protocols entailed a combination of mechanical and chemical agents, suggesting that it is fundamental for patients undergoing aligner treatment to focus on individually tailored home oral hygiene protocols. Full article

Nowadays, the “pink” aesthetic possesses a significant role in the success of a dental treatment. Extended or small recessions should be solved to achieve harmony between tooth and gingival tissue. Gingival cleft (GC) is a condition that can lead to unpleasant gingival recession in the anterior area. The etiology of GC is still not clear and is often resolved using surgical treatments that, although minimal, are still interventions which can cause risks and discomfort to the patient. Therefore, this case report aims to propose a non-invasive treatment for GC, consisting of a combination of a non-surgical technique with herbal extracts therapy. A non-smoker, healthy patient was subjected to professional oral hygiene treatment supported by Croton Lechleri resin application and at-home supplementation with natural vitamin C (Myrciaria Dubia). The patient entirely followed the instructions and, after 12 months, the GC almost disappeared. In spite of its limitations, since further clinical cases are needed, the proposed non-surgical periodontal technique combined with herbal extracts therapy can represent a promising way to solve or at least reduce GC, before considering surgical treatment. Full article

Plaque biofilm is considered one of the etiological factors involved in the onset of caries and gingivitis, and is associated with the progression of periodontitis and peri-implant inflammation. There is no agreement in the literature on the effectiveness of the oscillating-rotating (OR) powered toothbrush (PTB) and high-frequency sonic (HFS) PTB in improving oral health. Thus, using the present proof-of-concept study we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of OR PTB versus HFS PTB in terms of the improvement in plaque, gingival inflammation, and lingual patina indexes in dental hygiene university students. Dental hygiene students from the University of Eastern Piedmont “A. Avogadro” of Novara, Italy from November 2019 to October 2021 were recruited. Based on the type of toothbrush previously used for at-home plaque removal, the study participants were divided into two groups: Group 1 (subjects that used MTB prior to the study beginning, asked to use OR PTB for 2 times/day for a minimum of 3 months) and Group 2 (subjects that used HFS PTB prior to the study beginning). All the participants were instructed to avoid floss aids during the study (i.e., pipe cleaners, dental floss, and mouthwash). The outcome measures were: New Method of Plaque Scoring (NMPS), simplified Oral Disease Index (OHI-S), Plaque Control Record (PCR), Gingival Bleeding Index, and Winkel Tongue Coating Index (WTCI). All the outcomes were assessed at baseline (T0) in both groups and after 3 months (T1) in Group 1. Fifty-seven subjects (44 females and 13 males) were included and allocated to the study group (n = 30, 22 females and 8 males) and control group (n = 27, 22 females and 5 males). At T0, all the indexes were significantly higher in Group 2 (p < 0.0001). At T1, NMPS, OHI-S, PCR, GBI, and WTCI were statistically improved in Group 1 (p < 0.0001). Lastly, there was a statistically significant difference between Group 1 at T1 and Group 2 at T0 in terms of NMPS (p = 0.043), OHI-S (p = 0.032), and PCR (p < 0.001). Taken together, the findings of this proof-of-concept study showed the effectiveness over a 3-month period of both oscillating-rotating and sonic PTB in terms of oral health status in a sample of dental hygiene students. Full article

(1) Background: Traumatic dental injuries are frequent in children and young adults. The facial structures involved in dental trauma may include soft tissues of the face and mouth, bone and dental structures. Dental trauma often results in augmented dental anxiety. Phototherapy can improve stress and pain control thereby improving compliance in young patients with the necessary dental treatments, after dental trauma has occurred. (2) Methods: Phototherapy was performed to enable soft tissue healing. The Tailored Brushing Method (TBM), a personalized approach for at-home oral hygiene procedures, was also utilized, with the aim of improving biofilm control in traumatized patients. (3) Results: The approach hereafter presented made it possible to obtain subjective control of anxiety and pain documented on a visual analog scale (VAS) due to the innovative use of photo-biomodulation. In addition, for the first time, the TBM was adapted to the needs of a patient with facial trauma and illustrated. (4) Conclusions: Phototherapy and TBM were found to be effective in the combined treatment of soft tissue wounds and in the oral care of the traumatized patient. Full article

Many people nowadays undergo treatments to improve their aesthetics, often neglecting the general state of health. Aesthetics and appearance have become of prime importance, perhaps correlating with of the advent of social networks and digital photographs. One of the most requested aesthetic treatments for dentists is dental bleaching through the use of whitening gels. Dental bleaching is a treatment which involves an improvement in the chrome of the teeth in a short time, and this treatment appears not invasive for the patients. In-office and at-home bleaching treatments can be found. The purpose of this scientific study is to evaluate all of the advantages and disadvantages of this medical treatment. In this study, were report information and items related to bleaching side effects. Dentists often find themselves in disagreement on this topic. The PICO (Population/Intervention/Comparison/Outcome) question investigated was: Are dental patients who have dental bleaching an increased risk of teeth damage? All of the data in the literature has been collected, and all of the side effects of this treatment were evaluated. 263 studies emerged from initial research; only 14 were screened after screening, as they contained sufficient data to evaluate the side effects of treatment. One certain thing emerged; among the contraindications to the treatment of dental bleaching dentinal hypersensitivity could be cited. In fact, one of the most reported undesirable effects regards this problem. Other studies have evaluated pain, color improvement and duration, or patient satisfaction. Dental bleaching is a treatment that aims to improve the aesthetics of our patients; this is also reflected from a psychological point of view and therefore has effects on general health. However, the whitening treatment is not suitable for everyone and must be carefully evaluated by a specialist. This treatment also entails maintenance by the patient and therefore better compliance to normal oral hygiene procedures. Full article