Herpesviral Infection in Periapical Periodontitis
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review describes the most recent findings on herpesviral infections and offers current concepts of herpesviral role in the pathogenesis of periapical periodontitis.Recent FindingsThirty articles reported data on herpesviral infection in periapical periodontitis. Epstein-Barr virus and human cytomegalovirus are the most frequently detected herpesviruses in periapical samples. The main hypothesis postulates a bidirectional herpesviral-bacterial relationship in the etiopathogenesis of periapical periodontitis. A high heterogeneity of herpesviruses incidence was registered within the studies, in p...
Source: Current Oral Health Reports - October 17, 2018 Category: Dentistry Source Type: research
Application of Stem Cells for Bone Regeneration in Critical-Sized Defects
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo discuss tissue bioengineering for critical-sized bone defects. To review the current stem cells that are in use and to describe the importance of an animal model for studying critical-sized bone defects.Recent FindingsBone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are well investigated. Recently, other sources of MSCs have been identified and studied in critical-sized bone defects. As for animal models, several have been used to evaluate the use of stem cells in promoting regeneration in critical-sized bone defects. This review specifically focuses on one of the most widely used and accepted models, ...
Source: Current Oral Health Reports - October 8, 2018 Category: Dentistry Source Type: research
Restructuring Dental Education to Facilitate Access to Oral Health Care
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo review recent literature evaluating how current models of dental education are contributing to reducing oral health disparities in the USA. Recent innovations in dental schools ’ curricula and admissions processes will be examined, as well as how oral health disparities have driven the education and subsequent expansion of the allied dental workforce.Recent FindingsDental school curricula and admissions changes have had minimal impact on reducing oral health disparities. Subsequently, educational innovations have resulted in the traditional duties of dentists being performed by dental therapis...
Source: Current Oral Health Reports - October 2, 2018 Category: Dentistry Source Type: research
Periodontal Disease in Women and Men
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis manuscript will present a narrative review of the distribution of periodontitis in women and men based on recent epidemiological studies.Recent FindingsLarge, global, population-based surveys provide continued evidence that a sexual dimorphism in prevalence of periodontitis exists between women and men. Based on included studies, the prevalence of severe periodontitis is greater in men compared to women by between 4.6 to 12.7%. Environmental or behavioral factors that exhibit a sex differential between women and men do not adequately account for the aforementioned observation. A sex dimorphism...
Source: Current Oral Health Reports - September 27, 2018 Category: Dentistry Source Type: research
Growth Factors and Cell Homing in Dental Tissue Regeneration
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo summarize current views on the role and therapeutic potential of growth factors (GFs) within endodontic cell homing.Recent FindingsCell homing/revitalization techniques aim to regenerate dentin and pulp using endogenous cells. Clinically, revitalization has successfully created new vital tissue in necrotic permanent teeth with an open apex; however, there is no evidence of new odontoblasts, pulp tissue, or predictable extension in root length. Although the response is reparative rather than regenerative, exciting opportunities to improve these biologically-based strategies remain by (1) efficien...
Source: Current Oral Health Reports - September 17, 2018 Category: Dentistry Source Type: research
Reparative Dentistry: Possibilities and Limitations
This article highlights the detrimental biological effects of restoration replacement and provides an overview of current knowledge and understanding of restoration repair as a safe and effective alternative ap proach to replacement.Recent FindingsThe literature reviewed showed that a growing body of evidence from clinical studies indicates that repaired restorations have similar survival outcomes in patients with low and medium caries risk compared to replaced restorations and are clinically acceptable over a 12-year follow-up of clinical service. Teeth with repaired restorations are less likely to require aggressive inte...
Source: Current Oral Health Reports - September 15, 2018 Category: Dentistry Source Type: research
The Use of Cone Beam Computed Tomography to Assess Periodontal Biotype
AbstractPurpose of ReviewPeriodontal biotype is a concept with great relevance to clinical practice. Although numerous factors contribute to determining biotype, including soft/hard tissue thickness, soft/hard tissue contours, amount of keratinized tissue, and tooth shape, gingival thickness has been mostly utilized. The use of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has been recently proposed as a state-of-the-art approach for assessing periodontal biotypes because it provides information relative to both soft and hard tissue dimensions.Recent FindingsWhen used in conjunction with lip retraction or a dual-scan technique, rel...
Source: Current Oral Health Reports - September 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Source Type: research
Fracture Toughness Testing of Dental Restoratives: a Critical Evaluation
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWe intend by this short critical review to highlight important aspects regarding the mechanical testing of fracture toughness. The final aim is to increase the awareness to the test sensitivity, ultimately increasing the quality and reliability of reported testing results.Recent FindingsIn a well-intended attempt to facilitate testing procedures or provide alternatives for testing material interfaces, authors are resorting to adaptation of testing methodologies without proper theoretical and experimental validation. The assumption of validity in such cases endangers the perpetration of testing stra...
Source: Current Oral Health Reports - September 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Source Type: research
Recent Trends in Tricalcium Silicates for Vital Pulp Therapy
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTricalcium silicates are considered as materials of choice for vital pulp therapy. Recent development improved their mechanical and bioactive properties and broadened their clinical application fields. Incorporating resins to tricalcium silicates further decreased the setting time and simplified clinical procedures but raised questions about their potential toxicity.Recent FindingsTricalcium silicates represent an added value in vital pulp therapy. This is ascribed to the pulp high regeneration potential, material byproducts production upon hydration and growth factor release from target cells. Add...
Source: Current Oral Health Reports - September 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Source Type: research
The Future of Payment for Dental Care
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo examine the literature on dental reimbursement methods, with emphasis on paying for value (e.g., health care outcomes) rather than procedure. To make recommendations that would facilitate the expansion of access to dental care for those most in need and improve the oral health of the US population.Recent FindingsAlthough the health care system is moving toward paying for performance and outcomes, dentistry lags behind. We review publications that identify obstacles to payment for outcomes in oral health as well as moving away from traditional fee-for-service reimbursement.SummaryPayment for valu...
Source: Current Oral Health Reports - September 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Source Type: research
Current Concepts in Carious Tissue Removal
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo summarize current concepts in carious tissue removal.Recent FindingsTraditionally, caries has been seen as an infectious disease and was treated by attempted complete removal of all cariogenic bacteria. The logical traditional aim of carious tissue removal —removing all bacteria from carious lesions—no longer applies. The contemporary aim of carious tissue removal is to maximize restoration longevity, without unnecessarily removing sound or remineralizable dentin. This is based on recent perspectives that dental caries is a biofilm-based and lifes tyle-mediated disorder. In shallow lesions, ...
Source: Current Oral Health Reports - September 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Source Type: research
