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This cross-sectional study aimed to compare clinical oral conditions as well as the self-reported oral health status of biathletes and cross-country skiers (A) to age- and gender-matched non-athletic controls (C). Thirty-one A and 68 C were examined in 2020 regarding caries experience (DMF-T), partially erupted wisdom teeth, non-carious tooth wear (erosion), dental plaque biofilm, gingival inflammation, periodontal screening (PSI), salivary active matrix-metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8) test and screening for temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Questionnaires recorded periodontal symptoms, TMD symptoms and oral health behaviour. Group A had a lower prevalence of carious teeth and positive aMMP-8 tests, but more of them had severe gingivitis and signs of periodontitis. Both groups reported similar oral health behaviour. Only in group C, associations between aMMP-8 and periodontal findings as well as clinical findings and self-reported symptoms of TMD were identified. Group A showed a high prevalence of oral inflammation and seemed to be less aware of oral symptoms. Clinical examination seems to be necessary for periodontal/TMD screening of athletes.

Intense physical stress, such as that in ultramarathon running, affects the immune system. For monitoring in sports medicine, non-invasive methods, e.g., salivary analysis, are of interest. This pilot cohort study aimed to assess changes in salivary parameters in response to an ultramarathon. The results were compared to blood parameters. Male, healthy finishers (n = 9, mean age: 48 ± 8.8 years, mean height: 1.8 ± 0.1 m, mean weight: 72.5 ± 7.2 kg, mean BMI: 23.5 ± 1.9 kg/cm²) of a 160 km ultramarathon were included. Saliva and blood samples were collected at three time points: T1 (baseline), T2 (shortly after the ultramarathon) and T3 (after recovery). In saliva, cortisol, testosterone, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, albumin, IgA, α-amylase, aMMP-8, and neopterin were assessed via ELISA. In blood, cortisol, testosterone, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, blood cell counts, procalcitonin, CRP, osmolality, albumin, and α-amylase were analyzed. The statistical evaluation comprised longitudinal testing and cross-sectional testing between saliva and blood using ratios of T2 and T3 to baseline values. Various parameters in saliva and blood changed in response to the ultramarathon. Comparing blood and saliva, the longitudinal changes of testosterone (p = 0.02) and α-amylase (p = 0.03) differed significantly. Despite the limitations of the study, it underlines that saliva is an interesting option for comprehensive monitoring in sports medicine and necessitates further studies.

Purpose This retrospective cross‐sectional study aimed to evaluate oral health status (dental, periodontal, and functional) and oral health behavior in young German athletes including the comparison of competitive (CA) and amateur sports (AA). Methods Data of CA (German national teams, perspective, and youth squads) and AA aged between 18 and 30 years with an available oral examination in 2019 were included. Clinical examination: caries experience (DMF‐T), non‐carious wear (erosion, BEWE), partially erupted wisdom teeth, gingival inflammation (PBI), plaque index, periodontal screening (PSI), and temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) screening. Questionnaires: oral health behavior and periodontal symptoms. Results 88 CA (w = 51%, 20.6 ± 3.5 years) of endurance sports and 57 AA (w = 51%, 22.2 ± 2.1 years) were included. DMF‐T was comparable (CA: 2.7 ± 2.2, AA: 2.3 ± 2.2; p = 0.275) with more D‐T in CA (0.6 ± 1.0) than AA (0.3 ± 0.7; p = 0.046; caries prevalence: CA: 34%, AA: 19%; p = 0.06). Both groups had low severity of erosion (BEWE about 3.5). CA had more positive TMD screenings (43% vs. 25%; p = 0.014). In both groups, all athletes showed signs of gingival inflammation, but on average of low severity (PBI 70%). Conclusions Young German athletes (CA and AA) generally showed signs of gingival inflammation and needed to improve their oral health behavior. CA showed slightly increased oral findings (more D‐T, periodontal and TMD screening findings) than AA, but similar oral health behavior. This may imply an increased dental care need in competitive sports. Leipzig University http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100008678

This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to explore interactions between signs of periodontal inflammation and systemic parameters in athletes. Members of German squads with available data on sports medical and oral examination were included. Groups were divided by gingival inflammation (median of papillary bleeding index, PBI ≥ median) and signs of periodontitis (Periodontal Screening Index, PSI ≥ 3). Age, gender, anthropometry, blood parameters, echocardiography, sports performance on ergometer, and maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) were evaluated. Eighty-five athletes (f = 51%, 20.6 ± 3.5 years) were included (PBI < 0.42: 45%; PSI ≥ 3: 38%). Most associations were not statistically significant. Significant group differences were found for body fat percentage and body mass index. All blood parameters were in reference ranges. Minor differences in hematocrit, hemoglobin, basophils, erythrocyte sedimentation rates, urea, and HDL cholesterol were found for PBI, in uric acid for PSI. Echocardiographic parameters (n = 40) did not show any associations. Athletes with PSI ≥ 3 had lower VO2max values (55.9 ± 6.7 mL/min/kg vs. 59.3 ± 7.0 mL/min/kg; p = 0.03). In exercise tests (n = 30), athletes with PBI < 0.42 achieved higher relative maximal load on the cycling ergometer (5.0 ± 0.5 W/kg vs. 4.4 ± 0.3 W/kg; p = 0.03). Despite the limitations of this study, potential associations between signs of periodontal inflammation and body composition, blood parameters, and performance were identified. Further studies on the systemic impact of oral inflammation in athletes, especially regarding performance, are necessary. Open Access Publishing Fund of the University of Regensburg

To evaluate a universal adhesive clinically using FDI criteria and by optical coherence tomography (OCT).In 50 patients, three or four non-carious cervical lesions (NCCL) were restored with composite (Venus® Diamond Flow, Kulzer) using iBond® Universal (iBU, Kulzer) applied in self-etch (iBU-SE, n = 50), selective-enamel-etch (iBU-SEE, n = 29) or etch-and-rinse mode (iBU-ER, n = 50) and the reference OptiBond™ FL (OFL, Kerr, n = 50). Restorations were imaged by SD-OCT. The weighted mean length of interfacial adhesive defects (AD, %) was quantified per restoration immediately after placement (tAfter 12 months, cumulative failure rates were lower with iBU-SE (0.0%; p = 0.016), iBU-SEE (0.0%; p = 0.125), and iBU-ER (2.1%; p = 0.070; loss tIn NCCLs, iBU generally provides a more durable bond than OFL. Recommended mode is SEE. Clinic and OCT provided comparable results. OCT has higher statistical power, shows group differences earlier and specifically for the different hard tooth tissues.The universal adhesive iBU was superior against the reference OFL in NCCLs. It can be recommended with SEE. Evaluation of interfacial adhesive defects by OCT seems to allow early prediction of adhesives' clinical performance.

BACKGROUND This practice-based retrospective study evaluated a screening method for diabetes mellitus (DM) in patients with Stage III or IV periodontitis using the FINDRISC questionnaire. METHODS Patients with Stage III or IV periodontitis who received FINDRISC screening in a German private dental practice were recruited. Individuals with positive FINDRISC scores (≥12, FINDRISC+) were referred for diabetological examination. Several general and periodontal findings from the patients' documentation were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS A total of 179 patients (52.65 ± 11.49 years) were included. In DM screening, 24.6% (n = 44) patients were FINDRISC+, including all patients with currently known DM (21 of 21). Of the remaining FINDRISC+ patients, 82.6% (19 of 23) visited their general practitioner, and 63.2% (12 of 19, 7.6% of total cohort) had an HbA1c ≥5.7%. Accordingly, 75% of the FINDRISC+ patients were diabetologically conspicuous (HbA1c ≥ 5.7%), including those with already known DM. Patients with previously unknown DM showed higher mean age, more missing teeth, a higher periodontitis stage (more Stage IV) and more frequently teeth with suppuration compared with the diabetologically inconspicuous individuals (P

Background: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate oral health and functional status of adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and its possible link to disease specific parameters. Methods: Patients with JIA were recruited (November 2012−October 2014) and disease specific information was extracted from patients’ records. Oral examination included: dental findings (decayed-, missing- and filled-teeth-index (dmf-t/DMF-T)), gingival inflammation (papilla-bleeding-index (PBI)) and periodontal screening index (PSI). Functional examination followed Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD). Additionally, modified Helkimo’s Clinical Dysfunction Index and radiographic scoring were recorded. Results: 59 JIA patients were included. The mean dmf-t/DMF-T was 2.6. Only one patient showed no signs of gingival inflammation, while 57.6% had a maximum PSI of 2 or less. Positive functional findings were assessed clinically in more than half of the patients. Major diagnosis by RDC/TMD was osteoarthrosis. Patients with at least one positive anamnestic or clinical functional finding revealed significantly higher radiographic scores (CI = 0.440, p = 0.022). Patients with increased c-reactive-protein had a significantly higher PBI (Z = −2.118, p = 0.034) and increased radiographic scores (CI = 0.408, p = 0.043). Conclusions: Adolescents suffering from JIA show high levels of caries experience and gingival inflammation. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction is often seen in JIA patients. Consequently, special dental care programs would be recommendable.

Objectives To investigate the light penetration depth of various CAD/CAM ceramics and luting agents by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Methods. Six CAD/CAM ceramics: lithium disilicate (LS2), zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (ZLS), lithium aluminosilicate (LAS), polymer infiltrated (PIC), feldspar (FEL) and zirconium oxide (ZRO) and five common luting agents, two self-adhesive and three adhesive materials, were included. SD-OCT wavelengths (1310/1550 nm) and frequencies (5/28 kHz) that are particularly suitable for these materials were investigated. Subsequently, a clinical simulation was performed with an adhesively or self-adhesively inserted partial crown made of a ceramic that had an OCT penetration depth of > 1.0 mm. Results Best SD-OCT penetration was obtained at 1550 nm and 28 kHz. For ZLS, LS2 and LAS, SD-OCT light penetration depth of > 4 mm was shown. In contrast, the penetration depth of ZRO, PIC and FEL was less than 1 mm. Adhesive and self-adhesive luting agents could be visualized up to ≥ 0.9 mm. All clinically relevant areas (ceramic restoration, luting area, interfaces and adjacent tooth structures) can be imaged when SD-OCT-suitable ceramics are used. Conclusions SD-OCT can be used to analyze CAD/CAM ceramics based on ZLS, LS2 and LAS, whereas ZRO, PIC, and FEL had insufficient penetration depth for clinical application. The type of luting agent or its thickness played an insignificant role. With suitable ceramics, SD-OCT can be recommended as a non-invasive examination tool. Clinical Significance This study indicates that SD-OCT is a useful non-invasive examination method for monitoring lithium silicate-based ceramic restorations and adjacent structures.

Aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the prevalence of selected potentially periodontal pathogenic bacteria in different sites of patients with tongue piercing (TP) in comparison to a control group (C). Fifty participants in each group were recruited. Samples from the biofilm originating from the piercing surface (TP group), periodontal pocket, tongue as well as cheek surface were examined regarding presence of 11 selected potentially periodontal pathogenic bacteria based on polymerase-chain reaction (PCR). In the periodontal pocket of the participants, the majority of examined bacteria were more frequently detected in TP compared to C group (pi In conclusion TP must be considered as potentially important ecological niche and reservoir for periodontal pathogens.