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Human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for a growing subset of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCCs) in the United States and abroad. At the time of the primary diagnosis, HPV-positive tumor status is associated with improved response to chemo-radiation, progression-free survival, and overall survival. Patients with HPV-related cancer look very different than the prototypic patient with tobacco-related SCC of the oral cavity. They tend to be white males that are younger, of higher socioeconomic status, and more highly educated. Moreover, they are often non-smokers who do not abuse alcohol. HPV-related SCC has a strong predilection for the oropharynx, particularly the lingual and palatine tonsils. HPV-16 genotype is the most common genotype, accounting for up to 92% of HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas. The need for routine HPV testing of oropharyngeal carcinomas is urgent and compelling. First, HPV status is a powerful indicator of patient prognosis. HPV positivity correlates with a lower risk of tumor progression and death, reflecting in part an enhanced sensitivity to ionizing radiation with or without chemotherapy. In our understanding, HPV status, which is easily acquired with routine investigations, should be included in the standard operational procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The histological and histomorphometrical examination were the gold standard in the qualitative and quantitative analyses of the peri-implant tissue around the implant. In recent years, the field of microscopy has witnessed a considerable enhancement of the performance of microscopes that have very high resolution performance and allowing very sophisticated analysis even larger than traditional preparations. The possibility to have an affordable analyses of whole implant with the surrounding different tissues (soft and hard tissues) without the traditional pre-treatment necessary for the histological analysis may represent a goal to describe material properties and behaviors or simply to visualize structural details. The aim of the present study were to evaluate a 3D X-ray microscopic analysis of peri-implant tissue compared to a traditional histological and histomorphometrical analysis of the peri-implant tissues around an implant with a conical connection associated with platform-switching in order to assess the validity of the new analysis technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. The aim of this paper is to describe epidemiology and clinical manifestations of oral infection by Human papillomavirus (HPV), with particular attention to potential malignant lesions. Materials and methods. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to describe the state of the art about HPV infection in oropharyngeal mucosa and its modalities of transmission, with particular attention to possible simultaneous infection in multiple anatomic sites. The aspects of prevention and control of infection by administering vaccines and the diffusion of sexual education campaigns are discussed also. Therapeutic protocols are also described where necessary. Results. In recent years there has been a growing interest in HPV oral medicine, suggesting a role of such a family of viruses in the development of neoplasms of the oropharyngeal district as well as of the uterine cervix. Even if the mass media have increasingly faced the problem, causing frequent alarming among patients, the dentist therefore needs a complete and up-to-date knowledge of this infectious condition that is one of the most common causes of sexually transmitted mucous membrane infections (e.g. genital, anal and oral). Conclusions. Recent studies about HPV infection are a basic requirement in order to promote the health of patients and provide them with the most exhaustive indications from dentists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. The Authors analyzed the effect of spherical glass mega fillers (SGMF) on reducing contraction stress in dental composite resins, by means of a cavity model simulating the cuspal deflection which occurs on filled tooth cavity walls in clinical condition. Materials and methods. 20 stylized MOD cavities (C-factor = 0.83) were performed in acrylic resin. The inner surface of each cavity was sand blasted and adhesively treated in order to ensure a valid bond with the composite resin. Three different diameter of SGMF were used (i.e. 1, 1,5, 2 mm). The samples were divided in 4 groups of 5 each: Group 1 samples filled with the composite only; Group 2 samples filled with composite added with SGMFs, Ø1mm (16 spheres for each sample); Group 3 samples filled with composite added with SGMFs, Ø1,5 mm (5 spheres for each sample); Group 4 samples filled with composite added with SGMFs, Ø2 mm (2 spheres for each sample). Digital pictures were taken, in standardized settings, before and immediately after the polymerization of the composite material, placed into the cavities. With a digital image analysis software the distances from the coronal reference points of the cavity walls were measured. Then the difference between the first and second measurement was calculated. The data were analyzed by means of the ANOVA test. Results. A significative reduction on cavity walls deflection, when the composite resin is used in addiction with the SGMFs was observed. The SGMFs of smallest diameter (1mm) showed the better outcome. Conclusion. The SGMFs are reliable in reducing contraction stress in dental composite resins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. To assess the changes in bacterial profile along the transmucosal path of healing screws placed immediately after insertion of two-piece endosseus implants during the 4-month osseointegration phase, in absence of functional load. Materials and methods. Two site-specific samples were collected at the peri-implant mucosa of the healing screws of 80 two-piece implants, for a total of 640 samples. Implants placement was performed following a single protocol with flap-less technique, in order to limit bacterial contamination of the surgical site. Identical healing screws (5 mm diameter/4 mm height) were used for each of the 80 implants. During the 4 months of the study, the patients followed a standard oral care regimen with no special hygiene maneuvers at the collection sites. Results. The present research documents that during the 4-month period prior to application of function load the bacterial profile of all sites exhibited a clear prevalence of cocci at the interface between implant neck and osteoalveolar crest margin. Conclusions. A potentially pathogenic bacterial flora developed only along the peri-implant transmucosal path. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. Evaluate how the spherical glass mega fillers (SGMFs) can positively interfere with light diffusion when incorporated in a composite restoration. Materials and methods. 30 samples (Ss) were performed, applying 2 composite layers of 3 mm each: 6 were made with composite only; 6 with a layer of SGMFs of Ø1.5mm within the first layer of composite; 6 with 2 overlapping layers of SGMFs of Ø1.5mm; 6 with a layer of SGMFs of Ø2mm; 6 with 2 overlapping layers of SGMFs of Ø2mm. The curing time was set at 40s for the first layer, and 120s for the second layer, transilluminated through the first layer. Digital pictures were taken, in standardized settings, during the transillumination, and the light intensity was measured with a digital image analysis software. Results. From a lateral view the Ss with a single layer of SGMFs of Ø1.5mm and Ø2mm, the relative increments of light intensity, were of 24.37% and 33.33% respectively. Concerning the Ss made with 2 layers of SGMFs, the relative increments were of 67.99% and 66.4% respectively. In front view has emerged a relative increase rate of light intensity of 53.66% and 79.58%, in the Ss with a single layer of SGMFs of Ø1.5mm and of Ø2mm respectively. Furthermore, in the Ss with two layers of SGMFs of Ø1.5mm and Ø2mm the relative increments were of 267.53 and 319.63% respectively. Conclusion. The SGMFs are reliable in facilitating light diffusion within the light-curing composite resins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. In this study we tested two different type of implant systems that were selected on the basis of differences in macrogeometry of platform switching in order to evaluate the behavior in term of BIC on the platform. Material and Method. The patients were divided in two groups (Group I and II); group I was composed by 4 patients that each received in the posterior areas of mandible one type A implant (3,6 mm in diameter and 6,5 mm in length GTBPlan1Health Amaro (UD) Italy) one type B implant (4 mm in diameter and 8 mm in length OsseoSpeed Astra Tech, Dentsply Molndal, Sweden). Group II was composed by 3 patients that each received in the posterior areas of jawsbone one type A implant [3,6 mm in diameter and 6,5 mm in length GTB- Plan1Health Amaro, (UD), Italy] one type B implant (4 mm in diameter and 8 mm in length OsseoSpeed Astra Tech, Dentsply Molndal, Sweden). All the implants were placed, by the same operator, in equicrestal position using "one stage" technique with a healing abutment at an adequate gingival height. After 12 weeks of healing all the implants of both groups were harvested with the peri-implant bone tissues. BIC upon platform was calculated considering as implant surface the platform length. Results. Our results showed that the mean percentage of BIC value related to platform surface placed in equicrestal position was higher in patients with type A implant than patients receiving type B implant independently from mandibular or maxillary positions. Moreover the mean percentage of BIC related to platform surface was significantly (p<0.05) higher in Group II/A than Group I/A. Conclusions. Our data highlights that the particular features of the Bioplatform of Type A implant systems guarantee a higher value of BIC even if the implants were placed equicrestally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The amount of marginal bone loss is considered an important criterion to evaluate the implant therapy outcome and to predict the prognosis of the implant rehabilitation. The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the available literature comparing clinical and radiological outcomes like the implant failure rates and marginal bone loss around platform switching dental implants versus platform matching ones. English randomized controlled human clinical trials, comparing one or more PS groups with one or more PM groups, with at least 12 months of follow-up after loading and 10 implants, providing carefully the number of PS- and PM- implants used as well as implant survival and data concerning bone level changes or marginal bone loss around implants, were included. Fifteen publications, involving a total of 1439 implants and 642 patients, were eligible. More studies showed less mean marginal bone loss around PS implants and none of them showed differences in terms of implant failure rates. This review confirmed a great effectiveness of platform switching technique to prevent marginal bone resorption. Nevertheless, this result should be interpreted cautiously because of the heterogeneity of the included studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Many factors could affect the osseous healing of implants such as surface topography of biomaterial, the status of the bone/implant site, implant loading conditions, surgical technique and implant design. The aim of this study was to analyze the BIC of 2 different implants systems characterized by different micro and macrogeometry, that were placed in the posterior maxillary and mandibular jaws of humans, clinically unloaded and retrieved for histomorphometric analyses after 12 weeks. Material and method. The patients were divided in two groups (Group I and II); group I was composed by 4 patients that each received in the posterior areas of mandible one type A implant [GTB- Plan1Health Amaro (UD) Italy] one type B implant (OsseoSpeed Astra Tech, Dentsply Molndal, Sweden). Group II was composed by 3 patients that each received in the posterior areas of jawsbone one type A implant [GTB- Plan1Health Amaro (UD) Italy] one type B implant (OsseoSpeed Astra Tech, Dentsply Molndal, Sweden). After 12 weeks of healing all the implants of both groups were harvested with the peri-implant bone tissues. Osseointegration process was evaluated throughout measurements of BIC. Results. No statistical significance differences were found among the mean percentage of BIC of Group I – type A were 66,51% versus 49,96% in Group I – type B, as well as among the mean percentage of BIC of Group II – type A were 43.7% versus 60.02% in Group II – type B. Conclusions. Our results highlight that the mean percentage of BIC after 12 weeks from the implants placement without functional loading is not influenced by the composition of the implant surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral pigmentation is a discoloration of the oral mucosa or gingiva associated with several exogenous and endogenous factors. Oral pigmented lesions can have various etiologies, including drugs, heavy metals, genetics, endocrine disturbance, and inflammation. Gingival tattooing represents a cultural practice prevalent in certain African ethnic groups, resulting in diffuse bluish pigmentation of maxillary alveolar gingiva. Tattoos in the oral region must be distinguished from other form of diffuse, intrinsic or acquired pigmentation of oral mucosa. Herein we describe two patients from Ethiopia presenting a traditional gingival tattoo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]