Search

The aim of this systematic review (SR) was to assess whether tooth mobility (TM) increases the risk of tooth extraction/loss. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO database (CRD42023485425). The focused PECO questions were as follows: (1) "In patients with periodontitis, undergoing periodontal treatment, are teeth affected by mobility at higher risk of being extracted/lost compared to non‐mobile teeth, with a minimum follow‐up of 10 years?" and (2) "In these patients, does varying degrees of tooth mobility increase the risk of tooth extraction/loss, with a minimum follow‐up of 10 years?". Results were reported according to PRISMA statement. Electronic and manual searches were conducted to identify longitudinal studies. The different assessments of tooth mobility were pooled into three groups: TM0: Undetectable tooth mobility, TM1: Horizontal/Mesio‐distal mobility ≤1 mm, TM2: Horizontal/Mesio‐distal mobility >1 mm or vertical tooth mobility. Tooth loss was the primary outcome. Various meta‐analyses were conducted, including subgroup analyses considering different follow‐up lengths and the timing of TM assessment, along with sensitivity analyses. A trial sequential analysis was also performed. Eleven studies were included (1883 patients). The mean follow‐up range was 10–25 years. The weighted total of included teeth, based on the sample size, was 18 918, with a total of 1604 (8.47%) extracted/lost teeth. The overall rate of tooth extraction/loss increased with increasing mobility: TM0 was associated with a 5.85% rate (866/14822), TM1 with the 11.8% (384/3255), TM2 with the 40.3% (339/841). Mobile teeth (TM1/TM2) were at an increased risk for tooth extraction/loss, compared to TM0 (HR: 2.85; [95% CI 1.88–4.32]; p <.00001). TM1 had a higher risk than TM0 (HR: 1.96; [95% CI 1.09–3.53]; p <.00001). TM2 had a higher risk than TM1 (HR: 2.85; [95% CI 2.19–3.70]; p <.00001) and TM0 (HR: 7.12; [95% CI 3.27–15.51]; p <.00001). The results of the tests for subgroup differences were not significant. Sensitivity meta‐analyses yielded consistent results with other meta‐analyses. Within the limits of the quality of the studies included in the meta‐analyses, mobile teeth were at higher risk of being extracted/lost in the long‐term and higher degrees of TM significantly influenced clinicians' decision to extract a tooth. However, most teeth can be retained in the long‐term and thus TM should not be considered a reason for extraction or a risk factor for tooth loss, regardless of the degree of TM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The second European Consensus Workshop on Education in Periodontology was commissioned, as a result of the changes in the discipline and the advances in educational methods/technology, to update the 2009 Consensus report of the first European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) Workshop on the same topic that was jointly authored by the Association for Dental Education in Europe. Aim: To identify and propose changes necessary in periodontal education at three levels, namely undergraduate, specialist and continuing professional development (CPD), with respect to learning outcomes, competencies and methods of learning/training and evaluation. Methods: Four working groups (WGs) considered education in periodontology at the undergraduate, specialist and CPD levels, and education methods. Four commissioned position papers, one per WG, summarized the relevant information. Workshop participants gathered at an in‐person consensus meeting to discuss the individual reviews, and this consensus report summarizes the conclusions. Results: The learning outcomes for undergraduate and specialist education in periodontology have been updated, and a proposal for learning outcomes for CPD programmes was made. Learning/teaching/training and evaluation methods were proposed for each level of education, which included face‐to‐face, virtual and blended learning methods. Conclusion: Developments in oral/dental medicine and in contemporary educational technologies have been translated into updated learning outcomes and learning/teaching/ training/evaluation methods relevant to education in periodontology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To compare the efficacy of non‐surgical re‐instrumentation (NSR) and papillary preservation flap (PPF) surgery at single‐rooted teeth with residual pockets. Materials and Methods: Patients with at least a residual pocket depth (PD ≥ 5 mm) after Steps I and II were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive NSR or PPF surgery. The primary outcome was PD reduction, and secondary outcomes were clinical attachment level (CAL) change and patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs). Outcome variables were measured at baseline, 3 and 6 months. The examiner was blinded. Statistical analysis, one site for each patient, included descriptive statistics and analysis of covariance. Results: Forty‐six participants were enrolled, and one patient dropped out in the PPF group. After 6 months, both treatments resulted in significant PD reduction (1.3 ± 1.2 mm, p =.009 NSR; 2.0 ± 0.7 mm, p <.001 PPF) and CAL gain (1.0 ± 2.4 mm, p =.031 NSR; 1.4 ± 0.8 mm, p <.001 PPF). PD reduction between groups was not statistically significant (diff: 0.6 mm; 95% confidence interval [CI] [−0.3 to 1.5]; p =.167). Pocket closure was 61% NSR versus 86% PPF (p =.091). Smoking was associated with less PD reduction of almost 1 mm in both treatments. Treatment time was longer for PPF surgery, but PROMs and post‐operative pain were similar between groups. Conclusions: Both NSR and PPF reduced PD without significant difference between treatments at 6 months. PPF surgery may offer faster PD reduction, but smoking habits reduce treatment efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the impact of COVID‐19 pandemic among a sample of Italian dentists in terms of infection, strategies for infection control, organization of the dental clinic, attitude, and behavior. Material and Methods: This was a cross‐sectional survey. The sample consisted of 8000 Italian dentists selected among 63,375 using a computerized random sampling method. An electronic informed consent had to be signed. The questionnaire categories were on demographic, infection risk management, organization, and dentists' attitude and behavior. Geographic macro‐areas were used for subgroup analysis. Results: Among 8000 invited dentists, 2443 agreed to participate to the survey (30.6%). Mean age was 51.2 years, women were 34.5%. A total of 6.1% self‐reported COVID‐19 experience and higher rate of infection was reported in north Italy compared to the south (p < 0.05). FFP2/FFP3 respirators (97.1%) and visors (97.4%) were used by almost all dentists. While, natural ventilation and mouthwashes were the most frequent approaches used to reduce the infection risk. Most of the dentists reported positive attitude, nevertheless 83.6% felt an increased responsibility. Conclusion: The self‐reported COVID‐19 prevalence was 6.1% with some differences among geographic areas. COVID 19 had a deep impact on preventive strategies, dental office organization, and behavior within this sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aerosol–cloud interactions play a crucial role in shaping Earth's climate and hydrological cycle. Observing these interactions with high precision and accuracy is of the utmost importance for improving climate models and predicting Earth's climate. Over the past few decades, lidar techniques have emerged as powerful tools for investigating aerosol–cloud interactions due to their ability to provide detailed vertical profiles of aerosol particles and clouds with high spatial and temporal resolutions. This review paper provides an overview of recent advancements in the study of ACI using lidar techniques. The paper begins with a description of the different cloud microphysical processes that are affected by the presence of aerosol, and with an outline of lidar remote sensing application in characterizing aerosol particles and clouds. The subsequent sections delve into the key findings and insights gained from lidar-based studies of aerosol–cloud interactions. This includes investigations into the role of aerosol particles in cloud formation, evolution, and microphysical properties. Finally, the review concludes with an outlook on future research. By reporting the latest findings and methodologies, this review aims to provide valuable insights for researchers engaged in climate science and atmospheric research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) form in polar regions, typically between 15 and 25 km above mean sea level, when the local temperature is sufficiently low. PSCs play an important role in the ozone chemistry and the dehydration and denitrification of the stratosphere. Lidars with a depolarization channel may be used to detect and classify different classes of PSCs. The main PSC classes are water ice, nitric acid trihydrate (NAT), and supercooled ternary solutions (STSs), the latter being liquid droplets consisting of water, nitric acid, and sulfuric acid. PSCs have been observed at the lidar observatory at Concordia Station from 2014 onward. The harsh environmental conditions at Concordia during winter render successful lidar operation difficult. To facilitate the operation of the observatory, several measures have been put in place to achieve an almost complete remote control of the system. PSC occurrence is strongly correlated with local temperatures and is affected by dynamics, as the PSC coverage during the observation season shows. PSC observations in 2021 are shown as an example of the capability and functionality of the lidar observatory. A comparison of the observations with the satellite-borne CALIOP (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization) lidar has been made to demonstrate the quality of the data and their representativeness for the Antarctic Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on investigating the potential association between oral lichen planus (OLP) and Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) through a systematic review of relevant literature. It aims to determine whether OLP patients are more likely to have HT and vice versa, exploring shared autoimmune mechanisms between these conditions. It highlights a statistically significant association between OLP and HT, emphasizing the importance of further research to clarify this relationship.

Background: The aim of this systematic review was two‐fold: (i) to evaluate the long‐term (≥5 years) stability of the gingival margin position, keratinized tissue width (KTW) and gingival thickness (GT) in sites that underwent root coverage (RC) or gingival augmentation (GA); and (ii) to assess the influence of different local variables on the long‐term stability of dental and gingival tissues. Materials and Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non‐RCTs reporting short‐term (i.e., 6–12 months after baseline surgical intervention) and long‐term (≥5 years) follow‐up data after surgical treatment of adult patients presenting single or multiple mucogingival deformities, defined as sites presenting gingival recession defects (GRDs) and/or (KTW) deficiency (i.e., <2 mm), were considered eligible for inclusion. MEDLINE–PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched for articles published up to 15 May 2023. Mixed‐effects multiple linear regression was used to assess the association between KTW, type of surgical procedure and time (i.e., independent variables) on the stability of the gingival margin in sites that received RC or GA therapy. Results: Of the 2569 potentially eligible records, 41 (reporting 40 studies) met the eligibility criteria. Graphical estimates including data from all RC procedures found an upward trend in recession depth (RD) increase over time. Conversely, it was observed that in 63.63% of RC studies and in 59.32% of RC treatment arms KTW increased over time, particularly in sites treated with subepithelial connective tissue grafts (SCTGs). Conversely, sites that underwent GA procedures generally exhibited an overall reduction of KTW over time. However, sites treated with free gingival grafts (FGGs) showed a decrease in RD after 10 years of follow‐up. Three main findings derived from the pooled estimates were identified: (i) Gingival margin stability was associated with the amount of KTW present during short‐term assessment (i.e. the greater the KTW at 6–12 months after treatment, the more stable the gingival margin). (ii) The use of autogenous soft‐tissue grafts was associated with lower RD increase over time. (iii) Treatment approaches that contribute to the three‐dimensional enhancement of the gingival phenotype, as clearly demonstrated by FGG, were associated with gingival margin stability. Conclusions: The extent of apical migration of the gingival margin appears to be directly related to the amount of KTW and GT upon tissue maturation. Interventions involving the use of autogenous grafts, either SCTG or FGG, are associated with greater short‐term KTW gain and lower RD increase over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate outcomes and predictive factors for the long‐term stability of root coverage using a sub‐epithelial connective tissue graft. Materials and Methods: One‐hundred and two healthy subjects (221 gingival recessions, GRs) were treated from 1987 to 1996. Keratinized tissue width (KTW), GR depth (RD), GR width (RW) and GR area (RA) were evaluated at baseline (M0) and at 1 month (M1), 1 year (M2), 11 years (M3), 21 years (M4) and 27 years (M5) after surgery. Primary outcomes consisted of complete root coverage (cRC) and relative dimensional changes in recession depth (measured in mm [c%‐RD]), recession width (measured in mm [c%‐RW]) and recession area (measured in mm2 [c%‐RA]). Results: cRC was 88.7% at 1 year (M2), 59.8% at M3, 44.4% at M4 and 51.9% at M5. Average c%‐RD was 95.2% at 1 year, 81.9% at M3, 71.5% at M4 and 81.7% at M5. KTW increased after surgery and over time and was positively correlated with favourable outcomes. Increased baseline RA was associated with less favourable clinical outcomes. Conclusions: The sub‐epithelial connective tissue graft is effective in the treatment of GRs and facilitates long‐term stability of clinical outcomes. Wider baseline RA was a strong predictor of unfavourable short‐ and long‐term RC outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this systematic review (SR) was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of different adjunctive methods/therapies to the non-surgical treatment (NST) of peri-implantitis. Materials and methods: The protocol of the review was registered in PROSPERO database (CRD42022339709) and was designed according to PRISMA statement. Electronic and hand searches were performed to identify randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing non-surgical treatment of peri-implantitis alone versus NST plus any adjunctive method/treatment. The primary outcome was probing pocket depth (PPD) reduction. Results: Sixteen RCTs were included. Only 2 out of 1189 implants were lost and follow-up ranged from 3 to 12 months. PPD reduction across the studies varied from 0.17 to 3.1 mm, while defect resolution from 5.3% to 57.1%. Systemic antimicrobials were associated to higher PPD reduction (1.56 mm; [95% CI 0.24 to 2.89]; p = 0.02) with high heterogeneity, and treatment success (OR = 3.23; [95% CI 1.17 to 8.94]; p = 0.02), compared to NST alone. No differences were found with adjunctive local antimicrobials and lasers for PPD and bleeding on probing (BoP) reduction. Conclusions: Non-surgical treatment with or without adjunctive methods may reduce PPD and BoP even if complete resolution of the pocket is unpredictable. Among possible adjunctive methods, only systemic antibiotics seems to provide further benefits, but their usage should be considered with caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]