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Introduction In the last decade several studies have been performed to evaluate the clinical outcome of one or two stage loaded implants supporting overdentures. Aim Since fresh frozen bone (FFB) has an ever-increasing number of clinical applications and few reports are available on implants inserted into FFB, we performed a retrospective study on fixtures inserted in FFB and bearing overdentures. Methods In the period between December 2003 and December 2006, 17 patients (14 females and 3 males with a median age of about 56 years) were grafted and 60 implants inserted thereafter. A total of 17 overdentures were delivered: 8 in the mandible and 9 in the maxilla. Multiple implant systems were used: 22 Double etched, 7 SLA, 9 Anodic oxidized, and 22 CaPo4 ceramic-blasted. Implant diameter ranged from 3.25 to 4.3 mm and length from 11.5 to 16.0 mm. Implants were inserted to replace 23 incisors, 9 cuspids, 20 premolars and 8 molars. Results No implants were lost (i.e. survival rate = 100%) and no differences were detected among the studied variables. Kaplan Meier algorithm and Cox regression did not reveal any statistical differences among the studied variables also as regards the success rate. Conclusion Implants inserted FFB and bearing overdentures have a high survival rate and success rates, which are comparable to those of implants inserted in non-grafted bone. FFB bone is a reliable material for alveolar ridge augmentation. No difference was detected among removable prostheses supported by 2 or more implants.

A simple treatment to reduce mutans streptococci levels in the saliva of pregnant women may prevent tooth decay in the women as well as in their babies. Mutans streptococci is the bacterium most commonly associated with dental cavities. Researchers randomly assigned 65 pregnant women with excessive amounts of mutans streptococci in their saliva to use a fluoride and chlorhexidine mouthwash daily or fluoride only (the Control group). Chlorhexidine reduced the level of salivary mutans streptococci and prolonged the rate of streptococci colonization in the infants.

Objective: This randomized double-blind in vivo pilot study has evaluated the effects of a toothpaste containing fluoride (control) versus toothpaste containing fluoride, triclosan, cetylpyridinium chloride and essential oils (experimental) in controlling supragingival dental plaque and bleeding on probing in a sample of healthy schoolchildren. Method and Materials: In total, 48 children (8 to 10 years) were selected and randomly divided into two groups (experimental and control), using the two different toothpastes twice a day for 2 minutes each for a 4-week period. The investigation included an evaluation of plaque quantity, using the Turesky modified Quigley-Hein method, and bleeding on probing that was recorded dichotomously. The unit of analysis was set at the gingival site level. Plaque Index and bleeding on probing were analyzed using distribution tables and chi-square test. A generalized estimating equation was used to estimate the parameters of a generalized linear model with a possible unknown correlation between outcomes. Results: In total, 40 schoolchildren completed the trial. Considering each group separately, a statistically significant difference in plaque scores was recorded for both treatments (z-test = 9.23, P < .01 for the experimental toothpaste; and z-test = 7.47, P < .01 for the control toothpaste). Nevertheless, the effect over time was higher for the experimental toothpaste than for the control one (3.38 vs 1.96). No statistically significant results were observed regarding bleeding on probing. Conclusion: The 4-week use of the experimental toothpaste seems to produce higher plaque reduction compared to fluoridated toothpaste without other antibacterial ingredients. This finding has to be confirmed in a larger study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this randomized, single-blind, split-mouth design, clinical trial was to evaluate the effectiveness in plaque removal of two brushing methods, the vertical and the horizontal, in a sample of healthy young adults. Method and Materials: Forty-nine subjects were enrolled and 43 completed the study. All subjects abstained from oral hygiene practices for 48 hours. Plaque and gingival abrasions were recorded according to the Rustogi Modified Navy Plaque Index (RMNPI) and the van der Weijden method by one calibrated examiner before and immediately after the brushing session. A dental hygienist performed the two brushing methods using a randomized split-mouth design. The average plaque scores from the whole mouth, interproximal surfaces, and gingival margin were obtained before and after brushing, and the differences were evaluated using one-way analysis of variance. Results: The differences in mean plaque scores between pre- and postbrushing were statistically significant for both methods. Considering the interbrushing differences, the vertical method produced lower plaque scores compared to the horizontal for the whole mouth (P = .02). In the interproximal surfaces, the vertical method removed more plaque compared to the horizontal one (P < .01). In the gingival margin no statistically significant differences in plaque scores were recorded. Only 10 gingival abrasions were registered, mainly produced by the horizontal method. Conclusion: Results suggest that both toothbrushing methods are effective in plaque removal; nevertheless, the vertical brushing method has demonstrated to remove more plaque from the interproximal surfaces than the horizontal method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The facial region plays a major role in determining physical attractiveness, so we assessed the hypothesis that the capability of successfully managing interpersonal relationships in young adults might be related to the facial skeletal class. Methods 1,014 young subjects applying to the Military Academy of Pozzuoli, Italy, were enrolled and the cephalometric evaluation was performed by calculating the angular relationships between skeletal points localized by the lateral cephalogram of the face, sorting the subjects in three groups corresponding to each major facial skeletal class. Concurrently, the subjects were evaluated by a team of psychiatrists administering the MMPI-2 test followed by a brief colloquium with each candidate, in order to identify those subjects characterized by low skills for managing interpersonal relationships. Results According to the psychiatric evaluation about 20% of the subjects were considered potentially unable to manage successfully interpersonal relationships (NS). Males displayed an about two-fold increased risk of being NS. No differences were shown in the distribution of the NS male subjects among the three different facial skeletal classes. On the other hand, NS females displayed a different distribution among the three facial skeletal classes, with a trend of about two-fold and four-fold, respectively, for those subjects belonging to classes II and III, respect to those belonging to class I. Conclusion Females may be more sensitive to physical factors determining beauty, such as the facial morphology certainly is. This finding appears to be interesting especially when thinking about possible orthodontic interventions, although further study is certainly needed to confirm these results.

Purpose: To evaluate the dental status of 12-year-old children in 2004, an epidemiological survey called 'National pathfinder about children's oral health in Italy' was planned. The present paper describes the clinical calibration method.Materials and Methods: Thirty children (20 caries-affected and 10 caries-free) were selected. Seven examiners received 35 hours of training and calibration in making clinical measurements by a single trainer. The trainer's diagnosis was the benchmark validity reference. Increase in sensitivity was tested using paired Student's t-test. Inter-examiner reliability for DMFS was evaluated using Pearson's correlation coefficients and ANOVA. Percent agreement and Kappa statistics were calculated for dichotomous judgments (tooth-by-tooth analysis and caries prevalence).Results: The raters' sensitivity increased from calibration I to calibration II (p < 0.05). For DMFS a good agreement between raters was found without significant differences among them at both calibration exercises. The Pearson's correlation coefficients between all pairs of raters were significant (p < 0.001) after both calibration exercises. Tooth-by-tooth reliability was high: the strength of agreement was substantial or almost perfect in calibration I (Kappa statistics from 0.81 to 0.95) and almost perfect in calibration II (Kappa statistics from 0.92 to 0.97). Regarding caries prevalence, sensitivity, specificity, percent agreement and Kappa statistics results were high but without significant differences between individual pairs of observations in the two calibration sessions (p > 0.05).Conclusions: The results suggest that sensitivity measurements should be used for agreement assessments in addition to the other World Health Organization-recommended reliability measurements. Kappa statistics are the eligible measurement of reliability for dichotomous judgments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Dental care in Italy is carried out mainly by private professionals and therefore the collection of epidemiological data on dental health is not often possible. Thus, the aim of this study was to collect the DMFT and CPITN values in a population of young Italian male subjects, namely call-up soldiers and cadets, and relate them to the socio-economic status of the subjects.Material and Methods: The sample was made up of two groups from different Italian academies: call-up soldiers: 1184 male call-up soldiers aged from 19 to 25; cadets: 2477 cadets aged from 19 to 25. The level of education was evaluated by means of a questionnaire which the soldiers had to fill in before being examined. Two trained dentists carried out the epidemiological survey following WHO guidelines. Data elaboration was carried out at the 'WHO Collaboration Centre of Milan for Epidemiologist and Community Dentistry'. Data on DMFT were compared by ANOVA. A p value < 0.01 was considered as statistically significant.Results: The mean DMFT value observed was 3.69 +/- 3.31. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant for D e F components (p < 0.05). The caries-free rate is lower in the call-up soldiers group (12.57%) than that reported for the cadets group (25.26%) and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.01). Statistically significant differences were observed in DMFT values between the two groups stratified by educational level. A healthy periodontium was observed in more than 50% of the sample. In the call-up soldiers group, 40.95% had healthy periodontal conditions; 40.25% of the subjects showed bleeding on probing; 19.03% presented with calculus; and 2.77% presented periodontal pockets 4-5 mm deep. In the cadets group, 57.95% had healthy periodontal conditions; 38.18% of the subjects showed bleeding on probing; 3.52% presented with calculus; and 0.35% presented periodontal pockets 4-5 mm deep. The differences in proportion between the two groups were always statistically significant except for the bleeding score where an almost similar percentage for both groups was recorded.Conclusion: The results showed that call-up soldiers have a higher DMFT index and the D value is higher in less educated subjects. Bleeding on probing did not vary either between call-up soldiers and cadets or among socio-economic subgroups. Such results have underlined the need of a systematical information campaign on oral hygiene in Italian schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this paper was to describe the caries experience in four North Italian areas. The areas selected were four North Italian medium-sized cities: San Remo located in western Liguria, Ferrara in Emilia, and Varese and Melegnano (Milan suburbs).Materials and Methods: 1104 subjects (560 males and 544 females) were examined. Several dental outcomes were used: DMFT Index and SiC index following WHO recommendations; and the caries experience ratio; the percentage of children with high caries disease and with rampant caries was calculated as the percentage of subjects with DMFT > 0, DMFT > or = 4 and DMFT > or = 7.Results: Mean DMFT ranged from 1.21 +/- 1.65 in the Ferrara group to 1.83 +/- 2.49 in San Remo. Among the groups, statistically significant differences were observed for DT and DMFT (p = 0.04 and p = 0.01 respectively). The SiC index was 3.75 +/- 1.87, 3 (2-5) in all samples, with significant differences among the four areas (p = 0.04). No statistical differences were observed among the four areas regarding caries experience and the proportion of children with high and rampant caries. An elevated proportion of subjects with high caries (DMFT > or = 4) was noted in the San Remo group (22.9%). The distribution of children by gender according to DMFT levels was not statistically significant either. The F/DMFT ratio was similar in the survey areas, from 0.30 in San Remo, 0.38 in Varese and Ferrara, to 0.40 in the Milan suburbs.Conclusion: Information drawn from this study can be helpful to describe and plan future dental prevention programmes aimed at reducing caries experience and promoting better oral health level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]