Acta Odontologica Scandinavica最新文献

Objective: To evaluate maxillary sinus and odontogenic findings in low-dose CBCT, and to test if associations exist between these findings.  Methods: From 263 consecutive CBCT scans, 212 were included. Evaluated odontogenic parameters were periapical lesions (PAI), marginal periodontal bone loss (PBL), root contact to the maxillary sinus, the presence of crowns, implants, defective restorations and extensive caries. Maxillary sinus findings were categorized as mucosal thickening (MT; generalized and localized), mucosal retention cysts, and opacification/fluid level. Crosstabulations and generalized estimating equations were used as statistical tests. Prevalence and bias adjusted kappas were calculated for inter- and intra-observer agreement.

Results: The only dental finding statistically associated with sinus pathology when compared to healthy sinuses was root contact, which increased the risk for generalized MT (OR = 1.47, p = 0.015), mucosal retention cysts (OR = 2.60, p < 0.001) and opacification/fluid (OR = 1.76, p = 0.018). All parameters showed almost perfect or substantial intra- and interobserver reliability, except for PBL, where the former was moderate and the latter fair.

Conclusion: Root contact was the only dental finding significantly associated with sinus pathology. Thus, there may be fewer associations between radiological dental findings and sinus pathology than previously thought. With the exception of PBL, all parameters demonstrated at least substantial intra- and interobserver reliability, indicating that the assessment is reliable overall.

Objective: Smokeless tobacco has been linked to the genetic modification of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Our study aims to further investigate the disease among Naswar users at the genomic level to understand genetic diversity and discover new targeted therapy.

Methods: A multi-centre descriptive cross sectional research was designed comprising a total of 80 cases of OSCC who were habitual users of Naswar. Out of the 80 cases, whole exome sequencing (WES) was applied to 7 formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissues of OSCC. We further investigated immunohistochemical expression of mutant TP53 and CDKN2A protein in tissues of 80 OSCC samples. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19.

Results: Among the total 2,216 somatic variants identified in tumour suppressor genes (TSGs), we compared the high frequency mutation genes reported in OSCC in Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC) database with research samples, and found that TP53 (85.7%), NOTCH1 (85.7%), and FAT1 (85.7%) showed higher rate of mutation. Among single nucleotide variants, higher prevalence of C/T and G/A base change was noted. Interestingly, a distinct panel of 12 genes was detected to be mutated in 100% samples which was not previously reported compared to Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Database (dbSNP). PTPRT mutation (rs2867655) was present in seven samples and IGF2R (rs629849) was seen in two samples. A statistically significant relation was observed between mutant TP53 protein expression and duration of Naswar use and clinical stages while difference in CDKN2A protein expression was found to be statistically significant with respect to stage only.

Conclusions: Our study presented preliminary data of genetic aberrations in patients exposed to known risk factor (Naswar). These findings can enhance the understanding of genetic aetiology and serve as basis for innovative targets of therapy.

Objective: Nicotine pouch use has been linked to oral health concerns, including oral lesions and gingival irritation. This pilot study examines self-reported oral health outcomes following the use of a novel nicotine pouch (Stingfree Strong Blue Mint), with an impermeable barrier on the interior side designed to reduce mucosal irritation.

Materials and methods: A total of 23 Swedish dentists who were current snus or nicotine pouch users participated in a 5-week observational study. Baseline and follow-up assessments included self-reported oral health status and photographic documentation of mucosal conditions, reviewed by an independent blinded dental expert. Primary outcomes included changes in self-reported snus lesions, gingival recession, gingival irritation, and gingivitis.  Results: The prevalence of self-reported snus lesions decreased from 95.7% (n = 22) to 69.6% (n = 16). Median Axell-scale lesion severity declined from 2 (interquartile range [IQR]: 1-3) to 1 (IQR: 0-2) (z = 3.756, p = 0.0002). Moderate-to-severe lesions (Axell score ≥ 3) dropped from 39.1% (n = 9) to 0% (n = 0). Self-reported gingivitis cases (n = 3) were eliminated, and gingival irritation decreased by 90.0%.

Conclusions: Preliminary findings suggest that the use of the Stingfree Strong Blue Mint nicotine pouch may reduce mucosal irritation. While promising, these findings warrant validation through large randomised controlled trials to establish long-term effectiveness and safety.

Mandibular third molars (3M) are often associated with pathologies necessitating their surgical removal. Removal of 3M can cause injury to the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN). In coronectomy, a surgical option for 3M that present a significant risk of injury to the IAN, only the crown is removed, and the root/roots are left in situ, and may move after surgery. Methodology: A retrospective review was done to analyse the outcomes of coronectomy procedures performed at the Clinic of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Institute of Clinical Odontology (IKO), University of Bergen (UiB) between 2014 and 2020. During this period, a total of 63 coronectomy procedures were performed. All 63 patients were contacted after approval from the regional ethical committee, and a total of 44 patients consented to participate in the study. Radiographic analysis was done based on panoramic radiographs (OPG), and patient records were analysed to assess which demographic and local factors were associated with root migration along with the number of post-operative complications. Results: Root migration was not associated with gender, root anatomy, or pattern of tooth impaction. Root migration was observed significantly more often in the younger age group, that is, ≤25 years. There were four reported cases of post-operative complications; two of those cases resolved with systemic antibiotics, while surgical intervention was necessary in the other two cases to remove the remaining roots. There were no reported cases of transient or permanent neurosensory disturbances.  Conclusion: Coronectomy is a viable technique to avoid nerve injury with 3M removal.

Objective: The relationship between orthodontic treatment and root resorption in endodontically treated teeth remains controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of fixed appliance treatment on root resorption in root canal-treated teeth compared to vital teeth.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Sinomed, CNKI, and Wanfang. Studies comparing root resorption between root canal-treated teeth and vital teeth during orthodontic treatment were included. The methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using random-effects models.

Results: Ten studies involving 266 patients met the inclusion criteria. The overall effect showed no significant difference in root resorption between root canal-treated teeth and vital teeth (SMD = -0.08, 95% CI: -0.24 to 0.08, I² = 7.0%). Subgroup analyses revealed no significant differences based on measurement methods, extraction versus non-extraction treatment, or tooth position. However, extraction cases demonstrated a numerical trend toward greater root resorption in root canal-treated teeth (SMD = -0.70, 95% CI: -1.50 to 0.11, I² = 67.1%, p = 0.048), while the non-extraction group showed no meaningful differences (SMD = -0.07, 95% CI: -0.42 to 0.28, I² = 49.2%, p = 0.096).

Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests that root canal-treated teeth do not show significantly different root resorption patterns compared to vital teeth during orthodontic treatment. However, extraction cases may require careful monitoring due to a tendency toward increased root resorption.

Objectives: This paper studies the treatment effect of total joint replacement (TJR) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) with alloplastic joint prosthesis regarding function, symptoms and health-related quality of life compared to other surgical and non-surgical treatments in patients with TMJ disorders.

Methods: Three databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library and Web of Science) were searched up to 11 March 2025. Studies in which TJR was compared with other surgical or non-surgical methods were searched and analyzed. Data extraction and quality assessments were performed by at least two investigators independently. Risk of bias was assessed with the ROBINS-I-tool. Certainty of evidence was assessed with GRADE.

Results: A total of 2,891 studies were identified in the search. One study met the criteria with comparison of TJR with a control group consisting of patients treated with another surgical method, namely, interpositional arthroplasty. The study investigated the outcome variables such as pain reduction and improvement in mouth opening and had a moderate risk of bias. No significant difference between the groups was found after regression analysis. Quality of life assessment was not the objective of this study. No meta-analysis could be performed from this literature search, for obvious reasons.

Conclusion: TMJ reconstruction with alloplastic prostheses is rapidly evolving, with new systems continually entering the market. This review highlights the urgent need for further scientific efforts, including well-designed trials capable of demonstrating the comparative effectiveness of alloplastic TJR against other treatment modalities, ideally randomized trials with controls.

Objectives: Activation of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) to remove biofilm from lateral canal is important for the success of endodontic treatment. This study aimed to compare the biofilm dissolving capacity of different irrigation techniques in resin blocks with two lateral canals manufactured with 3D printers.  Materials and methods: Biofilm-mimicking hydrogel was placed in the upper and lower lateral canals of 75 resin blocks. Main canals of the blocks were irrigated with 5% NaOCl. Then, the blocks were randomly divided into five groups: sonic activation (SA), passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI), intracanal heating (ICH), self-adjusting file (SAF) and control. The amount of hydrogel removed was measured by weighing the blocks before and after the treatment and further visually scored. Data were analyzed using Kruskall Wallis H, Wilcoxon, Tukey Post-hoc HSD (Honestly Significant Difference) and one-way ANOVA tests.

Results: The SAF group showed the highest hydrogel scores compared to other groups (p < 0.05). The hydrogel dissolution capacity of the SA group was lower compared to SAF, PUI and ICH techniques (p < 0.05). Based on visual scoring, SAF group was superior to other activation methods (p < 0.05) which are similar to each other (p > 0.05) in both upper and lower lateral canals.  Conclusion: All activation methods were superior than the control group. The SAF system demonstrated superior hydrogel dissolving ability, while SA, PUI, and ICH groups showed similar effectiveness.

Objective: Little was found on the association between diabetes and its effect on epithelial intercellular adhesion. However, no study reported the association between hyperglycemia and E-cadherin-mediated cell adhesion in tongue epithelium. This study aimed to explore the potential impacts of hyperglycemia on the epithelial E-cadherin expression in the tongue's epithelial tissue in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

Material and methods: Twelve male Wistar albino rats were randomly allocated into control and STZ-induced diabetic groups. At the 5-week post-STZ injection, rats were euthanized, and the tongues were harvested and preserved in formalin. Epithelial thickness was assessed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, while immunohistochemistry (IHC) was employed to analyze the expression of E-cadherin. Statistical analysis was performed using unpaired t-tests and two-proportion Z-tests, with a significance level determined at p < 0.05.

Results: The results showed a significant reduction in epithelial thickness in the dorsal tongue of STZ-diabetic rats compared to the control group (p = 0.0173). Additionally, E-cadherin expression in the dorsal tongue epithelium was markedly weaker in the diabetic group than in the control (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions: This exploratory study is the first to report that hyperglycemia reduces E-cadherin expression in the dorsal tongue epithelium, possibly contributing to oral epithelial alterations observed in diabetes. These findings not only highlight the potential diagnostic value of E-cadherin as a biomarker for oral complications in diabetic patients but also provide a foundation for future translational and clinical studies exploring therapeutic interventions targeting epithelial integrity in diabetes.

Objectives: A previous questionnaire survey on infection control measures and infection status among practicing dentists during the 1st-5th surge of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in Japan indicated a low risk of COVID-19 infection spreading through dental care. However, the low number of infected patients during the survey period may have been a contributing factor, and a sharp increase in the number of infected patients was subsequently observed. We re-examined the spread of infections in dental care settings and compared the results with those of previous reports.

Materials and methods: An online questionnaire-based survey was administered in March 2023 to examine the situation from February 2022 to March 2023, when the 6th-8th surge of COVID-19 infection was observed in Japan. The survey was conducted via an online platform (Google Forms; San Mateo, California, USA). The call for participation was publicized to members of the Nagano Dental Association. The survey consisted of questions on clinical activities, infection control measures, and confirmed or probable COVID-19 cases among patients and clinical staff.

Results: The number of COVID-19-positive patients increased approximately 50-fold between the study periods. There was a 3.5-fold increase in the rate of dental treatment for infected patients.

Conclusion: Even with the increased likelihood of contact with COVID-19 patients, no cases of infection during dental treatment were observed. The results of this study indicate that even with the possibility of contact with COVID-19 during dental treatment, the likelihood of COVID-19 clusters occurring in dental practices is low if appropriate infection prevention measures are in place.

Objective: Severe malocclusions affect Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL), but the effects of less severe malocclusions are underexplored. This study investigates OHRQoL and psychological well-being in adults with less severe malocclusion, but high subjective need of orthodontic treatment.

Material and methods: This cross-sectional study included 130 study participants aged 18-75 years, with less severe malocclusion. Two groups were assessed: 65 with high subjective orthodontic treatment need and 65 in a control group. Patients with malocclusions graded with Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need-Dental Health Component (IOTN-DHC) index 1, 2, or 3 were included. Three questionnaires were used: Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and a general appearance perception survey.

Results: The high subjective need group showed significantly higher OHIP-14 scores, reflecting poorer OHRQoL, compared to the control group. When age was considered, only the orofacial appearance subscale remained significant. No clinical signs of depression or anxiety were found among participants. However, a subset in the high subjective need group spent over an hour daily on their oral appearance.

Conclusions: Adults seeking orthodontic treatment despite low objective treatment need may have impacted OHRQoL and an impairment from the time spent on their oral appearance. Dentist should consider patients' subjective treatment needs and impact on daily functioning when treating patients with mild malocclusions.