Background: SLM (Selective Laser Melting)–manufactured Titanium (Ti) scaffolds have a significant value for bone reconstructions in the oral and maxillofacial surgery field. While their mechanical properties and biocompatibility have been analysed, there is still no adequate information regarding tissue integration. Therefore, the aim of this study is a comprehensive systematic assessment of the essential parameters (porosity, pore dimension, surface treatment, shape) required to provide the long-term performance of Ti SLM medical implants. Materials and methods: A systematic literature search was conducted via electronic databases PubMed, Medline and Cochrane, using a selection of relevant search MeSH terms. The literature review was conducted using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA). Results: Within the total of 11 in vitro design studies, 9 in vivo studies, and 4 that had both in vitro and in vivo designs, the results indicated that SLM-generated Ti scaffolds presented no cytotoxicity, their tissue integration being assured by pore dimensions of 400 to 600 µm, high porosity (75–88%), hydroxyapatite or SiO2–TiO2 coating, and bioactive treatment. The shape of the scaffold did not seem to have significant importance. Conclusions: The SLM technique used to fabricate the implants offers exceptional control over the structure of the base. It is anticipated that with this technique, and a better understanding of the physical interaction between the scaffold and bone tissue, porous bases can be tailored to optimize the graft’s integrative and mechanical properties in order to obtain structures able to sustain osseous tissue on Ti.

In oral rehabilitation, the treatment of partial edentulism (PEd) is performed by removable partial dentures (RPD) or assembled prosthetic works (APW) composed of several components, fixed to the prosthetic field (Pa) and a removable one (Pb), in order to facilitate the daily hygiene but also the damping of the occlusal forces applied in mastication. Cobalt-Chromium alloys are materials used to manufacture modern prosthetic assembles. In order for this study to be relevant, it was necessary to standardize the design of the framework (Pa) in terms of shape and volume so that the experiment could be reproducible for the five Co-Cr alloys: 0-A (Co-Cr-Mo), 5-A and 10-A (Co-Cr-Mo-W), 15-A and 16.4-A (Co-Cr-W-Fe) and for the three fabrication methods of dental assembled prosthetic frameworks: refractory duplicate method (RD) resulting removable framework (Pb), direct construction method (DC) resulting removable framework (Pb-) and casting over metal method (CoM) resulting removable framework (Pb+). The time allocated to the adaptation process (AP), mechanical processing and sandblasting, in order to assemble the two components was between 43–70 min, even though the assembly between the Pa-framework and the complementary framework (Pb+) was not necessary, CoM-method hs been provide the elimination of AP step. By applying the arithmetic simple rule of three, the percentages for each of the three methods used were calculated, the values of the difference were obtained. The CoM method improves the joining precision between the components of the removable assembly of prosthetic frameworks by 91.7% compared to the RD method and by 80.62% compared to the DC method. According to the efficiency of the methods used in the precision of joining between frameworks components, their order is: casting over metal, direct construction and refractory duplicate method.

Background and aimsPeriodontitis is an inflammatory disease, characterized by the loss of connective tissue and alveolar bone. There is an increasing evidence that periodontitis is associated with a number of chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between periodontitis and certain systemic diseases by identifying their risk factors in a population from North-West Romania.MethodsA questionnaire-based study was conducted on participants ≥45 years of age in 4 dentistry or family medicine practices from the Cluj and Bihor counties, Romania, over a time frame spanning two months. The interviewer-administered questionnaire included 42 items assessing risk factors for periodontal and cardiovascular disease, current diagnostic and medical treatment of the participants, their diet and oral hygiene habits.ResultsOf 108 participants included in the study, 63 (58.3%) declared a previous diagnosis of periodontitis. A significant difference was observed between the participants with declared diagnosis of periodontitis (PD+) and participants without declared diagnosis of periodontitis (PD−) for fresh fruit consumption (p=0.01) and increased sport activity (p=0.009). A significant difference between groups was observed in the case of smoking duration (p=0.047), participants with >10 years of smoking were more likely to declare a diagnosis of periodontitis. Also, PD+ participants were more likely to have a family history of periodontal disease (p<0.001). Multivariate analyses suggested periodontitis as a predictive variable for atherosclerotic coronary artery disease with an OR of 4.85 (95% confidence interval 1.01–23.29, p=0.049).ConclusionOur study found a statistically significant association between periodontal disease and a known family history of periodontal disorders and smoking duration. Daily intake of fresh fruit and increased sport activities were found to be protective factors against periodontal disease, while periodontitis was found as a risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Background: Exogenous factors (such as sun exposure, smoking habits, and diet) and endogenous (inflammatory status, general diseases) have a direct influence on skin and soft tissue characteristics. The study’s objective was to assess the impact of metabolic syndrome (MS) on characteristics of skin layers in sun-exposed and non-exposed maxillofacial tissues evaluated by high-frequency ultrasound (HFU), as a potential diagnosis and monitoring tool for the aging process. Material and methods: The present study included 102 subjects (24 with MS; 78 without MS). Anthropometric parameters and disease history were recorded, and blood samples were harvested in order to assess biochemical parameters of MS. Sun-exposed skin (zygomatic region) and non-exposed oral mucosa of the lower lip were assessed using HFU (DUB® cutis, Taberna Pro Medicum) with a 22 MHz probe. Results: Patients with cardiac disease had significantly lower values for epidermis density (p = 0.002). Gender was independently linked to the aged dermis depth (p < 0.001), aged dermis no. of px (pixels) (p < 0.001), dermis depth (p < 0.001), dermis no. of px (p < 0.001), and subcutaneous tissue density (p < 0.001). Patients with MS had thinner epidermis (p = 0.008) and thinner aged dermis (p = 0.037) when compared to non-MS subjects. Conclusion: Patients with MS had thinner epidermis and a lower epidermis number of pixels in sun-exposed skin. Women had lower epidermis density and thicker dermis in sun-exposed skin. Our study showed that HFU, as a non-invasive investigation approach, is useful to diagnose and monitor the aging process in skin and oral mucosa, correlated with skin phenotype pathological conditions.

Background and aimCigarette smoking has negative effects on general health, including oral health. The aim of our study was to assess the correlations between nicotine dependence, exhaled carbon monoxide levels and oral hygiene status.MethodsSmoker and non-smoker participants were enrolled in this observational study. The Fagerström test was used to classify nicotine dependences: low (score: 0–3), medium (score: 4–6) or high (score: 7–10). The oral hygiene status was classified according to the oral hygiene indices of plaque, calculus and gingival inflammation. Lastly, the exhaled carbon monoxide levels were measured with a MicroSmokelyzer (Bedfont Scientific Ltd., Kent, United Kingdom).ResultsSixty five participants (50 smokers in the study group and 15 non-smokers in the control group) were enrolled between 11th and 29th of January 2016. No statistical differences were observed between the study group and the control group in terms of age (mean age±SD 23.5±1.9 and 24.0±1.5, respectively) or gender (50% and 26.6%, respectively). A statistically significant difference was observed between the 2 groups in terms of plaque, (p=0.036), calculus (p=0.001) and gingival indices (p<0.001). A positive correlation was found between the exhaled levels of carbon monoxide and the general Fagerström score (r=0.97, p<0.001) or the Fagerström score in smokers (r=0.93, p<0.001); a negative correlation was observed between the exhaled carbon monoxide levels and the number of tooth brushings daily (r=−0.41, p=0.001). The plaque index was statistically significantly associated with the exhaled carbon monoxide levels (p=0.008), general Fagerström score (p=0.016) and number of tooth brushings daily (p<0.001). The calculus and gingival indices were statistically significantly associated with the exhaled carbon monoxide levels (p<0.001), general Fagerström score (p<0.001) and score in smoker participants (p=0.029 and p=0.001, respectively) as well as the number of tooth brushings daily (p<0.001).ConclusionOur study found a significant association between the plaque, calculus and gingival indices and smoking. Moreover, nicotine dependence was significantly associated with the number of daily tooth brushings and the gingival index.