A statistically significant correlation was found between clinical organoleptic diagnosis of halitosis and VSC level by halimeter. Subjective patients' opinion correlated well with objective evaluation of halitosis.

Background: Smoking tobacco significantly affects the biology of periodontal tissues and contributes to the increased risk of peri-implant diseases. The aim of the study was to investigate whether smoking cigarettes affects the primary and secondary stability of maxillary dental implants, inserted into fresh sockets immediately after extraction. Methods: The study was conducted on 164 patients between the ages of 27–71 years old. 67 individuals smoked more than 20 cigarettes daily and 97 were non-smokers. 190 immediate implants were inserted in the maxilla. Immediate implantations were performed with simultaneous augmentation of the socket with xenogenic bone grafting material. In the posterior region, implants were inserted into the palatal alveolus. The stability of the implants was measured using Insertion Torque Value (ITV) and two types of devices: Periotest (PT) and Osstell (ISQ). Marginal bone loss was evaluated on cone beam computed tomography scans. Results: In an aesthetic area, the PT values at 6 months post-implantation were higher for smokers than non-smokers (p < 0.05), respectively. The ISQ values were significantly lower in smokers compared to non-smokers at 6 months post-implantation (p = 0.0226), respectively. In the posterior region PT values were higher in smokers both on the day of implantation (p = 0.0179), 6 months after surgery (p = 0.0003) as well as 24 months after surgery (p < 0.0001), as compared to non-smokers, respectively. Smokers revealed lower ISQ values than non-smokers (p = 0.0047) on the day of implantation, as well as 6 months after implantation (p = 0.0002), respectively. There were no significant differences in marginal bone loss after 18 months of loading between smokers and non-smokers in the aesthetic, as well as posterior regions (p > 0.05). ITV measurements were lower in smokers than non-smokers in the aesthetic (16.3 vs. 17.5 Ncm) and posterior area (16.8 vs. 17.9 Ncm). Conclusions: This study indicate that smoking cigarettes has a negative effect on the stability of immediate implants in the maxilla. Primary stability of immediate implants may be lower in the posterior area of the maxilla in smokers when compared to non-smokers, which may eliminate smokers from immediate implants in this region. Secondary stability of immediate implants may be lower in both the aesthetic and posterior areas in smokers compared to non-smokers, which may encourage the postponement of final crowns delivery at 6 months post op and the extension of the occlusaly temporary crowns use in some smoker cases.

Objectives  Availability of required substrate – amino acids is a factor determining the appearance of halitosis. The aim of the study was to determine whether a chemical test for low molecular weight amines in the saliva may be a new method of diagnosing halitosis. Methods  Eighty‐four patients suffering from halitosis and 40 healthy volunteers aged 20–62 (avg. 39.7) participated in the study. Halitosis was diagnosed if the average level of VSC measured by a halimeter was >125 ppb and the organoleptic measurement using a 5‐point scale was >2. In all subjects low molecular weight amines were evaluated by the ninhydrine method. Patients with halitosis were randomized into a treatment groups. Zinc tablets, tablets and mouthwash containing chlorhexidine or lyophilized lactic acid‐forming bacteria were used. Test subjects were examined at day 0, 7, 14, 21 and after 3 months and controls on day 0, 21 and after 3 months. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon's test. Results  Analysis showed, that the level of amines was highest in subjects with halitosis (0.39, s.d. 0.06) and correlated significantly with results of VSC measurement and organoleptic scores (P < 0.001). Reduction of amine levels after treatment was statistically significant (0.36, s.d. 0.06, P < 0.001). The amine levels in healthy controls was lower (0.29, s.d. 0.07) and remained at a similar, stable level. Conclusions  The ninhydrin method of detecting salivary amines may be one of the methods of diagnosing halitosis, because salivary amine levels significantly correlated with VSC levels measured by halimeter and organoleptic scores. This method may also be used to evaluate treatment efficacy.

Pets (dogs, cats) owned in childhood or at present may transmit bacteria that cause halitosis.

Dental caries is an infectious disease which remains a significant health problem all over the world. The purpose of the study was to characterise a collection of 60 clinical isolates of S. mutans from adults’ and children’s dental plaque (natural biofilm). The paper describes the process of isolation, identification, analysis of biofilm formation and collection testing for the presence of 13 two-component systems (TCS) identified earlier in reference strain ATCC 700610 (UA159). In the case of S. mutans strains, plaque formation is specifically influenced by binary systems. All isolated strains of S. mutans form biofilm at high levels and possess a set of 26 genes forming TSC binary systems, which have an important role in plaque formation.