Aim: To evaluate the intervention effect of omega-3 fatty acids on changes in periodontal parameters.Materials and Methods: This meta-analysis included studies published in English language between 2010 and 2020, which were extracted from the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and PubMed databases. The effects of omega-3 fatty acid intervention were investigated using the amount of omega-3 intake, periodontal pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), and bleeding on probing (BOP). The randomeffects model was generated for data analysis. To obtain robustness of the model, sensitivity analysis was implemented. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the intervention period for each parameter. Results: All 13 studies included in the meta-analysis were interventional, randomized controlled trials. Two studies implemented omega-3 fatty acid-rich diets, while 11 studies used supplements. Risk of bias was low, and publication bias was not shown. Meta-analysis showed a statistically significant PPD reduction (standardized mean difference [SMD] = À0.81, absolute mean difference [MD] = À0.44 mm), CAL gain (SMD = À0.77, MD = À0.51 mm), and BOP reduction (SMD = À0.65, MD = À9.45%) for the omega-3 fatty acid intervention overall. Conclusion:This study suggests that supplemental or dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids for the treatment of periodontitis may have a positive impact on the disease.

Background: The aim of the study was to study how the presence or the type of the orthodontic brackets influence the time measurement and accuracy of impressions using a digital oral scanner. Methods: The same models were divided into the control group (the model without a bracket), MB group (the model with a metal bracket), and CB group (the model with a monocrystalline bracket). Subsequently, scanning was conducted five times for each model using the Trios Pod 2®. Simultaneously, the duration for taking the digital impression was measured. The degree of accuracy was compared among the three groups. Results: As compared with the control group, scanning took 53.3 s longer in the MB group and 194.23 s longer in the CB group. In the canine and the first molar, the mean values of errors were compared between the left and right sides; in both the canine and the first molar, errors between the control group and the CB group were the greatest. Conclusions: Following a comparison of the duration and accuracy of the impressions between the three groups, our results suggest that its degree was the highest in the CB group where a monocrystalline bracket was attached.

Objectives: With the surge in the elderly population, a growing interest in the prevention and treatment of geriatric diseases has been observed, along with awareness of the severity of problems associated with dementia, a cognitive impairment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between chewing ability and cognitive function among elderly people residing in a rural area. Methods: A total of 162 elderly individuals, aged between 65 and 97 years, were surveyed. Trained examiners conducted interviews and assessments of chewing ability, on the basis of the number of remaining teeth, denture status, masticatory performance evaluating gum, ShadeEye-NCC measuring overall change in color of the gum (ΔE), and T-Scan ® III analyzing distribution of occlusion patterns. Cognitive function was assessed using the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination-Dementia Screening (MMSE-DS) tool. Results: Participants with a low score in the MMSE-DS were found to have distinguishably lower denture need, smaller number of remaining teeth, and lesser color change in the masticatory performance evaluating gum. In the cognitive impairment group, a tendency of having unilateral and anterior occlusion led to occlusal discomfort and chewing difficulties. Conclusions:The study highlights important associations between chewing ability and cognitive function. The finding corroborates that tooth loss may be a predictive risk factor for cognitive impairment.

Objectives: Loneliness was associated with not only social status but also general health. Psychological conditions in older people have negative effects on general health and oral health. The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between loneliness and subjective chewing discomfort in the elderly. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed the Korean Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (KSHAP) for the questionnaire, UCLA loneliness scale data of 1,511 older adults living in a rural community. Logistic regression was conducted to identify the relevance of subjective chewing discomfort in the elderly according to the level of loneliness. Results: According to the final model that after adjustment for other risk factors (age, gender, level of education, smoking, drinking, etc.), in the elderly who rarely feel loneliness group compared to the elderly who never feel loneliness was Odds ratio (OR) 1.256 (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.99-1.60) and sometimes+often feel loneliness was OR 2.110 (95% CI: 1.39-3.21). Conclusions: Loneliness is associated with subjective chewing discomfort in the elderly. Older people feeling loneliness are likely to have more subjective chewing discomfort.