CHX displayed persistence at the titanium surface. The adsorption level and bacterial growth inhibition were affected by CHX concentration and titanium surface characteristics, with higher levels of adsorption and antibacterial activity with 0.2% CHX and rough titanium surface. The slow CHX release rate suggests persistence of this agent at the titanium-pellicle surface, which can provide a long-term antiplaque effect.

Objectives: To examine the ability of a removable thermoplastic appliance (RTA) to adsorb hygienic solutions and inhibit bacterial growth and to examine the efficacy of three hygiene protocols in reducing bacterial biofilm adherence to RTA. Materials and Methods: Solution adsorption and bacterial growth inhibition were examined in vitro using paper vs RTA discs. Subsequently, 11 patients treated with RTA (mean age, 29.1 6 4.7 years) were assigned into a sequence of three hygiene protocols: regular RTA brushing (baseline), immersion RTAs in chlorhexidine mouthwash (CHX), and using a vibrating bath with cleaning solution (VBC). For each patient, 12 upper RTAs were examined (2 baseline RTAs, 5 CHX RTAs, and 5 VBC RTAs), for a total of 132 RTAs. All RTAs were stained with gentian violet, and biofilm presence was measured using a photodensitometer. Results: The RTA discs did not adsorb CHX or cleaning solution. The later agent did not show antibacterial features. Baseline RTAs showed significant biofilm adherence (P , .001) on the posterior palatal side of the aligner and on the anterior incisal edge. CHX and VBC hygienic protocols significantly (P , .001) reduced baseline biofilm adherence by 16% and 50%, respectively. Hygienic improvement was maintained over 140 days when CHX and VBC were used. However, VBC was three times more efficient than CHX. Conclusions: This study highly recommends the use of a VBC protocol. Biofilm deposits on the RTA, especially on incisal edges and attachment dimples, could lead to inadequate tooth/RTA and attachment/RTA overlap and consequently impair tooth alignment. (Angle Orthod. 2014;84:161-170.)

The main purpose of the study was to examine the anti-malodor properties of oxidizing lozenges, as compared to breath mints and chewing gum. Healthy, young adult volunteers (N = 123; mean age 24.5 years) were measured for oral malodor-related parameters (whole mouth odor measured by 2 judges; tongue dorsum posterior odor using the spoon test; volatile sulphide levels; salivary levels of cadaverine and putrescine; and 2 versions of an oral rinse test) on the first afternoon of the study. They were then assigned randomly to one of 6 groups (2 brands of breath mints, chewing gum with no active ingredients, regular and full-strength oxidizing lozenges, and a no-treatment control), and instructed to employ the treatment before bedtime, the next morning, and in the early afternoon 3 hours prior to measurements, which were carried out 24 hours following baseline measurements. Volunteers also estimated the level of their own whole mouth and tongue odors at baseline and post-treatment. The data showed that, among treatments, only the full-strength oxidizing lozenge significantly reduced tongue dorsum malodor, as determined by the spoon test. The full-strength lozenge also yielded a significant increase in the modified oral rinse test, presumably due, at least in part, to residual oxidizing activity retained in the oral cavity. Self-estimations of whole mouth and tongue malodor by volunteers were significantly correlated with corresponding-judge assessments, suggesting some degree of objectivity in assessing one's own oral malodor.

Deglycosylation of oral mucins may be a critical initial step leading to their subsequent proteolysis and putrefaction. The present study was undertaken to determine whether activity in saliva of a major glycosidic enzyme (beta-galactosidase) is associated with oral malodor in a group of 64 subjects. Enzyme activity was detected by the use of a chromogenic substrate (X-Gal) impregnated on paper discs. Malodor-related measurements included two odor judges' assessments of whole-mouth and tongue malodor, and volatile sulfide levels measured by a portable sulfide monitor (Interscan Corp.). Beta-galactosidase assay scores were significantly associated with both odor judges' scores for whole-mouth (p < or = 0.002; Spearman) and tongue malodor (p < or = 0.001; Spearman). Beta-galactosidase activity and sulfide monitor measurements both factored significantly into multiple regression equations for odor judge scores, yielding multiple r-values ranging from 0.47 (p = 0.0007) to 0.60 (p < 0.0001). Analysis of the data presented indicates that beta-galactosidase activity in saliva is correlated with oral malodor.

Deglycosylation of oral mucins may be a critical initial step leading to their subsequent proteolysis and putrefaction. The present study was undertaken to determine whether activity in saliva of a major glycosidic enzyme (beta-galactosidase) is associated with oral malodor in a group of 64 subjects. Enzyme activity was detected by the use of a chromogenic substrate (X-Gal) impregnated on paper discs. Malodor-related measurements included two odor judges' assessments of whole-mouth and tongue malodor, and volatile sulfide levels measured by a portable sulfide monitor (Interscan Corp.). Beta-galactosidase assay scores were significantly associated with both odor judges' scores for whole-mouth (p < or = 0.002; Spearman) and tongue malodor (p < or = 0.001; Spearman). Beta-galactosidase activity and sulfide monitor measurements both factored significantly into multiple regression equations for odor judge scores, yielding multiple r-values ranging from 0.47 (p = 0.0007) to 0.60 (p < 0.0001). Analysis of the data presented indicates that beta-galactosidase activity in saliva is correlated with oral malodor.