The aims of this study were to compare nitric oxide (NO) levels in stimulated whole saliva from individuals with and without generalized chronic periodontitis (GCP), and to evaluate correlations between these levels with a clinical diagnostic parameter. According to specific criteria, 30 individuals were divided into three groups: one comprising individuals without periodontitis (GC), a second comprising individuals with moderate GCP (GM), and a third comprising individuals with advanced GCP (GA). Samples were collected and NO levels measured. NO in the GCP group (GM: 7.78 µM; GA: 15.79 µM) was higher than in the GC group (5.86 µM). NO levels in the GA group were significantly higher (P < 0.0001) than in the GC group, and could also differentiate (P < 0.0001) the moderate and advanced forms of the disease.

No abstract

Healing is a specific biological process related to the general phenomenon of growth and tissue regeneration and is a process generally affected by several systemic conditions or as detrimental side-effects of chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-induced inflammation of the oral mucosa. The objectives of this study is to evaluate the novel chitosan based functional drug delivery systems, which can be successfully incorporated into “dual action bioactive restorative materials”, capable of inducing in vitro improved wound healing prototype and containing an antibiotic, such as nystatin, krill oil as an antioxidant and hydroxyapatite as a molecular bone scaffold, which is naturally present in bone and is reported to be successfully used in promoting bone integration when implanted as well as promoting healing. The hydrogels were prepared using a protocol as previously reported by us. The physico-chemical features, including surface morphology (SEM), release behaviors, stability of the therapeutic agent-antioxidant-chitosan, were measured and compared to the earlier reported chitosan-antioxidant containing hydrogels. Structural investigations of the reactive surface of the hydrogel are reported. Release of nystatin was investigated for all newly prepared hydrogels. Bio-adhesive studies were performed in order to assess the suitability of these designer materials. Free radical defense capacity of the biomaterials was evaluated using established in vitro model. The bio-adhesive capacity of the materials in the in vitro system was tested and quantified. It was found that the favorable synergistic effect of free radical built-in defense mechanism of the new functional materials increased sustainable bio-adhesion and therefore acted as a functional multi-dimensional restorative material with potential application in wound healing in vitro.

Background: Enamel etching for brackets is usually done with phosphoric acid. Er:YAG lasers have been recently used for this purpose with conflicting results. The effects of lasers on tooth demineralization and the effects of different combinations of laser treatments and bonding agents were evaluated in this study. Methods: The enamel contents of fluorine, calcium oxide and phosphorus pentoxide (P 2 O 5 ) were analysed using acid etching, laser treatment or both. The tensile bond strength of metallic and ceramic brackets using Transbond Ò XT and Fuji Ortho Ò LC were also tested, using acid etching, laser treatment or a combination of both. Results: All treatments reduced the contents of fluorine, P 2 O 5 and calcium oxide, and acid reduced P 2 O 5 levels more than laser. The bond strength with laser was weaker than with acid, and stronger when combining both. When using laser, the best adhesive was the Fuji Ortho Ò LC. The combination of laser and acid produced the best results when using Transbond

In this work, Bioactive-functionalized interpenetrating network (IPNs) hydrogel (BIOF-INPs) were prepared and investigated in vitro for the free radical detection/defense, therapeutic release as well as shear bond strength to dentine, ability to re-mineralize surface of the dentin after application of these bio-inspired materials using a biologically inspired mineralization process in vitro as well as investigating antimicrobial properties of the BIOF-INPs against S. aureous. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the suitability and flexibility of the designer materials to act as an "in vitro" probe to gain insights into molecular origin of TMD and associated disorders.