Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the salivary calcium level and its correlation with salivary pH, salivary volume, and calcium intake in hypertensive female patients with different blood sugar levels. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 49 female subjects with hypertension. Subjects were divided into three groups based on the HbA1c test: normal, prediabetes, and diabetes. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected using the spitting method. Salivary calcium levels were evaluated using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Salivary pH was obtained using a universal indicator pH paper test. Calcium intake was assessed by a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The Kruskal–Wallis test was used to compare salivary parameters and total calcium intake within study groups. Spearman rank correlation and multiple regression analysis were used to evaluate the correlation between salivary calcium levels and all variables in the study. Results: No significant difference in salivary calcium, volume, pH, and total calcium intake was observed within the study groups. However, a significant correlation was found between salivary calcium levels and salivary pH in hypertensive females with normal blood glucose levels. Moreover, salivary calcium levels have a significant correlation with systolic blood pressure in prediabetes and diabetes groups. Conclusions: This study found a decrease in all salivary parameters (calcium, pH, and volume) as well as a low calcium intake in hypertensive females, despite no significant difference found in groups with different blood glucose levels. Blood glucose levels appeared to be a confounder in the relationship between salivary calcium with salivary pH and systolic blood pressure.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess how dietary practices impact gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients in Haryana state, India, from the perspective of either preventing or promoting dental erosion. Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to find a correlation between the presence of dental erosion and dietary practices among patients with GERD. The secondary objective of this study was to assess the correlation between GERD patients’ dietary practices and dental erosion severity. Materials and Methods: Three hundred and thirty study participants, who’ve been 18 years of age or older with the diagnosis of GERD for at least six months or more were included. Evaluation of dental erosion was performed with basic erosive wear examination (BEWE) index. On age, gender, medical history, medication history, and dietary habits, a pretested structured questionnaire was used. Statistical analysis software SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) variant 20.0 was used to conduct the statistical analysis. Analytic statistics and descriptive statistics were used in the data analysis. Results: Dental erosion was present in 84.8% of the study participants. The majority of study participants, 122 (37%), had no risk of dental erosion. The occurrence of dental erosion was shown to be substantially adversely associated to the intake of acidic meals and soft drinks in the present investigation (odds ratio [OR] = 0.5, P < 0.05). There has not been any proven link between the severity of dental erosion and the frequency of consuming acidic meals, fruit juice, and soft drinks. Milk consumption frequency and dental erosion severity were observed to be considerably inversely associated (r = –0.1, P = 0.001). Conclusion: Patients with GERD frequently experienced dental erosion. One probable risk factor for the development of erosive dental lesions can be considered GERD. Most of the patients had dental erosion with a low degree of severity. When dental erosion occurs, the mineral quantity that dissolves from enamel is influenced by several factors, including the buffering action of the acids, pH, and duration of exposure. Whereas if the food and drinks contain adequate amounts of fluoride, calcium, and phosphate, the dissolution can be prevented. The intake of fruit juice, acidic foods, as well as soft drinks was not consumed to be a risk factor in the current study for directly causing or for promoting the severity of dental erosion since they were consumed less frequently. A higher frequency of milk ingestion was found to reduce the severity of dental erosion. Regular milk consumption could be regarded as an alternative dietary practice to stop dental erosion. As dental erosion is a complex condition, it’s essential to have an early diagnosis and implement the proper preventive measures. It is vital to inform people about dental erosion and how it is interrelated to GERD and dietary practices.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess and compare the coronal microleakage of e-Temp (DiaDent, Korea), intermediate restorative material (IRM) (Dentsply, Sirona), and Systemp Inlay (Ivoclar Vivadent, Germany) temporary restorative materials used to seal the class I cavity preparations. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro experimental study, three temporary restorative materials were assessed for microleakage. A standardized class I access cavities (2 mm × 4 mm) were prepared in 30 freshly extracted intact human premolar teeth. Teeth were then divided randomly into three groups consisting of 10 samples each. Teeth were restored with e-Temp (n = 10), IRM (n = 10), and Systemp Inlay (n = 10), temporary restorations, and subjected to thermocycling 5000 times in a cold bath followed by a temperature of 55°C with a dwell time of 30 seconds. Teeth were painted with two layers of nail polish except for 1 mm around the restoration margin, soaked in 1% methylene blue dye solution (pH 7.4), and kept for 24 h. Sticky wax was used to seal the apical foramina. All the teeth were sectioned mesiodistally, and the specimens were examined for the amount of dye penetration (microleakage) through the restoration using Digital Microscope under 50× magnification. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Mann–Whitney U, and Kruskal–Wallis tests. Results: e-Temp showed 1 (10%) specimen with dye penetration up to 1 mm (Score 1). The specimens restored with IRM showed a 1 (10%) and 9 (90%) of scores for 1 and 3 dye penetration. However, 2 (20%) teeth restored with Systemp Inlay showed a dye penetration up to 3 mm or more (Score 3). A comparison of mean microleakage values of e-Temp (0.03 ± 0.10), IRM (2.69 ± 0.77), and Systemp Inlay (0.78 ± 1.64) showed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). IRM specimens showed significantly higher microleakage values than e-Temp and Systemp Inlay specimens (P < 0.05). Conclusion: All the temporary restorative materials tested in this in vitro experiment showed a certain extent of microleakage. The temporary restorative material e-Temp showed the least microleakage values followed by Systemp Inlay and IRM.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial activity of ethanol-extracts obtained from Ocimum gratissimum L. (clove or African basil, Lamiaceae) and O. santum L. (holy basil) against some microorganisms present in oral cavity related to either medical or dental disease. Materials and Methods: Antimicrobial properties of both ethanol-extracts of Ocimum species against Streptococcus mutans KPSK2, S. pyogenes ATCC 19615, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 16794, and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 were primarily determined by agar disk diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal or fungicidal concentration (MBC or MFC) of these herbal extracts were further determined by broth micro-dilution method. Results: Ethanol-extracts of O. sanctum L. and O. gratissimum L. inhibited the growth of all tested microorganisms in various degrees ranging from the strongest antimicrobial activity of O. sanctum against S. pyogenes [MIC at 0.19% (w/v); MBC at 0.78% (w/v)] to the least inhibitory activity of O. gratissimum against C. albicans [MIC at 12.5% (w/v); undetectable MFC]. The ethanol-extract of O. sanctum showed stronger antimicrobial property against the tested bacteria and fungus than O. gratissimum. The ethanol-extracts of both Ocimum species showed stronger antibacterial than antifungal activity. However, the ethanol-extract of O. gratissimum even at a high concentration of 50% (w/v) was unable to eliminate the tested fungus. Conclusion: Ethanol-extracts of Ocimum species contain effective antibacterial and antifungal properties that may be beneficial for further development of antimicrobial agents in medical and dental fields.

Objectives: The relationship between type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and periodontal disease may exhibit by the alteration of bone metabolism. However, evidence for this relationship is scarce and inconclusive. Thus, the aims of the present study were to investigate salivary receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-β (RANK), receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-β ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG) gene expression and the RANKL:OPG ratio in T1DM and non-T1DM. Secondary objective was to determine the relationships of RANK, RANKL and OPG gene expression to clinical parameters of T1DM and periodontal disease. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients with T1DM and twenty age-matched non-T1DM were recruited. Clinical periodontal parameters were measured. Total RNA was isolated from non-stimulated saliva, and the relative gene expressions of RANK, RANKL, OPG and RANKL:OPG ratio were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: The T1DM group had significantly higher mean periodontal parameters than the non-T1DM group, while the mean plaque scores of both groups were not significantly different. There was a trend of higher relative gene expression of RANK, RANKL, and the RANKL:OPG ratio and lower expression of OPG in T1DM group but no statistic significant different when compared to non-T1DM. In the T1DM group, RANKL:OPG correlated with the percentage of bleeding sites, whereas RANK, RANKL, and HbA1c levels correlated with pocket depth. Conclusions: Bone metabolisms demonstrating by decreased OPG gene expression and upregulated of RANK, RANKL, RANKL:OPG with higher pocket depth and bleeding in T1DM may play an important role in periodontal destruction in T1DM.

Objective: This study aimed to identify combinations of chronic conditions associated with the presence and severity of periodontal disease (PD) after accounting for a series of demographic and behavioral characteristics in a nationally representative sample of US adults. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of the 2013–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n = 4555). Outcome measure: PD using clinical attachment loss (measured as none, mild, moderate, or severe). The main independent variables were self-reported chronic conditions, while other covariates included demographic and behavioral variables. Classification and regression tree analysis was used to identify combinations of specific chronic conditions associated with PD and PD with higher severity. Random forest was used to identify the most important variables associated with the presence and severity of PD. Results: The prevalence of PD was 77% among the study population. The percentage of those with PD was higher among younger and middle-aged (< 61 years old) than older (> 61 years old) adults. Age and education level were the two most important predictors for the presence and severity of PD. Other significant factors included alcohol use, type of medical insurance, sex, and non-white race. Accounting for only chronic conditions, hypertension and diabetes were the two chronic conditions associated with the presence and severity of PD. Conclusions: Sociodemographic and behavioral factors emerged as more strongly associated with the presence and severity of PD than chronic conditions. Accounting for the co-occurrence for sociodemographic and behavioral factors will be informative for identifying people vulnerable to the development of PD.

Aims and objective: This study aimed to compare the effect of the addition of light-cured fibre SES mesh at different levels (near the polished surface, at the middle, and near the tissue surface) within different acrylic resin denture base materials on the transverse strength and the surface hardness. Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty samples were prepared from three types of acrylic resin denture base materials (high impact heat cured, cross-linked heat cured, and microwaved cured acrylic resins) to test the transverse strength and surface hardness. The samples were divided into four groups: Group1(samples without fibre reinforcement, Control group, n = 30); Group 2 (samples reinforced using SES mesh network near the tissue surface of the acrylic resin sample, n = 30); Group 3 (samples reinforced using SES mesh network near to the polished surface of the acrylic resin sample, n = 30); Group 4 (samples reinforced using SES mesh reinforced network at the middle of the acrylic resin sample, n = 30). The data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test at a 0.05 level of significance (SPSS software, version 19.0). Results: One-way ANOVA showed a significant difference in the mean values of transverse strength between all levels of fibre mesh applications and without fibre mesh reinforcement (P < 0.05). Tukey’s post hoc test showed that mesh-reinforced fibre in Group 4 had the highest mean value, while the control group showed the lowest mean value. One-way ANOVA showed a significant difference in the mean surface hardness values between cross-linked heat-cured and microwave-cured acrylic resins (P< 0.05). There was no significant difference in the mean surface hardness values between all levels of fibre mesh applications and without fibre mesh reinforcement for high-impact heat-cured acrylic resin (P ˃ 0.05). Conclusions: SES-reinforced glass fibre mesh at different levels significantly increased the transverse strength for different acrylic resin materials but had less effect on the surface hardness for all types of acrylic resin materials.

Objectives: This study evaluated the surface roughness, surface hardness, and elastic modulus of CAD-CAM (Computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing) milled, three-dimensional printed and conventional compression-moulded denture base resins. Materials and Methods: Thirty specimens (65*10*3 mm) were fabricated and divided into 3 groups (10 for each group) according to the type of denture base resin, Group I contained specimens of milled denture base resin, Group II contained specimens of 3-dimensional printed denture base resin, Group III contained specimens of polymethyl methacrylate heat cured denture base resin. The surface roughness of all specimens was evaluated using an atomic force microscope. Then by using the three-point bending test, the elastic modulus of the 30 specimens was evaluated. Finally, after fracturing the specimens from the bending test, the fractured specimens of the 3 groups were used to evaluate hardness using the Vickers hardness test. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s pair-wise post hoc tests. Results: There were significant differences between the tested groups (P< 0.05). The milled denture base resins showed the lowest surface roughness (27.46 ± 5.45 nm) when compared with printed (47 ± 7.01 nm) and conventional (39.72 ± 4.72 nm) denture base resins (P< 0.05); however, there was a significant increase in elastic modulus and hardness of milled (3240.06 ± 61.23 MPa and 29.18 ± 3.44 Vickers hardness number) and conventional (3017.16 ± 215.32 MPa and 22.44 ± 0.98 Vickers hardness number) denture base resins when compared with printed denture (576.65 ± 37.73 MPa and 2.64 ± 0.37 Vickers hardness number) base resins (P< 0.05). Conclusions: Milled denture base resins showed the lowest surface roughness, and highest hardness and elastic modulus among the three groups.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on access to oral health information of Peruvian children. Materials and Methods: The Demographic and Family Health Survey generates annually a national database of Peruvian children between 0 and 11 years old, which is collected through direct interviews applied in the homes of residents of the country. A cross-sectional study was applied with this information collected during 2019 and 2020, with a final sample of 39 124 subjects, 15 974 from the year 2019 (62.03%) and 7088 from the year 2020 (55.54%). The dependent variable was access to oral health information and the independent variable was year; in addition, there were considered sociodemographic and geographical covariates. Finally, there were executed descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses. Results: Access to oral health information was 59.85% (n = 23 062). For the bivariate analysis, the dependent variable showed association with year, natural region, sex, altitude, health insurance coverage, area, place of residence and wealth index. During multivariate analysis, year manifested a negative association with access to oral health information (aPR: 0.89; 95%CI: 0.85–0.92; P < 0.001), adjusted for co-variables that previously manifested association. Conclusion: Access to oral health information for Peruvian children had a negative impact during 2020, in which COVID-19 pandemic occurred.