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Biomedical subjects

Domenick T Zero

Publications and source records attributed to Domenick T Zero.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Dentifrices, mouthwashes, and remineralization/caries arrestment strategies.

While our knowledge of the dental caries process and its prevention has greatly advanced over the past fifty years, it is fair to state that the management of this disease at the level of the individual patient remains largely empirical. Recommendations for fluoride use by patients at different levels of caries risk are mainly based on the adage that more is better. There is a general understanding that the fluoride compound, concentration, frequency of use, duration of exposure, and method of delivery can influence fluoride efficacy. Two important factors are (1) the initial interaction of relatively high concentrations of fluoride with the tooth surface and plaque during application and (2) the retention of fluoride in oral fluids after application. Fluoride dentifrices remain the most widely used method of delivering topical fluoride. The efficacy of this approach in preventing dental caries is beyond dispute. However, the vast majority of currently marketed dentifrice products have not been clinically tested and have met only the minimal requirements of the FDA monograph using mainly laboratory testing and animal caries testing. Daily use of fluoride dental rinses as an adjunct to fluoride dentifrice has been shown to be clinically effective as has biweekly use of higher concentration fluoride rinses. The use of remineralizing agents (other than fluoride), directed at reversing or arresting non-cavitated lesions, remains a promising yet largely unproven strategy. High fluoride concentration compounds, e.g., AgF, Ag(NH3)2F, to arrest more advanced carious lesions with and without prior removal of carious tissue are being used in several countries as part of the Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) approach. Most of the recent innovations in oral care products have been directed toward making cosmetic marketing claims. There continues to be a need for innovation and collaboration with other scientific disciplines to fully understand and prevent dental caries.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Biological factors.

Biological factors such as saliva, acquired dental pellicle, tooth structure and positioning in relation to soft tissues and tongue are related to dental erosion development. Saliva has been shown to be the most important biological factor in the prevention of dental erosion. It starts acting even before the acid attack, with the increase of the salivary flow rate as a response to the acidic stimuli. This creates a favorable scenario, increasing the buffering system of saliva and effectively diluting and clearing acids on dental surfaces during the erosive challenge. Saliva plays a role in the formation of the acquired dental pellicle, which acts as a perm-selective membrane preventing contact of the acid with the tooth surfaces. The protective level of the pellicle seems to be regulated by its composition, thickness and maturation time. Due to its mineral content, saliva can also prevent demineralization as well as enhance remineralization. However, these preventive and reparative factors of saliva may not be enough against highly erosive challenges, leading to erosion development. The progress rate of erosion can be significantly influenced by the type of dental substrate, occurrence of mechanical and chemical attacks, fluoride exposure, and also by contact with the oral soft tissues and tongue.

Biology↗
PubMed2006

Diagnostic tools for early caries detection.

BACKGROUND: Management of dental caries demands early detection of carious lesions. This article provides an overview of the state-of-the-art methodologies for the detection and assessment of early carious lesions. TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED: The authors reviewed MEDLINE for available literature on new caries detection methodology and tools, using terms such as "early caries detection," "fluorescence" and "transillumination." Their review was not a systematic review of the literature. They included in their review in vitro, in situ, in vivo and clinical studies, as well as position papers, editorials and consensus conferences statements published in English. RESULTS: Each early caries detection tool has advantages and disadvantages; some perform better on certain surfaces than others. Therefore, their performance threshold and the operator's influence on performance must be considered. Not all methods accurately detect early lesions, and false positives and false negatives may occur. Detecting early lesions in combination with assessing activity status is essential for establishing the prognosis and threshold required for preventive intervention. Clinically useful tools to help make such decisions are under development. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Early caries detection methods should be an adjunct to clinical decision making, supporting preventive treatment planning in conjunction with caries risk assessment but not justifying premature restorative intervention.

Dental Caries↗
PubMed2006

Assessing patients' caries risk.

BACKGROUND: Caries management historically has focused on the removal of cavitated carious tissue and restoration of the tooth. OVERVIEW: Assessing a patient's risk of developing caries is a vital component of caries management. A comprehensive caries assessment should consider factors such as past and current caries experience, diet, fluoride exposure, presence of cariogenic bacteria, salivary status, general medical history, behavioral and physical factors, and medical and demographic characteristics that may affect caries development. A caries risk assessment also should consider factors that may challenge the patient's ability to maintain good oral hygiene (for example, crowded dentition, deep fissures, wide open restorative margins or placement of oral appliances). CONCLUSIONS: and Practical Implications. The authors review the importance of caries risk assessment as a prerequisite for appropriate preventive and treatment intervention decisions and provide some practical information on how general practitioners can incorporate caries risk assessment into the management of caries.

Cariostatic Agents↗
PubMed2006

Ability of quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) to assess the activity of white spot lesions during dehydration.

PURPOSE: To determine the ability of QLF to assess the activity of white spots using visual examination (VE) as the gold standard. METHODS: Thirty-four specimens were prepared from extracted human permanent posterior teeth presenting natural white spots on the approximal surface. Fluorescence images were acquired at 1-second intervals for the first 10 seconds and every 5 seconds thereafter to 45 seconds. During image acquisition, specimens were dehydrated with compressed air. QLF variables of fluorescence loss (deltaF [%]), lesion size (S [mm2]), and deltaQ (deltaFxS [% x mm2]), were determined. Change in QLF variables per second (deltaQLF(D): deltaF(D), deltaS(D), deltaQ(D)) was determined using the following equation: (subsequent QLF-variables--baseline QLF-variables)/dehydration time. Five experienced dentists independently conducted VE under standardized conditions using a dental unit's light, compressed air, with an explorer, used only to check surface structure. Prior to VE, examiners had participated in a half-day training seminar on VE. After drying the specimens, examiners graded the lesions according to dullness of surface, roughness and presence of microcavitation. Agreement by at least three of them determined the activity status of lesions. RESULTS: deltaQLF(D) values of Active white spot group (n = 7) were compared with those of Inactive white spot group (n = 27) using a two-sample t-test. In general, the active group presented larger values of deltaQLF(D) than the inactive group; however, there were no differences in deltaF(D) and deltaS(D). There were significant differences in deltaQ(D) up to 6 seconds of dehydration (P < 0.05), and no differences after 7 seconds. The results suggest that deltaQ(D) can differentiate between active and inactive white spot lesions using QLF during the first few seconds of dehydration.

Air↗
PubMed2005

Fluoride concentration of bottled water, tap water, and fluoridated salt from two communities in Mexico.

AIM: To determine fluoride levels in bottled water, tap water, and fluoridated salt from two communities in Mexico. DESIGN: Stratified random collection of water and salt samples from Mexico City and Veracruz, Mexico for fluoride analysis. METHODS: Samples were analysed using a combination fluoride ion-specific electrode. Results were compared using Student's t-test and mixed-model ANOVA. Water fluoride values were compared by type, community and collection area; salt fluoride values were compared by community and collection area. RESULTS: 197 tap water samples, 133 bottled water samples and 20 fluoridated salt samples were collected. The mean (+/- SD) fluoride content for all tap water was 0.20 +/- 0.17 microg F/g (ranging from 0.01 to 0.88 microg F/g) and 0.24 +/- 0.24 microg F/g for all bottled water (ranging from 0.01 to 2.80 microg F/g). This difference was not statistically significant. When results were analysed by city, the difference between tap water samples was statistically significant. Ten bottled water samples contained more than negligible fluoride (ranging from 0.7-2.8 microg F/g). Mean salt fluoride content was 230.0 +/- 49.8 microg F/g, which was within governmental regulation levels. CONCLUSION: Some water samples had amounts of fluoride exceeding the maximum recommended levels. Salt fluoride levels were within regulation limits. Monitoring of fluoride content of both bottled and tap water is strongly advised.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2005

Erosion--chemical and biological factors of importance to the dental practitioner.

The intrinsic and extrinsic aetiology factors responsible for dental erosion are well understood as are the chemical events leading the initial mineral dissolution, softening and eventual loss of the dental surface. Of greatest importance are the pH, titratable acidity, phosphate and calcium concentration, fluoride content of the erosive challenge which determines the degree of saturation with respect to the tooth mineral, and thus the driving force for its dissolution. Of the biological modifying factors affecting the erosion process, the protective properties of saliva and its contribution to pellicle formation are considered of greatest importance. Unstimulated salivary flow rate and buffering capacity have been directly associated with dental erosion. The acquired pellicle has been shown to have a protective effect against acid erosion by acting as a diffusion barrier. There is considerable overlap between the aetiology of dental erosion and that of dentinal hypersensitivity. Patient education on the causes and prevention of dental erosion are essential to prevent progression. In addition to reducing or eliminating exposure to acidic soft drinks and juices, modified acid beverages with reduced potential to cause erosion can be recommended to patients. Frequent application of high concentration topical fluoride may be of some benefit in preventing further demineralisation and increase the abrasion resistance of erosion lesions.

Calcium↗
PubMed2003

Partial-mouth assessment of periodontal disease in an adult population of the United States.

BACKGROUND: It has been previously demonstrated, using periodontal data from an untreated population, that half-mouth assessment of six sites/tooth provides an appropriate alternative to whole-mouth assessment of periodontal disease status. Since periodontal destruction exhibits left-right symmetry, it was hypothesized that this would be equally applicable to a population with access to routine dental care. METHODS: Adult subjects (N = 92) with a range of disease levels participated in the study. Probing depths (PDs) and recession (REC) were measured directly on six sites/tooth, on all teeth (excluding third molars), and clinical attachment levels (CALs) were derived. Partial-mouth assessments, i.e., assessment of limited sites and/or teeth, were compared with whole-mouth assessment as follows. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated for mean PD, CAL, and REC, and for percentage of sites with disease above a specified threshold, to determine the agreement between the whole- and partial-mouth assessment. The sensitivity of partial-mouth assessment of disease prevalence also was determined. RESULTS: For assessment of six sites per tooth in one upper and one lower quadrant, ICCs were consistently >0.80. Assessment of two sites per tooth or only Ramfjord teeth generally underestimated disease extent and severity, and prevalence, compared to half-mouth assessment. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the use of a half-mouth examination of six sites/tooth, to conserve time, limit cost, and reduce patient and examiner fatigue, while providing maximal clinical information. Assessment of only two sites per tooth or the Ramfjord teeth was not suitable for evaluation of either disease extent and severity or prevalence.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of imaging geometry on evaluating natural white-spot lesions using quantitative light-induced fluorescence.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of imaging geometry on evaluating natural white-spot lesions with quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF). A total of 34 specimens were prepared from extracted human premolars and permanent molars with white spots on the interproximal surface. The specimens were each adjusted to a final thickness of 3.0 mm. Images were acquired with the QLF system perpendicular to the white spots and at 5 degrees intervals up to 30 degrees above and below the perpendicular. The specimens were rotated around the buccolingual axis of the tooth (pitch angle) and around the long axis of the tooth (roll angle). The averages of fluorescence loss (DeltaF, %) and lesion size (mm2) were determined with QLF. Another variable, DeltaQ, which was defined as the fluorescence loss integrated over the lesion size (% x mm2), was also calculated. DeltaF was smaller when lesions were viewed from the cervical direction (angles less than 90 degrees ), and became bigger when viewed from the coronal direction. Roll angle did not significantly affect DeltaF. Apparent lesion size diminished with deviations from 90 degrees in both directions for pitch and roll angles. DeltaQ was affected by pitch and roll angles with the largest value at 90 degrees and values decreasing in both directions from 90 degrees. In general, there were significant differences for angles larger than 20 degrees from the perpendicular for all three QLF variables. This study suggests that angle is an important factor to control when performing QLF studies; however, small changes (deviations within 20 degrees ) have a minimal effect on QLF variables.

Analysis of Variance↗