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Effects of Bisphenol A Released From Composite Fillings on Reproductive Hormone Levels in Men

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  TAKE-HOME MESSAGE Although pure BPA is not found in dental products, it may be present in an impure form or through degradation of BISDMA. A concern with BPA is potential endocrine disruption with estrogenic and anti-androgenic effects. This study took saliva and blood samples from 18 men before two composite restorations and 1, 3, and 5 weeks after the restorations were placed. BPA was found in serum and saliva, but it was determined that the released levels were below toxic doses, and no statistically significant correlation was found between BPA levels and hormone levels. BPA from composite resin did not significantly alter serum hormone levels. This study provides further evidence of the safety of composite resins. –   James Boynton, DDS, MS OBJECTIVES Composite resins are the most preferred filling material because of their excellent aesthetic qualities. However, a filling material should also be biocompatible as well as aesthetic. The aim of this study was to determine the seru
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Topical Oral Vitamin D Gel Ameliorates Radiation-Induced Oral Mucositis

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  TAKE-HOME MESSAGE In this randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of topical oral vitamin D gel in the prevention of radiation-induced oral mucositis (RIOM), participants in group 1 received conventional treatment, those in group 2 received topical oral vitamin D gel, and those in group 3 received both oral vitamin D gel and conventional treatment. After 6 weeks of radiation therapy (RT), 33.3% of patients in group 1 manifested high-grade severity on the WHO oral mucositis scale, while patients in groups 2 and 3 had low-grade severity or complete remission. After 6 weeks of RT, there was a statistically significant difference in pain scores between group 1 and groups 2 and 3 (P < .05), but no significant difference in pain scores between groups 2 and 3. RIOM is the most serious non-hematological complication of radiation therapy. The authors conclude that topical oral vitamin D gel dampened oral mucositis development and reduced pain sensation during RT
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A Third Dose of the Pfizer/BioNtech Covid-19 Vaccine Appears to “Strongly” Boost Protection Against the Delta Variant

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  July 28, 2021—New York—Pfizer posted data on a third, booster dose of the Pfizer/BioNtech vaccine, to be given at least 6 months after the second dose. Antibody levels against the Delta variant in patients age 18 to 55 years who receive a third dose of vaccine are over five-fold greater than those following a second dose. Among patients age 65 to 85 years who receive a third dose, antibody levels against the Delta variant are over 11-fold higher than following a second dose. The data, which have yet to be peer-reviewed and published, cite an "estimated potential for up to 100-fold increase in Delta neutralization after vs before the third dose." Antibody levels against the original coronavirus variant and against the Beta variant, first identified in South Africa, were reported to be five to 10 times higher after a third dose than after a second dose.The tolerability profile of the third dose is consistent with that of the first two doses. Data are from the global phase 3 p
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Associations Found Between Oral Health and General Health

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  TAKE-HOME MESSAGE In this study, 9971 records from the 2015–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were assessed to determine the association between self-reported poor oral health and systemic health conditions. Substantial associations were seen with poor oral health and poor mental health, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, and other associations with physical activity/functioning, vision, hearing, genitourinary symptoms, and hepatitis. These associations continue to show a link between poor oral health and poor systemic health. Causation or the mechanisms of the associations were not determined or assessed, but the associations described in this study were clear. –   James Boynton, DDS, MS OBJECTIVE This proof of concept study uses data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to explore potential associations between oral and systemic health in a survey-wide association study (SWAS). BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN Data from n=9,971 records in t
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2020 Trends in Dental Office Visits During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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  TAKE-HOME MESSAGE In this retrospective, observational study of weekly visits to dental offices as tracked by cellular smartphone data, weekly visits averaged 34% lower for the period March to August 2020 compared with the same period in 2019. The greatest decline in weekly visits compared with 2019 occurred during the week of April 12, 2020, when there were 66% fewer visits. The average decline in weekly visits during the pandemic was 5.7% greater in counties with the highest COVID-19 incidence compared with  counties with the lowest incidence (P < .001). The average decline in weekly visits during the pandemic was 8.3% greater in counties in the middle tercile of COVID-19 incidence compared with counties in the lowest tercile of incidence (P < .001). This is the first study to directly compare the volume of dental office visits in 2019 and 2020 and to use objective data unaffected by self-reporting bias. As states exhibited widespread variation in declining visits, the author
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Umbrella Review of Risk Factors for Early Childhood Caries

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  TAKE-HOME MESSAGE This umbrella review (an analysis of systematic reviews) assessed 15 systematic reviews to assess the risk factors for early childhood caries. The authors found that enamel defects, high levels of mutans streptococci, presence of dentinal caries, increased consumption of soda, daily intake of sugary snacks, and obesity, are the highest potential risk factors for early childhood caries. Not enough evidence was found in systematic reviews to confirm a relationship with maternal smoking or breastfeeding beyond 24 months. Although unsurprising, this paper verifies what we consider to be risk factors for early childhood caries, although the inclusion of childhood obesity was based on a single systematic review (which included two studies). Intensive caries prevention in early childhood should be targeted to children at risk. –   James Boynton, DDS, MS PURPOSE The purpose of this umbrella review was to summarize and evaluate the available evidence concerning risk factors
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Comparison of Coronoidectomy With Coronoidotomy for Improving Maximum Incisal Opening in Patients With Oral Submucous Fibrosis

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  TAKE-HOME MESSAGE A randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare coronoidectomy with coronoidotomy to improve mouth opening in oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) patients. A total of 32 OSMF patients with grade III (moderately advanced with an interincisal opening between 15 and 25 mm) and grade IVa (advanced cases with 15 mm or less incisal opening) were randomized into two groups of 16 to undergo either coronoidectomy (surgical removal of the coronoid process) or coronoidotomy (surgical detachment of the coronoid process). Significant mouth opening was achieved in both groups, and the maximal incisal opening in both groups was comparable (approximately 30 mm in coronoidectomy group and 29 mm in coronoidotomy group at 1 year). The authors found a statistically significant difference in duration of surgery and volume of blood loss, with coronoidotomy requiring much less time (approximately 2 hours vs 3.5 hours) and leading to much less blood loss (approximately 90 mL vs 393 mL) c
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