Medical information

  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

  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

  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