Background: Probiotic bacteria is commonly used as a food supplement intended to benefit the host by improving intestinal bacterial balance. Probiotics have also been investigated from the perspective of oral health. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of daily intake of yogurt containing probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 (B. lactis) on salivary Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) counts in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. Methods: Saliva samples were collected from each subject (n = 7; mean age, 21 years) using spitting method in centrifuge tubes at baseline and two weeks after daily probiotic yogurt consumption. B. lactis BB-12 and S. mutans ATCC 25175 were cultured in BHI-broth (37°C, anaerobic conditions). After 48 hours incubation, the number of colonies on each dilution plate was used to extrapolate a standard curve. The total number of target DNA molecules were identified using Real-Time PCR followed by SYBR Green reagents and 16S rRNA gene specific primers S. mutans and B. lactis BB-12. Data were analyzed statistically using paired-sample t-tests. Results: Statistical evaluation indicated that there was a significant reduction in the presence of S. mutans before probiotic yogurt consumption, (4.73 ± 1.43) log10 CFU/mL and after two weeks of daily consumption of probiotic yogurt, (4.03 ± 0.77) log10 CFU/mL, p = 0.001. Moreover, no B. lactis was found in the saliva of any of the subjects before probiotic consumption, but after two weeks of consumption, B. lactis was found in the saliva of four subjects. Conclusions: Consuming probiotic yogurt containing B. lactis reduced the quantity of S. mutans in the saliva of subjects during fixed orthodontic treatment. Thus, the probiotic bacteria could be beneficial in improving oral health.

[ABSTRACT]   Full text not available  [PDF] [CITATIONS]

Background: Adequate biomechanical preparations, antibacterial irrigants, and intracanal medications to promote the elimination of bacteria and their products are required to succeed root canal treatment. Enterococcus faecalis with its biofilm is known as an important etiological agent in endodontic treatment failures. Chitosan, as a natural product, has an antibacterial activity and is considered less toxic to the periapical tissue than other irrigants. However, the use of this natural product needs to be examined to determine its effectiveness as a root canal irrigant in endodontic treatment; this can be done by comparing it with the most common endodontic irrigant (NaOCl 5.25%) as a positive control. Objective: The objective of the study was to compare the effectiveness between 1–3% chitosan acetate (CA) and 1–3% chitosan citrate (CC) against E. faecalis biofilm formation after treatment for 15, 30, and 60 minutes. Methods: The study was conducted using 12 groups, including 1–3% CA, 1–3% CC, and control groups. E. faecalis biofilms in 96-well plates were exposed to each sample for 15, 30, or 60 minutes. Subsequently, the biofilms were stained with crystal violet solution, and the optical density value was measured using a microtiter plate reader at a wavelength of 600 nm. Results: CA and CC were effective in eradicating E. faecalis biofilm. However, the levels of effectiveness of CC and CA depended on the concentration and application time. Three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a significant difference between the irrigants (p <0.05) and three application times (p <0.05). The CA was effective in eradicating biofilm after 15 minutes of application, whereas the CC was more effective after 30 and 60 minutes of application. Conclusion: CC and CA are both effective in eradicating E. faecalis biofilm.

[ABSTRACT]   Full text not available  [PDF] [CITATIONS]

Background: Myalgia is the most common cause of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs) pain, which has a dull and mild character. In some patients with high somatization, it can present itself as severe pain, which can complicate the treatment. Additional pharmacological treatment may thus be needed. Case Report: Two female patients came with similar symptoms but different pain intensities. The first patient had a high intensity of pain, which became severe during examination. The second patient had more complaints but showed typical symptoms of myalgia. Both received physiotherapy sessions, but for the first patient, we added analgesics to help the patient endure physiotherapy. Conclusion: Additional pharmacological treatments, especially analgesics, can be used in helping myalgia patients with high somatization to undergo physiotherapy.

[ABSTRACT]   Full text not available  [PDF]

Background: Bone graft application is a therapy that could be used to repair bone and minimize bone resorption. However, current bone graft materials carry risks for the recipient. Studies on alloplast, which can be found in fish bones and scales have been developed in the past few years. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the efficacy of hydroxyapatite powder from white barramundi (Lates calcarifer) fish scales as bone graft material in the mandibular defect regeneration of rats. Methods: This experimental laboratory study utilized 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 16 weeks as test subjects, where 12 were used for control groups and the other 12 were used as the experimental group. All were given bone defects of 3 mm on the right mandible, split into 6 groups of 4 (3 experimental and 3 control groups), and the groups were observed for 2, 4, and 6 weeks respectively. The surgery results were assessed by radiography and histopathologic analysis. Result: Radiography results showed that the highest bone growth was found in the 6 weeks treatment group with 100% growth, followed by the 4 weeks treatment group with 88.89% growth, and last was the 2 weeks treatment group with 66.67% growth. The Mann-Whitney test showed that there is a significant difference between pre- and post-intervention (p >0.05). Histopathologic analysis showed the presence of osteocytes and osteoblasts in the 6 weeks treatment group. Conclusion: It can be concluded that hydroxyapatite powder from white barramundi fish scales can be used as a bone graft alternative material.

[ABSTRACT]   Full text not available  [PDF]

In order to achieve esthetically optimal outcome with implant prosthesis, appropriate topography of emergence profile is crucial. The objective of this review is to explorer current evidence regarding this topic and relevant issue. Extent of interproximal papilla is determined not by the shape of emergence profile but the length between interproximal alveolar bone prominence and interproximal contact of crowns. There have been concerned that multiple times of disconnection and reconnection of abutment enhance peri-implant marginal bone loss, but it's certified not to be a clinically significant level. Current digital workflow makes this step faster and easier, by copying emergence profile of contralateral tooth or extracted teeth.

[ABSTRACT]   Full text not available  [PDF]