ACTA ODONTOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA

Private practice dentists' conceptions of overtreatment: A qualitative study from Norway
Skrede Edvinsen J and Hofmann B
As overtreatment has gained attention and is a threat to sustainable healthcare, the objective of this study is to investigate Norwegian private practice dentists' conceptions of overtreatment.  Material and Methods: Six private practice dentists were interviewed. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed by thematic analysis in a six-step process including coding and identifying main- and sub-themes.
Low-level laser treatment's ability to reduce dry socket pain
Minervini G, Franco R, Martelli M, Hafedh S, Maddalena Marrapodi M, Di Blasio M, Bollero P and Cicciù M
After a tooth extraction, a dry socket is a common problem that can cause excruciating pain and prevent healing. Antiseptic dressings have historically been the mainstay of treatments for this illness in order to lower bacteria and accelerate healing. Alveogyl is a medicated dressing composed of butamben, iodoform, and eugenol is conventionally used to manage the pain associated with dry socket. The purpose of this study is to assess how well laser therapy treats alveolitis symptoms. The idea that laser therapy is an excellent tool for treating alveolitis is what motivated this meta-analysis. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effects of Level Laser Therapy (LLT) in the treatment of dry socket.  Methods: A literature search was done on PubMed, Lilacs, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane using the keywords entered, and papers published between January 2000 and September 2023 were taken into consideration. The terms "laser" and "dry socket" have been merged using the Boolean conjunction AND; the results show that 65 studies could be identified using the three search engines. Only five were selected to create the current systematic study and metanalysis. The meta-analysis demonstrated that laser therapy is superior to the traditional Alvogyl treatment in managing alveolitis symptoms, especially in pain reduction. The overall effect demonstrated a mean difference of -2.01 (95% CI: -2.43 to -1.59) on the third day of treatment, with a p < 0.05, indicating statistical significance.  Conclusion: The quantitative analysis showed that Low-Level Laser Therapy demonstrated promising potential in managing alveolitis symptoms, particularly in terms of pain reduction, when compared to traditional treatments like Alvogyl. Despite the results indicating a statistically significant reduction in pain, the evidence does not conclusively establish laser therapy as a complete substitute for conventional therapies. Further high-quality studies with larger sample sizes and standardized protocols are required to confirm its long-term efficacy and to assess its broader applicability in clinical settings.
Factors associated with nurses' self-efficacy in oral care at Oulu University Hospital, Finland
Kivilahti RM, Ahomäki-Hietala T, Vähänikkilä H, Aro T, Anttonen V, Laitala ML and Syrjälä AM
This study aimed to investigate factors associated with nurses' self-efficacy in oral care among infection-sensitive patients in a university hospital.
Being different during treatment: a qualitative study investigating patients' experiences of treatments for missing maxillary lateral incisors
Hedmo C, Lindsten R, Josefsson E and Ekman A
Agenesis of one or more teeth is common among patients who are referred for orthodontic treatment. The most common treatments are orthodontic space closure (SC) and implant replacement (IR), which are widely studied, but the experiences of patients receiving these treatments have received little attention. The aim of this qualitative study is to explore how treatments to address missing maxillary lateral incisors (MMLIs) are experienced by individuals who are treated using either orthodontic SC or IR.
Comparison of accuracy of different dental age estimation methods in Finnish and Turkish populations
Darıcı A, Ölmez MS, Güngör HC, Rajavaara P, Sipola A, Anttonen V and Päkkilä J
The aims of this study were to assess the accuracy of Cameriere's and Demirjian's methods in Finnish children, and compare the findings with those of the Turkish children according to dental age.
Oral health of Dutch primary school children in relation to social and health aspects
G Grift B, Duijster D, J M G van der Heijden G, J J M Bruers J and Jerković-Ćosić K
This research investigated the oral health status of Dutch primary school children aged 10-12 years in Utrecht and its association with demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, general psychosocial health, and dental treatment, to guide targeted interventions to improve children's oral and overall well-being.
Unequal smiles: consequences of untreated dental caries in citizens living in vulnerable circumstances in the Netherlands: an exploratory pilot study
Gitz SJ, Van der Heijden GJMG and M C Volgenant C
The often poor oral health status of socioeconomically vulnerable adults is widely recognised. Nevertheless, research on it is scarce. To address this gap, this exploratory pilot study aimed to report on the prevalence of untreated caries and its clinical odontogenic consequences, as well as the associated Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in a marginalised adult Dutch population. The Dutch department of Médecins du Monde (Doctors of the World) included socioeconomically vulnerable (low socioeconomic position [SEP]) adults in the Netherlands through community organisations. The validated Deprivation in Primary Care Questionnaire (DiPCare-Q) was translated in Dutch and used to characterise the SEP of the population. To document untreated caries and severe odontogenic consequences, the DMFT (Decayed, Missing, Filled Permanent Teeth) and PUFA (Pulpal, Fistula, Ulceration, Abscess) index were used. The validated Dutch Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire (OHIP-14) was used to document the impact of these issues on OHRQoL. Data analysis was conducted in SPSS® (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) statistics (Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney-U-test) and STATA software. Data from 59 adult participants were analysed. The prevalence of untreated caries (DT ≥ 1) was 65.5%, 57.9% of which experienced severe odontogenic consequences (DT+PUFA). The prevalence of severe odontogenic consequences (PUFA ≥ 1) was 45.5%. The mean OHIP-14 score of 17.7 ± 13.4 (25th-75th percentile: 6-26) illustrated that untreated caries may have impact on OHRQoL. Individuals who experienced any severe odontogenic consequences from untreated caries reported significantly higher OHIP-14 scores (mean ± s.d.: 21.8 ± 14.8 vs.11.1 ± 7.2). The untreated caries and severe odontogenic consequences seen in a large number of the socioeconomically vulnerable adult participants seemed to have an impact on OHRQoL. These findings emphasise the urgency of including these adults in the professional oral health system for treatment and prevention, and may emphasise the necessity of improving the socioeconomic circumstances of this population. Further exploration of the exact barriers and facilitators to oral healthcare access for socioeconomically vulnerable adults is necessary.
Assessing position changes of impacted third molars in treatment of class II malocclusion with premolars extraction
Gokalp H and Kaan Erdem M
Third molars (M3) remaining impacted in Class II malocclusion characterised with sagittal mandibular deficiency is a high probability. The null hypothesis of this study is that mesioangular M3s changes position through the eruption way in Class II malocclusion treatment requiring moderate anchorage with four first premolars extraction. The aim of this study is to reconsider the decision to surgically extract impacted third molars in four premolars extraction treatment of Class II malocclusion.
Oral health and self-perceived job readiness among socially disadvantaged and unemployed citizens
Munk Sigsgaard A, Altmann S, Dannemand Jensen K, Hede B and Boeskov Øzhayat E
The aims of this article are (1) to evaluate the association between oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and self-perceived job readiness and (2) to investigate changes in self-perceived job readiness following an oral health promotion intervention.
'Feeling more like a mechanic' - A qualitative study on experiences of caries prevention to patients with recurrent cavities among experienced dentists
Sunnegårdh-Grönberg K, Molin J, Flink H and Marie Lindgren B
To explore experiences of caries prevention in adult patients with recurrent cavities among experienced dentists.  Method: Five focus group discussions consisting of seven men and nine women, 38-61 years of age, and with working experience as dentists between 5 and 35 years, were conducted. The participants represented Public Dental Health Service clinics and private practitioners. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze data.  Results: The participants emphasized the importance of effective communication and patient engagement in caries prevention. They described their experiences as an endless trail, making fillings. They expressed their inability to take necessary responsibility and being stuck in the dental care system due to various circumstances. The understanding of caries was contradictory, and an inadequate mandate to control time to fulfill their preventive work was evident. They felt responsible to do the best for their patients, but how to share responsibility with colleagues and patients and having enough time for this seemed difficult and unclear. These problems did not motivate to further education in cariology.
The effect of citric acid on mineralisation and vascular endothelial growth factor secretion from apical papilla stem cells
Hristov K, Ishkitiev N, Miteva M, Dimitrova V, Gigova R, Gateva N and Angelova L
To investigate the influence of citric acid on the osteogenic and angiogenic potential of stem cells from apical papillae (SCAPs).
Efficacy of immediate loading compared to conventional loading in implant-supported removable prostheses: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Wang Z, Li S, Chen H and Guo L
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of two different loading methods in implant-supported removable prostheses (partial dentures and full-maxillary dentures).
The expression of signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) in periodontal cells and tissue
Koskinen Holm C, Rosendahl S, Oldenborg PA and Lundberg P
Signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) is mainly expressed by cells of myeloid origin. This membrane glycoprotein is shown to be involved in regulation of different inflammatory conditions, such as colitis and arthritis. However, SIRPα has not been investigated in relationship to periodontitis, an inflammatory condition affecting the tooth supporting tissues. We aim to investigate if resident cells in the periodontium express SIRPα and whether a possible expression is affected by inflammatory conditions. Primary human keratinocytes, fibroblasts, periodontal ligament cells, and osteoblasts were cultured with or without the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) or interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β). All different periodontal cell types showed a basal mRNA expression of SIRPα. Pro-inflammatory cytokines induced a 2-3-fold significant increase in SIRPα expression in both cultured human gingival fibroblasts and osteoblasts but neither in keratinocytes nor in periodontal ligament cells. Tissue sections from human gingival tissue biopsies were histochemically stained for SIRPα. Epithelial keratinocytes and gingival fibroblasts stained positive in sections from periodontally healthy as well as in sections from periodontitis. In periodontitis sections, infiltrating leukocytes stained positive for SIRPα. We highlight our finding that oral keratinocytes, gingival fibroblasts, and periodontal ligament cells do express SIRPα, as this has not been presented before. The fact that inflammatory stimulation of gingival fibroblasts increased the expression of SIRPα, while an increased expression by gingival fibroblasts in periodontitis tissue in situ could not be detected, is indeed contradictory.
Cognitive impairment after tooth extraction: appraising literature and recommendations for future research
T Hefnawy M, Elfil M, J Nashwan A and Elfil M
Chewing Side Preference, Facial Asymmetry and Related Factors in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986
V Heikkinen E, Vuollo V, Heikkinen T and Harila V
The aim of this study was to find out how the preferred chewing side (PCS) affects facial asymmetry, what kind of factors affect PCS, and whether there are differences in facial asymmetry between symmetrical and asymmetrical masticators.
A retrospective study on the influence of inclination of cusp on implant marginal bone height in patients with periodontal disease
Pei R, Xiao C, Chen J, Liu H, Chen J, Ge H, Cai N, Wu Y and Zhou Y
To investigate the correlation between the marginal bone height of implants in the posterior maxilla of patients with periodontal disease and the inclination of cusp, providing a theoretical basis for the occlusal design of implant restorations in such patients.  Methods: A total of 80 patients with periodontal disease who underwent implant restoration in the posterior maxilla (55 men and 25 women; mean age 56.66 ± 12.70 years) were selected, with a total of 80 implant restorations (one implant restoration per patient). In addition to recording the main research factor of the inclination of cusp, general patient information, implant characteristics and restoration characteristics were taken, and retrospective analysis of the case data and imaging data of the 80 patients from over 3 years was conducted. Cone beam computed tomography was performed preoperatively and 3 years after implant loading to measure and calculate the marginal bone height of the implants using the One Volume Viewer software. Correlation analysis was performed to determine the relationship between the inclination of the cusp and marginal bone height.  Results: There was a positive correlation between the inclination of cusp and the marginal bone height of the implants, with a correlation coefficient of 0.661 (p < 0.001); the diameter of the implants, implant type and restoration type were negatively correlated with the marginal bone height of the implants, with correlation coefficients of -0.364 (p = 0.001), -0.232 (p = 0.038) and -0.298 (p = 0.007), respectively.  Conclusion: When designing the occlusion of implant restorations in the posterior maxilla of patients with periodontal disease, it is advisable to appropriately reduce the restoration's inclination of cusp.
Sedation of Adults with Orally Administered Midazolam in Dentistry - A Retrospective Study
Storskrubb M and Gabre P
The use of midazolam (MZ) has increased in dentistry, but the effect in adults is sparsely studied. The aim of this study was to investigate doses, effects, and side effects of orally administered MZ as a sedative for adults in a dental care organization.
Exploring the relationship between cycle threshold values and oral manifestations in COVID-19: a comprehensive overview
Porat Ben Amy D, Rohana H, Azrad M, V Joachim M, Bar O, Abu El-Naaj I and Peretz A
This cross-sectional study aimed to compare oral manifestations between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)-positive and SARS-CoV-2-negative patients and to examine associations between oral symptoms, Ct values of E and N SARS-CoV-2 viral genes, and the implications of low Ct values indicating a high viral load, which is a predictive factor for the outcome of COVID-19.
Impact of self-perceived oral health and socio-economic factors on oral health-related behavior in Estonian adults
Sinijärv M, Olak J, Murakas R and Runnel R
To identify which socioeconomic factors are affecting oral health-related behavior and to provide suggestions for improving the population's oral health.  Materials and methods: The survey includes population groups from age 35 and older from all 15 Estonian counties and major cities (n = 2,376). The study is based on data from a nationwide Estonian Adult Oral Health Survey questionnaire. In addition to analyzing eight aspects of oral health-related behavior and self-perceived oral health variables, the survey also includes participants' socio-economic and demographic characteristics. The study utilizes frequency tables (including cumulative distributions), means, correlations, and regression analysis as its methods.
Primary chronic osteomyelitis of the jaw - a descriptive study of the condition and its occurrence in Sweden between 2012 and 2018
Robertsson C and Cardemil C
Primary chronic osteomyelitis (PCO) of the jaw is a non-infectious, inflammatory state of the jawbone of unknown etiology.  This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of PCO in Sweden between the years 2012 and 2018, the characteristics of the condition, treatment methods, and outcomes.  Material and methods: The search for patients with PCO in Sweden 2012-2018 was performed at 24 oral and maxillofacial surgery units in Sweden.
Clinical use of cone-beam computed tomography in Western Norway: a referral-based retrospective study
Vollan ML, Hasselgren LCK, Shi XQ and V Jonsson M
To elucidate cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) referral profiles in Western Norway.