Haihua Zhu

Dental caries is a chronic, microbe-driven and multifactorial disease that remains one of the most prevalent oral health problems among children worldwide [1]. In 2021, an estimated 514 million chi...

The healing of infected skin wounds remains a major clinical challenge due to persistent bacterial contamination and prolonged inflammation. In this study,

Dentin hypersensitivity has been widely recognized to be caused by patent dentinal tubules (DTs). A polyaspartic acid–calcium and magnesium (PAsp-Ca&Mg) complex process has been demonstrated to induce biomimetic mineralization of collagen fibrils. This study investigated the in vitro and in vivo occlusion of the DTs by a PAsp-Ca&Mg complex process. Dentin disks were treated by citric acid to open the DTs and randomly divided into 4 groups. Two experimental groups ( n = 18) were applied with PAsp-Ca&Mg suspension and phosphate solution or phosphate-fluoride solution in sequence for 10 min. Two positive control groups ( n = 18) were treated with Gluma or Duraphat. All the dentin disks were incubated in artificial saliva for 24 h. DT occlusion was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, and dentin permeability measurement was conducted regardless of being subject to abrasive or ultrasonic and acidic challenge. The incisors of 3 New Zealand rabbits were used to verify the in vivo occlusion of the DTs. In vitro and in vivo results demonstrated in-depth occlusion of the DTs to ~100 μm by the PAsp-Ca&Mg complex process. When compared with control groups, the PAsp-Ca&Mg complex process could significantly reduce dentin permeability ( P < 0.05) irrespective of abrasive or ultrasonic and acidic challenge. The PAsp-Ca&Mg complex process not only deeply occluded patent DTs but also significantly decreased dentin permeability and provided a paradigm for ion-doped DT occlusion. This provides a promising strategy for managing dentin hypersensitivity.

Background: In the 21st century, dental caries remains a global burden, particularly severely affecting the growth and quality of life of 12-year-old children. Fortunately, pit and fissure sealing (PFS) procedures can effectively prevent molars from caries. Hence, this study focused on the relationship between PFS and oral epidemiological factors in 12-year-old children. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 12-year-old children from 11 cities in Zhejiang Province. Their dental conditions were collected through questionnaires, as well as basic information such as relevant family information, oral health knowledge and behavior. Then, logistic regression analysis was used to identify the influencing factors associated with PFS. Results: A total of 1204 children were included, with 252 in the PFS group and 952 in the non-PFS group. There were significant differences between the two groups in terms of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) score, first permanent molar DMFT score, residential area, educational level of parents, tooth-brushing frequency, use of dental floss, oral examination in a medical institution, having taken courses on oral health care, as well as having knowledge that tooth brushing could effectively prevent gingival inflammation, PFS could protect teeth, and oral disease may affect general health. According to further logistic regression analysis, the independent factors influencing PFS included use of dental floss [odds ratios (OR) = 1.672, 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 1.235–2.263, P = 0.001], having taken courses on oral health care (OR = 0.713, 95% CI = 0.515–0.988, P = 0.042), having knowledge that tooth brushing is effective in preventing gingival inflammation (OR = 0.627, 95% CI = 0.389–0.987, P = 0.044) and having knowledge that PFS can protect teeth (OR = 0.589, 95% CI = 0.438–0.791, P < 0.001). Conclusion: PFS can reduce the mean DMFT score of 12-year-old children. Independent influencing factors of PFS consist of use of dental floss, having taken courses on oral health care, oral health behavior and knowledge level.

Periodontal diseases is considered the most important global oral health burden according to the world health organization (WHO) (Oral health. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/oral-health#Overviewth (who.int). Accessed 21 Sep 2023). It is a common local inflammatory disease associated with hypertension, this study aims to explore the relationship between periodontitis and uncontrolled hypertension and whether inflammation indication such as white blood cell (WBC) count or neutrophil count is a mediator of this relationship. One thousand four hundred eighty-eight elders attending annual physical and oral examinations in Zhejiang province were included in this study. The staging of Periodontitis was classified as none, mild-moderate and severe. Participants are categorized into two groups based on blood pressure: hypertensive( positive high blood pressure( HBP) history or underwent HBP medication or blood pressure( BP) ≥ 140/90 mmHg) and uncontrolled hypertensive (systolic blood pressure( SBP) ≥ 140 mmHg or distolic blood pressure( DBP) ≥ 90 mmHg). Peripheral blood samples were collected, information on hypertension history and potential confounders (age, sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise frequency, diabetes) was collected in questionnaires. The correlation between periodontitis and hypertension was investigated using logistics regression analyses, mediation analysis was assessed for the effect of inflammation on hypertension. The study population includes 1,488 participants aged 55–90 years. Odds of uncontrolled hypertension increased significantly along with periodontitis in the regression models both in unadjusted model (odds ratio( OR): 1.407, 95% confidence intervals( CI): 1.037 ~ 1.910) and fully adjusted model (OR: 1.950, 95% CI: 1.127 ~ 3.373). Mediation analysis confirmed that WBC and neutrophic count function as a full mediator of the association between periodontitis and uncontrolled hypertension either in the unadjusted or the adjusted model. In a study of urban elderly population in southeast China, periodontitis is found to be significantly associated with uncontrolled hypertension, such relation is mediated by WBC and neutrophil count. Periodontitis can increase the difficulty of controlling hypertension. Promotion of periodontal health strategies in the dental setting could help reduce the burden of hypertension and its complications.

Background: The internal root canal morphology of the mandibular first premolar can be quite diversified, which pose great challenge and can directly affect the outcome of endodontic therapy. The aim of this paper was to examine the diagnostic performance of a deep learning system to determine whether the mandibular first premolar has single root canal or not. Dental cone beam CT was used as the gold standard. Methods: CBCT and panoramic radiographs of 1630 mandibular first premolar from 815 patients were analyzed. The CBCT images of the roots were examined to determine whether the mandibular first premolar has single root canal or not. Image patches of the mandibular first premolars were segmented from panoramic radiographs. Then deep-learning network approaches were applied to the patched images. The performance of the deep-learning networks and the dentists were compared in terms of Precision (PR), Recall (RE), Accuracy (ACC), F1-score and Area Under Curve (AUC). Results: Using the ResNet-101(CBAM) system showed an accuracy of 85%, a positive predictive value of 81.4%%, and a negative predictive value of 82.35% in the determination of whether the mandibular first premolar has single root canal or not. There was a significant difference between the results of experienced dentists and those of less experienced dentists. There was no difference between the results of experienced dentists and those of the ResNet-101(CBAM). And the results of the ResNet-101(CBAM) are much better than the average of the dentists. Conclusions: The deep learning systems showed high levels of performance in differentiating whether the mandibular first premolar has single root canal or not based on panoramic radiographs. It is a promising artificial intelligence approach that may assist dentists in preoperative diagnosis.

Background Periodontitis is a common local inflammatory disease associated with hypertension, this study aims to explore the relationship between periodontitis and uncontrolled hypertension and whether inflammation indication is a mediator of this relationship.Methods 1488 elders attending annual physical and oral examinations in Zhejiang province were included in this study. The staging of Periodontitis was classified as none, mild-moderate and severe. Uncontrolled hypertension was categorized as: normotensive (SBP < 140 mmHg and DBP < 90 mmHg) and hypertensive (SBP ≥ 140 mmHg or DBP ≥ 90 mmHg). Peripheral blood samples were collected, information on hypertension history and potential confounders (age, gender, smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise frequency, diabetes) was collected in questionnaires. The correlation between periodontitis and hypertension was investigated using linear regression analyses, mediation analysis was assessed for the effect of inflammation on hypertension.Results The results showed that uncontrolled hypertension is statistically significant associated with periodontitis, the association is mediated by inflammation indexes.Conclusions In a study of urban elderly population in southeast China, periodontitis is found to be significantly associated with uncontrolled hypertension, such relation is mediated by WBC and neutrophil count. Promotion of periodontal health strategies in the dental setting could help reduce the burden of hypertension and its complications.