Comparison of human and faunal enamel isotopes reveals diverse paleodiet and exchange patterns at the highland Maya Site of Kaminaljuyu, Guatemala

This study provides an isotopic examination of both human and animal paleodiets and mobility patterns at a highland Maya community. Kaminaljuyu, Guatemala, was a large Prehispanic center located in a distinctly cooler, drier setting compared with the majority of Maya sites in the surrounding lowlands. Previous archaeological research at Kaminaljuyu revealed it played an important political and economic role in the Maya region, assisting in the obsidian trade network and maintaining ties with communities as far away as Teotihuacan in central Mexico. By examining the strontium (87Sr/86Sr), carbon (δ13C), and oxygen (δ18O) isotope values from dental enamel of humans and terrestrial mammals at the site, this study provides direct evidence of long-distance animal trade, explores the nature and timing of such activities, and compares highland dietary patterns with faunal studies in the lowlands. Our results indicate that isotopically non-local humans and animals are most frequently found in special and ceremonial contexts, indicating that long-distance movements of people and products were motivated for politically or ritually significant events. Although dietary patterns showed cross-species variation, diets within species were similar between highland and lowland settings.

Examination Of Damage on Enamel Surface Due to Removal of Metal and Ceramic Brackets: A Review

During fixed orthodontic treatment, there is great possibility that the dental enamel could be damaged due to the process of debonding the bracket. Enamel cracks are one of the most common aspects that can develop or increase during debonding. This review aimed to conduct an examination of cracks in the enamel that occur both prior to and following metal or ceramic brackets being debonded.

Examination Of Damage on Enamel Surface Due to Removal of Metal and Ceramic Brackets: A Review

During fixed orthodontic treatment, there is great possibility that the dental enamel could be damaged due to the process of debonding the bracket. Enamel cracks are one of the most common aspects that can develop or increase during debonding. This review aimed to conduct an examination of cracks in the enamel that occur both prior to and following metal or ceramic brackets being debonded.

Application of Unsupervised Multivariate Analysis Methods to Raman Spectroscopic Assessment of Human Dental Enamel

This work explores the suitability of data treatment methodologies for Raman spectra of teeth using multivariate analysis methods. Raman spectra were measured in our laboratory and obtained from control enamel samples and samples with a protective treatment before and after an erosive attack. Three different approaches for data treatment were undertaken in order to evaluate the aptitude of distinguishing between groups: A—Principal Component Analysis of the numerical parameters derived from deconvoluted spectra; B—PCA of average Raman spectra after baseline correction; and C—PCA of average raw Raman spectra. Additionally, Hierarchical Cluster Analysis were applied to Raman spectra of enamel measured with different laser wavelengths (638 nm or 785 nm) to evaluate the most suitable choice of illumination. According to the different approaches, PC1 scores obtained between control and treatment group were A—50.5%, B—97.1% and C—83.0% before the erosive attack and A—55.2%, B—93.2% and C—87.8% after an erosive attack. The obtained results showed that performing PCA analysis of raw or baseline corrected Raman spectra of enamel was not as efficient in the evaluation of samples with different treatments. Moreover, acquiring Raman spectra with a 785 nm laser increases precision in the data treatment methodologies.

The structure and prevalence of superficial carious and non-carious lesions of permanent and deciduous enamel in children who presented for routine dental care in various districts of St. Petersburg

Relevance. To increase the effectiveness of prevention and treatment protocols, it is above all necessary to consider the activity of caries, especially at the early enamel lesion stage, in the form of a white spot, to make the correct diagnosis based on a clinical examination, which assesses the location, change in surface hardness, symmetry, contour shape, depth, color and opacity of the lesion. Different causes of superficial enamel discoloration, in the form of white spots, are paramount for the restorative treatment as the quality of the enamel preparation affects the marginal fit and the durability of the restoration. However, poor oral hygiene, disturbance in eating behavior affect the course of non-carious hard-tissue diseases, which caries may complicate. Purpose – to optimize the diagnosis of initial dental enamel lesions to improve the caries prevention quality.Materials and methods. The study examined 460 children living in the Central and Krasnoselsky districts of St. Petersburg. The following indices assessed hard tissue condition: OHI-S, Greene and Vermillion; OHI by O'Leary T., Drake R., Naylor; White spot lesions index, Gorelick L, Geiger A. M, Gwinnett A. J., DMFT and df; caries activity.Results. The total prevalence of superficial (initial) lesions of hard tissues was 37.82%, i.e. 174 people out of 460 examined patients had superficial enamel lesions according to the criteria of I and II categories. The study found enamel changes in the age groups: 5-6 years (130) – 36 people (27.69%); 12 years old (175) – 62 people (35.42%); 15 years old (155) – 76 people (49.03%).Conclusions. Focusing on the caries activity signs rather than a precise differential diagnosis of the lesion nature is necessary to provide well-timed treatment and prevention upon detecting initial enamel lesion at a dental check-up.

Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Activation of Hydroxyapatite to Improve Fluoride Incorporation and Modulate Bacterial Biofilm

Despite the technological progress of the last decade, dental caries is still the most frequent oral health threat in children and adults alike. Such a condition has multiple triggers and is caused mainly by enamel degradation under the acidic attack of microbial cells, which compose the biofilm of the dental plaque. The biofilm of the dental plaque is a multispecific microbial consortium that periodically develops on mammalian teeth. It can be partially removed through mechanical forces by individual brushing or in specialized oral care facilities. Inhibition of microbial attachment and biofilm formation, as well as methods to strengthen dental enamel to microbial attack, represent the key factors in caries prevention. The purpose of this study was to elaborate a cold plasma-based method in order to modulate microbial attachment and biofilm formation and to improve the retention of fluoride (F−) in an enamel-like hydroxyapatite (HAP) model sample. Our results showed improved F retention in the HAP model, which correlated with an increased antimicrobial and antibiofilm effect. The obtained cold plasma with a dual effect exhibited through biofilm modulation and enamel strengthening through fluoridation is intended for dental application, such as preventing and treating dental caries and enamel deterioration.

Oral and dental manifestations of celiac disease in children: a case–control study

Background Celiac disease (CD) is an immune-mediated enteropathy. CD may also involve complications with the oral cavity, which can result in various dental and oral pathologies. There are currently a limited number of studies on the oral manifestation of CD. This study aims to compare the oral manifestations of children with CD against healthy controls in Saudi Arabia. Materials and methods This study includes 208 children aged 6–14 years, distributed equally into CD patients and healthy controls. A parent completed and validated the interview questionnaire, which included the child's personal information and medical history. A dental examination was undertaken to measure possible recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), dental enamel defects (DEDs), dental caries experience, and dental malocclusion. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and bivariate and multivariate analysis. Results Two hundred and eight participants were included (104 CD patients and 104 controls). The mean age for CD patients was 10.67 ± 2.39 years and 10.69 ± 2.36 for the healthy controls. CD children had more RAS than controls (42.3% vs. 15.4%, P < 0.001) (OR = 4.03, 95% CI = 2.09–7.81) and more DEDs than healthy controls (70.2% vs. 34.6%, P < 0.001) (OR = 4.45, 95% CI = 2.48–7.97). No significant difference was found in the frequency of malocclusion between cases and controls. Conclusion Saudi Arabian children with CD had a greater number of clinical findings of RAS and DEDs than healthy controls. Pediatric dentists should consider the possibility of CD in child patients presenting with RAS or DEDs.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF DENTAL ENAMEL DURING PROFESSIONAL WHITENING USING HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

Teeth whitening is a way to restore the natural colour of teeth with applying a chemical agent that oxidizes the organic pigments of the hard dental tissues. Teeth whitening has become one of the most frequently requested dental procedures among the population. The public demands whiter, more perfect smiles, and many teeth whitening options have been made in response. To assess the changes occurring in the hard dental tissues, and, in particular, in the enamel, it is necessary to study the chemical structure of the teeth and determine the number of elements in the enamel to predict the whitening procedure outcomes and make adjustments in post-procedural care. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the chemical composition of the dental enamel surface after the procedure of professional hygiene and the use of 35% hydrogen peroxide for teeth whitening as the main chemical component of the whitening system. To study the trace element composition of the dental enamel, the tooth surface was segmented into areas for microanalysis. The peculiarity consisted in that the studied areas differed from the right and left sides of the tooth, because the left side in the studied teeth was the control area, and the right side allowed us to compare and contrast the chemical component of enamel in each tooth separately, by comparing the findings. The results obtained have demonstrated that there is a change in the chemical composition of the enamel in the studied teeth. The change in chemical composition indicators significantly affects the change in clinical indicators, and the strength of clinical manifestations will depend on the features of functional and structural resistance of the dental enamel. We can state that changing in the number of elements can lead to increased sensitivity during the rehabilitation period throughout which the chemical composition of the dental enamel restores.