Acquired Hyperzincaemia Due to Zinc-Laden Denture Adhesives Leading to Hypocupraemia as a Cause of Neutropenia

Introduction: Copper deficiency or hypocupraemia is a rare cause of anaemia and neutropenia. Case description: We hereby present the case of a 34-year-old female with gastric bypass surgery who presented with neutropenic fever, abdominal pain and diarrhoea, later found to have extended-spectrum beta-lactamase resistant Escherichia coli urinary tract infection and small bowel bacterial overgrowth syndrome, with her anaemia and neutropenia being caused by copper deficiency due to hyperzincaemia induced by using zinc denture adhesive cream. Discussion: Various causes of copper deficiency have been recognized including, but not limited to, malnutrition, gastrectomy, gastric bypass surgery, protein-losing enteropathies (coeliac disease, tropical sprue), Wilson disease and Menkes syndrome. Copper deficiency caused by zinc overuse is not very prevalent. The haematologic abnormalities associated with copper deficiency are neutropenia, sideroblastic anaemia and/or pancytopenia. Conclusion: Because of its low prevalence and nonspecific haematologic and clinical manifestations, the diagnosis of zinc-induced copper deficiency (ZICD) can be missed.

Changes in denture retention with denture adhesives and oral moisturizers for the oral cavity: an in vitro study

Background It is difficult to maintain complete dentures during meals in place. This in vitro study aimed to assess changes in denture retention between rest and function using denture adhesives and oral moisturizers in an oral cavity model. Methods The following test samples were applied between the palatal plate and the edentulous jaw ridge model: denture adhesive, denture adhesive for dry mouth, oral moisturizer, and denture moisturizer. The retentive force was measured under two conditions: at rest while immersed in water and during function with a 2.5-kg load applied. The plate was pulled perpendicular to the occlusal plane and the retentive force was measured using a digital force gauge. Results Under dry conditions, denture adhesive for dry mouth and oral moisturizer had a significantly higher retentive force than denture adhesive and denture moisturizer. After 30 min of immersion in water, the retentive force of the denture adhesive increased while that of the oral moisturizer decreased. After 30 min of function, the retentive force of the denture adhesive and denture adhesive for dry mouth remained high, while that of the oral moisturizer and denture moisturizer significantly decreased. Between rest and function, the retentive force of the denture adhesive and denture adhesive for dry mouth was high, and that of the oral moisturizer was low. Conclusions Immediately after use, denture adhesive for dry mouth exhibited high retentive force, but retention gradually decreased due to its water content.

Awareness of House Surgeons regarding Denture Adhesives in Dental Colleges of Islamabad and Rawalpindi

Study Design and Setting A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based research was carried out. The questionnaires were filled by a total of 350 dental house surgeons who were working in various dental colleges of Islamabad and Rawalpindi in Pakistan. Objectives The objective was to assess the knowledge and mentality of dental house surgeons regarding the proper use, application and limitations of denture adhesives. Methodology A survey questionnaire was distributed among the dental house surgeons (n = 350). Cross tabulations were done and the Pearson’s Chi‑square test was used to compare the variables using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (P ≤ 0.05). Results Approximately, 85.5% of house surgeons who answered the questionnaire had learnt some of the basics about adhesives as part of their undergraduate studies. 73% agreed that Adhesives can be useful in aiding the stabilization and retention of dentures, and 95% agreed that dentists should inform denture patients about the proper use. However only a relatively small percentage (38%) routinely informed patients about the potential misuse of adhesives as part of their instructions. Conclusion Majority of the house surgeons had sound knowledge about DAs and agreed for the need to increase patient awareness towards these products. Sufficient dentist and patient knowledge towards denture adhesives is paramount in establishing patient satisfaction and knowledge towards dentures usage. Key words Denture adhesives, Awareness, Knowledge, Questionnaire

Biomaterials for the Prevention of Oral Candidiasis Development

Thousands of microorganisms coexist within the human microbiota. However, certain conditions can predispose the organism to the overgrowth of specific pathogens that further lead to opportunistic infections. One of the most common such imbalances in the normal oral flora is the excessive growth of Candida spp, which produces oral candidiasis. In immunocompromised individuals, this fungal infection can reach the systemic level and become life-threatening. Hence, prompt and efficient treatment must be administered. Traditional antifungal agents, such as polyenes, azoles, and echinocandins, may often result in severe adverse effects, regardless of the administration form. Therefore, novel treatments have to be developed and implemented in clinical practice. In this regard, the present paper focuses on the newest therapeutic options against oral Candida infections, reviewing compounds and biomaterials with inherent antifungal properties, improved materials for dental prostheses and denture adhesives, drug delivery systems, and combined approaches towards developing the optimum treatment.

Finite Element Evaluation of the Effect of Adhesive Creams on the Stress State of Dentures and Oral Mucosa

The base fit between a removable partial denture (RPD) and the underlying soft tissue plays a significant role in its performance. The application of a denture adhesive is hypothesized to result in better retention of RPDs and, as a result, contribute to lower stress on the oral mucosa. The objectives of this study were to observe and compare the distribution of simulated bite forces applied to the RPD through the abutments and soft tissue for models with and without the use of a denture adhesive. Furthermore, we evaluated the possible benefit of using a denture adhesive in lowering stresses on the oral mucosa. The RPD, mandible, oral mucosa, abutment teeth supporting the RPD, and the corresponding abutment periodontal ligaments (PDLs) were modelled as 3D volumes based on computer tomography (CT) datasets. A viscoelastic adhesive layer between the RPD and oral mucosa was incorporated into this base model using Prony series approximation. The layer was developed as a volume extract using the denture surface. Finite element (FE) simulations were performed for the bite force on one of the RPD segments, with the resulting force and moments experienced by the dental structures and oral mucosa compared between the model with the adhesive layer and the base model without. As a result, the contact pressure on the oral mucosa for the model with the denture adhesive decreased to 0.15 MPa as compared to 0.25 MPa for the model without the adhesive. The potential role of denture adhesives in leading to a better fit between the RPD and oral mucosa as well as lowering contact pressures could be used to improve comfort in patients wearing RPDs.

Changes in Denture Retention With Denture Adhesives and Oral Moisturizers for the Oral Cavity

Background: It is difficult to maintain dentures during meals. This study aimed to assess changes in denture retention between rest and function using denture adhesives and oral moisturizers in an oral cavity model.Methods: The following test samples were applied between the palatal plate and the edentulous jaw ridge model: denture adhesive, denture adhesive for dry mouth, oral moisturizer, and denture moisturizer. The retentive force was measured under two conditions: at rest while immersed in water and during function with a 2.5-kg load applied. The plate was pulled perpendicular to the occlusal plane and the retentive force was measured using a digital force gauge.Results: Under dry conditions, denture adhesive for dry mouth and oral moisturizer had a significantly higher retentive force than denture adhesive and denture moisturizer. After 30 min of immersion in water, the retentive force of the denture adhesive increased while that of the oral moisturizer decreased. After 30 mins of function, the retentive force of the denture adhesive and denture adhesive for dry mouth remained high, while that of the oral moisturizer and denture moisturizer significantly decreased. Between rest and function, the retentive force of the denture adhesive and denture adhesive for dry mouth was high, and that of the oral moisturizer was low.Conclusions: Immediately after use, denture adhesive for dry mouth exhibited high retentive force, but retention gradually decreased due to its water content. Clinical Significance: Denture adhesives for dry mouth can be useful for retaining dentures during 30-min meals.

Assessment of the knowledge and Attitude of General Dentists toward Denture Adhesives in the Isfahan Province

Introduction: The knowledge and attitude of dentists toward the use of denture adhesives vary worldwide, and may be affected by different factors. Therefore, the current study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude of the general dentists toward the use of denture adhesives. Materials and Methods: In the current cross-sectional study that was done in 2019 in the city of Isfahan, the knowledge and attitude of 151 general dentists toward denture adhesive in the Isfahan city were assessed using a 16-item questionnaire. Besides, the participants' age and gender were recorded as well. Statistical analyses were done by One-way ANOVA and T-test with the 0.05 level of significance. Results: The liquid and powder (57.2%) forms of denture adhesives were the most prevalent favored types of adhesives. The incidence of adverse effects following the adhesives administration (55%) was the most common underlying etiology for the reluctance to use them. The mean of knowledge and attitude scores were (54.22 ± 14.37) and (43.32 ± 14.41), respectively, that both were at an intermediate level. Neither knowledge score (p value = 0.91) nor attitude score (p value = 0.06) was affected by gender. Similar insignificant associations were found for age (p value = 0.31 for knowledge and 0.37 for age) as well. A significant direct association was found between knowledge and attitude (p value = 0.02, r = 0.196). Conclusion: Both of the knowledge and attitude of the studied population were in the intermediate range. Besides, neither their knowledge nor their attitude was affected by age and gender. We observed that the attitude was directly associated with the dentists' knowledge.