The Chinese journal of dental research : the official journal of the Scientific Section of the Chinese Stomatological Association 

About: The Chinese journal of dental research : the official journal of the Scientific Section of the Chinese Stomatological Association is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Periodontitis & Cancer. Over the lifetime, 352 publications have been published receiving 2842 citations.

Dental plaque biofilm in oral health and disease.

Abstract: Dental plaque is an archetypical biofilm composed of a complex microbial community. It is the aetiological agent for major dental diseases such as dental caries and periodontal disease. The clinical picture of these dental diseases is a net result of the cross-talk between the pathogenic dental plaque biofilm and the host tissue response. In the healthy state, both plaque biofilm and adjacent tissues maintain a delicate balance, establishing a harmonious relationship between the two. However, changes occur during the disease process that transform this 'healthy' dental plaque into a 'pathogenic' biofilm. Recent advances in molecular microbiology have improved the understanding of dental plaque biofilm and produced numerous clinical benefits. Therefore, it is imperative that clinicians keep abreast with these new developments in the field of dentistry. Better understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind dental diseases will facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies to establish a 'healthy dental plaque biofilm' by modulating both host and microbial factors. In this review, the present authors aim to summarise the current knowledge on dental plaque as a microbial biofilm and its properties in oral health and disease.

Translucency of flowable bulk-filling composites of various thicknesses.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE To evaluate the translucency characteristics of new flowable bulk-filling resin composites at various thicknesses. Experimental short fibre-reinforced composite was also tested. METHODS Two new brands of flowable bulk composites (Venus Bulk Fill and SureFil SDR Flow), experimental short fibre-reinforced resin composite (FC) and, as control, conventional flow (Filtek Supreme Flow XT A3) and universal (Filtek Universal Supreme XTE A3B) resin composites were investigated. Translucency parameter was calculated for various thicknesses of composite (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 mm) over white and black backgrounds using spectrophotometry to determine the CIELAB values of each specimen. Data were statistically analysed with analysis of variance. RESULTS Translucency values significantly correlated with thickness of resin composite specimens (P < 0.05). For the new types of flowable bulk-filling material, translucency was observed for thicknesses up to 5 to 6 mm, whereas for experimental FC composite, the effect was observed up to 4 to 5 mm, and for control flow and universal filling composites, up to 2 to 3 mm. CONCLUSION New flowable bulk-filling resin composites have less masking ability than conventional universal filling resin composite materials, which should be taken into account when optimum colour match and aesthetic results are to be achieved.

An overview of detection and screening of oral cancer in Taiwan.

Abstract: Oral cancer is a fatal disease, which accounts for the fourth highest incidence of malignancy in males and the seventh highest in the general population of Taiwan. About 95% of oral cancer is oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The relatively high prevalence of OSCC in Taiwan is mainly because a high-risk group of the population exists, made up of 2.5 million people and who exhibit habits of betel nut chewing as well as cigarette smoking. Unfortunately, about 50% of the new OSCC cases found in medical centers presented with TNM stage III or IV cancer lesions leading to a low 5-year survival. Therefore, it is generally accepted that the prevention and screening of OSCC at early stages or premalignant levels in the high-risk group of the population is as equally important as treatment. In this review article, we describe the current status of OSCC in Taiwan regarding epidemiology. Furthermore we research and highlight the importance of various conventional and novel methods in the detection of this disease.

Studies on contributing factors in temporomandibular disorders.

Abstract: Objective To better understand the pathogenesis of TMD by studying microtrauma of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), immune responses within TMJ, and psychosocial factors of the past ten years. Methods Condyle and disc movements from 38 patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) were observed with the use of videotape recording and soundtape recording techniques after TMJ arthrography. Pathological changes following occlusal trauma were examined using an animal model. Immune complexes in condyle cartilage; antibody to collagen II; and cytokines such as interleukin 1, tumor necrosis factor, and interleukin 6 were detected in synovial fluid of TMD. Psychosocial characteristics were analyzed with the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) of 80 TMD patients and the Life Events Experience Survey (LEES) of 42 TMD patients. Results Persistent and recurrent microtrauma did exist within joints of TMD patients, caused by occlusal trauma and occlusal interference. Occlusal trauma in animals could induce condyle and disc degenerative changes that are similar to the findings in TMJ osteoarthrosis patients. Sequestered antigens within cartilage could be exposed to the immune system after joint degeneration. Humoral and cellular immune responses did exist within TMJ and played an important role in the pathogenesis of TMD. Forty percent of TMD patients suffered from psychosomatic disorders, significantly more than in the healthy control. Conclusion Microtrauma of TMJ, immune responses within TMJ, psychosocial factors, and anatomical structures of the TMJ itself are the four main contributing factors of TMD. Possible mechanisms of the interactions of the four factors are presented, and principles of preventing and treating TMD are also suggested.

Assessment of trigeminal somatosensory evoked potentials in burning mouth syndrome.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE The measurement of pain threshold (PT) and the assessment of trigeminal somatosensory evoked potentials (TSEPs) were performed. These experiments indicated the pathological conditions of nerve afferent and efferent pathways in patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS). This study also explored the probable pathophysiological mechanisms in BMS. MATERIALS AND METHODS The dorsum linguae of 38 samples in 19 subjects (22 BMS with pain, 10 BMS with numbness, and 6 controls) were stimulated by electroneuromyography. PT was measured as the lowest stimulation intensity the subjects could detect. N3, P4 latency, and spike potential latency of TSEP were recorded by stimulating the lingual nerve. RESULTS Pain thresholds were significantly lower, N3, P4 latencies were significantly shorter, and the spike potential appeared earlier in the BMS with pain group (P 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The results indicated that the nerve sensitivity was elevated in the BMS with pain group, and that these patients were easily affected by etiological factors. In the BMS with numbness group, partial or complete nerve blockage may have been indicated. This study suggested that selfreports of BMS pain appeared to be of value, and that there were pathological conditions in nerve transmission. It supported the theory that peripheral or central nervous system involvement might play an important role in BMS. It was possible to show the pathogenesis of BMS. All of these objectively explain the clinical understanding of BMS, and may be of assistance in the treatment of BMS.