No abstract

No abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether number of non-vital teeth was an indicator of tooth loss during maintenance. Thirty-three general practitioners provided data on 321 patients undergoing maintenance over 10 years. The number of present teeth (PT), smoking status, level of bone loss, number of non-vital teeth, and reason for tooth loss during that period were investigated. Multiple logistic regression was performed to identify whether the number of non-vital teeth was associated with tooth loss. The average number of lost teeth was 1.07±1.82; that of PT at baseline was 24.4±3.9; and that of non-vital teeth at baseline was 5.4±4.5. Multiple logistic regression revealed a significant association between >8 non-vital teeth and tooth loss during maintenance (odds ratio [OR]: 2.40; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18-4.87). It also demonstrated relationships between >8 non-vital teeth and root fracture or caries (OR: 3.90; 95%CI: 1.68-9.03 or OR: 2.85, 95%CI: 1.14-7.10, respectively). The number of non-vital teeth was associated with tooth loss during maintenance. The results suggest that patients with many non-vital teeth before commencement of maintenance are particularly at risk of tooth loss due to root fracture or caries. Therefore, the number of non-vital teeth offers a useful indicator of potential tooth loss.

The purpose of this study based on a cross-sectional internet survey was to investigate the relationship between risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and self-assessed oral health status. The participants, who comprised individuals registered with an online research company, were required to complete a self-reported questionnaire. Those answering in the affirmative to both of the following two questions were placed in the OSA-risk group, while those answering in the negative were assigned to the control group: 'Have other people noticed pauses in your breathing while you are sleeping?' and 'Do you feel excessively sleepy during the daytime?'. A total of 493 were included in the OSA-risk group and 2,560 in the control group. Among the total 3,053 respondents, the highest prevalence for OSA risk in men was in the 50-59-year age range, although this tended to level off after age 60 years. No such trend was observed in women, however. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the relationship between risk of OSA and self-assessed oral health status. Significant correlations were observed with the following parameters: difficulty in opening mouth (odds ratio [OR]: 2.66; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.647-4.311), dry mouth (OR: 2.11; CI: 1.544-2.876), bad breath (OR: 1.69; CI: 1.309-2.186), gingival bleeding (OR: 1.48; CI: 1.134-1.932), and gingival swelling (OR: 1.44; CI: 1.046-1.981). These results suggest a relationship between risk of OSA and self-assessed oral health status, indicating that treating OSA might improve oral health status. Further study is needed to demonstrate a causal relationship between OSA and self-assessed oral health status, however.