• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.12-17
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• 2024

Dry mouth is common among older adults and significantly affects the oral health-related quality of life. It is a significant risk factor for dental caries, particularly root caries, in older adults due to concurrent periodontal disease and age-related comorbidities. Clinicians managing patients with dry mouth must be aware of preventive measures against dental caries. This clinical review aims to update our knowledge on the use of fluoride for caries prevention in order to establish better strategies for the management of dry mouth in older adults.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.35-39
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of the experiment was to evaluating the diagnostic ability of dental caries detection using digital subtraction in the artificial caries activity model. Materials and Methods: Digital radiographies of five teeth with 8 proximal surfaces were obtained by CCD sensor (Kodak RVG 6100 using a size #2). The digital radiographic images and subtraction images from artificial proximal caries were examined and interpreted. In this study, we proposed novel caries detection method which could diagnose the dental proximal caries from single digital radiographic image. Results: In artificial caries activity model, the range of lesional depth was $572-1,374{\mu}m$ and the range of lesional area was $36.95-138.52mm^2$. The lesional depth and the area were significantly increased with demineralization time (p<0.001). Furthermore, the proximal caries detection using digital subtraction radiography showed high detection rate compared to the proximal caries examination using simple digital radiograph. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that the digital subtraction radiography from single radiographic image of artificial caries was highly efficient in the detection of dental caries compared to the data from simple digital radiograph.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.185-189
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• 2009

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate how to detect proximal caries using line profile and validate linear measurements of proximal caries lesions by basic digital manipulation of radiographic images. Materials and Methods : The X-ray images of control group (15) and caries teeth (15) from patients were used. For each image, the line profile at the proximal caries-susceptible zone was calculated. To evaluate the contrast as a function of line profile to detect proximal caries, a difference coefficient (D) that indicates the relative difference between caries and sound dentin or intact enamel was measured. Results : Mean values of D were $0.0354{\pm}0.0155$ in non-caries and $0.2632{\pm}0.0982$ in caries (p<0.001). Conclusion : The mean values of caries group were higher than non-caries group and there was correlation between proximal dental caries and D. It is demonstrated that the mean value of D from caries group was higher than that of control group. From the result, values of D possess great potentiality as a new detection parameter for proximal dental caries.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.199-205
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• 2014

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of changing the kilovoltage peak (kVp) on the radiographic assessment of dental caries. Materials and Methods: Seventy-five extracted posterior teeth with proximal caries or apparently sound proximal surfaces were radiographed with conventional E-speed films and a photostimulable phosphor system using 60 kVp and 70 kVp for the caries assessment. The images were evaluated by three oral radiologists and compared with the results of the stereomicroscope analysis. Results: No statistically significant difference was found between 60 kVp and 70 kVp for the caries detection, determination of caries extension into dentin, and caries severity in either the conventional or the digital images. Good to very good inter-observer and intra-observer agreements were found for both kilovoltage values on the conventional and digital images. Conclusion: Changing the kilovoltage between 60 kVp and 70 kVp had no obvious effect on the detection of proximal caries or determination of its extension or severity.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.640-643
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• 2008

Distal caries of the second molar is common indication for the mandibular third molar surgery and there are no universally acceptable predictive criteria for distal caries of the second molar. To analyze the correlation of the distal caries of the second molar and the eruption state of the mandibular third molar using panoramic radiographs statistically and propose the acceptable guideline for preventive extraction of the mandibular third molar. 786 patients who were extracted the mandibular third molar from 2002 to 2006 at Samsung medical center were examined. The presence and absence of distal caries of mandibular second molar, age, gender, angulation, impaction degree, distance between distal cementoenamel junction of the second molar and mesial cementoenamel junction of the mandibular third molar were assessed. 79.6% of third molars had a mesial angulation of between $40^{\circ}$ and $80^{\circ}$. The mean age of third molar removal for distal caries of second molar was $33.86{\pm}9.81$. The prophylactic removal of a mesio-angular third molar about $40^{\circ}$ and $80^{\circ}$ could prevent distal cervical caries forming in the mandibular second molar.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.454-464
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• 2018

Salivary microbiota alterations can correlate with dental caries development in children, and mechanisms mediating this association need to be studied in further detail. Our study explored salivary microbiota shifts in children and their association with the incidence of dental caries with dentine involvement. Salivary samples were collected from children with caries and their subsequently matched caries-free controls before and after caries development. The microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene-based high-throughput sequencing. The salivary microbiota was more diverse in caries-free subjects than in those with dental caries with dentine involvement (DC). Although both groups exhibited similar shifts in microbiota composition, an association with caries was found by function prediction. Analysis of potential microbiome functions revealed that Granulicatella, Streptococcus, Bulleidia, and Staphylococcus in the DC group could be associated with the bacterial invasion of epithelial cells, phosphotransferase system, and ${\text\tiny{D}}-alanine$ metabolism, whereas Neisseria, Lautropia, and Leptotrichia in caries-free subjects could be associated with bacterial motility protein genes, linoleic acid metabolism, and flavonoid biosynthesis, suggesting that functional differences in the salivary microbiota may be associated with caries formation. These results expand the current understanding of the functional significance of the salivary microbiome in caries development, and may facilitate the identification of novel biomarkers and treatment targets.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.121-133
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of socioeconomic factors and health behaviors on the prevalence of oral diseases(dental caries and periodontal disease) among Korean adults. Data from the 2005 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was analyzed for adults aged over 19 years (n=25,215). Oral disease was defined as disease diagnosed by a dentist for the previous 12 months. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to conduct statistical analysis. The population without dental caries and periodontal diseases were used as the reference category for all analysis. The overall prevalence of annual dentist-diagnosed dental caries and periodontal diseases were 23.5% and 10.6% respectively. The relative risk of developing dental caries for graduates of middle school and lower were 1.53 times (95% CI: 1.24-1.89) more likely to develop dental caries comparing to college graduates. Low income earners were 1.23 times(95% CI: 1.01-1.49) more likely to develop dental caries than high income earners. Persons covered by national medical insurance were 1.45 times(95% CI: 1.08-1.95) more likely to develop dental caries comparing to persons covered by employee medical insurance. Compared with persons not eating snacks, the risk of developing caries in persons eating snacks once a day was 1.16(95% CI: 1.01-1.32), while those who snacked twice or more a day were 1.19(95% CI: 1.01-1.41). The relative risk of developing periodontal disease was 3.71(95% CI: 2.38-5.80) higher in older individuals than younger. In terms of education level, middle school graduates and lower were 1.54 times more likely to develop periodontal disease than college graduates. Low income earners were 1.47 times more likely to develop periodontal diseases than high income earners. Using data from a large, nationally representative sample of Korean populations, we support the hypothesis that the prevalence of oral diseases is related with socioeconomic factors and health behaviors. More intensive intervention efforts to reduce the prevalence of dental diseases are warranted in Korea.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.199-203
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• 2007

Dental caries is a major worldwide oral disease problem. Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) plays an important role in the information of dental plaque and it is being noticed as major causative bacteria of dental caries. Therefore, the development of more effective, substantial and safe preventive agents against dental caries is strongly required. In the present study, inhibitory effects of the ethanol extract of the husk of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) on the growth, acid production, adhesion and water-insoluble glucan synthesis of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) were examined. The ethanol extract of pomegranate husk (250 - 4000 ${\mu}$g/ml) significantly lowered the growth of S. mutans in a dose dependent manner. The acid production of S. mutans were inhibited by the presence of ethanol extract of pomegranate husk (500 - 4000 ${\mu}$g/ml) significantly. The ethanol extract of pomegranate husk (5000 - 4000 ${\mu}$g/ml) also significantly lowered the adherence of S. mutans. In water-insoluble glucan synthesis assay, 1000 - 4000 ${\mu}$g/ml of the ethanol extract of pomegranate husk significantly inhibited the formation of water-insoluble glucan. These results suggest that pomegranate husk may inhibit the caries-inducing properties of S. mutans. Further studies are necessary to clarify the active constituents of pomegranate husk responsible for such biomolecular activities.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.105-115
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• 2009

Objectives: This study was conducted to assess dental health states of disabled people and analyze association between perception and awareness toward dental health and dental health status. Methods: The survey was performed from June 25 through October 30, 2004. A total of 548 disabled people participated in the study with details of 419 living in eight residential care centers located in Gyeongsangbuk-do and 129 children from a special school and two day-care centers. All subjects underwent oral examination and surveyed through a questionnaire. Parents of 129 children with disabilities were also surveyed through a separate questionnaire. Results: The dental caries experience rate was 82.1% of total 548 subjects. By age, those in their 20s experienced a high rate of dental caries with 87.5%. By educational level, those with a middle school education experienced a high dental caries rate with 91.8% (p<0.05). Of total subjects who experienced dental caries, 78.9% had experience in dental caries treatment. By age, those in their 10s showed a high rate of dental caries treatment with 87.4%(p<0.05). By educational level, those with a high school education showed a high rate of dental caries treatment with 87.7%(p<0.05). Those in residential care centers had a high rate of dental caries treatment with 82.1%, which is significantly higher than 68.8% of those who used day-care centers. A tooth extraction rate was 38.0% of total subjects. Those in their 40s had a higher rate of tooth extraction(p<0.01). Those in residental care centers had a significantly higher rate of extraction with 43.4%, compared with 20.2% of those in day-care centers. Of total subjects, 61.5% had plaque. A high rate of plaque formation was observed in those in their 40s(92.0%), those with a high school education(84.0%) and those with multiple disabilities(77.8%)(p<0.01). Among total subjects, 47.6% maintained healthy periodontal tissue. Those in their 40s and those with multiple disabilities had diseased periodontal tissue(p<0.01). Of 129 disabled children, 43.8% had plaque with parents who were not oral health-conscious while 18.6% had plaque with parents who were oral health-conscious, showing a significant difference(p<0.05) Conclusion: The results of the study suggest the need for educating parents with disabled children about oral health and strengthening programs for oral health for teachers working at special schools and day-care centers.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.695-705
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the appearance of having relationship between the exposure to lead and cadmium and the dental caries targeting adults in the Republic of Korea. Methods : The study was designed as a cross-sectional study, using the data of the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The subjects as 1,966 people, who were confirmed the appearance of dental caries among 1,991 people of having been offered the heavy-metal concentration in blood. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 19.0, according to complex sampling design. Results : As a result of multi-variate analysis on factors of dental caries, in Model I without correction, the gender, age, educational level, appearance of lifelong smoking, daily toothbrushing frequency, appearance of using dental floss, and subjective oral health status were recognized as important factors. In Model II with correction of gender and age, the educational level, daily toothbrushing frequency, and subjective oral health status were recognized as statistically significant factors. In Model III with correction of all factors, the gender, age, educational level, appearance of using dental floss, and subjective oral health status were functioning as statistically significant factors. As a result of statistically analyzing relationship between the exposure to lead and cadmium and the dental caries targeting adults, it was analyzed that there is no significant correlation. However, in case of lead, the tendency of being grown the cross ratio of dental caries could be examined in model I, which didn't correct disturbance factor, model II, which corrected gender and age, and model III, which corrected all variables of disturbance factor. Conclusions : The exposure to lead and cadmium was indicated to have no relationship with adults' dental caries. However, a continuous research of relationship was considered to be necessary by using Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which is surveyed in the future.