Publications by authors named "Davis C Thomas"

Introduction The prevalence of dental caries and endodontic infections caused by bacteria such as and poses a significant challenge in root canal treatment. These pathogens exhibit significant resistance to antimicrobial treatments due to their ability to form biofilms, complex microbial communities encased in a self-produced extracellular polymeric substance (EPS). Despite advancements in treatment strategies, the failure rate remains high due to the difficulty in completely eradicating microbial populations within the complex root canal system.

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The aim of the study is to describe the severity, temporal characteristics, and types of autonomic features as they relate to the characteristics of pain of the neuralgias. Also, to describe, based on literature, how these autonomic features can affect the treatment outcomes of patients with craniofacial neuralgias. We carried out a literature search using five databases, PubMed, Embase, OVID, Scopus and Web of Science.

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Introduction Complex interactions between cariogenic bacteria and host factors modulate dental caries. , a gram-positive facultative anaerobe plays a prominent role in the initiation of caries. The ability of to adhere to salivary enamel pellicle results in an acidic local habitat for the organism.

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Article Synopsis
  • This study examines the connection between musculoskeletal (MSK) pain, sleep health, and psychological outcomes in dental students, revealing a high prevalence of MSK pain among this group.
  • Results showed that students with MSK pain experienced significantly poorer sleep quality and increased daytime sleepiness compared to those without pain, particularly those with back pain.
  • The findings suggest that while the number of painful sites doesn't greatly impact sleep or psychological health, specific pain locations, especially back pain, are linked to worse sleep functioning.
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The purpose of the present manuscript is to provide an overview for researchers and clinicians summarizing the knowledge concerning the relationship between some of the main sleep-related conditions of dental interest: sleep bruxism (SB), obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Starting with the discussion of the evolving current knowledge on SB, the interconnections are discussed. Most of the available literature focused on the possible relationship between OSA and SB, but a clear pathophysiological connection or temporal relationship has not been identified.

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Today, it is common for medically complex patients who are receiving multiple medications, to seek routine and emergent dental care. It is essential for the practitioner to recognize and comprehend the impact of such medications on the patient's ability to tolerate the planned dental treatment and on dental treatment outcomes. An active appraisal of current literature is essential to stay abreast of emerging findings and understand their treatment implications.

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This article gives valuable insight into the effect of selected groups of medications on dental treatment outcome and prognosis. The review emphasizes the importance of thorough medical history, which may have an impact on the prognosis of dental treatment. We discuss drugs acting on the central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, endocrine system, and bone metabolism among others.

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There are several factors that affect a patient's experience of pain. These include both local and systemic factors. The systemic factors that affect patients' dental and orofacial pain experience include, but not limited to, hormonal, nutritional, systemic infections, neurodegenerative, and autoimmune, among others.

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Article Synopsis
  • This study reviews key sleep-related disorders like sleep bruxism (SB), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and their effects on dental treatments.
  • Evidence indicates these conditions are interconnected and can influence each other, highlighting the importance of understanding their relationships.
  • Dental professionals have a crucial role in recognizing and managing these disorders to improve patient outcomes.
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Stress is a process that activates neuronal, metabolic, and neuroendocrine mechanisms. The individual's response may be determined by variables such as genetic factors, environmental conditions, sex, and age, among others. These responses are critical for survival, and the involvement of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is necessary for adaptation, which through counter-regulatory mechanisms seeks to restore homeostasis.

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This study gives an insight into certain systemic conditions and factors such as nutrition, age, hematological disorders, hypertension, smoking, obesity, and metabolic syndrome that have a notable effect on the periodontium. The review highlights the importance of taking these factors into consideration in periodontal therapy and their impact on the prognosis of periodontal therapies. The other systemic factors are discussed in detail elsewhere in the special issue.

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Clinicians who place and restore implants are always concerned about the success and longevity of the same. There are several local and systemic factors that affect osseointegration and the health of the peri-implant tissues. In this study, we review the systemic factors that can affect implant survival, osseointegration, and long-term success.

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Background: Sleep disturbances have been shown to result in considerable morbidity and mortality. It is important for dental clinicians to understand the neuroscience behind sleep disorders.

Types Of Studies Reviewed: The authors conducted a search of the literature published from January 1990 through March 2024 of sleep medicine-related articles, with a focus on neuroscience.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the understanding and awareness of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) among Indian dentists, focusing on the newly recognized specialty of orofacial pain.
  • A nationwide questionnaire was distributed to gather data from 310 dentists, both general practitioners and specialists, assessing their knowledge in areas like pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of TMD.
  • Results indicated a lack of confidence in treating TMD, with only 58.1% of general dentists and 46.8% of specialists feeling equipped to manage these patients; splint therapy emerged as the most common treatment choice among general dentists.
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Article Synopsis
  • The understanding of sleep bruxism (SB) has changed significantly over the years, moving away from the belief that peripheral factors like dental occlusion are responsible for SB, to a focus on central factors, including the autonomic nervous system and genetics.
  • A review of 4,612 articles from various databases revealed 312 relevant studies that emphasize this shift in how SB is perceived and managed.
  • Current literature suggests that SB is more influenced by neurophysiological mechanisms rather than dental issues, indicating a need for further scientific research on its causes and possible treatments.
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Context: Odontogenic lesions have diverse biological behaviour which is characterised by local invasiveness, and a high recurrence rate. EGFR and survivin was found to be involved in the aggressiveness, recurrences and metastasis of a variety of epithelial malignancies.

Aims: To assess and compare the expression of EGFR and survivin in Ameloblastoma (AB), Odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) and Calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC).

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Background: Blood-borne pathogens (BBPs) are infectious microorganisms that are found in human blood and can cause diseases in humans. Health care workers such as physicians, surgeons, nurses, dentists, dental students, dental assistants, laboratory technicians, personnel handling infectious waste, and other health care employees are at increased risk of exposure to these pathogens. Percutaneous injuries from needles or other sharp objects are the major sources of BBPs in the workplace.

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Comorbidity is a distinct additional condition that either existed or exists during the clinical course of a patient afflicted by the condition/entity in question. The clinician attempting to manage temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) and TMD pain must realize that recognition and management of the comorbidities are essential to the successful management of the same with optimal pain control. When TMD presents with multiple comorbidities, the task for the clinician becomes more complex.

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This paper provided an overview of the knowledge on the relationship between temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and the main sleep conditions and disorders of dental interest, namely, sleep bruxism (SB), sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It emerged that although the topic of SB as a possible detrimental factor for the stomatognathic structures has been the most studied, evidence is growing that SB, obstructive sleep apnea, and GERD, all belong to a circle of mutually interacting sleep disorders and conditions that, in turn, may be associated with TMDs. The pathophysiology of the cause-and-effect relationships, if existing, has to be elucidated yet.

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