Journal of Oral Health and Oral Epidemiology
Volume:7 Issue: 3, Summer 2018

Information gathered from patients about dental implants is often incomplete and scattered. The aim of the present study was to measure the level of this information and the attitudes of patients seeking dental implants. In the present cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study, 248 people were employed. To discover the level of knowledge and attitudes in dental implants a questionnaire was distributed amongst the participants. Data were collected from people seeking implants in dental colleges and implant dental clinics in Isfahan, Iran. Analyses of the patients' answers in the questionnaire was carried out using SPSS software with t-test, Spearman's rho correlation coefficient, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test (α = 0.05). The mean score of knowledge was 5.3 ± 2.1 (from maximum 12). The average of attitude questions in Likert scale reached to 25.84 ± 3.38 (from maximum 35), and in questions with numerical linear scale it was 21.44 ± 5.38 (from maximum 25). The source of information on dental implants for most of the patients was their dentists. The level of knowledge increased with higher level of education and also with better economic status. The attitude of patients about this method of tooth replacement was also more positive amongst ones with better economic situation. The results of the present study demonstrated that the knowledge of patients about dental implants is moderate, and there is a positive attitude toward this treatment method.

Ectopic eruption (EE) of the permanent first molars (PFMs) results from a discrepancy between the jaw growth rate and the growth rate of these teeth. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of EE of PFMs in Kerman, Iran, and then determine the relationship between growth parameters (height and weight) and this developmental anomaly. In the present study, 2025 children aged 6-9 years were examined to determine the prevalence of eruption of PFMs. Examinations were carried out with the use of tongue depressors under adequate light. Height and weight were determined in the control (without EE of PFM) and the case (with EE of PFM) groups, and then registered in the relevant checklist. Descriptive statistical methods were used for the analysis of qualitative data at a confidence interval (CI) of 95%. Chi-squared test was used for comparisons between the two groups in relation to age and gender. In the present study, prevalence of the EE of PFMs was 2.8% in 6 to 9-year-old children in Kerman. The rate of this developmental anomaly was higher in boys compared to girls and higher in the maxilla than in the mandible; however, the differences were not significant (P > 0.05). The prevalence of EE was higher in children with a lower mean age and a lower mean height and weight, which was significant statistically (P 0.05). In addition, there was no significant relationship between cleft palate or lip and EE (P > 0.05). Children in the lower than normal height and weight percentile are more susceptible to the EE developmental anomaly.

The effectiveness of buccal or lingual (B/L) infiltration of 4% articaine as supplemental injection for pulp anesthesia of mandibular teeth was confirmed in previous studies. However, this study was aimed to compare the effectiveness of 2% lidocaine as inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) versus B/L infiltration of 4% articaine for pulp anesthesia, as primary injection in mandibular second molars. Thirty adult volunteers ranging from 18 to 40 years old with no systemic disease or medicine intake were included in this split-mouth, double-blind, randomized clinical trial study. Each mandibular side of included subjects was allocated randomly to control group (IANB using 2% lidocaine and 1/80000 epinephrine using direct technique) and B/L infiltration group using 4% articaine (Septanest; Septodont, Saint-Maur-des-Fosses, France). After obtaining base line sensitivity, electric pulp testing (EPT) was done at 5, 8, 11, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 minutes post injections. The data were analyzed using chi-square test. The success rate of anesthesia for IANB group was 83.3% (25 of 30 subjects) and 30% (9 of 30 subjects) for B/L infiltration group, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (P = 0.0005). The mean onset time of pulp anesthesia for IANB group was 22.6 ± 30.9 minutes and 65.5 ± 38.0 for B/L infiltration group, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (P = 0.0001). The mean duration time of pulp anesthesia for IANB group was 53.0 ± 27.4 minutes and 10.6 ± 17.2 for B/L infiltration group, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (P = 0.0001). The results indicated that IANB using 2% lidocaine was more successful than B/L infiltration of 4% articaine in onset and duration of pulp anesthesia of mandibular second molars as primary injections.

Dental caries is one of the most common chronic diseases in children that affects oral health, general health, and quality of life; and often leads to pain and discomfort when left untreated. This study aimed to evaluate the severity and location of dental caries based on background determinants, nutritional status, oral health behaviors, and fluoride therapy status in the primary teeth of children aged 5-7 years old in Tehran, Iran. This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was performed on 572 children. Data were collected by two calibrated dentists by a questionnaire in 4 parts: demographic information, medical history, nutritional status, and oral health behaviors. The severity and location (surfaces) of dental caries were recorded for canine, primary first and second molar teeth according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Data were analyzed with backward linear regression analyses. The mean of decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) was 4.9 for all examined teeth. Dental caries was more prevalent in boys [odds ratio (OR) = 1.83, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.81-2.80], those who had dental visits due to dental problems with pain (OR = 1.17, 95% CI: 0.73-1.60), and those who did not receive fluoride therapy (OR = 1.64, 95% CI: 0.58-2.60). The mandibular jaw had a higher frequency of carious surfaces. Proximal caries was about
0.47 times higher in non-affluent versus affluent areas (95% CI: 0.06-0.90). Buccolingual caries was 0.25 times more prevalent in boys than girls (95% CI: 0.04-0.50), and occlusal caries was 0.5 times more frequent in children with irregular fluoride therapy than those with regular one (95% CI: 0.06-0.90). Gender, mother's level of education, type of snack consumption, age when the child started tooth brushing, fluoride therapy, and reason for dental visit affected the severity of dental caries.

It is required in many young patients that permanent first molars (PFMs) be extracted due to poor prognosis. This study investigates whether the extraction of such teeth is effective on the development of third molars and even their crown and root morphologies. A total of 7000 panoramic radiographs were evaluated and 128 radiographs showing a history of extraction of PFMs on one side in one jaw or both jaws, with the third molars present in the same jaw on both sides, were selected. The third molar on the first molar extraction side was considered the case and the third molar on the other side was considered the control. The case and control third molars were compared in relation to their development, impaction, number of roots, mesiodistal width, root length, and curvature of apex. P On 128 panoramic radiographs evaluated, Olze and Demirjian factors showed that in most cases the crown development of the third molars on the control side lagged behind that on the case side. On the control side, the third molars had two roots in 66.9% and on the case side had two roots in 75.8%. Extraction of PFMs at a proper time might accelerate the development of the third molars on the same side and affect the morphologies of the crown and root(s) of third molars.

Nowadays, resin composites are the preferred material for direct posterior restorations. The present study was conducted to assess the performance and problems of general dental practitioners during and after posterior direct composite restorations in Kerman, Iran. 160 general dentists (63% men and 37% women) participated in this analytic-descriptive study. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 13 close-ended questions about the performance and problems of dentists associated with composite restorations in Kerman, in 2016. Data were analyzed by chi square and t-test using SPSS software. The most frequent complaint of patients after composite restorations was food impaction (45.0%), and the most clinicians' problems during composite restorations were achieving tight proximal contact (59.3%) and proper isolation (59.3%). Most of the dentists used traditional metal matrix systems (70.0%), wet polishing technique (81.2%), light-emitting diode (LED) light curing unit (62.5%), packable composites (51.2%) with incremental technique (83.1%), and two-step total etch bonding (70.0%). The main criteria for selecting composite as restorative material was patient request (55.0%), and most of the dentists preferred to restore the small or moderate class I cavities (67.5%), and after it, class V cavities (57.5%) with composite. Moreover, secondary caries (58.1%) was the most common reason for replacement of composite restorations; and in all questions, there were statistically significant differences between the most prevalent answer and the other answers (P The most frequent problems of dentists (achieving proper contact) and the most frequent complaints of patients (food impaction) are related to the use of traditional metal matrix systems.

Identifying the factors affecting utilization of dental services is one of the best ways to improve the health status. This study aimed to investigate the effective factors on utilization of dental services. In this cross-sectional study, 1185 household heads were selected randomly, and using a researcher-made questionnaire based on World Health Organization (WHO) Global Health Survey and Andersen behavioral model, and through multivariate logistic regression, the predictors of visiting a dentist during 1 year ago were investigated in 2017. The households’ income inequality in utilization of dental services was analyzed using concentration indices (CIs) and Pearson chi2 in STATA software. The predictor of dental visit during 1 year ago for men was having decayed teeth [odds ratio (OR) = 1.3, P = 0.030], and the predictors for women were lower ages (OR = 0.8, P = 0.001 for 19-29 years old and so on), having 32 natural teeth (OR = 0.7, P = 0.020), and employment (OR = 1.3, P = 0.048). The common predictors were increase in education level (OR = 1.4, P = 0.001 for men, and OR = 1.7, P = 0.001 for women with university degree), brushing (OR = 1.9; P = 0.001 for women, and OR = 1.3; P = 0.040 for men), and having supplementary insurance (OR = 1.7,
P = 0.001 for men, and OR = 1.9, P = 0.001 for women). Being burdensome of dental care costs during 3 years ago (CI: -0.074, P = 0.001), avoiding visiting a dentist during 1 (CI: -0.501, P = 0.001) and 3 (CI: -0.501, P = 0.001) years ago because of its costs, and failure to do all dentistry recommendations during 3 years ago (CI: -0.516, P = 0.001) happen more frequently among the poor. Moreover, the poor used all dental services such as scaling (CI: -0.638, P = 0.001), filling (CI: -0.458, P = 0.001), and root canal (CI: -0.524, P = 0.001) less than the rich. Dental health status is negatively affected by population socio-economic situation; therefore, it is necessary to implement policies to improve access to dental services among the undeserved.

Even though hemangiomas are prevalent tumors in the region of head and neck, they are comparatively rare inside the mouth and less frequently detected by dental professionals. Therefore, the aim of this case report is to present such a rare variation of hemangioma manifested within the substance of the masseter muscle.CASE REPORT: We report a unique case of intramuscular hemangioma of masseter muscle in a 26-year-old woman complained of growth and swelling in the right cheek since 6-8 months before. The growth was surgical excised and diagnosed histopathologically as intramuscular mixed capillary with cavernous hemangioma. Hemangiomas are rarely seen intramuscularly. This case presents an intramuscular hemangioma occurring within the masseter muscle. Early detection and management is required in order to avoid the potential complications associated with it.