Journal of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
Volume:23 Issue: 4, Dec 2022

Interim restorations are essential in many clinical scenarios in which indirect restorations are administered. Additional manufacturing (AM) technology has recently been introduced and applied in different fields of dental practice. This study aimed to collect relevant information from published papers regarding different aspects of AM temporary restorations with a focus on the most relevant technical properties. An electronic search was performed on Medline/ PubMed/ Scopus databases up to April 2020 to find relevant, peer-reviewed articles about AM provisional restoration. Although promising results for AM temporary restorations were obtained, comprehensive application of this technology in making provisional restorations requires information to address the missing properties concerning the short time of application.

Statement of the Problem:

 Sealants are placed to prevent carious lesion initiation and to arrest caries progression by providing a physical barrier that inhibits microorganisms and food particles from collecting in pit and fissures .The two most common materials used for sealing pits and fissures are resins and glass-ionomers. Ionoseal is a light curing GI composite cement.The aim of this study was to compare the microtensile bond strength and microleakage of Ionoseal with different surface pretreatment.

This in vitro ,an experimental study was conducted on 95 sound human premolar in 5 groups(in each group 5 teeth for microtensile test and 14 teeth for microleakage test).A :35% phosphoric acid + total etch adhesive + Ionoseal ,B :universal adhesive + Ionoseal ,C: 35% phosphoric acid + Ionoseal,D: Ionoseal, E: 35% phosphoric acid + Embrace fissure sealant. On the prepared buccal enamel of each tooth, a 5 mm block of the sealing material was created and underwent thermocycling .By serially cutting, specimens about1×1mm in cross section were obtained and loaded in tensile (0.5 mm/min) until failure occurred .For microleakage test,sealing material was placed into the prepared occlusal fissures and teeth were thermocycled and then immersed in methylene blue 5% .An incision was made buccolingually. The dye penetration rate was measured based on Williams and winter criteria under stereomicroscope.

Mean microtensile bond strength was significantly different between groups (P

Statement of the Problem:

 Perforation within external root resorption (ERR) lesions dramatically affects the prognosis of the involved roots. Failure to diagnose perforation undermines treatment; therefore, early detection of these lesions is of great importance. The cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images and electronic apex locators (EAL) are reliably used to detect root perforations.

In this in vitro study, we compared the EAL findings with the results obtained by the CBCT images for the detection of perforations within ERR lesions.

This cross sectional study included 160 extracted anterior human teeth. The teeth were categorized into four groups including teeth with intact root, teeth with ERR, teeth with ERR and 0.5 mm perforation, and teeth with ERR with 1 mm perforation. The presence of perforations was compared by CBCT images and root EAL.

The sensitivity of CBCT scans in detecting 0.5 mm and 1 mm root perforations was 100% and 97.5%, respectively, while the sensitivity of the EAL was 10% and 27.5% in detecting 0.5 mm and 1 mm root perforations, respectively( with the ±0.5mm range of error). For detecting intact and teeth with ERR, the specificity of CBCT scans was 100% and 95%, respectively, and for EAL, it was 100% for both. Poor agreement was found between the two techniques (kappa=-0.025).

CBCT scans were more sensitive and specific than EAL scans for detecting perforations in non-obturated root canals in this study.

Statement of the Problem:

 Oral lichen planus (OLP) and other oral lichenoid lesions (OLL) are reported to have the potential of malignant transformation and dysplastic changes, turning into oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). While the world health organization (WHO) has classified OLP as a precancerous lesion of the oral cavity, there is still much debate among researchers about its risks and malignancy potential. 

The present study aimed to determine malignant transformation in OLP and OLL and understand related risk factors.

This retrospective study was performed on 356 patients of the Oral Medicine Department of Dental School of Kerman Medical University from 1998 to 2020. All patients’ records were gathered. In addition, patients were followed up routinely. Second biopsy was taken as needed. The samples, previously taken from the patients, were re-evaluated according to WHO histopathologic criteria for diagnosing OLP, OLL, dysplasia, and SCC by an experienced pathologist and compared with first reports.

Dysplastic changes were observed in 6.2% of the patients. In more than half of the patients, dysplastic changes were present right from the start and 2.20% of the patients had experienced dysplastic changes averagely within 2.05 years of the onset of lesions. Multiple logistic regression showed that the risk of dysplasia increases with aging (p= 0.013), smoking (p= 0.0001), and thyroid disorders (p= 0.008).

Given the rather high prevalence of oral lichen planus and lichenoid lesions, further research appears to be needed to determine the etiology of these lesions, malignant transformations, and the factors affecting this probability. Considering the findings, it is imperative to meticulously record the information of all patients with oral lichen planus and lichenoid lesions in the initial examinations as well as close follow-ups and employ diagnostic tools such as toluidine blue staining or even repeat biopsy when necessary.

Statement of the Problem: 

Given the increase in the population of the elderly patients and the risk of systemic diseases in these individuals, the prevalence of the intake of various drugs is higher in elderly patients, which exposes them to the side effects of drugs including potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs).

Therefore, the present study is an attempt to evaluate the drug interactions between the drugs used by the elderly patients visiting Kerman School of Dentistry and the common dental drugs in 2020.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on the elderly patients (≥60 years (who referred to Kerman School of Dentistry for dental problems. After obtaining the oral informed consent and collecting demographic information, the drugs used by the patients and their systemic diseases were questioned, listed, and compared with the drugs mentioned in their files. The drug interactions with the common dental drugs were studied in the elderly patients using the www.drugs.com website. Chi-square, T, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare the variables. The significance level was 0.05.

Of participants included in this study, 78 (52%) were female and 72(48%) were male. The average age of these patients was 71.27 6.32 years. The most common systemic diseases were hypertension (57.3%), heart diseases (42.0%), and diabetes mellitus (40.7%). Our analysis of the DDIs between 11 commonly prescribed dental drugs and 95 drugs used by the patients revealed 212 DDIs (21.7% minor, 68.3% moderate, and 9.9% major interactions). There was a significant relationship between the number of drugs and DDIs, whereas DDIs had no significant relationship with gender and educational level.

The results reflected the high percentage of DDIs among the patients. In addition, there was a significant relationship between polypharmacy, which is highly prevalent among the elderly patients, and drug interactions.

Statement of the Problem: 

Infection control is essential for a safe clinical environment during patients’ treatment in dentistry. Transmission of the infection can occur due to contact with patients’ saliva and blood in radiology clinics.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge and practice of dentists in Kerman about infection control in digital radiology.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 162 dentists who worked either in private office or clinic or both. The samples were selected through simple sampling method. Data were collected through demographic data, and valid and reliable questionnaire consisted of 7 questions about knowledge and 12 questions about practice on infection control in digital radiology. Data were analyzed in SPSS 26 software using T, ANOVA, and linear regression tests. The p value was considered at 0.05% significant level.

86(53.1%) of participants were men and 76 (46.9%) were female. The mean age of participants and work experience were 36.32±8.88 and 11.03±8.53 years, respectively. The mean and standard deviation of knowledge, practice, and total were 5.20±1.26, 7.98±2.00, and 13.22±2.72, respectively. There was a positive significant correlation between knowledge with age of participants (p= 0.009). There was also a direct significant correlation between knowledge and practice with work experience (p= 0.045 and p= 0.01 respectively).

Knowledge and practice of dentists in Kerman about infection control in digital radiology were good and medium respectively. However, there was a direct significant correlation between knowledge and practice of dentists. Knowledge and practice scores in dentists who worked in private office were significantly better than those who worked only in clinics.

Statement of the Problem:

 Natural products have attracted interest as an alternative to synthetic medications for the treatment of oral diseases due to their efficacy and safety. Propolis and pomegranate extracts have both demonstrated efficacy for the treatment of denture stomatitis. However, use of the two compounds together has not been tested for this purpose.

A comparison was made of the efficacy of a commercially available propolis-pomegranate buccal spray formulation for the treatment of denture stomatitis, compared with miconazole gel, based on stomatitis lesions and Candida spp. concentrations in mouth rinses.

This was an experimental study, characterized as an open-label, parallel two-armed, non-inferiority randomized clinical trial. Forty elderly adults aged ≥ 60 years with denture stomatitis were randomly allocated to two groups. The patients applied a buccal spray containing 0.5% propolis and 0.9% pomegranate extracts or 2% miconazole gel, a standard treatment recommended in Brazil, to the inner surface of their dentures three times a day for 14 days. They were examined at days 1, 7, 14 and stomatitis lesions were categorized according to Newton’s score. Mouth rinses were made with saline solution at days 1 and 14 and then assessed for Candida spp.

Both treatments reduced the Newton’s score, with clinical cure rates of 75 and 40% for the miconazole and propolis-pomegranate groups, respectively. The Candida concentrations in the mouth rinse decreased significantly only in the miconazole group.

The propolis-pomegranate spray was less effective than the miconazole treatment. However, clinical improvement was also observed in patients treated with the propolis-pomegranate buccal spray.

Statement of the Problem: 

Currently, the demand for tooth-colored restorations in children and young adults is increasing. Stainless steel crown (SSC) is the most common restoration for decayed primary molars. Given the dark metallic color of SSC, the esthetic appearance of this restoration is poor and subsequently their acceptance is still a matter of debate.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of restoration’s color on children’s daily living conditions and compare the clinical and radiographic success rates of composite resins with SSC in primary molars.

This clinical trial study was performed on 70 primary molars in 44 healthy 4- to 7-year-old children. The children were randomly divided into two groups: restored with SSC and restored with composite resin. Two researcher-made questionnaires were used to assess the children’s satisfaction concerning the appearance and color of restoration. The data were analyzed with SPSS 20 using chi-squared, Fisher’s, and Mann-Whitney U tests. The significance level was set at p< 0.05.

Children’s satisfaction with restoration color in the treatment session was 75% in the SSC group and 85% in the composite resin group. However, the difference was not statistically significant (p= 0.246). After one year of follow-up, the satisfaction rate decreased to 69% in the SSC group and increased to 90.6% in the composite resin group, with a significant difference (p< 0.001). Moreover, the frequency of clinical success was 95% in the SSC group and 96.7% in the composite resin group, with no statistically significant difference (p= 0.749). The frequency of radiographic success was 87.5% in the SSC group and 100% in the composite resin group; this difference was not significant (p= 0.061).

The results verified that restoration color was not important for cooperative children in the treatment session. However, after one year, children who received composite resin restorations were pointedly more satisfied than those who were treated with SSC restorations.

Statement of the Problem:

 Unsuccessful implant integration leads to pain and implant mobility. Implant photo-functionalization by ultraviolet (UV) light has been suggested as a method that may stimulate osseointegration  

This study was conducted to analyze the histopathological feature of the titanium implant surface upon treatment with UV-C wave.

In this interventional study, twenty rabbits were enrolled. In the treatment groups, the titanium implants, irradiated earlier with UV-C for four hours laterally, were inserted in one of the femur bones. In the control group, the titanium implants without irradiation were inserted in the other femur bone of the rabbits. After two and four weeks, the animals were sacrificed, and then the samples were histologically and histo-morphometrically analyzed. In addition, the amounts of new bone formation, bleeding, and inflammation were recorded, and the data were subjected to statistical analysis.

The results confirmed that UV-C irradiation to titanium implants significantly improved new bone formation (p< 0.001). However, no significant new bone formation was observed between two and four weeks after implant insertion (p< 0.098).

The study results showed that irradiating titanium implants with UV-C for four hours significantly improves osseointegration and new bone formation but does not considerably affect inflammation or bleeding around the implant. The study suggests that UV-C radiation can increase the success rate of implant treatment.

Statement of the Problem:

 It seems essential to detect toothache in children through a validated instrument. Dental Discomfort Questionnaire (DDQ) could specifically detect the behaviors that indicate toothache through parental reports.

Current study aimed to conduct a cross-cultural adaptation process and test the validity and reliability of the Persian version of DDQ (P-DDQ).

In this cross sectional study, 60 children aged 25 to 60 months and their parents who referred to the Pediatric Department of Shiraz Dental School were selected. Parents filled out the DDQ and one examiner recorded the dmft index. To adapt the DDQ questionnaire, conceptual and item equivalence, semantic equivalence and operational equivalence were performed. The dimensions of P-DDQ were evaluated using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Test-retest reliability and internal consistency assessments were respectively carried out using weighted kappa coefficient (kw) and Cronbach’s alpha. Moreover, the construct validity was evaluated through Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Kruskal-Wallis H and Dunn’s post-hoc tests were applied for discriminant validity.

The cross-cultural adaptation of P-DDQ was conducted and minor necessary modifications were applied. Test-retest reliability showed moderate and high levels of agreement for DDQ items except for two items. An acceptable internal consistency was observed between DDQ items (Cronbach’s alpha= 0.769). EFA showed that almost all 12 items of the questionnaire were included in three factors. Both construct and discriminant validities were established for P-DDQ.

P-DDQ was cross-culturally well-adapted, validated, and reliable questionnaire applied with the purpose of detecting toothache among children in Iran.

Missed canals pose a potential risk in the treatment of teeth with anatomical variations, even when multi-angled radiographs have been used. Incomplete mechanical and chemical debridement of the root canal system can lead to treatment failure. Therefore, clinicians must have adequate knowledge of normal root canal systems as well as any possible variations in order to prevent any failure during or after the treatment of teeth with anatomical variations. Any case report of such rare variations would add to this critically required body of knowledge. The current case report presents the diagnosis and endodontic treatment of a maxillary first premolar with one root and three canals (one palatal and two buccal canals, all buccolingually positioned, bifurcating in the apical region), which was different from premolars with 3 canals reported up to now. This configuration describes an unusual root canal system for the maxillary first premolar and does not fit into any of the well-known root canal classification systems.

Treatment of impacted canine teeth is a challenge for most clinicians, especially in adult patients with high risk of ankylosis. Conventionally, leveling and alignment of the teeth are first performed and after heavy arch wire placement in slot of brackets, de-impaction force is applied. However, this method has some disadvantages, such as inability to detect ankylosis of the impacted tooth until load application, risk of root resorption of incisors or necrosis of them, distortion of dental arch form, the need for early extraction of primary canines, which is esthetically unfavorable for patients, and long-term presence of fixed orthodontic appliances in the oral cavity. This study aims to introduce approach that can be easily used by busy clinicians to guide palatally impacted canines into the dental arch using a cantilever spring supported by two palatal miniscrews prior to the initiation of fixed orthodontic treatment, and report some cases treated with this technique. This technique does not have the shortcomings of the conventional technique. In addition, the total duration of treatment, and duration of presence of orthodontic appliances in the oral cavity are shorter than the conventional technique. In addition, is less technique sensitive and do not need time complex and time consuming wire bending.