Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a persistent, inflammatory, mucocutaneous skin condition that often affects the oral cavity. The purpose of this narrative review research was to investigate muscarinic receptor type-3 (MR3) in OLP patients.

In order to perform this research, papers and scientific reports pertinent to the subject at hand were searched for utilizing specialized keywords in national and worldwide databases. The requisite final papers were then analyzed using the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and their findings were retrieved.

The amount of stimulated and unstimulated salivary flow, as well as the levels of MR3, were significantly reduced in patients with OLP compared to healthy persons. In addition, the data demonstrated that the prevalence of xerostomia in OLP patients was more than in healthy people.

Based on the results, it can be concluded that OLP patients have low salivary flow rate and lower level of MR3 and these patients suffer from xerostomia.

HU is a standard numbering system in CT, which is proportional to x-ray attenuation and an indicator of relative tissue density. In CBCT, the x-ray  attenuation degree is demonstrated with the grayscale. The present study aimed to  determine the correlation between the grayscale in CBCT and HU (Hounsfield Unit) in MDCT.

This descriptive-analytical study was approved under the ethics code of IR.GUMS.REC.1398.451. A human dry mandible was immersed in a transparent cylindrical container to simulate soft tissue attenuation. The sample was scanned at three separate imaging centers using three CBCT units with the same brand. The scans were carried out once with standard irradiation conditions and once with high-resolution conditions. The mandible was scanned with a CT scan unit. The grayscale and HU of the enamel, dentin, cortical, and spongy bone were evaluated and compared with each other. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used for data analysis at a significance level of 5% (P<0.05).

In two standard and high-resolution conditions, there was a significant correlation (P<0.001) between the grayscale and HU. Given the positive values of the mean differences, it could be concluded that the gray level in CBCT has a positive correlation with HU in MDCT.

The grayscale in CBCT and HU in MDCT had a positive correlation, and according to this study, it is possible to calculate the HU from the gray level.

The number of people demanding orthodontic treatment for their psychosocial problems related to facial aesthetic is growing. The aim of this study was to evaluate tendency, motivation, and barriers of orthodontic treatment in patients  referred to orthodontic offices in Rasht in 2018.

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 171 adults over 20 years of age who referred to orthodontic clinics in Rasht in 2018. The data collection tool was a questionnaire designed based on other studies. The questionnaire consisted of 16 questions and three parts: personal characteristics, motivation for using orthodontics treatments, and questions about motivations, main obstacles, and the main causes of using orthodontic treatments.

The level of motivation and tendency for orthodontic treatment was high. There was a direct and significant relationship between motivation and tendency to  orthodontic treatment (p<0.001). Encouraging one to decide about orthodontic treatment was the first priority. Regarding common problems, the first problem was about the appearance after the treatment, and the second problem was the problems of chewing and eating which takes longer in these patients.

The motivation toward orthodontic treatment was high. The first  motivation for seeking treatment was dissatisfaction with one’s appearance and  demanding a better appearance. The main orthodontic obstacles were high costs and visible orthodontic appliances.

Aging process leads to changes in the oral mucosa and more than 50% of head and neck cancers occur in older adults. This study aimed to assess the frequency of oral and maxillofacial neoplasms in the Iranian geriatric population.

The record files of the oral pathology department,  Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, and the pathology departments of Loghman and Imam Khomeini hospitals from 2007 to 2016 served as the source of  material for this retrospective study. Data including patient’s age, gender, tumor  location, and the histopathologic diagnosis were recorded. Chi-Square and one-way  ANOVA tests were used for statistical analysis.

During this period, 551 oral and maxillofacial neoplasms of geriatric  patients were registered in the aforementioned centers. They generally had the highest frequency in the 7th decade of life with a male to female ratio of 1.45. The oral cavity was the commonest location (52%, p=0.000). Out of 551 samples, 95.59% were found in soft tissue and 4.41% in bone. Epithelial tumors were the most common microscopic subtype (56.8%), followed by salivary gland tumors (27.20%). Squamous cell  carcinoma (SCC) was the most common neoplasm (46.50%).

In this study, oral and maxillofacial tumors were most often observed in patients in their 70s with a higher prevalence in male patients. The frequency of cancer was three times that of benign tumors, which emphasizes the need for screening examinations for older adults.

Children’s better control methods within the pediatric dentistry  focus on avoiding unpleasant behaviors, creating a trusting environment that can  facilitate the dental treatment, and developing positive attitudes towards future dental care. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of using 3D audio-visual glasses and  headphones as a distraction technique to reduce pain and anxiety of children during dental injection.

This study included 30 healthy children aged 4-10 years. Audio, audio-visual and conventional behavior management strategies were used for each child who needed three dental treatments with infiltration anesthesia injection in the posterior region of maxilla. The subjects’ pain severity was assessed using FLACC Scale and anxiety state was measured by Facial Image Scale.

There was a significant decrease in pain perception (P < 0.001) and anxiety state scores (P < 0.001) with the use of 3D audio-visual glasses compared to the use of headphones and control group.

It was concluded that audiovisual distraction technique was more  effective than audio distraction technique in reducing pain and anxiety of dental  anesthesia injection.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the Visfatin levels in Gingival Crevicular Fluid in Association between Coronary Heart Disease and Chronic Periodontitis.

This matched case control study was conducted on 60 CHD patients and 60 controls. These participants were divided to four groups as follow: 1) patients with both CHD and CP (n=30), 2) patients with CHD and  without CP (n=30), 3) patients with CP and without CHD (n=30), and 4) healthy subjects (n=30). The amount of visfatin in GCF samples of these participants were evaluated by  Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).

The amount of visfatin in GCF of CHD patients with CP and CP patients were significantly higher than healthy subjects (P<0.001).

Visfatin levels in GCF of CHD patients with CP and CP patients can help to better understand the probable inflammatory process of the CHD and CP