Journal of Dental School
Volume:41 Issue: 4, Autumn 2023

 During root canal preparation, dentinal chips, irrigants, and pulp remnants are extruded into the pre-radicular space. This phenomenon may lead to post-endodontic flare-ups. Furthermore, different preparation systems may be associated with varying amounts of apically extruded debris. This study aimed to compare the amount of debris extrusion using two endodontic preparation systems: ProTaper Universal and SafeSiders.

 In this in vitro study, 30 single-rooted human mandibular premolars with fully developed apices and curvatures of 0-10 degrees were randomly assigned to two groups (N=15). The root canals were prepared with the ProTaper Universal and the SafeSiders system according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Extruded debris was collected into pre-weighed tubes by washing the apical foramen area with 1cc of distilled water. After incubating tubes for ten days to evaporate the remaining irrigants, the amount of apically extruded debris was calculated by subtracting each tube's initial and final weight. Data were analyzed by Student t-test at P<0.05.

 The mean values for the amount of apically extruded debris using ProTaper Universal and SafeSiders system were 0.0018±0.0004 g and 0.0023±0.0006 g, respectively. The two groups had a statistically significant difference regarding the amount of the apically extruded debris. The SafeSiders system caused significantly more debris extrusion than the ProTaper Universal system (p<0.01).

 Both the ProTaper Universal rotary system and the SafeSiders reciprocating system caused apical debris extrusion; However, ProTaper Universal was associated with less debris extrusion.

 One of the key indicators of the effectiveness of a country's healthcare system is the delivery of accessible and impactful health services, particularly in the field of oral and dental healthcare. Among the barriers to the utilization of oral and dental healthcare services within healthcare systems, the most prominent obstacles are a lack of awareness and insufficient financial resources. The objective of this research is to investigate the factors that influence the extent to which individuals in Iran make use of dental insurance services.

 The research employed a linear probability model to evaluate how eight independent variables influence the utilization of dental insurance services. These variables included possession of supplementary dental insurance, age, parenthood, marital status, gender, level of education, DMFT index, and accessibility. The study encompassed data from 384 policyholders who participated across 20 dental clinics located in Tehran. Sampling was conducted using a stratified random sampling method, covering individuals with dental insurance from mid-2022 to mid-2023. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test ensured data normality. One-sample examined hypotheses, while Pearson's Chi-Square tested relationships. The Gamma coefficient assessed relationship strength, and the Friedman test ranked factors influencing dental service utilization.

 Possessing supplementary dental insurance with an average rank of 5.2 is the most influential factor in the extent of utilization of dental services. The DMFT index, ranking on average at 2.5, is identified as the third factor (following accessibility to dental services as the second factor) in the utilization of dental services.

 Possessing insurance emerges as a crucial factor compared to the DMFT index when it comes to dental visits. In other words, Iranians with a DMFT index but lacking insurance coverage show a lower likelihood of seeking dental treatment. This observation holds true even in the more affluent northern areas of Tehran, contrasting with regions spanning from center to lower Tehran.

 The efficacy of fluoride varnish in preventing dental caries has been well documented. The objective of this study was to compare the impact of four different fluoride varnish brands containing 5% sodium fluoride on the sound enamel of permanent teeth.

 In this experimental study, 40 sound human premolar teeth were randomly assigned to four groups (Fluorilaq®, FluoroDose®, Preventa®, Kimia®; N=10). Each tooth was sectioned into buccal and lingual halves, corresponding to the control and the experimental subgroups, respectively. In the experimental halves, a semi-circular shaped area of the enamel was treated with the designated fluoride varnish. All specimens underwent Acid Etch Enamel Biopsy. Fluoride and Calcium concentrations were measured using a Potentiometer and Inductively Coupled Plasma optical emission spectrometer, respectively. The collected data were analyzed using paired t-test and one-way ANOVA at P<0.05.

 There was a significant difference between the enamel fluoride content of experimental and control halves in all groups (P<0.05). Preventa® Fluoride varnish caused the highest Fluoride uptake, followed by FluoroDose®, Fluorilaq®, and Kimia®. All pair comparisons were statistically significant (P<0.05), except for Preventa® vs. FluoroDose® (P=0.36).

 Since all examined Fluoride varnishes increased the Fluoride content of the tooth enamel, they potentially qualify for caries prevention. Furthermore, Preventa® could be considered a good domestic alternative for other brands investigated in this research, in terms of enamel fluoride uptake.

The present study aimed to investigate the patients’psychological status, level of awareness, and attitude toward the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemicand itseffects on the process of orthodontic treatment in patients at the School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, and three private clinics in the city of Tehran in 2021-2022.

A questionnaire with fourpartswas designed. The participant’s general information and the information regarding orthodontic treatments were collected in the first part, and the patient’s knowledge and attitude in confronting COVID-19 were collected in the next two parts. In the last part, the patient’s psychological status was assessed using Kessler’s Psychological Distress Scale (K10). A total of 300questionnaires were distributed among the patients in fourclinics. Spearman’s correlation coefficients, the t-test,and U Mann-Whitney statistical test were used ata significance level of 0.05.

A total of 209 patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment participated in the present study. The mean score of the K10 questionnaire among the participants was 11.93.30.14% of the participants could not attend their orthodontic appointments at least once during 6 months.59.8% of the participants reported much concern about going to the dental office and contracting a disease.25.8%of patientswere worried about falling brackets, loosening bands, and breaking wires during the outbreak. On the other hand, 69.8% had no problem incontacting their orthodontist.

Most patients had no missed orthodontic appointments during 6 months, and more than a quarter believed that COVID-19 had affected their orthodontic treatments. The patients’psychological status was not suitableespeciallyin women. In general, with highereducational level, the awareness of COVID-19 increased,and the psychological status worsened.

Mouthwashes are one of the most effective non-mechanical methods for removing bacteria from the mouth. This study aimed to assess the cytocompatibility, antimicrobial effects (compared to chlorhexidine mouthwash), and antioxidant activity of an experimental herbal mouthwash made from sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) and rose water.

The sensitivity of Streptococcus mutans, S. sanguinis, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans to the experimental mouthwash wasestimated by measuring the diameter of the inhibition zones. Additionally, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) weredetermined using the redox dye resazurin, as well as the minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentrations (MBCs/MFCs) using the standard spot inoculation method. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, while antioxidant activity was assessed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay.

The MIC and MBC of the sumac mouthwash for the bacteria under study (except S. mutans) ranged from 0.13 to 16.65 mg/mL. For the yeast C. albicans, the MIC and MFC of the sumac mouthwash were determined to be 0.52 mg/mL. Furthermore, the sumac mouthwash showed no cytotoxicity and demonstrated significant antioxidant effects at various concentrations.

Sumac/rose water mouthwash, which is a safe, natural, biocompatible, and antioxidant product, may serve as a viable alternative to chemical antibacterial mouthwashes like chlorhexidine. This is particularly true when it is used in conjunction with regular oral hygiene practices over extended time periods.

This study aimedto investigate the cytotoxic and antibacterial properties of essential oils and hydroalcoholic extracts from Elettaria cardamomum fruit (E. cardamomum).

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (A. actinomycetemcomitans) was used as the test subject for the agar diffusion test in this in-vitro investigation to determine the antibacterial effect of the extract and essential oil. The broth microdilution method was used to calculate their minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was used to assess their cytotoxicity against human gingival fibroblasts. Tukey's test (alpha=0.05) and ANOVA wereused to evaluate the data.

The E. cardamomum hydroalcoholic extracts and essential oil demonstrated strong antibacterial activityon A. actinomycetemcomitans. E. cardamomum essential oil (91.5±1.1 mm) and E. cardamomum extract (9.5±0.4 mm) had thehighest and lowest growth inhibition zones, respectively. For E. cardamomum essential oil, the MIC and MBC were 1.45%, and for E. cardamomum extract, they were 11.5% (v/v). The essential oil exhibited appreciable cytotoxicity at low doses, while the extract did not.

Because of its antibacterial properties and low cytotoxicity at low concentrations, the hydroalcoholic extract of E. cardamomum, one of the compounds examined, may have applications as an organic mouthwash.

Mucormycosis, a lethal opportunistic infection, is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The pathogenesis of this disease appears to be multifactorial, with numerous factors contributing to its onset and progression, particularly in relation to COVID-19infection.

The presentedcase wasa 41-year-old male who had a history of COVID-19 infection and had received high-dose corticosteroid therapy. He presented with a painless, extensive necrotic lesion on the right maxilla.

A biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of maxillary mucormycotic osteomyelitis associated with COVID-19. Overall, understanding this severe infection is crucial for accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment.