Avicenna Journal of Dental Research
Volume:1 Issue: 1, Jan 2009

Oral mucosa can be affected in many systemic diseases such as Chronic Renal Failure (CRF). Many metabolic and hematologic disorders develop in patients with CRF which can also affect oral cavity. Oral mucosa, teeth, salivary glands and jaw bones are affected. Although hemodialysis can improve many of systemic features but the best treatment is renal transplantation. In addition to previous features, several oral manifestations emerge as a consequent of transplantation. Here we reviewed these manifestations.

Statement of the problem: Patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis are affected by many systemic diseases due to their lack of ability to control water and electrolyte balance and filtrate waste products. Obviously, there would be some manifestations in the oral cavity especially in the gingiva.. This study was carried out to survey the prevalence of periodontal disease and its related characteristics in hemodialysis patients from the dialysis department of educational Ekbatan Hospital in Hamadan. Thirty one patients (14 women and 17 men) who were continuously receiving therapy in the dialysis ward were studied. Periodontal Disease Index (PDI), Papillary Bleeding Index (PBI) and Plaque Control Record Index (PCRI) were measured and the information was recorded in a questionnaire containing variables such as status of dialysis, tooth brushing habits, history of transplantation and its related oral manifestations. Then, the recorded data were analyzed.. The results revealed that all patients had periodontal disease. Plaque control record index was higher than 50% in nearly all patients. Despite the high accumulation of plaque in the patients; the rate of gingival bleeding was low. Also, it was demonstrated that more than half of the patients did not brush their teeth. Patients with a history of renal transplantation had a lower plaque accumulation compared to the others, and consequently periodontal disease was less observed. It was also demonstrated that the older hemodialysis patients, the more severe periodontal disease. It seems that patients did not pay much attention to their oral hygiene; therefore the need for appropriate instructions and mane education in this regard is evident.

Statement of the problem: Geographic tongue is characterized by loss of filliform papillae in an erythematous area with keratotic borders. It vanishes after a while and reappears in another area. It is relatively common and is most seen among females. Considering such problems as pain, burning sensation and sharp pain in tongue, decreasing of taste sensation, cancer phobia and esthetic problems it needs to be treated.. The aim of this study was to determine the therapeutic effect of zinc sulfate in patients with geographic tongue.. Randomized-controlled study with two parallel treatment groups was performed to evaluate the efficacy of zinc sulfate in treatment of geographic tongue. After a pilot study, the number of patients was estimated to be 40. Twenty patients were assigned to the experiment group with zinc sulfate therapy and 20 patients were assigned to the control group that took placebo. Patients with symptomatic or asymptomatic geographic tongue were included in this study. Since zinc sulfate has been categorized as group C, pregnant women were excluded from our study. Randomized double blind method of sampling was applied. A questionnaire regarding personal background of patients, along with a complete history of the present geographic tongue was filled for the patients on the day of entering the study and also on the 10th day after beginning the therapy. Healing was defined as complete resolving of tongue lesions. On the 10th day, the effect of treatment was assessed by the examiner. The data were analyzed using Chi-square test.. In 16 of the 20 patients in the experimental group signs of healing were found as well as 3 of the 20 patients in the control group. The data were analyzed using Chi-square test.. The role of zinc in maintaining healthy epithelial tissues, renewing of filliform papillae and the positive effect of zinc sulfate in treatment of geographic tongue were clearly observed.

Statement of problem: Comprehensive diagnosis is regarded as an important base for orthodontic treatment. An effective way to achieve a correct diagnosis is to compare the craniofacial skeleton of patients with normal cases in the same race through lateral cephalograms.. The present study was designed to determine the cephalometric norms of senior high school students in the city of Hamedan in 2002 and compare with results of other studies.. According to the normal occlusion definition 25 girls and 27 boys aged between 17 – 20 years were selected. They did not have any facial malformation and history of orthodontic treatment. Lateral cephalograms were obtained in Natural Head Position (NHP). Twenty one cephalometric variables were measured three times. Student t test was used to compare the results with other studies.. The mean length of anterior cranial base of girls and boys (72.5±3.7, 76.8±3.7) were significantly less than Michigan norms for girls and boys (76.9±3.9, 83.3±3.8) (p=0.005). There was a significant tendency to more straight profile and forward rotation of mandible (88.3±4.6, 89.6±2.7) vs. Cooks´ (80.8±3.1, 82.1±2.2) (p=0.005). Linear measurements of boys were generally greater than of girls.. It is important to consider ethnic and racial variations and sex differences in preparing problem list and treatment planning.

Statement of the problem: Recent studies have shown a relation between some ABO blood types and increased susceptibility to fungal infections.. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of blood groups in patients with denture stomatitis.. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, diagnosis of denture stomatitis in 100 patients with complete denture, was made by direct clinical examination and confirmed by staining of samples. Blood groups were determined by direct agglutination method, using monoclonal antibodies against human A and B blood antigens. Data were analyzed by student t.test with p< 0/05 as the limit of significance.. Among 100 patients (53 males, 47 females) included in this study, the frequency of blood group O was (53%), group A (17%), group B (18%) and group AB (12%). The frequency of blood group O had the highest frequency in patients with Denture Stomatitis in comparison with other blood groups (p<0.05).. Blood group O might be considered as a predisposing factor for denture related candidiasis.

Statement of problem: Comprehensive diagnosis is regarded as an important base for orthodontic treatment. An effective way to reach a correct diagnosis is to compare the craniofacial skeleton of patients with normal cases in the same race through lateral cephalograms.. The present study was designed to determine the cephalometric standards of senior high school students in the city of Hamadan and compare with results of other studies.. According to the normal occlusion definition, 25 girls and 27 boys aged 17-20 years were selected. They did not have any facial malformation and history of orthodontic treatment. Lateral cephalograms were obtained in Natural Head Position. Twenty two cephalometric variables were measured three times. Student t -test used in order to analyze the results.. The length of anterior cranial base of girls and boys (72.5 +3.7, 76.8+3.7) were significantly less than Michigan standards for girls and boys (76.9+3.9,83.3+3.8) (p<0.005). There was a significant tendency to more straight profile and forward rotation of mandible (88.3+4.6, 89.6+2.7) in this study vs. Cook's (80.8+3.1, 82.1+2.2) (p<0.005). Linear measurements of boys were generally greater than of girls.. It is important to consider ethnic and racial variations and sex differences in preparing problem list and treatment planning.

Statement of the problem: Halitosis is a common condition. Many oral diseases, as well as several systemic diseases, may cause halitosis. According to some studies the prevalence of this symptom is more than 50%.. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of general practitioners (dentists), who work in Tehran, about “halitosis”.. In this cross-sectional, descriptive study 379 dentists were evaluated. The questionnaire consisted of 15 multiple choice questions (5 choices with one of them being an “I don’t know”). There were 5 questions for evaluating knowledge about etiology of halitosis, 4 questions about pathogenesis, 4 questions on diagnosis and differential diagnosis, and 2 questions for treatment. Criterion scores (of 15) calculated as sum of correct answers and ¼ for an “I don’t know” answer. Spearman- Brown’s reliability index was 0.8. Chi-square and Lawshe’s ω test were used for statistical analysis.. Mean (±standard deviation) of criterion scores was 8.06±2.15 out of 15 (median of 8; range of 2.75 to 13). The mean of correct and wrong answers were 7.3±2.3 (median of 7) and 4.7±2.4 (median of 5), respectively. According to extreme groups’ scores all items were appropriately distinctive. Difficulty degree varied from 8.2% to 86.5%.. The level of general practitioners’ knowledge was relatively low. Only about half of study population could achieve a criterion score more than 7.5 out of 15.

Orofacial granulomatosis(OFG) is a granulomatous disease of the orofacial region which appears usually as a persistent and/or recurrent labial soft tissues swelling in the orofacial region and is characterized histologically by a granulomatous inflammation. OFG may cause significant cosmetic and functional problems but can be prevented if the disease is diagnosed early and promptly treated. The etiology of oral lesions with non-caseating granulomas includes oral Crohn’s tooth associated infections, sarcoidosis and food or contact allergies. Treatment of OFG is not always necessary, although most patients do require some medical intervention.