Journal of Dental Research, Dental Clinics, Dental Prospects
Volume:4 Issue: 4, Autumn 2010

Background and aims. The surgical removal of the lower third molars is a procedure generally followed by side effects such as postoperative pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of socket irrigation with an anesthetic solution in relieving pain following impacted third molar surgery.Materials and methods. Thirty-four patients (17 males and 17 females), aged 18-24 years, with bilateral impacted lower third molars were selected. Both third molars were extracted in one surgical session. Tooth sockets in each patient were rinsed randomly either with 4 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine hydrochloride plain (without vasoconstrictor) anesthetic solution or 4 mL of normal saline, used as control. The patients were instructed not to use analgesics as long as possible, and if not, they were instructed to use an analgesic, and record the time. Pain severity was assessed using a visual analogue pain scale (VAPS) at 1-, 6-, 12-, and 24-hour intervals post-operatively. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s chi-square test and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results. Post-operative pain difference between the two groups was statistically significant at 1-, 6-, 12- and 24-hour post-operative intervals (P < 0.05). Post-operative pain increased in both groups to a maximum 12 hours after surgery with significant improvements after that. Conclusion. Based on the results, the irrigation of surgery site with bupivacaine after third molar surgery significantly reduces post-operative pain.

Background and aims. Change in the resting whole-mouth salivary flow rate (SFR) plays a significant role in pathogenesis of various oral conditions. Factors such as smoking may affect SFR as well as the oral and dental health. The primary purpose of this study was to determine the effect of smoking on SFR, and oral and dental health.Materials and methods. One-hundred smokers and 100 non-tobacco users were selected as case and control groups, respectively. A questionnaire was used to collect the demographic data and smoking habits. A previously used questionnaire about dry mouth was also employed. Then, after a careful oral examination, subjects’ whole saliva was collected in the resting condition. Data was analyzed by chi-square test using SPSS 15.Results. The mean (±SD) salivary flow rate were 0.38 (± 0.13) ml/min in smokers and 0.56 (± 0.16) ml/min in non-smokers. The difference was statistically significant (P=0.00001). Also, 39% of smokers and 12% of non-smokers reported experiencing at least one xerostomia symptom, with statistically significant difference between groups (p=0.0001). Oral lesions including cervical caries, gingivitis, tooth mobility, calculus and halitosis were significantly higher in smokers.Conclusion. Our findings indicated that long-term smoking would significantly reduce SFR and increase oral and dental disorders associated with dry mouth, especially cervical caries, gingivitis, tooth mobility, calculus, and halitosis.

Background and aims. The onset of opportunistic infections in HIV-positive patients is generally associated with a low CD4 count. Oral manifestations can be the first clinical sign of the infection and also determine the progression of disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of oral soft tissue manifestations and their relationship with the degree of immunosuppression observed in HIV-positive patients.Materials and methods. 100 HIV-positive patients were examined. Oral lesions were evaluated according to EEC clearing house criteria. The degree of immunosuppression was based on the CD4 count closest to the oral examination. Data were analyzed using Student’s t-test and chi-square test.Results. The most common oral lesions were rampant caries (54%), periodontal disease (44%), and hyperpigmentation (42%). Salivary glands enlargements and leukoplakia were associated with more severe immunosuppression.Conclusion. According to the results, it seems that occurrence of only some of oral lesions are related to the degree of immunosuppression and such lesions can be considered as indicators of the progression of the HIV infection.

Background and aims. Salivary gland tumors are rare and specific lesions. There are differences in the incidence and frequency of salivary tumors in both minor and major salivary glands in different countries. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of major and minor salivary gland tumors in Ahvaz in the south of Iran.Materials and methods. All the cases, recorded in Imam Khomeyni Hospital and Shafa Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran from 1997 to 2008 were assessed. Age, gender, anatomical location, and histology of all the specimens were evaluated.Results. Of 112 cases, 84 cases were benign and 28 cases were malignant. Female predominance was observed in these cases. Most lesions appeared in the third to fifth decades of life (60.71%). The incidence of malignant salivary gland tumors increased with age and male predominance was found in malignant tumors. The majority of the tumors occurred in parotid gland. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most common histological type (65.17%). Mucoepidermoid carcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma were the most common malignant tumors. Conclusion. It was shown that the peak incidence age of all salivary gland tumors was the third to fifth decades, and malignant tumors mostly occurred in the sixth to eighth decades. Female predominance for all the tumors and slight male predominance in malignant tumors were observed. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most common benign tumor. The most common malignant tumors were mucoepidermoid carcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma.

Background and aims. The condensation silicone impression materials are available, but there is little knowledge of their accuracy after disinfection. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the disinfection by spray atomization on dimensional accuracy of condensation silicone impressions.Materials and methods. Impressions were made on a stainless steel master model containing a simulated two complete crown preparation with an edentulous space interposed using Spidex® and Rapid® impression materials. 44 impressions were made with each material, of which 16 were disinfected with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite, 16 were disinfected with 10% iodophor and 12 were not disinfected. Three dimensional measurements of working casts, including interpreparation distance, height, and diameter, were calculated using a measuring microscope graduated at 0.001 mm. Dimensional changes (mm) between the disinfected and non-disinfected working casts were compared. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to analyze the data (α=0.05).Results. Disinfection of each condensation silicone material by spraying atomization with two different disinfectant material resulted in significant change in interpreparation distance (p< 0.05). Changes in height and diameter were only significant in Spidex® impressions (p< 0.05). Conclusion. Significant changes in the mean dimensions were seen as a result of disinfection by spraying; however, the dimensional changes do not seem great enough to cause critical positional distortion of teeth when fixed partial denture restorations are made.

Background and aims. The most common method for alginate impression disinfection is spraying it by disinfecting agents, but some studies have shown that these impressions can be immersed, too. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dimensional stability of alginate impressions following disinfecting by spray and immersion methods.Materials and methods. Four common disinfecting agents (Sodium Hypochlorite, Micro 10, Glutaraldehyde and Deconex) were selected and the impressions (n=108) were divided into four groups (n=24) and eight subgroups (n=12) for disinfecting by any of the four above-mentioned agents by spray or immersion methods. The control group (n=12) was not disinfected. Then the impressions were poured by type III Dental Stone Plaster in a standard method. The results were analyzed using descriptive methods (mean and standard deviation), t-test, two-way analysis of the variance (ANOVA) and Duncan test SPSS 14.0 software for windows. Results. The mean changes of length and height were significant between the various groups and disinfecting methods. Regarding the length, the greatest and the least amounts were related to Deconex and Micro 10 in the immersion method, respectively. Regarding height, the greatest and the least amounts were related to Glutaraldehyde and Deconex in the immersion method, respectively.Conclusion. Disinfecting alginate impressions by Sodium Hypochlorite, Deconex and Glutaraldehyde by immersion method is not recommended and it is better to disinfect alginate impressions by spraying of Micro 10, Sodium Hypochlorite, Glutaraldehyde and immersion in Micro 10.

The oromandibular-limb hypogenesis syndrome comprises a group of anomalies which simultaneously affect the mandible, tongue, and maxilla with or without reductive limb anomalies. It is characterized by failure of development of the intraoral region and distal extremities. Multiple and variable deformities of the mandible, maxilla and tongue may occur in combination with a variety of limb defects. The wide range of presentation and combination of anomalies make classification difficult. They usually feature primarily in sporadic case reports because of their low incidence. The genetic origin of this syndrome is uncertain. It is congenital and there seems to be no sex predilection. The key radiographic features are retruded mandible, impacted teeth and malformed phalanges. When compared to available literature, frequently reported features like hypodontia, hypoglossia, microstomia, protruded maxilla and limb anomalies were present in our case. The case presented here is one of the rarest subtypes of this rare syndrome.

Supernumerary teeth are defined as the teeth developed in excess of the number found in a normal dentition. Supernumerary canine is an extremely rare finding particularly in the mandible. This case report presents a 25-year-old female patient with the unique feature of bilateral mandibular supplemental supernumerary canines. The patient was non-syndromic without any other supernumerary teeth.