Journal of Dental Research, Dental Clinics, Dental Prospects
Volume:6 Issue: 1, Winter 2012

With the introduction of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) in dentistry, a question has been raised whether the technique significantly increases the diagnostic accuracy in comparison with other techniques or not. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to assess the accuracy of CBCT modality in detecting proximal carious lesions as compared to conventional periapical radiographs. This diagnostic study was carried out on 84 human extracted molars and premolars. The teeth were mounted and divided in 28 blocks of 3 teeth. Periapical and CBCT images of teeth were obtained. Five observers scored the images for the detection of proximal carious lesions using a 2-point scale (caries, present; caries, absent). The gold standard was determined by histopathologic sections. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were traced for observers in both systems. The results were analyzed by paired t-test. The area under the ROC curve, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values of CBCT images were 0.568, 0.835, 0.637, 0.714, 0.598 and 0.856, respectively. These parameters were 0.432, 0.837, 0.722, 0.77, 0.687 and 0.858 for the periapical conventional technique, respectively. The CBCT images did not enhance detection of proximal caries in comparison with periapical images.

The purpose of this study was to identify patients at the risk of cerebrovascular attack (CVA) by detecting calcified carotid artery atheroma (CCAA) in panoramic radiography and evaluating their risk factors. A total of 960 panoramic radiographs of patients above 40 years old ‎were evaluated. Doppler Sonography (DS) was performed for patients who showed calcified carotid artery atheroma (CCAA) in panoramic radiography in order to determine the presence of CCAA and the degree of stenosis. Cardiovascular risk factors in both groups of patients with CCAA (12 subjects) and without CCAA (3 subjects) were compared using a questionnaire filled out by the patients. Statistical analysis including Fisher and independent t-test applied for data analysis. Fifteen patients (30 sides) showed calcification in their panoramic radiographs, and underwent DS which revealed CCAA‎ in 16 sides (12 patients). Two patients (13.33%) showed stenosis greater than 70%. Among the risk factors, only age showed a significant association with the occurrence of carotid calcified atheroma (P=0.026). Considering the results, dentists should refer especially elderly patients with radiographically identified atheromas for further examinations, as asymptomatic CCAA might be associated with high degrees of stenosis.

The mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced composite fixed partial dentures (FPDs) are affected by fiber impregnation. The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the fracture resistance of composite fixed partial dentures reinforced with pre-impregnated and non-impregnated fibers. Groups (n=5) of three-unit fiber-reinforced composite FPDs (23 mm in length) from maxillary second premolar to maxillary second molar were fabricated on two abutments with pontic width of 12 mm. One group was fabricated as the control group with composite (Gradia) and the other two groups were fabricated with composite (Gradia) reinforced with pre-impregnated fiber (Fibrex ribbon) and non-impregnated fiber (Fiber braid), respectively. The specimens were stored in distilled water for one week at 37°C and then tested in a universal testing machine by means of a three-point bending test. Statistical analysis consisted of one-way ANOVA and a post hoc Scheffé’s test for the test groups (α=0.05). Fracture resistance (N) differed significantly between the control group and the other two groups (P)

Several diagnostic methods are being employed to detect benign and malignant lesions, one of which is silver nitrate staining for organizer regions. The number of nucleolar organizing regions (NORs) can be used to show the degree of cell activity or metabolism in pathologic lesions. This study was designed to evaluate NORs as determinants of precancerous and squamous cell carcinoma. A silver colloid technique was applied on paraffin sections of 40 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma and 25 cases of precancerous lesions; 15 specimens of normal epithelium were selected for the control group. After staining with silver nitrate, argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) were counted in 100 epithelial cells in three groups with the use of an oil immersion and ×1000 objective lens. One-way ANOVA and a post hoc Tukey test were used for statistical analysis. The mean numbers and standard deviations of AgNORs were 1.58 ± 0.76 in normal epithelium, 2.1 ± 1.05 in precancerous lesions and 2.43 ±1.33 in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). There were statistically significant differences in AgNORs numbers between the groups (P)

The study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of taurodontism and related systemic conditions and gender differences in premolars and molars of patients attending Shiraz Faculty of Dentistry. In this cross-sectional study، panoramic radiographs of 510 randomly selected patients were evaluated by a maxillofacial radiologist for the apically displaced pulp chamber. Detailed medical and family history of the patients was obtained. The prevalence of taurodontism in 510 panoramic views was 5. 5% of patients. Females had significantly higher prevalence of taurodontism than men (P>0. 05) and mandibular second molar was the most affected tooth. Taurodontism was relatively common in population under study. A family history of other anomalies should be checked for affected patients.

Since most orthodontic patients are children and adolescents, it is believed that teachers can help find these patients and make them aware of their orthodontic problems. Therefore, teachers are expected to have proper knowledge about these problems. The aim of this study was to determine teachers’ awareness about orthodontic treatments in Tabriz and Saqqez and compare it in different educational levels. A questionnaire was given to 384 teachers (204 in Tabriz and 180 in Saqqez) in randomly selected schools of different levels. The questionnaire had 17 questions in 3 sections, including general information, age, and costs of orthodontic treatments. The teachers’ awareness in two cities was analyzed with independent t-test and in educational levels with one-way ANOVA. About 94% of the participants believed orthodontic treatment consisted of arrangement of teeth with special braces. However, there was no significant difference between the two cities in general information (p=0.23) and the age suitable for orthodontic treatment (p=0.53). The differences in the teachers’ awareness in three educational levels were not statistically significant between the two cities (p=0.23). Awareness of teachers about orthodontic treatment in Saqqez and Tabriz was not sufficient and different; 75% of the participants believed that high cost of orthodontic treatment is the main problem.

Lichenoid reactions represent a family of lesions with different etiologic factors and a common clinical and histologic appearance. Lichen planus is included with lichenoid reactions and is a relatively common chronic mucocutaneous disorder. The most important complication of lichenoid reactions is the possibility of malignant transformation. That is why it has been considered a precancerous condition. Although the malignant transformation rate varies widely in the literature, from 0.4 to 6.5 percent, in most studies it does not exceed 1%. The aim of this paper is to report a rare case of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) arising within an oral lichenoid lesion in a 17-year-old woman, where SCC is very uncommon. The patient did not have any risk factor and was healthy. The lesion was located on the border of the tongue. In view of the common occurrence of OLP (oral lichen planus) and the unresolved issues regarding its premalignant potential, this case report illustrates the need for histologic confirmation and a close follow-up of clinical lesions with lichenoid features.

D-penicillamine is one of the disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Drug-induced pemphigus is not frequently associated with D-penicillamine, and to date, the number of reported cases is about a hundred. Most reports of D-penicillamine-induced pemphigus vulgaris are in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. It has rarely been reported in patients not taking D-penicillamine. We report a case of pemphigus vulgaris in a 48-year-old female patient with rheumatoid arthritis, not taking penicillamine.