Frontiers in Dentistry
Volume:12 Issue: 1, Jan 2015

Long-term use of orthodontic appliances and fixation ligatures creates a favorable environment for the accumulation of oral normal microflora and increases the risk of enamel demineralization and periodontal disease. The aim of this study was to compare the antimicrobial effects of Zataria Multiflora extract and 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthwash on experimentally contaminated orthodontic elastomeric ligatures. In this lab trial study, Iranian and foreign-made elastomeric ligatures were experimentally contaminated in Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans suspensions. Ligatures were then decontaminated using 0.2% CHX as the control, 0.5 mg/ml Zataria multiflora extract mouthwashes as the test and phosphate buffered saline (PBS) as the negative control for one hour. Antimicrobial properties of both solutions were evaluated by comparing the mean viable bacterial cell count on both rings after decontamination, using SPSS version 15 software. The mean viable bacterial cell count on Iranian ligatures was greater than that on foreign-made ligatures before disinfection (P=0.001), however this difference for C. albicans was not statistically significant (P=0.061). Chlorhexidine mouthwash completely eliminated all tested microorganisms attached to both elastomeric rings, but Zataria extract was only capable of completely eliminating C. albicans from both ligatures. Statistically significant differences were found in viable bacterial counts on both ligatures before and after disinfection with Zataria extract (P=0.0001). Zataria multiflora extract has antimicrobial properties and can be used for disinfection of elastomeric ligatures. In vivo studies are required to evaluate the efficacy of the incorporation of this herbal extract in mouthwashes for orthodontic patients.

Although fluoridated toothpastes are among the most accessible fluoride sources for caries prevention, their remineralization potential remains questionable. This study sought to compare the effects of 5 different child formula dentifrices on remineralization of artificial primary enamel caries using a pH cycling model. Twenty sound primary canine teeth were immersed in demineralizing solution for 96 hours to produce 100µm-deep artificial caries. The teeth were then longitudinally sectioned into 100-150 µm-thick slices and ran-domly divided into 5 groups and treated as follows: group A. Calcium phosphate toothpaste, group B. Pooneh children’s toothpaste, group C. Biotin toothpaste, group D. Crest children’s toothpaste and group E. Darougar children’s toothpaste. The specimens underwent a pH cycling model for 10 days. The degree of demineralization before and after treatment and its changes were evaluated under a polarized light microscope and a stereomicroscope and data were statistically analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and post-hoc test. Stereomicroscopic analysis showed that only group C had a significant difference with other groups (P<0.001) and no significant differences were found between the remaining groups (P>0.05). Polarized light microscopic analysis re-vealed that in addition to group C, a significant difference was detected between groups A and B (P=0.02) and calcium phosphate toothpaste showed higher efficacy. All the understudy toothpastes had remineralizing effect but calcium phosphate children’s toothpaste had the highest and biotin toothpaste had the lowest efficacy.

Incomplete adaptation of stainless steel crown margins leads to mi-croleakage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of tooth preparation on microleakage of stainless steel crowns (SSCs) placed on mesiodistally reduced primary mandibular first molars. In this In vitro study, 60 primary mandibular first mo-lars with reduced mesiodistal dimension were selected. Pulp cavities were filled with amalgam and occlusal surfaces were reduced. The samples were randomly divided into two groups (groups P and BLP). Standard preparation was done in group P with only proximal reduction. In group BLP, after reducing the proximal undercuts, buccal and lingual surfaces were slightly reduced. Occlusal one-third of the buccal surfaces was beveled in both groups. Then, the SSCs of the primary maxillary and mandibular first molars were fitted and cemented in P and BLP groups, respectively. After immersing the samples into deionized water, thermocycling, and immersion in 2% basic fuchsin, the samples were sectioned buccolingually. The mesial halves were evaluated microscopically for microleakage in both buccal and lingual margins. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test in SPSS 19 at the significant level of 0.05. There was a significant difference in microleakage of the buccal margin (P=0.003); whereas, the difference observed in the lingual margin was not significant (P=0.54). We suggest reduction of buccal and lingual surfaces of mesiodistally reduced primary mandibular first molars and placing lower (mandibular) crowns.

This study aimed to assess the effect of chloroform, eucalyptol and orange oil solvents on the microhardness of human root dentin. Sixty-eight single-rooted single-canal extracted human premolar teeth were used. Tooth crowns were separated from the roots at the ce-mentoenamel junction (CEJ). Roots were buccolingually sectioned into mesial and distal halves. Specimens were randomly divided into 5 groups, with 20 teeth in each solvent group and 4 teeth in each control group. Primary microhardness of specimens was measured using Vickers microhardness tester. Specimens were exposed to solvents for 15 minutes and were subjected to microhardness testing again. Data were recorded and analyzed using repeated measure ANOVA. No significant difference was found in dentin microhardness before and after exposure to solvents in any of the orange oil, eucalyptol, chloroform or saline groups (P=0.727). None of the experimental groups showed any significant difference in terms of dentin microhardness reduction (P=0.99) and had no significant difference with the negative control group. This study showed that chloroform, eucalyptol and orange oil as gutta percha solvents did not decrease the microhardness of root dentin. Thus, none of the mentioned solvents has any superiority over the others in terms of affecting dentin properties.

Considering the importance of bone augmentation prior to implant placement in order to obtain adequate bone quality and quantity, many studies have been conducted to evaluate different techniques and materials regarding new bone formation. In this study, we investigated the bone healing capacity of two different materials deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM with the trade name of Bio-Oss) and demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA with the trade name of DynaGraft). This randomized blinded prospective study was con-ducted on twelve New Zealand white rabbits. Three cranial defects with an equal diameter were created on their calvarium. Subsequently, they were distributed into three groups: 1. The control group without any treatment; 2. The Bio-Oss group; 3. The DynaGraft group. After 30 days, the animals were sacrificed for histologic and histomorphometric analysis. Substantial new bone formation was observed in both groups. Dyna-Graft: 56/1 % ± 15/1 and Bio-Oss: 53/55 % ± 13/5 compared to the control group: 28/6 % ± 11/2. All groups showed slight inflammation and a small amount of residual biomaterial was observed. Considerable new bone formation was demonstrated in both Dyna-Graft and Bio-Oss groups in comparison with the control group. Both materials are considered biocompatible regarding the negligible foreign body reaction.

After maxillary expansion, a long period of retention is necessary to prevent early relapse. Therefore, it is beneficial to accelerate bone formation in the expanding midpalatal suture to reduce relapse. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of dietary vitamin C on osteogenesis of rat midpalatal suture during expansion. Fifty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups, each with a control and an experimental subgroup. An open-loop spring was bonded to maxillary incisors of each animal to expand the premaxillary suture. Experimental groups received dietary vitamin C in their water. The rats in the three groups were sacrificed at three, nine or 17-day intervals after bonding the spring. Then, the premaxilla was dissected and sections were made and stained with hematoxylin and eosin and osteopontin marker. Osteoblasts and osteoclasts were counted in the suture. Two-way ANOVA and the Mann-Whitney-U test were used for analyzing the data. After three days, the number of osteoblasts was significantly higher in the vitamin C group but after nine days it was significantly higher in the control group and after seventeen days there were no significant differences between the groups. Osteoclast counts were not significantly different between vitamin C and control groups. Vitamin C had a positive effect on osteogenesis at the beginning of bone formation in the expanding suture, but after nine days it had a negative effect on suture osteogenesis in rats.

The commonly used Nickel-Titanium (NiTi) archwires in orthodontic treatment are often exposed to fluoride-containing mouthwashes. The aim of this in-vitro study was to evaluate and compare the corrosion resistance of three commercially available NiTi archwires exposed to 0.05 wt% and 0.2 wt% fluoride mouthwashes. Three different types of NiTi archwires, 0.016” in diameter, from Dentaurum, Global, and GAC, and a stainless steel archwire from Dentaurum were examined to assess their corrosion resistance in Fusayama-Meyer artificial saliva and in two other artificial saliva containing 0.05 wt% and 0.2 wt% sodium fluoride (NaF). After the primary setup of wires, they were tested by potentiodynamic and potentiostatic polarization and corrosion potential/time analyses. Their surfaces were evaluated using a scanning electronic microscope (SEM). The results showed that all the wires were passive in artificial saliva. In contrast, by adding fluoride ions to the solution, the decrease in the archwires’ corrosion resistance was in direct proportion to the increase in fluoride concentration. The NiTi wires experienced deterioration of their corrosion properties under the effect of fluoride but not as much as the stainless steel archwires.

Cephalometric norms of McNamara analysis have been studied in various populations due to their optimal efficiency. Dolphin cephalometric software greatly enhances the conduction of this analysis for orthodontic measurements. However, Dolphin is very expensive and cannot be afforded by many clinicians in developing countries. A suitable alternative software program in Farsi/English will greatly help Farsi speaking clinicians. The present study aimed to develop an affordable Iranian cephalometric analysis software program and compare it with Dolphin, the standard software available on the market for cephalometric analysis. In this diagnostic, descriptive study, 150 lateral cephalograms of normal occlusion individuals were selected in Mashhad and Qazvin, two major cities of Iran mainly populated with Fars ethnicity, the main Iranian ethnic group. After tracing the cephalograms, the McNamara analysis standards were measured both with Dolphin and the new software. The cephalometric software was designed using Microsoft Visual C++ program in Windows XP. Measurements made with the new software were compared with those of Dolphin software on both series of cephalograms. The validity and reliability were tested using intra-class correlation coefficient. Calculations showed a very high correlation between the results of the Iranian cephalometric analysis software and Dolphin. This confirms the validity and optimal efficacy of the newly designed software (ICC 0.570-1.0). According to our results, the newly designed software has acceptable validity and reliability and can be used for orthodontic diagnosis, treatment planning and assessment of treatment outcome.

A fundamental assumption in prosthetic dentistry is that the axis-orbital plane will usually be parallel to the horizontal reference plane. Most articulator systems have incorporated this concept into their designs and use orbitale as the anterior reference point for transferring the vertical position of the maxilla to the articulator. Clinical observations of Cantonese patients suggest that in some individuals the Frankfort plane may not be horizontal, thus the orientation of the casts in the articulator is incorrect with respect to the horizontal plane. The purpose of this study was to introduce a simple method for converting the conventional face-bow to postural face-bow to reproduce the orientation of the occlusal plane relative to the true horizontal plane with the patient in Natural Head Posture (NHP).

Calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor (CEOT) is an uncommon odontogenic tumor with well-known histopathological features and a challenging treatment plan. Although some investigators advocate conservative approach as the treat-ment of choice, others believe in radical surgical excision to avoid recurrence or malignant transformation. The main objective of this case report is presenting an unusual destructive recurrence of CEOT after 8 years in a 34-year-old woman, and discussing an effective treatment plan for this tumor.