Radiographic Evaluation of Dental Anomaly Prevalence in a Selected Iranian Population

Statement of the Problem: Many studies have explored the prevalence of dental anomalies, with conflicting results, possibly attributed to differences in the ethnicities of the populations evaluated. Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of dental anomalies, using panoramic images, in an Iranian population. Materials and Method: In this cross-sectional study, panoramic radiographs of patients aged 18 years or more, between 2015 and 2017 from three private clinics in Babol and Sari, were evaluated for presence or absence of anomalies (tooth shape, number, structure, and position). Data were analyzed using the chi square test, Student’s t-test, and analyses of variance. In this study, p ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Of 8018 cases examined, anomalies were found in 2250 cases (28.06%), with 95% confidence intervals of 27.08 - 29.0; one, two, and more than two types of anomalies were observed in 1968 (24.5%), 267 (3.3%), and 15 (0.2%) cases, respectively. Root dilaceration was the most prevalent anomaly (7.7%), followed by dens invaginatus (3.8%). Impaction was observed with a prevalence of 15.2%. Impaction, dens invaginatus, and missing teeth were significantly more prevalent in women than in men, whilst supernumerary teeth and hypercementosis were more common in men than in women (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Regarding the relatively high prevalence of dental anomalies such as root dilacerations and dens invaginatus, it is essential to consider these anomalies carefully in treatment decision-making

Effect of equisetum arvense extract on bone mineral density in Wistar rats via digital radiography

Background: Osteoporosis is a common disease of old age. The present study used digital radiography to determine the effects of equisetum arvense extract on the bone mineral density (BMD) of experimental rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 25 male and 25 female Wistar rats, aged three weeks old and weighing 100 grams, were randomly divided into five groups: (1) control group, (2) calcium/vitamin D group, (3) 60 mg/kg equisetum arvense extract group, (4) 90 mg/kg equisetum arvense extract group and (5) 120 mg/kg equisetum arvense extract group. Rats received these diets for 30 days. The spongy bone density was measured in the maxilla and mandible using digital radiography and the serum levels of calcium, vitamin D and phosphorus were measured at baseline and after 30 days. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey test. Results: There was no significant difference between serum calcium and phosphorus levels in the five groups before and after 30 days. The serum vitamin D in the group receiving calcium and vitamin D was significantly higher than in the other groups (with average values of 24.7, 61.7, 23.47, 23.95 and 39.16 in the male groups 1 to 5 and 29.0, 85.07, 31.58, 42.34 and 18.83 in the female groups 1 to 5, respectively (p&#60;0.001). Moreover, the increased mandibular BMD in the 120 mg/kg equisetum arvense group was significantly higher than in the control group (p&#60;0.01). Conclusion: A diet containing 120 mg/kg equisetum arvense extract resulted in increased mandibular bone mineral density