The Efficiency of Laser Application on the Enamel Surface: A Systematic Review

Used in conjunction with or as a replacement for traditional methods, it is expected that specific laser technologies will become an essential component of contemporary dental practice over the next decade. The current review is designed to focus on the acid resistance of laser application and tries to introduce laser settings capable to achieve this feature for clinical application. Application of laser for its acid resistance might be a valuable adjunct to conventional acid etching for susceptible sites in high caries risk patients such as patients with rampant caries, who cannot follow oral hygiene instructions due to their systematic disabilities, or those under orthodontic treatment with plaque retentive attachment on their teeth. The key words “enamel acid resistance” and “laser” were searched in PubMed. In brief, the current paper involves the results on 5 items: A summary on laser application; Suggested mechanisms of acid resistance; Different types of laser beams used in acid resistance; Comparison of application of different laser types; and Conclusion

Computerized Analysis of Digital Photographs for Evaluation of Tooth Movement

Objectives: Various methods have been introduced for evaluation of tooth movement in orthodontics. The challenge is to adopt the most accurate and most beneficial method for patients. This study was designed to introduce analysis of digital photographs with Auto- CAD software as a method to evaluate tooth movement and assess the reliability of this method. Materials and Methods: Eighteen patients were evaluated in this study. Three intraoral digital images from the buccal view were captured from each patient in half an hour inter- val. All the photos were sent to AutoCAD software 2011, calibrated and the distance be- tween canine and molar hooks were measured. The data was analyzed using intraclass cor- relation coefficient. Results: Photographs were found to have high reliability coefficient (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The introduced method is an accurate, efficient and reliable method for eval- uation of tooth movement

Evaluating the Mechanical Properties of Zinc-Coated Stainless Steel Orthodontic Wires Using Physical Vapor Deposition

The aim of this study was to evaluate the mechanical properties of stainless steel (SS) orthodontic wires coated with zinc (Zn), using a Physical Vapored Deposition (PVD) machine. A total of 100 straight SS orthodontic wires were cut into pieces of 5 centimeters in length and were divided into two groups. Half of the wires were coated with Zn using a PVD machine, and the others remained uncoated. Tensile strength (n = 15), three-point bending (n = 15), and frictional resistance at 0° (n = 10) and 10° (n = 10) were measured to compare the mechanical properties of the Zn-coated and uncoated orthodontic wires using the universal testing machine. The surface of the coated wires was observed by SEM and AFM. An independent t-test, multivariate ANOVA, and measurement ANOVA were used for data analysis. SEM and AFM showed a homogenous Zn layer of 0.28 ± 0.006 µm on the SS wires. The tensile strength and three-point bending strength significantly increased after Zn coating of wires with the PVD method (P0.05). Coating with Zn improved the tensile and load-bending strength of SS orthodontic wires and reduced their frictional resistance which might be advantageous in terms of reducing the risk of root resorption during the orthodontic treatment

In vitro evaluation of microleakage around orthodontic brackets using laser etching and Acid etching methods.

path of microleakage between the enamel and adhesive potentially allows microbial ingress that may consequently cause enamel decalcification. The aim of this study was to compare microleakage of brackets bonded either by laser or acid etching techniques.The specimens were 33 extracted premolars that were divided into three groups as the acid etching group (group 1), laser etching with Er:YAG at 100 mJ and 15 Hz for 15s (group 2), and laser etching with Er:YAG at 140 mJ and 15 Hz for 15s (group 3). After photo polymerization, the teeth were subjected to 500 thermal cycles. Then the specimens were sealed with nail varnish, stained with 2% methylen blue for 24hs, sectioned, and examined under a stereomicroscope. They were scored for marginal microleakage that occurred between the adhesive-enamel and bracket-adhesive interfaces from the occlusal and gingival margins. Data were analyzed with the Kruskal- Wallis test.For the adhesive-enamel and bracket-adhesive surfaces, significant differences were not observed between the three groups.According to this study, the Er:YAG laser with 1.5 and 2.1 watt settings may be used as an adjunctive for preparing the surface for orthodontic bracket bonding

Vitamin D serum level in participants with positive history of recurrent herpes labialis

Abstract Aim Vitamin D plays an important role in immune system regulation, also its deficiency is assumed to affect the patients’ predisposition to viral diseases such as recurrent herpes labialis. In this cross-sectional study, we tried to compare the mean serum level of vitamin D in participants with a positive history of recurrent herpes labial lesions and healthy controls. Materials and methods The vitamin D serum level of 43 participants with a positive history of recurrent herpes labial lesions who were referred to the Motahhari laboratory in Shiraz during 2020–2022, was compared with 42 healthy controls. It was assessed by an Elisa kit. An Independent T-test was used to compare the vitamin D serum level between two genders. In order to assess the mean age value and gender distribution, an independent T-test and Pearson Chi-Square were used, respectively for the two groups. The serum vitamin D level was compared between both control and test groups. Results There was no significant difference between vitamin D mean serum levels in the two evaluated groups (p.value = 0.72). Although the age (p.value = 0.09) and recurrence (p.value = 0.13) of herpes labialis had no statistically significant relation to the vitamin D serum level, the healing duration of herpes labialis was inversely related (p.value = 0.01). Lower-level of serum vitamin D were accompanied by a longer healing duration of the lesions. Conclusion Although the vitamin D serum level of participants with a history of recurrent herpes labialis had no relation with age and herpes virus recurrence frequency, a longer healing duration of lesions had been reported in patients with lower serum levels of vitamin D

Comparison of Components of Metabolic Syndrome among Metabolically Obese Normal Weight, Metabolically Benign Normal Weight, and Metabolically Abnormal Obese Iranian Children and Adolescents in Ahvaz

Background: Metabolically obese normal-weight (MONW) children and adolescents are characterized by body mass index (BMI) lower than +1SD with metabolic disorders such as hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and/or hypertension. This study wants to determineprevalence of MONW, metabolically benign normal weight (MBNW), metabolically abnormality obese (MAO) and comparethe components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in some Iranian normal-weight children and adolescents in Ahvaz, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 1124 boys and 1128 girls, aged 10–18 y, Ahvaz, Khuzestan.Participants were selected from 6 health centers in Ahvaz by a multistage cluster random sampling method. The Mets was defined according to the modified Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III). Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure were measured according to standard protocols. Fasting blood samples were collected for biochemical assessment. Results: MetS prevalence in normal weight group was 5.4% and 1.45% in  boys and girls, respectively (P = 0.001) showing a significant difference. Triglyceride abnormality percentages (MBNW = 23.9%, MAO = 88.8%, MONW = 91%) and high density lipoprotein (MBNW = 19.2%, MAO = 73.8% and MONW = 67.2%) were higher than other MetS components in these groups. Conclusions: Since BMI in children and adolescents with metabolically obese-normal weight is normal‚ the continuous measurements and treatment of MetS components especially in boys are important from public health view. The components mean of MetS was higher in MONW and MAO individuals compared with MBNW

An Evaluation of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Perceived Social Distancing Policies in Relation to Planning, Selecting, and Preparing Healthy Meals: An Observational Study in 38 Countries Worldwide

El texto completo de este trabajo no está disponible en el Repositorio Académico UPC por restricciones de la casa editorial donde ha sido publicado.Objectives: To examine changes in planning, selecting, and preparing healthy foods in relation to personal factors (time, money, stress) and social distancing policies during the COVID-19 crisis. Methods: Using cross-sectional online surveys collected in 38 countries worldwide in April-June 2020 (N = 37,207, Mage 36.7 SD 14.8, 77% women), we compared changes in food literacy behaviors to changes in personal factors and social distancing policies, using hierarchical multiple regression analyses controlling for sociodemographic variables. Results: Increases in planning (4.7 SD 1.3, 4.9 SD 1.3), selecting (3.6 SD 1.7, 3.7 SD 1.7), and preparing (4.6 SD 1.2, 4.7 SD 1.3) healthy foods were found for women and men, and positively related to perceived time availability and stay-at-home policies. Psychological distress was a barrier for women, and an enabler for men. Financial stress was a barrier and enabler depending on various sociodemographic variables (all p < 0.01). Conclusion: Stay-at-home policies and feelings of having more time during COVID-19 seem to have improved food literacy. Stress and other social distancing policies relate to food literacy in more complex ways, highlighting the necessity of a health equity lens.Agentschap Innoveren en OndernemenRevisión por pare