Effectiveness of Two Types of Photostimulable Phosphor Plate Plastic Barrier Envelopes for Prevention of Microbiological Contamination

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of two types of commercially available photostimulable phosphor plate (PSP) protective barrier envelopes to prevent microbiological contamination. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 80 barrier envelopes were tested in 40 volunteers. The PSP plates were placed individually in Asia Teb and Soredex protective barrier envelopes and were placed in the mouth for two minutes, similar to periapical films. The protective barrier envelopes were then removed under sterile conditions, and the sensors were placed on different culture media. The number of colonies on each plate was counted. Data were analyzed using SPSS via McNemar and Wilcoxon tests. Results: Bacterial growth was noted in 17.5% of PSPs with Soredex, and 32.5% of PSPs with Asia Teb barrier envelopes. Gram- positive bacilli were the most commonly isolated bacteria. The difference between the Asia Teb and Soredex barrier envelopes for the protection of microbiological contamination was not significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: The use of different types of protective barrier envelopes was not sufficient for prevention of microbiological contamination of PSP plates, and some adjunct modalities were required to decrease microbiological contamination of PSP plates

Root and Canal Morphology of Maxillary Teeth in an Iranian Subpopulation Residing in Western Iran Using Cone-beam Computed Tomography

Introduction: Accurate information regarding the morphology of roots and canals is a prerequisite for successful endodontic treatment. This study aimed to assess the number of roots and canals and canal type of maxillary teeth according to the Vertucci’s classification in an Iranian subpopulation residing in Western Iran using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods and Materials: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 1750 teeth were evaluated on CBCT scans taken for purposes other than this study. For each tooth, 250 axial, sagittal and coronal sections with 1 mm slice thickness were evaluated using NNT Viewer software. The number of roots and canals and canal type according to the Vertucci’s classification were determined and reported. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics via Fisher’s exact test and Chi square test. All data analyses were performed using SPSS version 18. Results: All of the maxillary anterior teeth were single-rooted, and Vertucci’s type I was the most common canal type. Maxillary premolars were mostly single-rooted and Vertucci’s type I was the most common type except for the first maxillary premolars, in which type V had the highest frequency. Maxillary molars mostly had three roots and two canals in the mesiobuccal root and one canal in the distobuccal and palatal roots. Conclusion: Although the number of roots in this cross-sectional study was similar to the findings of previous studies, canal type was significantly different from the results of previous studies. The result of this study can help clinicians in efficient root canal treatment of teeth.Keywords: Cone-beam Computed Tomography; Maxilla; Root Canal Morpholog

The Effect of Gates-Glidden Drills on the Quality of Root Canal Treatment by Pre-Clinical Dental Students

AIM: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of applying Gates-Glidden (GG) drill by pre-clinical dental students on root canal treatment quality. METHOD: A total of 56 first molars consisting of 168 canals were selected in this study. For this purpose, 56 students who had been formerly trained by two methods of root canal preparation were randomly divided into two groups (n = 28). Group 1: the step-down method by GG and Group 2: step-back technique without GG. The prepared teeth were filled with gutta-percha/ZOE sealer using lateral condensation. Periapical radiographs were taken before and the following treatment to survey occurrence of preparation errors and CBCT images to determine residual dentine at furcation region. RESULTS: The findings showed that among 10 error types in specimens prepared by students, the occurrence of underfilling, overfilling, inappropriate, ledge formation, and single cone was more common without GG. There were no significant differences in residual dentine amount at furcation region between preparation with and without using GG (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Using GG for root canal preparation by dental students resulted in low errors and not an increased dentine removal risk

Pharyngeal airway dimensions in Iranian female young adults with different skeletal patterns using cone-beam computed tomography

OBJECTIVES: To assess the oropharyngeal airway in Iranian female young adults with different skeletal patterns using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive, cross-sectional study evaluated 105 CBCT scans of female patients between 18 and 35 years retrieved from the archives of a radiology clinic. The images were evaluated in axial, sagittal, and frontal sections. In the axial plane, the maximum and minimum cross-sectional area (CSA) of the airways at the oropharynx, minimum width (anteroposteriorly), and minimum depth (laterally) were measured using Mimics Medical software. The oropharyngeal volume was measured by NemoFAB software. The values were compared among the groups with different sagittal, vertical, and transverse patterns. The correlation of indices with airway measurements was analyzed using Monte Carlo Chi-square and Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: No significant difference was noted in oropharyngeal airway dimensions and volume among cases with different skeletal sagittal, vertical, and transverse patterns (P > 0.05) except for class III patients with normal transverse pattern in whom maximum CSA in low-angle group was larger than that in normal-angle group (P < 0.05) and class I normal-angle patients in whom maximum CSA in transverse normal group was smaller than that in constriction group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Oropharyngeal dimensions were not significantly different in Iranian female young adults with different skeletal patterns

Comparison of the Type and Severity of Nasal Septal Deviation between Chronic Rhinosinusitis Patients Undergoing Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery and Controls

Objectives. Some correlations have been proposed between chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and type and severity of nasal septal deviation. This study sought to compare the type and severity of nasal septal deviation between CRS patients undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and asymptomatic controls using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods. This prospective case-control study evaluated 49 CRS patients who did not respond to pharmaceutical therapy and were candidates for FESS and 49 asymptomatic controls. All participants underwent CBCT and were inspected for septal deviation type and severity. Data were analyzed by the independent t-test and chi-square test. Results. The study population comprised of 58.25% males and 41.8% females, with a mean age of 33.74 ± 11.78 years. Significant correlations were noted between the presence of CRS and severity of septal deviation (P=0.007). Type of septal deviation had no significant correlation with the presence of CRS (P=0.443). Conclusion. Patients with CRS have significantly more severe nasal septal deviation. However, type of septal deviation is not correlated with CRS

Gingivitis Effectiveness of Emulgel Containing 2% Resveratrol in Orthodontic Patients: An 8-Week Randomized Clinical Trial

Background. Treatment of gingivitis in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment is done through different methods. Anti-inflammatory agents present in toothpaste or mouthwash are applied spontaneously by patients or used as professional treatment protocols. The present study aimed to investigate the gingivitis effectiveness of Emulgel containing 2% resveratrol in orthodontic patients. Methods. The study was conducted in three groups, namely, experimental, placebo, and control. In the experimental group, participants used an Emulgel containing 2% resveratrol. In the placebo group, subjects used an identical Emulgel without the active components in the test formulations. After brushing their teeth, the participants learned how to use 5 ml of Emulgel on the gums and massage every night for 30 s. In the control group, subjects were instructed to massage their gums for 30 s every night without any product. Evaluated criteria included bleeding on probing (BOP), gingival index (GI), hyperplastic index (HI), and probing pocket depth (PPD). Result. During 4 and 8 weeks of the study, the PPD score in the control group did not change significantly but decreased in both groups. Also, there was a decrease in the PPD score in the experimental group compared to the placebo and control groups. Similarly, in the experimental group, continuous use of Emulgel containing 2% resveratrol reduced the HI and GI scores significantly at 4 and 8 weeks after the start of the study. Here, the decrease in GI and HI scores in the experimental group was higher than that of the other groups. Conclusions. The Emulgel containing 2% resveratrol is effective in improving gingival health in orthodontic patients and can lower gingival inflammation over 8 weeks. This trial is registered with the Iranian registry of clinical trials (https://irct.ir/) IRCT20130812014333N91

Rare appearance of an odontogenic myxoma in cone-beam computed tomography: a case report

Odontogenic myxoma (OM) is an infiltrative benign bone tumor that occurs almost exclusively in the facial skeleton. The radiographic characteristics of odontogenic myxoma may produce several patterns, making diagnosis difficult. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) may prove extremely useful in clarifying the intraosseous extent of the tumor and its effects on surrounding structures. Here, we report a case of odontogenic myxoma of the mandible in a 27-year-old female. The patient exhibited a slight swelling in the left mandible. Surgical resection was performed. No recurrence was noted. In the CBCT sections, we observed perforation of the cortical plate and radiopaque line that extended from the periosteum, resembling “sunray” appearance—a rare feature of OM—which could not be assessed by panoramic radiography

Assessing Medical and Dentistry Students' Perception of Learning Environment in Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (2015-2016)

This study originated from a desire to learn how students perceive the educational environment in medical and dental schools. This descriptive study was done using the standard tool DREEM on 472 students of medicine and dentistry at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (KUMS). Reliability and validity of the Persian version of DREEM questionnaire were approved. The questionnaire consists of the student's socio-demographic information and 50 questions in 5 domains of learning. At the end, the results were analyzed using the SPSS 16 software and reported as follows: students' perception of learning mean score 20.39±5.92 from 48; students' perception of teachers 20.96±6.05 from 44, students' academic perception 14.71±5.58 from 22, students' social perception 13.85±3.94 from 28 and students' perception of atmosphere 22.58±5.93 from 48. The students' attitude towards the condition of the educational environment in Medical and Dental Schools of KUMS on the basis of DREEM model is observed as moderately favorable which means there are some problems in this regard

Examining oral hygiene status and care needs of deaf and blind 6–12 years old exceptional school children in Kermanshah in 2015

Introduction: Controlling and preventing oral diseases of patients with mental and physical disabilities had become one of the most important topics within the realm of dentistry researches. The main objective of this study was to examine oral hygiene and care needs of deaf and blind 6–12 years old exceptional school children in Kermanshah in 2015. Materials and Methods: Oral hygiene of 51 deaf and blind 6–12 years old exceptional school children in Kermanshah in 2015 was examined in this study; indicators which underwent assessment included DMFT/decay, missing, falling, teeth (dmft), Gingival Index (GI), Plaque Index (PI), brushing, and flossing; the amount of used Unmet Treatment Need (UTN) was measured using DMFT/dmft index, and collected data were analyzed using SPSS, version 18. Findings: The mean and standard deviation of GI and PI of the 51 deaf and blind students examined turned out to be 1.39 ± 0.30 and 0.86 ± 0.15, respectively; DMFT, dmft, and UTN of the blind students were 1.31 ± 1.20, 2.81 ± 2.81, and 0.76 ± 0.34, respectively; these values turned out to be 1.81 ± 2.16, 2.08 ± 3.48, and 0.85 ± 0.31, respectively, in case of deaf students. According to the results of this study, 18.7% of blind students and 27% of deaf students brushed their teeth once on a daily basis. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the incidence and severity of dental caries, particularly in primary teeth, were high among these children (mean: 2.06) and a large number of their teeth needed treatment (UTN: 1.18). In comparison to their peers, these group of children had lower state of oral health; therefore, a systematic, long-term is definitely required for the improvement of oral hygiene of studied patients

Assessment of implant-related anatomical landmarks in the mandibular interforaminal region in an Iranian population using cone-beam computed tomography

Background: This study was aimed to assess the implant-related anatomical landmarks in the mandibular interforaminal region in an Iranian population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 378 CBCT images of the mandible were evaluated for the presence of the incisive canal, anterior loop of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN), mandibular canal, mental foramen, and incisive canal. The effect of age and gender of patients on the abovementioned variables was also evaluated. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, analysis of variance, and Chi-square test. Results: The anterior loop and the incisive canal were present in 36.24% and 97.62% of the cases, respectively. The mean length of the anterior loop and the incisive canal was 2.70 ± 1.20 mm and 12 ± 3.29 mm in the right, and 2.86 ± 1.24 mm and 12.21 ± 3.38 mm in the left side, respectively. The mean diameter of the mental foramen and incisive canal was 4.25 ± 1.08 mm and 1.89 ± 0.46 mm in the right, and 4.21 ± 1.02 mm and 1.94 ± 0.45 mm in the left side, respectively. The descending path was the most common path of the incisive canal. The distance from the incisive canal to the buccal plate and inferior border of the mandible was significantly shorter in females (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Considering the high variability and clinical significance of the incisive canal and anterior loop of the IAN, and their high prevalence, it is recommended to assess the presence/absence of these structures in the interforaminal region of the mandible on CBCT scans before surgical procedures in this region