Types of Lasers and Their Applications in Pediatric Dentistry

 Laser technology has been recently introduced into the dental field with the idea to replace drilling. Having a less painful first dental experience by the use of modern instruments like laser can be an efficient preventive and therapeutic strategy in pediatric dentistry. Pedodontists need to learn the new less invasive technologies and adopt them in their routine practice. This study aimed to review the available types of lasers and their applications in pediatric dentistry.An electronic search was carried out in IranMedex, InterScience, Scopus Science Direct, PubMed,ProQuest, Medline and Google Scholardatabasesto find relevant articles published from 2000 to 2014. Relevant textbooks were reviewed as well.Laser can be used as a suitable alternative to many conventional diagnostic and therapeutic dental procedures.It is especially efficient for caries detection and removal, pulp therapy, lowering the risk of infection, inflammation and swelling and reducing bleeding. On the other hand, due to minimal invasion, laser treatment is well tolerated by children. Improved patient cooperation leads to higher satisfaction of the parents, dentists and the children themselves

Comparing salivary antibacterial peptides in children with and without Caries

Background: salivary proteins have, today, gained special importance in studies of the role of saliva in tooth decay. Among the peptides, histatins and defenses play a more important role. The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of salivary antibacterial peptides in children with early childhood caries (ECC, SECC) compared to children without caries. Methods: This comparative-case study was conducted on 48 young children (under 6 years of age) with milk teeth referred to a private pediatric dentistry center. The participants were divided into three groups of 16 with early childhood caries (ECC, SECC) and without decay. After collecting children's saliva, the samples were sent to the laboratory to obtain peptide concentration in salivia using ELISA and the results were analyzed using SPSS 22 software. Results: The average index of histatin-5 in the mild caries group was significantly lower than those in the moderate caries (p<0.001) and severe caries groups (p<0.001). The average index of beta-defensin-1 in the mild caries group was significantly higher than those in the moderate caries (p<0.001) and severe caries groups (p<0.001). The average beta-defensin-2 index in the mild caries group was significantly higher than those in the moderate caries group (p<0.001); and in the severe caries group, it was significantly higher than that in the moderate caries group (p<0.001). Conclusion: With the increase of salivary HST-5, the progress of caries increased. Also, the progress of caries was associated with a decrease in the amount of β-defensin-1. No correlation was observed between the caries process and the amount of β-defensin-2

Oral manifestation as the only sign of Langerhans cell histiocytosis: A case report

Key Clinical Message The manifestations of Langerhans cell histiocytosis can be limited in the oral cavity, including gingival recession, tooth mobility, and bone destruction. Dentists play a crucial role in the early detection and management of these oral symptoms, which can significantly impact the overall prognosis and quality of life for patients with this serious disease. Abstract The hyperplastic activity of bone marrow can lead to excessive histocyte proliferation, called Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). Based on the accumulation location, it has various organ involvement, including skin, bone, and so forth. Oral manifestations such as tooth involvement, bone lesions, mucosal ulcers, and periodontal problems can occur, and they might be the only manifestation of LCH. A subtle diagnosis is crucial and can be started with dental examinations. A 5‐year‐old girl was examined with the chief complaint of gingival recession with no pain, caries, or calculus. The clinical and radiographical assessment led to further immunohistochemical (IHC) evaluations. The diagnosis was LCH based on S‐100 and cluster of differentiation 1a (CD1a) markers. LCH can involve different cells and tissues locally or generally. The early detection and treatment of LCH increase children's survival rate and quality of future life. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis is important among dentists. They must consider that abnormal mobility, gingival, or periodontal problems with no logical cause might warn about a latent problem. Sometimes extraction of loose teeth is not the end of treatment; it is the start of neglecting a serious disease

Effect of phenytoin and age on gingival fibroblast enzymes.

The alteration of cytokine balance is stated to exert greater influence on gingival overgrowth compared to the direct effect of the drug on the regulation of extracellular matrix metabolism. The current study evaluated the effect of phenytoin on the regulation of collagen, lysyl oxidase and elastin in gingival fibroblasts.Normal human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) were obtained from 4 healthy children and 4 adults. Samples were cultured with phenytoin. MTT test was used to evaluate the proliferation and ELISA was performed to determine the level of IL1β and PGE2 production by HGFs. Total RNA of gingival fibroblasts was extracted and RT-PCR was performed on samples. Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze the data with an alpha error level less than 0.05.There was a significant difference in the expression of elastin between the controls and treated samples in both adult and pediatric groups and also in the lysyl oxidase expression of adult controls and treated adults. No significant difference was found between collagen expression in adults.The significant difference in elastin and lysyl oxidase expression between adult and pediatric samples indicates the significant effect of age on their production

Association of matrix metalloproteinase-1-1607 1g/2g and C-reactive protein-717 C/T gene polymorphisms in Iranian patients with chronic periodontitis: a clinical trial

Background: An imbalance in the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor metalloproteinases initiate the destructive process in chronic periodontitis (CP). C-reactive protein (CRP) is a systemic inflammatory mediator that reflects an acute immune response.Objectives: The purpose of this investigation was to analyze the association between the MMP-1 -16071G/2G (rs1799750) and CRP 717 A/G (rs2794521) gene polymorphisms and chronic periodontitis in Iran.Methods: This analytical case-control study was performed among 141 participants including 63 CP cases and 78 matched healthy individuals. Five milliliters of peripheral blood was collected for DNA isolation. Restriction fragment length polymorphism- polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR) was performed for single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis. The frequencies were analyzed by chi-squared test (95% CI, P < 0.05). In addition, genetic data were assessed by the Hardy-Weinberg principle, linkage disequilibrium, and haplotype analysis.Results: Our findings presented no significant relationship between genotype/alleles of MMP-1 -16071G/2G (rs1799750) (0.73: 0.27-1.95, P = 0.48) or CRP 717 A/G (rs2794521) (0.384: 0.104 -1.414, P = 0.303) and the presence of CP (P = 0.47 and P = 0.30, respectively). The analysis of genetic distribution among various severities of CP and controls revealed no significant association between various severities of CP and MMP-1 -16071G/2G (rs1799750) (P = 0.52) and CRP 717 A/G (rs2794521) (P = 0.67).Conclusions: Our results suggest no association between the occurrence or severity of chronic periodontitis and MMP-1-16071G/2G (rs1799750) and CRP 717 A/G (rs2794521) polymorphisms. Further studies with larger sample sizes may provide a more generalizable evidence-based overview of the relationship between these gene polymorphisms and periodontitis

Interleukin-2, -16, and -17 gene polymorphisms in Iranian patients with chronic periodontitis

Aim: Chronic periodontitis (CP) is a multifactorial disease and the most common type of periodontitis mainly caused by microbial plaque. CP can be brought on by, and progresses with, insufficient oral hygiene, and environmental and genetic susceptibilities. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between interleukin (IL)-2 (T-330G), IL-16 (T-295C), and IL-17 (A-7383G) gene polymorphisms and the susceptibility to CP in an Iranian population.Methods: Ninety-nine cases diagnosed with CP and 75 matched healthy controls engaged in the present study. 3 cc peripheral blood samples were obtained for DNA isolation. Genotype analysis was performed using restriction fragment length polymorphism polymerase chain reaction. Genotype distribution and allele frequencies within groups were compared using chi(2)-test, and logistic regression analysis was used to recognize the independent relation between the disease and the absence or presence of alleles.Results: There was no polymorphism in IL-2 (T-330G) among our patients, and the TT genotype was present in both study groups. Moreover, none of the studied genotypes and alleles of IL-16 (T-295C) and IL-17 (A-7383G) was significantly associated with CP.Conclusion: The present study demonstrated no association between IL-2 (T-330G), IL-16 (T-295C), and IL-17 (A-7383G) genotypes and CP in an Iranian population

Investigating the Association between rs4986790 Polymorphism of TLR4 Gene and Chronic Periodontitis in an Iranian Population: TLR4 Gene Polymorphism and Chronic Periodontitis

Objectives Periodontitis is a multifactorial disease in terms of etiology, including microbial, environmental, systemic, and genetic factors, and the host's immune response causes periodontal destruction. The present study was done to investigate the association between rs4986790 polymorphism of the TLR4 gene with chronic periodontitis in an Iranian population. Method The present case-control study was conducted on 120 people, including two groups of control (n=66) and patient (n=54) in 2022. A periodontist evaluated the periodontal condition of the people, 5 milliliters of blood sample was taken from participants, gene sequence was determined using the PCR-RFLP method, and statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test to determine the association between the disease and the mentioned polymorphism. Results 64 participants (53.33%) were male, and the rest were female. The frequency of the A allele was 89% in the patient group and 90% in the control group, and the frequency of the G allele was 11% in the patient group and 10% in the control group. Also, the frequency of AA and AG genotypes was 78% and 22% in patients, and 80% and 20% in the control group, respectively (P=0.65). There was no statistically significant association between the genders, the presence of a specific allele or genotype with the occurrence of the disease. The odds ratio (OR) of the developing periodontitis in the heterozygous group compared to the homozygous group was calculated to be 0.78% (P=0.65). Conclusion There was no association between TLR-4 gene polymorphism and chronic periodontitis in the studied population. Keywords TLR4 Receptor; Chronic periodontitis; Single nucleotide polymorphism

Investigating the Relationship between IL-6 Gene (Rs1800795) Polymorphism and Chronic Periodontitis in an Iranian Population: IL-6 Gene Polymorphism and Chronic Periodontitis

Objectives Chronic periodontitis is the most common type of periodontitis and a multifactorial disease in which a set of factors such as microbial plaque, environment, systemic conditions and genetics play a role in its development. Periodontal destruction occurs due to the host's immune response to microbial stimulation, which can lead to tooth loss. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the correlation between IL-6 gene polymorphism (rs1800795) and chronic periodontitis in an Iranian population. Method This case-control analytical study was conducted on 54 patients with chronic periodontitis and 66 healthy individuals referred to the dental clinics of Shahid Beheshti, Zanjan, and Mashhad universities of medical sciences. After clinical examination and classification of subjects, blood samples (10 cc) were taken. The genomic DNA was extracted using salting-out method. The desired variant was amplified using PCR-RFLP method. Reaction products were analyzed after electrophoresis with 1% agarose gel. Data were analyzed with Pearson's chi-square and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium tests, and P&lt;0.05 was considered as the significant level. Results The frequency of GG, GC, and CC genotypes was 41%, 44%, and 15%, in the patient group, and 36%, 42%, and 21%in the control group, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the distribution of any of the inheritance patterns (P&gt;0.05). Conclusion The present study showed no relationship between IL-6 gene polymorphism (rs1800795) and chronic periodontitis in the studied population

Effects of Iron Salts on Demineralization and Discoloration of Primary Incisor Enamel Subjected to Artificial Cariogenic Challenge versus Saline Immersion

Aim: This study aimed to assess the effects of iron salts on the demineralization and discoloration of primary incisor enamel subjected to artificial cariogenic challenge (ACC) versus saline immersion. Methodology: In this in vitro experimental study, 90 primary incisors were evaluated in 10 groups (n = 9). Five groups were subjected to ACC, and the other five were immersed in saline. Ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate, ferrous ammonium citrate, and ferrous gluconate were added to both saline and cariogenic solutions. The solutions were refreshed every 48 h. After 14 days, the teeth were removed from the media and their demineralization was inspected via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) was also performed. The color of the specimens was measured at baseline and after the intervention using the Vita Shade Guide. Results: Data were analyzed by the Kruskal–Wallis test, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey’s test. The color change of specimens subjected to ACC was greater than the color change of those in saline (p = 0.083). The teeth subjected to ACC showed greater iron uptake than did those in saline (p = 0.023). SEM assessment revealed a regular pattern of enamel prisms, with some broken prisms and superficial cracks in the teeth immersed in saline. The teeth subjected to ACC showed numerous fractures and cracks, which were greater in the ferrous sulfate group. Conclusions: Immersion in ACC increased the structural porosities and led to greater iron uptake and, consequently, higher discoloration. The maximum structural changes and subsequent staining were noted in the ferrous sulfate group, followed by ferrous ammonium citrate, ferrous fumarate, and ferrous gluconate

Effect of Amniotic Membrane Homogenate on Ischemic Skin Flap Survival in Rat Model

Bachground: Surgical skin flaps are frequently used in plastic and reconstructive surgery to repair acquired or congenital defects. Necrosis is a common complication associated with these flaps postoperatively as a result of inadequate blood supply. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of amniotic membrane homogenate in healing the dorsal skin of the rat as an ischemic flap model. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, twenty male Wistar rats weighing between 350 and 400 g were used in the study. For all rats 3*10 cm, full-thickness, caudally based pattern dorsal skin flaps were elevated. The rats were randomized into 2 groups: control (I) and experimental (II). Then in 10 point,0.1 mL amniotic membrane homogenate was injected with with equal interval in experimental group and normal salin administered in control group. Seven days later all skin flaps were examined mechanically (necrosis) and histologically. Results: Tissue flap necrosis showed significantly reduced in amniotic membrane homogenate group (p=0.032), and tissue flap survival showed significantly increased in amniotic membrane homogenate group (p=0.036). There were no significant differences in the histology analysis heling proccess between two groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: It seems that, the administration of amniotic membrane homogenate is an effective and safe method that improves the survival of ischemic skin flaps in a rat model