Laser Application in Periodontics

INTRODUCTION: The use of lasers for treatment has become a common phenomenon in the medical field. Currently, numerous laser systems are available for dental use. The use of lasers for periodontal treatment becomes more complicated because the periodontium consists of both hard and soft tissues.METHODS: Related articles were gathered and selected carefully and reviewed. Among the many lasers available, high power lasers such as Carbon Dioxide Laser (CO2),Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet (Nd:YAG) and diode lasers can be used in periodontics. The use of these lasers is limited to gingivectomy, frenectomy and similar soft tissue procedures including the removal of melanin pigmentation of gingiva. Recently, Erbium: Yttrium Aluminium Garnet(Er:YAG) and Erbium, Chromium doped Yttrium Scandium Gallium Garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) lasers are used for scaling, root debridement, cutting, shaving, contouring and resection of oral osseous tissues.RESULTS: In addition to their surgical applications, low-level lasers such as Er:YAG laser irradiation promotes osteoblast proliferation showing higher and favorable bone tissue regeneration. These findings suggest faster bone tissue healing following periodontal and peri-implant low level laser therapy.CONCLUSION: Advantages of laser treatment in periodontics are effective and efficient soft and hard tissue ablation with a greater hemostasis, bactericidal effect, minimal wound contraction, faster bone tissue healing, minimal collateral damages along with reduced use of local analgesia

The therapeutic effects of chamomilla tincture mouthwash on oral aphthae: a randomized clinical trial

Introduction: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a common clinical condition producing painful ulcerations in the oral cavity. However, there has been no optimal therapeutic approach. Topical and systemic steroids commonly prescribed for the condition have local and systemic side-effects. Recently, there is growing tendency toward herbal medication in the modern society. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of a chamomilla mouth rinse on reducing the signs and symptoms of aphthous lesions in comparison with a placebo mouth rinse. Material and Methods: A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed on 36 patients, from cases diagnosed with RAS, attending the Department of Oral Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. They were randomly divided into two groups: the intervention group(A), receiving chamomilla mouth rinse, and the control group (B) receiving a placebo rinse. The ability of the solution to control the pain and burning sensation and the number and size of the ulcers were evaluated. Results: The number of ulcers in the 3 rd visit (four days after treatment) showed a significant difference between the groups ( P <0.001). The pain and burning sensation (VAS) was reduced significantly in the test group in the 2 nd ( p =0.001),3 rd and 4 th visit ( P <0.001). Conclusions: Chamomilla mouth rinse was effective in the treatment of RAS, controlling the pain and burning sensation without producing any adverse side effects and can be advised as an alternative RAS treatment

Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) for Orofacial Pain

Low-power lasers are a group of lasers with a power less than 500 mW and unlike high-power lasers they have no effect on tissue temperature; they produce light-dependent chemical reactions in tissues. The purpose of this study was to review the clinical applications of these lasers and their success rate in different studies in orofacial pains. The articles with the key word “low level laser therapy” were extracted from pubmed. Clinical trials, meta-analysis, randomized clinical trials, and review articles were selected. Related articles to orofacial region were gathered and selected from the search results and carefully reviewed. Laser therapy may affect many cellular and sub-cellular processes, although exact mechanism has not been well-defined yet. Articles had different points of views as mentioned in the context of this article. Low level laser therapy was effective in orofacial pain relief in most studies, but the use of laser remains controversial. These lasers have analgesic features, and it is according to these features they have been used in the treatment of orofacial pain, Including myofacial pain, mucositis, facial myalgia, temporomandibular joint disorders and neuralgia. It seems that laser therapy can be considered as an alternative physical modality in treatment of orofacial pain

The effect of oral contraceptives on orthodontic tooth movement in rat

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of ethinyl estradiol/norgestrel ? used in some oral contraceptives- on orthodontic tooth movement in Wistar rats. Material and Methods: Forty eight female three-month old Wistar rats with an average weight of 250?25gr were divided into two experimental and control groups. One week prior to appliance insertion and during the appliance therapy period, 100 mcg/kg/day of ethinyl estradiol and 1mg/kg/days of norgestrel were administered to the experimental group by gavage; meanwhile the control group received an equivalent volume of Sodium Chloride 0.9 % (Saline). Maxillary central incisors were tipped distally by insertion of springs exerting 30g force. Two, seven and fourteen days after spring insertion animals were sacrificed. The mesioincisal distance between maxillary incisors were measured. Subsequently, histological sections were prepared for histomorphometric studies. Results: 14 days after force application the orthodontic tooth movement was significantly lower in the experimental group (p<0.05). The number of osteoclasts were significantly lower in the experimental group 2, 7 and 14 days after spring insertion (p<0.05). Conclusion: Ethinyl estradiol/norgestrel (oral contraceptives) can significantly decrease the amount of tooth movement in the linear phase

Prevalence of Oral Lesions among Elderlies Living in Nursing Homes of Urmia City, Iran

Background & Aims:  Due to the existing problems in providing services to the elderlies with special cares, the focus on the prevention of oral diseases in this group is of special importance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of oral lesions in elderlies’ resident in Nursing homes of Urmia City, Iran in 2020. Materials & Methods: In the present descriptive cross-sectional study, 300 elderly people over 65 years were selected from 9 nursing homes in Urmia, Iran and finally 280 of them were included. Data were collected using examinations, and by searching medical records and conducting interviews. The necessary information about any systemic diseases and drug consumption were obtained and a questionnaire was completed. Finally, data were analyzed by relevant statistical tests using SPSS software version 19. Results: From 280 people participated in the study 90 (32.1%) were men and 190 (67.9%) were women. Among all participants, 122 (43.6%) reported at least one oral lesion, and there was a significant difference between women (49.5%) and men (31.1%) (P = 0.001). In this study, 10 different types of lesions were recorded, the most common of which were oral candidiasis (16.1%) and denture stomatitis (10.7%). There was no significant relationship between age and smoking with the frequency of oral lesions (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The results suggested that the prevalence of lesions in the elderly inhabiting in retirements homes is high especially in women. Therefore, regular oral screening of the people can play an important role in early diagnosis and prevention

Safety Efficiency of General Vaccination Against Hepatitis B in Urmia Dental Students: Vaccination and Hepatitis B

Objectives Hepatitis B is a life-threatening disease that affects the liver. Despite the availability of vaccines and drugs, the disease remains a major human health problem worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum level of anti-HBs in dental students of Urmia Dental School. Methods This descriptive study was performed on 72 (38 males, 34 females) dental students vaccinated against hepatitis B. Totally, 5 cc of venous blood was taken from each student and sent to a laboratory. In the laboratory, after serum separation, HBs antibody titer was measured by Bind Mono kit by ELISA. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21 by the Chi-square test. Results The minimum and maximum antibody titers were zero and 1000 IU/mg, respectively. Assessment of the frequency of HBs-Ab adequacy showed that 7 (9.7%) students had no immune response, 23 (31.9%) had low safety level, and 42 (58.3%) had good and acceptable safety levels. There was no significant difference between males and females in this regard (P&gt;0.05).. Conclusion Most of the students were immune to the virus, although about 32% of them showed low immunity, indicating the need for re-vaccination. Seven out of 72 students were not immune to the disease

Knowledge and attitude of pregnant women in Urmia, Iran, about oral health care during pregnancy

Abstract Objectives Physiological changes during pregnancy make mothers susceptible to periodontal diseases, in particular gingivitis, which could be prevented by good oral hygiene. Therefore, their knowledge and attitude could affect their oral hygiene and general health. This study therefore aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding oral hygiene, of pregnant women living in a city in Iran. Material and Methods It was a cross‐sectional study that was performed in Urmia City in 2019. After completing an informed consent form, pregnant women completed a specially designed questionnaire, which included questions on demographic characteristics and assessed participants' knowledge and attitude about oral health care during pregnancy. A clinical examination of each participant's oral cavity was performed and dental plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), and number of decayed, missed, filled teeth (DMFT) index were recorded. Any correlations between participants' knowledge and attitude and oral health indices were evaluated. A paired t test and Pearson's correlation coefficient were employed for statistical analysis. Results A total of 96 pregnant women (mean age of 29.11 ± 6.80 years) participated in this study. Among them, 67 had a moderate level of knowledge. There was no significant correlation between participants' knowledge, and attitude levels and educational level (p = .88 and p = .43, respectively). Also, there was no correlation between knowledge and attitude levels and GI, PI, and DMFT (p > .05). Conclusions This study showed that the knowledge and attitude of the pregnant women who participated were not favorable and their oral hygiene needed to be improved

Assessment of the Patient Satisfaction from Adjunctive Laser Therapy during Orthodontic Treatment

Background & Aims: Orthodontic patients may need different side treatments during their orthodontic treatment. These include a labial frenectomy to close the diastema, a corticotomy to speed up tooth displacement, or other treatments. In this study, the satisfaction of orthodontic patients in whom the treatment was performed with the help of laser radiation was evaluated by a standard questionnaire. Materials & Methods: In this study, 31 orthodontic patients who needed adjuvant treatment for various reasons and were referred to a specialized laser center in Urmia, Iran along 2020 were included in the study. Patients' files were reviewed and their demographic characteristics and type of treatment were recorded in a questionnaire. Patients' satisfaction with the treatment was assessed by calling them by phone and recorded by the researcher in a written questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 software and by statistical tests. Results:31 patients (25 females and 6 males) with a mean age of 23.71 ± 8.45 years participated in this study. The use of laser was collectively good but in accelerating the process of tooth displacement was the least and the use of laser in gingivectomy surgery is the most satisfactory forthe patients (p = 0.002). The type of laser had no effect on patient satisfaction (p = 0.429). The type of treatment and the type of laser had no effect onthe patients' stress during orthodontic treatment (p> 0.05). With increasing the number of treatment sessions,the patients' sedation levels increased significantly (p = 0.009). The type of treatment, type of laser, and number of treatment sessions had no effect onthe patients' pain (p> 0.05). Conclusion:According to the findings of this study and due to the high satisfaction rate of the patients from gingivectomy and frenectomy treatment by laser adjunctive treatment, laser may be used more in the future in the treatment of these patients with

The Effect of Carbon Dioxide Laser on Aphthous stomatitis Treatment: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial: Carbon Dioxide Laser and Aphthous stomatitis

Introduction: This randomized clinical trial was designed to investigate the effect of carbon dioxide laser on the treatment of minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis (miRAS) as a painful and common oral ulcer.Methods: Fifteen patients with miRAS entered into this study after compliance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The patients were assigned to three groups of pulsed CO2 laser, continuous CO2 laser, and control. A pulsed CO2 laser with a power of 261 W and pulse duration of 180 microseconds and continuous CO2 lasers with the power of 1 W and radiation duration of 5-10 seconds were used. In the control group, topical triamcinolone ointment of 0.1% was used. The degree of pain was measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS). The patients were evaluated in terms of pain intensity before and immediately after the treatment and at follow-up hours, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after the intervention, and changes in the size of the ulcers were measured before the treatment and on third, fifth, and seventh days.Results: The effect of CO2 laser with pulsed and continuous radiation on the pain intensity of aphthous lesions, immediately after the treatment and at subsequent follow-up hours were similar and even better than the control group (P&lt;0.05). All three treatments had a similar effect on the size of the ulcer, which was not statistically significant (P&gt;0.05).Conclusion: The results of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) showed that the carbon dioxide laser, whether with pulsed radiation or continuous radiation compared to the control group, had a better impact on the pain relief of aphthous lesions