A Survey over the Dentists’ and Endodntists’ Approaches towards the Management of Endodontic Emergencies in Mashhad, Iran

Introduction: Pain or swelling caused by various stages of inflammation/infection of the pulp/periradicular area is called endodontic emergencies. Determining the most effective method of emergency treatment is a challenging issue in endodontics. The goal of this study was to determine and compare the level of knowledge in general dentists and Endodontists about endodontic emergency treatment plan in Mashhad, Iran in 2012-2013. Methods and Materials: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 152 questionnaires were distributed among 120 general dentists and 32 Endodontists of Mashhad. The questionnaire contained two separate parts. The first part included demographic information and in the second part different treatment protocols were suggested for 12 various conditions of pulp/periapical emergencies, and the participants were asked to choose the correct option(s). To determine the relationship between qualitative variables, the chi-square analysis was used. The level of significance was set at 0.05. Results: There were significant differences between treatment plans presented by general dentists and Endodontists about endodontic emergencies, especially in cases of necrotic pulp and subsequent swelling. Conclusion: Level of knowledge of dentists about the indications of incision and drainage, intra-canal medicament, root filing beyond the apical foramen and antibiotic prescription was not enough. These findings highlight the importance of refreshing courses for general dentists to improve their competency in the management of endodontic emergencies.Keywords: Emergency; Endodontics; Endodontists; Flare Up; General Dentists; Level of Knowledg

In Vitro Comparison of Apical Leakage in Root Canals Obturated with 0.04 and 0.02 Tapered Gutta-Percha

INTRODUCTION: Gutta-percha is the most commonly used material for root canal obturation; it has been recently manufactured with different tapers. The aim of this in vitro study was to compare microleakage of canals obturated with standard gutta-percha (0.02 taper) or the new 0.04 taper gutta-percha master cone using the cold lateral condensation technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-four extracted single rooted teeth were selected. The crowns were removed and all the canals were prepared using RaCe rotary files. The teeth were then divided into experimental (n=2) and control (n=2) groups. In the first study group, the teeth were obturated with 0.02 taper gutta-percha master cone and lateral condensation. In the second study group, the canals were obturated by 0.04 tapered master cones and the same obturation method. The degree of leakage was measured using fluid filtration method. Data were analyzed statistically by student t-test. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the mean microleakage of two experimental groups (P=0.558). CONCLUSION: Lateral condensation technique using 0.04 tapered master cones can provide an effective apical seal similar to 0.02 gutta-percha cones

The Effect of Low Level Laser Therapy on Direct Pulp Capping in Dogs

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the histologic effect of low level laser therapy (LLLT) with or without the use of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) on exposed pulp tissues of dogs.Methods: Twenty-five premolar teeth in three healthy mature dogs were randomly divided into five groups. In group 1, the pulp tissue was capped with MTA. In groups 2 and 3, before capping with MTA, the exposure site was irradiated by low power lasers at 630 nm (20 mW, 150 seconds, 7.5 J/cm2) and 810 nm (peak power 80 W, average power 50 mW, 1500 Hz, 50 seconds, 6.25 J/cm2) wavelengths, respectively. In groups 4 and 5, the exposure site was irradiated similar to that described in groups 2 and 3, but the pulp tissue was covered by gold foil instead of MTA. After 2 months, the animals were sacrificed and the samples were prepared for histologic evaluation.Results: There were differences in pulpal response and dentinal barrier formation among the study groups. The morphology of pulpal tissue and the integrity of dentinal barrier and formation of odontoblastic layer were more favorable in the first three groups. The occurrence of extensive and intense inflammation and necrosis was more frequent in groups 4 and 5.Conclusion: Under the conditions used in this study, the presence of MTA as a pulp capping material was more important than laser therapy in the success of direct pulp capping (DPC) treatment. MTA proved to be an effective material either alone or in combination with laser irradiation in vital pulp therapy

Conservative Treatment of an Invaginated Maxillary Lateral Incisor with a C-shaped Canal Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

This report describes the non-surgical treatment of an invaginated maxillary lateral incisor with two fused roots. The mesial root had a C-shaped canal, while the distal one had a type III dens invagination. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was used to help with the diagnosis and treatment decision making. Clinical and radiographic follow-up revealed satisfactory periapical repair and absence of symptoms after 15 months.Keywords: C-Shaped Canal; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; Dens Invagination; Dens Invaginatus; Dens in Dente; Invaginated Teeth; Maxillary Lateral Inciso

Dental Pulp Reaction to Exposure at Different Time Intervals in Open Apex Canine Teeth of Cats

INTRODUCTION: Open-apex teeth with irreversible pulpitis require complex and difficult treatment. Providing the right environment for apexogenesis and pulp protection is vital for their long term prognosis. The young pulp of open apex tooth, however, is better equipped against irritation and assault. The aim of this study was to evaluate pulp inflammation in open apex canine teeth of cats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this in vivo study, twelve cats with open apex canines were used. Pulps were iatrogenically exposed and the animals were sacrificed at one, seven, thirty and ninety days after pulp exposure. Samples were prepared for histological evaluations. RESULTS: During the first and seventh day, changes were limited to acute inflammation in the coronal pulp. During the first month pulp changes in 45.5% of samples were similar to the seventh day. In the other samples necrosis and abscess spread to the end of the root, and internal resorption and periapical abscess were observed. In 45.5% of samples in the apical region vital tissue was barely observed (during 90 days); in 54.5% of samples however, complete pulp necrosis, internal resorption and a large periapical lesion was observed. CONCLUSION: In one and seven-day periods pulp tissue was vital; however, in the thirty and ninety-day periods, minority of the pulp samples were vital

Microscopic Evaluation of Cleaning Efficiency of Three Different Nickel-Titanium Rotary Instruments

INTRODUCTION: This study compared the cleaning efficiency of Mtwo, Race and Medin Nickel-Titanium (NiTi) rotary instruments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty mandibular molar mesial roots were selected with angle curvatures between 25-35 degrees and divided into three groups; each containing 20 teeth. Canals were prepared with the rotary files and irrigated with 2.5% NaOCl solution after each instrument. Total of 5mL of normal saline was used as the final rinse; subsequently the canals were dried with paper points. The amount of debris and smear layer in three parts of the root canal walls was evaluated using SEM and the data were analyzed by using the Kruskal-Wallis test and the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: The results for remnant debris in the coronal part of root canals were similar, whereas in the middle third, Mtwo instruments achieved significantly better results compared to Race and Medin instruments. In the apical third of the root canals more debris was created by Race instruments. CONCLUSION: Overall, Mtwo instruments had greater success in producing clean canals

Association between physical activity and risk of COVID-19 infection or clinical outcomes of the patients with COVID-19; A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective:  Nowadays, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused serious consequences for global health and economy. The important question is whether the level of physical activity might influence the risk of COVID-19 incidence or clinical outcomes, including the severity or mortality of infected patients. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the association between sufficient physical activity and incidence, hospitalization, severity, recovery, and mortality of COVID-19. Methods: A systematic search of Web of Sciences, PubMed, and Scopus between December 2019 and November 2021 in English language was conducted. Studies were screened based on the inclusion criteria, i.e. observational studies (case-control, prospective or retrospective longitudinal designs, and cross-sectional studies) which have determined the association of physical activity, exercise, sports participation, or sedentary behavior with COVID-19 incidence or outcomes, including mortality, severity, recovery and hospitalization in healthy population or population with any specific comorbidity. Results: Based on eligibility criteria, 27 articles were finally included in the qualitative synthesis. The meta-analysis of five studies evaluating association of physical activity and COVID-19 mortality showed weighted OR of OR of 0.61 (CI 95%: 0.50- 0.75) with heterogeneity (I2= 45.8%, P<0.001) and in seven studies regarding physical activity and COVID-19 hospitalization, weighted OR was 0.541 (CI 95% :0.491 -0.595) with heterogeneity (I2=81.7%, P<0.001). Conclusion: Participating in sufficient physical activity might decrease COVID-19 related hospitalization and mortality. Developing programs to increase physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic might be an appropriate health strategy

Correlation between food habits and time spent watching television with sleep quality at children and teenagers, MINOODAR Qazvin

Introduction: Children from the age of each person's life so that people's eating habits are formed during this period. Some studies of the relationship between TV viewing time and also how sleep quality and eating habits in children and adolescents are supported, but others do not approve of the presence of such a relationship. This study aimed to investigate the association between dietary habits and TV viewing time sleep quality in children and adolescents 10-18 years Minoodar Qazvin. Materials and methods: The study population of 10-18 year old population research center was MINOODAR. Sampling using multi-stage cluster random sampling was performed. All demographic, anthropometric and nutrition, as well as questions related to sleep quality standard questionnaire and was collected by trained personnel. Data were analyzed using spss softwareversion16. Findings: Most of the adolescents studied food groups: grains, meat and oil more than the recommended but milk and dairy product and vegetable group were receiving less than the recommended amount. The results showed that boys compared with girls, bread and cereals (p=0/005) and milk and milk products (p=0/048) received more. Also, people who had low sleep quality was higher consumption of bread and cereals (p= 0/01). People with normal sleep omega-3 fatty acids consumed more (p<0/05). The regression analysis of sleep quality with age, gender, time of watching TV, playing video games and get the time of caffeine was no observed. Conclusions: The nutritional status of adolescents in need of reform. This study showed that eating less bread and refined grains and omega-3 fatty acid intake may increase sleep quality in children and adolescents are more boys than girls drank milk and dairy products, so the problem of delay sleep and irregular sleep was less. Also watching TV for 2 hours a day will have no effect on quality of sleep, however, to verify the results of this study, further research is needed in this area

Association of dietary energy density with cardiometabolic risk factors and metabolic syndrome in Tehranian older adults

Introduction: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between the consumption of an energy-dense diet and cardiometabolic risk factors in Iranian older adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 226 older adults who were living in Tehran, Iran. Dietary energy density (DED) was calculated as energy per weight of food, kcal/g. The usual intake of participants was measured using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements, fasting blood sugar, serum lipid profile and blood pressure and were assessed. The metabolic syndrome was defined according to National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel-III (NCEP ATP III). Results: Those who were in the third tertile of DED compared to the first tertile had 19% lower odds of having the cardiometabolic risk factors and metabolic syndrome (MetS) 0.81 (0.39,1.68) but the association was no significant (P=0.58). There was a significant inverse association between DED and systolic blood pressure (SBP) (β=-0.14, P=0.03) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (β=-0.17, P=0.01). We did not find any significant association between intake of energy-dense foods and serum levels of triglyceride (TG) (P=0.62), fasting blood sugar (FBS) (P=0.06), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (P=0.72) and waist circumference (WC) (P=0.28). Conclusion: DED is negatively associated with SBP and DBP in Iranian older adults. Prospective studies are needed to establish a causal link between DED and MetS and risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD)