Expedited Removal of Pyogenic Granuloma by Diode Laser in a Pediatric Patient

Introduction: Pyogenic granuloma (PG) is one of the inflammatory hyperplasia seen in the oral cavity. It is a reactional response to minor trauma or chronic irritation. The most common treatment of PG is surgical excision but alternative approaches such as laser excision have also been proposed especially for pediatric patients.Case report: Herein, we present a case of gingival pyogenic granuloma in a 6-year-old patient. The lesion was excised successfully with diode laser as a conservative and non-stressful method in a pediatric patient.Results and conclusion: The use of laser as modern medicine offers a new tool for treatment of oral lesions as comfortable as possible in pediatric patients, which results in less stress and fear in children

The Viewpoints of Last-Year Dentistry Students of Shahid Beheshti University on the Application of Lasers as an Independent Credit in the Education of General Dentistry

Introduction: Enhancing students’ pragmatic skills as an enabling means warrants changes in their curricula, which should be reconciled with the students’ educational needs. Thus, this study seeks to examine the viewpoints of last-year dentistry students on the need for the instruction of laser application as an independent credit in general dentistry curricula. The findings of this study can be helpful in determining the educational priorities of students while providing and compiling their curricula.Methods: This descriptive study was done on 91 last-year dentistry students of Shahid Beheshti University in a full census manner. The data collection tool was a fieldwork questionnaire which its validity and reliability evaluation was carried out. To announce the findings, frequency distribution, frequency percentage and average tableaux were utilized.Results: Amongst the 91 participants, regarding the average figures of value assignment from 1 to 10 to respond to questions, the highest value was assigned to learning the side effects of lasers (7.99 ± 0.01), and the lowest importance of and need for learning was assigned to learning about the history of laser and light physics (4.53 ± 0.47).Conclusion: The findings indicate that students have a positive attitude toward the incorporation of an independent laser credit in their curricula and, thus, the necessity of incorporating this credit in their curricula can be posed

In vitro antifungal effect of cinnamon extract on candida species

Introduction: Cinnamon zeylanicum is used for various medical purposes. The aim of this study was to compare the antifungal efficacy of cinnamon and amphotericin B against Candida species in vitro. Material & Methods: Candida albicans (C. albicans) and Candida krusei (C. Krusei) were obtained from the Iranian Industrial and Scientific Research Center. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of cinnamon extract was determined and compared with that of amphotericin B. Results: The results of this study showed that Amphotericin B, ethanolic  and aqueous extract of cinnamon inhibited the growth of C. albicans and C. Krusei with different MICs. Conclusion: Ethanolic extract of cinnamon has inhibitory effects on Candida species comparable to that of amphotericin B. So, it can be used as a herbal alternative

Comparison of two histopathologic methods for evaluating subcutaneous reaction to mineral trioxide aggregate

Objectives: One of the most important factors for suitable materials for pulp therapy is biocompatibility. Two histopathologic methods of Cox and Federation Dentaire International (FDI) were used to evaluate inflammation. In Cox method, density of inflammatory cells, tissue reactions like fibrosis, vascular responses like congestion and fibrin extravasation have been used to evaluate inflammatory reactions. The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of pathologists' interpretations using two different methods. Study design: Three pathologists observed the degree of inflammation in 225 histopathologic sections. These se-ctions showed inflammation in subcutaneous connective tissue of rats adjacent to polyethylene tubes, filled with white or gray mineral trioxide aggregate. Empty tubes served as controls. Samples were harvested after 7-, 15-, 30-, 60-, and 90-days. All pathologists examined the sections under a light microscope (Carl Zeiss, Oberkochen, Germany) at ×400 magnifications. Chi-Square test was used to evaluate the difference between inflammation grades when one pathologist used two methods. Cohen's Kappa value was used to measure agreement of three pathologists to recognize the degrees of inflammations when using one of the methods. Results: There were no significant differences between the two methods when one of the pathologist used these me-thods to report the degree of inflammation (p=0.054). However, two other pathologists reported significant differences between two methods (p=0.005, p=0.001). In the FDI method, there was an acceptable agreement between first and second, and first and third pathologist in terms of the degree of inflammation, and intermediate agreement existed between the second and third pathologist. With the Cox method, no agreement among the pathologists could be found. Conclusion: The results of three pathologists in terms of rating inflammation with the FDI method showed better agreement than with the Cox method. Therefore, FDI method is more reliable than the Cox method to evaluate inflammation. © Medicina Oral S. L

Microleakage comparison of glass-ionomer and white mineral trioxide aggregate used as a coronal barrier in nonvital bleaching

Objectives: There is some evidence that the pH at the root surface is reduced by intracoronal placement of bleaching pastes, which is known to enhance osteoclastic activity. Therefore, it is recommended that a protective barrier be used over the canal filling to prevent leakage of bleaching agents. Glass-ionomer (GI) is commonly used as a coronal barrier before nonvital bleaching. Because mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) creates high alkalinity after mixing with water, using MTA as a protective barrier over the canal filling may not only prevent leakage of bleaching agents and microorganisms, but may prevent cervical resorption. The aim of this study was to evaluate sealing ability of white mineral trioxide aggregate (WMTA) as a coronal barrier before nonvital bleaching. Study design: Root canals of one hundred thirty human maxillary incisors were instrumented and filled with gutta-percha without sealer. Gutta-percha was removed up to 3 mm below the cementoenamel junction (CEJ). The teeth were randomly divided into six experimental groups of 20 teeth each and two control groups of 5. In three experimental groups, WMTA was packed into the canal to the level of CEJ. In the remaining experimental groups, glass-ionomer (GI) was used as a coronal barrier. After a 24-hour incubation period, one of the following three bleaching agents was placed in the access cavity of each of the WMTA or GI groups. These three bleaching agents were 30% hydrogen peroxide, sodium perborate mixed with 30% hydrogen peroxide, and sodium perborate mixed with distilled water. The bleaching agents were replaced every 3 days for three times. In the positive controls, no coronal barrier was used. In the negative controls, all the tooth surfaces were covered by two layers of nail varnish. Microleakage was evaluated using protein leakage test. Statistical analyses were performed with the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. Results: The experimental groups showed minimum leakage which was not significantly more than tha in the negative controls. There was no statistically significant difference in leakage between the experimental groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study indicated that different bleaching agents have no effect on sealing ability of WMTA. © Medicina Oral S. L

Evaluation of serum Malondialdehyde level in patients with oral lichen planus

Introduction: Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a useful determinant to show high level of lipid peroxidation which lead to impaired cell function. Previous studies have mentioned there is a relationship between high oxidative stress and low anti-oxidant activity in patients with oral lichen planus. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum level of Malondialdehyde as an indicator of oxidative stress in patients with oral lichen planus which is a chronic inflammatory disease with unknown etiology. Materials & Methods: This descriptive-comparative study evaluated the oxidative stress status on twenty patients with oral lichen planus and 20 control healthy individuals based on serum level of Malondialdehyde. Results: The mean serum Malondialdehyde levels in oral lichen planus patients and control individuals were 2.9 (±2) and 2.4 (±1.3) µg/ml, respectively, indicating no significant difference (P=0.6). Conclusion: According to the results, role of Malondialdehyde in cellular damage and pathogenesis of oral lichen planus was not proved

Effects of systemic administration of HESA-A on the expression of cyclin D1 and EGFR and E-cadherin in the induced tongue dysplasia in rats

Background. HESA-A has herbal and marine bases, containing minerals and rare elements such as Zr, Cr, Ga, Mn, Mg, Ca, Sr, Cu, Ti, etc. Its mechanism of action includes antioxidant, antiinflammatory and adjustment of the immune system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of HESA-A systemic drug on expression of cyclin D1, EGFR and E-cadherin in induced tongue dysplasia in rats. Methods. In this experimental study, the effects of the systemic drug HESA-A on the expression of cyclin D1, EGFR, and E-cadherin molecular markers were examined in induced tongue dysplasia in rats. Results. The incidence rate of cyclin D1 in groups receiving HESA-A was lower than the group that did not receive the drug (77.78% in the 0‒5% range versus 77.78% in the 5‒50% range). In the case of expression of E-cadherin in group D, which did not receive HESA-A, a decrease was observed in the expression of this cell adhesion marker as compared to the other two groups. The incidence of E-cadherin was dependent on HESA-A dose, while with 500 mg/kg it was higher than other groups (>75% in 55.55% versus >75% in 11.11%). Concerning the incidence of EGFR in all the three groups most cases were grade 0. Conclusion. The results of the present research indicated that considering changes in the expression of cyclin D1 and E-cadherin markers in groups treated with HESA-A, HESA-A® has preventive effects on development of cancer in dysplastic lesions through regulation of expression of these molecules

Effect of alkaline ph on sealing ability of white mineral trioxide aggregate

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate microleakage of white mineral trioxide aggregate (WMTA) after its exposure to a range of alkaline environments during hydration. Study Design: Seventy single-rooted teeth were divided into 4 experimental and 2 control groups. All the teeth were instrumented, and their apices were resected. Root-end cavities were filled with WMTA in the experimental groups. In the control groups, root-end cavities were not filled. Root-end fillings were exposed to alkaline environments with pH values of 7.4, 8.4, 9.4, or 10.4 for 3 days. Microleakage was evaluated by bovine serum albumin. Evaluations were carried out at 24-hour intervals for 80 days. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and a post hoc Tukey test at the 0.05 level of confidence. Results: The number of days (mean ± standard deviation) needed for color change at pH values of 7.4, 8.4, 9.4, and 10.4 were 78.53 ± 5.68, 80.00 ± 0.00, 68.93 ± 19.00, and 34.46 ± 12.73, respectively. The time needed for leakage to occur was significantly shorter in samples stored at a pH value of 10.4 (P<0.001). Conclusions: Within the limits of this study, it can be concluded that pH values greater than 9.4 may jeopardize the sealing ability of WMTA during hydration. © Medicina Oral S. L