Dental Research Journal
Year:2024 | Volume:21 | Issue:2|Papers Count:10

The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate whether there are scientific evidence regarding the association between periodontitis and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults. An electronic search was performed on MEDLINE/PubMed for prospective and retrospective longitudinal studies, cohort studies, and case–control studies conducted in human adults affected by both OSA and periodontitis. Two reviewers extracted the data using a custom Excel spreadsheet. A methodological assessment of the quality of the studies was performed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Fourteen studies were included. All studies evaluated the association between periodontitis and OSA. None of the studies evaluated the cause–effect relationship. Eleven studies found a significant positive relationship between periodontitis and OSA, whereas three found no statistically significant association. Several study limitations were observed, such as lack of standardization of study groups, diagnosis of periodontitis and OSA, and differences in study design. Evidence of a plausible association between periodontitis and OSA was found. The possible relationship could be explained by systemic inflammation, oral breathing, and the comorbid relationship attributable to common risk factors. Observational and randomized controlled studies are needed to clarify the mechanism of interaction between the two conditions

Background: Oral cancer remains one of the most dreadful diseases in developing nations. Currently, there has been a rise in the prevalence of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), with a poor prognosis. The use of standard treatment approaches against oral cancer patients brings about several side effects. In recent years, nanomedicine has provided a versatile platform for developing new targeted therapeutic modalities. However, safety remains a concern in the synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs). Therefore, the present study aims to synthesize safer phytoconstituent‑mediated gold NPs (AuNPs) utilizing leaf extracts of Annona muricata, where the biochemical components of the plant leaf act as the reducing and capping agents in the synthesis of NPs, and to evaluate its anti‑cancer activity against SCC. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro experimental study, AuNPs were synthesized through an effective, simple, and ecologically sound green synthesis method. After characterization of these synthesized AuNPs, in vitro assays such as 3‑(4, 5‑dimethylthiazole2‑yl)‑2, 5‑biphenyl tetrazolium bromide, wound healing, and clonogenic assays were carried out to investigate the anti‑cancer potential of green synthesized AuNPs in the human tongue SCC cell line (SCC‑15), and the possible mechanism of action was evaluated through gene and protein expression analysis of Bax, Bcl‑2, and p53 genes. The results were expressed as mean ± standard deviation using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 20. 0 software and Student’s t‑test was performed for experimental data. P ≤0. 05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The in vitro assays demonstrated that the synthesized AuNPs are exhibiting anti‑cancer activity by apoptosis of SCC‑15 cells in a dose‑dependent manner. Further, it also revealed a highly significant decrease in anti‑apoptotic Bcl‑2 gene expression, whereas pro‑apoptotic genes p53 and Bax revealed a highly significant increase, which is statistically significant compared to the control (P < 0. 05). Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that the AuNPs synthesized from A. muricata leaf extract could act as a novel anticancer agent, particularly against SCC, after further scrutiny

Background: Coronal seal is one of the essential factors that affects the success of endodontic treatment and reinforces the apical seal. The intra‑orifice barrier is an efficient alternative approach to decrease coronal leakage in endodontically treated teeth and various materials have been used for this purpose. This study aimed to compare the coronal sealing of flowable composite, resin‑modified glass ionomer (RMGI), and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) in endodontically treated teeth. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, 35 single‑canal canine teeth were divided into five groups, including flowable composite, RMGI, MTA, positive control, and negative control groups. The teeth were filled with restorative materials according to the factory’s instructions. Afterward, the samples were immersed in 2% methylene blue dye solution for 1 week at 37°C and 100% humidity condition. Finally, the teeth were sectioned longitudinally and dye penetration was measured using a stereomicroscope with ×10. Data were analyzed with Kolmogorov–Smirnov and Kruskal–Wallis tests (α = 0. 05). Results: The positive control group showed the highest amount of dye penetration compared to other groups (12. 34 ± 0. 46). Dye penetration in the MTA group was significantly lower (4. 25 ± 0. 31) compared to the RMGI group (5. 94 ± 0. 24) (P = 0. 02). Moreover, while the dye penetration in the MTA group was lower than in the flowable composite group (5. 65 ± 0. 26), the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0. 12). Conclusion: MTA reduces the coronal leakage and provides an acceptable coronal seal in endodontically treated teeth, especially compared to RMGI, and therefore, using MTA as an intra‑orifice barrier increases the endodontic treatment success rate

Background: Triple antibiotic paste (TAP) is the commonly used intracanal medicament against Enterococcus faecalis. Amoxicillin clavulanate paste (ACP) is recommended as a “fall‑back” antibiotic when traditional dental antibiotics fail. Literature comparing the antimicrobial efficacy of TAP and ACP in eradicating E. faecalis from the root canal system is sparse,hence, this in vitro study was conducted to evaluate and compare the antimicrobial efficacy of TAP and ACP as an intracanal medicament for endodontic treatment of single‑rooted permanent teeth against E. faecalis. Materials and Methods: This in vitro, experimental study evaluated 60 root samples obtained from extracted single‑rooted human permanent teeth. The canal diameter was enlarged and subsequently infected with E. faecalis for 21 days. Four groups of the contaminated samples were treated with TAP, ACP, calcium hydroxide (positive control), and saline (negative control), respectively. Dentinal shavings were collected at the end of the 1st, 7th, and 10th day and inoculated in agar plates. The number of colony‑forming units was determined, and the data were statistically analyzed using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov and Shapiro–Wilks test. P <0. 05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean number of E. faecalis colony counts across all 3 test days demonstrated that TAP exhibited the highest inhibition of bacterial growth, followed by ACP which is not statistically significant (P = 1. 00). Conclusion: Considering the limitations of this in vitro study, the findings suggest that ACP could be an effective alternative intracanal medicament to TAP for endodontic therapy

Background: The COVID‑19 pandemic which is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) has created a major global health crisis in recent years. Despite this, there have been few studies that have utilized reliable methods to assess changes in taste and smell perception. Therefore, our study aims at the number of fungiform papillae and objective measures of taste perception relationship among COVID‑19 patients with olfactory and gustatory disorders. Materials and Methods: This was a cross‑sectional analytical study in which 57 COVID‑19 patients were recruited who confirmed the dysfunction of taste and smell. Objective assessment of the sense of taste was evaluated using four different standardized solution preparations, and the scores were given according to the patient’s statements. Digitalized quantification of fungiform papillae was counted. The data were analyzed with the Pearson’s correlation coefficient using the SPSS version. 23 [Licensed JSSAHER, Mysuru, Karnataka, India], and the level of significance was set at <0. 001. Results: In terms of altered or reduced taste and smell, male patients exhibited a higher incidence compared to females. Compared to the sour taste, a substantial number of COVID‑19 patients have displayed a notable decrease in their ability to taste sweet, salty, and bitter flavors. However, a statistically significant positive correlation was observed between taste scores and fungiform papillae density (r = 0. 518, P < 0. 001). Conclusion: Our Study demonstrated that the quantitative evaluation of taste perception and the count of fungiform papillae can serve as important indicators of SARS‑CoV‑2 infection, and could potentially help in the early detection and treatment of COVID‑19 patients, as reduced taste function is a significant marker of the disease

Background: This study aimed to compare the apical transportation and centering ability of One Curve, HyFlex EDM, and EdgeFile X1 in curved mesiobuccal and mesiolingual canals of mandibular first molars. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro experimental study, 60 mesiobuccal and mesiolingual canals of the mandibular first molars with a minimum length of 19 mm and 25°–40° curvature were randomly divided into three groups (n = 20) for root canal preparation with One Curve, HyFlex EDM, and EdgeFile X1. After access cavity preparation and confirming the glide path, the baseline micro‑computed tomography (micro‑CT) scans were obtained, and the root canals were instrumented with the respective systems according to the manufacturers’ instructions. Apical transportation and centering ability were assessed at 1, 3, 5, and 7 mm from the apex by comparing pre‑ and postinstrumentation micro‑CT scans. One‑way ANOVA, independent t‑test, and Duncan’s post hoc test were used to statistically compare the groups, and data were analyzed by SPSS version 24 (alpha = 0. 05). Results: The three groups were not significantly different regarding apical transportation at 5 and 7 mm from the apex (P > 0. 05). At 1 mm level, One Curve caused significantly lower apical transportation,while, at 3 mm level, HyFlex EDM resulted in significantly higher apical transportation (P < 0. 05). No significant difference was noted in the centering ability of the three groups at 1, 3, and 5 mm from the apex (P > 0. 05). At 7 mm level, EdgeFile X1 showed significantly lower centering ability (P < 0. 05). Conclusion: One Curve caused lower canal transportation in the apical third compared with EdgeFile and HyFlex EDM, but no significant difference was noted among the three in the coronal third of the roots

Background: This study assessed the effect of different concentrations of 4‑methacryloyloxyethy trimellitate anhydride (4‑META) added to silane on microtensile bond strength (μTBS) of light‑cure and dual‑cure resin cement to hybrid and zirconia‑reinforced lithium silicate ceramics. Materials and Methods: This in vitro, experimental study was conducted on 32 Celtra Duo and 32 VITA Enamic ceramics bonded to Allcem Veneer light‑cure and Allcem dual‑cure resin cements using silane impregnated with 4‑META in 0%, 2. 5%, 5%, and 10 wt% concentrations in 16 groups (n = 4). The μTBS of specimens was measured by a universal testing machine and analyzed by the Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests, and the mode of failure was determined under a stereomicroscope and analyzed by the Chi‑square test (alpha = 0. 05). Results: The lowest mean μTBS was recorded in the Enamic ceramic group with 4‑META (0%) bonded to dual‑cure cement (14. 26 MPa), and the highest mean μTBS was recorded in Enamic ceramic with 4‑META (10%) bonded to light‑cure cement (18. 59 MPa) (P < 0. 001). The μTBS of Celtra Duo was significantly higher than that of Enamic in bonding to light‑cure cement using 4‑META (2. 5%) (P = 0. 003). All failures (100%) were adhesive in most groups. The frequency of adhesive failure was the lowest (90%) in Celtra Duo bonded to dual‑cure cement with 4‑META (5%). Conclusion: According to the results of this pilot study, the addition of 4‑META (10%) to silane caused a significant improvement in μTBS to light‑cure cement. The addition of 4‑META in all concentrations significantly improved the μTBS to Enamic ceramic in the use of dual‑cure cement,however, it had no significant effect on μTBS of Celtra Duo. Nonetheless, the results should be interpreted with caution due to the relatively small sample size

Background: This study aimed to assess the effect of polishing versus glazing of computer‑aided design‑computer‑aided manufacturing (CAD‑CAM) ceramics on depth of wear and surface roughness of opposing composite resin. Materials and Methods: This in vitro study was conducted on 40 Z250 composite and 40 CAD‑CAM ceramic specimens including Celtra Duo, Vita Mark II, e. max CAD, and Vita Suprinity ceramics. All ceramic specimens were roughened by a fine‑grit bur after primary glazing to simulate an adjusted surface in the clinical setting. They were then randomly assigned to two subgroups and underwent reglazing or polishing. All composite and ceramic specimens underwent profilometry after surface treatment and prior to the wear test, and the results were recorded quantitatively. Composite specimens were then subjected to 120, 000 wear cycles against ceramic specimens in a chewing simulator, and the depth of wear was measured by a scanner. Data were statistically analyzed by repeated measures two‑way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and one‑way ANOVA (α = 0. 05). Results: Comparison of the surface roughness of composite specimens before and after the wear test revealed significant differences in both glazed Suprinity (P = 0. 048) and Vita Mark II (P = 0. 026) ceramics groups. The change in surface roughness after the wear test (compared with baseline) was significant in glazed (P = 0. 000) and polished (P = 0. 013) Vita Mark II and polished Suprinity (P = 0. 037) ceramics, but this change was not significant in other ceramics (P > 0. 05). The depth of wear after the wear test was not significantly different among the ceramic and composite subgroups (P > 0. 05). Conclusion: Assessment of depth of wear and surface roughness of composite specimens showed that the polishing kits of CAD‑CAM ceramics can serve as a suitable alternative to reglazing.

Background: Attention to the issue of intelligence and its promotion in children with cleft lip and cleft palate (CL and CP) is necessary to reduce their injuries in life. This study aimed to determine the intelligence quotient (IQ) and emotional intelligence (EQ) in children with CL and CP in comparison to healthy children. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, 140 children, including 70 children with CL and CP, were selected from the Children treated in Craniofacial and Cleft Research Center, Spearman correlation, ANOVA and 70 healthy children were selected from the Pediatric Dentistry Department of Isfahan University, in the age range of 5–9 years. After obtaining the consent of the children’s parents, the Raven IQ questionnaire and the Mayer and Salovey EQ questionnaire were given to the children. Data were analyzed by the Pearson correlation coefficient tests (α =0. 05). Results: EQ score in healthy children was significantly higher than in children with CL and CP (P < 0. 001). The percentage of IQ cognitive intelligence in healthy children and children with CL and CP was not significantly different (P = 0. 641). In healthy children, no significant relationship was observed between cognitive intelligence IQ and EQ (r = 0. 018, P = 0. 882). However, among children with CL and CP, there was a significant inverse relationship between cognitive intelligence IQ and EQ (P < 0. 001, r = −0. 526). Conclusion: CL and CP have no effect on IQ in children, but it does affect EQ

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the morphometric parameters of dental pulp in open apices immature teeth in a sheep model after mechanical pulp exposure and restoration with reinforced zinc oxide‑eugenol. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, a total of 12 immature mandibular central incisors from six adult male sheep, weighing 30–40 kg and with the age of 1 year old with Merino race were examined. After anesthesia, the pulps of the teeth in the case group were mechanically exposed and then were restored with reinforced zinc oxide‑eugenol and amalgam. In the control group, the teeth remained intact. The animals were sacrificed at intervals of 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks (E2, E4, E6, and E8) in the case and 2 and 8 weeks (C2 and C8) in the control groups. Then, their teeth were removed with the surrounding supporting tissues and alveolar bones. Tissue processing and staining were done, and the sections were examined under a light microscope. The Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests were used to analyze the data and compare the changes between the two groups. P < 0. 05 was considered statistically significant. Results: In response to mechanical exposure, reparative or tertiary dentin was formed, and its thickness increased during the time of the study. The thickness of the odontoblastic layer in the E4 group was the highest amount. The pulp chamber diameter in the C2 group was significantly larger than the other groups, and the diameter of the apical foramen in the E8 was decreased significantly compared to the controls (P < 0. 05). Conclusion: In response to mechanical exposure and restoration with reinforced zinc oxide‑eugenol, some morphometric parameters of the dental pulp changed significantly in the sheep model compared to the controls