Journal of Mashhad Dental School
Year:2017 | Volume:41 | Issue:2|Papers Count:12

Introduction: Evaluation is an ongoing process, which leads to understanding and improvement of learning, and also signifies the changes that are necessary to achieve the educational objectives. Regarding this, the present study aimed to evaluate the capabilities of the dental students of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran, by investigating their viewpoints regarding the achievement of the educational objectives of the theoretical and practical courses of periodontics and restorative dentistry within the academic year of 2014-2015.Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive analytical study was conducted on 100 dentistry students that had passed all the theoretical and practical units of the restorative dentistry and periodontology during 2014- 2015. For the purpose of data collection, two questionnaires were designed for each of the periodontology and restorative courses. The reliabilities of the periodontology and restoration questionnaires were 0.9 (CVR=0.9 and CVI=0.9) and 0.8 (CVR=0.8, CVI=0.8), respectively.Results: The mean scores of the students’ self-perceived capability in terms of achieving the objectives of the periodontology course demonstrated that 5%, 30%, 56%, and 9% of the students reported to achieve the educational objectives at excellent, good, medium, and poor levels, respectively. Regarding the restorative dentistry course, these rates were found to be 17 %, 39 %, 34%, and 10% for the respective levels.Conclusion: As the results of the present study indicated, from the students’ perspectives, their capabilities to achieve the educational goals were not at a favorable level. Considering the strengths and weaknesses of the students in each course of restoration and periodontology, it seems that the associated educational programs need to be reviewed in order to correct the related deficiencies.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the effect of adding low level laser irradiation to drug therapy on improving patients affected with burning mouth syndrome (BMS).Materials and Methods: In this randomized single-blind clinical trial, 20 patients (17 female and 3 male) suffering from BMS were selected and randomly divided into two groups. In all the patients, citalopram was prescribed. In the experimental group, a low level InGaAlP laser (660 nm, 200 mW, 3 J/cm2) was irradiated for four weeks (12 sessions). In the control group, a similar treatment was administered while the laser probe was off. At the end of each week and after 1, 2 and 3 months of laser therapy, the patients were asked about the intensity (according to visual analogue scale) and duration (based on hour in 24-hours) of burning mouth sensation. The data were analyzed using t-test, paired t-test, and Pearson correlation coefficient in SPSS.Results: The severity and duration of burning sensation was not significantly different between the two groups at any of the treatment and follow-up intervals (P>0.05). At the end of the follow-up period, a significant reduction in intensity and duration of burning sensation was found in both groups compared to baseline examination (P<0.001). The improvement percentage of patients at the end of the follow-up period was 81% in the experimental group and 70% in the control group with no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). There was a significant relationship between the improvement and the intensity of burning sensation at baseline examination (P<0.001).Conclusion: Under the conditions used in this study, citalopram was effective in reducing the intensity and duration of burning sensation in patients affected with BMS. The addition of low level laser irradiation to citalopram was not superior to placebo laser in reducing symptoms of BMS patients.

Introduction: The effect of different connector sizes on all-ceramic systems is controversial. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the effects of different connector sizes on fracture resistance of zirconium oxide posterior bridges.Materials & Methods: In this experimental–laboratory study, 24 posterior zirconia bridges and eight posterior metal-ceramic implant-supported bridges (control group) were manufactured by CAD/CAM software to replace a second premolar. The specimens were divided into four groups, each with a different connector size. After one day storing in artificial saliva and applying thermal cycling, the fracture load in specimens was measured. Tukey HSD and ANOVA were used for data analysis.Results: The mean fracture resistance of the metal-ceramic group was significantly higher than the all-ceramic groups. In Zir/CAD/CAM groups, the mean fracture resistance of the group with 4×4 mm connector size was significantly higher compared to the groups with 3×3 mm and 2×3 mm connector sizes.Conclusion: The mean fracture load values of zirconia specimens were significantly affected by connector size.

Introduction: Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) is a condition characterized by sharp and short dental pains triggered by such stimulations as cold food and drinks. Different methods have been recommended for the treatment of DH; however, no consensus has been obtained in this regard. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effect of two treatment methods, namely Nd: YAG laser and 40% propolis gel, on the improvement of DH symptoms. Materials & Methods: This clinical comparative study was conducted on 25 patients with DH, who were selected through simple random sampling method. The sensitive teeth were treated using Nd: YAG laser on one side and propolis gel on the other side through the split-mouth design. Each patient received three treatment sessions with one week intervals and a followed-up after one month. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to assess the amount of pain before, during, and after treatment. Statistical analysis was carried out using the paired sample t-test and repeated measures ANOVA through the SPSS version 23.Results: According to the results, the sensitivity reduction was statistically significant in both treatment methods. The sensitive level in the laser- and propolis-treated sides decreased from 4.48 to 0.56 and 4.40 to 0.48 after one month, respectively. However, there was no significant difference between the laser- and propolis- treated groups (P>0.05).Conclusion: As the findings of the present study indicated, there was no significant difference between the two applied methods regarding their effectiveness in the treatment of DH. Therefore, propolis gel can be introduced as a simple and cost-effective treatment instead of the laser technique, which is an expensive and sensitive treatment method.

Introduction: Academic misconduct among the students is a critical problem of the universities and academies. Regarding this, the present study aimed to describe the cheating ways and the prevalence, roots, as well as methods of confrontation with this phenomenon in the words of the sixth-year dental students.Materials & Methods: For the purpose of the study, a five-item open-ended questionnaire was employed in which a history of a suspected academic project of the same students was described. The obtained data were analyzed based on the prevalence of the responses. In addition, the students' responses were subjected to content analysis.Results: Out of the 77 students who participated in the study, 77.9% of them explicitly accepted that cheating occurred during the last year project. Based on the responses of the students, the roots of this phenomenon could be categorized as student-related, tutor-related, and macro issues. The substantial majority (98.7%) of the students believed that reporting the cheating to the tutor was an unacceptable action. However, there was no agreement among the students about the sensitivity level that a tutor should have about the academic misconducts. Moreover, the suggested strategies of the students were categorized into three groups, including the technical suggestions for teaching courses, suggestions about the methods of tutor's confrontation with such issues, and general suggestions.Conclusion: The academic tutors and tutorial authorities should take the students' points into account in order to prevent the academic misconduct and effectively address the issue in a new way.

Introduction: In the post and core crown restorations, the significant mismatch in the mechanical properties of the crown and dentin leads to stress concentration at dentin and cervical margin. A class of inhomogeneous materials (Functionally Graded Materials) has been proposed for dental crown to reduce the stresses at dentin and cervical margin. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of inhomogeneous crowns on stress distribution in tooth root and cervical margin by finite element analysis.Materials & Methods: For the purpose of the study, a computer model of mandibular first premolar and its surrounding tissues, including periodontal ligament as well as cortical and trabecular bones were modeled. Homogeneous and inhomogeneous crowns were investigated by finite element analysis and the stress distribution results were compared.Results: Alumina crown resulted in the highest stress at the remaining dentin and cervical margin while inhomogeneous crown graded by index P=10 (FGM10) caused the lowest stress.Conclusions: Finite element analysis showed that, inhomogeneous crowns are preferred than homogeneous crowns. Inhomogeneous crowns tailored in an adequate order may reduce the stress concentration at dentin and cervical margins and consequently reduce the possibility of root/restoration fracture.

Introduction: Serum levels of micronutrients change when most inflammations and infections occur. We aimed to evaluate serum levels of selenium (Se), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders and compare them with healthy control group.Materials & Methods: In this case-control study, 60 participants were selected from among patients who were referred to School of Dentistry of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran, due to temporomandibular joint disorders. All the participants were examined by a prosthodontist, who was expert in occlusion. Twenty patients with muscular disorder, 20 patients with articular disorder (disc dislocation with reduction), 20 patients with inflammatory disorder, as well as 20 healthy controls were chosen. Se, Mg, Na, Zn, and Cu levels were assessed using flame atomic absorption spectrometry in all the participants. To analyse the data, Kruskal–Wallis, Chi-squared, and Fisher’s Exact tests were run (P<0.05).Results: Mean age of the participants was 31.7±9.31 years. Overall, 25 (31.6%) cases were male and 54 (68.4%) were female. Serum levels of zinc, magnesium, sodium, copper, and selenium in the patients with muscular disorder were 67.68, 1.94, 140.05, 122.74, and 122.08, while these values were 65, 1.94, 138.95, 116.94, and 110.79 in the patients with articular disorder, 65.65, 1.84, 136.32, 120.96, and 105.75 in the patients with inflammatory disorder, and 62.4, 1.8, 135.4, 138.51 and 110.58 in the control group, respectively.Conclusion: The mean serum level of sodium in the muscular group was significantly higher in comparison with those in the osteoarthritis and control groups. Furthermore, this value was significantly higher in the articular disorder (disc dislocation with reduction) group than the control group.

Introduction: Dental care is globally expensive with the greatest portion of the costs imposed on patients. This study was conducted to investigate utilization rate of dental services and out-of-pocket payments (OOP) in dental clinics of Ramsar, Iran, 2015.Materials & Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 302 patients referred to Ramsar dental clinics were selected through stratified sampling. The data was collected through review of patient records and telephone interviews with patients. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression test in SPSS, version 21.Results: The highest utilization rate with 66.9% was related to reconstructive services and the lowest pertained to orthodontic services. Root canal therapy, orthodontics and prosthesis had the highest share of OOP and the highest insurance coverage with 30% related to surgical services. Overall, the share of OOP in dental care costs was 91%. Employment status, educational level, annual household income, and having elderlies (aged over 65 years old) in the household had significant impact on OOP payments (P£0.05).Conclusion: Due to the high OOP payment, new policies on insurance coverage of dental services should be adopted. We recommend national policies to be focused on preventing dentistry services, as well as designing and establishing public dental clinics in public hospitals and prioritizing low-income groups.

Introduction: The success of root canal treated teeth with periapical lesions was addressed in several studies. However, in some cases, such as traumatic occlusion, these lesions may remain stable. On the other hand, the effect of traumatic occlusion in development of pulp and periapical diseases is not known thoroughly.Case Report: The article reports the remaining of periapical lesion after appropriate endodontic treatment and surgery in a 17-year-old patient. However, the patient symptoms improved after removal of premature contacts and periapical lesion healed.Conclusion: Elimination of premature contacts during treatment can be one of the influential factors in treatment outcomes.

Introduction: Oral submucous fibrosis is considered as an irreversible, chronic, progressive, and premalignant lesion. The clinical manifestation of this lesion is presented as a fibrotic progressive scar leading to such complications as burning sensation in the mouth, spicy food intolerance, and dry mouth. Moreover, in more severe cases, this disease can lead to trismus, limitation of mouth opening, microstomia, speech disorders, as well as difficulty in moving the tongue and swallowing. The oral submucous fibrosis can have a multifactorial etiology; however, the main cause of this lesion remains obscure. This disease is considered to be a rare condition in children; however, the relapse is a common condition that occurs post-treatment.Case report: Herein, we presented a case of a 10-year-old male patient with a rare oral submucous fibrosis, with unknown etiology, who was managed with a particular combined treatment, including pharmaceutical, surgical, physiotherapeutic, and prosthetic approaches.Conclusion: The correct diagnosis and treatment planning in the patients suffering from oral submucous fibrosis are considered as essential factors to successfully achieve the desirable outcomes.