Armasastra Bahar

The Effect of Normal Pulsed Nd-YAG Laser Irradiation on Pits and Fissures in Human Teeth

The effects of normal pulsed Nd-YAG laser irradiation on the acid resistance of human dental enamel of pits and fissures, the cleaning of the pit and fissure contents and fluoride uptake into deep pits and fissures were examined. The acid resistance of the pit and fissure enamel was evaluated by the amount of dissolved calcium per square millimeter of the surface area. The pit and fissure enamel treated with laser irradiation obtained an acid resistance 30% higher than that of the unlased controls. The cleaning effect of laser irradiation on the pit and fissure contents was compared with chemicomechanical and mechanical methods. The laser irradiation was found to clean the pits and fissures to a greater depth without alterating the shape of pits and fissures, compared with the other two methods. The distribution of calcium, phosphorus and fluoride in the enamel of the pits and fissures was then measured by electron probe microanalyzer. At the entrance and in the deep part of the pits and fissures, the fluoride content of the enamel treated with acidulated phosphate fluoride after laser irradiation was higher than that of the enamel treated with acidulated phosphate fluoride alone. These results thus suggest that Nd-YAG laser irradiation might be effective in increasing the acid resistance of the pit and fissure enamel, while removing the pit and fissure debris contents and increasing the fluoride uptake into the pit and fissure enamel.

Oral health condition and endemic goitre, in an iodine-deficient area in Bali, Indonesia.

Iodine deficiency is a major determinant of endemic goiter which affects bone growth. The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between iodine deficiency and oral health. A cross-sectional survey was carried out on 181 inhabitants aged 17 to 40 years in two villages in an iodine-deficient area in Bali, Indonesia. Thyroid swelling, serum level of thyroid-stimulating hormone, DMFT index, plaque index, gingival index, dietary habits and socioeconomic status were examined. Thirty two subjects (21%) had thyroid swelling considered to be endemic goiter, with the highest prevalence in females aged 21 to 30 years (40-41%). The DMFT, food habits, and socioeconomic status were different between both villages. Multiple regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, and location (village) did not detect any association between DMFT and serum thyroid-stimulating hormone level or thyroid swelling. Further studies will be required to confirm these findings. Asia Pac J Public Health 2001;13(1):45-48