Aysun Avşar

Evaluation of the relationship between passive smoking and salivary electrolytes, protein, secretory IgA, sialic acid and amylase in young children

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the relationship between passive smoking as determined by salivary cotinine levels and salivary electrolytes, protein, secretory IgA, sialic acid and amylase in children. DESIGN Saliva was collected from 90 passive smoker (PS) subjects (the study group) and 90 healthy age-matched children (the control group). The study group was divided into three subgroups according the number of cigarettes smoked. Socio-economic status, dental and dietary habits were recorded by questionnaire. Stimulated salivary calcium (Ca), phosphate (P), sodium (Na), potassium (P), total protein, amylase activity, sialic acid level, secretory IgA concentration and cotinine level were analysed. All data were analysed using SPSS, version 13.0. RESULTS Socio-economic status, dental and dietary habits were similar between the two groups. The salivary electrolytes concentrations did not reveal significant difference between the two groups (p>0.05). The mean cotinine levels of PS children were 1.58+/-4.3 ng/mL. The salivary concentrations of protein were similar between the two groups (p>0.05). The salivary secretory IgA concentration was significantly lower in the PS group than controls. The sialic acid level and amylase activity in PS group were found significantly higher compared with the controls (p<0.05). No difference was observed for all these parameters with sex (p>0.05). When saliva samples were analysed for output, the sialic acid level and amylase activity increased significantly in PS subjects (p<0.05). Further, the output of secretory IgA concentration was found significantly lower compared with the controls (p<0.05). CONCLUSION In conclusion, we show that passive smoking was associated with a decrease in secretory IgA concentration, whereas with increase in amylase activity and sialic acid level of stimulated whole saliva in young children.

Association of passive smoking with caries and related salivary biomarkers in young children

OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between passive smoking, as determined by salivary cotinine level, and caries, salivary pH, buffering capacity, flow rate and microbiological counts in young children. DESIGN Ninety passive smokers (PS) with a mean age of 5.02 years and 90 healthy age-matched controls were included in this study. Family income, smoking habits of household members, parental education levels, childs tooth-brushing habit and childs daily dietary sugar exposure were recorded by questionnaire. Three categories were formed with respect to the number of cigarettes smoked. A dmft score was calculated according to the criteria recommended by the World Health Organization. The children were also investigated for stimulated salivary cotinine level, pH, flow rate, buffering capacity and salivary Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli colonisation. RESULTS There were no significant differences in tooth-brushing habit, sugar exposure, family income and parental education levels between the two groups (P>0.05). The mean cotinine level of the PS subjects was 1.58+/-4.3ng/ml. The dmft scores, and salivary S. mutans and lactobacilli colonisation in PS children were significantly higher than in the control subjects (P<0.05). Statistically significant decreases in salivary pH, flow rate and buffering capacity were found in the PS subjects (P<0.05). CONCLUSION PS children are at increased risk of caries compared with control subjects.

Effect of different topical fluoride applications on the surface roughness of a colored compomer

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of neutral sodium fluoride (NNaF) gel and acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) gel on the surface roughness of colored compomer (Twinky Star), conventional compomer (Compoglass F) and resin-modified glassionomer cement (RMGIC) (Photac-Fil). Material and Methods A total of 45 standardized disc-shaped specimens were prepared for each material. After 24 h, finishing and polishing of specimens were done with aluminum oxide disc. Surface treatments with topical fluoride agents or distilled water (control) were performed four times, and interspersed with 8 pH cycles, simulating high cariogenic challenges. After the treatment, the surface roughness (Ra) was determined using a profilometer. In each group, specimens with Ra closest to the mean were examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) at ×1,000 and ×3,500 magnifications. Two-way ANOVA was used to evaluate Ra measurements, and the differences in Ra values between subgroups for each material and each topical applications were compared by Tukey’s highly significant difference pairwise comparisons. Results No statistically significant difference in Ra between the Twinky Star and Compoglass F was found. However, Photac Fil showed significantly higher Ra than these materials after all surface treatments. There was a general trend of Ra increase from controls to NNaF and APF gels for all materials. SEM observations revealed that the surface micromorphology of Twinky-Star did not differ significantly from that of Compoglass F. Conclusion Both the compomers and the RMGIC showed significantly higher surface roughness when subjected to APF gel application.

The effects of calcium hydroxide removal methods on bond strength of Epiphany SE with two irrigation protocols

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of five calcium hydroxide removal methods on the bond strength of Epiphany SE sealer after canal irrigation with NaOCl+EDTA or NaOCl+MTAD. Materials and methods: The 120 roots were instrumented by using the ProTaper rotary system under irrigation with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and randomly divided into two major groups according to the final irrigation: 1.3% NaOCl + MTAD and 5% NaOCl + 17% EDTA. For controls, 10 roots from each of the final irrigations with NaOCl + MTAD and NaOCl + EDTA (20 roots) were not filled with Ca(OH)2. The intra-canal paste, Ca(OH)2 was applied to each of the 100 remaining roots and stored at 37°C for 7 days. Each group was sub-divided into five sub-groups (n = 10) according to the removal technique for the intra-canal dressing: Group-1: recapitulation with size 30 K file + 3 ml of saline solution, Group-2: recapitulation with size 30 K file + 3 ml of 5% NaOCl, Group-3: using 5% NaOCl + 17% EDTA, Group-4: using 5%NaOCl + 15% citric acid, and Group-5: using 1.3% NaOCl + 5 ml MTAD. The root canals were filled with Resilon and Epiphany SE sealer. The bond strength was measured. Results: The mean bond strength of Epiphany SE to root dentine irrigated with NaOCl + MTAD was lower than that of NaOCl + EDTA. The highest bond strengths were 3.31 ± 0.057 and 2.60 ± 0.054 in the NaOCl + citric acid group when Ca(OH)2 was applied to roots treated with NaOCl + EDTA and NaOCl + MTAD, respectively (p < 0.05). Conclusion: For root canals treated with NaOCl + EDTA or NaOCl + MTAD, the use of NaOCl + chelating agent for Ca(OH)2 removal does not adversely affect the bond strength of Epiphany SE to dentin.

Effect of radiotherapy on the sealing ability of temporary filling materials

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the sealing ability of three different temporary restorative materials on endodontic access cavities as compared to radiated and nonirradiated teeth. Materials and Methods: All teeth were randomly divided into two main groups according to the presence or absence of the radiotherapy. The specimens in these groups were then divided into three subgroups of 12 teeth each, and into two control groups of eight teeth each as negative and positive control groups. In radiotherapy groups, radiotherapy (1.8 Gy) was applied daily over 35 days resulting in a total application of 63 Gy. Standardized occlusal endodontic access cavities were prepared in all groups. A cotton pellet was placed on the pulp chamber. The access cavities were restored with three temporary filling materials; first fill, Cavit-G and Cavisol. The specimens were immersed in 2% methylene blue solution and centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 5 min. Results: Although there was no statistical difference among the three materials for the groups in which radiotherapy was not applied (P > 0.05), it was found that the sealing abilities of Cavit-G and Cavisol were not affected by radiotherapy (P > 0.05). However, the leakage values of the light-cured polymerized temporary filling material, first fill, were increased when radiotherapy was performed (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The radiotherapy application reduces the sealing ability of the light-cured temporary filling material, first fill.