Faruk Emir

Evaluation of Low-Level Laser Therapy in TMD Patients.

Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation (laser) is one of the most recent treatment modalities in dentistry. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is suggested to have biostimulating and analgesic effects through direct irradiation without causing thermal response. There are few studies that have investigated the efficacy of laser therapy in temporomandibular disorders (TMD), especially in reduced mouth opening. The case report here evaluates performance of LLLT with a diode laser for temporomandibular clicking and postoperative findings were evaluated in two cases of TMD patients. First patient had a history of limited mouth opening and pain in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) region since nine months. Second patients main complaint was his restricted mouth opening, which was progressed in one year. LLLT was performed with a 685 nm red probed diode laser that has an energy density of 6.2 J/cm2, three times a week for one month, and application time was 30 seconds (685 nm, 25 mW, 30 s, 0.02 Hz, and 6.2 J/cm2) (BTL-2000, Portative Laser Therapy Device). The treatment protocol was decided according to the literature. One year later patients were evaluated and there were no changes. This application suggested that LLLT is an appropriate treatment for TMD related pain and limited mouth opening and should be considered as an alternative to other methods.

Effect of dental technician disparities on the 3-dimensional accuracy of definitive casts

Statement of problem Studies that evaluated the effect of dental technician disparities on the accuracy of presectioned and postsectioned definitive casts are lacking. Purpose The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the accuracy of presectioned and postsectioned definitive casts fabricated by different dental technicians by using a 3‐dimensional computer‐aided measurement method. Material and methods An arch‐shaped metal master model consisting of 5 abutments resembling prepared mandibular incisors, canines, and first molars and with a 6‐degree total angle of convergence was designed and fabricated by computer‐aided design and computer‐aided manufacturing (CAD‐CAM) technology. Complete arch impressions were made (N=110) from the master model, using polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) and delivered to 11 dental technicians. Each technician fabricated 10 definitive casts with dental stone, and the obtained casts were numbered. All casts were sectioned, and removable dies were obtained. The master model and the presectioned and postsectioned definitive casts were digitized with an extraoral scanner, and the virtual master model and virtual presectioned and postsectioned definitive casts were obtained. All definitive casts were compared with the master model by using computer‐aided measurements, and the 3‐dimensional accuracy of the definitive casts was determined with best fit alignment and represented in color‐coded maps. Differences were analyzed using univariate analyses of variance, and the Tukey honest significant differences post hoc tests were used for multiple comparisons (&agr;=.05). Results The accuracy of presectioned and postsectioned definitive casts was significantly affected by dental technician disparities (P<.001). The largest dimensional changes were detected in the anterior abutments of both of the definitive casts. The changes mostly occurred in the mesiodistal dimension (P<.001). Conclusions Within the limitations of this in vitro study, the accuracy of presectioned and postsectioned definitive casts is susceptible to dental technician differences.

Can Impression Procedures Affect Certain Vital Functions of Edentulous Patients? A Clinical Study

PURPOSE The most suitable treatment conditions and timing for medically unstable patients with severe systemic diseases about to undergo invasive dental treatment are well documented in the literature; however, no medical guides or recommendations identify these conditions for noninvasive dental treatments in such patients. The aim of this clinical study was to determine the effect of impression procedures on arterial oxygen saturation (AOS) and pulse rates (PRs) of edentulous subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 28 Caucasian edentulous participants (15 females, 13 males) were included in the study. Pulse oximetry recordings (150 seconds) were performed for each participant at three stages; recording at rest (CON), during mandibular impressions (MANIs), and maxillary impressions (MAXIs). The mean values of PR, AOS, and event scores (ESs) indicating desaturation were obtained from the records. The comparisons of mean PR and AOS values were performed with the Bonferroni-corrected Wilcoxon-signed ranks test. The ESs were analyzed with the McNemar Test. RESULTS The mean AOS values of MANI and MAXI did not display significant changes when compared with CON; however, the ESs obtained in both MANI and MAXI were significantly higher than those of CON (p = 0.008, p = 0.004). In addition, mean PR values obtained in MAXI were significantly higher than CON (p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS According to the results of this clinical study, the impression procedures may affect the PR values and lead to desaturation events in edentulous patients; however, further studies evaluating blood gas levels, which indicate precise AOS values, are necessary to support the results of this study.

Microscopic evaluation of the thickness and structure of the cement and cement–dentin interdiffusion zone after luting posts with three different luting cements

Abstract Clinical studies report that failures of fiber post cementation occur mainly at the cement–dentin interface. The aim of this in vitro study is to compare the scanning electron microscopic (SEM) evaluations of the cement thicknesses in the root canals and the thickness of cement–dentin interface zones obtained after luting standardized glass-fiber posts with three different types of luting cements. Thirty single-rooted mandibular premolars of similar sizes were prepared for post insertion after biomechanical preparation and obturation. They were divided into three groups containing 10 samples each. Standardized glass-fiber posts were cemented with zinc phosphate cement for ZNP group, with conventional adhesive resin cement for CAR group, and with self-adhesive resin cement for SAR group. The formation and thickness of cement and cement–dentin interface zone were evaluated by stereomicroscope and SEM using ×800 magnification, and the data were analyzed. There was no significant difference between groups in terms of cement thickness (p = 0.835); however, there were significant differences among the cement layer thicknesses measured at the three examined levels of the root canals (p = 0.000). The groups using conventional adhesive resin cement presented longer micromechanical interlocking while the groups using self-adhesive resin cement showed wide gaps and zinc phosphate cement showed no bonding between cement–dentin interdiffusion zones along the root canal. As a clinical consequence, the use of zinc phosphate cement may not provide strong bond between dentin–cement interface. Conventional adhesive resin cements showed reliable bond to dentin when compared to zinc phosphate and self-adhesive resin cement.