Nazan Ersin

Oral and dental manifestations of young asthmatics related to medication, severity and duration of condition

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the caries risk of asthmatics in relation to dental plaque indices, salivary flow rate, pH and buffer capacity, saliva composition and salivary levels of Streptococcus mutans compared with healthy subjects and also to evaluate these parameters within different groups of asthmatics according to their medication, duration and severity of the disease.

Inhibition of Cultivable Bacteria by Chlorhexidine Treatment of Dentin Lesions Treated with the ART Technique

The aim of this study was to examine the changes in the cultivable microflora of carious dentin before and after atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) and investigate the inhibitory effect of chlorhexidine-gluconate-based cavity disinfectant in the microflora. Using a split mouth design, 35 primary molar pairs with class II carious lesions in 35 patients (mean age 7.31 ± 0.47 years) were selected. The total viable counts (TVC), Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli were first measured in the center of the infected demineralized lesion and then from the hard dentine after caries removal by the ART technique. Chlorhexidine-gluconate (2%)-based cavity disinfectant was applied to one of the molar pairs and the other molar received no disinfectant treatment. Thereafter, all of the teeth were restored with glass ionomer cement (GIC). Cavities were reassessed after 6 months and again dentine samples were microbiologically investigated. Removal of carious dentine by ART significantly reduced TVC, S. mutans and lactobacilli. After 6 months, application of chlorhexidine exhibited a greater significant reduction in TVC (p = 0.013), and a significant reduction in S. mutans compared to the nondisinfected group (p < 0.001). A significant reduction in lactobacilli counts was observed in both groups after 6 months, but the difference between the disinfected and nondisinfected groups was not significant (p = 0.056). ART was found to be effective in reducing the cultivable microflora and chlorhexidine-gluconate-based cavity disinfectant might serve as a suitable additional agent in inhibiting the residual bacteria in the dentine.

Oral Findings and Salivary Parameters in Children with Celiac Disease: A Preliminary Study

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of dental enamel defects, recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) and caries experience and to measure salivary flow rate, buffer capacity, saliva and plaque pH and salivary cariogenic microflora in patients with celiac disease (CD) compared to healthy subjects. Subjects and Methods: Thirty-five patients, aged 6-19 years, with a diagnosis of CD and 35 healthy children of the same age participated in the study. Enamel defects were diagnosed and classified using Aines classification. The patients with RAS and dental caries were recorded using WHO criteria. The parents were interviewed about various oral health-related factors. Saliva samples were collected to measure the stimulated salivary flow rate, buffer capacity and pH values of saliva and plaque. Salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli were counted. Results: The enamel defects and RAS prevalence were statistically higher (40 and 37.1%, respectively) in the CD group, and the prevalence of salivary mutans streptococci (48 and 14%) and lactobacilli (51 and 34%) colonization was statistically lower (p = 0.012, p = 0.010) in the CD group; the DMFS and dfs values were similar in both groups. Conclusion: CD appeared to be associated with a significantly higher prevalence of developing enamel defects and RAS, but a lower prevalence of salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli colonization, and the diagnosis of these oral manifestations might be helpful for an early diagnosis of CD.

Potential effects of a multistrain probiotic-kefir on salivary Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus spp.

Background/purpose It has recently been documented that various probiotic formulations have beneficial effects in reducing caries risk as well as promoting human health. The aim of the present study was to examine the efficacy of short-term consumption of a multistrain probiotic-kefir on salivary counts of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus spp. in young adults. Materials and methods In total, 104 subjects aged 20-27 years were included in the study. The salivary flow rate, buffer capacity, salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli counts were detected in each subject after a 3-week washout period using chair-side kits at baseline. Subjects were randomly assigned into three groups: Group I consumed 100 mL kefir per day ( n = 35); Group II consumed 2 ± 100 mL kefir per day ( n = 35); and Group III consumed 100 mL milk (n = 34). A questionnaire investigating the oral and dietary habits of the subjects was also filled out by each subject. After 3 weeks of consumption of the experimental materials, salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli counts were reevaluated. Results Statistically significant reductions were observed in both salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in Group II compared to the baseline (P = 0.001 and P=0.01, respectively). Conclusion Short-term consumption of kefir might reduce high levels of salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli.

Comparison of conventional versus colored compomers for class II restorations in primary molars: a 12-month clinical study.

Objective: To evaluate the 12-month clinical performance of conventional (Compoglass F) and colored (Twinky Star) compomer restorative materials in class II restorations of primary molars. Materials and Methods: A total of 196 restorations were placed in 98 children aged between 5 and 10 years (mean age: 7.43 ± 1.31 years) who had bilateral matched pairs of carious posterior class II primary molars. A split-mouth design was used in which 2 materials (Compoglass F, Twinky Star) were randomly placed on contralateral sides by 3 dentists. At baseline, after 6 and after 12 months, the restorations were evaluated using modified US Public Health Service criteria for: secondary caries, marginal integrity, marginal discoloration, anatomic form and surface texture. The Alpha and Bravo scores were considered as clinical success. The data were subjected to statistical analysis by the Wilcoxon and McNemar tests (p < 0.05). The Kaplan-Meier survival method was applied to estimate survival percentages. Results: No significant difference was found among the groups at all recalls regarding marginal integrity, marginal discoloration, anatomic form, secondary caries and surface texture. The 12-month mean cumulative survival rate of Compoglass F was 95.7%, while in the Twinky Star group, the survival rate was 93% in class II restorations with no significant difference between the groups for either material. Conclusion: Both conventional and colored compomer materials are suitable restorative materials for primary teeth for at least 12 months. Colored compomers could also be a good alternative to tooth-colored compomers in the restoration of primary molars.

Effect of 2% chlorhexidine gluconate cavity disinfectant on microtensile bond strength of tooth-coloured restorative materials to sound and caries-affected dentin

This study evaluated the effect of 2% chlorhexidine gluconate-based cavity disinfectant (CHX) on the microtensile bond strength (μTBS) of glass ionomer, resin-modified glass ionomer and packable resin composite to sound and caries-affected dentin. Sound and occlusal caries-affected human third molars (N = 36, n = 3 per group) were randomly divided into three experimental groups to receive one of the following restorative materials. (a) Glass ionomer (Ketac Molar, 3 M ESPE; GI), (b) resin-modified glass ionomer (Vitremer, 3 M ESPE; RMGI) and (c) packable resin composite (Surefil, Dentsply; PRC) with a bonding agent (Prime Bond NT, Dentsply De Trey). Caries was removed using a caries-detecting dye (Caries Detector, Kuraray Medical Ltd.) and flat dentin surfaces were achieved by finishing up to 1200-grit silicon carbide abrasive. Half of the teeth in each group received 2% CHX (Consepsis, Ultradent). Dentin surfaces were built-up with the respective materials incrementally and were sectioned with a slow-speed saw into multiple beams. The beams were subjected to μTBS test (0.5 mm/min) in a Universal Testing Machine. The data were analysed using two-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s tests. For each restorative material, μTBS results were not affected by the application of CHX (p > 0.05) on both sound and caries-affected dentin (p > 0.05). PRC in combination with the corresponding bonding agent showed significantly higher results (p < 0.05) than those of GI and RMGI, on sound and caries-affected teeth, respectively. Cohesive failure in dentin was not observed in any of the groups. The use of 2% chlorhexidine-based cavity disinfectant did not impair the adhesion of the restorative materials tested to either sound or caries-affected dentin.