Nihal Avcu

Evaluation of the radiopacity of different root canal sealers.

OBJECTIVE The aims of this study were to compare the radiopacity of 8 root canal sealers relative to gutta-percha and dentin in standard discs and to evaluate the effect of these sealers on the radiopacity of root canal fillings in simulated canals. STUDY DESIGN Radiographs were taken of 1-mm-thick specimens of 8 root canal sealers (Diaket, Endion, MTA, Endofil, Roeko Seal, Sealite, AH26, AH Plus) and gutta-percha, a 1-mm-thick human tooth slice, and aluminum stepwedge.Simulated canals were used to evaluate the effect of the sealer on radiopacity of the root fillings. After enlargement of the simulated canals with ProTaper instrument, root canals were filled with these 8 sealers alone and with single ProTaper gutta-percha cone. Radiographs of all filled simulated canals were taken with an aluminum stepwedge. RESULTS All the sealers demonstrated greater radiopacity than dentin (0.7940 mm Al) (P < .001). AH Plus showed the highest radiopacity in the standard disc group (Group 1) (8.9881 mm Al) (P < .001), and in the sealer group in simulated canals (Group 2) (9.2100 mm Al) (P < .001). In the sealer plus gutta-percha group in simulated canals (Group 3), Sealite plus gutta-percha showed greater radiopacity (8.4460 mm Al) (P < .001). CONCLUSION Whether the opacity of the sealers alone is more or less than 3 mm Al, their radiopacity is increased when they are used in combination with gutta-percha, because of its higher radiopacity. However, when sealers are used in conjunction with gutta-percha, they can affect the radiopacity of the root canal filling according to their type and thickness.

Spontaneously healed root fractures: two case reports.

We report on two undiagnosed horizontal root fractures of two maxillary right central incisors in two different patients caused by dental trauma which occurred several years ago. These fractures were discovered during a routine full-mouth radiographic examination. While, in case one, the fracture was located in the middle-third of the root, it was in the cervical-third of the root in case two. The fractured teeth were observed to have healed spontaneously without any sign or symptom, and tested as vital to electric pulp test.

Measure of the pressure pain threshold in human acute and chronic pulpal diseases

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to measure the pressure pain threshold in acute and chronic pulpitis. 52 patients were introduced into this study and their affected and contralateral tooth and contralateral tooth plus four reference points from different body surfaces were tested with a pressure algometer to find out the pressure pain threshold values. Pain threshold was significantly lower in acute than in chronic pulpitis and in chronic and acute pulpitis vs. other sites of the body. Threshold in the affected side was significantly lower than in the contralateral healthy side.

Evaluation of Radiomorphometric Indices and Bone Findings on Panoramic Images in Patients with Scleroderma

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to make radiomorphometric measurements on panoramic images and evaluate the radiologic findings of bones and teeth in patients with scleroderma. STUDY DESIGN Panoramic images of 49 patients with scleroderma and 51 healthy controls were assessed. Mandibular radiomorphometric indices, including mandibular cortical index (MCI), mental index (MI), panoramic mandibular index (PMI), gonial index (GI), and antegonial index (AI), were determined. Furthermore, mandibular osteolysis, changes of periodontal ligament (PDL) space and changes in the lamina dura were recorded for the scleroderma group. RESULTS Statistically significant differences were found for MCI (P = .003), MI (P = .001), and PMI (P < .001) between the scleroderma and control groups, but not for GI or AI (P > .05). Widening of the PDL space (79.6%), thickening of the lamina dura (44.9%), limited mouth opening (71.4%), and osseous resorption of the mandible (8%) were detected in the scleroderma group. CONCLUSIONS The radiomorphometric indices determined in the present study can be used on panoramic images to identify the existence of a porous structure in the mandibular cortical bone in patients with scleroderma. The most common prevalent oral radiographic manifestations of scleroderma were widening of the PDL space and of the lamina dura.

DETERMINATION OF ORAL HEALTH STATUS IN PATIENTS ADMITTED TO A UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL: A PILOT STUDY -

Aims: Oral mucosa, tongue, dentition and bone are important parameters for oral and systemic health care. A wide variety of lesions and conditions, either harmless or harmful, can affect the oral cavity. Identification and treatment of these conditions are an important part of oral health care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the general oral health status, by assessing the prevalence and types of mucosal, tongue, dental and jaw lesions, in a group of patients. Materials and methods: This study was conducted in a group of 314 dental outpatients. Participants’ oral mucosal, tongue, dental, jaw lesions and their locations were recorded. Data were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. Results: Three hundred and fourteen patients (40,1% female, 59,9% male), 148 (47,1%) of whom exhibited one or more mucosal lesions, 40 (12,7%) tongue lesions, 242 (77,1%) one or more acquired dental conditions, 61 (19,4%) one or more dental anomalies, and 22 (7%) bone manifestations in the jaws. The most commonly detected mucosal lesions were Fordyce’s granules (20,1%), linea alba buccalis (16,9%), melanoplakia (15,9%), and frictional keratosis (2,5%). Fissured tongue (8%), geographic tongue (1,6%), lingual varicosity (1,3%) and coated tongue (1,3%) were the most commonly determined tongue lesions. The most commonly detected dental anomalies were hypodontia (6,1%), microdontia (4,1%), dilaceration (4,1%), and enamel hypoplasia (2,5%). Exostoses (4,1%), enostoses (1%) and fibro-osseous lesions (1%) were the most commonly detected bone manifestations in the jaws. Conclusions: Oral mucosal and tongue lesions could be a sign of systemic diseases and also could form a base for oral cancers. In this study oral mucosal lesions and tongue lesions prevalence were high but fortunately all the detected conditions were harmless, benign conditions. This emphasizes the importance of familiarity, awareness, and differentiation of these lesions and conditions to avoid unnecessary treatments.

DİABETES MELLİTUSLU BİR OLGUDA ÇİNKO EKSİKLİĞİNE BAĞLI TAT DUYUSU BOZUKLUĞU-DYSGEUSIA RELATED TO ZINC DEFICIENCY IN A CASE OF DIABETES MELLITUS

OZET Tat duyusu bozuklugu cinko eksikligi, tonsillektomi, diabetes mellitus, kafa travmasi gibi sebeplere bagli olarak yada idyopatik gelisen nadir bir fenomendir. Bu sunumda diabetes mellituslu bir olguda, tatlarin hepsini tatli olarak algilayan tat duyusu bozuklugunun nadir bir formu tanitilmistir. Hastada baska bir norolojik bulgu yoktu. Ancak kronik tonsillit nedeni ile yapilan tonsillektomiyi takiben hastanin tat duyusu bozuklugunda degisiklikler gozlendi ve cinko eksikligi nedeniyle uygulanan tedaviden fayda gordu. Bu sunumda tat duyusu bozukluklarinin tedavi yaklasimlari ile sebep olan faktorler tartisilmistir. Anahtar Kelimeler: Tat duyusu bozuklugu, Cinko Eksikligi, Diabetes Mellitus. ABSTRACT Dysgeusia is a rare phenomenon that my be idiopathic or my be caused by several factors such as zinc deficiency, tonsillectomy, diabetes mellitus and head trauma. A rare form of dysgeusia in a diabetes mellitus patient in which all food tasted sweet was desrcibed in this case report. No other neunlogical signs were observed in patient. However, taste disturbance of the patient was altered following tonsillectomy that was performed for chronic tonsillitis. The case was taken advantage of the zinc therapy due to zinc deficiency of the patient. In this case report management strategies and causative factors of dysgesia was discussed. Key Words: Dysgeusia, Zinc Deficiency, Diabetes Mellitus.

Palatal pain caused by unruptured cerebral artery aneurysm

AbstractPalatal lesions and associated palatal pain are a common occurrence, whereas spontaneous aneurysm of a cerebral artery is rare. We report a case involving a spontaneous aneurysm of the middle cerebral artery that manifested initially as palatal pain. It is important for dental practitioners to be familiar with unusual causes of palatal pain. Those cases that cause palatal pain must be evaluated appropriately to avoid potentially serious complications.

Referred dental pain

Abstract735 male and female patients suffering from dental and orofacial pain were examined. Pain was referred in 94 (12.78%). Most of the referred pain cases had sinusitis or pathologies of the adjacent teeth. Pain relief was obtained in 78.7% of the subjects with referred pain following the treatment of the primary pathology.