Saadet Gökalp

Shear Bond Strength of Orthodontic Brackets with Newly Developed Antibacterial Self-Etch Adhesive

Because the enamel adjacent to brackets may be affected by microorganisms, an antibacterial adhesive may be a useful choice to prevent and reduce demineralization. The purpose of this in vitro study was to determine the (1) shear bond strength of a self-etch and an antibacterial self-etch adhesive for orthodontic metal brackets and (2) bond failure interface of a self-etch and an antibacterial self-etch adhesive using a modified adhesive remnant index (ARI). Twenty-four defect-free premolars were randomly assigned into two groups. The teeth received the following treatments-group 1: Transbond Plus Self-Etching Primer + Transbond XT; group 2: antibacterial dentin bonding system (ABF) + Transbond XT. All samples were stored in deionized water at 37 degrees C for 48 hours. Shear debonding tests were performed at a crosshead speed of five mm/min. The results in megapascals were (median, minimum, maximum) group 1: 8.53, 4.59, 12.63; group 2: 9.79, 4.01, 22.10, respectively. Mann-Whitney test revealed that the difference between the groups was not statistically significant (P = .2, P > .05). Failed brackets were examined by an optical microscope at 16x magnification to determine the bond failure interface using a modified ARI. The predominant mode of failure for both groups was at the bracket-adhesive interface. ABF may have sufficient mechanical properties and also an antibacterial effect that makes it a good choice for orthodontic bonding.

Tooth loss and edentulism in the Turkish elderly.

The aim of this study was to evaluate partial and complete tooth loss and some related demographic factors, and oral health behaviors among Turkish elderly. According to recent censuses, elderly population of Turkey is rapidly growing. There is no nationwide information related to edentulism and natural teeth retention among 65-74 year-old people in Turkey. In this nationwide representative cross-sectional study, 1545 subjects aged 65-74 years were evaluated using the proportional stratified cluster sampling method. The data were collected via a structured, pre-tested face to face administered questionnaire and an oral examination. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression analyses were used to determine the significance of explanatory variables. 48.0% of elderly were edentate. The mean DMF-T was 25.8±8.5. These values were higher in women (p=0.016), older age (p<0.001) and rural individuals (p<0.001). Only 12.4% of the subjects had functional dentition. Age, visiting dentist, and health security were associated with edentulism. Female sex (OR=1.37), 70-74 age group (OR=2.08) and illiteracy (OR=3.25) were the independent factors of not having functional dentition. A reduction in edentulism in elderly may be achieved by the implementation of community programs promoting oral health for the prevention and treatment.

Effects of In-Office and At-Home Bleaching on Human Enamel and Dentin : An in Vitro Application of Fourier Transform Infrared Study

In-office and at-home bleaching techniques are widely used methods for the whitening of teeth. However, the safety of these techniques has not been clarified yet. The aim of the current study is to investigate the in-office- and at-home-bleaching-induced structural and quantitative changes in human enamel and dentin at the molecular level, under in vitro conditions. The Fourier transform mid-infrared (mid-FT-IR) spectroscopic technique was used to monitor bleaching-induced structural changes. Band frequency and intensity values of major absorptions such as amide A, amide I, phosphate (PO4), and carbonate (CO3−2) bands, for treatment groups and control, were measured and compared. The results revealed that both procedures have negligible effects on dentin constituents. In office-bleached enamel, in addition to demineralization, a decrease in protein and polysaccharide concentrations, mineral-to-protein ratio, and the strength of hydrogen bonds around NH groups, as well as a change in protein secondary structure were observed. The protein structure changed from β-sheet to random coil, which is an indication of protein denaturation. However, no significant variations were observed for at-home bleached enamel. The control, at-home, and in-office bleached enamel samples were differentiated with a high accuracy using cluster analysis based on FT-IR data. This study revealed that office bleaching caused deleterious alterations in the composition and structure of enamel that significantly affected the crystallinity and mineralization of the tissue. Therefore, at-home bleaching seems to be much safer than in-office bleaching in terms of molecular variations.

Caries detection with DIAGNOdent and ultrasound

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate the repeatability of 2 nondestructive caries detection methods, ultrasound (ULS) and DIAGNOdent, for the detection of approximal caries lesions, and to evaluate 2 tips provided for the DIAGNOdent. STUDY DESIGN White/brown-spot lesions (n = 42) were captured by a digital camera, and measured by test methods and confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). Intra- and inter-observer reliability, accuracy, and Cohens kappa and Spearmans rho statistics were used. RESULTS At DIAGNOdent, intra-observer agreements were 78.5%, 66.7% for A tip and 59.5%, 47.6% for B for 2 examiners, respectively. Accuracy of both tips was 50% for the first examiner; 45.3% for A and 47.6% for the B tip for the second examiner. All ULS measurements were accurate, reliable, and positively and significantly correlated between examiners. CONCLUSION The A tip of the DIAGNOdent was found to be better than the B tip for the detection of enamel caries. All DIAGNOdent and ULS measurements were positive and significantly correlated for both examiners. Both methods demonstrated high repeatability and accuracy.

Investigation of the fluidity of biological fluids with a PDDTBN spin probe

Abstract The aim of this study is to ascertain whether the electron spin resonance technique using perdeutero-di- t -butyl nitroxide (PDDTBN) as a spin probe is able to monitor relative fluidity changes occurring in body fluids, such as blood and parotid saliva, according to different physiological conditions. The present study reveals that the spin probe PDDTBN is able to monitor the fluidity changes in parotid saliva related to habitual smoking, and in whole blood related to the estradiol level. The rotational correlation time of the spin probe and the local viscosity values of the parotid saliva and blood have been reported.

Randomized Clinical Trial to Evaluate MTA Indirect Pulp Capping in Deep Caries Lesions After 24-Months

OBJECTIVE This clinical study aimed to assess the efficacies of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] in the treatment of deep carious lesions by the direct complete caries removal technique. METHODS AND MATERIALS A total of 100 permanent molar/premolar teeth were capped with either Ca(OH)2 (n=49) or MTA (n=51) and restored with composite resin in 73 patients. Periapical radiographs were acquired prior to the treatment as well as at six, 12, and 24 months posttreatment. Two calibrated examiners performed the clinical and radiographic assessment of the periapical pathology and pulpal symptoms. Intergroup comparisons of the observed values were performed using the Fisher exact test. Significance was predetermined at α = 0.05. RESULTS The recall rates were 100% at six and 12 months posttreatment and 98.6% at 24 months posttreatment. Four teeth capped with Ca(OH)2 (two each at six and 12 months posttreatment) and two capped with MTA (one each at 12 and 24 months posttreatment) received endodontic emergency treatment because of symptoms of irreversible pulpitis, which were clinically and/or radiographically established. There were no significant differences in pulp vitality between the two pulp-capping agents at six, 12, or 24 months posttreatment (p=0.238, p=0.606, and p=0.427, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Both pulp-capping materials were found to be clinically acceptable at 24 months posttreatment.

Treatment method and restorative material preferences of dental practitioners

Objective: The present study is aimed to investigate the preference profiles of treatment methods used by private dental practitioners in Ankara for deep carious lesions of mature permanent teeth. Methods: Private dental practitioners (general/specialist), in five districts of Ankara, were provided with a questionnaire comprising demographic characteristics and their preferred treatment methods for two simulated clinical cases related to deep caries excavation technique for anterior (Case A) and posterior, permanent teeth (Case B) with restorative material choices. The questionnaire was delivered personally to the participants who accepted the invitation. Documentation was retrieved back at another appointment after 1–3 weeks intervals. Data were analyzed using frequency analysis and Chi-square tests. Results: A total of 371 dentists, aged 25–69 years, took part in the study representing a response rate of 51.38%. Valid responses were 328 (168 males and 160 females) due to incomplete questionnaires. In Case A, complete caries excavation was the preferred treatment method (62.5%) followed by stepwise excavation (28.4%). Dentists, who had an excessive workload, indicated a stepwise excavation treatment significantly less than the dentists who had less workload (P = 0.001). In Case B, the preferences were narrowly distributed between complete caries excavation (50.9%) and stepwise excavation (42.4%). Composite restoration (31.7%) was more selected than amalgam (27.1%) with complete excavation technique. Workload has no effect on the treatment options of the posterior tooth with deep dentin caries. Conclusion: Dentists mostly adopted traditional caries removal technique. There is no uniform treatment method of deep carious lesions among dentists in anterior and, especially in posterior regions in Ankara, Turkey.

Self-assessed Dental Status of the First Year Students of Health Related Faculties of a University in Turkey

The objectives of this study are to determine the self-assessed oral health status and behavior of entrants educating in health related faculties of a university, Ankara, Turkey. There were currently four faculties namely Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry and Health Sciences in Hacettepe University with 964 first year students; 853 (88.5%) of them were participated in this descriptive study. Data collected via a self-administered pre-tested questionnaire included items to evaluate the selfassessed oral health status and behaviour. All students were informed of the purpose of the study and how to fill the questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS Version 15.0. Chi square test was performed to test the significance of the differences. 74.0% of the students were between 18– 19 ages; two-thirds was female. In all, 40.8% of them were dissatisfied with the appearance of their teeth. Although half of the group stated that the dentist will propose treatment if they visit a dentist, most of them did not think that the health of their teeth and gingiva was good. The percentage of dental visit at least once among females (94.2%) was more than males (82.8%) (p<0.001 ). Half of the students did not remember the age at first dental visit. 68.9% of the students had brushed their teeth at least twice a day. Improvements in preventive orientation of all health science students will also help them to play more effective roles in promoting the oral health of themselves as well as their communities.

Diagnostic methods for dental caries used by private dental practitioners in Ankara

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the preference profiles of various types of diagnostic tools and methods used by private dental practitioners in Ankara for detecting dental caries. Methods: Private dental practitioners, in five districts of Ankara, were provided with questionnaires comprising demographic characteristics, possession of dental imaging systems, and methods used for caries diagnosis. The questionnaires were retrieved after 1-3 visits. Of 722 questionnaires, 371 were returned. Data were analyzed using frequency analysis and Chi-square tests. Results: The completed questionnaires were obtained from 160 women and 168 men, the response rate was 51.4% aged 25-69 years; 28.4% of them were specialists. Most participants possessed a dental radiography (RG) device. Air drying and sharp explorers were the most commonly preferred methods used for caries diagnosis. There was no significant association between using a sharp explorer and sex or being a specialist (P = 0.110, 0.226, respectively). Almost one-third of the dentists with an experience of <11 years, never used an RG device to detect occlusal caries (P = 0.003). Only three participants reported the use of DIAGNOdent, while two participants used fiber-optic transillumination (FOTI). Conclusions: It was observed that visual-tactile examination using sharp explorer accompanied with radiographs were among the main instruments used for detecting carious lesions. Usage of magnification tools, FOTI, and DIAGNOdent were low.

Clinical assessment of mineral trioxide aggregate in the treatment of deep carious lesions

Objective: This clinical study aimed to assess the effectiveness of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and calcium hydroxide (Ca[OH]2) in the treatment of deep carious lesions using the direct complete caries excavation technique. Subjects and Methods: Hundred permanent molars/premolars were capped either with Ca (OH)2 (n = 49) or MTA (n = 51) and restored with composite resin in 73 patients. Periapical radiographs were taken prior to the treatment, at 6 months and 12 months. Two calibrated examiners clinically and radiographically assessed the periapical pathology and pulpal symptoms. Inter-group comparisons of the observed values were analyzed using Fishers exact test. Significance was predetermined at α = 0.05. Results: Recall rates were 100% at 6 and 12 months. Four teeth capped with Ca(OH)2 (two each at the end of 6 and 12 months) and one tooth capped with MTA (at the end of 12 months) received endodontic emergency treatment because of symptoms of irreversible pulpitis that were clinically and/or radiographically established. There was no significant difference between the protection of the tooth vitality and pulp capping agents at 6 and 12 months (P = 0.238, P = 0.606, respectively). Conclusion: Both materials were clinically applicable at the end of 12 months.