Željko Verzak

Applications of Low Level Laser Therapy

Principles of biostimulation via therapeutic lasers was introduced more than 20 years ago when they were used in dermatology for wound healing. According to Genovese, biological effects caused by low level lasers are due to low energy deposited into tissues where deposited energy results in primary, secondary and general therapeutic effects. This results in the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects as well as in improvement in healing. LLLT acts according to the Arndt-Schulz principle which states that if the stimulus is too weak, no effect is seen. Increased stimulation and optimal dose leads to the optimal effect ; while, further dose increase leads to a decreased effect. Additional stimulation leads to the inhibition of stimulation. It seems that LLLT act analgesically since they improve endorphin release and therefore inhibit nociceptive signals and control pain mediators. They can also act analgesically by inhibiting pain signals which partially leads to the transient varicosities along the neurons which decrease impulse transmission.

Elektroliti u slini pacijenata s metalnim i keramičkim ortodontskim bravicama

Objectives It is known from the existing literature that metal ions within orthodontic appliances are prone to corrosion due to the salivary and bacterial interplay in the oral cavity. The results from the most studies show that levels of salivary nickel and chromium do not increase after the installment of orthodontic appliances. Material and methods However, there are no studies on salivary levels of titanium, cobalt, copper and zinc in these patients. Salivary levels of nickel (Ni), titanium (Ti), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were measured in 42 patients with ceramic brackets and in 42 patients with metal conventional brackets prior to insertion of orthodontic appliances and six months after insertion of orthodontic appliances by means of inductive coupled plasma/mass spectrometry. Statistical analysis was performed by use of Wilcoxon signed rank test and Mann Whitney test with level of significance set at 0.05. Results The results showed that salivary level of titanium increased significantly six months after installment of orthodontic appliances. Salivary level of chromium and zinc significantly decreased after installment of orthodontic appliances. There were no significant differences in salivary levels of nickel, titanium, chromium, copper, cobalt and zinc between the patients with metallic and those with ceramic brackets. Conclusion We might conclude that the salivary level of titanium increased significantly six months after installment of orthodontic appliances unlike salivary levels of chromium and zinc which significantly decreased after installment of orthodontic appliances, regardless of bracket type which was used.

Developmental Deffects of Enamel in Children with Intellectual Disability

OBJECTIVES To investigate the frequency of developmental defects of enamel (DDE) in children with intellectual disability. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Children aged 5-18 years (72 children with intellectual disabilities and 72 controls) were included in the study. All the teeth were screened for developmental defects of enamel using the modified Developmental defects of enamel (mDDE) index. RESULTS Out of the 72 children with intellectual disabilities in this study, 20 (27.78%) presented dental defects of enamel, compared with 8 (11.11%) of those in the control group, which was considered statistically significant (p = 0.021). The majority of children in both groups had white demarcated opacities. Children in both groups were more likely to have maxillary teeth affected than the mandibular teeth and the asymmetrical demarcated enamel defects were more common than the symmetric ones. Majority of opacities in children in both groups were on the maxillary incisors. CONCLUSIONS Children with intellectual disabilities have more developmental defects of enamel than children in the control group. Enamel defects increase caries risk and cause reduction in enamel mechanical properties leading to restoration failures.

Impact of Smoking on Oral Health: Knowledge and Attitudes of Dentists and Dental Students

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate smoking habits, the level of knowledge and attitudes towards smoking, as well as the role of dental professionals in prevention of smoking among students of the School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb and compare them to attitudes of practicing Croatian dentists. Materials and methods The study was carried out among 1st and 6th year dental students at the School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb and dentists employed in primary practice throughout Croatia. A total of 159 subjects (51 1st and 53 6th year dental students and 55 dentists) participated in the study. Results The prevalence of smoking was highest among 6th year dental students (39, 6%). It slightly decreased among dentists (34, 5%), while least smokers were found among first year dental students (7, 8%). The majority of dental student smokers expressed a desire to stop smoking (66, 7% of 1st year dental student smokers and 76% of 6th year dental student smokers), while less than half of dentist smokers had the desire to stop - only 45, 8% of them. Dental students of the 1st and 6th year of the study showed a statistically significantly higher level of desire for education about harmful smoking effects and patients counselling to quit smoking compared to dentists. The data gathered in this study indicate that it is necessary to increase awareness among dental professionals about harmful effects of smoking on oral and general health. Also, their awareness about the central role of healthcare workers as promoters of a healthy lifestyle among patients should be raised.

Uporaba antiseptika u dječjoj stomatologiji

Svrha ovog rada je pregled antiseptika i definiranje znacenja stomatoloskih antiseptika u kontroli i eliminaciji mikroorganizama kao sastavnog dijela prevencije i terapije bolesti zuba i parodonta u djecjoj stomatologiji. Dosad su poznate karakteristike i mehanizam djelovanja pojedinih antiseptika te je doprinos rada predstaviti indikacije za njihovu primjenu u svakodnevnom radu stomatologa, osobito u djecjoj i preventivnoj dentalnoj medicini

Erosive Drinks Impact on Fluoride Potential Change and Ph Value of Artificial Saliva In Vitro

Dental erosion is defined as the chemical removal of minerals from the hard dental tissue [1,2]. Erosion can be caused by intrinsic or extrinsic factors. Intrinsic factor is gastro-esophageal cause and extrinsic factor is diet [1-3]. Dental erosion is a significant oral health problem in European and Middle-Eastern countries [4]. The results obtained by measurement on a potentiometric titrator and pH meter allow categorization of erosive drinks according to their harmful / potentially positive effect. From the measurements it is possible to read the minimum and maximum potential of fluoride ions. The potential value is inversely proportional to the concentration of ions.

In vitro assessment of the accuracy of three electronic apex locators

Aim of this in vitro study was to compare accuracy of three electronic apex locators (EALs) (ES-02, ES-03 and ProPex) in root canals of extracted human teeth utilizing two meter readings and different conditions of root canals (RC). RC lengths of 46 single-rooted teeth were visually determined using a K-file # 15. Teeth and labial connector were then embedded in alginate. Two sets of measurements were performed for each device - root canal condition combination (dry root canal, 2.5% NaOCl, 17% EDTA, RC prep, Glyde) according to readings “-0.5” and “0.0”. The differences were evaluated using descriptive and nonparametric statistics. The mean difference between real and measured values at meter reading “0.0” was 0.10 mm with ProPex, 0.31 mm with ES-02 and 0.71 mm with ES-03. At meter reading “-0.5“ that difference was 0.28 mm with ProPex, 0.41 mm with ES-02 and 0.87 mm with ES-03. In vitro testing showed ProPex to be the most accurate EAL in most of combinations, followed by ES-02, and ES-03 (p<0.05). Most accurate measurements were performed in canal conditions as follows: dry canals, Glyde, Rc-Prep, NaOCl and EDTA solutions (p<0.05). ProPex was the most accurate at meter reading “0.0”. At reading “-0.5” ES-02 and ProPex were equal, whereas ES-03 was the least accurate. All tested EALs should be used with meter reading “0.0” as a reference because it is more accurate than using the meter reading “-0.5” (p<0.001).