Narges Bayat

Objectives This study aimed to assess the hard tissue changes following socket preservation with allograft and xenograft materials for dental implantation by texture analysis (TA) using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and methods This prospective clinical trial was conducted on 25 patients who required the extraction of carious mandibular posterior teeth and their subsequent replacement with dental implants. The patients were categorized into three groups: (I) no socket preservation, (II) socket preservation with xenograft material, and (III) socket preservation with allograft material. Four months after tooth extraction, the patients were recalled for preoperative assessment before dental implantation, and CBCT scans were obtained (Kvp:110, mA:1.94, S:3.6). MaZda software was used to compare homogeneity, contrast, and texture complexity on axial CBCT sections among the three groups. Results Significant differences existed among the three groups in all parameters (P < 0.05) except for the mean correlation parameter (P > 0.05). The results showed no significant difference between the no graft and xenograft groups regarding contrast and differential (dif.) entropy (P > 0.05). Also, no significant difference was found between the xenograft and allograft groups regarding the dif. variance and also between the no graft and allograft groups regarding the inverse difference moment(InvDfMom) and dif. variance parameters (P > 0.05). All other pairwise comparisons revealed significant differences (P < 0.05). Conclusion TA can be used for the quantification of radiographic changes of bone following socket preservation and potentially accelerate the process of decision-making for dental implant treatment.

Objectives This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a mobile phone application (app) to improve oral hygiene of patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. Materials and methods This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted with a total of 60 patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment in two groups: intervention and control (n = 30 each). A previously designed mobile app (Labkhand) was used by patients in the intervention group. Orthodontic plaque index (OPI) and modified gingival index (MGI) were recorded in the two groups at baseline (first session or T0), and after 1 (T1) and 3 (T2) months. The number of debonded/broken brackets was also recorded, and pain score of the patients was assessed at nine time points. Data were analyzed using the χ² test, paired t‑test, and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA; α = 0.05). Results The two groups demonstrated no significant difference in OPI and MGI at T0 (P > 0.05). OPI and MGI at T1 and T2 were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The number of patients with broken brackets in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P = 0.017). The two groups reported no significant difference in pain score (P > 0.05). Conclusion The Labkhand mobile app successfully improved oral hygiene indices of patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment, and decreased the frequency of broken brackets after 1 and 3 months of use.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the hard tissue changes following socket preservation with allograft and xenograft materials for dental implantation by texture analysis (TA) using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: This prospective clinical trial was conducted on 25 patients who required the extraction of carious mandibular posterior teeth and their subsequent replacement with dental implants. The patients were categorized into three groups: (I) no socket preservation, (II) socket preservation with xenograft material, and (III) socket preservation with allograft material. Four months after tooth extraction, the patients were recalled for preoperative assessment before dental implantation, and CBCT scans were obtained. MaZda software was used to compare homogeneity, contrast, and texture complexity on axial CBCT sections among the three groups. Results: Significant differences existed among the three groups in all parameters (P0.05). The results showed no significant difference between the no graft and xenograft groups regarding contrast and differential (dif.) entropy (P>0.05). Also, no significant difference was found between the xenograft and allograft groups regarding the dif. variance, and also between the no graft and allograft groups regarding the inverse difference moment(InvDfMom) and dif. variance parameters (P>0.05). All other pairwise comparisons revealed significant differences (PConclusion: TA can be used for quantification of radiographic changes of bone following socket preservation, and potentially accelerate the process of decision-making for dental implant treatment.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the quality and quantity of bone at intraoral autogenous graft donor sites in type II diabetes mellitus (DM) patients versus healthy controls using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and methods: This case-control study was conducted on CBCT scans of 50 DM patients and 50 healthy controls between 20-70 years. Maximum height, width, length, and volume of harvestable bone at the symphysis, ramus, palate, and tuberosity were measured bilaterally. The Hounsfield unit (HU) was also calculated to assess bone quality. The two groups were compared regarding the quality and quantity of harvestable bone using an independent t-test. The effect of confounders was analyzed by the regression model (alpha = 0.05). Results: DM patients had significantly lower harvestable bone volume at the symphysis, ramus, and tuberosity than healthy controls (p < 0.001) but this difference was not significant at the palate (p = 0.957). Also, bone quality was significantly lower at the symphysis, ramus, palate, and tuberosity in DM patients (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Diabetic patients had significantly lower bone quality and quantity at intraoral graft donor sites than healthy controls. Mandibular symphysis had higher bone volume and density than ramus, palate, and tuberosity for graft harvesting in diabetic patients.

Dental radiography is an important diagnostic tool for the detection and assessment of the extent of dental caries and accurate treatment planning. There is no safe limit for X-ray exposure. The associated risks of X-ray exposure are higher in children due to a higher rate of cell proliferation in them, compared with adults. This study aimed to assess the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of dental radiographic modalities on buccal mucosal cells in children. This interventional study evaluated 80 children between 3 and 12 years who required periapical, panoramic, bitewing, or bitewing plus panoramic radiography for treatment planning. Twenty eligible patients were assigned to each of the aforementioned four groups. Buccal mucosal cells were scraped bilaterally by a plastic spatula after complete rinsing of the oral cavity. The collected specimens were directly mounted on microscopic slides and after air-drying, they were fixed with 80% methanol and Giemsa stain. The cells were then inspected under a light microscope at 400x magnification for cytogenetic changes. Data were tabulated and analyzed by SPSS version 20 at a p < 0.001 level of significance. The results showed a significant increase in the frequency of karyolysis, karyorrhexis, and pyknosis in all four groups after dental radiography (p < 0.001). Also, the number of micronuclei significantly increased after panoramic plus bitewing radiography (p < 0.05). X-ray exposure in panoramic, periapical, bitewing, and bitewing plus panoramic radiographies can be cytotoxic, while bitewing plus panoramic radiography can be genotoxic in children as well.

Background and Objectives: Due to the nutritional and behavioral patterns of children, their teeth can be a good indicator of heavy metal uptake from over the years. To determine the amount of Zn, Cu, Cd, and Pb accumulated in the body, primary teeth of children in Zanjan, Iran, were examined with a polarography device. Materials and Methods: Samples were collected from dentistry clinics of Zanjan, Iran, and were prepared for acid digestion, and then were analyzed by a polarography device for determining the concentration of lead, copper, zinc, and cadmium. Results: Data were analyzed by a t-independent test to compare different groups (p < 0.05). Based on the results obtained from this study, the mean concentrations of zinc, lead, copper, and cadmium were 245, 7.66, 5.33, and 0.0879 µg/g, respectively, which shows that the amount of each of the four elements was more than the amounts that have been reported for different countries. The results showed no significant difference between age, tooth type, and jaw groups. Conclusions: We conclude that primary teeth are an important biological indicator to evaluate the concentration of heavy elements in the human body. The high concentrations of these elements in the primary teeth analyzed in this study could be attributed to the high concentrations of these elements in the environment of Zanjan.