ABSTRACT
Introduction: The efficacy of erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet [Er:YAG] laser for root debridement in comparison with curettes has been the subject of many recent investigations. Considering the possibility of chemical and ultra-structural changes in root surfaces following laser irradiation, this study sought to assess the effects of scaling and root planing [SRP] with curettes and Er:YAG laser on chemical properties and ultrastructure of root surfaces using spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy [SEM]
Methods: In this in vitro experimental study, extracted sound human single-rooted teeth [n = 50] were randomly scaled using manual curettes alone or in conjunction with Er:YAG laser at 100 and 150 mJ/pulse output energies. The weight percentages of carbon, oxygen, phosphorous and calcium remaining on the root surfaces were calculated using spectroscopy and the surface morphology of specimens was assessed under SEM. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance [ANOVA]
Results: No significant differences [P > 0.05] were noted in the mean carbon, oxygen, phosphorous and calcium weight percentages on root surfaces following SRP using manual curettes with and without laser irradiation at both output energies. Laser irradiation after SRP with curettes yielded rougher surfaces compared to the use of curettes alone
Conclusion: Although laser irradiation yielded rougher surfaces, root surfaces were not significantly different in terms of chemical composition following SRP using manual curettes with and without Er:YAG laser irradiation. Er:YAG laser can be safely used as an adjunct to curettes for SRP
ABSTRACT
Objective: Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic disease of the bone decreasing bone mineral density [BMD] particularly in postmenopausal women. On the other hand, panoramic radiography has several applications in dentistry. It appears that by calculating some indices on panoramic radiographs, we may be able to predict the risk of osteoporosis in high-risk individuals. The present study was conducted to determine the correlation of skeletal pattern of bone and the morphology of the mandible in osteoporotic patients presenting to the Osteoporosis Clinic of Khatamolanbia Hospital and Imam Khomeini Dental Clinic in Yazd
Methods: This descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted on 70 women aged over 45 years, whom were selected from the above-mentioned centers. The gonialangle [GA], gonial index [GI], antegonial angle [AA], mental index [MI], antegonial index [AI] and antegonial depth [AD] were calculated on panoramic radiographs of patients and their BMD was measured in the lumbar area and femoral areas using dual X-ray absorptiometry [DXA]. The correlation of panoramic indices with BMD was assessed using Spearman and Pearson's correlation tests. The difference in BMD values in different morphological patterns of the inferior cortex of the mandible was analyzed by Student t-test and in different thicknesses of the cortex using one-way ANOVA
Results: The morphology of the inferior cortex was C1 in 62.9% and C2 in 37.1%. The cortex was thin in 24.3%, moderately thick in 32.9% and thick in 42.9%. Lumbar BMD was 0.92 [0.14] and 0.75 [0.15] g/cm2, in C1 and C2, respectively [p<0.001]. Femoral BMD was 0.81 [0.13] and 0.66 [0.09] g/cm2 in C1 and C2, respectively [p<0.001]. No significant association was found between GI, AI, GA, AA and AD [based on the estimates made on panoramic radiographs] with the BMD [based on DXA estimates]
Conclusion: Use of mandibular cortex indices on panoramic radiographs may be efficient for assessment of osteoporosis. However, further multicenter studies on larger sample sizes are required