Age estimation by pulp/tooth area ratio in anterior teeth using cone-beam computed tomography: comparison of four teeth

Abstract Objectives Age estimation is one of the most important factors in forensic medicine. Measuring secondary dentin deposition using cone-beam computed tomography images is an easy and noninvasive method. The aim of this study was to evaluate cone-beam computed tomography images as a reliable method to estimate chronological age by pulp/teeth ratio in anterior teeth in Iranian population. Methodology A total of 649 CBCT images from 377 Iranian patients aged between 20 and 69 years were evaluated. Pulp/teeth ratio (PTR) in maxillary and mandibular canine and central incisor teeth was measured in the axial and sagittal sections using OnDemand 3D Dental software. The Pearson correlation coefficient was determined to evaluate the correlation between the variables. Linear regression analysis, as well as age estimation formula, was used for each tooth separately. Results The regression analyses indicated that maxillary central incisors were more reliable for age estimation (R2=0.586 and standard error of estimate=7.045) compared with the other anterior teeth studied. Maxillary canine teeth had the lowest predictive power (R2=0.392 and standard error of estimate=8.387). Also, comparison of the axial and sagittal sections showed that the axial sections had a higher predictive power. (R2=0.48 for axial plans and R2=0.328 for sagittal plans) Conclusion The use of cone-beam computed tomography in age estimation by pulp/teeth ratio of anterior teeth is useful and a reliable method for age estimation in Iranian population.

Ability of serum ferritin to diagnose iron deficiency anemia in an elderly cohort

Abstract Background Diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency anemia in older subjects improves their quality of life. Serum ferritin as a marker of iron stores is an acute phase protein. In older subjects who usually have many concomitant chronic medical conditions, serum ferritin may increase in response to inflammatory processes irrespective of iron stores. This study was performed to determine the diagnostic properties of serum ferritin in the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia in older subjects. Methods This case-control study included all the inhabitants of Amirkola town who participated in the Amirkola Health and Aging Project. Diagnosis of anemia was confirmed based on a hemoglobin level <13 g/dL in men and <12 g/dL in women and iron deficiency anemia by percent transferrin saturation <15%. A receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed to determine an optimal serum ferritin cutoff value to differentiate patients with and without iron deficiency anemia at the highest sensitivity and specificity. Results Eighty patients with iron deficiency anemia and 160 cases of anemia without iron deficiency (mean age: 72.9 ± 8 and 71.6 ± 7.6 years, respectively; p-value = 0.37) were analyzed. In iron deficiency anemia, the mean serum ferritin was significantly lower (p-value = 0.036) compared to patients without iron deficiency anemia. Serum ferritin with a cutoff level of 100 ng/mL differentiated patients with and without iron deficiency anemia with a sensitivity of 60% and specificity of 59% and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.615 ± 0.040 (95% confidence interval: 0.536-0.694; p-value = 0.004). Conclusion These findings indicate that in elderly subjects, iron deficiency anemia may develop with higher levels of serum ferritin. Hence, the conventional cutoff of serum ferritin for the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia in young adults is not appropriate for the elderly population.

A Negative Association between Social Support and Depression in the Elderly Population of Amirkola City.

Introduction: Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in old age. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between social support and depression in elderly population of Amirkola city, northern Iran. Also, a few studies have been conducted to determine whether there is any association between social support and depression in different cultural settings, e.g. in western countries. Methodology: This cross sectional study came from the Amirkola Health and Ageing Project (AHAP), that was undertaken among 1612 older people aged 60 years and over (881 males and 731 females) in Amirkola. The sampling method was done using the census records. Depression was assessed via the shortened 15 item version of Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and social support measured by the shortened 11 item version of the Duke Social Support Index (DSSI). Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 43.4%. The mean social support score in the subjects without depressive symptoms was 28.32±2.79 which has been significantly higher than those with depressive symptoms 25.86±3.44. Linear regression analysis displays the variables in the final model like social support, age, gender, education, living status; social support was negatively the most associated variable with depression (β for social satisfaction= -0.245, P<0.001 and for social interaction 0 -0.199 P<0.001). Thus for the males, those who are younger, those who are more educated, those who are married and those who are employed, their social support scores were higher. Conclusions: Lack of social support is negatively associated with depression in the elderly people in Iran.

Clinical and radiographic evaluation of Bio-Gen with biocollagen compared with Bio-Gen with connective tissue in the treatment of class II furcation defects: a randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE: Treatment of furcation defects are thought to be challenging. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic parameters of Bio-Gen with Biocollagen compared with Bio-Gen with connective tissue in the treatment of Class II furcation defects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this clinical trial, 24 patients with Class II furcation defect on a buccal or lingual mandibular molar were recruited. After oral hygiene instruction, scaling and root planing and achievement of acceptable plaque control, the patients were randomly chosen to receive either connective tissue and Bio-Gen (case group) or Biocollagen and Bio-Gen (control group). The following parameters were recorded before the first and re-entry surgery (six months later): vertical clinical attachment level (VCAL), gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), horizontal probing depth (HPD), vertical probing depth (VPD), gingival recession (GR), furcation vertical component (FVC), furcation to alveolar crest (FAC), fornix to base of defect (FBD), and furcation horizontal component (FHC) were calculated at the time of first surgery and during re-entry. A digital periapical radiograph was taken in parallel before first surgery and re-entry. The radiographs were then analyzed by digital subtraction. The differences with p value <0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Only the mean changes of FAC, FHC, mean of FHC, FBD in re-entry revealed statistically significant differences between the two groups. HPD, VPD, FBD, FAC, and FHC showed statistically significant differences after 6 months in the case group. However, in the control group, statistically significant differences were found in GR and HPD. We did not observe any significant difference in radiographic changes among the two groups. CONCLUSION: The results of this trial indicate that better clinical outcomes can be obtained with connective tissue grafts in combination with bone material compared ...

Light-emitting diode versus halogen light curing of orthodontic brackets: a clinical study of bond failure / Colagem de brackets ortodônticos: polimerização da resina por meio de diodos emissores de luz versus luz alógena: estudo clínico de falhas de adesão

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical performance of brackets cured with two light-curing units. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty female patients (between12-16 years old) who required fixed appliances were included in this study. Based on the characteristics of their lower arches, study participants were divided into two groups, A and B. In group A, the composites were cured on the right side by Ultralume LED2TM and on the left side by a conventional halogen unit. In group B, the sequence was reversed. A total of 160 brackets were bonded. After 12 months, bond failure rate was evaluated. RESULTS: We found that 18 brackets in the halogen group and 13 bracketsin the LED group were debonded. No statistically significant differences were found in total bond failure rate and no enamel damage was clinically detected for either technique. CONCLUSION: Theseresults suggest that LED dose curing does not result in more bond failure when compared with conventional halogen light curing.

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o desempenho clínico de brackets colados utilizando-se de duas unidades de polimerização. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: quarenta pacientes adolescentes com indicação de tratamento ortodôntico fixo foram incluídos no trabalho, divididosem dois grupos, A e B. No grupo A, o compósito foi polimerizado no lado direito com Ultralume LED 2TM e no lado esquerdo com luz halógena convencional. No grupo B, a sequencia foi invertida. Um total de 160 brackets foram colados. Após 12 meses de tratamento, avaliou-se a taxa de falhas de colagem. RESULTADOS: 18 brackets no grupo halógeno e 13 no grupo LED sofreram descolamento. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante na taxa total de falhas e nãoforam observados danos ao esmalte em ambas as técnicas. CONCLUSÃO: Estes resultados sugerem que a fotopolimerização com LED não resulta em maiores falhas de adesão quandocomparadas com a luz halógena convencional.