[Investigation of the relationship between oral and dental health and presence of Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax]. / Agiz ve dis sagligi ile Entamoeba gingivalis ve Trichomonas tenax varligi arasindaki iliskinin arastirilmasi.

OBJECTIVE: Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax can cause gingivitis and scale. In this study, the prevalence of E. gingivalis and T. tenax were investigated among patients who were admitted to the Cumhuriyet University, Faculty of Dentistry. METHODS: Two scraping samples were taken from 220 patients (ages varying from 12 to 75 years) and a questionnaire including fifteen parameters was applied to all patients. The samples were diluted in Physiological Saline and examined immediately by Tech Lab Entamoeba Kit and Robinson Medium. RESULTS: Oral protozoa were detected in 58 (26.4%) of 220 scraping samples. In 48 (21.8%) of the positive 58 specimens, E. gingivalis was detected alone whereas T. tenax was present in only two (1%) specimens. In 8 (3.6%) specimens, E. gingivalis and T. tenax were identified together. Gender, age groups, dental caries and the number, shape disorders, systemic diseases, tooth pain, joint problems and wisdom teeth were not found to be significant with the presence of oral protozoa. However, gum problems, presence of tartar, smoking habits, brushing habits and control habits were found to be statistically significantly related with the presence of oral protozoa. CONCLUSION: In the present study, E. gingivalis and T. tenax were found to be common. These parasites, with additional parameters, may lead to gingivitis and scale.

Assessment of the outcomes of cerebral blood flow measurements after electrical stimulation of upper right incisor tooth in rabbits.

The cerebral vessels are innervated by sympathetic, parasympathetic, and sensory nerves. A sensory innervation of the cerebral vessels originating in the trigeminal ganglion has been described in a number of species by several investigations. It has been shown that the electrical stimulation of the trigeminal ganglion causes an increase of cerebral cortical blood flow (CCoBF). The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of dental electrical stimulation the CCoBF in rabbits. A stimulating electrode was located in the upper right incisor tooth of rabbits and trigeminal ganglion was stimulated orthodromically via the infraorbital nerve. Variations in the cortical CCoBF were evaluated by laser-Doppler flowmetry. In experiment group, CCoBF increased together with the beginning of electrical stimulation (5 V, 0.5-ms impulse duration, square-shaped, 10-Hz frequency). The right and left hemisphere CCoBF values of stimulation period at 15s, 30s, 45s, 60s, 75s, and 90s were significantly higher than those of baseline and 105 and 120s (p < 0.05). The maximum increase in right and left CCoBF was 15.6% and 15.1% respectively. In post-stimulation period, the right CCoBF decreased gradually and returned to the baseline values at 120 s. In experiment groups, the CCoBF values of right hemisphere were comparable that of left hemisphereL (p > 0.05). This study demonstrated that the electrical stimulation of the trigeminal nerve's infraorbital branch via dental pulp increases the cortical right and left CCoBF under physiological conditions.

The effect of a biphasic ceramic on calvarial bone regeneration in rats.

Bioactive ceramics (calcium phosphate ceramics, hydroxyapatite ceramics) are now extensively used in oral surgery. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a new biphasic ceramic (Ceraform) on the osteogenesis in a rat calvarial defect model. Fifteen Wistar rats were used in this study. Two symmetrical 3-mm wide defects were created in the skull of each rat. The left defect was left empty as a control and the right defect was filled with the ceramic. The rats were sacrificed at day 30, and the calvarial specimens were processed for qualitative and quantitative histological examinations. The material exhibited no adverse effects, but no bone healing was noted either. No statistical difference regarding bone regeneration was observed between the 2 defects (P > .05). This study showed that Ceraform did not elicit any inflammatory reaction; however, it had no effect on bone regeneration, and this material seems suitable only as a space-maintaining material.

Lymphoma in the infraorbital region.

BACKGROUND: B-cell lymphomas are rare neoplasms in the oral cavity. They are significant to dentists because the oral complications associated with treatment mean that dentists can play an important role in their detection. CASE DESCRIPTION: The authors describe the case of a 55-year-old man with nonhealing ulcers, swelling and pain six months after maxillary left canine extraction. As it occurred in the infraorbital region after canine tooth extraction, the authors suspected B-cell lymphoma. Clinical examination revealed infraorbital edema with regional submandibular lymphadenopathy. Intraoral examination revealed a nonhealing ulceration with ill-defined borders in the surrounding mucosa. It was 5- x 5-centimeters in diameter and gray-white. The histopathologic examination showed diffuse, atypical, lymphoid cell infiltration and immuno-histochemically positive staining. After the histopathologic examination, the authors referred the patient to a medical center for treatment. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Dentists should look for signs of B-cell lymphoma when a patient has extended pain and swelling after an extraction.

Larsen's syndrome with dental anomalies: report of a case.

Dental anomalies and mixed-type hearing loss are extremely rare symptoms of Larsen's syndrome that is characterized by multiple joint dislocation and flat face. A 15-year-old Turkish girl affected with Larsen's syndrome exhibiting many characteristic facial and skeletal features plus hitherto unreported oral and oral-facial anomalies including, maxillary prognathi, malocclusion, supernumerary teeth, macroglossia and microdontia is reported.