Short-term antibacterial activity and compressive strength of biodentine containing chlorhexidine/cetirimide mixtures.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Aim is to evaluate the antibacterial activity and physical properties of Biodentine containing chlorhexidine (CHX)/cetrimide (CT) mixtures at 24 h. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Powder formulations of CHX (2.5%) and CT (2.5%) were added to the powder of Biodentine and served as experimental groups (EXP). Antibacterial free groups were designed as control (CNT). The antibacterial acitivity (AB) (n = 5; for each) of disc-shaped specimens against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillius casei and compressive strength (CS) (n = 10; for each) tests used both for groups after 24 h after polymerization. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Normality of data were tested with the Shapiro-Wilk test. Significant differences were analyzed with the Mann-Whintey U test for both the methods (agar disk diffusion and compressive strength) at a significance level of P < 0.05. RESULTS: Significantly higher antibacterial effects were obtained in EXP groups compared to the CNTs for both bacteria after 24 h, distinctly (P < 0.01). No differences were found between groups regarding the CS values (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Since the incorporation of 5% CHX/CT to the Biodentine exhibited acceptable antibacterial activity without hampering compressive strength values at 24 h, this combination could be a promising alternative for eliminating the residual bacteria for indirect pulp-capping therapies.

The impact of Er:YAG laser enamel conditioning on the microleakage of a new hydrophilic sealant--UltraSeal XT hydro.

UltraSeal XT hydro is a new hydrophilic, light-cured, methacrylate-based pit and fissure sealant which has been developed by Ultradent Products, USA. The sealant is highly filled with a 53 wt.% mixture of inorganic particles which confer both thixotropy and radiopacity. The principal purpose of this study was to investigate the microleakage of UltraSeal XT hydro as a function of different enamel etching techniques. The occlusal surfaces of sound, extracted human molars were either acid etched, Er:YAG laser irradiated or successively laser irradiated and acid etched. UltraSeal XT hydro was applied to each group of teeth (n = 10) which were subjected to a thermocycling process consisting of 2500 cycles between 5 and 50 °C with a dwell time of 30 s. Microleakage assessments were then carried out using 0.5% fuchsin dye and optical microscopy. The microleakage score data were analysed using the Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U test with Bonferroni adjustment. No significant differences in microleakage were noted between the individually acid etched and laser-irradiated groups (p > 0.05); however, teeth treated with a combination of laser irradiation and acid etching demonstrated significantly lower microleakage scores (p < 0.001). Electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis revealed that the mineral filler component of UltraSeal XT hydro essentially comprises micrometre-sized particles of inorganic silicon-, aluminium- and barium-bearing phases. Laser etching increases the roughness of the enamel surface which causes a concentrated zoning of the filler particles at the enamel-sealant interface.

The reasons for extractions of primary teeth in Turkish children.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the current reasons for primary teeth extractions in Turkish children and their relative importance. STUDY DESIGN: retrospective evaluation of patients by analysing dental records of children aged 2-13 years, receiving treatment in different regions in Turkey over a period of five years (2007-2012). Patient's age, gender, any significant medical finding, type of tooth extracted and the reason for the extraction were the parameters evaluated. RESULTS: It resulted that 2,508 primary teeth belonging to 1,755 children aged of 2-13 years were extracted. Extraction due to caries (57,4%) was found to be the most common reason. STATISTICS: Chi-square tests were performed for statistical analysis. Although no differences in the types of teeth extracted were observed between genders, striking differences were noted in the different age groups. CONCLUSION: From this study it can be concluded that caries and subsequent pulpal pathology are the most common reasons for extraction of primary teeth in Turkey. Primary molars were the most common tooth type extracted. Preventive programmes for preschool children should be given importance.

Clinical and radiographic success rates of mineral trioxide aggregate and ferric sulphate pulpotomies performed by dental students.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the clinical and radiographic findings of ferric sulphate (FS) and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) as vital pulpotomy materials in primary molars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants, including 40 boys and 53 girls ranging between 5 and 10 years of age (mean age 7.7 years), were selected from the patient population at the University of Gazi Department of Paediatric Dentistry. The children were healthy and cooperative, with at least 1 symptom-free restorable and vital primary molar with deep carious lesions. The pulpotomies were performed by fifth-year undergraduate dental students. Members of the senior staff at the clinics supervised all of the procedures. Clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed at 1-, 3-, 6-, 9- and 12-month recall. The data were statistically analysed with chi-squared tests followed by a multiple comparison test. RESULTS: The follow-up evaluations revealed that the clinical success rates were 84.7% for FS and 94.7% MTA. The radiographic success rates were 78.2 % for FS and 92.1 % for MTA. No significant difference was found between the clinical and radiographic outcomes of the two groups at all follow-ups (P >0.05). CONCLUSION: The most common radiographic failure was internal resorption in both types of pulpotomies. Both MTA and FS can be suggested as an appropriate medicament for primary teeth pulpotomies.

The success rates of a glass ionomer cement and a resin-based fissure sealant placed by fifth-year undergraduate dental students.

AIM: To evaluate retention and caries prevention of a glass-ionomer cement (GIC) and a resin-based fissure sealant placed by fifth-year undergraduate dental students. METHODS: The study was conducted according to a split-mouth, randomised clinical trial. Children with at least one pair of caries-free permanent first molars with deep pits and fissures were included in the study. The children were selected from a population that had a high risk for dental caries. Sealant materials were applied by fifth-year undergraduate dental students on 346 fissures of the first permanent molars in 173 children. The ages of the children ranged from 7-15 years (mean 9.4). Two researchers at the clinics supervised all of the procedures. Intra-examiner reproducibility and inter-examiner reproducibility were 0.90 and 0.86, respectively, for the clinical assessment of sealant retention and caries evaluation. RESULTS: GIC sealants were completely lost in 31.9% and resin-based sealants in 16.6% (p<0.05). The total retention rates of GIC sealants and resin-based sealants were 13.8% and 20.8%, respectively. After 24 months, the caries increment was 3.4% for GIC sealants and 4.8% for resin-based sealants (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The retention of GIC sealants was markedly inferior to the retention of resin-based sealants; however, GIC when used as a pit and fissure sealant was slightly more effective in preventing occlusal caries.

A new haemostatic agent's effect on the success of calcium hydroxide pulpotomy in primary molars.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the application of a new hemostatic agent, Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS), on the clinical and radiographic success of calcium hydroxide (CH) pulpotomies in primary molars. METHODS: Patients with bilateral vital mandibular primary molar teeth that required pulpotomies, because of pulpal exposure to caries, were selected for this study. After initial hemorrhage control, complete hemostasis into the canal orifice was achieved by: (1) applying a solution of ABS for 10 to 15 seconds; or (2) placing sterile, saline-wetted cotton pellets. Forty teeth in 2 groups were followed up clinically and radiographic at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. RESULTS: CH group teeth had a total success rate of 90% at 12 months. CH+ABS group teeth had a total success rate of 95% at 12 months. There were no statistically significant differences between CH and CH+ABS group regarding both clinical and radiographic success rates. CONCLUSION: Ankaferd Blood Stopper may be a useful product in the management of pulpal bleeding during a calcium hydroxide pulpotomy.

In vitro comparison of digital and conventional bitewing radiographs for the detection of approximal caries in primary teeth exposed and viewed by a new wireless handheld unit.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic quality of a new wireless handheld unit (ADX4000; Dexcowin Co. Ltd, Korea) on conventional bitewings and its LCD screen for the detection of approximal caries in primary teeth. METHODS: In total, 108 approximal surfaces of primary teeth were examined in vitro by 3 observers. Conventional films were viewed under subdued lighting conditions on a conventional view box. Digital 3.5 inch images were displayed on the built-in monitor of the ADX4000 and digital 17 inch images were viewed on a 17 inch monitor. The true caries diagnosis was based on histological assessment of the approximal surfaces after sectioning the primary teeth. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (A(z)) analysis was used to assess the diagnostic quality of imaging modalities. RESULTS: The areas under the ROC curves ranged from 0.786 (digital 17 inch) to 0.813 (digital 3.5 inch). No statistically significant differences were found between the three modalities for detecting approximal caries. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that the diagnostic quality of conventional film and digital images, which were exposed and viewed by a new wireless handheld unit, was comparable.