Evaluation of toothbrush disinfection via different methods.

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of using a dishwasher or different chemical agents, including 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate, 2% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), a mouthrinse containing essential oils and alcohol, and 50% white vinegar, for toothbrush disinfection. Sixty volunteers were divided into five experimental groups and one control group (n = 10). Participants brushed their teeth using toothbrushes with standard bristles, and they disinfected the toothbrushes according to instructed methods. Bacterial contamination of the toothbrushes was compared between the experimental groups and the control group. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Duncan's multiple range tests, with 95% confidence intervals for multiple comparisons. Bacterial contamination of toothbrushes from individuals in the experimental groups differed from those in the control group (p < 0.05). The most effective method for elimination of all tested bacterial species was 50% white vinegar, followed in order by 2% NaOCl, mouthrinse containing essential oils and alcohol, 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate, dishwasher use, and tap water (control). The results of this study show that the most effective method for disinfecting toothbrushes was submersion in 50% white vinegar, which is cost-effective, easy to access, and appropriate for household use.

The prevalence of antral exostoses in the maxillary sinuses, evaluated by cone-beam computed tomography.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Exostoses are outgrowths of normal compact and cancellous bone and may occur in different locations of the jaw. Exostoses are a rare anatomic variation in the maxillary sinuses. The purpose of this study was to investigate retrospectively the prevalence of location, size, shape, and symmetry of exostoses in the maxillary sinus, and to assess the relationship between demographic variables (i.e., age and sex) via cone-beam computed tomography images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cone-beam computed tomography images of 1000 patients [521 (52.1%) females and 479 (47.9%) males], aged 10-85 years (mean age, 44 years), were examined. Two investigators examined the exostoses for location (i.e., inferior wall, medial wall, lateral wall, or posterior wall of the maxillary sinuses), size, shape (i.e., broad-based or mushroom-like), and symmetry (i.e., unilateral or bilateral). The age of the patients was categorized into three groups: 10-30 years, 31-50 years, and 51+ years. The data were statistically analyzed by using chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and the t test. RESULTS: In total, 52 exostoses from 48 patients (4.8%) were identified. Exostoses were more common in females (n = 28, 58.3%) than in males (n = 20, 41.7%); however, there was no statistically significant difference between the sexes (P > 0.05). The presence of exostoses was very similar for all age groups with no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Most exostoses were unilateral and on the inferior wall of the maxillary sinus. No statistically significant difference existed between the frequency and location of exostoses for sex or age groups (P > 0.05).

Evaluation of toothbrush disinfection via different methods

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of using a dishwasher or different chemical agents, including 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate, 2% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), a mouthrinse containing essential oils and alcohol, and 50% white vinegar, for toothbrush disinfection. Sixty volunteers were divided into five experimental groups and one control group (n = 10). Participants brushed their teeth using toothbrushes with standard bristles, and they disinfected the toothbrushes according to instructed methods. Bacterial contamination of the toothbrushes was compared between the experimental groups and the control group. Data were analyzed by Kruskal–Wallis and Duncan's multiple range tests, with 95% confidence intervals for multiple comparisons. Bacterial contamination of toothbrushes from individuals in the experimental groups differed from those in the control group (p < 0.05). The most effective method for elimination of all tested bacterial species was 50% white vinegar, followed in order by 2% NaOCl, mouthrinse containing essential oils and alcohol, 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate, dishwasher use, and tap water (control). The results of this study show that the most effective method for disinfecting toothbrushes was submersion in 50% white vinegar, which is cost-effective, easy to access, and appropriate for household use.

Effectiveness of alternative methods for toothbrush disinfection: an in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of alternative methods for toothbrush disinfection. METHODS: Two-hundred eighty toothbrushes were included in the study. The toothbrushes were divided into 7 groups and were contaminated by standardized suspensions of Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus), Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and Escherichia coli (E. coli). The following disinfectants were tested: 1% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 100% and 50% white vinegar, microwave (MW) oven, ultraviolet (UV) sanitizer, and mouth rinse-containing propolis (MCP). Data were analyzed with Kruskal Wallis and Dunn's tests. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found between different methods and control group for all tested bacteria. There were statistically significant differences between all test groups for all microorganisms. MW was the most effective for L. rhamnosus and 100% white vinegar was the most effective method for S. mutans and S. aureus. NaOCl was the most effective for E. coli. CONCLUSION: This study showed that 100% white vinegar was considered to be effective for tested microorganisms. Similarly, 1% NaOCl is cost-effective, easily accessible, and comparatively effective for toothbrush disinfection. Because these agents are nontoxic, cost-effective and easily accessible, they may be appropriate for household use.

Panoramic radiography and cone-beam computed tomography findings in preoperative examination of impacted mandibular third molars.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative radiographic examination of impacted mandibular third molars (IMTM) is essential to prevent inferior alveolar nerve injury during extraction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and digital panoramic radiography (DPR) findings in preoperative examination of IMTM. METHODS: This retrospective study included 298 teeth in 191 individuals. The relationship between the inferior alveolar canal (IAC) and the IMTM (buccal, lingual, interradicular or inferior), the position of the IMTM with respect to the IAC (contact, no contact), the morphologic shape of the mandible in the IMTM region (round, lingual extended, lingual concave), the type of IMTM (vertical, horizontal or angular) and the number of roots of the IMTM were evaluated on CBCT images. DPR images were evaluated for the number of roots of the IMTM and for the most common radiographic findings indicating a relationship between the IAC and the IMTM (darkening of the roots, diversion of the IAC, narrowing of the IAC and interruption of the white line). Data were statistically analyzed with Cramer V coefficient, Kappa statistic, chi-square and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in number of roots detected on DPR versus CBCT images. There was a significant association between the type of IMTM and the morphologic shape of the mandible on CBCT images. Darkening of the roots and interruption of the white line on DPR images were significantly associated with the presence of contact between the IMTM and the IAC on CBCT images. CONCLUSIONS: Panoramic radiography is inadequate, whereas CBCT is useful to detect multiple roots of IMTM. When darkening of the roots and interruption of the white line are observed on panoramic images, there is increased likelihood of contact between the IMTM and the IAC. CBCT is required in these cases.

Oral impacts on daily performance in Turkish adults attending a dental school.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate oral health related quality of life (OHRQOL) in Turkish adults attending a dental school by using Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP) inventory. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 1324 patients. A modified questionnaire including sociodemographic information, questions about OHRQOL and OIDP inventory was prepared. The questions consisted of reasons and frequency for dental attendance, self-reported oral health status of the participants and number of natural teeth was recorded. RESULTS: The rates of participants experienced at least one OIDP impact was 65.2% and eating was the most affected item (41.6%). There was statistically significant difference between number of missing teeth-self reported oral health status, number of missing teeth-sociodemographic factors for the participants who reported at least one OIDP impact. CONCLUSION: This study showed that OHRQOL of Turkish adults attending a dental school is affected several factors including sociodemographic factors, regular dental visit and number of missing teeth similarly other societies. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: OIDP inventory assesses impacts of oral health conditions that affect daily activities of an individual and is commonly used as OHRQOL indicator. Also, it is important self-report information of patients about changing their oral conditions and affecting daily life for the clinicians. There is insufficient data for OIDP inventory of Turkish dental patients. OHRQOL of Turkish adults was evaluated by using OIDP inventory in this study. The scale was found as a valid and reliable instrument for Turkish dental patients and was determined the relationships between this scale and several parameters.

Public awareness level of oral cancer in a group of dental patients.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate levels of public awareness and knowledge about early signs and risk factors of oral cancer among a group of dental patients in Turkey. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This study included 1022 participants. Sociodemographic information of patients was obtained. A questionnaire about awareness and knowledge of oral cancer and early signs and risk factors related to the disease was completed by two examiners. Data were statistically analyzed with descriptive analyses, crosstabs and chi-square tests. RESULTS: In total 60.7% of participants had never heard of oral cancer. While 79.2% of the participants were unaware of the early signs related to oral cancer, 29.9% of them were unaware of risk factors of the disease. There were no statistically significant differences between age, gender, and education levels for awareness of risk factors. Statistically significant differences were found between age and gender and no statistically significant difference was found between education levels for awareness of early signs. CONCLUSION: This study showed that public awareness and knowledge about oral cancer were insufficient in Turkey. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: There is an important need to inform the public about oral cancer, its risk factors, and early signs of the disease. Media campaigns can be useful to raise oral cancer awareness.

Evaluation of radiographic errors made by undergraduate dental students in periapical radiography.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the types of errors and the anatomical distribution of these errors made by undergraduate dental students during periapical radiography. Seventeen hundred randomly selected periapical radiographs were included in the study. The erroneous radiographs were classified according to the error types and anatomical locations. According to evaluations, 1,089 radiographs (64.06 %) were acceptable, and 611 radiographs (35.94 %) were unacceptable. A statistically significant difference was found (p < 0.05) for the frequency of error types according to anatomical locations. The most frequent error was incorrect angulation. And the most frequent anatomical location was the maxillary molar area. Determination of the distribution of anatomical region and error types may help to eliminate these errors and radiographic retakes.

Talon cusp: a case series.

Talon cusp is an uncommon dental developmental anomaly that typically appears as an accessory cusp-like structure projecting from the cingulum to the cutting edge in primary or permanent anterior teeth. This article presents 11 cases of talon cusp in seven patients. Three patients had unilateral talon cusps, one of which affected a permanent maxillary central incisor and included an unusual concurrent combination of dental anomalies; the other two affected permanent maxillary lateral incisors. The remaining eight talon cusps were observed bilaterally, with six affecting the permanent maxillary lateral incisors and the other two affecting the permanent maxillary canines.

The evaluation of perceived sources of stress and stress levels among Turkish dental students.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify sources of stress and to evaluate stress levels among Turkish dental students and also to investigate the role of year of study and gender on perceived stressors. METHODS: This study included 308 dental students. Dental Environment Stress (DES) questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Spielberger State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were used to collect data. Also, some factors considered to be effective on stress levels of dental students were questioned. Data were statistically analysed with Kruskal Wallis and Mann Whitney U tests. RESULTS: The most stress provoking factors were fear of failing the year, completion of clinical requirements and amount of assigned work. Statistically significant differences were found between years of study and gender for many stressors. There was statistically significant difference between years of study and gender for mean DES scores but no statistically significant differences were found between years of study for mean BDI, STAI scores. There was statistically significant difference between genders for STAI-1. Choice rank of dental school has affected stress levels of dental students. CONCLUSION: This study showed that perceived sources of stress of clinical students were very similar and stress levels of these students were lower than preclinical students, also gender was effective on stressors and stress levels.

Unusually large submandibular sialoliths: report of two cases.

Sialoliths are the most common diseases of the salivary glands. They may occur in any of the salivary gland ducts but are most common in Wharton's duct and the submandibular gland. This report presents clinical and radiographical signs of two unusually large sialoliths. There were painless swellings on the floor of the mouth in both cases. Radiographical examination revealed large irregular radioopaque mass superimposed right canine and premolar areas. After the lesions were removed, histopathological examination was performed and lesions were diagnosed as sialoliths.

Oral Health Attitudes and Behavior among a Group of Turkish Dental Students.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate self-reported oral health attitude and behavior among a group of Turkish dental students and to compare differences in oral health attitudes between years of study and gender. METHODS: This study included 267 (153 female, 114 male) dental students. A modified English version of Hiroshima University Dental-Behavioral Inventory (HU-DBI) which consists of twenty-eight dichotomous responses (yes-no) was used. RESULTS: Totally 141 preclinical (1, 2 and 3(rd) years of study) and 126 clinical students (4 and 5(th) years of study) who were mean age of 21.16 participated in the study. Statistically significant differences were found between years of study for brushing each of teeth carefully, cleaning the teeth well without using toothpaste, using a toothbrush which has hard bristles and for having had their dentist tell that they brush very well. There were statistically significant differences between females and males for using a toothbrush which has hard bristles and using tooth floss regularly. Statistically significant differences were found for brushing each of the teeth carefully and using mouth wash on regular basis between smokers and non-smokers. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed that oral and dental health behavior and attitudes and also their knowledge about oral and dental health care of dental students improved with increasing level of education while oral and dental health care of female students were better than males and oral and dental health care of non-smokers were better than smokers.

Clinical evaluation of medications on oral and dental health.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of medications on oral and dental health on a group of dental patients taking drugs regularly. METHODS: The study comprised two groups, the medication group included 328 dental patients regularly taking medication and the control group of 201 dental patients who took no medication. The patients were questioned about occurrence of self-reported oral dryness and were evaluated for the occurrence of any oral mucosal lesions, gingival recession, bleeding and enlargement, alveolar bone resorption, dental caries, any restorations and missing teeth were recorded. Data were statistically analysed with chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) between medication and control groups for oral mucosal lesions, gingival recession and enlargement but a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was found between the groups for oral dryness and gingival bleeding. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between the groups for dental caries, amalgam, fixed and removable prosthetic restorations and missing teeth. CONCLUSIONS: There was a statistically significant difference for self-reported oral dryness and gingival bleeding and these factors may have been influenced by the increased rate of missing teeth and prosthetic restorations in the medication group.

The use of 3 different imaging methods for the localization of the mandibular canal in dental implant planning.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficiency of panoramic radiography, conventional (cross-sectional) tomography, and computerized tomography for location of the mandibular canal before implant placement in the posterior region of the mandible. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Edentulous mandibles from 6 dry adult human skulls were used in this study. Four measurements (D1, D2, D3, D4) were made of 12 areas, one on each side of each mandible. Panoramic radiographs, conventional tomograms, and computerized tomograms were obtained. On each image, measurements were made for localization of the mandibular canal by one researcher. All measurements were repeated 3 times within a period of 3 weeks. Upon completion of imaging, the mandibles were surgically sectioned to provide direct measurements. The measurements obtained from the images were compared with direct measurements. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to detect statistical correlations between repeated measurements. The Dunnett t test was performed for statistical comparison of measurements from images and direct measurements. RESULTS: Pearson correlation coefficients showed strong linear correlation for all measurements (P < .01). No statistically significant difference was observed between direct measurement and D1, D2, or D4 (P < .05), but a statistically significant difference for D3 (buccolingual width 5 mm under mandibular crest; Dunnett t test; P > .05) between measurements was obtained from the images and direct measurements. CONCLUSION: The measurements obtained from computerized tomographic images were more consistent with direct measurements than the measurements obtained from panoramic radiographic images or conventional tomographic images.

Clinical evaluation of dose reduction on image quality of panoramic radiographs.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of tube current reduction on image quality using medium and regular intensifying screens as well as a digital system for panoramic radiography. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 150 panoramic images of 75 patients were obtained in the study. The initial images were taken at standard exposure settings, and secondary images were exposed with the tube current reduced at different rates. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) between the two exposures for Group 3 (the rate of dose reduction 25%) while a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) was found in Group 4 (the rate of dose reduction 50%) using medium intensifying screens for all observers. No statistically significant difference was found between the two exposures on digital panoramic images. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study a dose reduction of 25% was achieved for medium intensifying screens and for digital panoramic images without any loss of image quality. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: A substantial reduction in radiation exposure can be achieved in conventional panoramic radiography using a medium intensifying screen and in digital panoramic radiography without any loss of image quality needed for radiological evaluation of anatomical structures and pathological conditions.