OROFACIAL FINDINGS AND DENTAL MANAGEMENT OF WILLIAMS SYNDROME.

Williams Syndrome is a microdeletion syndrome characterized by a number of developmental and physical abnormalities. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the oral abnormalities and dental management of patients with Williams Syndrome. Fifteen patients with Williams Syndrome aged between 3-20 years old were evaluated in this study. Oro-facial findings, dental plaque index and DMFT/dmft scores were recorded in each patient. Panoramic radiographs and extraoral, intraoral photographs were taken from all patients. According to the results of this study, the mean DMFT and dmft scores were 0.39 ± 0.12 and 1.81 ± 0.39, respectively. The most common oro-facial findings were detected as high palate (87%), diastema (60%), failure to thrive (60%), feeding difficulties (60%), vomiting (47%), macroglossi (47%), microdontia (40%) and frenulum hyperplasia (40%). All decayed teeth were restored with compomer and composite restorations. In conclusion, dentists play a significant role for improving the quality of life of the patients with Williams Syndrome to minimize or prevent dental abnormalities.

Microhardness and surface roughness of glass ionomer cements after APF and TiF4 applications.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether TiF4 solution and APF gel had any adverse effects on the surface morphology of newly developed glass ionomers. STUDY DESIGN: Fifteen disc-shaped specimens of Fuji IX Extra, Fuji II LC and Ketac N100 were prepared and stored in 2 ml of artificial saliva at 37 degrees C for 8 weeks. Specimens of each material were divided randomly into three subgroups as 1 and 4 minutes application of 1.23% APF gel and 1 minute application of 1% TiF4 solution. Specimens were reaged for another 8 weeks. Microhardness, surface roughness values and surface morphology were evaluated by using Vicker's hardness test, surface profilometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for all time interventions, respectively. One-way Anova test was performed and differences were compared by Tukey's HSD and Dunnet T3 test RESULTS: APF and TiF4 applications decreased microhardness significantly in Fuji II LC. In Fuji IX Extra microhardness decreased significantly after 1- and 4-min APF applications. Ketac N100 showed no difference in microhardness after APF and TiF4 applications. Surface roughness was not affected at any time interval for three restorative materials. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this vitro study it was revealed that, potential adverse effects of APF and TiF4 applications might be material dependant. Hence, restorative materials should be selected in accordance with kind, frequency and application time of fluoridation to avoid deteriorations of the restorations.

A case report on autosomal recessive Robinow syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Robinow syndrome or "foetal face" syndrome is an extremely rare genetic disorder with characteristic skeletal and orofacial findings. The purpose of the present case report is to describe the clinical findings of an 8 year-old female patient with autosomal recessive Robinow syndrome. CASE REPORT: The patient was born to consanguineous parents and had anomalies typical of the recessive type of the syndrome such as short stature, mesomelic limb shortening, vertebral anomalies and dysmorphic facial features. Besides typical orodental findings, she also had root malformation in mandibular incisors, which is unusual finding of recessive type of Robinow syndrome. This case report emphasizes the importance of oral and dental manifestations of this syndrome.

Microbiological evaluation and antibiotic susceptibility of dental unit water systems in general dental practice.

OBJECTIVE: The microbial quality of water in a dental unit water systems (DUWS) is of considerable importance because patients and dental staff are regularly exposed to water and aerosol generated from the dental units. The objective of this study was to evaluate the 20 DUWS in general dental practices and to determine the antibiotic susceptibility of the colonizing bacteria. METHODS: Three water and one biofilm samples from each DUWS were investigated for total viable count (TVC), oral streptococci, Pseudomonas spp., Enterobacteria, Candida albicans and Legionella pneumophila. RESULTS: A total of 44 morphologically different colonies were obtained from water samples and 20 types of colonies (45.5%) could be identified using API test strips. The mean TVC values were 4.36 log CFU ml(-1) for source waters, 4.95 log CFU ml(-1) for 3-in-1 syringe samples, 4.91 log CFU ml(-1) for air rotor samples and 3.66 log CFU cm(-2) for biofilm samples. Susceptibilities of the isolates were tested against piperacillin, ampicillin, ceftazidime, meropenem, gentamicin, tetracycline, ofloxacin and chloramphenicol by using microdilution method according to NCCLS. The meropenem and ofloxacin have shown the broadest spectrum against to the tested isolates. CONCLUSION: The study emphasizes the need for effective mechanisms to reduce the microbial contamination in DUWS, and highlights the risk for cross-infection in general dental practice.

The efficacy of bronchodilatators on respiratory functions undergoing dental treatment in asthmatic children.

AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of dental treatments on respiratory functions in moderate asthmatic children in comparison to healthy controls as well as to determine the need for bronchodilatator treatment before dental procedures. METHODS: Twenty-six children with moderate asthma aged between 7-14 years who had peak expiratory flowmeter (PEF) values above 80% were selected for the study group. Control group consisted of 28 healthy children of the same age group. Before dental procedures, patients' dental anxiety levels were scored with Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale. The asthmatic group had their dental treatments in 2 sessions. At the first appointment, they were treated without administering a bronchodilatator therapy. After 2 weeks, at the second appointment the children administered bronchodilatator therapy before their dental treatments. PEF values were recorded in both asthmatic groups and in control group prior to, just after and 30 min after dental therapy. RESULTS: PEF values in asthmatic patients recorded just after dental treatment were significantly lower than control group (P<0.05). When we compared the asthmatic groups who received and who did not receive bronchodilatator treatment, a statistically significant difference was found between PEF values before, just after and 30 min after dental treatment in who didn't receive bronchodilatator treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Administration of bronchodilatator treatment as a premedication before dental procedures may be useful in asthmatic patients.