Evaluation of accuracy of an electronic apex locator in presence of sodium hypochlorite in primary teeth with and without resorption.

This study compared the accuracy of Root ZX mini apex locator in presence of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) in primary molars with and without apical resorption. Sixty-four extracted primary lower molar teeth with 32 root resorption and 32 without resorption were selected. To determine the actual working length (AWL), a K-file was inserted into the root canal until the tip of the file was visible at the major foramen or the resolution level. It was then withdrawn 1 mm. This value was recorded as AWL. The teeth were then divided subgroups (with/without NaOCl). To determine the electronic working length, a Root ZX mini apex locator in canals with/without NaOCl was used. A K-file was inserted into the canal to just beyond the foramen, as indicated by the flashing "APEX" bar, and the electronic working length was determined by subtracting 1 mm from this length. The deviation of the Root ZX mini measurement from the AWL was determined. Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis. In teeth with no resorption, the measurement accuracy rates (within+/-0.5 mm) of non-NaOCl and NaOCl groups were 84.37% and 81.25%, respectively (p > 0.05); within+/-1 mm, the non-NaOCl and NaOCl demonstrated 100% and 96.87% accuracy, respectively (p > 0.05). In teeth with resorption, the measurement accuracy rates (within+/-0.5 mm) was 81.25% for the non-NaOCl and 62.50% for the NaOCl, respectively (p < 0.05). The measurement accuracy rates (within+/-1 mm) of the non-NaOCl and NaOCl was 96.87% and 84.37%, respectively (p < 0.05). The presence of NaOCl in the root canal affected the accuracy of the Root ZX mini in primary teeth with apical resorption, but not in teeth without resorption.

Relationship Between Temporomandibular Ankylosis And Maximum Mouth Opening In Children.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric dentists should have information regarding whether mouth opening is limited. In clinical practice, these professionals should collect and record oral area measurements at the pediatric patient's first medical examination. OBJECTIVES: The study's aim developed the standard mouth opening measurement in children by using ordinary least squares regression to develop a clinical prediction model in children with Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis before preoperative surgery. METHODS: All participants completed their age, gender, and calculated height, weight, body mass index, and birth weight. Pediatric dentist performed all mouth-opening measurements. The oral-maxillofacial surgeon marked subnasal and pogonion points for the lower facial length of soft tissue. It was measured using the distance between the subnasal and pogonion with a digital vernier caliper. The widths of the three fingers (index, middle, and ring fingers) and four fingers (index, middle, ring, and little fingers) were also measured using a digital vernier caliper. RESULTS: Maximum mouth opening showed that three-finger width (R2 = 0.566, F = 185.479) and four-finger width (R2 = 0.462, F = 122.209) had a significant influence on the Maximum mouth opening (MMO) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Pediatric dentists should collaborate with the treating maxillofacial surgeon to manage long-term treatment needs for individuals with Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis.

Stress levels of a group of dentists while providing dental care under clinical, deep sedation, and general anesthesia.

OBJECTIVES: Professionals in the health sector have higher stress than others. The aim of this study was to evaluate the stress levels of dentists while treating with children under clinical, deep sedation, and general anesthesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood pressure (systolic, diastolic), pulse value, and O2 saturations were measured. Saliva samples were taken by the dentists 10 min before the treatment, at the 25th min of the treatment, and 30 min after the treatment under clinical, deep sedation, and general anesthesia. Salivary cortisol was measured by the electrochemiluminescence method. All data were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Cortisol values under the sedation were higher than clinical and general anesthesia (P < 0.05). As a result of the applied Dentist Job Stress Questionnaire, the stress level of dentists under sedation was higher than the clinical and general anesthesia (P < 0.05). Under sedation, systolic and diastolic blood pressures measured during the procedure were found to be high (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Dentists who care for pediatric patients are more stressed when applying treatment under deep sedation. The results suggest the need for more training and practice to strengthen the education given on general anesthesia/sedation in pediatric dentistry training. CLINICAL REVELANCE: To increase the health and treatment quality of the dentists, who spend most of the day with the dental treatment of children, should be taken precautions.

A Comparison of Hard and Soft Occlusal Splints for the Treatment of Nocturnal Bruxism in Children Using the BiteSTRIP®.

OBJECTIVE: Bruxism is defined as a parafunctional activity. It could be in diurnal or nocturnal form, based on the time it occurs. The purpose of the study compares the effectiveness of occlusal splint treatments in children with nocturnal bruxism using the BiteStrip®. STUDY DESIGN: The muscle activity of children was measured using the BiteStrip®. The groups used occlusal splints during nighttime sleep for three months, at the end of which their muscle activity were measured again through the use of the BiteStrip®. RESULTS: Muscle pain in palpation and pain in the dynamic position of TMJ pain was significantly reduced in patients using soft occlusal splint (p=0.01). There was no significant change in the BiteStrip® score in both group I (p=0.11) and group II (p=0.61). CONCLUSION: Soft occlusal splints could reduce pain caused by nocturnal bruxism on muscle and TMJ. The relationship between treatment results and BiteStrip® scores of patients using soft occlusal splint or hard occlusal splint are not significantly.

Evaluation of mandibular trabecular bone by fractal analysis on panoramic radiograph in paediatric patients with sleep bruxism.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the trabecular bone density in the mandible of paediatric patients diagnosed with sleep bruxism (SB) using the fractal analysis method on panoramic radiographs. METHODS: A total of 37 patients whose anamnesis and clinical signs were compatible with SB were diagnosed with SB using BiteStrip® . Three areas were identified on the panoramic radiographs of the patients: the geometric center of the condyle, the angulus region under the mandibular canal, and the distal region of the mental foramen. Regions of interest (ROIs) of 60 × 60 pixels were selected in these three locations, and fractal dimensions (FDs) were calculated. Results were compared with the control group. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the right and left FD values, and male and female FD values in all regions and both groups (p > .05). In the angulus (p = .03) and condyle (p = .03) regions, the SB group had a significantly higher FD value than the control group. There was no statistically significant difference between the SB and control groups in the corpus region (p = .98). A moderate negative correlation arose between age and condyle FD values among controls (r = -0.38, p = .02). CONCLUSION: Fractal dimension values evaluating trabeculation of the mandibular bone are affected by SB in the angulus and condyle regions.

Anxiety and harmful oral habits in preschool children during the 2020 first-wave COVID­19 lockdown in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Due to curfew and quarantine practices designed to reduce the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID­19), social isolation has tested the psychological limits of children. OBJECTIVES: The authors evaluated parent-observed symptoms of anxiety in preschool children with harmful oral habits during the curfew period in Turkey. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The authors prepared a questionnaire with Google Forms that was distributed through social media applications (e.g., WhatsApp) to 405 parents recruited via snowball sampling. To measure children's symptoms and levels of anxiety, the Spence Preschool Anxiety Scale (SPAS) was used. Harmful oral habits that might develop in children during the curfew were investigated. RESULTS: Separation anxiety and physical injury anxiety were reported by the parents more frequently than general anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Also, the presence of tantrums (p = 0.010), crying attacks (p = 0.010) and aggression (p = 0.010) were reported by the parents in these children. It was observed that the habits of finger sucking (p = 0.010), nail biting (p = 0.040) and lip biting (p = 0.010) that were present before the curfew decreased significantly after the curfew. CONCLUSIONS: Children aged 3-7 years can develop anxiety about physical injuries and about being separated from their parents as well as tantrums and crying attacks. Their harmful oral habits (i.e., finger sucking, nail biting and lip biting) all decreased during the curfew period.

The effects of various irrigation protocols on root canal wall adaptation and apical microleakage in primary teeth.

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the wall adaptation and apical microleakage values following the application of various irrigation protocols in primary teeth.Material and methods: For the two parts of the study, extracted upper incisor primary teeth were randomly included to the 1% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 10% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)+1% NaOCl, 6% citric acid (CA)+1% NaOCl and 0.9% physiological saline (PS) groups. Canal wall adaptation and apical microleakage were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and stereomicroscope, respectively.Results: 6% CA + 1% NaOCl group was found to be the most successful irrigation protocol in providing strong canal wall adaptation and less apical microleakage, followed by 10% EDTA +1% NaOCl. 6% CA +1% NaOCl was significantly superior regarding apical microleakage (p < .05).Conclusions: Due to the ability to provide appropriate changes in the root canal walls to make a well-adapted and leak-proof canal filling, 6% CA + 1% NaOCl can be recommended as an irrigation protocol in primary teeth.