Socioeconomic Inequality in Screen Time, Phone, and Tablet Use among Iranian Adolescents: Results of A National Study.

Background: Excessive screen time has been associated with a variety of negative health outcomes. We aimed to evaluate screen time and phone and tablet use in Iranian adolescents and their relation to the socioeconomic status of adolescents' families in 2018. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was carried out on 10-12-year-old adolescents from Kurdistan, Fars, and Markazi provinces. Cluster sampling was used for sampling. Data were collected by completing demographic questionnaires, calculating the BMI of adolescents and phone and tablet use, screen time, and socioeconomic status of the families. We used linear and logistic regression to estimate the final model. The concentration index was used to measure inequality and the Oaxaca decomposition to examine the different determinants of the inequality. Results: 1590 adolescents (52.58% boys) were enrolled in our study. Screen time activities were significantly higher in boys, older adolescents, higher BMIs, more educated mothers, and 35< year-old fathers (P < 0.05). The use of mobile phones and tablets was significantly higher among boys, ten-year-olds, families with four or fewer members, higher BMIs, adolescents with higher levels of parental education, and more educated mothers (P < 0.05). In addition, the concentration index for screen time activities (C = 0.083) and phone and tablet use (C = 0.536) showed that screen time and phone and tablet use activities were higher in adolescents with high socioeconomic status. Conclusion: Screen time, phone and tablet use were higher in adolescents with high socioeconomic status. Also, many other factors like gender, age, BMI, parents' education and age can affect screen time, phone and tablet use in adolescents.

Evaluation of Four Pulpotomy Techniques in Primary Molars: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: This trial was designed to evaluate the clinical and radiographic success rates of calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement with and without low level laser therapy (LLLT) and compare them to that of formocresol (FC) and ferric sulfate (FS) in primary molar pulpotomies. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on a total of 160 teeth selected from 40 patients aged 3-9 years. Patients with at least four primary molars needing pulpotomy, were included in order to have each tooth assigned randomly in one of the four following groups; FC, FS, CEM, and LLLT/CEM. Six- and twelve-month follow-up periods were conducted in order to enable a clinical and radiographic evaluation of the treated teeth. Collected data were analyzed using Cochran Q Tests. RESULTS: The 12-month clinical success rate for each technique was: FC=100%, FS=95%, CEM=97.5% and LLLT/CEM=100% with no significant differences (P>0.05). Furthermore, 12-month radiographic success rate for each technique was: FC=100%, FS=92.5%, CEM=95% and LLLT/CEM=100% with no significant differences (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Favorable outcomes of four treatment techniques in pulpotomy of primary molar teeth were comparable. CEM with/without LLLT may be considered as a safe and successful pulpotomy treatment modality compared to current conventional methods.

Prevalence of Cardiovascular Disorders in Iranian Patients Suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

OBJECTIVES: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can lead to various cardiovascular disorders (CVD) such as hypertension. There is no documented data about this relationship among the Iranian population. The aim of this study was to obtain comprehensive information about the severity of OSA as a cause of CVD and its relationship with other important risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross sectional study, we studied patients with OSA and apnea/hypopnea index of 5 or more. The data were collected from the patients' polysomnography report and medical files. Data analysis was done with SPSS version 18. RESULTS: The majority of patients were males (71.9%). Among the studied individuals, 26.5% showed at least one sign of CVD, and hypertension was the most common condition (74.5%). Multiple regression analysis showed that the odds ratios for one unit increase in BMI and one year increase in age were 1.13 and 1.12, respectively (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, BMI and age had the strongest relationship with CVD. Thus, public health care providers should implement weight control strategies and improve diagnostic and treatment procedures for the elderly patients.

Efficacy of Glass Ionomer Cements for Prevention of White Spot Lesions During Orthodontic Banding: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the incidence of white spot lesions (WSLs) around orthodontic bands following the application of two glass ionomer (GI) cements namely GC Gold Label and GC Fuji Plus for six to 12 months. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 186 permanent first molars of orthodontic patients requiring banding of at least two permanent first molars were chosen. The teeth were examined for caries and presence of WSLs by visual inspection and by DIAGNOdent (scores 0-29). Orthodontic bands were randomly cemented to the right or left molars using GC Gold Label or GC Fuji Plus GI cements. Samples were randomly divided into three groups and bands were removed after six, nine and 12 months in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The teeth were then examined for caries and presence of WSLs by visual inspection. DIAGNOdent was used on the buccal and lingual surfaces to determine the presence of WSLs. The data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA, multivariate repeated measures ANOVA, the Kruskal Wallis and the Mann-Whitney tests. RESULTS: Totally 174 teeth were evaluated. DIAGNOdent scores were not significantly different before cementation and after removal of bands in buccal and lingual surfaces of the teeth in the two cement groups. Lesions simulating WSLs were seen in 21 out of 174 teeth but DIAGNOdent scores were not indicative of caries. CONCLUSION: Remarkable WSLs were not detected visually or by DIAGNOdent at six, nine or 12 months following the cementation of bands with two GI cements.

Acellular dermal matrix allograft versus subepithelial connective tissue graft in treatment of gingival recessions: a 5-year randomized clinical study.

AIM: The present randomized clinical trial compared the long-term results of subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) versus acellular dermal matrix allograft (ADMA) in treatment of gingival recessions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 16 patients with bilateral Miller Class I/II gingival recessions, one side was treated with SCTG and the other side with ADMA. Clinical parameters were measured at baseline, 6 months, and at 5 years post-surgery. RESULTS: Fifteen patients completed the study. At 6 months, all parameters showed significant improvement in ADMA and SCTG groups [complete root coverage (CRC): 73.3% versus 26.7%, p = 0.027; reduction of recession depth (RD): 2.6 ± 1.1 mm versus 2.2 ± 1.1 mm, p = 0.376; reduction of recession width (RW): 3.0 ± 1.4 mm versus 2.4 ± 1.4 mm, p = 0.207 respectively]. At 5 years, significant relapses were detected in CRC and reduction of RD and RW in both groups with no statistically significant difference (CRC: 20.0% versus 13.3%, p = 1.00; RD: 1.6 ± 1.2 mm versus 1.5 ± 1.4mm, p = 0.838; RW: 1.8 ± 1.4 mm versus 1.3 ± 1.5mm, p = 0.367). Patients practicing horizontal toothbrushing habit showed more relapse (OR = 11.2; p = 0.01). Compared with baseline, the gingival width (GW) did not increase in ADMA-treated sites (p = 0.903). CONCLUSION: Five-year results of SCTG and ADMA were similar in terms of CRC and reduction of RD and RW. Both techniques showed a significant relapse associated with returning to horizontal toothbrushing habit. Increase of GW was stable in SCTG-treated sites, but reached to pre-surgical values in ADMA-treated cases.