Awareness of patients with impacted teeth about impacted teeth in Turkey: A questionnaire study.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the knowledge and awareness levels of patients who have at least one impacted tooth and who had previously applied to the dentist. Study design: This study was conducted in patients aged 15 years and older who applied to Ordu University Faculty of Dentistry for routine examination and agreed to fill out the questionnaire form. A total of 325 people participated in the survey conducted to determine the awareness of patients applying to the faculty of dentistry about their existing impacted teeth. A Pearson's chi-square test was used for hypothesis testing when expected frequencies exceeded 5. Results: It was determined that 56.9 % (185) of the participants were aware of their existing teeth, while 43.1 % (140) were not aware. When the patients were evaluated according to the institutions they had visited, it was seen that the group who were most aware of the presence of impacted tooth were those who apply to the faculty of dentistry (74.4 %). The rate of being informed by dentists in the institutions that they had previously visited was higher in patients with university or post-university graduates (p < 0.05). The most common information given by the dentists to the patients about their impacted dental problems was that the tooth should be followed up (40.4 %), while the removal of the tooth constituted 28.4 % of the information given. Conclusion: This study showed that although patients are aware of their existing impacted teeth, their level of knowledge about the risks it may pose is low. For a healthy oral care and health, patients should be adequately informed about impacted teeth.

Evaluation of radiopacities of CAD/CAM restorative materials and resin cements by digital radiography.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare the radiopacities of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacture (CAD/CAM) blocks and the adhesive cements used for their bonding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 1 ± 0.2 mm thick specimens were obtained from six different CAD/CAM blocks (Incoris TZI, IPS e.max CAD, Vita Mark II, Cerasmart, Vita Enamic, and Vita Suprinity), four different adhesive resin cements (Panavia F2.0, Variolink Esthetic DC, RelyX Unicem Aplicap, G-CEM LinkAce), and a tooth. Radiographs of the specimens from each group, a tooth section, and an aluminum (Al) step-wedge were acquired. The radiopacity values of the materials were calculated as equivalents of Al thickness using the gray level values. The data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests. RESULTS: All the materials except Cerasmart and Vita Enamic had significantly higher radiopacity values than dentin (p < 0.05). Of the assessed blocks, the highest radiopacity value was observed in Incoris TZI, and the lowest radiopacity value was observed in Vita Enamic. Variolink Esthetic DC and RelyX Unicem Aplicap showed significantly higher radiopacity (p < 0.05) than the other adhesive cements, including enamel and dentin. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the majority of the CAD/CAM materials and all the adhesive resin cements were found to have sufficient radiopacity for prosthetic restorations according to the criteria set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: From a clinical and biological point of view, materials should be chosen according to their radiopacity and other properties, such as biocompatibility and esthetics. If the selected restorative CAD/CAM blocks have a radiopacity value less than or equal to dentin, cements with higher radiopacity values are recommended to facilitate radiological diagnoses for periphery and interface of restorations.

Buccal vascular malformation with multiple giant phleboliths: a rare case presentation and review of the literature.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe a case and to review the diameters, symptoms, locations, and treatment methods for vascular malformations (VMs) with phleboliths. Our case report is probably the first to mention this observation because of sizes and large number of phleboliths in buccal region. CASE PRESENTATION: A 26-year-old male patient was referred to Ordu University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery for the evaluation and management of a painless tender swelling in the left buccal region. Clinically, a bluish mucosal lesion of the posterior region of the left buccal mucosa and lip is apparent. Panoramic radiography and CT were obtained for radiographical examinations. Multiple giant phleboliths with the largest dimension of 32 mm were seen in this region. Left maxillary first molar teeth extraction was indicated. An aspiration was performed and revealed that there is a risk of severe hemorrhage. The patient did not want to take MRI and stated that he only wanted to have dental treatment. Therefore, it was decided that the maxillary first molar should be retained in the region and endodontic treatment should be done, if necessary. CONCLUSIONS: The clinic of phlebolith patients is painless swelling and can reach up to 6 cm. The localization is not specific but is found in the masseter and parotid regions generally. Treatment may be invasive or non-invasive depending on, location, accessibility, depth of invasion, age, cosmetic issues, and risk of severe hemorrhage, as with the current case.