Effect of ultrasonic and sonic instrumentation on shear bond strength of resin composite to enamel: An in vitro study.

PURPOSE: To assess and compare the effects of sonic and ultrasonic instrumentation on shear bond strength (SBS) and investigate the influence of adhesive system application modes (etch&rinse/self-etch) on SBS. METHODS: In this experimental study, 45 extracted sound human molars were selected. Mesial and distal surfaces of the teeth were abraded until 90 smooth enamel surfaces were obtained. Specimens were divided into two groups, with half (N= 45) conditioned in etch&rinse mode and the remaining (N= 45) in self-etch mode using Tetric N Bond Universal. Composite resin discs were produced on these surfaces by filling Teflon molds. All specimens were aged via thermocycling. Each group was further divided into three more groups (n= 15) according to the type of periodontal instrumentation (ultrasonic, sonic or none). SBS values were recorded and analyzed using two-way ANOVA. Fracture sites were examined under a stereomicroscope. RESULTS: The type of periodontal instrumentation had no significant effect on SBS values, whether sonic, ultrasonic or their absence (P= 0.945). The type of adhesive system mode had a significant influence on the shear bond strength values. Etch&rinse groups had significantly higher shear bond strength values than self-etch groups (P< 0.001). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study reassures practitioners that sonic and ultrasonic instruments are safe for enamel bonding and highlights the importance of selecting adhesive techniques for optimal restorative outcomes.

Factors that may increase the risk of external apical root resorption during orthodontic treatment : Retrospective clinical investigation.

PURPOSE: To determine the correlation between external apical root resorption and malocclusion-related variables in patients treated with fixed orthodontic appliances. METHODS: In all, 103 patients aged 12-15 years and treated with edge-wise appliances either without extractions or with four premolar extractions were included in this retrospective cohort study. External apical root resorption was assessed in the pre- and posttreatment panoramic radiographs of these patients for incisors, canines, premolars, and first molars. A total of 2332 teeth were evaluated in 206 panoramic radiographs obtained from 103 patients. The gender of the patients, duration of orthodontic treatments, presence of premolar extractions, Angle classification, overbite, overjet and amount of crowding were assessed. Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis test were used for statistical analysis of the data. RESULTS: Statistically significant (p < 0.001) root resorption occurred in all examined teeth during orthodontic treatment. The degree of root resorption observed in the premolars was significantly greater in premolar extraction cases than in nonextraction cases. Statistically significant negative correlations were found between the degree of root resorption of the maxillary lateral teeth and between the maxillary first premolar teeth and the amount of maxillary crowding. CONCLUSIONS: The orthodontic treatment protocols and the amount of tooth movements achieved were shown to be dependent on the severity of dental malocclusions and they have an influence on the amount of external apical root resorption that occurs during the course of orthodontic treatment.

Pre-eruptive intracoronal resorption of permanent dentition: A new classification and a multidisciplinary study.

The aims of this study were to develop a new classification for pre-eruptive intracoronal resorption(PIR) with different resorption areas and sizes and to compare the new classification scores among observers from different specialities and professional experience. The PIR was evaluated according to the new classification by two dentomaxillofacial radiologists and two endodontists. Information regarding the patient's age, gender, systemic diseases, the number of PIR, the affected tooth area and the size of the PIR was recorded. The new classification system showed that PIR six and seven defects were the most detected. Regarding jaw regions, the highest reliability was seen in the maxillary central teeth between observers I and IV, and maxillary premolar-molar teeth between observers II and III. This study revealed that PIR can be found in both root and crown dentine. Professional experience and specialty and awareness of the PIR defect may affect the diagnosis.

Third molar maturity index (I3M) assessment according to different geographical zones: a large multi-ethnic study sample.

Identification of living undocumented individuals highlights the need for accurate, precise, and reproducible age estimation methods, especially in those cases involving minors. However, when their country of origin is unknown, or it can be only roughly estimated, it is extremely difficult to apply assessment policies, procedures, and practices that are accurate and child-sensitive. The main aim of this research is to optimize the correct classification of adults and minors by establishing new cut-off values for four different continents (Africa, America, Asia, and Europe). For this purpose, a vast sample of 10,701 orthopantomographs (OPTs) from four continents was evaluated. For determination and subsequent validation of the new third molar maturity index (I3M) cut-off values by world regions, a cross-validation by holdout method was used and contingency tables (confusion matrices) were generated. The lower third molar maturity indexes, from both left and right side (I3ML and I3MR) and the combination of both sides (I3ML_I3MR) were calculated. The new cut-off values, that aim to differentiate between a minor and an adult, with more than 74.00% accuracy for all populations were as follows (I3ML; I3MR; I3ML_I3MR, respectively): Africa = (0.10; 0.10; 0.10), America = (0.10; 0.09; 0.09), Asia = (0.15; 0.17; 0.14), and Europe = (0.09; 0.09; 0.09). The higher sensitivity (Se) was detected for the I3ML for male African people (91%) and the higher specificity (Sp) of all the parameters (I3ML; I3MR; I3ML_I3MR) for Europeans both male and female (> 91%). The original cut-off value (0.08) is still useful, especially in discriminating individuals younger than 18 years old which is the goal of the forensic methods used for justice.

Accuracy of high-resolution ultrasound (US) for gingival soft tissue thickness mesurement in edentulous patients prior to implant placement.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and compare the accuracy of high-resolution ultrasound (US) with two different cone beam CT (CBCT) units and clinical assessment for measuring gingival soft tissue thickness in edentulous patients prior to implant placement. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The study consisted of 40 maxillary implant sites of 40 healthy patients (20 females, 20 males; mean age, 47.88 years). We prospectively evaluated labial/buccal gingival thickness in 40 implant regions (16 anterior and 24 posterior) by using limited field of view (FOV) CBCT images and US images in comparison to gold standard transgingival probing measurements. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare mean measurements obtained from CBCT (Morita and Planmeca), US, and transgingival probing. Interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) estimates were calculated based on means with two-way mixed and absolute-agreement model. Bland Altman plot was used to describe agreement between clinical vs US and CBCT measurements by constructing limits of agreement. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between methods used according to mean gingival thickness measurements obtained from the top (p = 0.519) and bottom (p = 0.346) of the alveolar process. US and CBCT measurements highly correlated with clinical measurements for both top and bottom alveolar process gingival thickness (p < 0.001). Distribution of differences between clinical measurements and both CBCT measurements showed statistically significant differences according to 0 (p < 0.05). Distribution of differences between clinical measurements and US measurements did not show statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: High-resolution US provided accurate information for the measurement of gingival soft tissue thickness in edentulous patients prior to implant placement.

Evaluation of Mandibular Third Molar Region in a Turkish Population Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate impacted mandibular third molar tooth region and obtain linear measurements using CBCT images and to assess the relationship between the impacted third molar and the mandibular canal. METHODS: CBCT scans of 351 patients (208 females, 143 males) were assessed. Age, gender, and impaction site were recorded for each patient. The relationship of third molars with the vertical axis of second molars, 2nd molar resorption and the relationship between third molar apices and the mandibular canal were assessed. In addition, the distance between ramus and second molar, mesiodistal width of the third molar, the angle between third molar and second molar, and width of the third molar capsule were measured. Binary Logistic Regression, Chi-Square Test, and General Linear Model were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The highest percentage of impaction was found for mesioangular followed by transversal and vertical. The transversal impacted third molars revealed a significant association with adjacent second molar root resorption (p<0.001). There was a statistical significance between the second molar resorption and distance between ramus and second molar (p<0.001). The mesioangular impacted third molars revealed significant relation with the mandibular canal (p<0.05). The most frequent variation found was the dental canal followed by the retromolar canal. In general, higher measurement values were obtained for men when compared to women (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: CBCT assessment of the third molar region provided useful information regarding impacted mandibular third molar surgery operations.

Age estimation in Turkish children and young adolescents using fourth cervical vertebra.

This study aimed to test radiographic projections of the posterior and anterior sides of the C4 vertebral body for age estimation in a cross-sectional sample of Turkish children and adolescents from the Baskent University Faculty of Dentistry. A sample of 232 x-rays from individuals aged between 5 and 15 years (101 boys and 131 girls) was analysed to investigate the correlation of age and changes in the projection ratio of the anterior and posterior sides of the body of the fourth cervical vertebra (Vba) in lateral cephalograms. The Normal Bayesian Calibration (NBC) model for age estimation was used to assess the relationship between Vba and age. The intra-observer repeatability and inter-observer agreement were 0.95 and 0.94, respectively. Age distribution gradually increased as Vba increased up to 14 years in both sexes. The difference between chronological and estimated ages did not increase with the increase in age. Calibration distributions of the dataset by the evaluation of Vba suggested mean absolute errors (MAEs) of 0.879 years and 0.906 years (mean interquartile ranges (MIQRs) 1.290 and 1.435 years)) in boys and girls, respectively. The biases of the estimates (ßERR) were 0.013 and 0.027 for boys and girls, respectively. In conclusion, the NBC method on Vba variable appears to be suitable for age estimation in Turkish children and adolescents.

External apical root resorption after nonextraction orthodontic treatment with labial vs. lingual fixed appliances.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this retrospective study is to compare external apical root resorption (EARR) after labial and lingual fixed orthodontic treatment, as detected with panoramic radiographs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty subjects were divided into two groups according to the treatment type: lingual (30 patients) and labial (30 patients) fixed orthodontic treatment. Panoramic radiographs which were obtained at the beginning of treatment (T0) and at the end of the treatment (T1) were evaluated. The maxillary and mandibular central and lateral incisors, as well as canine crown and root lengths were measured for T0 and T1. Crown to root ratios were used to determine EARR. Data were evaluated using analysis of variance and χ2 analysis. RESULTS: In all, 5 patients (16.7%) in the lingual group and 7 patients (23.3%) in the labial group had a minimum of one tooth with severe EARR, while 9 patients (30%) in the lingual group and 14 patients (46.7%) in the labial group had no EARR. A total of 26 teeth (7.2%) in the lingual group and 34 teeth (9.4%) in the labial group developed severe EARR; however, 184 teeth (51.1%) in the lingual group and 202 teeth (56.1%) in the labial group did not reveal any EARR. No statistically significant difference was found for the resorption rates between the treatment groups (p > 0.05). Although not statistically significant, there was a higher percentage of severe EARR in the mandible within the labial group. CONCLUSIONS: Both lingual and labial orthodontic techniques showed statistically similar root resorption rates. EARR is a multifactorial issue and individual predispositions must also be taken into consideration.

Evaluation of maxillary trabecular microstructure as an indicator of implant stability by using 2 cone beam computed tomography systems and micro-computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the trabecular microarchitecture of the maxilla by using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) ex vivo. STUDY DESIGN: Seventeen maxillary cadaver specimens were scanned by using micro-CT and CBCT devices. Samples were scanned with 2 CBCT devices at different voxel sizes (0.08, 0.125, and 0.160 mm for 3-D Accuitomo 170; 0.75 and 0.200 mm for Planmeca Promax 3-D Max). Morphometric parameters, such as bone volume/total volume (BV/TV) ratio, trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), trabecular number (Tb.N), and degree of anisotropy (DA) were assessed by using CTAnalyzer software. Bland-Altman limits of agreement and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were performed to evaluate agreement between CBCT and micro-CT in consideration of measured morphometric parameters. Statistical significance was set at P < .05. RESULTS: The BV/TV, Tb.Th, Tb.Sp, and DA values were higher for CBCT images compared with micro-CT images, whereas the Tb.N value was lower with CBCT images than with micro-CT images. The BV/TV and DA parameters showed the highest agreement between CBCT and micro-CT devices (ICC = 0.421 for BV/TV and ICC = 0.439 for DA; P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: The BV/TV and DA parameters measured on CBCT obtained at the smallest voxel size were found to be useful for the assessment of maxillary trabecular microstructure.

Comparison of mandibular index values determined from standard panoramic versus cone beam computed tomography reconstructed images.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare mandibular index values, including the mandibular cortical index (MCI), mental index (MI), and panoramic mandibular index (PMI), determined on the basis of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and panoramic reconstructed (PR) images. STUDY DESIGN: PR and CBCT images of 182 patients were retrospectively analyzed. Cross-sectional (CS) and PR images were obtained from CBCT data. The MCI, MI, and PMI were assessed on CS, PR, and panoramic images and evaluated for intra- and interobserver agreements by κ-value or intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analysis. Agreement among measurement methods was assessed by using the Bland-Altman method, with CS images as the gold standard for linear measurements. RESULTS: Measurements from PR and CS images agreed with those from panoramic images in 66.7% and 53.8% of C3 classifications of MCI (porous cortices forming many endosteal residues), respectively. Panoramic and CBCT images exhibited good agreement in MI findings (ICC 0.91) and moderate (PR and panoramic images: ICC 0.79) to good (CS and panoramic images: ICC 0.87) agreement in PMI findings. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the overlapping of buccal and lingual cortices, panoramic images are especially inadequate for determining the C3 category of MCI. However, CS images obtained from available CBCT data provide better visibility compared with panoramic images and, therefore, can be used for evaluating mandibular indices.

Comparison of the accuracy of full head cone beam CT images obtained using a large field of view and stitched images.

OBJECTIVE:: The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of the new stitching feature of the Morita 3D Accuitomo device by comparing it with the I-CAT device and real measurements. METHODS:: Eight dry skulls were used in this study. The full scan mode of an I-CAT device and the new stitching feature of the Morita 3D Accuitomo device were used to obtain full head cone beam CT (CBCT) images, and the linear distances between the selected anatomical sites were measured by two observers. The real distances were measured directly on the skulls using digital calipers. Statistical analyses were performed using the intraclass correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman Limits of Agreement. RESULTS:: High or perfect agreement was detected between the CBCT images and real measurements. The Bland-Altman Limits of Agreement analysis revealed that the stitched coronal and sagittal images of the Morita might differ by >1.54-1.67 or <0.01 mm from the real measurements. CONCLUSIONS:: The stitched images of the Morita CBCT device showed perfect agreement with both real measurements and the images of an I-CAT full head scan. After the evaluation of the radiation doses received from stitching sectional images, this device may be used to obtain full head images.

Age of majority assessment in Dutch individuals based on Cameriere's third molar maturity index.

Radiological examination of the third molar is done in living individuals for estimation of chronological age, especially in the late adolescence. The aim of this study was to assess the application of Cameriere's third molar maturity index (I3M) to determine whether an individual is 18 years or older (adult) or younger than 18 years (minor) in a sample of Dutch individuals. The sample consisted of panoramic images of 360 individuals aged between 14 and 22 years old. Three observers performed the measurements. Gender was not statistically significant in discriminating adults and minors. The highest value of the Youden index of the receiver operating curve analysis was for the value of I3M<0.08 in discriminating individuals as minor or adult. The specificity (Sp) and sensitivity (Se) results for females were 96.3% and 72.7% respectively. The Sp and Se for males were 95.0% and 84.0% respectively. The probabilities of correctly classified individuals were 83.3% and 88.9%, and Bayes post-test probability was 96.3% and 95.7% in females and males respectively. Obtained results showed that the specific cut-off point of I3M<0.08 may be a useful and reliable method for adult age assessment in a Dutch population.

Age estimation based on pulp/tooth volume ratio measured on cone-beam CT images.

OBJECTIVES: After tooth eruption, the size of the pulp cavity decreases with age owing to deposition of secondary dentine. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between the chronological age and the ratio of pulp volume (PV) to tooth volume (TV) measurements using CBCT images of single rooted teeth. METHODS: Maxillary anterior, canine and mandibular canine/premolar CBCT scans of patients older than 15 years of age were collected from the archives between 2013 and 2015 years. Patients with CBCT scans of teeth were seen in detail and patients with known chronological age were included. Teeth with caries, filling or crown restorations, periapical pathologies or pulps that could not be identified were excluded. Consequently, 204 patients with 655 teeth were evaluated. The PV and the TV of each tooth was measured and then the PV/TV ratio was calculated. Simple linear regression analysis was performed in order to predict age estimation by using PV/TV. RESULTS: The PV/TV of all teeth ranged between 0.01 and 0.08. A negative correlation was found between the PV/TV ratio and age (p < 0.05). The regression analysis showed the highest Pearson correlation (0.532) for the maxillary central incisor tooth. Considering measurements of the PV/TV of all assessed teeth, there was no significant difference in the intercept between both gender (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that PV/TV ratio was not gender dependent and the strongest correlation was found between the age and PV/TV ratio measured on maxillary central incisors than other teeth.

Analysis of mandibular changes using panoramic-based indices in patients with chronic renal failure.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic renal failure (CRF) is a progressive disease affecting many systems and causing dental and periodontal problems, in particular a decrease or loss in the amount of cortical bone that is visible on radiographs. Panoramic radiography is useful for determining these changes. The aim of this study was to evaluate cortical parts of the mandible using panoramic-based indices in patients with CRF. METHODS: 70 subjects with CRF were included in the study. The measurements of panoramic indices were made according to the visibility (mandibular cortical index, MCI) and thickness (mental index, MI) of the inferior cortex of the mandible. Then, these indices, obtained from 70 healthy controls of the same age and gender, were assessed and the results were compared. The effects of dental status and hemodialysis duration on MCI and MI were also investigated. RESULTS: The frequency of an eroded cortex was significantly elevated in patients with CRF (p<0.05). The mean MI was lower in patients with CRF than in healthy subjects (5.53 ± 1.62 and 5.73 ± 1.31 mm, respectively), but the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). No correlation was found between hemodialysis duration and mandibular indices (p>0.05). Dental status was not associated with mandibular indices (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that MCI might be a useful radiographic parameter for evaluating changes occurring in the cortical parts of the mandible in CRF patients. Clinicians should be aware of these changes while planning invasive dental treatments in CRF patients.

Change in Periapical Lesion and Adjacent Mucosal Thickening Dimensions One Year after Endodontic Treatment: Volumetric Cone-beam Computed Tomography Assessment.

INTRODUCTION: Changes in periapical lesion dimensions along with mucosal thickening after endodontic treatment have not been studied yet. Therefore, the objectives of this study were (1) to obtain linear and volumetric measurements of lesion dimensions in maxillary first molars with periapical pathology and (2) to measure maxillary sinus mucosal thickening in the vicinity of periapical lesions before and 1 year after endodontic treatment by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS: Twenty-one maxillary first molar teeth of 21 patients (14 female and 7 male) with periapical lesion that had local mucosal thickening in the vicinity of the periapical lesion were endodontically treated. A total of 21 maxillary first molar roots (8 mesiobuccal roots, 6 distobuccal roots, and 7 palatal roots), each one from different patients, was included. Pretreatment and 1-year post-treatment CBCT images of each tooth were obtained by using Kodak CS 9300 3D CBCT unit. Width, height, surface area, and volume measurements of periapical lesions and mucosal thickening of the maxillary sinus mucosa in the vicinity of the periapical lesion were measured before and 1 year after endodontic treatment. General linear model (analysis of variance) was used for the comparisons between measurements, and significance was set at P < .05. Regression analysis was also used to test the correlation between different measurements. RESULTS: We found statistically significant differences between mean pretreatment and mean post-treatment measurements conducted by using CBCT images (width, P = .002; height, P < .001; maximum mucosal thickening, P < .001; medium mucosal thickening, P < .001; minimum mucosal thickening, P < .001; surface area, P = .032; and volume, P = .034). Considering gender, age, and root-type variables, no significant differences were found for all the measurements conducted (P > .05). There were 36%, 41%, 53%, 54%, 53%, 73%, and 75% mean reductions in lesion width, lesion height, maximum sinus mucosal thickness, medium sinus mucosal thickness, minimum sinus mucosal thickness, lesion surface area, and lesion volume, respectively, before and 1 year after endodontic treatment. Regression analysis of pretreatment lesion volume versus percentage of post-treatment lesion volume change revealed a low regression coefficient (R2 = 16.7%, P > .05), showing a weak linear relationship. CONCLUSIONS: CBCT assessment of changes in periapical lesion and mucosal thickening dimensions may reveal useful information regarding endodontic treatment success.

Accuracy of the third molar index for assessing the legal majority of 18 years in Turkish population.

In the last few years, forced and unregistered child marriage has widely increased into Turkey. The aim of this study was to test the accuracy of cut-off value of 0.08 by measurement of third molar index (I3M) in assessing legal adult age of 18 years. Digital panoramic images of 293 Turkish children and young adults (165 girls and 128 boys), aged between 14 and 22 years, were analysed. Age distribution gradually decreases as I3M increases in both girls and boys. For girls, the sensitivity was 85.9% (95% CI 77.1-92.8%) and specificity was 100%. The proportion of correctly classified individuals was 92.7%. For boys, the sensitivity was 94.6% (95% CI 88.1-99.8%) and specificity was 100%. The proportion of correctly classified individuals was 97.6%. The cut-off value of 0.08 is a useful method to assess if a subject is older than 18 years of age or not.

Osteoporosis and jawbones in women.

Osteoporosis is a major health problem affecting one in three women over the age of 50 and may not be detected until fractures occur. Since osteoporotic fractures are a health burden worldwide, identifying subjects with a high risk of osteoporosis and preventing osteoporosis-related mortality and morbidity are a very important health strategy. Women show an estrogen-related bone loss starting at menopause, predominantly occurring in trabecular bone. Diagnosis of osteoporosis is usually based on the bone mineral density measurement, but this is not a practical and economical technique for early detection. Therefore, investigators are interested in the possibility of detecting osteoporosis from the panoramic radiographs. Mandibular cortical bone undergoes resorptive activity in osteoporotic patients, leading to a decreased thickness and more porous inferior border. Therefore, studies have demonstrated the usefulness of cortical width and shape, determined from panoramic radiographs, in identifying elderly individuals with undetected osteoporosis, especially postmenopausal women. In conclusion, postmenopausal women with C3 category, Mental Index (MI) <3 mm, and panoramic mandibular index (PMI) <0.3 may be considered for further osteoporosis investigation.

Volatile sulphur compound levels and related factors in patients with chronic renal failure.

AIMS: To analyse specific volatile sulphur compound(VSC) levels in a group of chronic renal failure (CRF) patients and determine the relationship between these VSC levels and organoleptic measurements, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels, dental and periodontal conditions, salivary flow rate, and tongue coating scores. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One examiner performed organoleptic and VSC measurements on fifty patients with CRF before and after haemodialysis (HD) and controls. DMFT and CPITN indexes, tongue coating scores, salivary flow rates were measured. Comparisons were performed using the Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon signed-ranks, and chi-square tests. Spearman correlation coefficient was used to analyse correlations. RESULTS: Before HD, the mean dimethyl sulphide level was 1.04 ± 1.20 in the CRF patients and 0.51 ± 0.65 in controls, with a significant difference. The mean hydrogen sulphide, methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulphide levels in CRF patients were 1.47 ± 3.04, 1.03 ± 1.85, and 1.04 ± 1.20, respectively, before HD; and 0.53 ± 1.65, 0.48 ± 1.27, and 0.56 ± 0.85, respectively, after HD; with the differences being significant. Methyl mercaptan levels increased with an increase in HD duration. Tongue coating and organoleptic measurements were significantly correlated with methyl mercaptan. CONCLUSIONS: Dimethyl sulphide is the main VSC in extraoral blood-borne halitosis; but methyl mercaptan may also contribute to this type of halitosis. A decreased salivary flow rate and an increased pH of the biofilm matrix may be a significant parameter for VSC levels in CRF patients.

Dental anxiety and fear: relationship with oral health behavior in a Turkish population.

The aim of this study was to assess fear and anxiety in dental patients. Five hundred patients were evaluated using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale and the Dental Fear Scale, along with a questionnaire. Oral health status was assessed using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT)/Decayed, Missing, and Filled Surfaces (DMFS) index. Statistic al analysis was performed (P < .05). Sex significantly affected dental anxiety (P < .05), and sex, marital status, having children, and time elapsed since last visit to clinician affected dental fear (P < .05). DMFT/DMFS scores were not related to dental anxiety or fear (P > .05). Female sex alone was a significant predictor of dental anxiety; female sex, adulthood, marriage, having children, and time passed since last visit to a clinician are significant predictors of fear.

Effect of clinician's experience, age, gender and calibration on the assessment of halitosis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnosis of halitosis in relation to the oral malodour judge's experience, age, gender and calibration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 38 dental patients who volunteered to participate. Patients were evaluated for halitosis by 6 clinicians using the organoleptic method and by measuring mouth exhaled air using a halimeter, which is considered the gold standard. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated for each clinician. Consistency between clinicians was evaluated through a kappa test. Significance level was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Out of the 38 patients, 14 were diagnosed with halitosis by 6 clinicians using a halimeter. The highest sensitivity (89%) was found for clinician No. 6, followed by clinician No. 5 (78%). Specificities were 57% for clinician No. 4 and 36% for clinician No. 1 and No. 5. The most correct positive predictive value (halitosis according to halimeter readings) was made by clinician No. 6 (65%), who also had the highest rates (83%) of negative predictive value (no halitosis according to halimeter readings). There were no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) between the diagnoses of clinicians No. 1, 2, 3, 5, or 6; however, the diagnoses made by clinician No. 4 were statistically different (P < 0.05) than those of all other clinicians. The highest rate of agreement (44%) in diagnoses was between the two calibrated clinicians. However, there was no correlation between the halitosis diagnoses and the age, gender and years of experience of the clinicians. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that calibration of clinicians is a significant factor in the organoleptic evaluation of halitosis.