Primary molar pulpotomies with different hemorrhage control agents and base materials: A randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and radiographical success of primary molar pulpotomies which used 15.5% ferric sulfate (FS) or 1.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) for hemostasis and zinc oxide-eugenol (ZOE) and calcium hydroxide (CH) pastes as base materials. METHODS: In 29 healthy children, 80 primary molars were randomly allocated to one of the study groups: Group 1: FS-ZOE, Group 2: FS-CH, Group 3: NaOCl-ZOE, and Group 4: NaOCl-CH. After hemostasis with the respective solutions, pulp stumps and floor of the pulp chambers were covered with either ZOE or CH pastes. All teeth were restored with stainless steel crowns. Follow-up examinations were carried out at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: One tooth in Group 1 and two teeth in Group 4 were extracted because of pain and periapial pathosis at sixth month. After 12 months, clinical success rates of pulpotomies in Groups 1-4 were 95%, 100%, 100%, and 89.5%, respectively. The differences were not significant (P = 0.548). Radiographic success rates for Groups 1-4 were 80%, 88.9%, 78.9%, and 84.2%, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found (P = 0.968). Pain on percussion was the most observed clinical finding. However, internal root resorption was the most common radiological finding and it was observed significantly more in mandibular primary molars (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both ZOE and CH can be preferred as base materials after hemostasis achieved by the use of 15.5% FS or 1.25% NaOCl in primary tooth pulpotomy.

Acetaminophen intoxication is associated with decreased serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities and increased lipid hydroperoxide levels.

BACKGROUND: Acetaminophen is at present one of the most commonly used analgesics and antipyretics. Recent evidence has suggested that oxidative stress is involved in the mechanism of acetaminophen intoxication. Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) plays an important role as an endogenous free-radical scavenging molecule. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of serum PON1 activity and oxidative stress in patients with acetaminophen intoxication. METHODS: A total of 20 patients with acetaminophen intoxication and 25 healthy controls were enrolled. Serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) levels, and paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were measured spectrophotometrically. RESULTS: The serum TAC levels and the paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were significantly lower in patients with acetaminophen intoxication compared with controls (all, p < 0.001), while the serum LOOH levels were significantly higher (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that decreased PON1 activity seems to be associated with increased oxidative stress in patients with acetaminophen intoxication. Measuring serum PON1 activity may be useful in assessing the development of toxicity risk in acetaminophen toxicity. It would be useful to recommend vitamins with antioxidant effects such as vitamins C and E along with medical treatments.

Formulation and evaluation of clozapine orally disintegrating tablets prepared by direct compression.

In this study, clozapine orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) were prepared by direct compression method. Disintegration time, resistance to crushing of tablets, porosity, friability, dissolution tests were performed and dissolution profiles of ODTs were investigated. Morphological and interaction studies were also performed. Friability values were found to be less than 1%. All tablet formulations disintegrated within 1 min and fulfilled the 3 min disintegration time required for ODTs given in the European Pharmacopoeia. More than 85% of the labeled amount of clozapine was dissolved in 15 min from the ODTs. No interaction or changes were found between active substance and excipients. As a result of the studies, ODT formulations developed in this study can be suggested as promising formulations, which assist development and manufacturing a generic product of clozapine.

Chitosan and alginate scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration.

Polymeric scaffold for tissue regeneration was developed for veterinary applications. Oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTC), which is a widely used antibiotic in veterinary medicine was chosen as the model compound. Gel formulations using chitosan and alginate were prepared in distilled water or in 1% (v/v) acetic acid solution. Sponges were also prepared by a freeze-drying process. Tripolyphosphate was used for cross-linking. Viscosity was decreased in the presence of OTC in chitosan gels whereas no difference was found with alginate gels. All gels showed pseudoplastic behaviour. Water absorption capacity was highest with chitosan/alginate sponges. The solvent used for preparation of the chitosan gels was found to affect the release of OTC. The release of OTC from the sponges was increased by cross-linking. Chitosan/alginate sponges showed the slowest and lowest drug release among the developed sponge formulations in this study. The formulations were found to be biocompatible, inducing no adverse reaction in vivo on surgically formed bone defects of radius of rabbits. The level of organization of the remodelled new bone in the treatment groups was better than that of control. Incorporation of OTC into formulations did not show any considerable enhancing effect.

Evaluation of residual monomer elimination methods in three different fissure sealants in vitro.

The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of residual monomers and to evaluate the effectiveness of elimination methods of residual monomers in three different fissure sealant materials (Helioseal F, Filtek Flow and EXM-510). The sealant materials were divided into four subgroups because of the treatment methods used; one control group and three experimental groups (cotton roll, rubber cup and prophylaxis paste in cup). High performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the concentrations of residual monomers. Results of the study showed that residual Bis-glycidyl dimethacrylate elution was the highest in Helioseal F and the lowest in Filtek Flow with the three methods tested. For triethleneglycol dimethacrylate, EXM-510 eluted the highest residual monomer. It was also found that although the three tested methods were insufficient for removing all of the residual monomers and rubbing with cotton rolls was more effective than other two methods.

Fluoride content of infant formulas and market milk in Turkey.

The aim of the present study was to test the fluoride contents of infant formulas and market milk in Turkey. Fifteen formulas and nine market milks were prepared according to manufacturers' instructions with deionized water. Fluoride contents were analyzed with a spectrophotometer (CADAS 50S) and results were obtained as ppm (microgF/ml). Mean fluoride content of the formulas was 0.101 ppm F and of the milks was 0.08 ppm F. Formulas reconstituted with water containing < 0.3 ppm F do not provide a daily fluoride intake at any age. To decrease dental caries among children in Turkey, fluoride supplements could be prescribed at minimal dosages according to the ADA fluoride schedule.

Unusual impaction of inverted primary incisor: report of case.

A tooth that fails to erupt into a normal functional position by the time it normally should is considered impacted. Impactions of primary teeth are extremely rare, but when it does occur it usually involves the first and second molar. The purpose of this article is to present a case of a four-year-old patient with an impaction of an inverted primary mandibular incisor. On the basis of the patient's family history, the case might be considered as microform of ectodermal dysplasia.

Primary incisor triplication defect.

Conjoining abnormalities occur in less than 1 percent of the population. Triplication of primary teeth is even a rarer phenomenon with a prevalence of 0.02 percent. This study describes the clinical features and the light microscopic appearance of a case of triplicated primary teeth. The teeth with the conjoined defect were examined by light microscopy to evaluate the exact level and appearance of the fusion area. The light microscopic examination revealed grooves and cracks consisting of enamel and dentine in the fusion area, fusion was irregular and both dentin and cementum were confluent. It is concluded that the clinician should identify children were conjoined anomalies and should be aware of the oncoming problems.

Short term human primary pulpal response after direct pulp capping with fourth-generation dentin adhesives.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the total-etch and direct pulp capping techniques on the short-term response of mechanically exposed human primary tooth pulps using three commercially available adhesive resin systems. Class V cavities were prepared on the buccal surface of intact mandibular primary molars and exposed with a carbide bur on the cavity floor. The entire cavity except the exposure site received 36% phosphoric acid gel conditioning. Exposed pulps were capped with one of the three adhesive resins, followed by restoration of the cavities with the respective restorative materials. The teeth were extracted after 60 days and prepared according to normal histological techniques. Serial sections were stained with H/B for histological evaluations. The histopathological evaluation showed that a few of the samples in the Scotchbond Multi Purpose (SMP) and Prime & Bond 2.1 (PB) groups exhibited "attempted bridge formation", while no bridge formation was evident in the other samples. Syntac Single Component (Syntac) exhibited the most severe histological response, while the mildest reactions were observed in the SMIP group. Based on the conditions of the present study, direct pulp capping with dentin bonding agents following the total-etch technique in primary teeth can not be recommended.

Neonatal sublingual traumatic ulceration (Riga-Fede disease): a case report.

Early eruption of primary teeth rarely occurs and is referred to as "natal or neonatal teeth". These teeth may cause some complications, including ulceration of the sublingual area, pain during suckling and future nutritional problems. A two-month-old infant suffering from sublingual area ulceration due to two neonatal teeth was examined. His teeth were extracted and healing of the ulcerated area was observed within the first week.

Clinical and ultrastructural study of natal and neonatal teeth.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the surface topography of mandibular natal and neonatal incisors at the ultrastructural level using the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The enamel of the teeth exhibited hypoplastic, depressed areas and the incisal edge of natal tooth lacked enamel. In addition, root formation of the teeth was not completed, which correlated with findings that teeth may erupt without root formation.

Supernumerary tooth in the maxillary sinus: case report.

The ectopic development of teeth has been reported in many locations including the nasal cavity, maxillary sinus and the chin. Ectopic teeth may be permanent, deciduous or supernumerary. A case is presented in which a supernumerary tooth erupted into the maxillary sinus of an 11 year old boy.

Ectodermal dysplasia with associated double tooth.

The case describes a double molar tooth in a seven-year-old girl who has ectodermal dysplasia. The most characteristic dental findings in ectodermal dysplasia are hypodontia and conically shaped crowns. In our case a double tooth was also present in the primary molar region, in addition to these characteristic findings.

The use of a special mouthguard in the management of oral injury self-inflicted by a 4-year-old child.

This paper describes the management of self-inflicted trauma by a 4-year-old boy who was mentally retarded as a result of encephalitis in infancy. There was severe damage to his lower lip, as well as a moderate degree of injury to the skin and nail of his right thumb. Preliminary intervention was made with a mouthguard using silicone elastomeric positioner material, which soon proved ineffective because of poor retention. The problem was overcome successfully through use of a special appliance in which a heat-cured acrylic base was combined with a superstructure made of silicone positioner material retained mechanically with retention loops of 0.7 mm orthodontic wire.

Gross alpha-particle activities in the ground waters in Western Anatolia.

The purpose of this study is to present data on gross alpha-particle activity, pH and conductivity in the ground waters in Western Anatolia. The gross alpha-particle activities in 27 ground water samples were determined by radiochemical carrier-precipitation methods. The gross alpha-particle activities of water samples were measured by using a ZnS (Ag) detector system. Measurable alpha-particle activity is present in all ground water samples, with one ground water sample having a gross alpha-particle activity > 0.55 Bq/L.

Dens invaginatus of a mandibular central incisor: surgical endodontic treatment.

Dens invaginatus is a developmental malformation that mostly affects maxillary lateral teeth and mandibular teeth are rarely affected. In this paper a mandibular central incisor with a dens invaginatus is identified as requiring both endodontic and surgical treatment is presented. At one year recall appointment satisfactory clinical and radiographic healing was evident. This case demonstrates that also periapical surgery should be performed in some cases with dens invaginatus for resolution of periapical tissues.

Extraction of uranium from acidic solutions by TBP impregnated polyurethane foam.

Polyurethane foams can be used as a selective absorbent for a number of substances from dilute aqueous solutions. Absorption of uranium (VI) has been investigated using an open-cell polyurethane foam impregnated with tri-butyl phosphate (TBP). The extraction efficiency was observed to depend on the pH of the uranium solution and the concentration of uranyl ions. Also, the effects of TBP concentration, temperature, and squeezing time on the extraction of uranium were examined.