Synthesis, Antimicrobial Activities, and Molecular Modeling Studies of Agents for the Sortase A Enzyme.

Sortase A (SrtA) is an attractive target for developing new anti-infective drugs that aim to interfere with essential virulence mechanisms, such as adhesion to host cells and biofilm formation. Herein, twenty hydroxy, nitro, bromo, fluoro, and methoxy substituted chalcone compounds were synthesized, antimicrobial activities and molecular modeling strategies against the SrtA enzyme were investigated. The most active compounds were found to be T2, T4, and T19 against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) with MIC values of 1.93, 3.8, 3.94 µg/mL, and docking scores of -6.46, -6.63, -6.73 kcal/mol, respectively. Also, these three active compounds showed better activity than the chlorohexidine (CHX) (MIC value: 4.88 µg/mL, docking score: -6.29 kcal/mol) in both in vitro and in silico. Structural stability and binding free energy analysis of S.mutans SrtA with active compounds were measured by molecular dynamic (MD) simulations throughout 100 nanoseconds (ns) time. It was observed that the stability of the critical interactions between these compounds and the target enzyme was preserved. To prove further, in vivo biological evaluation studies could be conducted for the most promising precursor compounds T2, T4, and T19, and it might open new avenues to the discovery of more potent SrtA inhibitors.

Evaluation of Dental Status and Temporomandibular Joint in Children With Generalized Joint Hypermobility.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the dental status and temporomandibular diseases (TMDs)-related symptoms in children with generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) and compare them with healthy controls (HCs). METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, observational study carried out between September 2016 and April 2017. A total of 124 children with GJH (n = 62) and HC (n = 62) were enrolled. The GJH was assessed with the Beighton hypermobility score. The subjects were screened for dental status and TMD-related symptoms. The assessment included the index for "decayed," "missing," and "filled teeth" (DMFT, dmft); plaque; gingival bleeding; tooth mobility; and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) evaluation. RESULTS: The mean Beighton hypermobility score was 6.3 ± 1.2 in the GJH group. Visible plaque index and gingival bleeding index scores were found to be significantly higher in children with GJH then in the HC (p = 0.031, p = 0.023). No differences were found regarding the DMFT scores between the groups (p = 0.16). Temporomandibular disorder-related symptom frequencies were significantly higher in children with GJH (p < 0.001). The most common clinically determined sign of TMD was clicking with a maximum active mouth-opening. Combined TMJ symptoms and TMD were observed in approximately one third of the children with GJH. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of GJH in a child may be indicative of future dental or TMJ problems, and it may cause dental problems due to increased gingival bleeding index and visible plaque index scores. Therefore, children with GJH require preventive dental and TMJ care.

Effect of the usage of Er,Cr:YSGG laser with and without different remineralization agents on the enamel erosion of primary teeth.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of different remineralization agents associated with erbium, chromium:yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) (0.5 W power, 20 Hz frequency, 60% water, 40% air, 25 mJ pulse energy, 8.84 J/cm2 fluence, 60 µs pulse duration, 600 µm tip diameter, and an approximate 1-1.5 mm distance to the target) laser irradiation on erosion induced by the consumption of carbonated drinks in human primary enamel. There were 8 groups and 10 primary teeth in each g0roup. The distribution was as follows: group 1, casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate with fluoride (CPP-ACPF); group 2, Er,Cr:YSGG laser+CPP-ACPF; group 3, fluor varnish; group 4, Er,Cr:YSGG Laser+fluoride varnish; group 5, ROCS® medical mineral gel; group 6, Er,Cr:YSGG laser + ROCS® medical mineral gel; group 7, Er,Cr:YSGG laser; and group 8, artificial saliva. The samples in the groups were submerged in artificial saliva and acid twice a day for 6 s at 6-h intervals and were then exposed to an erosion cycle 15 times. In the groups in which the Er,Cr:YSGG laser was applied in combination with the remineralization agents, the laser application was made first, and then the remineralization agents were applied for 4 min in each group. The Friedman and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and the Bonferroni correction were used in statistical analyses, and the significance level was taken as p < 0.05. According to the results, all agents had a statistically significant difference (groups 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6: p = 0.005, p < 0.017; groups 5 and 7: p = 0.007, p < 0.017) between BL-RM periods. However, all agents had a statistically significant remineralization effect on primary teeth enamel (groups 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7: p = 0.005, p < 0.017; group 4: p = 0.011, p < 0.017) except that group 5 (p = 0.074, p < 0.017) between DM-RM periods. The coadministration of an agent with the laser did not make any difference at a statistical level (p = 0.804, p > 0.05). The results were supported by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. As a result of this study, CPP-ACPF had a notable impact in terms of the remineralization effect on eroded enamel, and the Er,Cr:YSGG laser alone may be an alternative method, which may be related to the modified hydroxyapatite structure, 38.5% H0.56Ca4.56O13P3Y0.44, that was determined in XRD analysis.

Effect of Dentists' Appearance Related with Dental Fear and Caries aStatus in 6-12 Years Old Children.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of dental fear, the relationship between dental fear and dental caries and the dentist appearance most likely to reduce anxiety among children. In this way, dental treatment could be made more effective by changing the dentist's appearance. STUDY DESIGN: The "Children's Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale" and a questionnaire 'designed to examine the children's preferences for their dentist's appearance', were administered to 810 patients between 6-12 years of age. Patients were examined after completing the questionnaires, and their DMFT/dmft indexes were determined. Patients were divided into three subgroups according to their CFSS-DS scores. RESULTS: Among patients, anxiety scores differed significantly by age and gender (p=0.046, p=0.001). Specifically, higher anxiety scores were identified among 6- to 8-year-olds and in female patients relative to their respective counterparts. A statistically significant association between anxiety and dental caries was detected. (DMFT p=0.030/dmft p=0.015), and DMFT/dmft scores were found to be higher among patients with high levels of dental anxiety than among patients with low levels of dental anxiety. Additionally, children were highly perceptive of and exhibited strong preferences for the appearance of their dentist. CONCLUSION: Anxiety and dental caries were associated; small alterations in a dentist's appearance may reduce dental anxiety among children.

Effects of medical and mental status on treatment modalities in patients treated under general anaesthesia at the KTU Faculty of Dentistry in Trabzon, Turkey: A comparative retrospective study.

This study evaluated the differences in dental conditions and treatment modalities between disabled and non-cooperative healthy children under general anaesthesia. The data were collected from paediatric patients between 3 and 15 years of age who received dental treatment under general anaesthesia. Patients with at least one mental/physical disturbance (group 1) and other healthy non-cooperative patients (group 2) were compared with regard to gender, age, weight, and treatment time-type. The statistical analyses were performed using Fisher's exact and Mann-Whitney U tests. No significant differences were observed between the groups with regard to gender, weight and treatment-time (p>0.05). The numbers of treated teeth (p<0.01) and extractions (p<0.001) were higher in group 1 than in group 2, whereas the frequency of advanced restorative procedures for group 1 was lower than that for group 2, including preventive-resin-restoration (p<0.001), glass-ionomer-cement (p<0.05), root-canal (p<0.001) and stainless-steel-crowns (p<0.001). This study supports the hypothesis that the general condition of the patients may alter the type of treatment provided and confirms the necessity of performing preventive procedures.

Alveoler process fracture in mandibular immature permanent incisors region.

The presented case evaluates the treatment of an alveolar fracture associated with mandibular immature lower permanent incisors. An 8-year-old girl was referred to our clinic 3 hours after the trauma. The clinical and radiographic examination of the alveoler bone showed a fracture, along with the mandibular fracture and significant segment mobility and dislocation of several immature mandibular permanent incisors. These were moving together to the lingual side because of the direct trauma associated with falling from the school wall. After the application of the buccal and lingual infiltration of local anaesthesia, the dislodged bone including the lower permanent incisors, were carefully repositioned. The teeth were splinted using semi-rigid arch bars with orthodontic brackets keeping the teeth between primary molars.The splints were removed one month later and no abnormality was observed in the immature permanent incisors. After 24 months follow up, the mandibular permanent incisors were observed to have the apical closure. Treatment of alveolar fractures in growing children with immature teeth may provide beneficial healing pattern with careful semi-rigid splinting and follow up procedures.

Storing Tooth Segments for Optimal Esthetics.

OBJECTIVE: A fractured whole crown segment can be reattached to its remnant; crowns from extracted teeth may be used as pontics in splinting techniques. We aimed to evaluate the effect of different storage solutions on tooth segment optical properties after different durations. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty central incisor crowns were divided into 6 groups (n = 10); Group 1 was kept dry; Groups 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 were placed in an isotonic solution, water, milk, saliva, and casein-phosphopeptide-amorphous-calcium-phosphate (CPP-ACP), respectively, for 30 min, 12 h, 1 day, 1 week, and 3 weeks. Color values were measured using a colorimeter. Data were analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis tests, Mann-Whitney U-tests, and Friedman Wilcoxon tests with Bonferroni stepwise corrections (p < 0.05). RESULTS: ΔE* values varied from 0.3 to 15.3 over the 3 week period. Group 1 demonstrated the greatest color changes over all durations; Group 6 exhibited the least. L*, a*, b*, and ΔE* values varied between time periods in all groups; the differences were significant (p < 0.01), except for L* and ΔE* values in Group 2 and a* values in Group 6 (p > 0.01). Comparing ΔE* values, Group 6 was significantly different from the other groups for all durations (p < 0.01), except Group 4. CONCLUSIONS: A CPP-ACP complex solution seems a good choice for tooth fragment storage. Milk and saliva solutions may cause perceptible color changes if tooth fragments are stored for 3 weeks before use.

Effects of protective resin coating on the surface roughness and color stability of resin-based restorative materials.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of nanofilled protective resin coating (RC) on the surface roughness (Ra) and color stability (ΔE) of resin-based restorative materials (RM) (compomer (C), nanofilled composite (NF), and microhybrid composite (MH)) after being submitted to the ultraviolet aging (UV) method. Thirty-six specimens were prepared (n = 6 for each group). The Ra and (ΔE) values and SEM images were obtained before and after UV. Significant interactions were found among the RM-RC-UV procedures for Ra (P < 0.001). After the specimens were submitted to UV, the Ra values were significantly increased, regardless of the RC procedure (with RC; P < 0.01 for all, without RC; C (P < 0.01), NF (P < 0.001), and MH (P < 0.001)) for each RM. Significant interactions were found between the RM-RC (P < 0.001) procedures for the ΔE values. The ΔE values were increased in each group after applying the RC procedures (P < 0.001). Protective RC usage for RM could result in material-related differences in Ra and ΔE as with used UV method.

Antibacterial effects of fluoride varnish compared with chlorhexidine plus fluoride in disabled children.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of fluoride varnish vs a combination of chlorhexidine-thymol varnish plus a gel containing chlorhexidine and fluoride on oral hygiene and caries prevention in disabled children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety patients aged 3-17 years who were treated under general anaesthesia were randomly assigned into three groups as follows: group 1: Fluor Protector (0.1% fluoride varnish); group 2: Cervitec Plus (1% chlorhexidine- 1% thymol varnish) + Cervitec Gel (0.2% chlorhexidine-0.2% sodium fluoride); group 3: control (toothbrushing only). Mutans streptococci (MS) and lactobacilli (LB) levels, visible plaque index (VPI) and gingival bleeding index (GBI) were evaluated at four stages: T0, before general anaesthesia; T1, one month after treatment; T2, six months after treatment; T3, twelve months after treatment. The data were evaluated using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-tests (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Groups 1 and 2 showed significantly lower scores than group 3 for all parameters at T1 and T2. No statistically significant difference was detected among any of the the groups at T3 (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The use of materials that include both fluoride and chlorhexidine as routine treatment of children with disability may increase the success of restorations by improving oral hygiene, reduce the need for future restorative treatments and thus the need for general anaesthesia.

The effect of three different primary teeth rotary instrument systems on the amount of apically extruded debris in pulpectomy of primary teeth.

Purpose: The objective of this study is to evaluate the amount of apically extruded debris and working time during root canal treatment with three different primary teeth rotary instrument systems. Materials and methods: A total of 80 extracted primary second molar teeth were randomly divided into four groups (n=20) stratified by the instruments used: AF Baby Rotary, Easyinsmile Baby Rotary, Endoart Pedo Gold, and hand files. The apical extrusion of debris was collected then dried in Eppendorf tubes that were pre-weighed with 10-4 precision micro-balance. The incubation period was set as 14 days at 37°C. The dry weight was procured by deducting the preoperative weight from the postoperative weight. The systems' working time was calculated by chronometer. Mann Whitney U test with Bonferroni correction was used for pairwise comparison following the variance analysis with Kruskal Wallis test. Wilcoxon test was used for intragroup comparison. Results: Although all instruments caused apically extruded debris (p<0.001), there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in debris extrusion. However, the longest working time was found in the manual K files, the Endoart Pedo Gold system had the shortest working time (p<0.001). Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that all instrument systems caused apical extrusion of debris. Furthermore, the rotary instrument systems designed for primary teeth exhibited significantly shorter working time.

Antibacterial activity, surface roughness, flexural strength, and solubility of conventional luting cements containing chlorhexidine diacetate/cetrimide mixtures.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The failure of fixed dental restorations is commonly associated with caries. The use of conventional luting cements containing antibacterial agents may overcome this problem. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity (ABA), surface roughness (Ra), flexural strength (FS), and solubility (SL) patterns of the conventional dental luting cements zinc phosphate (ZP), zinc polycarboxylate (PC), and glass ionomer (GIC) after the addition of 5% chlorhexidine diacetate/cetrimide (CHX+CT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Antibacterial agents with a total concentration of 5% (2.5% CHX+2.5% CT) were added to antibacterial agent-free conventional luting cement powders (ZPC, PCC, and GICC) and designated as experimental groups (ZPE, PCE, and GICE). ABA against Streptococcus mutans (SM) and Lactobacillus casei (LB) was examined by using the agar diffusion test method. Ra, FS, and SL values were obtained after storage in distilled water at 37°C for 24 hours. The Kruskal-Wallis and Mann Whitney U with Bonferroni correction tests were used to test for agar diffusion (α=.05) and 2-way ANOVA and Fisher Least Significant Difference (LSD) test were used to measure Ra, FS, and SL (α=.05). RESULTS: The control groups exhibited limited ABA. With the exception of PCE>PCC on day 1 for SM, all experimental groups showed significantly greater and longer-lasting protection against SM and LB bacteria for up to 180 days than their controls (P<.05). Ra values decreased (ZPC>ZPE; P>.05, PCC>PCE; P<.05) except that GICE>GICC (P>.05) when compared with their individual controls. Control groups exhibited higher FS values than did the experimental groups (ZPC>ZPE; P<.05, PCC>PCE; P<.05, GICC>GICE; P>.05). The experimental groups exhibited higher solubilities than did their controls in the ZPC (P>.05) and GICC groups (P<.05) but were lower in PCC group (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Incorporating a 5% CHX+CT mixture into conventional dental luting cements and altering their Ra, FS, and SL values may provide greater antibacterial protection against SM and LB.

Direct and transdentinal (indirect) antibacterial activity of commercially available dental gel formulations against Streptococcus mutans.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the direct and transdentinal (indirect) agar diffusion antibacterial activity of different commercially available antibacterial dental gel formulations against Streptococcus mutans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The commercially available dental gel formulations were Corsodyl® (COG, 1% chlorhexidine), Cervitec® (CEG, 0.2% chlorhexidine + 0.2% sodium fluoride), Forever Bright® (FOB, aloe vera), Gengigel® (GEG, 0.2% hyaluronic acid), 35% phosphoric acid gel and distilled water (control). Direct agar diffusion was performed by isolating three wells from brain-heart infusion agar plates using sterile glass pipettes attached to a vacuum pump and adding 0.1 ml of the gels to each well. Transdentinal (indirect) agar diffusion was performed by applying gel to 0.2- and 0.5-mm-thick human dentin discs previously etched with phosphoric acid and rinsed with distilled water. Zones formed around the wells and the dentin discs were measured and analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests with Bonferroni correction (p < 0.01). RESULTS: Direct agar diffusion tests showed significant differences among all gel formulations (p < 0.01) except for COG and CEG (p > 0.01). COG and CEG exhibited higher antibacterial effects compared to FOB and GEG (p < 0.01) in both direct and transdentinal (indirect) testing procedures. GEG did not show any antimicrobial activity in transdentinal (indirect) testing. CONCLUSION: Commercially available dental gels inhibited S. mutans, which may indicate their potential as cavity disinfectants.

Comparison of combined application treatment with one-visit varnish treatments in an orthodontic population.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of chlorhexidine-thymol varnish alone, its combination with chlorhexidine-fluoride containing dentifrice and fluoride varnish on oral hygiene and caries prevention in orthodontic patients. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty patients, aged 12-18, with orthodontic fixed appliances were randomly assigned into three groups as follows: Group 1 (n=20): 1% chlorhexidine and 1% thymol varnish (CervitecPlus); Group 2 (n=20): CervitecPlus+ 0.2% chlorhexidine and 0.2% sodium fluoride (900 ppm fluoride) (CervitecGel)); and Group 3 (n=20): 0.1% fluoride varnish (Fluor Protector). Mutans streptococci (MS), lactobacilli (LB) levels, buffering capacity (BC), visible plaque index (VPI), and gingival bleeding index (GBI) scores were evaluated at four stages: T0, before orthodontic bonding; T1, one week after orthodontic bonding; T2, one week; and T3, four weeks after the first application, respectively. Inter and intra group comparisons were made by the Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U, Friedman and Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests with Bonferroni step-down correction (P<0.017). RESULTS: Significantly lower MS and LB levels were found in Group 2 than Group 1 (T2) and 3 (T2, T3) (P<0.017). Groups 1-2 (T2) showed significantly higher BC (P<0.017) and lower VPI and GBI (P<0.017) scores compared with Group 3. Decreased MS levels at T2 (P<0.017) and T3 (P>0.017) were found in Group1-2 compared with T0. Significantly lower LB levels were recorded in Group 2 at T2 compared with T0 (P<0.017) while no significant differences were seen in Group 1 and 3 (P>0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Addition of CervitecPlus+CervitecGel combination to the standard oral hygiene regimen may be beneficial for orthodontic patients for maintaining oral health by reducing bacterial colonisation and gingivitis.

Patient perceptions and attitudes regarding post-orthodontic treatment changes.

OBJECTIVES: To determine patient perceptions and attitudes regarding posttreatment changes at least 2 years after completion of orthodontic treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 125 patients (75 females, 50 males, aged 22.93 ± 2.98 years) were enrolled at least 2 years after debonding. Participants had either vacuum-formed retainers (VFRs) or bonded retainers (BRs). Posttreatment changes were evaluated digitally by comparing tooth positions at debonding and at least 2 years after debonding. A questionnaire was used to assess patient attitudes. Retainer usage, awareness of relapse, satisfaction with their current occlusion, and whether posttreatment changes were severe enough for them to consider retreatment were investigated. RESULTS: All patients showed some posttreatment changes in irregularity. Only 74% of patients wearing VFRs and 47.1% of patients wearing BRs were aware of posttreatment changes. Patients were more likely to notice posttreatment changes if there was an increase in mandibular irregularity of 1-3 mm. Awareness of posttreatment changes in the upper arch was higher in both groups. The majority of participants were satisfied with the results even if they noticed some minor posttreatment changes (VFR, 69.4%; BR, 76.5%). Dissatisfaction with posttreatment changes did not necessarily mean that a patient wanted retreatment. CONCLUSIONS: A total of 26% of patients wearing VFRs and 52.9% of patients wearing BRs were unaware of posttreatment changes. Approximately half of the patients who noticed posttreatment changes were still satisfied with the result 2 years after debonding. Even patients dissatisfied with the effect of posttreatment changes do not necessarily want retreatment.

The effect of different enamel surface treatments on the microleakage of fissure sealants.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different techniques of surface treatment on the microleakage of a fissure sealant in molar teeth. A total of 50 freshly extracted noncarious human third molars were randomly assigned to one of five groups. Occlusal fissures were treated with one of the following: acid etching with 35% orthophosphoric acid (group 1); fissurotomy with a Fissurotomy Micro NTF metal bur (group 2); laser etching with an Er,Cr:YSGG laser at 2 W and 20 Hz (group 3); laser etching with an Er,Cr:YSGG laser at 2 W and 40 Hz (group 4); and air abrasion for 20 s with 30-µm Al(2)O(3) particles via a CoJet Prep device (group 5). After surface pretreatment, a resin-based sealant was applied to the fissures. The sample teeth were subjected to thermocycling and stored in distilled water at 37°C for 1 month. Following immersion in 0.5% basic fuchsin solution for 24 h, three buccolingual slices of each sample tooth were scored under a stereomicroscope, and the morphological appearance of the area between the enamel surface and fissure sealant was examined under a scanning electron microscope. The Kruskal-Wallis test and one-way ANOVA revealed significant differences in marginal leakage, as follows: group 1 showed significantly lower scores than groups 2 and 5, the scores of groups 1, 3 and 4 were not significantly different, and group 2 showed significantly higher scores than groups 3 and 4. Laser irradiation, the metal bur, and the CoJet Prep device did not eliminate the need for acid etching of the enamel prior to placement of a fissure sealant. Laser etching at 2 W (20 Hz or 40 Hz) may be an alternative to conventional acid-etching.

Retrospective evaluation of the effectiveness of teledentistry approach during COVID-19 in pediatric dentistry: A parental perspective.

Objective: Dentistry necessarily requires close face-to-face contact with patients, so it was largely halted during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this pandemic, teledentistry (TD) could be a novel way to resume dental practice. It was aimed to investigate the satisfaction of the parents who received teledentistry (TD) service in a pediatric dentistry clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as other factors that may have contributed to this satisfaction. Methods: It was conducted using a telephone survey to interview the parents who used the TD system between June and December 2020. The survey includes participant demographics, COVID-19 anxiety, TD system, reasons for using TD, and Internet use in the field of health. Five-point Likert scale was used. A Chi-squared test was used and p < 0.05 was accepted as significant. Results: Most of the participants stated that they had no trouble connecting to the TD system (82.5%), and 119 participants reported that the system helped them to solve their health problems. Significant relationships (p < 0.05) were found between overall satisfaction and parental job, level of education, anxiety level (3 questions), and use of the Internet in healthcare (4 questions), whereas no associations were found regarding the other variables (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Parents benefited greatly from the TD system and would be open to using it after the pandemic. The education and parental job categories of parents, anxiety level, and use of the Internet in healthcare seem to have relationships with overall satisfaction.

Dental age estimation with two different methods in paediatric patients with hypothyroidism.

OBJECTIVE: This case-control study aimed to evaluate dental age estimation in children with hypothyroidism using two different methods in order to contribute to the literature about the most accurate method. DESIGN: In the study, panoramic radiographs of 80 patients with hypothyroidism aged 5-13 years and 80 randomly selected age and sex-matched healthy patients were examined retrospectively. The Cameriere's and the Nolla's methods were used for the dental age estimation. Dental ages and their differences with chronological ages were compared according to group and sex. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference in estimated dental age was found between the hypothyroidism and control groups using both methods (p > 0.05). Among all the males and females included in this study, the dental ages of the females calculated by Nolla's method were significantly lower than those of the males according to the chronological ages (p < 0.05). For females, in both the hypothyroidism (p < 0.001) and control (p = 0.001) groups, the dental age estimated by Cameriere's method was significantly closer to the chronological age compared to Nolla's method, although there was no statistically significant difference for males. CONCLUSION: Although the dental age of children with hypothyroidism showed similar results to that of healthy children, it is concluded that Cameriere's method led to more accurate results than Nolla's method in females for both healthy patients and patients with hypothyroidism.

Evaluation of the effects of chlorhexidine and several flavonoids as antiviral purposes on SARS-CoV-2 main protease: molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation studies.

The recent outbreak of COVID-19 caused by a new human coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2, is continually causing worldwide human infections and deaths.The main protease (3CLpro), which plays a critical role in the life cycle of the virus, makes it an attractive target for the development of antiviral agents effective against coronaviruses (CoVs).Currently, there is no specific viral protein targeted therapeutics.Therefore, there is a need to investigate an alternative therapy which will prevent the spread of the infection, by focusing on the transmission of the virus.Chlorhexidine (CHX) and flavonoids agents have shown that they have a viral inactivation effect against enveloped viruses, and thus facilitate the struggle against oral transmission.Especially, some flavonoids have very strong antiviral activity in SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV main protease.This study was conducted to evaluate the CHX and flavonoids compounds potential antiviral effects on SARS-CoV-2 main protease through virtual screening for the COVID-19 treatment by molecular docking method.According to the results of this study, CHX, Kaempferol-3-rutinoside, Rutin, Quercetin 3-beta-D-glucoside and Isobavachalcone exhibited the best binding affinity against this enzyme, and also these compounds showed significant inhibitory effects compared to the SARS-CoV-2 main protease crystal structure inhibitor (N3).Especially, these compounds mainly interact with His41, Cys145, His163, Met165, Glu166 and Thr190 in SARS-CoV-2 main protease binding site. Further, MD simulation analysis also confirmed that stability of these interactions between the enzyme and these five compounds.The current study provides to guide clinical trials for broad-spectrum CHX and bioactive flavonoids to reduce the viral load of the infection and possibly disease progression.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Evaluation of the effect of pediatric drugs and an oral rinse on primary teeth discoloration.

BACKGROUND: Changes in the color of the teeth are a common dental finding associated with clinical and esthetic problems. Especially, the discoloration of primary teeth can cause parental concern and have a negative effect on social interactions between preschool children. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of pediatric drugs and an oral rinse on the discoloration of primary teeth. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Similar to medication intake recommendations, 7 primary teeth in each group were immersed for 1 min in one of 11 different solutions at 8-hour intervals for 1 week. The color values were obtained using a spectrophotometer (VITA EasyShade®) at baseline and after 1 week. The color change (ΔE*) values were calculated according to the CIELab system. The statistical analysis was conducted using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post hoc tests at a p-value <0.05. RESULTS: When comparing values L*, a* and b* at baseline and day 7, a statistically significant difference was found in the a* value for the teeth immersed in pseudoephedrine (p = 0.012). There were also statistically significant differences with regard to color change at day 7 (ΔE*7) between the pseudoephedrine and chlorhexidine as well as pseudoephedrine and control groups (p = 0.034 and p = 0.030, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The ΔE*7 value for pseudoephedrine was 3.7 after 1 week, indicating that it may have the potential to cause significant tooth discoloration when used for a long period. Clinicians and children's families should be aware of the fact that some pediatric drugs can cause tooth discoloration.