Effects of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid dimethyl amine salt on dental hard tissue formation in rats.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid dimethyl amine salt (2,4-D DMA), as one of the phenoxy acids, is used as a herbicide mainly against broad-leaf weeds in cereal crops, sugar cane, and on turf, pasture, and non-crop land. Some formulations of 2,4-D may be contaminated with dioxins. Recently, it has been shown that chlorinated organic compounds, dioxins, and furans are present in mother's milk and may cause developmental defects in children's teeth. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effects of 2,4-D DMA on odontogenesis in rats. 2,4-D DMA was given orally combined with rat food to pregnant albino rats. Each group consisted of two pregnant rats and, 0 (control, group A), 25 ppm (group B), 50 ppm (group C), and 100 ppm (group D) 2,4-D DMA was given to each pregnant rat as daily intake. 2,4-D DMA affected young rat's dental development and dose-related findings were found in experimental groups. The odontoblast layer was irregular and globular dentin formation was present in Groups B, C, and D but not in the control group. Thickness of enamel decreased in Groups C and D. The results of the study have shown that 2,4-D DMA could disturb dental development in rats even in relatively low doses. It is concluded that environmental contaminants such as chlorinated organic pesticides may play an important role in infant's dental development when taken via mother's milk.

A comparative study of fluoride uptake from dentin bonding agents and glass-ionomer cements in permanent and primary tooth enamel.

OBJECTIVE: Many fluoride-releasing dental materials are being sold on the basis of their cariostatic properties. However, the amount of fluoride release of these materials is still uncertain. The aim of this study was to determine the amount of fluoride uptake in primary and permanent tooth enamel from 1 conventional glass-ionomer cement (Fuji II), 1 resin-modified glass-ionomer cement (Fuji II LC), and 2 fluoride-releasing dentin bonding agents (Liner Bond 2 and Optibond) in vitro. METHOD AND MATERIALS: One hundred sixty caries-free primary and permanent molar teeth were assigned to the study. Materials were applied according to the manufacturer's instructions to standard windows created on the enamel surfaces. The amount of fluoride uptake by enamel was investigated by using a specific fluoride electrode and acid-etching biopsy technique. RESULTS: The amount of fluoride taken up from Fuji II and Fuji II LC by permanent and primary tooth enamel was found to be statistically significant. However, no significant fluoride uptake from Optibond and Liner Bond 2 was found. CONCLUSION: Fuji II and Fuji II LC glass-ionomer materials seemed to provide more effective fluoride release than did Optibond and Liner Bond 2 in permanent and primary enamel.

Taurodontism in children associated with trisomy 21 syndrome.

Taurodontism, the dental trait characterized by teeth with elongated pulp chambers and apical displacement of the bifurcation or trifurcation of roots, is reviewed in children with Trisomy 21 (Down) syndrome. Twenty-two patients were studied to determine the frequency of taurodontism. Eruption delay and congenitally lost teeth were also evaluated. While no taurodont teeth were found in control group in the same age group, the frequency percentage of taurodontism in our study was found as 66% (p < 0.01, Mann-Whitney test). Results indicate that taurodontism occurs with a greater than expected frequency in these patients. This increased frequency may be from a generalized amplified instability of development.

Fluoride uptake by enamel in vitro following application of various topical fluoride preparations.

Two conventional topical fluoride preparations; APF and neutral 2% NaF gel and two fluoride varnishes; Duraphat and Fluor Protector, were applied to 60 permanent and 20 primary teeth. The teeth were halved to provide test and control groups, and the fluoride uptake was measured using a micro acid etch technique, after 30 seconds and 60 seconds etching periods. All topical fluoride preparations in our study caused some fluoride uptake in permanent and primary tooth enamel compared to the control groups. Duraphat and APF were found to be more effective than the other agents.

Salivary Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacilli levels and buffer capacity in children with esophageal burns.

Children with esophageal burns due to toxic ingestion are medically compromised in many ways. They have problems like strictures in esophagus, dysphagia, gastroesophageal reflux and necessity to be fed with a special soft diet. Taking these distinctive features into consideration, we aimed to study these children with special focus on the dental caries risk. The experimental group consisted of 33 children between 2 and 14 years old (mean age 6.42 +/- 0.56) who had received stricture treatment in the Pediatric Surgery Department of our university. The control group consisted of 20 healthy children aged between 3 and 14 (mean age 7.25 +/- 0.7) who applied to the Pedodontics department for dental treatment. While mean dfs (+/- SE) was 11.13 +/- 2.30 and mean DMFs (+/- SE) was 9.79 +/- 4.76 in the experimental group, mean dfs (+/- SE) was found as 11.53 +/- 2.16 and mean DMFS (+/- SE) was 1.90 +/- 0.56 in control group. For the determination of Streptococcus mutans (SM), Lactobacilli (LB) and Buffer capacity (BC), salivary tests of Dentocult SM (Vivacult SM Vivadent-Liechtenstein), Dentocult LB (Vivacult LB-Vivadent-Liechtenstein) and Dentobuff (Vivacult BC-Vivadent-Liechtenstein) were applied to both groups. Our findings were evaluated statistically and compared by the Mann Whitney Confidence Test. The amount of Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacilli and the level of buffering capacity in the children with esophageal burns showed a high caries risk. Positive correlations were found between SM and LB, SM and dfs, LB and dfs levels and DMFs and duration of stricture treatment (p < 0.05). However, negative correlations were found between BC and DMFs, DMFs and tooth brushing habit, dental visit and DMFs (p < 0.05). The mean DMFs, LB and SM levels were lower and BC levels were higher in the control group. Although a significant difference was found between DMFs scores (p < 0.05), no significant difference was found between LB, BC, SM and dfs levels (p > 0.05). It could be concluded that children with esophageal burns have high dental caries risk and for this reason parental counseling about oral hygiene, diet, dental plaque controlling and preventive dental regimens have an importance in these medically compromised children.

Complete replacement resorption after replantation of maxillary incisors: report of case.

This article describes the treatment of a 17-year-old patient with complete root resorption of the maxillary permanent central and lateral incisors following avulsion and replantation seven years ago. The most important factor influencing the prognosis of replanted teeth is the status of the periodontal ligament (PDL). As a result of replantation, the PDL cells necrosed and tooth replacement resorption occurred. The main factors, which affected the resorption after replantation and survival of PDL cells, could be summarize as; dry extraoral time greater than 30 minutes, the kept tooth in a dry environment, touching the cementum surface, and splint treatment for a prolonged time. Since complete root resorption was found in our case, these factors probably also occurred.

Bruxism in Rett syndrome: a case report.

Rett syndrome is a unique and puzzling disorder noted in females and is possibly caused by fundamental failures in critical brain connectivity during early infancy. The most frequent habits in Rett syndrome are hand sucking or biting, bruxism and mouth breathing. Children with musculoskeletal disorders and children who suffer from mental retardation commonly grind their teeth. A five year old female case with Rett syndrome is presented with significant bruxism in this article.

Effect of Cervitec varnish on the salivary Streptococcus mutans levels in the patients with fixed orthodontic appliances.

The aim of the present study was to assess the efficiency of a 1% chlorhexidine-containing varnish (Cervitec, Vivadent, Liechtenstein) on the levels of Streptococcus mutans in saliva of patients with fixed orthodontic appliances using the Dentocult-SM (Vivadent, Liechtenstein) technique for the microbiological investigation. Eighty subjects participated in the study and, divided randomly into two equal groups in which one group was treated with the placebo varnish (Vivadent, Liechtenstein) for negative controls. Streptococcus mutans in saliva of the subject was sampled and enumerated by using the Dentocult-SM dip-slide technique for periods of one, two four and twelve weeks after a single varnish application. The results were evaluated statistically. After the chlorhexidine containing varnish treatment the levels of Streptococcus mutans in saliva were significantly reduced after one week (p < 0.01) and continued reduction for one month (p < 0.05). After twelve weeks Streptococcus mutans levels in saliva were given a relative increase. No significant suppression was found in the placebo group (p > 0.05). The results suggested that Cervitec varnish reduces salivary Streptococcus mutans levels and that the application should be repeated every 3 months to get antibacterial effect.

Transmission of Streptococcus mutans in a group of Turkish families.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate the transmission of Streptococcus mutans in a group of Turkish families using AP-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection. METHODS: Eight mothers who had high S. mutans levels in unstimulated saliva and 8 children aged between 2 and 3 years participated in the study. Plaque samples from each child were collected with the tips of sterile toothpicks for S. mutans counts. Although not part of the original study design, S. mutans samples were also obtained from the unstimulated saliva of the three fathers who shared the same households. Three typical isolates of S. mutans were isolated from TYCSB agar of each subject and identified by sugar fermentation tests. S. mutans ATCC 10449 was used as the reference strain. AP-PCR was conducted with OPA-05 primer. RESULTS: All of the mothers and fathers shared the similar genotypes within their children. The fathers also harbored similar genotypes to their spouses. CONCLUSION: The mothers or the fathers could be the source for the transmission of S. mutans to their children.

Salivary cortisol levels in children during dental treatment.

Cortisol which is also called as stress hormone, is used as an indicator in the stress evaluation studies. 60 children who never visited a dentist before, participated in the present study. Saliva samples were collected from 30 children without any dental treatment (control group). Experimental group comprised 30 children with caries. Saliva samples were obtained at various stages during dental treatment. Totally 180 samples were collected and the cortisol levels were measured. Paired-t test has shown that the salivary cortisol levels at various stages of dental treatment in the experiment group were significantly higher in comparison with the control group. It is concluded that dental treatment may cause extreme stress in children who never had dental treatment experience before.