Erosive potential: Laboratory evaluation of tooth dissolution in cough syrups

AIM: To evaluate the associated weight loss of extracted teeth after immersed in cough syrups for a period of time so as to predict the erosive potential of the liquid medicines. MATERIAL AND METHODS: pHs of the medicines were measured at the start of the study. 25 extracted test teeth were weighed to 0.01 mg and assigned at random to each syrup under evaluation. The test medicines were placed in 10 mL screw-cap plastic containers and the test teeth were weighed after 7 days. RESULTS: 88 % of the medicines caused reduction in weights of the test teeth after seven days of immersion. Weight loss of the test teeth also noticed with basic syrups. Also lowest pH syrup did not produce the greatest weight loss. CONCLUSION: Majority of the cough syrups caused loss of weight of the test teeth. Thus, they possess the potential to cause dental erosion.

Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome knowledge among high school students in Kirikkale province of Turkey.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to assess the existing level of knowledge of high school children about human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and the sources of their information. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in two high schools in Kirikkale, Turkey and data were collected by a self-administered questionnaire. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to obtain a representative sample. RESULTS: Four hundred and seventy three participants; 230 males and 243 females were analyzed. Their ages ranged from 15 to 19 years with a mean age of 16.81 ± 1.27. 92.2% of the students claimed to have heard about HIV/AIDS prior to the study with slightly more females than males. Although with some misconceptions, majority of the participants knew that HIV is not transmitted by sharing meals, casual contact, and sleeping in the same room and using the same bathroom. 93.4% identified HIV/AIDS as a life-threatening disease and 27% believe that there is a cure for AIDS. 64% and 22.8% respectively believed that the people can protect themselves by using condoms and by avoiding sexual contact. Internet was preponderantly claimed as the most important source of information about HIV/AIDS. CONCLUSION: Empirical evidence from this study suggests that the students have a fairly high knowledge of HIV/AIDS. This is not without some misconceptions about the prognosis of the disease. Internet was the major source of HIV/AIDS information.

Mechanisms and treatment approaches of dentine hypersensitivity: a literature review.

PURPOSE: To review major mechanisms of dentine hypersensitivity and the treatment approaches offered. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medline was used to find relevant literature published up to December 2006. Based on abstracts and full articles, studies (in human and in animals) were identified describing mechanisms and management of dentine hypersensitivity. Additional information was also obtained by using manual library search for relevant topics in standard texts and journals of dentistry. RESULTS: Discussion about the sensitivity of dentine started over a century ago, but it was not until sixty years later that a possible theory was posited. The so-called hydrodynamic theory became popular and was applied to understand the mechanism responsible for hypersensitive dentine. Nevertheless, because of the discrepancies in the pattern by which the dentine responds to various stimuli, several theories of dentine hypersensitivity were proposed which include the hydrodynamic theory, odontoblast transducer mechanism and direct innervation theory. None of these mechanisms was said to fully explain dentine hypersensitivity, thus indicating that as-yet unexplained mechanisms were possibly responsible. A multitude of products were tried and reported to be effective. The efficacy of many was not clearly established and their mechanisms of action were inadequately elucidated. The potential of gene therapy to reduce the burden of dentine hypersensitivity in the future is being examined. CONCLUSIONS: Considerable effort has been made to precisely explain dentine hypersensitivity, but doubt still exists whether any one theory can be applied to understanding this condition. This has led to a constant increase in therapeutic approaches worldwide, but with no conclusive evidence of reliable, successful treatment regimens.

Evaluation of shade matching practices among nigerian dentists / Avaliação dos procedimentos de determinação de cor de restaurações entre dentistas niegerianos

OBJECTIVES: To assess tooth shade matching practices among Nigerian Dentists. MATERIALSAND METHODS: The data was collected by paper questionnaire mailed at random to dentists insome Nigerian Teaching Hospitals and General Hospitals. The questionnaires comprised of two aspectsthat inquired about their biographical data and basic methods of shade selection. About 95% of thequestionnaires were retrieved and analyzed. RESULTS: 160 (83, males; 77 females) dentists participatedin the study. 71% performed tooth shade matching often, with restorative dentists (100%) mostlyinvolved than other specialists. 67% agreed that shade matching should be done in consultation withothers. However, only 40.6% actually consults others during shade selection. Also, 85% of the dentistsresponded correctly that shade matching should be done under natural lights. However in their clinicalpractice, majority (97%) selected their teeth under dental lights. CONCLUSION: The study revealedthat majority of the dentists practicing in the Nigerian Teaching and State Dental Hospitals are involvedin shade matching practices. Majority of the dentists performed tooth matching procedure withoutconcurrence from others and under dental light source. However few dentists reported complaintsfrom their patients. Emphasizing color science in dental curriculum and teaching new shade matchingsystems could be essential for improved restorative outcomes.

OBJETIVOS: Determinar os procedimentos de determinação de cor entre dentistas nigerianos.MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Os dados foram coletados por meio de questionários em papel,enviados aleatoriamente a dentistas em alguns hospitais de ensino e hospitais gerais. Osquestionários compreenderam dois aspectos de questões sobre dados biográficos e métodos básicosde seleção de cores. Em torno de 95 % dos questionários foram recuperados e analisados.RESULTADOS: 160 dentistas (83 homens, 77 mulheres) participaram do estudo. 71% executamescolha de cores, sendo que 100% dos dentistas restauradores o fazem, em número bem maior doque as demais especialidades. 67% concordam que escolha da cor deve ser feita em conjunto comoutras pessoas. Entretanto, somente 46,6 % realmente consultam uma segunda opinião durantea seleção de cores. Também 85% dos dentistas responderam que a escolha da cor deve ser feitasob luz natural. Entretanto, em sua prática clínica a maioria seleciona a cor sob luz de refletores.CONCLUSÃO: O estudo revelou que a maioria dos dentistas atuantes nos centros pesquisadospraticam a seleção de cores dentárias. A maioria procede sem consultar segunda opinião e sobluzes de refletores. Entretanto, poucos dentistas relataram queixas de pacientes. A ênfase daciência da cor no currículo dental e ensino de novos sistemas de escolha de cores poderia seressencial para a melhora dos resultados restauradores.

Short-term clinical evaluation of four desensitizing agents.

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of four topical desensitizing agents in providing short-term relief of dentin hypersensitivity. METHODS AND MATERIALS: One hundred sixteen hypersensitive teeth with a positive response to intraoral testing for dentin hypersensitivity were included in this study. The four desensitizing agents tested were Duraphat, 2% fluoride iontophoresis, copal varnish (CV), and Gluma Comfort Bond Plus Desensitizer. Following a specific regimen randomly determined desensitizing agents were applied in an alternating order when patients presented in a clinical setting with a complaint of hypersensitive teeth. A visual analogue scale was used to determine the degrees of hypersensitivity at three points in time. The first being just before the treatment to establish a baseline, then at 24 hours post-treatment, and the last at seven days post-treatment. Differences in the mean pain scores (MPS) between the baseline and post-treatment evaluation periods were used to determine the reduction in dentin hypersensitivity. RESULTS: At baseline the MPS for teeth treated with CV was 5.34 (SD: 2.39), Duraphat was 4.66 (SD: 1.82), Gluma was 6.03 (SD: 2.37), and iontophoresis was 5.76 (SD: 1.37). At 24 hours post-treatment the MPS for CV was 2.1 (SD: 0.95), Duraphat was 1.38 (SD;1.86), Gluma was 0.79 (SD;1.45), and iontophoresis was 1.62 (SD1.97). The reduction in dentin hypersensitivity at 24 hours (difference between baseline MPS and 24 hour MPS) was 5.28 for Gluma, 4.14 for iontophoresis, 3.28 for Duraphat, and 3.24 for CV which were all statistically significant (p<0.05). At seven days, the MPS for CV was 1.55 (SD: 1.44), Duraphat was 1.0 (SD;1.89), Gluma was 0.10 (SD;0.44), and iontophoresis was 0.3 (SD;0.98). Reduction of hypersensitivity between 24 hours and one week was 1.32 for iontophoresis, 0.69 for Gluma, 0.55 for CV, and 0.38 for Duraphat. Only the reductions for iontophoresis and Gluma were statistically significant at seven days (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: All agents caused a statistically significant reduction in dentin hypersensitivity within 24 hours of treatment. Gluma performed best at 24 hours while iontophoresis appeared to have an edge at seven days. Long-term studies are needed to determine why this difference exists. Dentin hypersensitivity presents as an emergency condition requiring an effective means of providing immediate relief in the clinician's treatment armamentarium.

Dental erosion in a road-side battery technician: case report and a review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Tooth wear has been generally described as being caused by erosion, abrasion and attrition. Erosion is currently believed to be the major factor involved in tooth wear, and its contribution in the development of tooth wear may be increasing. Among the numerous causes of erosion, extrinsic factors are the most common. Damage of tooth tissue has been described in battery factory workers due to acidic aerosol, but this has not been reported among roadside 'battery technicians' who dispense acidic solutions with a pipette, and often taste it to determine its 'specific gravity'. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 24-year-old man was referred to the authors' clinic for management of his grossly damaged teeth after presenting for oral diagnosis. History and investigation pointed to extensive erosive lesion as a result of abnormal and prolonged use of lead-acid rechargeable battery solution in his workplace. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: These groups of workers are prone to severe dental erosion, thereby compromising their oral function and health. They are also prone to a range of illnesses, especially kidney disease, because the acid solution is significantly rich in dissolved lead. Therefore, medical referral for complete assessment is required when any of this group present with an unexplained associated illness.