The Prevalence and Correlates of Fissured Tongue Among Outpatients in Andkhoy City, Afghanistan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Fissured tongue is a common manifestation of the tongue, marked by the presence of multiple prominent grooves or fissures on the dorsal surface of the tongue. However, there is a lack of studies focusing on the prevalence and factors associated with fissured tongue among patients attending an outpatient clinic in Afghanistan. AIM: The purpose of the current study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with fissured tongue and its effects on the general health of adult outpatients in Afghanistan. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The cross-sectional survey was conducted among outpatient populations in Andkhoy City, Afghanistan, between September 2019 and December 2019. A convenience technique was applied by including 1182 patient aged 18-80 years. Socio-economic status, smoking, nass use (smokeless tobacco use) and medical data were collected using face-to-face interviews. We used logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with fissured tongue. A convenience technique was applied by including patient aged 18-80 years. RESULTS: The studied population consisted of 1182 participants, of whom 573 (48.5%) were males and 609 (51.5%) females. The prevalence of fissured tongue was 27.2% (95% CI: 24.7-29.9%) with males having significantly higher prevalence than females (47.5%, 95% CI: 43.3-51.6% versus 8.2%, 95% CI: 6.2-10.7%, p<0.001). Male participants (OR=7.1, 95% CI: 4.8-10.3), diabetes mellitus (OR=1.6, 95% CI: 1.1-2.3) and smokeless tobacco use (OR=12.0, 95% CI: 8.1-17.6) were the only variables independently associated with fissured tongue. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that there was a high rate of fissured tongue among an outpatient clinic in Andkhoy, Afghanistan. Male gender, diabetes mellitus, and nass consumption were associated with fissured tongue. Therefore, these factors might usefully be targeted in local health promotion, prevention and early intervention programs.

Effect of Primary Molar Caries on Caries Development in the Adjacent Permanent First Molars.

Objectives: Dental caries is among the most common chronic diseases of the childhood. This study sought to assess the effect of caries experience in primary molars on caries development in the adjacent permanent first molars. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated 413 students aged 7 and 8 years. Clinical dental examination was performed by two independent examiners using disposable dental instruments and a head light. Dental caries was evaluated using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) for all four permanent first molars and the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) index for the primary molars. Data were analyzed using the Pearson's Chi-squared test and Fisher's exact test. Results: When primary first molars were sound, 22.9% of the permanent first molars of the same quadrant were sound. When primary second molars were sound, 25.7% of the adjacent permanent first molars were sound. A carious primary second molar had a stronger correlation with development of dentin caries in the adjacent permanent first molar than a carious primary first molar (P<0.001). Conclusion: The current results confirmed that carious primary molars can significantly affect caries development in the adjacent permanent first molars, and a carious primary second molar has a significantly greater effect than a carious primary first molar in this respect. Thus, special attention should be paid to oral hygiene and proper tooth brushing of primary molars, particularly second molars.

Clinical Evaluation for Space Maintainer after Unilateral Loss of Primary First Molar in the Early Mixed Dentition Stage.

Background and Objectives: Controversy exists regarding the need for a space maintainer after early unilateral loss of a primary first molar. This study aimed to assess the need for a space maintainer after unilateral loss of a primary first molar in the early mixed dentition period. Materials and Methods. In this cross-sectional study, fifty children between 6 and 8 years who had lost a primary first molar unilaterally later than 6 months ago were randomly selected. Midline deviation, molar and canine relationships at both sides, facial growth pattern, and the amount of space loss were all assessed. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 via the one-sample t-test, paired t-test, and linear regression (alpha = 0.05). Results. The mean amount of space loss was 1.36 ± 0.78 mm (1.32 mm in the maxilla and 1.40 mm in the mandible). Time since tooth extraction and facial pattern had significant correlations with space loss (P < 0.05). Conclusion. In this particular age group, it is imperative to precisely assess the related factors such as the facial pattern and time since tooth extraction to decide about the placement of a space maintainer for a prematurely lost primary first molar.

Effect of Three Wavelengths of Diode Laser on the Efficacy of Bleaching of Stained Teeth.

OBJECTIVES: Light irradiation and heat have been used to accelerate the process of tooth bleaching. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of conventional bleaching compared to laser-bleaching using three different wavelengths of diode lasers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this in-vitro experimental study, 40 extracted human central incisors were immersed in a coloring solution made of tea, coffee, and cola for 21 days. The L*, a*, and b* color parameters were measured before and after the immersion using spectrophotometry. The teeth were then randomly divided into four groups (n=10) as follows: group 1: 810-nm diode laser + Biolase Laser White 20, group 2: 940-nm diode laser + Biolase Laser White 20, group 3: 980-nm diode laser + Biolase Laser White 20, and group 4: conventional bleaching with Opalescence Boost without laser irradiation. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess the effect of laser type and bleaching technique on color parameters. RESULTS: The 940-nm (ΔE=28.5896) and 810-nm laser groups (ΔE=21.2382) showed the highest and the lowest bleaching efficacy, respectively; however, the groups were not significantly different in terms of bleaching efficacy (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Laser-bleaching with 810-, 940- and 980-nm wavelengths of diode laser has an efficacy similar to that of conventional bleaching but in a shorter period. No difference was noted between different laser wavelengths in terms of bleaching efficacy.