Evaluation of the outcome of apexogenesis in traumatised anterior and carious posterior teeth using mineral trioxide aggregate: a 5-year retrospective study.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of apexogenesis with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) in traumatised anterior and carious posterior teeth over 5 years. A comprehensive chart review was performed to obtain a retrospective of sequential previously completed cases with recalls. Clinical and radiographic data were collected for 97 vital immature teeth (40 traumatised anterior and 57 carious posterior teeth) pulpotomised (partial or full pulpotomy) using MTA with an average follow-up time of 5 years. Chi-squared test and Fisher's exact test were implemented to analyse data. The success rate in anterior teeth and posterior teeth was 82.5% and 96.4% respectively. Crown discolouration was observed in 25 (62.5%) anterior teeth. There was a significant difference between the number of successful and unsuccessful cases (P < 0.05) and there was no correlation between type of treatment and success/failure (P > 0.05). The success rate of apexogenesis using MTA in immature teeth was relatively high.

Retentive Strength of Orthodontic Bands Cemented with Amorphous Calcium Phosphate-Modified Glass Ionomer Cement: An In-Vitro Study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the retentive strength of orthodontic bands cemented with amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP)-containing and conventional glass ionomer cements (GICs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One-hundred-and-twenty mandibular third molars were embedded in acrylic resin blocks with the buccal surface of crowns perpendicular to the base of the mold. The teeth were randomly divided into four groups containing 30 teeth each. Groups 1 and 3 were cemented using conventional GIC and groups 2 and 4 were cemented using ACP-containing orthodontic cement. Groups 1 and 2 without thermocycling, and groups 3 and 4 after thermocycling (5000 cycles, 5° to 55°C) were tested for retentive strength using a universal testing machine (crosshead speed of 1mm/minute). Two-way ANOVA was performed to compare the retentive strength of the groups. RESULTS: The highest retentive strength belonged to group 1, and it was significantly higher than that of group 2 (P<0.001) and group 3 (P=0.02). The mean strength for group 2 was significantly lower than that of group 1 (P<0.001) and group 4 (P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Although retentive strength decreased when ACP was added to GIC, the retentive strength of the samples cemented by ACP-containing GIC was remarkably high after thermocycling. It seems that in the oral cavity, ACP-containing GIC provides sufficient strength to endure forces applied on posterior teeth.

Success of Maxillary Alveolar Defect Repair in Rats Using Osteoblast-Differentiated Human Deciduous Dental Pulp Stem Cells.

PURPOSE: The use of cell-based therapies represents one of the most advanced methods for enhancing the regenerative response in craniofacial abnormalities. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the regenerative potential of human dental pulp stem cells, isolated from deciduous teeth, for reconstructing maxillary alveolar defects in Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human deciduous dental pulp stem cells were isolated and stimulated to differentiate into osteoblasts in culture media. Maxillary alveolar defects were created in 60 Wistar rats by a surgical procedure. Then, on the basis of the type of graft used to repair the bone defect, the rats were divided into 6 equal groups: groups 1 and 2, transplantation of iliac bone graft; groups 3 and 4, transplantation of stem cells derived from deciduous dental pulp in addition to collagen matrix; groups 5 and 6, transplantation of just collagen matrix. Then, fetal bone formation, granulation tissue, fibrous tissue, and inflammatory tissue were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining at 1 month (groups 1, 3, and 5) and 2 months (groups 2, 4, and 6) after surgery, and data were analyzed and compared using the Fisher exact test. RESULTS: Maximum fetal bone formation occurred in group 2, in which iliac bone graft was inserted into the defect area for 2 months; there also were significant differences among the groups for bone formation (P = .009). In the 1-month groups, there were no significant differences between the control and stem cell-plus-scaffold groups. There were significant differences between the 2-month groups for fetal bone formation only between the control and scaffold groups (P = .026). CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that human dental pulp stem cells are an additional cell resource for repairing maxillary alveolar defects in rats and constitute a promising model for reconstruction of human maxillary alveolar defects in patients with cleft lip and palate.

Oral Health Related Quality of Life in a Group of Geriatrics.

BACKGROUND: A good quality of life in elderly population is related to different aspects of health including oral health. The aim of this study was to determine oral health-related quality of life (OHR-QoL) in elderly patients referred for dental or oro-maxillo-facial complaints to Mashhad dental school (MDS) and compare them with a group of normal population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 99 patients from MDS (as case group) and 114 elderly people as control were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Control group were chosen among the pilgrims who had come to the holy shrine of Imam Reza (Haram). Persian version of OIDP (Oral Impact of Daily Performance) index was used. Data were entered to SPSS 11.5 and Statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 213 (case =99, control=114) cases were enrolled. Mean Performance score (MPS) was 6.27±10.47 (7.96±11.95 in case group, and 4.80±8.77 in control group) and the difference was significant (p=0.015). Age was conversely correlated with MPS (r=0.0125, p=0.24) although this correlation was not significant. We found, in oro-maxillofacial functions, ill-fit dentures, oral ulcers, pain and tooth mobility were major determinants of OHR-QoL. Number of impaired functions was directly and significantly correlated with MPS (r=0.92, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Some daily functions like speaking, emotional status, cleaning teeth, physical activity were impaired in case group. Oral and maxillofacial diseases were more prevalent in case group and can be an important impairing issue in OHR-QoL.

Effects of drying agents on bond strength of etch-and-rinse adhesive systems to enamel immediately after bleaching.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of drying agents and adhesive solvents on the bond strength of resin composite to enamel immediately after bleaching. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty healthy human premolars were bleached using 15% carbamide peroxide gel and randomly divided into three groups according to the immersing solutions applied immediately after bleaching: 70% alcohol, acetone, and distilled water. Each group was randomly divided into two subgroups according to the adhesives that were applied: an alcohol-based adhesive (Single Bond) and an acetone-based adhesive (One Step). By using rubber washers, composite Z100 was placed onto the enamel and shear bond strength was evaluated in a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. The type of failure was also assessed using a stereomicroscope. The data were statistically analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test (α = 0.05). Fisher's Exact test was used to evaluate differences in the failure modes. RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed that the bond strength of the distilled water groups was significantly lower than that of the other groups, but the bond strengths of the two groups where a drying agent was applied were similar to that of the unbleached group. The acetone-based adhesive (One Step) provided higher bond strength than did the alcohol-based adhesive (Single Bond) (p < 0.05). There was no interaction between the two variables (p > 0.05). Fisher's Exact test showed there was no significant difference in the failure mode of all the experimental groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The application of drying agents improves the bond strength of resin composite to bleached enamel. Furthermore, the acetone-based adhesive used in the study had a higher bond strength to bleached enamel than did the alcohol-based adhesive used.