Predicting the size of unerupted canines and premolars using primary maxillary first molar.

AIM: One of the most important aspects of interceptive orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning is space analysis. To date all methods use the size of permanent teeth to predict the dimensions of unerupted teeth. The aim of this study was to predict the permanent teeth size using maxillary primary first molar. METHODS: The size of primary maxillary first molars and permanent canines and premolars of 80 subjects was measured on their dental casts. Regression equations were determined between the size of primary maxillary first molars and permanent canines and premolars. RESULTS: The new regression equations for predicting permanent tooth size in the maxilla and mandible were, respectively, Y = 2.2X + 13 and Y = 2.4X + 9.5 among females and Y = 2.7X + 5.5 and Y = 2.4X + 9.5 among males. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that the primary maxillary first molar size can be used to predict the size of unerupted permanent teeth.

Job satisfaction and its influential factors in dental academic members in tehran, iran.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of job satisfaction of the faculty members and its underlying factors may increase career fulfillment and raise the educational and research productivity, leading to higher quality of dental services at the community level, ultimately improving public oral health status. AIM: This study assessed job satisfaction and its influential factors in dental academic members in Tehran. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The job satisfaction level of 203 faculty members was assessed using a Likert scale questionnaire from 0 to 4, with 4 representing very satisfied and 0 not at all satisfied. The analysis of variance was used to compare the responses among dental faculty members of three different universities. The impact of age, gender, academic rank, employment status and the date of employment on the overall faculty job satisfaction was identified by multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean professional satisfaction score among faculty members was 1.5 (0.5) out of four. Among the studied underlying factors, only the date of employment was seen to have a statistically significant impact on the faculties' overall job satisfaction (P= 0.05). There was no difference in job compensation observed between the three dental faculties. Dissatisfying aspects of the academic work included educational and research policies, monetary strategies, quality of leadership and administration, promotion and tenure policies, job security, educational environment, equipments, and facilities. The only satisfying factor was the interaction between faculty colleagues and students. CONCLUSION: Faculty members of Tehran Dental Schools are dissatisfied with their work environments in Tehran Dental Schools. Issues such as salary and remuneration, facilities, equipments, promotion and tenure policies are strongly believed to account for the dissatisfaction.

In-vitro comparison of instrumentation time and cleaning capacity between endodontic handpiece and manual preparation techniques in primary molar teeth.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the cleaning ability and instrumentation time of manual method and use of endodontic handpiece for preparation of primary molar teeth. METHODS: Forty primary teeth canals were used in this experimental study. Access cavities were prepared and India ink was injected into the canals. The samples were divided into three groups according to the preparation technique. In the first group the root canals were manually instrumented by k_files. Endodontic handpiece (TEP-ER10, NSK, Japan) were used for canal preparation in the second group and the samples in the third group (control) were not instrumented. After preparing the canal, the teeth were cleared with methyl salicylate and the removal of India ink was measured in the cervical, middle and apical thirds. The instrumentation time was transcribed by chronometer. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney and t-test. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in cleaning capacity between the two techniques, but results of the first and second group differ from those of the control group. In fact, time taken for preparation was significantly shorter with endodontic handpiece system. CONCLUSION: Seen the shorter working time of endodontic handpiece and the similar cleaning ability of the two techniques, the application of the endodontic handpiece is recommended for preparation of deciduous root canals during pulpectomy.

Effect of high water fluoride concentration on the intellectual development of children in makoo/iran.

OBJECTIVE: Prolonged excessive intake of fluoride during child's growth and development stages has been associated with mental and physical problems. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of excessive fluoride intake on the intelligence quotient (IQ) of children living in five rural areas in Makoo/Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 293 children aged 6-11 years were selected from five villages in Makoo with normal fluoride (0.8±0.3 ppm), medium fluoride (3.1±0.9 ppm) and high fluoride (5.2±1.1 ppm) in their water supplies. The IQ of each child was measured by the Raven's test. Educational and residential information and the medical history of each child was recorded by a questionnaire completed by the parents. Data were analyzed by ANOVA test with a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: The mean IQ scores decreased from 97.77±18.91 for the normal fluoride group to 89.03±12.99 for the medium fluoride group and to 88.58±16.01 for the high fluoride group (P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Children residing in areas with higher than normal water fluoride levels demonstrated more impaired development of intelligence. Thus, children's intelligence may be affected by high water fluoride levels.

Inverted impacted primary maxillary incisors: a case report.

Tooth impaction rarely occurs in primary dentition. Most of the primary teeth impactions are seen in second molars. The purpose of this article is to present a 4-year-old girl with bilateral impaction of inverted primary maxillary central incisors which trauma had displaced their tooth germ before erupting.

Oro-dental health status and salivary characteristics in children with chronic renal failure.

Children suffering from decreased renal function may demand unique considerations regarding special oral and dental conditions they are encountered to. It is mentioned that renal function deterioration may affect the hard or soft tissues of the mouth. Having knowledge about the high prevalence of dental defects, calculus, gingival hyperplasia, modified salivary composition and tissue responses to the dental plaque may aid the physician and the dentist to help nurture the patient with chronic renal failure through the crisis, with an aesthetically satisfying and functioning dentition.

The application of the health belief model in oral health education.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to determine the application of health belief model in oral health education for 12-year-old children and its effect on oral health behaviors and indexes. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was carried out on twelve-year-old girl students (n-291) in the first grade of secondary school, in the central district of Tehran, Iran. Research sample was selected by a multistage cluster sampling. The data was obtained by using a valid reliable questionnaire for measuring the perceptions, a checklist for observing the quality of brushing and dental flossing and health files and clinical observation. First, a descriptive study was applied to individual perceptions, oral behaviors, Oral Hygiene Index (OHI) and Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth Index (DMFTI). Then an educational planning based on the results and Health Belief Model (HBM) was applied. The procedure was repeated after six months. RESULTS: After education, based on HBM, all the oral health perceptions increased (P<.05). Correct brushing and flossing are influenced by increased perceptions. A low correlation between the reduction of DMFTI and increased perceived severity and increased perceived barriers are found (r= -0.28, r = 0.43 respectively). In addition, there was a limited correlation between OHI and increased perceived benefits (r = -0.26). CONCLUSION: Using health belief model in oral health education for increasing the likelihood of taking preventive oral health behaviors is applicable.

A comparison of salivary calcium, phosphate, and alkaline phosphatase in children with severe, moderate caries, and caries free in Tehran's kindergartens.

The most common dental disease in childhood is dental caries. This study was carried out to recognize the components of saliva which are protective factors in children to evaluate and predict caries susceptible and caries resistant individuals. Unstimulated whole saliva was obtained from 75 children aged 3-5 years. They divided into three groups: decayed missing and filled teeth (dmft) > 6 (severe caries), 1 P > 0.05 ). Although the results showed that salivary phosphate and alkaline phosphatase in caries free group and calcium in the group with severe caries were somewhat more than those in other groups. Despite of the results of the present study, the relationship between salivary components and caries rate in children remains controversial. So more studies are necessary to achieve some practical criteria for predicting dental caries, recognition of susceptible persons, and finally prevention of caries in children.