Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to Minimize Orthodontic Relapse in Rabbits.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to discover how hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) could reduce orthodontic relapse by altering the expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), type I collagen (Col I), and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) in the gingival supracrestal fibers in rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study involved 44 male rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) randomly divided into the normal group (K0), the orthodontic group without HBOT (K1), and the orthodontic group with HBOT (K2). Following orthodontic separation of the two upper central incisors, a retention phase and relapse assessment were performed. The HBOT was performed for a period of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 days after retention. HIF-1α transcription was assessed employing real-time polymerase chain reaction, whereas Col I and MMP-1 proteins were examined using immunohistochemistry. The orthodontic relapse was measured clinically using a digital caliper. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: We used the one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey's post hoc for multiple comparisons to measure differences between pairs of means; a p-value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: HBOT significantly increased the HIF-1α mRNA expression (p = 0.0140), increased Col I (p = 0.0043) and MMP-1 (p = 0.0068) on the tensioned and pressured side of the gingival supracrestal fibers, respectively, and clinically decreased the relapse (p = 3.75 × 10-40). CONCLUSION: HBOT minimizes orthodontic relapse by influencing HIF-1α expression, collagen synthesis (Col I), and degradation (MMP-1). This result suggests that HBOT has the potential to be used as an adjunctive method in the orthodontic retention phase.

Synthesis and Characterization of Zirconia-Silica PMMA Nanocomposite for Endodontic Implants.

This study aimed to enhance the mechanical properties of PMMA composites by introducing various types of fillers, including ZrO2, SiO2, and a mixture of ZrO2-SiO2 nanoparticles, which were prepared as prototypes for an endodontic implant. The ZrO2, SiO2, and mixed ZrO2-SiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized using the sol-gel method and the precursors Tetraethyl Orthosilicate, Zirconium Oxychloride, and a mixture of both precursors, respectively. Before polymerization, the as-synthesized powders were subjected to the bead milling process to obtain a well-dispersed suspension. Two scenarios for the fillers were implemented in the preparation of the PMMA composite: a mixture of ZrO2/SiO2 and ZrO2-SiO2 mixed with two different types of silane: (3-Mercaptopropyl) trimethoxysilane (MPTS) and 3-(Trimethoxysilyl) Propyl Methacrylate (TMSPMA). The observation of the characteristics of all of the investigated fillers included the use of a particle-size analyzer (PSA), a Zeta-potential analyzer, FTIR, XRF, XRD, and SEM. The mechanical properties of the MMA composites, as prepared under various scenarios, were observed in terms of their flexural strength, diametrical tensile strength (DTS), and modulus of elasticity (ME). These levels of performance were compared with a PMMA-only polymer. Each sample was measured five times for flexural strength, DTS, and ME. The results showed that the best PMMA composite was SiO2/ZrO2/TMSPMA, as revealed by measurements of the flexural strength, DTS, and ME corresponding to 152.7 ± 13.0 MPa, 51.2 ± 0.6 MPa, and 9272.8 ± 2481.4 MPa, which are close to the mechanical properties of dentin. The viability of these PMMA composites, as measured up to day 7, was 93.61%, indicating that they are nontoxic biomaterials. Therefore, it was concluded that the PMMA composite created with SiO2/ZrO2/TMSPMA can be considered to be an acceptable endodontic implant.

Psychometric analysis and reliability of the dental treatment motivation scale for Indonesian pregnant women.

This study aimed to obtain the results of psychometric analysis and reliability of the dental treatment motivation scale (DTMS), which was adapted cross-culturally for pregnant women in Indonesia. A descriptive survey was conducted with 149 pregnant women at a maternal clinic in Bandung City, Indonesia, in December 2020. Convenience sampling was chosen as the sampling technique after the inclusion and exclusion criteria had been fulfilled. Two English experts initially translated the DTMS questionnaire from English into Indonesian and the translated questionnaire was then reviewed by four expert panels, which were modified afterwards. The validity test was carried out using the exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and goodness of fit index (GFI). The internal reliability analysis used Cronbach's alpha, and the test-retest was conducted using Pearson's correlation coefficient. The psychometric analysis results were obtained from four testing stages. The first stage was the initial eigenvalue assessment, and the cumulative percentage value was >60%. The second stage was the exploratory factor analysis, with a loading factor of >0.3. The third stage consisted of the confirmatory factor analysis, forming two components of the factor structure (intrinsic and extrinsic motivations). Finally, the fourth stage was the GFI assessment, which showed the good fit model with a value of 0.903. Very high internal consistency reliability ranged from 0.985 to 0.990; the test-retest p-value of Pearson's correlation coefficient was 0.000. In conclusion, the Indonesian version of the DTMS proved to be a reliable and valid instrument to measure Indonesian pregnant women's motivation to seek oral health treatment.

Psychometric analysis and reliability of the dental treatment motivation scale for Indonesian pregnant women

Abstract: This study aimed to obtain the results of psychometric analysis and reliability of the dental treatment motivation scale (DTMS), which was adapted cross-culturally for pregnant women in Indonesia. A descriptive survey was conducted with 149 pregnant women at a maternal clinic in Bandung City, Indonesia, in December 2020. Convenience sampling was chosen as the sampling technique after the inclusion and exclusion criteria had been fulfilled. Two English experts initially translated the DTMS questionnaire from English into Indonesian and the translated questionnaire was then reviewed by four expert panels, which were modified afterwards. The validity test was carried out using the exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and goodness of fit index (GFI). The internal reliability analysis used Cronbach's alpha, and the test-retest was conducted using Pearson's correlation coefficient. The psychometric analysis results were obtained from four testing stages. The first stage was the initial eigenvalue assessment, and the cumulative percentage value was >60%. The second stage was the exploratory factor analysis, with a loading factor of >0.3. The third stage consisted of the confirmatory factor analysis, forming two components of the factor structure (intrinsic and extrinsic motivations). Finally, the fourth stage was the GFI assessment, which showed the good fit model with a value of 0.903. Very high internal consistency reliability ranged from 0.985 to 0.990; the test-retest p-value of Pearson's correlation coefficient was 0.000. In conclusion, the Indonesian version of the DTMS proved to be a reliable and valid instrument to measure Indonesian pregnant women's motivation to seek oral health treatment.

Synthesis and Characterization of Porous CaCO3 Vaterite Particles by Simple Solution Method.

Appropriately engineered CaCO3 vaterite has interesting properties such as biodegradability, large surface area, and unique physical and chemical properties that allow a variety of uses in medical applications, mainly in dental material as the scaffold. In this paper, we report the synthesis of vaterite from Ca(NO3)2·4H2O without porogen to obtain a highly pure and porous microsphere for raw material of calcium phosphate as the scaffold in our future development. CaCO3 properties were investigated at two different temperatures (20 and 27 °C) and stirring speeds (800 and 1000 rpm) and at various reaction times (5, 10, 15, 30, and 60 min). The as-prepared porous CaCO3 powders were characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, and BET methods. The results showed that vaterite with purity 95.3%, crystallite size 23.91 nm, and porous microsphere with lowest pore diameter 3.5578 nm was obtained at reaction time 30 min, temperature reaction 20 °C, and stirring speed 800 rpm. It was emphasized that a more spherical microsphere with a smaller size and nanostructure contained multiple primary nanoparticles received at a lower stirring speed (800 rpm) at the reaction time of 30 min. One of the outstanding results of this study is the formation of the porous vaterite microsphere with a pore size of ~3.55 nm without any additional porogen or template by using a simple mixing method.

Matrix levels of metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and toxicity evaluation of carbonate apatite-based endodontic sealer in rat subcutaneous implantation.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study is to investigate the matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) levels and the toxicity evaluation to determine the safety of carbonate apatite material that will be used as an endodontic sealer. METHODS: Carbonate apatite as endodontic sealer material is fabricated with a size of 2 × 2 × 1 mm, sterilized, and then implanted in the subcutaneous area on the murine back. Total of 28 rats was divided into 2 groups: the implantation group and the control group (positive and negative). We observed behavior, macroscopic and microscopic images (through hematoxylin-eosin/HE staining) and MMP-2 levels in the serum (through ELISA examination) to determine the reaction of implant material in experimental animals. RESULTS: Behavioral test shows impaired motor function within 2-24 h in all rats, autonomic behavioral test does not show any disturbance, macroscopic images show appearance of tumor and rubor within 2-72 h in all rats, microscopic images shows an increase in the mean neutrophils number with the highest point located in the 24 h (3.92×103/µL) and lymphocytes with the highest point in the 14 days (15.31×103/µL). The average value of MMP-2 levels of the negative control group was 1.33 ng/ml, 1.29 ng/ml of the positive control group, and 7.32 ng/ml of the implantation group. Level of MMP-2 in rats with visible implants increased on day 3 (0.75 ng/ml), day 10 (1.49 ng/ml) and day 14 (17.67 ng/ml). CONCLUSION: The implantation of carbonate apatite material did not cause behavioral disorders or abnormalities in the tissues surrounding of the implant site and did not show signs of toxicity or death.

The Effect of Music Intervention on Dental Anxiety During Dental Extraction Procedure.

BACKGROUND: In order to minimize the possibility of unsuccessful dental extraction procedure due to dental anxiety, there are several approaches that can be used, including music intervention. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of classical and religious Islamic music on reducing dental anxiety. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and twenty-five muslim participants (105 males, 120 females) were recruited for this study and randomly assigned to three groups: classical music group, religious Islamic music group, and the group with no music intervention, equally in numbers. Participant's blood pressure (BP) and blood sample were taken prior to and after dental extraction to evaluate systolic and diastolic BP as well as nor-adrenaline plasma (NAP) level. All data were then analyzed by using t-test, ANOVA test, Mann-Whitney and Kruskawallis test. RESULTS: There was a decrease in NAP level in the religious music group (0.110 ng/mL) and the control group (0.013 ng/mL) when initial NAP level was compared to post extraction NAP level, whilst the classical music group showed an increase of 0.053 ng/mL. There were significant differences found between the religious Islamic music group and the classical music group (p = 0.041) as well as the control group (p = 0.028) for the difference between pre and post NAP level, of which the NAP level of the religious Islamic group participants were lower. CONCLUSION: Religious Islamic music was proven to be effective in reducing dental anxiety in Muslim participants compared to classical music. Despite, further evaluation in a more heterogenous population with various religious and cultural background is needed.