Antimicrobial activity of seven essential oils from Iranian aromatic plants against common causes of oral infections.

BACKGROUND: Over the past two decades, there has been a growing trend in using oral hygienic products originating from natural resources such as essential oils (EOs) and plant extracts. Seven aromatic plants used in this study are among popular traditional Iranian medicinal plants with potential application in modern medicine as anti-oral infectious diseases. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to determine the chemical composition and antimicrobial activities of essential oils from seven medicinal plants against pathogens causing oral infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The chemical compositions of EOs distilled from seven plants were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). These plants included Satureja khuzestanica, S. bachtiarica, Ocimum sanctum, Artemisia sieberi, Zataria multiflora, Carum copticum and Oliveria decumbens. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oils was evaluated by broth micro-dilution in 96 well plates as recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) methods. RESULTS: The tested EOs inhibited the growth of examined oral pathogens at concentrations of 0.015-16 µL/mL. Among the examined oral pathogens, Enterococcus faecalis had the highest Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) and Minimum Microbicidal Concentrations (MMCs). Of the examined EOs, S. khuzestanica, Z. multiflora and S. bachtiarica, showed the highest antimicrobial activities, respectively, while Artemisia sieberi exhibited the lowest antimicrobial activity. CONCLUSIONS: The excellent antimicrobial activities of the tested EOs might be due to their major phenolic or alcoholic monoterpenes with known antimicrobial activities. Hence, these EOs can be possibly used as an antimicrobial agent in treatment and control of oral pathogens.

Effect of surface treatments on shear bond strength of denture teeth to denture base resins.

BACKGROUND: Debonding of denture teeth from denture bases is the most common failure in removable dentures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of surface treatments on shear bond strength of denture teeth to heat-polymerized and autopolymerized denture base resins. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental in vitro study, 60 maxillary central incisor acrylic teeth were divided into two groups. Group M was polymerized with heat-polymerized acrylic resin (Meliodent) by compression molding technique and group F was processed by autopolymerized acrylic resin (Futura Gen) by injection molding technique. Within each group, specimens were divided into three subgroups according to the teeth surface treatments (n = 10): (1) ground surface as the control group (M1 and F1), (2) ground surface combined with monomer application (M2 and F2), and (3) airborne particle abrasion by 50 µm Al2O3 (M3 and F3). The shear bond strengths of the specimens were tested by universal testing machine with crosshead speed of 5 mm/min. Data were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's honestly significant difference (HSD) tests (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The mean shear bond strengths of the studied groups were 96.40 ± 14.01, 124.70 ± 15.64, and 118 ± 16.38 N for M1, M2, and M3 and 87.90 ± 13.48, 117 ± 13.88, and 109.70 ± 13.78 N for F1, F2, and F3, respectively. The surface treatment of the denture teeth significantly affected their shear bond strengths to the both the denture base resins (P < 0.001). However, there were no significant differences between the groups treated by monomer or airborne particle abrasion (P = 0.29). The highest percentage of failure mode was mixed in Meliodent and adhesive in Futura Gen. CONCLUSION: Monomer application and airborne particle abrasion of the ridge lap area of the denture teeth improved their shear bond strengths to the denture base resins regardless of the type of polymerization.

Comparison of temporomandibular disorders in Iranian dental and nondental students.

AIM: The aim of this study was to define the prevalence and severity of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) among Iranian dental and nondental students who attended Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The samples consisted of 200 subjects, 100 dental and 100 nondental students (equal distribution between males and females). Subjects ages ranged from 18 to 30 years (24.07 ± 2.93). A functional evaluation was performed using the Helkimo dysfunction index (Di). Data were evaluated by the Chi-square test. RESULTS: Among the total study population, 71% showed some degree of dysfunction. Prevalence ratio in dental students was 80%, while in nondental students was 62% (p > 0.05, odds ratio = 0.679). With respect to gender, women (80%) were more affected than men (62%). A significant relationship was found between gender and the occurrence of TMD (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of signs of TMD in Iranian university students was seen which was greater in dental students and women. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The results of this study showed that the prevalence of TMD among dental students and women was significantly higher than nondental students and men. These findings might be due to poor postural style or emotional stress during dental practice.

The study of relationship between reported temporomandibular symptoms and clinical dysfunction index among university students in Shiraz.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to evaluate the correlation between subjective data obtained from a questionnaire and clinical examination among students in Shiraz university of medical sciences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional prospective study, the samples consisted of 200 subjects, with equal distribution between males and females. Subjects' ages ranged from 18 to 30 years (24.07±2.93). A functional evaluation was performed using the Helkimo clinical dysfunction (Di) and anamnestic (Ai) indices. Data were evaluated by the Chi-square test between gender and clinical dysfunction index (Di) and correlation coefficient between Di and Ai (the level of significance was set at P<0.05). RESULTS: Among the total study population, 30% reported mild symptoms (Ai I) while 2% had severe (Ai II). In the clinical examination, 71% showed some degree of dysfunction. These degrees were as follows: 50% were classified as mild (Di I), 13% moderate (Di II) and 8% severe signs and symptoms (Di III). With respect to gender, women (80%) were more affected than men (62%). A significant relationship was found between gender and the occurrence of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) (P<0.05). The correlation coefficient (r) between the reported symptoms (Ai) and recorded signs (Di) was 0.53. There were positive correlation coefficient between Di and Ai. They were statistically significant (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of signs and symptoms of TMD among students in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences was seen, which was greater in women. Despite suffering from TMD, students were not aware of their disorders.