Evaluation of the knowledge and attitudes about dental practices of Turkish parents who visited the pedodontics clinic in Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate parents' knowledge and attitudes about dental practices who visited a pedodontics clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: In the present work, data were collected via questionnaires from 475 parents who brought their children (between 0 and 14 years old) to our clinic for routine pedodontic examinations. The data obtained were analyzed using Microsoft Excel. Frequency and percentage values of answers to questions were obtained. RESULTS: The majority of the participants (67.9%) indicated sufficient knowledge about COVID-19. Although 75% of parents were fearful and worried about the possibility of contracting virus during admission to the hospital, it was observed that 92% of them highly counted on the measures taken by their dentists and 72% did not hesitate to take their children to dentists during the pandemic. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of the present study, it has been shown that despite the increased level of parents' knowledge about the pandemic, it was evident that anxiety and fear were present when visiting hospitals/clinics as a result of the possible transmission due to the high number of COVID-19 cases. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct further studies on how to increase public awareness of the transmission routes of aerosols released during dental treatments.

Effects of first permanent molar extraction on space changes observed in the dental arch using data mining method.

AIM: The high incidence of caries in first permanent molars (FPMs) makes premature extraction of these teeth common. The extraction of the permanent teeth results in various changes in the dental arch. The aim of this study was to evaluate space closure, the eruption of second permanent molars (SPMs), and changes in dental arch after extraction of the FPMs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eruption of 83 SPMs was recorded and radiographically developmental stage of these SPMs in the pre-extraction panoramic radiograph was assessed. Space was measured between the distal surface of the second premolar and the mesial surface of SPM. RESULTS: Out of 55 patients, 28 (50.9%) were males and 27 (49.1%) were females. Thirty-seven (44.6%) of 83 teeth belonged to category 1, 17 (20.5%) teeth belonged to category 2, and 5 (6.02%) teeth belonged to category 3. Although category 4 was not found, 24 (28.9%) teeth were observed to be in category 5. Out of all SPMs, 10.8% represented the ''ideal'' stage of Demirjian's dental development, stage E. CONCLUSION: In patients who had the FPMs extracted before the eruption of the SPM, it is important with regards to the patients' comfort and health to review the patient regularly and to determine any need for orthodontic treatment.

In vitro investigation of antimicrobial effects, nanohardness, and cytotoxicity of different glass ionomer restorative materials in dentistry.

AIMS: The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the antimicrobial effects, nanohardness, and cytotoxicity of different glass-ionomer restorative materials in dentistry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The following glass-ionomer restorative materials were used in our study: Argion (VOCO, Germany), Zirconomer (Shofu Inc., Japan), EQUIA Forte (GC, Japan), Fuji II LC capsule (GC, Japan), and Fuji IX GP capsule (GC, Japan). For the cytotoxicity test, a cell culture without release liquids was used as the control group. Microdilution and a disk diffusion test were used to measure the antimicrobial activity. The MTT (3- [4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl] -2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay was used to evaluate cytotoxicity. Nanohardness was measured using a nanoindenter device. RESULTS: Our study determined that all restorative materials used in this study inhibited bacterial growth in cultures containing 1 × 102 cfu/ml of the bacterial concentrations (Lactobacillus casei and Streptococcus mutans) and that all restorative materials inhibited fungal growth in the cultures containing <1 × 102 cfu/ml of the fungal strains (Candida albicans). IC50 values obtained for the cytotoxicity test were analyzed using the Chi-square test. After a 72-h incubation period, Zirconomer, EQUIA Forte, Fuji IX GP capsule, and Fuji II LG capsule showed statistically significant lower cell viability values. (P < 0.05). The Kruskal-Wallis analysis was performed on the values obtained from the nanohardness test; the differences between the groups were found to be significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: All materials tested showed low antimicrobial activity, and the antifungal activity of these materials was found to be lower than their antimicrobial activity. Only Argion showed non-cytotoxic effect. Beginning with the group with the highest nanohardness values and ending with the lowest, the groups are ranked in the following order: Fuji II LC capsule, EQUIA Forte, Argion, Fuji IX GP capsule, and Zirconomer.

Effects of Valsalva maneuver on QT dispersion in patients with ischemic heart diseases.

Previous studies showed that increased QT dispersion (QTd) has been observed during episodes of myocardial ischemia or infarction and identify the patients at risk of arrhythmia or sudden death. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between coronary artery disease and QTd during the Valsalva maneuver. The study population included 85 subjects (21 with normal coronary arteries, 35 with stable angina pectoris, and 29 with unstable angina pectoris). Twelve-lead surface ECGs were recorded at 50-mm/sec paper speeds and were obtained before the Valsalva maneuver and during the strain phase. The results indicate a significant difference in mean time increase between the control group and the group with stable angina pectoris (mean difference = 16.10 milliseconds, p<0.000), and between the control group and the group with unstable angina pectoris (mean difference = 35.26 milliseconds, p<0.000). The mean difference in time between these groups was also compared (mean difference = 19.17 milliseconds), and was statistically significant (p<0.000). There are some conditions like constipation, severe coughing spells, nausea, vomiting, and carrying or lifting heavy objects that increase intrathoracic pressure and may increase QT dispersion. Therefore, all these conditions should be treated appropriately and carrying or lifting heavy objects is forbidden, especially in patients with coronary artery disease.