The effects of morus nigra on the alveolar bone loss in experimentally-induced periodontitis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evalute the anti-inflammatory effects of morus migra on experimentally-induced periodontitis in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four Wistar-albino rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group (C, n=8), experimental periodontitis (PER, n=8), experimental periodontitis and treated with Morus nigra (MN+PER, n=8) (50 mg/kg per day for 21 days). After 21 days, the rats were sacrificed, and alveolar bones were evaluated histopathologically and histometrically analyzed to obtain level of alveolar bone loss. The detection of RANKL and OPG were immunohistochemically performed. Serum and tissue levels of MMP-8 and MMP-13 were also analyzed. RESULTS: Morus nigra treatment decreased tissue MMP-8 and MMP-13 levels and there were significant differences in the case of tissue levels of MMP-8 and MMP-13 between groups PER and MN+PER (p=0.035, p=0.041). There were no significant differences among all the groups serum levels of MMP-8 and MMP-13 (p=0.067, p=0.082). In the histometric evaluation, alveolar bone loss was greater in the PER group compared to C and MN groups (p=0.035). Immuno-histochemical staining of RANKL activities were found significantly lower (p=0.037) and OPG activities were found significantly higher in MN+PER group when compared to PER group (p=0.021). CONCLUSION: The present study reveals that systemic administration of Morus nigra significantly inhibited the regional alveolar bone resorption and contributes to periodontal healing in the rat experimental-periodontitis models.

Is there a relation between dental anxiety, fear and general psychological status?

BACKGROUND: Dental anxiety is a widespread problem in many populations. This problem can be a barrier to dental care and may lead to poor oral health. Dental anxiety may be related to psychological status. AIMS: The aim of the present study was to assess the levels of dental anxiety, dental fear, Beck Depression, and state-trait anxiety according to age, gender and education level in patients at the periodontology clinic in the Diyarbakir Mouth and Dental Health Center. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 231 patients (115 males, 116 females) filled out dental fear scale (DFS), dental anxiety scale (DAS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), state-trait anxiety inventory-state (STAI-S), and state-trait anxiety inventory-trait (STAI-T) questionnaires, and evaluations of DFS, DAS, BDI, STAI-S, and STAI-T were conducted according to age, gender, and education level. RESULTS: The mean DFS, DAS, BDI, STAI-T, and STAI -S were 45.64, 9.15, 13.16, 38.90, and 40.18, respectively. There was a significant association among DFS, DAS, BDI, STAI-S, and STAI-T (p < 0.05). These surveys scores were significantly higher in females than males (p < 0.05). The results of this study indicated that gender age and education level have important effects on DFS, DAS, BDI, STAI-S, and STAI-T (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Dental anxiety and dental fear were found to be related to psychological status (BDI, STAI-S, and STAI-T) over time. There are some patients with unaddressed psychological distress.

Cephalometric investigation of first cervical vertebrae morphology and hyoid position in young adults with different sagittal skeletal patterns.

The aim of this retrospective study was to examine hyoid bone position and C1 (atlas) morphology in males and females and analyze these parameters with respect to different sagittal skeletal patterns via cephalometry, with the goal of identifying cephalometric norms. Lateral cephalometric radiographs from 120 individuals (average age: 21.1 ± 2.9 years) were classified according to their ANB angle (Class I, II, or III) and used to assess 14 parameters. Class I and II patients showed significant differences in Hy-NSL, Hy-PD, Hy-CVT, Lum, and a-p measurements. These parameters were consistently larger in males than in females. Intergroup comparisons among males showed significant differences in the SNA, ANB, Hy-CVT, X, and Z measurements. The hyoid was positioned more inferiorly and anteriorly and was more prominent in males than in females in all groups. Among participants exhibiting a Class I skeletal pattern, C1 was also larger in the anterior-posterior direction in males than in females. In the sagittal plane, the hyoid was positioned similarly in males with either Class I or III skeletal patterns but was positioned posteriorly in males with a Class II skeletal pattern. In addition, the vertical position of C1 varied with sagittal skeletal pattern in males.

Mixed-dentition analysis in a Turkish population.

OBJECTIVE: To study the reliability of the Tanaka-Johnston mixed-dentition analysis in Turkish individuals and develop a new population-adjusted regression equation for predicting the size of unerupted canines and premolars. The new regression equations were tested to establish their validity in Turkish children. METHODS: The mesiodistal dimensions of teeth on study casts of 12- to 14-year-old Turkish children were measured. The actual tooth measurements were then compared with predicted values using the Tanaka-Johnston equation. Subsequently, the new regression equations were tested in a group of 50 individuals to determine their validity. RESULTS: The Tanaka-Johnston regression equations overestimated the actual mesiodistal widths of permanent canines and premolars. With the new regression equations, no statistically significant differences were observed between actual and predicted widths. CONCLUSION: The Tanaka-Johnston prediction method is not accurate when applied to a Turkish population. The new equations are reliable for predicting the width of unerupted canines and premolars in Turkish individuals.