Journal of Dental Medicine

Background and Aims: Some of the post-operative complications of impacted third molar surgery, one of the most prevalent surgeries in oral field, are known to be infection, erythema, trismus and pain. Antibiotic prescription to prevent post-operative infection under some particular circumstances, is acceptable but under debate considering their disadvantages. In the present study, we examined the infection rate in patients taking no or 2 types of antibiotics distinctively after impacted mandibular third molar surgery.
Materials and Methods: In this double blind clinical trial, 90 patients within the age range of 18 to 34 were dedicated to 3 groups (group 1: 2 capsules of placebo on surgery day and 1 for 4 days, group 2: Amoxicillin 500 mg every 8 hours for 5 days, group 3: Azithromycin 250 mg, 2 capsules on surgery day and 1 capsule for 4 days). All subjects were treated by a sole surgeon, protocol, surgical technique, and flap type and the same amount of osteotomy. In addition to aforesaid drugs, the patients received chlorhexidine and Gelofen 400 mg. At the day 7 postoperative, cases were examined to evaluate the infection (trismus, erythema and halitosis). Data were analysed using Chi-Square test and the groups were compared by Kruskal-Wallis test.
Results: Three signs of infection (halitosis, erythema and trismus) were compared in patients. Symptoms of halitosis and erythema were more indicated in first group, but the ultimate statistical analyses among the 3 groups from halitosis and erythema viewpoint showed no significant difference (P=0.072, P=0.149). Although, no severe trismus was reported, the most moderate trismus incidence was in group 2 and mild trismus was exhibited in group 1. In group 3, no trismus occurred. On the whole, the trismus frequency among groups was statistically significant (P=0.004).
Conclusion: Comparing infection symptoms of the three study groups emphasized the fact that only trismus rate was statistically significant (P=0.004). On balance, the results of this study indicated that antibiotics did not have significant impact on the reduction of most postoperative complications, especially on infection.

Background and Aims: The aim of this study was development and validation of a questionnaire measuring the pseudo-scientific unsupported of Iranians’ belief regarding oral health.
Materials and Methods: A list of 169 pseudo-scientific and invalid Iranian beliefs about oral health that was collected in the previous phase of the study were sent to a purposive sample of 13 professors at Mashhad dental school which resulted in extracting 34 beliefs being considered more common among Iranians. A list of 21 pseudo-scientific beliefs was obtained for preparing the questionnaire after receiving the sample opinions of 21 professors of Mashhad dental school about the invalidity and pseudoscientific propositions and their written revision. Finally, the questionnaire was completed by 44 participants to analyze the ease and clarity and to calculate Cronbach's alpha and Kuder Richardson measure as a homogeneity reliability index. It was completed in a group of 15 participants with a time interval of one month for test-retest analysis and consistency reliability evaluation.
Results: A questionnaire consisting of 21 beliefs was developed using four-point, three-point, or two-point Likert scales. The standardized Cronbach's alpha score and Kuder Richardson's measure score were 0.641 and 0.514, respectively, which indicated the moderate to good reliability of the homogeneity. The Interclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) was calculated as 0.863, representing very good reliability of consistency of the questionnaire. Furthermore, the kappa coefficient of each of the 21 statements had a significant difference with zero (P<0.05) ranging between 0.605 and 1.
Conclusion: The result of the present study is a questionnaire measuring the level of Iranians’ belief in unsupported and invalid statements about oral health. Using this questionnaire would be helpful for dentists and oral health professionals to promote knowledge of Iranians about oral health.

Background and Aims: Root canal treatment failures are often attributed to incomplete removal of bacteria, particularly Enterococcus faecalis. While, chlorhexidine and sodium hypochlorite serve as conventional treatments. herbal medicine has been today considered as an alternative to synthetic medicine due to its safety. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare the antibactrial effect of Scrophularia Striata extract with chlorhexidine and sodium hypochlorite on Enterococcus Faecalis in the tooth root canal. Materials and Methods: In this study, sixty extracted teeth were examined. Following the infection of dental canals with Enterococcus faecalis, materials were tested in 3 groups: 1) chlorhexidine 2% (18 teeth), 2) sodium hypochlorite 2.5% (18 teeth), and 3) Scrophularia striata (at the concentration obtained from MIC, 20%; 18 teeth). Additionally, the positive control and negative control were included (3 teeth in each group). Samples were then cultured on bile esculin agar. After 72 hours, black colonies were eaxamined. Chi-squared test was used to analyze the results. Results: Enterococcus faecalis bacteria grew in 6, 8, and 17 out of the 18 teeth within the sodium hypochlorite, chlorhexidine, and Scrophularia striata extract groups, respectively. Consequently, the bactericidal effects for sodium hypochlorite, chlorhexidine, and Scrophularia striata extract were 66.6%, 55.5%, and 5.55%, respectively.

Conclusion: The antibacterial effect of the Scrophularia striata extract was significantly lower than chlorhexidine and sodium hypochlorite on Enterococcus faecalis in dental canals viewed as a suitable replacement to the already in use synthetic therapeutic irrigants.