Journal of Dental Medicine

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA In this study, 4 species of Glaucium (Corniculatum, Elegans, Flavum and fimberiligerm) was used and their root, stem, flower, leaf and seeds were dried and grinded. Then, the extract was made by adding ethanol, methanol and water. By using sterile swab, oral microbial flora of 10000 patients were taken and cultivated on different agar cultures. The microbial strains involved: streptococci, bacillus, actinomycetes, diphteroids, lactobacillus and candida. Antimicrobial effect was evaluated in various media by measuring the diameter of microbial zone and compare with control group. The antimicrobial effect of the studied species on total count of oral microbial flora and also on each bacterial species was recorded.  Acetyl pyridinum chloride was used in control group. The amount of absorbed extract was 1.25 mg in each blank disc. The different concentrations of 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 were prepared and analyzed. The results showed all 4 species had antimicrobial effect and the least effective concentration was 2.5%. The Elegans specie was more effective than the others. Muler-Hinton medium was the most suitable media among the others. The extracts of ethanol, methanol, water and autoclaved showed the most to the least antimicrobial effect respectively.  The antimicrobial effect was related to the specific oral microflora of every individual. Streptococci were the most sensitive while bacillus was the least sensitive bacteria to the extract.

Background and Aim: Light cured composites and other restorative materials are quite common in dentistry today. Successful restorations are dependent on efficiency of curing light unit, eg. the intensity of emitted light and its wave length. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency units of curing, in private dental offices in Tehran.

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross sectional study, light curing devices in 240 private dental offices were evaluated randomly. Light intensity was measured by radiometer, debris on the fan and cracks and scratches on the filter were directly observed and the age of the device, frequency of changing the bulb and satisfaction of the dentist with regard to the light curing unit were recorded in a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Spearman and t test, with p<0.05 as the level of significance.

Results: The results showed that 53.8% of the units had intensities more than 300 mW/cm². The intensity of 30.4% of curing light units were between 20 and 300 mW/cm² and 15.8% had intensities lower than 200 mW/cm². There was a negative relation between light intensity and the age of the unit, frequency of bulb changing or scratches on the filter and debris on the fan.

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the light intensities of about 46% of light curing units used in private dental practices and clinics were inadequate. Since factors like aging of the curing light unit, frequent bulb changing, increasing the amount of debris on the fan and scratches on the filter reduce the light intensity, regular quality control of these devices is essential.

Background and Aims: Nowadays lasers are used as alternatives to the tooth preparation because of reducing pain, bloodshed and stress. The aim of this study was to observe the effect of Er,Cr:YSGG laser on the dental hard tissues.

Materials and Methods: For this studty, molar teeth with no caries or dental restoration and enamel cracks were used. The laser power were taken from 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5 up to 6 Watts for enamel and 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5 and 4 Watts for dentine simultaneously with water spray. The ablation effect was observed on both enamel and dentine. Finally, by use of a CCD camera connected to the computer, the dimensions of ablated areas were measured and results were applied in graphs.

Results: Volume of ablation was increased by increasing laser power. Also, by increasing energy value in each stage, the depth of ablation was increased for enamel and dentine. SEM images of ablations by 3.5 and 4 Watts on enamel and 1 and 1.5 Watts on dentine did not show any sharp edges.

Conclusion: The ablation volumes and depth increased by increasing the energy of laser pulses power. The reason for this trend was due to the water spray while irradiating and good absorption of water by laser beam.