Journal of Dental Medicine

Background and Aims: Third molar teeth extraction is one of the common treatments procedure in dentistry. The proximity of mandibular third molar teeth to the inferior alveolar nerve canal may make the surgery challenging and cause adverse complications. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of diagnostic and evaluation of panoramic radiography findings in two classification methods (Rood-Shehab and Tanaka) according to CBCT in mandibular third molar extraction surgery.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 65 patients of a private radiology clinic in Qom who had simultaneous panoramic and CBCT radiography. Panoramic and CBCT radiographs were imported into Scanora and Ondemand softwares, respectively. The relation of the mandibular third molar with the inferior alveolar nerve was evaluated according to Tanaka's classification and Rood-Shehab radiographic signs and compared with CBCT radiographs. Finally, the obtained data were analyzed by chi-square test, ROC curve and SPSS software version 24. The significant level was considered at P<0.05.
Results: Out of 65 samples, 23.1% were men and 76.9% were women. The mean age of participants was 26.9±8.77. There was a significant relation between the Tanaka's classification of panoramic radiographs and proximity to the nerve in CBCT radiographs (P=0.011). This relationship was significant when the number of radiographic signs of the Rood-Shehab classification increased (P=0.044). Root darkening and diversion of mandibular nerve canal signs of Rood-Shehab classification showed more diagnostic accuracy in the nerve canal contact determination than that of other signs.
Conclusion: The probability of contact of third molar root with the inferior alveolar nerve canal increases with increasing in the number of Rood-Shehab radiographic signs. The root darkening sign was more accurate and followed by mandibular canal diversion sign. Tanaka’s classification can be used in differentiating cases without contact to the nerve canal.

Background and aims: Dental procedures carry a significant risk of transmitting viral and bacterial infections to both patients and healthcare personnel. Patients' awareness of infection control principles can play a crucial role in improving the safety of the clinical environment and promoting public health. This study aimed to assess the level of patients’ awareness regarding infection control principles in dental treatments.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 on 390 patients attending the Dental School Clinic of Babol University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire consisting of 24 items related to infection control. Each correct answer was awarded one point. The total score and awareness level of participants were analyzed based on the gender, age group, educational level, and number of dental visits using independent samples t-test, chi-square test, and ANOVA in SPSS, with a significance level set at 0.05.
Results: The mean age of patients was 33.89 ± 13.24 years and 62.8% were female. The mean awareness score was 18.37 ± 3.21. A total of 76.4% of participants demonstrated a good level of awareness. The awareness mean score was higher in female than male patients (P=0.006). A statistically significant difference was observed in mean awareness scores educational level (P<0.001) and age group (P=0.01). However, no significant difference was found based on the number of dental visits (P=0.867).
Conclusion: Although, the overall level of patient awareness regarding infection control principles was acceptable, gaps remain in certain areas. The implementation of targeted educational programs is recommended to enhance patients’ awareness and to promote infection control practices in dental treatment settings.

Background and Aims: Despite the functional and aesthetic benefits, orthodontic treatment is often associated with pain and discomfort that can adversely affect patients’ quality of life. Given the growing emphasis on the patient-reported outcomes in clinical care, this study aimed to investigate the association between the pain intensity caused by orthodontic treatment and orthodontic-related quality of life in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic therapy.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 on patients receiving fixed orthodontic treatment with a metallic MBT system (slot 0.022 inch) at a private clinic in Babol, Iran. A total of 85 patients aged 15–25 years were selected using convenience sampling. Pain intensity was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) ranging from 0 to 10. Quality of life was evaluated using the persian version of the Orthodontic Quality of Life questionnaire, with a scoring range of 22 to 88. Data were analyzed using independent samples t-test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient in SPSS, with a significance level set at P<0.05.
Results: Among the participants, 72.9% were female, 68.2% were under the age of 20, and 31.8% were aged between 20 and 25 years. The mean pain score was 4.75 ± 1.91, and the mean  Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) score was 37.95 ± 9.51. A significant negative correlation was found between the pain intensity and overall OHRQoL, as well as all of its subdomains (oral function, social impact, dentofacial aesthetics, and self-awareness of appearance) (P≤0.001). No statistically significant differences in pain or OHRQoL scores were observed based on gender or age group (P>0.05).
Conclusion: Orthodontic pain has a significant negative impact on patients’ quality of life. Early pain management strategies and supportive interventions during the initial phases of orthodontic treatment can enhance patients’ overall treatment experience and improve compliance.