Journal of Dental Medicine

Wear characteristics of dental amalgams were investigated by in vivo and in vitro tests. Wear of dental amalgam was studied and evaluated using a three - body abrasion test and Pin-On-Disk method. Porcelain was used for preparing disk and materials such as toothpaste, artificial saliva and naturally saliva were used as the third material that was contributed in tribologic system The results showed that effects of various toothpastes on the wear of dental amalgam are considerably different and size, shape and chemical composition of amalgam are important too.

IgA selective deficiency is the most common immunodeficiency. The prevalence of it in different races varies from  to . Since secretary IgA has has a defensive role in the mucosal surfaces, supposing is thought that IgA deficiency will be accompanied by oral manifestations. The previous studies showed controversial results about that. The aim of this cohort study was to finding out oral manifestations in IgA- deficient individuals. As s result oral specialists can find the patients in early stages. 11 IgA- deficient patients (with IgA level < 10 mg/dl in serum) and 11 normal volunteers with the same age and sex were compared. The ages of the people were between 3 and 18 years old and 5 girls and 6 boys were in each group. Their oral examination included DMFT (Decayed, Missed and Filled Teeth), periodontal condition, Plaque accumulation and oral mucosal lesions. Saliva immunoglobulin and secretary component levels were detected by enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and serum immunoglobulin levels were detected by single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) methods. All of the IgA- deficient patients had the serum IgA level < 10 mg/dl and their immunoglobulin levels were normal.  of these patients didn't have SIgA and the rest of them had a little SIgA in their saliva(<  SIgA levels in sex and age matched normal group). IgA deficient patients showed no statistical significant difference about oral manifestations in comparison with normal group. It may be related to the increase of compensatory SIgM or assistance of other non- immunological defense factors in saliva, phagocytosis and cellular immunity. Thus IgA- deficiency cannot produce any oral manifestations as a criteria to diagnose it.

Statement of Problem: Menopause can exert extensive somatic and psychological effects on women at this stage including: oral complaints such as dry mouth, glossodynia, viscous saliva, although these findings should be studied further.
Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the stimulated salivary flow rate of 158 menopause and post menopause women.
Material and Methods: In this cross- sectional and analytic- descriptive study, 158 women, at post menopause stage, were selected as case group. The controls consisted of 83 same aged men. None of the subjects had any systemic disease and did not use any drugs. Age range, in both groups, was 50-69 years old. Psychical condition of two groups, were compared by HADSCALE test. Oral symptoms were also compared and evaluated. In order to analyze the results, "t" and "Mann- Whitney" tests were used.

Results: No significant difference was found between two groups regarding the quantity of stimulated saliva and psychological condition, but the incidence of oral symptoms in case group was significantly higher than the control group (P=0.002).
Conclusion: Based on this study, although oral symptoms have a significant relation with menopause, can not be attributed to the quantity of saliva or psychical condition. In order to find the underlying reasons, more investigations should be performed on quality changes of saliva or other factors.

Statement of Problem: Today, cross infection control is an integral part of dentistry and many dental health care workers no longer question its necessity. All dental equipments and instruments could be potentially considered as a source of infection.

Purpose: The aim of this study was the evaluation of aerobic contaminations of four disposable materials used in routine dental practice.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, random sampling was performed and tryptone soy broth transfer culture medium was used. After 24 hours of incubation, samples were transferred to specific culture media. (Mckangy, Chocolate agar and Blood agar). Cultured bacteria were stained and studied using gram staining method. The study was carried out in a 17 weeks period.

Results: All suction tips were infected with Bacillus cereus bacterium. Two cases of cotton roll samples showed contamination with Bacillus cereus, 2 cases with gram positive, coagulase negative cocci, 1 case with Streptococcus viridians and one case with Enterobacter class A. One case of anesthetic cartridges was contaminated with Staphylococcus epidermidis and two cases with Streptococcus viridians. Two cases of gutta-percha samples were contaminated with Bacillus cereus.

Conclusion: Based of the findings of this study, the highest level of contamination was observed in saliva ejector tips. Contamination with Bacillus cereus was seen more frequently.

Background and Aim: Qigong is a type of Chinese psychosomatic exercise that integrates meditation, slow physical movements, and breathing. Numerous physical and mental benefits have been classically ascribed to qigong. On the other hand, unstimulated saliva is thought to play an important role in oral immunity, enamel stability and moisturizing the oral mucous membrane. Impaired salivary secretion leads to dental caries, mucosal deterioration and mouth dryness. The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of a qigong program on various parameters of saliva such as quantity of unstimulated saliva, pH and SIgA.

Materials and Methods: Twenty three subjects participated in this clinical trial study. The experimental subjects underwent a qigong training program, conducted by a qualified instructor. The program consisted of half an hour daily practice for 6 months (spring and winter). Saliva was collected in two periods: once during the spring before the experiment commencement and the second, in the following spring. During each period saliva collection was done on tuesday of each week. pH and quantity of salvia measurements were taken simultaneously. SIgA measurements were also taken based on the values obtained in the last phase of the experiment at the end of each spring. The results were analyzed using paired sample T test, one way repeated measure and Bon Ferroni multiple comparison. P<0.05 was the level of significance. Results: Based on our findings, the change in the amount of unstimulated salvia as well as SIgA was statistically significant (P<0.001) however, there was no significant difference in pH values before and after experiment.

Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that after 6 months of practicing qigong, significant changes in amount of unstimulated saliva and SIgA occurred in participants. The authors suggest that qigong may be a beneficial adjunctive treatment that enhances amount of unstimulated saliva and SIgA.

Background and Aim: Pit and fissure sealant therapy, is one of the most effective methods, in prevention of occlusal caries. Saliva contamination before curing the resin can increase the risk of failure in this method. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of saliva contamination prior to curing on microleakage of pit and fissure sealants.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental in vitro study 21 sound human pre molars were selected and two standardized V-Shaped fissures were prepared on both buccal and lingual surfaces, then they were randomly divided into two equal groups. In the control group, the sealant was cured without any saliva contamination and in the case group, the sealed teeth were immersed in artificial saliva for ten seconds before curing. After thermocycling the samples were immersed in 2% fouchsin solution for 24 hours and then sectioned longitudinally in bucco - lingual direction. The specimens were then fixed and assessed under stereomicroscope to determine microleakage and dye penetration using paired student t. test. P<0.05 was considered as the level of significance.

Results: Analysis of data showed no significant differences in microleakage, between the two groups (p=0.178).

Conclusion: According to the results of this study saliva contamination of uncured sealant had no influence on microleakage.

Background and Aim: Since the clinical studies conducted to explore the effect of bonding agents on the success of fissure sealant are limited in number, the present study was conducted to compare the effects of two bonding agents on the success of fissure sealant of the saliva- contaminated teeth.

Materials and Methods: In this study, 63 teeth of 35 students aged 6-8 with healthy and newly-erupted upper jaw molar teeth, were selected and divided into two groups. In one group, single-bond and In the other, SE bond were used. As the teeth were newly erupted and the distopalatal area being in contact with the gingival sulcus and this fact that, this area was impossible to isolate, the distal sulcus of the contaminated teeth and the mesial area capable of adequate isolation were assumed isolated. For each group, after etching, the teeth on one side were treated with a sealant and the teeth on the other side were first bonded and then treated with the sealant. Hence, four groups were formed: bonded/isolated, bonded/contaminated, controlled/isolated and controlled/contaminated for any bonding agent. The results of the treatment were assessed in terms of the success and failure and then analyzed using Mc Nemar, and Chi-square tests and Cochran.

Results: The results of the study indicated that:1. Saliva contamination caused a significant increase in sealant failures(p<0.05).2. Use of the two bonding agents significantly increased the success of the sealant(p<0.05).3. Use of the two bonding agents significantly increased the success of the fissure sealant on the saliva-contaminated teeth, even more than when the teeth had been isolated and with only fissure sealant(p<0.05). 4. For the contaminated enamel, the results of SE bond were better than those of the single bond (p<0.05). However, in isolated condition the results of using single bond were better (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The results of the study supported the use of these two bonding agents in the treatment of fissure sealants under both isolated and contaminated conditions. Further, more SE bond seemed to be less sensitive to saliva contamination.

Background and Aims: Moisture contamination of etched enamel during application of sealant is the most frequently cited reason for sealant failure. In previous studies, some hydrophilic bonding agents have been shown to bond to etched enamel after salivary contamination. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the enamelsealant interface following the use of primer on the saliva contaminated and/or moist etched enamel.

Materials and Methods: 40 extracted human incisors were selected. The enamel surfaces were etched for 20 seconds with an acid gel and rinsed for 30 seconds and dried until chalky surface was observed. Teeth were randomly divided into four treatment groups (n=10). Sealant (Deguseal mineral, Degussa) was applied on (1) etched enamel surface as a standard control group, (2) in conjunction with using primer material on moist etched enamel, (3) in conjunction with using primer material on salivary contaminated etched enamel, and (4) on wet contaminated etched enamel surface as a negative control group. Then, the specimens were observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at ×1400 magnification. To evaluate the enamel resin interface, the number of resin tags was counted. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA.

Results: The results showed that primer used on moist enamel under sealant had no significantly difference in number and shape of tags in comparison with standard group (P>0.05). Application of primer on saliva contaminated enamel surface under sealant significantly reduced the number of tags and changed the shape and pattern of tags (P<0.001). Following application of sealant on contaminated and etched enamel alone, no resin tags formed.

Conclusion: Application of primer relatively reduced sensitivity to saliva contamination but the pattern was changed and number of tags reduced. Therefore, primer application might be useful whenever the isolation is not possible. However, it should be emphasized that restrict isolation in sealant therapy is recommended.

Background and Aims: Use of glass ionomer cements in pediatric dentistry is increasing and limited information exists with regard to the effect of salivary contamination on the shear bond strength of glass-ionomer to dentin in primary teeth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of salivary contamination on the shear bond strength of two types of glass ionomer cements to dentin in primary teeth.
Materials and Methods: A total of 36 human extracted primary molars were used in this study. The specimens were divided into two groups for each material and then further subdivided into three groups: group 1: uncontaminated, group 2: contaminated with saliva, group 3: contaminated, washed and air dried. The specimens in groups I, II, III were bonded to glass-ionomer and in groups IV, V, VI to resin modified glass-ionomer. Shear bond strength was measured using an Instron machine at 1 mm/min cross head speed. Data were analyzed with ANOVA and Tukey test.
Results: There were significant differences in the mean shear bond strength among groups IV, V (P=0.05). There were no significant difference among groups I & II (P=0.16), I & III (P= 0.93) and IV & VI (P=0.98).
Conclusion: Results showed that salivary contamination can decrease the mean shear bond strength of light- cured glass-ionomer to dentin in primary teeth.

Background and Aims: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is the most common oral mucosal inflammatory disease. The frequency of RAS is as much as 20% in the general population. The cause of RAS is not yet fully understood. Antioxidant is a material which has ability to preserve molecules from damage and also can delay the start of it. The aim of this study was to compare saliva level of total antioxidant status (TAS) in RAS patients with that of normal subjects.

Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 25 patients with aphthous stomatitis were considered as the case group and 25 healthy subjects as control group. The case and control groups were matched by sex and age. Total antioxidant status (TAS) saliva levels were measured in two groups by spectrophotometer. The data were analyzed with independent sample t-test.

Results: The mean and standard deviation of TAS in case group was 1.64±0.64 µmol/L and in control group was 1.49±0.3 µmol/L. There was not significant difference between case and control groups (P=0.464).

Conclusion: Results of this study showed that there was no statistically significant difference between RAS patients and healthy subjects in saliva antioxidant status levels.

  Background and Aims: The purpose of the present study was to review the studies regarding serological and salivary oxidant / antioxidant status in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS).

  Materials and Methods: The literature was searched using key words RAS, Antioxidants, Saliva, Hematinic (s) and Hematinic Acid in the last 10 years, particularly the recent 3 years (2010-2013). At total of 37 clinical trials, 18 case-control articles were selected and evaluated fulfilling the requirements as the RAS patients having at least 3 oral aphthous attack per year. The exclusion criteria included systemic as well as periodontal diseases, iron deficiency associated anemia, medication usage and smoking.

  Conclusion: Almost all lipid-peroxidation studies in serum and saliva were manifested by an increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in RAS patients compared with controls. This would indicate the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the etiology of the disease. Serum trace elements (Zn, Se) were reduced and Cu was increased in RAS patients in comparison with control individuals. A decreased serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and an increased salivary SOD were observed in all RAS patients. Catalase (CAT) and uric acid (UA) analyses were non-inclusive. Levels of paraoxonase and arylesterase as well as antioxidant vitamins (A, E, C) were lower in RAS patients than that of controls.