Micro-CT evaluation of the effect of various ScRp instrumentation methods on cement loss, porosity and micro-crack formation

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of three different instruments on cement loss, porosity and micro-crack formation, which was not evaluated before, following scaling and root planning (SRP) using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT).

METHODS

In this experimental study, 30 single-rooted extracted human teeth were used and divided into three groups. All the teeth were scanned with micro-CT before and after SRP. Group 1: SRP was performed with Gracey curettes, Group 2: SRP was performed by using an ultrasonic device, and Group 3: SRP was performed by using diamond burs. Cement loss from the root surface, porosity, and micro-crack formation in the root dentine were analysed. Micro-CT is used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of samples. The obtained data were analysed statistically (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

Minimum cement loss following SRP was detected with ultrasonic scaler (26.98 mm³ ), whereas the highest was created by diamond burs (96.20 mm³ ) (p < 0.05). The total porosity values after SRP were 0.278%, 0.334% and 0.252% for Groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Although Group 3 had the least porosity values, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. The highest micro-crack formation was seen in Group 2 and the lowest was in Group 1 with a significant difference (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

More cement loss was observed with diamond burs. Ultrasonic devices appear to be a viable alternative to instrumentation with curettes. However, ultrasonic devices should be used carefully because of micro-crack formation since the micro-crack resulting from instrumentation with hand instruments is the least of all.

The Evaluation of the Relationship between Changes in Masseter Muscle Thickness and Tooth Clenching Habits of Bruxism Patients Treated with Botulinum Toxin A

Background

Bruxism is defined as recurrent masticatory muscle activity. Although there is not an agreed treatment method for bruxism, the application of botulinum toxin A (BT-A) has become a reliable lately. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between the changes in masseter muscle thickness and clenching habits in bruxism patients treated with BT-A.

Methods

Twenty-five patients, 23 females and 2 males, diagnosed with possible sleep bruxism were included in the study. The Fonseca Anamnestic Index was applied to the patients to determine their clenching habits and depression levels both before the treatment, and 6 months after it. The masseter muscle thickness was measured using ultrasonography before the treatment and 3 months and 6 months after the treatment. All the patients were injected with a total of 50 U of BT-A, 25 U to each masseter.

Results

A statistically significant decrease in masseter muscle thickness was observed in the ultrasonography 3 and 6 months after the BT-A treatment. There was a statistically significant decrease in the Fonseca scores, in which the teeth clenching habits of the patients were evaluated 6 months after the treatment. Although there was a decrease in the depression levels of the patients 6 months after the treatment, this difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

When the results of this study were evaluated, it was seen that the BT-A injections are an effective, safe, and side effect-free method in the treatment of bruxism and masseter hypertrophy.

Evaluation of a metal artifact reduction algorithm and an adaptive image noise optimization filter in the estimation of peri-implant fenestration defects using cone beam computed tomography: an in-vitro study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to assess the effects of metal artifact reduction (MAR) and adaptive image noise enhancer (AINO) in CBCT imaging on the detection accuracy of artificially created fenestration defects in proximity to titanium and zirconium implants in sheep jaw.

METHODS

Six zirconium and 10 titanium implants were planted on mandibular jaws of three sheep, and artificial defects were created. All images were obtained with a standard voxel size (0.150 mm³) and with 4 scan modes: (1) without MAR/without AINO; (2) with MAR/without AINO; (3) without MAR/with AINO; and (4) with MAR/with AINO during CBCT scanning. A total of 60 CBCT scans were produced.

RESULTS

For all types of implants, intra- and inter-observer kappa values were the highest for MAR filter. The scan mode of with MAR filter was found to have the highest area under the curve (AUC), whereas the scan mode of without both MAR and AINO filters was found to have the lowest AUC values with statistical significance (p ≤ 0.05). Titanium implants were found to have higher AUC values than zirconium (p ≤ 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Both MAR module and AINO filters enhance the accuracy of the detection of peri-implant fenestrations; however, the use of MAR filter solely can be recommended for detection of peri-implant fenestrations.

Evaluation of Changes in Depression Levels of Bruxism Patients Treated With Botulinum Toxin-A

Aim:

Bruxism is defined as the involuntary recurrent masticatory muscle activity characterized by gnashing, grinding, clenching of teeth, and/or pushing the mandible. Factors creating its etiology are peripheral (morphological) or central (physiopathological and physiological), and exogenous. Recently, among physiological factors, depression and bruxism were considered to be related. A definitive treatment method does not exist for bruxism; however, botulinum toxin-A (BT-A) application is an up-to-date and effective way of treatment. The present study is aimed to evaluate the levels of depression in bruxism patients treated with BT-A application.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 25 individuals (23 females and 2 males) who were diagnosed as bruxism patients were included in the study. 25 U of BT-A for each masseter muscle was injected into the patients. Patients were prospectively observed for a possible change in depression levels by using Beck’s Depression Inventory. The inventory was implemented before and six months after the BT-A application. Depression levels before and six months after the injection were compared. A paired t-test was used to compare “before” and “after” treatment values. One-way analysis of variance and post-hoc Tukey tests were used to evaluate the change in Beck’s Depression Inventory scores according to age groups.

Results:

The mean total score was 7.80 ± 8.10 before the treatment and 7.16 ± 6.52 six months after the treatment. The decrease in the mean score was not statistically significant ( P > .05).

Conclusion:

In conclusion, despite the decrease in the mean Beck’s Depression Inventory scores, a statistically significant decrease in the depression levels of patients was not observed.

Turkish dental students' and dentists' ability to assess gingival health status with DAAGS software

The aim of this study was to compare the ability of final-year Turkish dental students and dentists to assess the level of gingival health status by using the Development of Ability to Assess Gingival Status (DAAGS) computer program. Forty-eight students in their final year of dental education and 240 dentists participated in DAAGS tests in which they judged twenty-four photos. The participants were organized into one group of students and five groups of dentists: those who graduated in the last five years, in the last six to ten years, in the last eleven to fifteen years, in the last sixteen to twenty years, and twenty and/or more years ago. A gold standard of each photo was shown to participants after they completed test 1; then, test 2 was conducted immediately. Participants were asked to evaluate the DAAGS by written survey. There were significant differences between the parameters of two tests for all groups. Significance levels differed for each group and both tests considering correct answers, reproducibility, irrelevant answers, and overall ability. The findings from this study indicated that the DAAGS software is easier for more recently graduated dentists to use.

Dental students' ability to assess gingival health status with DAAGS software

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of dental students at different levels of education (Basic, Preclinic, and Clinic groups) to assess the level of gingival health status by using the Development of Ability to Assess Gingival Status (DAAGS) computer software program designed according to the Oral Rating Index (ORI) criteria. Two hundred and thirteen dental students at three levels of dental education voluntarily participated in three DAAGS tests in which they judged twenty-four photos. The three groups were first- and second-year dental students (Basic), third- and fourth-year dental students who had not yet participated in the clinical periodontology course (Preclinic), and fifth-year dental students who had completed the clinical periodontology course (Clinic). A gold standard of each photo was shown after completing Test 1, and then Test 2 was conducted immediately. Two weeks later, the third test was performed. Analyses of differences among the groups and between the tests for each groups were carried out by using Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon Sign Rank tests, respectively. Students were asked to evaluate the DAAGS by written survey. Most of the students had a positive opinion. There were significant differences among the groups for correct and irrelevant answers and overall ability (p<0.001). The Basic group showed a significant (p<0.01) improvement between Test 1 and Test 2. This improvement was greater than Preclinic students and almost equal to Clinic students. The findings from this study indicate that the DAAGS software can serve as a useful instructional tool for education.