Dental Journal

Various methods affect the flexural strength of repairing the denture base

2024-03-05T08:06:21+07:00

Background: The assembly of replacement teeth to mimic natural ones remains a challenge for dentists, particularly regarding the surface characteristics of prosthetic teeth. Purpose: To evaluate various surface mechanical techniques that affect the flexural stress of a repaired denture base. Methods: Six sets (n = 10) of sixty heat-polymerized acrylic resin bar-shaped samples have been produced. Samples were divided into halves to give a 1-mm clearance, with the exception of the group under positive control (group PC). Also taken into account was a negative control group (group NC) that received no skin treatment. Other groups received a variety of surface treatments, including group Er:YAG laser therapy, group abrasion by airborne particles (APA), group APA + Laser, and group Bur grinding. All sectioned samples were repaired by auto-polymerizing acrylic resin, which was then thermocycled after surface roughness was measured with a profilometer. A global testing device conducted a three-point bending test. Results: The mean surface roughness of all study groups was considerably greater than group NC's (P<0.05). With the exception of group Bur, group PC's flexural strength was considerably greater than that of all other groups (P=0.999). The bending strength of groups Bur and Laser among all surface-treated groups was significantly greater than that of group NC (P=0.001 and P=0.015, respectively). Conclusion: All surface treatments enhanced surface roughness in comparison to the untreated group, but bur grinding and Er:YAG laser exposure also significantly raised the flexural strength of the sectioned groups. Sectioned polymethyl methacrylate’s flexural strength was significantly increased by bur grinding.

Histological evaluation of the effect of Nigella sativa on the healing of created bony defect in the animal jaw

2024-02-19T07:44:19+07:00

Background: The bone healing process is a complicated and highly specific action that includes deposition, resorption, and remodeling phases occurring in a tidy and overlapping schedule. Herbal medicine has improved substantially in the last decade, and herbal products have spread widely to prevent or treat various problems and diseases. Nowadays, different herbs are employed to heal soft or hard tissue in humans. Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the effect of topically applying Nigella sativa oil in healing bony defects. Methods: Fifteen rabbits were used in this study. Two round holes were created on the buccal side of the mandible: the anterior hole was filled with black seed oil, while the other was left unfilled as the control group. Animals were sacrificed after 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks, respectively, and sent for histopathological examination. Results: During the first week of bone healing, the experimental group showed substantially fewer inflammatory reactions than the control group. Granulation tissue formation increased considerably in the experimental group compared with the control group. The experimental group also showed higher bone tissue formation, with more mature woven bone compared with the control group. Conclusion: Nigella sativa has an anti-inflammatory effect and can positively influence bone healing by increasing bone cell production and bone tissue development in the bone defect.

Dental students’ perception of a self-preference musical mobile app used as a relaxing tool in the clinical setting

2024-03-18T08:47:41+07:00

Background: Diverse music activities may reduce stress and enhance well-being. However, using a musical mobile health application (app) as an intervention during dental treatment has not yet been established. Hence, a self-preference musical mobile app (ACOU@PLAY) has been created for use in clinical settings. Purpose: This study aims to assess the quality of the ACOU@PLAY app as a relaxing tool for dental students and compare the results with patients’ opinions. Methods: A total of 53% (n = 38) dental students and 47% (n = 35) patients were recruited to use the self-preference musical mobile app (ACOU@PLAY) for 10 minutes and watch a 5-minute pre-recorded video. Then, an evaluation was performed using a validated tool, the modified user version Mobile App Rating Skill (uMARS), which included a demographic survey. The uMARS questionnaire consists of five domains (engagement, functionality, aesthetics, information, and app subjective quality) using a 5-point Likert scale. Results: The average quality score of the app was 3.96 ± 0.509. The app received its highest rating for the information domains, with a mean score of 4.14 ± 0.577, and its lowest for subjective quality, with a mean score of 3.63 ± 0.565. Notable differences were observed in the ratings for engagement (p = 0.008) and aesthetics (p = 0.035) between dental students and patients, as well as significant differences in ratings based on gender in the domains of engagement (p = 0.007), functionality (p = 0.018), and aesthetics (p = 0.021). Conclusion: The self-preference musical mobile app (ACOU@PLAY) is well accepted by dental students and favored by patients with adequate qualities to be used in clinical settings.

Degradation rate and weight loss analysis for freeze-dried, decellularized, and deproteinized bovine bone scaffolds

2024-04-25T10:42:54+07:00

Background: Mandibular defects, often caused by trauma, tumors, infections, and congenital issues, are commonly treated with bone grafts. Tissue engineering plays a crucial role in bone reconstruction, with scaffolds such as deproteinized bovine bone matrix (DBBM), freeze-dried bovine bone (FDBB), and decellularized FDBB (Dc-FDBB) being studied for their efficacy. Decellularization reduces the antigenic potential of FDBB. These scaffolds are designed to degrade within the body. Purpose: To analyze the weight loss and degradation rates of FDBB and Dc-FDBB materials, using DBBM as a control. Methods: This in vitro experimental study, conducted over 2 months, employed a cross-sectional approach to analyze the weight loss and degradation rates of FDBB, Dc-FDBB, and DBBM scaffolds in a simulated body fluid (SBF) solution. Results: Under dynamic immersion conditions, DBBM exhibited the highest daily weight loss at 0.741% and a degradation rate of 0.466 mg/cm²/day, followed by Dc-FDBB at 0.568% and 0.418 mg/cm²/day and FDBB at 0.525% and 0.385 mg/cm²/day. Under static immersion conditions, DBBM also showed the highest weight loss at 0.255%, with a degradation rate of 0.165 mg/cm²/day, followed by Dc-FDBB at 0.245% and 0.163 mg/cm²/day, and FDBB at 0.168% with a degradation rate of 0.126 mg/cm²/day. Significant differences were observed between scaffold groups (p = 0.000). Conclusion: DBBM, Dc-FDBB, and FDBB scaffolds meet the optimal requirements for tissue engineering materials based on their weight loss and degradation rates. DBBM demonstrated the highest values among the scaffolds analyzed.

The Effect of cocoa pod husk (Theobroma cacao L.) extract on alveolar socket post tooth extraction

2024-03-06T07:45:17+07:00

Background: Cocoa pod husk (CPH) of Theobroma cacao L. contains tannins, alkaloids, saponins, and flavonoids triterpenoids that have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities that can accelerate wound healing and alveolar bone regeneration. Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the effect of CPH extract gel on the number of fibroblasts, osteoblasts, and osteoclasts in Wistar rats’ sockets after tooth extraction. Methods: The samples used were 36 male Wistar rats divided into three groups: the negative control group (placebo gel), the positive control group (Alveogyl; Septodont, UK), and the treatment group (100 mg/ml CPH extract gel), which in each application was given for three, seven, and fourteen days on the mandibular first molar post-extraction socket. The samples were sacrificed and tissue was processed on days 4, 8, and 15. The amount of fibroblasts, osteoblasts, and osteoclasts was identified and determined by the Image J software. Results: The Mann-Whitney U analysis showed significant differences (p<0.05) between groups. Fibroblasts and osteoblasts in the treatment group were significantly higher than the control groups. Osteoclasts in the treatment group were significantly lower than the control group. Conclusion: Ethanol extract gel of CPH significantly increased fibroblasts on days 3 and 5 and osteoblasts on days 7 and 14 and decreased osteoclasts on day 14 in post-extraction socket of Wistar rats.

Dental students' knowledge level regarding the use of antibiotics in endodontic infections in pediatric patients

2024-03-13T09:41:12+07:00

Background: Endodontic infections frequently occur in children and stand out as dental issues where antibiotics are widely favored. However, the recent overuse of antibiotics has resulted in the development of antimicrobial resistance in children. The awareness and understanding dental students have regarding the application of antibiotics for treating endodontic infections in pediatric patients have been explored in limited studies. Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the understanding of fourth- and fifth-year dentistry students—who are actively involved in patient care during their internships and will soon become medical professionals—about prescribing antibiotics to treat endodontic infections. Methods: This study was conducted using the Google Form electronic survey method on intern students at three different faculties of dentistry who have started their clinical internships. Results: Data were obtained from 468 participants who responded to the survey within the scope of the study. Statistically significant differences were observed in terms of knowledge level between those who were informed and those who were not about general antibiotic knowledge, prescription awareness, pediatric antibiotics dose calculations, and parenteral antibiotic applications, as well as between the places where they were informed; the same difference was observed between those who considered the information they received sufficient and those who did not (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that dental students have inadequate knowledge about the use of antibiotics in children with endodontic infections. Nevertheless, the study concludes that the knowledge level of the students can be improved through various training and educational programs.

Fungistatic effect of Gracilaria verrucosa on phospholipase enzymes and the cell surface hydrophobicity of Candida albicans

2024-01-23T07:39:52+07:00

Background: Candida albicans (C. albicans) was reported as a primary cause of oral candidiasis. Phospholipase enzymes and cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) are involved in the pathogenesis of its infection. Gracilaria verrucosa (G. verrucosa) is reported to contain flavonoids, tannins, and phenolic compounds, which can inhibit the development of C. albicans. Purpose: The study analyzed the effect of the ethanol extract of G. verrucosa on the inhibition of the phospholipase enzyme and CSH of C. albicans. Methods: The G. verrucosa chemical compounds were examined by phytochemical tests and phospholipase enzyme-inhibiting egg yolk media, and a CSH assay was conducted using xylene. Results: Gracilaria verrucosa contains steroids, terpenoids, tannins/phenolics, and flavonoids. The 25%–100% concentrations inhibit the phospholipase enzyme of C. albicans more strongly at 48 hours than at 12 hours and 24 hours (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the 100% and 75% concentrations substantially affect the inhibition of CSH of C. albicans, with a strong relationship. Conclusion: Gracilaria verrucosa has a more substantial inhibitory effect in suppressing the phospholipase enzyme and CSH of C. albicans.