Comparative evaluation of caries prevalence among group of Egyptian adolescents using DMFS and ICDASII methods: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Limited data is available regarding the prevalence of dental caries as a chronic disease among adolescents using different caries assessment indices. The aim of this study was to compare and describe the prevalence of dental caries among group of Egyptian students using two caries assessment indices; DMFS and ICDAS II.

METHODS

This descriptive, cross-sectional epidemiological study included 2760 public secondary school students with age range from 15 to 18 years with permanent dentition and good general health. Presence of; retained teeth, congenital or developmental anomalies in the permanent dentition, orthodontic treatments, systematic conditions, smoking and general health problems were considered the exclusion criteria in this study. Participants were selected randomly from 8 public secondary schools in the Great Cairo, Egypt. The examination was achieved by 6 trained and previously calibrated examiners using sets of diagnostic mirrors, compressed air, a WHO probe and cotton rolls. DMFS index and ICDAS II system were used as caries detection methods. In DMFS index; the number of decayed (D), missing (M) and filled (F) surfaces was recorded, while in the ICDAS II index, the assessment of both cavitated and non-cavitated carious, missed and filled teeth with restorations /sealants was recorded. The examiners performed the oral examination using both scoring systems in an alternating manner. The collected data were explored for normality using Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests. Chi square test was used to analyze the frequencies.

RESULTS

There was a statistical significant difference between the DMFS and ICDAS II methods results regarding the recorded number of caries affected teeth and cavitated teeth surfaces. The prevalence of dental caries among the investigated secondary school students was (69.56%) and (78.29%) for DMFS and ICDAS II, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of dental caries among Egyptian adolescent is high. ICDAS scoring system revealed higher caries prevalence values than DMFS method. ICDAS method is the best choice for the preventive goals, while DMFS is sufficient for clinical purposes.

In Vivo Comparative Evaluation of Periapical Healing in Response to a Calcium Silicate and Calcium Hydroxide Based Endodontic Sealers

BACKGROUND:

The composition of the root canal filling materials together with the apical limit of the root canal obturation affect the complete periapical healing after root canal therapy.

AIM:

This study was performed to evaluate and compare the periapical healing in response to calcium-silicate (iRoot SP) and calcium-hydroxide (Apexit) based-sealers.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Seventy-two upper premolars root canals of six dogs were used. The teeth were randomly assigned to four groups: Group one: roots were obturated using gutta-percha and Apexit-sealer; Group two: roots were obturated using gutta-percha&iRoot SP-sealer; Group three: the teeth were left open without obturation; Group four: where healthy teeth were used as a negative control. Teeth were evaluated after one, two and three months. The newly formed mineralised apical tissue and the periapical inflammatory infiltrate of the obtained photomicrographs were evaluated, and scorings were statistically-analysed.

RESULTS:

The mean percentage of the periapical inflammatory infiltrates and mineralisation scoring after one, two and three months evaluation period were not significantly different among the four groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

Regardless of the sealer used, iRoot SP and Apexit promote healing of periapical tissues. IRoot SP sealer showed early insignificant more partial and almost full healing after two and three months.

Assessment of Photodynamic Therapy and Nanoparticles Effects on Caries Models

AIM:

To assess the antibacterial competence of 650 nm diode laser, Methylene Blue (MB) and Silver Nano-Particles (Ag NPs) on Streptococcus mutans in biofilm-induced caries models.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

One hundred eighty specimens were prepared and equally divided into 6 groups. One group was untreated (control), and the others were subjected to either MB, laser, Ag NPs, the combination of MB and Laser or MB, laser and Ag NPs.

RESULTS:

Comparison of the log10 mean Colony Forming Units per millilitre (CFU/ml) values of each of the treated 5 groups and the control group was found statistically significant (P-value < 0.05). The combination of MB, laser and Ag NPs recorded the greatest reduction (95.28%). MB alone represented the least capable (74.09%). The efficiency differences among the Ag NPs treated group; the Laser treated group and the combined MB/Laser treated group were found statistically insignificant.

CONCLUSION:

The combination of MB, 650 nm diode laser and Ag NPs may be among the highly effective modern antimicrobial therapeutics in dentistry.

Effect of resin thickness, and curing time on the micro-hardness of bulk-fill resin composites

Background

Bulk-fill resin composite has been introduced, their manufacturers claimed that they can be applied in bulks of 4mm, without necessitating a prolonged curing time, or a light curing unit with increased irradiance. Thus this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of resin thickness, and curing time on the micro-hardness of two bulk -fill resin composites; Tetric Evo-Ceram [TE], and X-trafil [XF].

Material and Methods

120 cylindrical specimens were prepared, and divided into 24 groups (n=5/group), representing the two bulk-fill resin composites, three different material thicknesses (2, 3 and 4 mm) and the four curing times used in the study (10, 20, 40, and 60 seconds). The specimens were light-cured from the top surface only. Specimens were stored in light proof containers in complete darkness at 37°C for 24 hours. Micro-hardness test was conducted on both top and bottom surfaces using Vickers micro-hardness tester with 500 g load and a dwell time of 15 seconds. Data were statistically analyzed by Four-way ANOVA of Variance. The significance level was set at P ≤ 0.05. Pearson Correlation used to determine significant correlations between mean micro-hardness (top) and (bottom) surfaces.

Results

Four way-ANOVA shows that different tested materials produce a statistically significant effect on mean micro-hardness (VHN) at p≤0.001, while thickness, curing time, and surface revealed statistically non significant effect on mean micro-hardness (VHN) at p≥0.05. [XF] (92.01±3.15 VHN) showed statistically significant higher mean micro-hardness than [TE] (54.13±4.96 VHN). Pearson Correlation revealed that there was a significant direct correlation between micro-hardness (bottom) and mean micro-hardness (top) (mm), r = 0.985, p (2-tailed) ≤0.001.

Conclusions

Within the limitations of this study, the bulk-fill resin composites used in this study can be placed and cured properly in the 4 mm bulk.

Key words:Bulk-fill resin composite, micro-hardness, thickness, curing time.

Repair Bond Strength of Aged Silorane-based Composite Using Intermediate Adhesive Systems Based on Different Monomers

PURPOSE

To investigate the effect of pre-repair aging periods and intermediate adhesive systems based on different monomers on the repair bond strength of silorane-based resin composite.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 32 Filtek P90 (3M ESPE) substrate specimens (4 mm diameter and 4 mm height) were made. Substrate specimens were grouped according to the pre-repair time periods into four groups (n = 8/group): 15 to 30 min, 24 h, 1 month, and 3 months. All substrate specimens were ground flat using a diamond stone and were etched using Scotchbond phosphoric acid etchant (3M ESPE). The specimens of each pre-repair time period were equally distributed among the two repair groups, using either silorane-based (P90 System Adhesive) or acrylamide-based (AdheSE One F, Ivoclar Vivadent) intermediate adhesive systems. Specimens of P90 System adhesive received Filtek P90 as the repair resin composite, and Tetric N-Ceram (Ivoclar Vivadent) was used with AdheSE One F specimens. Additional specimens were made from the repair resin composite materials to study the cohesive strength. Specimens were sliced into sticks (0.6 ± 0.01 mm2) for microtensile bond strength testing (μTBS). Modes of failure were determined.

RESULTS

Two-way ANOVA with repeated measures revealed no significant effect for the pre-repair aging periods, intermediate adhesive systems based on different monomers, or their interaction on repair bond strength of silorane-based resin composite.

CONCLUSION

Up to 3 months of pre-aging the repaired silorane-based resin composite had no negative effect on its repair bond strength, even when an intermediate adhesive system based on a different monomer (acrylamide) was used.