Journal of Dental School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between demand for and utilization of dental services by insurance coverage among adults in Iran.

Methods A cross-sectional survey based on telephone interviews was done. A total of 6,029 adults participated in this study conducted in Iran. The interviews were carried out using a structured questionnaire and covered dental visits, demographics and socio-economic background.

Results Of 6,029 participants, 86% reported having health insurance, 58% had public, and 28% had both public and commercial insurance. Those with both public and commercial insurance coverage had higher odds for dental visits within the past 12 months [odds ratio (OR) = 1.5], and for dental check-ups (OR = 1.5). Receipt of restorative and expensive services (OR = 1.4) was more likely by those with both public and commercial insurance. Tooth extraction was more likely in subjects with no insurance coverage (OR = 1.6).

Conclusion This study revealed a positive relationship between insurance coverage and demand for and utilization of dental services in a country with a developing health care system.

Objectives The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the microleakage of cervical cavities prepared by Er:YAG laser or high-speed hand piece and bur.

Methods This in vitro experimental study was performed on 40 sound permanent third molar teeth randomly assigned into two equal groups (n = 20). In the first group, high-speed hand piece and bur and in the second group Er:YAG laser was used to prepare class V cavities on the buccal or lingual surfaces. Filtek Z250 composite resin was used as the restorative material. The teeth were thermocycled for 1000 cycles, placed in 2% methylene blue solution for 24 hours, sectioned at the center of restoration and evaluated under a stereomicroscope at x40 magnification for microleakage. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test at 0.05 level of significance.

Results There was no significant difference between the occlusal or gingival margin microleakage of cavities prepared with Er:YAG laser and high-speed hand piece (P = 0.445 and P = 0.758, respectively). However, the difference in the occlusal and gingival margins was significant within the high-speed hand piece (P = 0.042) and Er:YAG laser (P = 0.002) groups.

Conclusion Cavity preparation by Er:YAG laser and high speed hand piece and bur is not significantly different in terms of microleakage.

Objectives The aim of this study was to assess dental caries and associated factors in children aged three years living in Varamin, Iran. Methods Eight hundred and fifteen three-year-old children were recalled randomly through the records existing in healthcare centers of Varamin, Iran. Two hundred and three mothers were also examined to assess the relationship between the oral health of mothers and children. Dental examinations were performed by two calibrated senior dental students using decayed missed filled teeth (dmft/DMFT) indices according to the WHO oral health survey basic methods. Demographic and oral-health care behavior data were collected using a standard  questionnaire.

Results The mean DMFT was 2.69 ± 3.492 years (range 0–19 years). No significant difference was seen in dental care behavior of males and females; 43.4% of children were caries-free. A positive correlation was detected between mother’s DMFT and child’s dmft (r = 0.27, P < 0.0001). Adjusted regression analysis showed that dental caries was observed more frequently in children having mothers with DMFT> 12 compared to mothers with DMFT less than 6 (CR: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.02–2.35) after controlling for child’s sex and behaviors.

Conclusion This study showed that more than half of the three-year-old children experience dental caries and there is a positive correlation between the DMFT of mothers and dmft of their children.

Objectives Composite surface sealants were introduced aiming to prevent or decrease the discoloration and microleakage of composite restorations. This study sought to assess the effect of aging on discoloration of two composite surface sealants.

Methods In this experimental study, 24 samples were fabricated of Fortify Plus and BisCover LV composite surface sealants (10 mm in diameter and 1 mm in thickness) and their baseline color coordinates were measured using the CIE L* a* b* system by a reflection spectrophotometer. The samples made of each material (n = 12) were randomly divided into 4 groups of 3 and aged in xenon chamber, tea, distilled water and dry ambient environment (control). Color change (ΔE*) was calculated in the reflectance mode. The data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and t-test (P < 0.05).

Results The minimum ∆E* value was 0.95 ± 0.6 belonging to Fortify Plus stored in the dry ambient environment while the maximum ∆E* value was 21.85 ± 4 belonging to BisCover LV aged in tea. Two-way ANOVA showed significant differences in ∆E* among the aging protocols (P < 0.001); the effect of two materials (P < 0.001) and the interaction effect of the type of material and aging were also significant (P = 0.001). Conclusions It can be concluded that aging affects the discoloration of composite surface sealants. Tea caused the greatest discoloration. There were no significant differences in the color change of the two materials after accelerated aging with xenon.

Objectives This study was performed to investigate the prevalence of idiopathic osteosclerosis on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of patients.

Methods In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, 240 CBCT scans of patients (125 women, 115 men) referred to a private oral and maxillofacial radiology clinic in Tehran in 2013 were selected and evaluated. Presence of idiopathic osteosclerosis and its features including its location in the jaw, its association with teeth, presence or absence of root resorption, number, shape and size of lesions and age and gender of patients were assessed. Descriptive statistics were reported. Chi-square test and independent t-test were used for statistical analysis.

Results Idiopathic osteosclerosis was seen on CBCT images of 20 patients (8.33%). The lesion was more frequent in women than men, but the difference was not significant (P = 0.50). Also, the lesion was more common in the mandible than the maxilla (95.6% vs. 4.4%). Most lesions were observed in the molar (56.5%) and premolar (34.7%) areas of the lower jaw. Most lesions did not have any association with teeth (73.9%). More than half of the lesions (56.5%) were round in shape and the rest (43.4%) were irregular. The mean size of the lesions was 5.4 ± 1.8 and 5.7 ± 1.4 mm in the mesiodistal and superior-inferior aspects, respectively.

Conclusion The prevalence of idiopathic osteosclerosis of the jaws on CBCT images of an Iranian population was within the range reported by other studies. The lesions were more common in the mandibular molar region with no relation to teeth.

Objectives Different theories have been suggested to define factors involved in skeletal and craniofacial morphology. Many of these theories explain that the bone morphology is the result of the bone tissue capability to adapt in response to biomechanical forces exerted during growth. Also, it seems logical to hypothesize that there is a relationship between biomechanical connections of muscles to bones with the morphology of musculodentoskeletofacial complex. A few studies have evaluated muscle orientation in different skeletal occlusions (class I, II and III). The aim of this study was to evaluate correlations between masticatory muscle orientation and craniodentofacial morphology in different skeletal malocclusions.

Materials and Methods A total of 160 lateral cephalograms of patients between 10–17 years in a dental clinic were evaluated for the orientation of masticatory muscles and craniofacial morphology. All cephalograms were traced and confirmed by an orthodontist. Thirty- seven parameters (skeletal, dental, muscular) were measured. For statistical analysis, canonical correlation, variation and linear regression analysis were performed.

Results Increase of the masseter muscle angulation was accompanied by a more superior position of the muscle in female subjects with Class II malocclusion. Increase of temporalis muscle angulation was seen in long face males. Increase of the masseter muscle angulation and its higher position were seen in short face males.

Conclusion Increase of the masseter muscle angulation was accompanied by a more superior position of the muscle in female patients with class II properties. Increase of temporalis muscle angulation was seen in male patients with long face characteristics. Increase of the masseter muscle angulation and its higher position were seen in male patients with short face properties.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a relatively rare malignant hematological disease, which is characterized by multicentric proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow. It is typically a disease of adults, with men being affected slightly more often than women. The median age at diagnosis is between 60 and 70 years, and it is rarely diagnosed before the age of 40. Although any bone may be affected, the jaws have been reported to be involved in about 30% of cases while its occurrence in the maxilla is very common. We present a case of MM in the mandible of a 30- year-old female patient.

Objectives This study reviews herbs and medicinal plants in dentistry and discusses their biological activities, benefits and side effects. Review of Literature In this review, the PubMed, Medline and Google Scholar databases were electronically searched for relevant articles and books in English using the keywords “medicinal plant”, “herb”, “phytotherapy”, “dentistry” and “pediatric”.

Conclusion Medicinal herbs have long been an inseparable part of treatment of various diseases. Today, the range of applications of these plants is not limited to medical treatment and various types of medicinal plants are used in various fields including dentistry. Increased interest in medicinal plants is mainly due to less side effects compared to those of synthetic drugs and they are often favored for use in children