Al-Rafidain Dental Journal

Abstract: The current study aimed to determine the impact of using hydrochloric acid (HCl) on the tensile bond strength of four distinct restorative materials. By doing so, we sought to provide valuable insights into the durability and resilience of these materials in the face of gastric acid exposure. Material and Methods: Eighty sound maxillary first premolars were included in this study; Teeth were randomly assigned into four groups (n=20) according to the restorative materials. The first group was restored using Filtek Bulk Fill Posterior Restorative (3MTM). The second group was restored with EverX Posterior Fiber Reinforced Dental Composite (GCTM). The third group was restored with multilayer high-strength cubeX zirconia (Dental Direkt TM), and the fourth group was restored with IPS e-max press (Ivoclar/VivadentTM). The samples in the four main categories were further classified into two subgroups (n = 10) based on their immersion in either artificial saliva or simulated gastric acid solution (SGAS). The specimens underwent a tensile bond strength assessment utilizing a universal testing apparatus. The data were examined utilizing Two-Way ANOVA and the Friedman test. The threshold for statistical significance was established at p < 0.05. Results: The impact of HCl was evident on all tested materials, with a significant difference observed between groups after immersion in HCl (p˂0.000). The lithium disilicate group demonstrated the greatest tensile bond strength, whereas the cubeX zirconia group exhibited the least. All samples showed a notable decline in tensile bond strength following exposure to simulated gastric acid. However, the extent of tensile bond reduction differed throughout the tested groups. Conclusion: The simulated gastric acid, regardless of its type, significantly reduces the tensile bond strength of the tested materials. This underscores the need for further research and the development of more acid-resistant restorative materials.

The current study aimed to determine the impact of multivitamin syrups applied daily on the surface microhardness and roughness of composite restorative materials. Materials and Methods: Forty disc-shaped composite specimens (2 mm thickness, 8 mm diameter). The samples were immersed in two multivitamins for 2 minutes, once a day, for 20 days. Surface microhardness and roughness measurements were taken at the baseline and after 20 days. A Vickers hardness tester and a surface profilometer were used to measure the surface microhardness and roughness. Results: Statistical examination of findings using the ANOVA test revealed that surface microhardness was decreased, and surface roughness was increased. These results from baseline to 20 days in each syrup, with Omega 3 showing the greatest decrease in microhardness, followed by BONVIT. Conclusion: After continuous usage of a drug or syrup, the material becomes more exposed to an acidic environment, making it more likely that this will affect the microhardness and roughness of the cosmetic restorative material.

The current study aimed to investigate the fluoride release from light-cured orthodontic adhesive resin over various time intervals, examine the rechargeability potential of the resin, and evaluate its influence on shear bond strength in intact tooth surfaces. Materials and Methods: In this study, 30 recently extracted upper premolar teeth were used for orthodontic treatment. The teeth were divided into three main groups to investigate fluoride release at specific time intervals: one day, one week, and one month. Within each time interval, subgroups were established, with one subgroup receiving a fluoride recharge through the application of a fluoride varnish. Subsequently, fluoride release and shear bond strength measurements were conducted on these samples. The samples were stored in 5 ml of deionized water, and for the recharging groups, fluoride varnish was applied and stored in an additional 5 ml of deionized water. The quantification of total solubilized fluoride was performed using a fluoride-selective electrode, while shear bond strength was evaluated using a Universal testing machine. Statistical analysis of the collected data was carried out using SPSS software version 22. Results: The month after group exhibited the highest mean values for both fluoride release and shear bond strength. Moreover, the study identified significant variations in fluoride release and shear bond strength across the different groups investigated. Conclusions: The utilization of fluoride varnish in the vicinity of the orthodontic bracket exhibits a favorable impact on the bracket's shear bond strength.

The current study aimed to investigate the influence of Zamzam water on the enamel of eroded deciduous anterior teeth by employing the surface microhardness test and scanning electron microscope for morphological evaluation. Materials and methods: 40 deciduous incisors were used in the study. Blocks of enamel were prepared and immersed in Fanta cycle then divided into four groups (10) samples for each one: group (1) samples were kept in de-ionized water only, group (2) samples were treated with Sodium Fluoride solution (NaF), group (3) treated with Zamzam water while the samples of group (4) were treated with combined Sodium Fluoride plus Zamzam water. A Vickers microhardness tester machine was used to evaluate the enamel surface microhardness of all tested samples at baseline, after the completion of the Fanta cycle, and after the treatment cycle, with confirmation of surface changes by scanning electron microscope. The obtained results were statistically analysed. Results: Statistically significant differences among the tested groups were demonstrated and found by a one-way ANOVA test after treatment cycles. Duncan's multiple analysis range test was carried out to illustrate that no significant difference at baseline in surface microhardness readings was found among all groups, while after treatment with different remineralizing agents, a significant difference in microhardness values was found. Also, a scanning electron microscope revealed a rough, destroyed surface after immersion with Fanta, but recovered its smoothness after the treatment stage. Conclusion: The NaF solution plus Zamzam water combination was better in demineralization resistance and improvement of the surface characteristics, including the surface microhardness of eroded deciduous enamel, than NaF solution alone or Zamzam water alone, which also had a beneficial anti-erosive effect on their eroded samples.

Aims: To compare the effects of Hybrid filler (hyaluronic acid + calcium hydroxylapatite) and hyaluronic acid filler (HA) on skin healing after induced wounds using histological analysis. Materials and Methods: Three groups of three male Albino rats were randomly placed in the 3rd, 7th, and 14th repair times. Rats have three circular cuts on their backs. The top wound got hybrid filler (NEAUVIA STIMULATE®), the bottom right wound got hyaluronic acid filler (TEOSYAL RHA® 3), and the bottom left wound wasn\'t filled as a test. On days 3, 7, and 14, biopsies were taken from each rat and sent to a pathologist for histopathology. Results: The treated groups showed less inflammation than the control group, especially on the third and seventh days. On the fourteenth day, the tested groups had much lower granulation tissue production rates than the control group, which stayed high. On day 14, the hybrid filler group had the most re-epithelialization. Conclusion: The skin of rats healed faster with hybrid and HA fillers. They may help wounds heal.

The current study aimed to determine the correlation between the condylar morphology in skeletal Class III pattern by using cone-beam computed tomography and the crown inclination of lower anterior teeth. Materials and Methods: This study examined the bilateral TMJ CBCT images of 30 subjects (17 males, 13 females) with skeletal class III, average age (18–30 years), and lower cast. The TMJ's angular and linear measurements were estimated, and variances between the groups were statistically examined. The torque and angulation device TAD was used to measure the inclination of the crowns. Results: Regardless of the joint reference points used for measurements, there is no correlation between the position and mutual relations of the lower anterior teeth and the temporomandibular joint's structure. Conclusion: The mandibular condyle height was greater in Class III malocclusion. Men had larger mandibular body sizes and wider mediolateral condyles than women did.

The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of adding Luteolin nanoparticles in two different concentrations (1% and 3%) on the mechanical and antibacterial properties of the Transbond XT Unitek Orthodontic Adhesive. Materials and Methods: Thirty extracted human upper premolar teeth were used for the shear bond strength test (SBS). The teeth were randomly divided into three groups, ten teeth each: Control group, Luteolin 1% and Luteolin 3% Nanoparticles (NPs) groups. The mesh of the brackets was covered with transbond or modified adhesives, which were then adhered to the teeth. The brackets were debonded using a universal testing machine, and the adhesive remnant index was checked using a stereomicroscope at a 10X magnification. Thirty composite discs were used for the antibacterial test. ten discs were made from transbond adhesive as a control group, and twenty discs (divided equally) were prepared from orthodontic adhesive modified by incorporating Luteolin 1% and Luteolin 3% nanoparticles. The adhesive’s antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus was determined by the disk diffusion technique. Statistical analysis was done at P >0.05. Results: The Control group's shear bond strength was statistically higher than that of the other groups (16.1 MPa for the control group and 12.9 MPa, 10.8 MPa for luteolin 1% and Luteolin 3%, respectively). However, the SBS results of this study demonstrated that the mean of all groups was more than that recommended by Reynolds (5.9-7.8 MPa) in (1975). The disc diffusion method showed that 3% luteolin modified adhesive was more effective than luteolin 1% and the control groups, with a larger bacterial inhibition zone. Conclusions: The incorporation of Luteolin NPs in orthodontic resin produced an antibacterial effect against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus without compromising the shear bond strength.

The current study aimed to examine the effects of Botox therapy on the skin's wound regeneration in patients who received the treatment before or after surgery. Materials and Methods: 18 male albino rats, weighing between 250 and 350 grams, were used, each receiving 1 IU of Botox and saline injected subcutaneously in the center of 1.5 cm circles with 4.5 cm between them on the dorsum of each rat. In group A, the injection was seven days before surgery, and the animals had a full-thickness skin excision; in group B, the injection was immediately after wound incision, and all were kept in separate cages. Each group was divided into three equal subgroups according to the healing period (3, 7, and 14 days), and then histological tests were undertaken on skin biopsies for all the groups post-euthanasia. Results: The results showed significant differences between groups A and B On day three, group A exhibited mild inflammation, whereas group B and both control groups had severe inflammation. On day 7, group A had scant granulation tissue and re-epithelialization of more than half of the lesions. Group B had greater granulation tissue and less re-epithelialization. On day 14, both groups exhibited considerable granulation tissue growth; however, group A showed increased blood vessel formation and keratinocyte proliferation, resulting in extremely good re-epithelialization and skin regeneration. Conclusion: Botox injections can be considered an effective alternative treatment option to accelerate wound healing, and the most suitable method to administer Botox is before surgery.

Purpose: To ascertain how three distinct heat cycling times affected the acrylic teeth's shear bond strength to the acrylic denture base, both in the control group (did not undergo thermal cycling) and in the experimental group. Methods: The specimens number were (80) divided into four groups according to different manufacturers of acrylic artificial teeth which include: Group (I) Iraqi teeth(Karbala, Iraq), Group (II) Syria teeth(Saief Set teeth, Syria), Group (III) Chinese teeth(Dental8, China) and Group (IV) Italian teeth (Acryl Lux, Italian), these groups were further divided into four groups based on how long they were allowed to thermal cycle—one week, one month, and two months in distilled water, where each subdivided group contain five samples. The acrylic resin of denture base used was (Ivoclar Vivadent, Germany). The shear test was conducted using a Universal testing machine (Instron Model 1332 Servo Hydraulic Fatigue Test System 100kN Load Cell 2513-502) following different heat cycles (70, 300, and 600 cycles) at a daily rate of ten cycles with alternating manual thermal cycling between at +5° + 2°C and 55° + 2°C by the use of manual thermal cycling machine (Ready made, Iraq). Results: The results showed that, the control group had the highest value of shear strength compared to other thermal cycling groups and the value of shear strength was the highest following a week of thermal cycling. Also there were significant differences between the four groups under study as well as across all periods. Conclusion: Artificial acrylic teeth's shear strength is negatively impacted by heat cycling when compared to acrylic denture bases of control and specimens heated for three distinct lengths of time. Compared to samples heated to a constant temperature, control specimens had a stronger shear bond.

This study intended to analyze the attributes of rhodium-coated arch wires, advancements in wire composition, wire coating techniques, and elements affecting the color stability of aesthetic archwires. Materials and Methods: Until May 2023, various sources, including reference books, PubMed search, the Cochrane Database of systematic reviews, Web of Science, Wiley Online Library, and hand searching, were used for rhodium-coated archwire and their applications and advantages. The information in these papers is summarized after similar articles have been removed, and it is presented in the form of advancements in wire composition, wire coating techniques, and elements affecting the color durability of aesthetic archwires. Conclusion: The application of rhodium coatings on basic archwires has several benefits since they enhance aesthetics, minimize nickel contact with mouth tissue and fluid, and reduce friction.

Actinomyces israelii is a common organism of the oropharynx and may cause infection when it is introduced to the deeper tissue sites following soft tissue trauma. Around 50% of actinomycosis cases occur in the oral and maxillofacial areas and may cause failure of dental implants. Other parts of the body, such as the respiratory system and the abdomen, may also be affected. Actinomycosis has mostly been misdiagnosed as malignant rather than an infectious disease due to its variable clinical presentation. Actinomyces lesions contain clusters of neutrophils, plasma, and multinucleated giant cells with macrophages and foamy cytoplasm. These clusters (1-2 mm diameter) discharge a yellowish exudate of aggregates of organisms and calcium phosphate throughout sinus tracts known as “sulfur granules”. Because of its similarity to other infectious and inflammatory diseases, diagnosis of actinomycosis is challenging, and tissue biopsy and histopathology remain the gold standard for its diagnosis. Management is achieved with long-term pharmacological and surgical intervention, with a promising success rate if commenced at an early stage. In this review, we aimed to provide a deep insight into the different aspects of Actinomyces israelii infection of oral and non-oral involvement.

This study aims to assess the local application of a novel fluoride supplement modification, achieved by dissolving fluoride tablets in deionized water, to achieve concentrations of 2500 ppm on demineralized tooth surfaces, thereby demonstrating its effectiveness as a remineralizing agent. Materials and Methods: 10 permanent molars were employed. Each tooth is enrolled in Teflon tape, and only the enamel of the occlusal surface is exposed to a demineralizing solution (acid etch) for 45 seconds in vitro. The teeth are then randomly assigned to two groups: Group 1 is treated with distilled water, and Group 2 is treated with a sodium fluoride solution. All groups except the control baseline group were treated with their respective remineralizing solutions for 10 days. Vickers' Microhardness Number (VHN) and Densometric X-Ray Analysis were completed at baseline, following demineralization, and subsequently 10 days after remineralization. Results: Densometric X-ray analysis and Microhardness Number (VHN) showed a remineralizing effect of sodium fluoride solution on enamel density and surface hardness after remineralization, with a significant difference observed after 10 days (p ≤ 0.05). The mean value in the group treated with sodium fluoride solution was higher than the recorded mean value for the group treated with distal water. Conclusion: Sodium fluoride solution is considered an effective remineralizing agent, significantly increasing enamel density and surface hardness.