Journal of Baghdad College of Dentistry

Background: 37% phosphoric acid (PA) is the traditional enamel etching
technique prior to bracket adhesion, yet it has been implicated in numerous enamel
injuries. The purpose of the current study was to create a calcium phosphate (CaP) etching
paste in a simplified capsule formula that can underpin clinically adequate bracket bond
strength without jeopardizing the integrity of enamel upon the debracketing procedure.
Materials and Methods: micro-sized hydroxyapatite (HA) powder was mixed with 40% PA
solution to prepare experimental acidic CaP paste. Sixty human premolars were assigned
into two groups of 30 each. Enamel conditioning was accomplished using 37% PA-gel for
control group and CaP paste for experimental group. Each group was further divided into
two subgroups regarding the water storage (WS) period (24 h and 30 days). Shear bond
strength (SBS) test conducted with examination of debonded surfaces for adhesive
remnants and enamel damage using a digital microscope. Results: CaP paste produced
significantly lower SBS values than PA (p < 0.01), yet sufficient for clinical use. PA etching
caused often cracked enamel surfaces with excessive retention of adhesive remnants
(mainly ARI scores 2 and 3). Contrarily, enamel treated with the experimental CaP paste
exhibited smooth, unblemished surfaces mostly clean of adhesives residues (scores 0 and
1). Conclusion: a newly developed CaP paste in a capsule formula fosters clinically
adequate bracket adhesion with a sustained bonding performance, allows a harmless
bracket removal with minimal or no adhesive residues on debonded surfaces; thus, it can
be introduced as a suitable alternative to PA.

Background: Manuka honey (MH) is a mono-floral honey derived from the
Manuka tree (Leptospermum scoparium). MH is a highly recognized for its non-peroxide
antibacterial activities, which are mostly related to its unique methylglyoxal content (MGO)
in MH. The beneficial phytochemicals in MH is directly related to their favorable health effects, which include wound healing, anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of MH on pro-inflammatory
cytokines (IL-8 and TNF-α) in patients with gingivitis and compare it with chlorhexidine
(CHX) and distilled water (DW). Materials and Methods: This study was a randomized,
double blinded, and parallel clinical trial. Forty-five young participants aged (20–40) years
were randomly selected and allocated into three groups: MH, CHX, and DW mouthwash
groups. Each participant was given a random bottle. Five milliliters each of honey-based
mouthwash formulation, CHX mouthwashes (0.2%) and DW were used twice daily for 21
days. All the participants were examined twice, once on the zero day (base line) and once
after 21 days. Before and after each participant\'s mouthwash use IL-8 and TNF-α were
measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The results revealed
a drop in the level of interleukin-8 in the manuka honey group which was statistically significant, but the decrease in the same biomarker in the chlorhexidine group was insignificant
statistically. TNF-α levels were found to be insignificantly reduced in both the MH and CHX
groups (P˃0.05). The DW group, on the other hand, obtained the opposite outcome in both
biomarkers. Conclusion: Mouthwash containing MH had an anti-inflammatory impact, indicating an immunomodulatory action. These signs may be encouraging and promising for
the use of MH in treating gingivitis.

Background: Glass ionomer restorations are widely employed in the field of
pediatric dentistry. There is a constant demand for a durable restoration that remains functional until exfoliation. This study aimed to measure and compare the effect of a novel coating material (EQUIA Forte Coat) on the microleakage of glass hybrid restoration (EQUIA
Forte HT) in primary teeth. Material and method: Thirty cavitated (class-II) primary molars
were allocated randomly into two groups based on the coat application; uncoated (control)
and coated group (experimental). Cavities were prepared by the use of a ceramic bur
(CeraBur) and restored with EQUIA Forte HT with or without applying a protective coat
(EQUIA Forte Coat). Samples went through the thermocycling process and dipped in 2%
methylene blue dye before being sectioned through the center of the restoration. Microleakage was evaluated digitally using software and a camera connected to a stereomicroscope (30
x magnification) to assess dye penetration of the sectioned samples at both the occlusal and
gingival marginal levels. Results: There was a significant difference between the coated and
uncoated groups at both occlusal (p=.029) and gingival margin sites (p=.001). Conclusion:
Higher microleakage values were associated with the uncoated group compared to the
coated one. The application of a protective coating to the restorations is an efficient approach
to decrease the microleakage of the restorations that can be usefully adopted in clinical practice.

Background: Pregnancy is a physiological condition that affects the general
and oral health.It is also associated with an increase in oxidative stress, which may presispose
to oral diseases including dental caries. Aim of the study: This study aimed to measure salivary protein carbonyl, glutathione peroxidase and selenium levels of women who are pregnant and their association with dental caries in comparison to non-pregnant women, and to
find out the mostly affected biomarker of oxidative stress during pregnancy. Subjects, materials and methods: A cross-sectional research was performed for a samples of 30 pregnant
and 30 non-pregnant women who were chosen from city of Baghdad\\\\&#039;s Primary Healthcare
Centers. Both groups aged 25-30 years. In unstimulated salivary samples protein carbonyl
and glutathione peroxidase were determined colorimetrically using spectrophotometer by
utilizing ready-made assay kits. Salivary selenium level was obtained by atomic absorption
spectrophotometer. Plaque index had been used to determine the thickness of dental plaque.
Caries was recorded using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled (DMF) index. described by WHO
in 1997. Data was statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics method and Student\\\\&#039;s
t-test, Wilcoxon sum rank test and Spearman’s correlation in addition to Receiver Operating
Characteristics Curve (ROC test) (α=5%). Results: The plaque index and salivary protein
carbonyl values were significantly higher among pregnant while salivary selenium and glutathione peroxidase recorded significantly lower levels among pregnant women. Dental
caries parameters were higher among pregnant with significant difference for MS fraction
only. ROC area for protein carbonyl equal one with highest sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion: Pregnant women recorded higher dental caries severity with higher salivary protein
oxidation but lowers salivary antioxidant defense mechanisms. Salivary protein carbonyl is
more ideal, valid and mostly affected biomarker in revealing the oxidative stress status during pregnancy.

Most dental works require a diagnostic impression; alginate is contemplated
as the most popular material used for this purpose. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles show
evidence of antimicrobial activity in the recent era, for this purpose, this study aimed to
evaluate the effect of adding Titanium dioxide nanoparticles on antimicrobial activity and
surface detail reproduction of alginate impression material. Materials and methods: Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (purity = 99%, size= 20nm) was added to alginate at three different
concentrations (2%, 3% and 5%). 84 samples were prepared in total. Samples were tested for
antimicrobial activity using a disc diffusion test, and surface detail reproduction was done
using (ISO 21563:2021). One-way ANOVA and independent sample t-test were used for data
analysis through SPSS software. Results: for the antimicrobial test, inhibition zones for
Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans showed significant changes concerning the alteration in Titanium dioxide nanoparticle concentrations. The inhibition zone significantly increased with an increase in the percentage of Titanium dioxide nanoparticles. The mean of
the inhibition zone for S. mutans was superior to C. albicans and the difference was statistically significant. Regarding surface detail reproduction, the control group, 2% and 3%
groups manifested very similar results, only the group to which 5% of Titanium dioxide
nanoparticles were added showed a decline in detail reproduction when compared to the
other three groups. Conclusion: Within the limitation of this study, we can conclude that the
antimicrobial activity against S mutans and C. albicans were significantly increased in modified groups, and this escalation was directly linked to the increase in Titanium dioxide nanoparticles concentration. In contrast, the surface detail reproduction was decreased when
adding 5% Titanium dioxide nanoparticles to alginate.

Background: Marginal adaptation is critical for long – term success of crown
and bridge restoration. Computer aided design / computer aided manufacture (CAD/ CAM)
system is gaining more importance in the fabrication of dental restoration. Objective: The aim
of this study is to evaluate the effect of crystallization firing on the vertical marginal gap of
IPS. emax CAD crowns which fabricated with two different CAD/CAM systems .Materials
and Methods: Twenty IPS e.max CAD crowns were fabricated. We had two major groups (A,
B) (10 crowns for each group) according to the CAD/CAM system being used: Group A:
fabricated with Imes - Icore CAD/CAM system; Group B: fabricated with In Lab Sirona
CAD/CAM system. Each group was subdivided into two subgroups pre-crystallized (Group
A1, B1) and crystallized crowns (Group A2, B2). At four points on each aspect of the crown,
marginal gaps were assessed on the master metal die by using digital microscope at a magnification of (110X) and image- J program. The measurement was done twice for each crown;
before and after crystallization process.Results: The lowest mean of marginal gap before and
after crystallization was (29.387±2.774μm) and (70.108±5.569μm) respectively for Group A
(Imes - Icore system) and the highest mean value before and after crystallization was (51.728
±3.774μm) and (84.071 ±4.567μm) respectively for Group B (Sirona system). Paired sample
t-test result showed a statistically highly significant difference in marginal gap between all
groups.Conclusions: The crystallization process increases the vertical marginal gap. Imes -
Icore system showed the lower marginal gap than Sirona system. The two systems have an
acceptable marginal gap.

Background: This review aims to discuss various canine retraction techniques
using frictionless mechanics. Methods: Between 1930 and February 2022, searches were
conducted about various canine retraction techniques using fixed orthodontic appliances in
various databases, including PubMed Central, Science Direct, Wiley Online Library, the
Cochrane Library, Textbooks, Google Scholar, Research Gate, and manual searching.
Results: After removing the duplicate articles, publications that described how to use
archwires to perform canine retraction with the archwires were included. Conclusions: The
pros and cons of various canine retraction techniques using archwires were thoroughly
discussed. T-loop is the preferred spring of all because of its characteristics.

Background: Coronavirus, which causes respiratory illness, has been a public
health issue in recent decades. Because the clinical symptoms of infection are not always specific,
it is difficult to expose all suspects to qualitative testing in order to confirm or rule out infection
as a test. Methods: According to the scientific studies and investigations, seventy-three results
of scientific articles and research were obtained using PubMed, Medline, Research gate and
Google Scholar. The research keywords used were COVID-19, coronavirus, blood parameters,
and saliva. Results: This review provides a report on the changes in the blood and saliva tests of
those who are infected with the COVID-19.COVID-19 is a systemic infection that has a
substantial influence on the hematological system and hemostasis, thus deviations from normal
levels of laboratory tests, including the blood and saliva test show that specific testing for
detecting COVID-19 infection is required. Conclusions: The blood and saliva tests aid in the
clinical monitoring of the patient's health. It has advantages such as the following: it has noninvasive properties, low cost, and good stability, addition to minimum risk of infection
transport.