MUSTANSIRIA DENTAL JOURNAL

Seventy canals from 35 mesial roots of extracted human mandibular molars were selected and divided into 2 groups. The group I was prepared mechanically with ProTaper system. And group II was prepared with hand ProTaper files. All canals were obturated with Thermafil technique and Topseal sealer. Apical microleakage and the time for preparation were recorded in each sub group. Five molars were used as control teeth. All specimens were stored in 100% humidity, and were suspended in methylene blue dye for 72h. Linear dye leakage was statistically different (T-test), while time preparation between two groups was not statistically different.

The objective of this study aimed to assess the relation between various CW CO2 laser parameters and the thickness of the surface zone in the created carieslike lesion.
A total of twenty four extracted human premolar teeth were irradiated with three various power densities (63.66, 31.83, and 15.9) W/cm2. The CO2 laser system emitted laser with 10.6m in wavelength. All samples were subjected to 3.5 pH lactic acid for 21 days to form carieslike lesion. The crowns after that were sectioned into ground cross sections and the surface zone thicknesses were measured under a polarizing microscope.
Continuous wave (CW) CO2 laser had a noticeable effect on the prominence of the surface zone. The mean of the surface zone thicknesses found to be directly related to the power density of CW CO2 laser.

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the marginal interfaces between tooth structure and the retro-filling materials.
Sixty teeth were divided into six groups of ten for each. The teeth were instrumented to a minimum of size no. 45 k-file, obturated with gutta-percha, resected perpendicular to their long axes and prepared to receive a retro-filling. The teeth were filled with amalgam, resin-modified GIC or light-cured composite resin. Each filling material was either applied with dentin adhesive or without dentin adhesive. Photomicrographs were made & examined by four evaluators.
Statistical analysis of the results revealed that the composite resin had better marginal adaptation than the amalgam & the glass ionomer cement, but the difference was non significant (p>0.05). In addition, the non-adhesive groups together had less marginal adaptation than the other groups and the difference was significant (p<0.05).
Composite resin retro-filling material had better marginal adaptation than other materials used and the dentin adhesive may have effect on the quality of the adaptation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of Indirect Digital Radiography (IDR) for setting working length with the aid of new software additions program. The root canal length was measured using two estimation methods: conventional D-speed film radiograph, IDR using 2 clicks, 3 clicks, 4 clicks, and 6 clicks of measuring tools. Twenty seven extracted human lower molar teeth with different canal curvatures were examined. True canal length was measured using a millimeter rule. Non-significant differences were found in canal length estimation between IDR, conventional radiograph, and true canal length, also there was non-significant difference in measurement using 2, 3, 4, or 6 clicks.

Articulators are surrounded by an aura of mystery, but at the end of the day they are a tool to help a dentist to give his patient a successful restoration, saving time money and hassle.
This study was conducted to obtain data from which some preliminary judgments could be made regarding the articulators being used for fixed partial denture laboratory procedure in dental practice. Data were collected from a questionnaire sent to 15 fifteen dental laboratories (which performed fixed prostheses only) in Baghdad, the number of the technicians employed by the laboratory were 55, the number of the dentists deal with the specified laboratory were 524 dentists including (Professional dentists 180, Post-graduate dental students 46 and Junior dentists 298), the type of the fixed-prosthodontics (cast metal, PFM, and All-ceramic) and the percentage of each type of work, the percentage of using articulators and the type of the articulators and the percentage of there uses included (simple hinge, semi-adjustable and fully-adjustable).
Results showed that the percentage of articulators being used was 16.66% in comparison to the percentage of hand articulation 83.33% distributed as 99.66% used simple articulators, 0.33% semi-adjustable articulators and 0% for fully adjustable articulators.

The objective of this study aimed to assess the effeats of the CO2 laser on the enamel cracks. The labial cracks of thirty extracted central incisors were irradiated with 4 Watts power and (0.4, 0.2 and 0.1) pulse durations. The laser used was CO2 laser with 10.6 μm in wavelength. The irradiated samples were sectioned into ground cross sections and examined under polarizing microscope. Enamel cracks can not be welded completely using CO2 laser irradiation. Although the formation of superficial glaze layer, there was a tendency to increase in the separation of the crack sides as the pulse duration of the laser increased

A clinical examination was done to study the relationship between crowding and periodontal health status in lower anterior region. The occurrence of crowding was recorded in fifty adult males with class I angle occlusal relationship who have not been received orthodontic treatment before. The sample was divided into two groups: a crowded group of 25 males presented with crowding in the lower anterior teeth, and a normal group of 25 males presented with normal occlusal features and with no crowding.
Scaling (supra and sub gingival debridement) and polishing were done for all the subjects, plaque and gingival indices were scored before treatment, and then re-scored at one, two, three and four weeks after treatment.
It was found that the gingival index and plaque index are reduced in their value in the normal group, while the gingival and plaque indices tend to return to their original pretreatment values in the group of crowded lower anterior teeth and much faster than that of a normal group.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the differences in periodontal response to orthodontic treatment between banded and bonded molar teeth as well as the differences between adults and adolescents.
The samples of the study consisted of 50 patients (16 adults and 34 adolescents) who were received full arch orthodontic appliances with banded or bonded molars. Clinical parameters included plaque and gingival indices as well as probing pocket depth were scored at [pretreatment and at 3, 6, 9, 12 months (during treatment) and at the end of the treatment]. The results demonstrated that during and at the end of the treatment, all the parameters were significantly higher for band molars than for analogous bonded molars. Also, the adolescents showed significantly higher levels of all clinical measurements than adults.

Background:Growth disorders associated with inborn defects, injuries or surgeries can restrict the development of the palatoalveolar complex and initiate the development of jaw and orthodontic anomalies
Aim of the study: to assess the skeletal craniofacial morphology of patients with operated unilateral cleft lip and palate
Materials and Methods: lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken for 20 adult of Iraqi operated unilateral cleft lip and palate patients. Twelve angular measurements and seven linear measurements were compared with control group selected on the bases of satisfactory facial esthetic matching with age.
Results: A significant differences were observed between cleft patients and non cleft individuals in that, cleft patients have smaller mean value mandibular angular measurements max-mand angle, N-S-GN angle with short body length while the maxilla demonstrates a retrusive position and results in the concave profile appeared by increase N-A-Pog angle at p<0.05, there is a definite decrease in overall mid facial growth especially in sagittal plane, while the lower anterior facial height shows an increase in length with significantly smaller mean value.
Conclusion: that cleft patients have a craniofacial morphology characterized by retruded maxillomandibule complex with a concave profile, when superimposed on that of control group, and smaller anterior cranial length together with shorter mandibular body result in relatively normal spatial mandiblular position through normal S-N-B angle.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a complex synovial articulation between the mandibular condyle and the glenoid fossa of temporal bone. The question of whether a relationship exists between orthodontic treatment, abnormal condyle and disk position, and temporomandibular disorders has been investigated for many years. Despite the abundance of studies, the question continues to trouble orthodontists.
This study conducted to assess the relationship between orthodontic treatments, abnormal condyle and disk position, with temporomandibular disorders, and to study the disk- condyle relationship in term of presence or absence of anterior disk displacement. By mean of Magnetic Resonance Imaging a cross sectional investigation for the condyles of temporomandibular joints (TMJs) and disk position was conducted to 50 TMJs of 25 patients between 19-30 years of age who had undergone orthodontic treatment (by upper and lower fixed orthodontic appliances with extraction of maxillary first premolar only for treatment of class II division 1 malocclusion), and 50 TMJs of 25 patients who had not yet received orthodontic treatment from the same class and matched age group.
The results of this study showed that 30% of pre-treatment group have anterior disk displacement in comparison to 26.0% of the post treatment group. The condyle position is more concentric in post treatment group than pre-treatment, and the position of the disk is not affected by orthodontic treatment. This conclude that condyle position of the TMJ may be affected by orthodontic treatment, but the disk position is not.

The facial appearance of patients with β-thalassemia major is readily recognizable so that soft tissue profile analysis is presented in this study.
The aim of the study is concerned about the analysis of soft tissue profile morphology in a group of patients having β-thalassemia major and to record the possible differences between both thalassemic genders and to investigate the differences in the soft tissue morphology between thalassemic patients and non thalassemic normal subjects
The material of this study consisted from lateral cephalometric radiographs for (40) thalassemic patients aged 15-17 years and (40) cephalometric radiographs for non thalassemic normal subjects were obtained for analyzing soft tissue profile morphology
The results showed that there were no significant differences between thalassemic males and females but the soft tissue profile morphology for thalassemic patients mostly different from normal subjects which characterized by convex profile.
Thalassemic patients have a soft tissue profile morphology mostly different from normal's that characterized by smaller nasal dimensions, short and everted upper lip and thicker lower lip which giving them the appearance of convex profile.

Anatomy and growth of the cervical vertebrae attracted attention, since a number of authors proposed developmental association between different variables indicative of cervical vertebral anatomy and dentofacial build. This study aims to verify the morphology of the atlas vertebra and its relationship with the morphology of the mandible. A total of (41) true lateral radiographs (22 females and 19 males) for subjects with an age range of 18-26 years old were selected and subjected to cephalometric analysis.
The results show that all the measurements are higher in males than in females except that for the gonial angle and there are a statistically significant differences in mean values of atlas ventral height, ramus length, ramus width and body length among the three groups of atlas a-p length (short, average, long) which increased as the atlas a-p length increased. While among the three groups of atlas dorsal height (low, average, high), there are statistically significant differences in the mean values of gonial angle which decreased as the atlas dorsal arch height increased. It is concluded that there is an association between atlas morphology and mandibular growth.

Cross infection control is a way of life and it was realized that a radical changes in
the way of work in the dental clinic and laboratories would detect considerable revises
of traditional working patterns. Disinfection of dental stone cast by incorporation of
Chlorhexidine gluconate CHX, Sodium hypochlorite and Madacide 11 separately in a
concentration of (0.5 , 0.5 , full strength) respectively according to the manufacturer
instructions and testing their activity against S.aureus,  -haemolytic streptococcus
pneumonia, pseudomonas aeruginosa and E. coli was performed. 5 trials were done
for each disinfectant solution and control (distilled water).
The result showed that all the disinfectant solutions showed significant reduction
of microbial growth in comparison with the control. Sodium hypochlorite sterilize
dental stone cast followed by CHX.Sodium hypochlorite gave negative result for all
the tested microorganisms in all the trials followed by chlorhoxidine gluconate
solutions .
Disinfection of stone cast is among recommended methods in infection
control.Sodium hypochlorite was the best among the tested disinfected solutions.

The present study evaluated the effect of recasting cobalt-chromium alloys with the addition of new alloy in different ratios (75% and 50%) on the deflection fatigue resistance using three types of alloys: Wironit (Bego), Remanium (Dentaurum), and Wisil (Wipla). Each alloy was divided into three groups for each test, group I (100% new alloy), group II (75% new alloy +25% recast alloy), and group III (50% new alloy + 50% recast alloy).
Fatigue specimens produced were butterfly-shaped and half round at their cross section with 18mm length, 1mm thickness, and 2mm width. For each alloy group, five samples were prepared.
The results of this study revealed that recasting with adding 75% new alloy did not significantly affect the fatigue resistance of Wironit and Wisil alloys, while significantly affected that of Remanium. Recasting with the addition of 50% new alloy significantly decreased the fatigue resistance of the three types of alloys.
Wironit alloy showed the higher mean values for deflection fatigue resistance compared with Remanium and Wisil alloys.

This study was conducted to establish the prevalence of different reactive hyperplastic lesions of the gingiva in a university-based dental school biopsy service.
Biopsy records over a 12-years period (1982-1994) were retrieved from the files of the department of Oral Pathology, College of Dentistry, University of Baghdad. The lesions were reclassified into: Fibrous lesions (like Focal Fibrous Hyperplasia FFH and Ossifying Fibrous Epulis OFE); vascular lesions (like Pyogenic granuloma) and Giant cell lesions (like Peripheral giant cell granuloma PGCG). The available clinical data regarding age, gender and location were obtained for each case.
The majority of lesions were pyogenic granuloma which constituted 49.2% with female predilection. Peoples in the first and second decade of life were more prone to develop gingival lesions especially in upper anterior region.
This study indicates some differences in age and gender distribution as well as in location between the different lesions.

Seventy four cases of odontogenic ameloblastoma (OA) and forty three cases of odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) were obtained from the files of the Department of Oral Pathology, College of Dentistry, Baghdad University covering the period from 1980 to 1990.The cases were analyzed according to sex, age and location. Results showed that males were affected by OA 45(60.8%) and OKC 24(55.8%) more than females 29(39.2%),19(44.2%), respectively. In this study OA occurred more frequently in 21-30 years age group 25(33.8%).Regarding OKC the most affected age group were 21-30 years and 11-20 years 12(27.9%) and 8(18.6%), respectively .The mandible was the most frequent site of involvement for both OA 65(87.8%) and OKC 27(62.8%).Most of the findings in the present study agreed with previous available data from the literatures.

Panoramic images provide the dental clinician with a survey of anatomy of the jaws. Recent studies suggest that mandibular cortical thickness on panoramic images may be useful in identifying women with low bone mineral density. Panoramic radiographic measurements are considered as indicator of bone turnover. Changes in the thickness of mandibular inferior cortex can be attributed to many factors.
The most important aim was to correlate differences in the thickness of mandibular inferior cortex in women regarding , menopausal status and menopausal age, pregnancies, and history of backache using digital panoramic image.
A total sample of 199 apparently healthy Iraqi women attending the Dental Teaching Hospital in Al- Mosul city were considered. Each woman was subjected to dental panoramic image. Their ages ranged between (20 – 72) years. The total sample were collected during the period from November 2006 to April 2007 .The information from each woman was recorded in special case sheet. Calibration of the image was done by using known length stainless steel wire fixed in bite piece to be within the center of focal trough anteriorly. The digital dental panoramic image was taken and the thickness of mandibular inferior cortex in the right and left sides were measured and recorded using digital panoramic image measurement tools. All results were obtained under the run of the statistical software MINITAB release 11.12 32 Bit with R-square and t- test.
It has been found that age explains 38.4% of the total variability of the changes in mean thickness of mandibular inferior cortex. The results of the one-way analysis of variance test indicated that elder age groups have highly significantly lower mean thickness of mandibular inferior cortex than younger age groups, which emphasize the fact that this is an age related phenomenon (highly significant inverse relation), while pregnancies explains 10.2% of the total variability of the changes in mean thickness of mandibular inferior cortex (highly significant inverse relation). The results of the two-sample t-test indicated that women with history of backache are experience more changes in the mean thickness of mandibular inferior cortex than other women (highly significant relation). For the menopausal age our study show that 21.4% of the total variability of the changes in mean thickness of mandibular inferior cortex related to menopausal age (highly significant inverse relation). Postmenopausal women are to have highly significantly lower mean thickness of mandibular inferior cortex than premenopausal women.
Because oral health is an integral part of general health, oral problems indigenous to the female population have to be addressed. Hormonal fluctuations affect more than a woman’s reproductive system. Puberty, menses, pregnancy, and menopause all influence a woman’s oral health and the way in which dental professionals should approach her dental treatment. Therefore, factors like menopausal status and age, number of pregnancies, history of backache together with age, were considered in this study which has direct effect on mean thickness of mandibular inferior cortex in women.