Tikrit Journal for Dental Sciences

Among natural food sources with antimicrobial activities, ginger
rhizome has been used as widely grown food spices and medicinal
crops for centuries. Furthermore, it possess antifungal and
antioxidant properties due to the phenols – related constituents
(gingerols) that constrain the growth of many Gram positive and
Gram negative bacteria including some periodontal bacteria. The
Actinomycetem comitans is a portion of the normal microbiota in
numerous healthy individuals but is also a major etiological agent
in some aggressive and chronic types of periodontitis.
The present study was conducted to test the effect of aqueous and
alcoholic ginger extracts on the growth of Aggregatibacter
actinomycetem comitans in comparision to 0.2% chlorohexidine
gluconate mouth wash and distilled water in vitro, determination
of ginger extracts minimum inhibitory concentration and
minimum bactericidal concentration and detection of active
ingredients of ginger extracts by using the high-performance liquid
chromatography as well as chemical elements.

Periodontal diseases are inflammatory diseases that affect the
periodontium which lead to alveolar bone and attachment loss.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide.
Expression of (VEGF) is elevated in both diseases and it is the
marker of angiogenesis related to cancer development. 1. To
determine the periodontal health status and the serum levels of
(VEGF) in women with breast cancer in comparison to women
without breast cancer. 2. To correlate between serum levels of
VEGF with clinical periodontal parameters (PLI, GI, BOP, PPD,
and CAL) in women with breast cancer in comparison to women
without breast cancer. Eighty women with age ranged from (30-
60) years old, 40 women with breast cancer and another 40 women
without. Periodontal health status were taken for all participants
and then they were subdivided into four groups: the (BC +CP)
group which included participants with breast cancer and chronic
periodontitis (n=20), the (BC+ G) group included participants with
breast cancer and gingivitis (n=20), the (CP) group which included
participants with chronic periodontitis only (n=20) and the (G)
group which included participants with gingivitis only (n=20).
Other than breast cancer, all subjects were systemically healthy
females. Periodontal health status was determined by clinical
periodontal examination of (PLI, GI, BOP, PPD and CAL). Blood
samples were collected from each participant, serum levels of
VEGF were determined by enzyme -linked immune-sorbent assay
(ELISA). The results of this study showed that the median values
of PLI and GI were slightly increased in BC+G group in
comparison to other groups with non-significant differences, the
percentages of BOP showed highly significant differences among
the groups (P <0.01). The median values of PPD showed slight
increase in BC+CP group than CP group with non-significant
differences. Median values of CAL were increased in CP group
than BC+CP group with non-significant differences. VEGF serum
levels were elevated in BC+CP group than other groups with nonsignificant
differences. Also by using Spearman’s rank Correlation
Coefficient, serum levels of VEGF were correlated positively with
all clinical periodontal parameters. VEGF serum level could be
associated with progression of both periodontal diseases and breast
cancer.

It is important clinically to evaluate Bolton ratio and it influences
the organizing of orthodontic management. The objective of the
present study was to relate anterior and overall Bolton ratios in
dissimilar Angle's malocclusion classes of Iraqi sample with
Bolton’s standards, and also to find if there is any gender
difference. This study involved dental casts from one hundred
twenty subjects 14-25 years old divided into three main
malocclusion groups Class I, Class II and Class III from Saladin
city. Statistically no significant differences in anterior and overall
Bolton’s ratios were recorded in malocclusion classes and no
significant gender difference in any malocclusion group.

Gypsum products (dental plaster and stone) are widely used in
dentistry. However, the main problem with any gypsum products
is reproduction of fine details and dimensional stability. The
current study was conducted to assess the effect of incorporating
various additives (i.e. cured resin, pulverised stone, pulverised
plaster, and glass fibers) and drying method on compressive
strength of gypsum products. A total of 160 specimens were
divided into 2 groups according to the method of drying (air and
microwave). For each drying method, each group was subdivided
depending on the type of material used into 2 groups; dental
plaster and dental stone. Variuos additives were used for
reinforcement; cured resin, pulverised plaster, pulverised stone,
and glass fibers. The unmodified group was considered as control.
The specimens were dried and the compressive strength test was
applied on all specimens. All specimens' data were statistically
analysed via ANOVA, Tukey and independent T tests.The
compressive strength of gypsum products was significantly
influenced by the type of additive used. The specimens reinforced
with glass fibers, cured resin, pulverised plaster, and stone had a
greater value of mean compressive strength compared with
unmodified groups. Statistically, highly significant differences
were observed among all dried groups (P≤0.001). As well, the
microwave specimens were more resistant to compressive
loadings than air dried specimens. No significant differences,
however, were recorded between the two drying methods
(P>0.05).The glass fibers have a significant effect on compressive
strength of gypsum products. The pulverised particles and cured
resin can be added at 1 % by weight to enhance the mechanical
properties of plaster and stone. Microwave drying for 5 minutes
can fasten the drying time and permit early manipulation of plaster
and stone models.

Propolis is consist of various amounts of resins and beeswaxes that
produced by the honeybees from different natural plants, as leaf
buds and flowers. It is a sticky and dark-brown color material that
produced by honeybees from natural plants that the bees mixed it
with wax and applied it in building, construction and adaptation of
the nests specially in repair cracks and defects in the bees hive.
They have been used in medical folk or medical traditional since
times of ancient. It is now known to be natural medical treatment
with, antifungal, antibacterial, antioxiditive, antitumor and
mmunomodulatory properties. These medical properties of
propolis are motivating isolation researches, identification of the
possible relationship of these with its biological activity, and
chemical compounds. It was used in dentistry for healing of
surgical wound (or post-surgical mouth pain), tooth
hypersensitivity, pulp capping and root canal treatment. Propolis
has a promising goal in future medically. This research shows the
application of propolis, clinically, as a natural dental medicine.
Furthermore; systemic and clinical applications of these drugs may
have some adverse effects like liver toxicity, drug interactions etc.
Using propolis as antifungal by local application shown that it
reduces the incidence of dry socket and denture stomatitis that
associated with the Candida. In present study, the propolis has
been used in the following manner. It is applied to the tissue
surfaces of dentures, two times daily for two weeks. Propolis putty
can also applied to dry socket cases after complete debridement
and irrigation of it. The results showed after use propolis that the
signs and symptoms including pain, redness and inflammation
areas related stomatitis were gradually disappear, after 2 to 14
days the denture stomatitis is healing by using a propolis paste.
Propolis putty has an effect on the fungal infection of dry socket
that gradually reduced pain and inflammation until complete
healing. Aim of the study, after the treatment of patients with
denture stomatitis, they were subjected to examination and
evaluation of the mucosa and socket, Candidal quantitative
cultures and confirmation the diagnosis by three methods: Germ
tube, Gram Stain, and ChromAgar media

This study compared the effects of 35% with 10% carbamide
peroxide (CP) home used bleaching agents on enamel color
change, microhardness, and surface changes in association with
MI paste plus (CPP-ACPF). Forty buccal and lingual enamel
samples from twenty human third molars were prepared and
divided into four groups (n=10). The groups were bleached for
two weeks according to different bleaching regimens as follow;
G1 bleached with 10%CP, G2 bleached with 35%CP, G3 bleached
with a mixture of 10%CP and MI paste plus, and G4 bleached
with a mixture of 35%CP and MI paste plus. Color change was
recorded with a colorimeter before and after bleaching and total
color differences (ΔE*) was calculated. Vickers microhardness
test was recorded for all the samples before and after treatment.
One sample from each group was evaluated for surface changes by
scan electron microscopy (SEM). The data were analyzed with
repeated measure of variance and student's t-test at p<0.05. No
significant difference in ΔE* was recorded among the four groups
(p>0.05). Significant reduction in enamel microhardness was only
recorded for G2 (p=0.003). SEM for G3 and G4 showed obvious
mineral deposition. Similar teeth color whitening can be resulted
after two weeks of bleaching with both 10%CP and 35%CP when
used as recommended by the manufacturer with and without the
addition of MI paste plus. Using 35%CP decreased enamel
microhardness significantly, whereas MI paste plus when mixed
with both bleaching agents could compensate for the
microhardness reduction.

The goals of endodontic preparation were to shape and clean the
space of the root canal and remove microorganisms, affected
dentin and pulp, the apical foramen and the canal curve should be
protected from being transported during endodontic canal
preparation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the curve
straightening of curved root canals and apical transportation after
preparation with four rotary systems. Forty mesial roots of the
lower 1st molars teeth only the mesiobuccal canals were used,
these roots were immersed into cold clear acrylic , the teeth
roots divided into four groups according to rotary system used for
preparation of the canals (ten roots for each group):. group I:
ProTaper Next rotary system, group II: IRaCe Plus rotary system,
group III: HeroShaper rotary system, group IV: ProTaper rotary
system, instrumentation were done to size 30 master apical file
and with copious irrigation, total amount of 10 ml of 2.5% of
sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) then rinsed the canals with distilled
water 5 ml. radiograph was taken for all roots before and after
instrumentation in one direction buccolingual using digital
radiograph system. The degree of curve straightening of the root
canal and the apical transportation were measured using Image J
software and Adobe photoshop CS6 software. Statistical analysis
was done and the result showed that group IV had the highest
mean values in curve straightening and apical transportation,
there were significant difference between group IV and all of the
other groups and there were non- significant difference between
group I , group II and group . All the four used rotary systems
produced adequate geometry during canal preparations. However,
some apical transportation in ProTaper group was seen, which
might need a caution when used protaper in instrumentation of
curved canal.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and periodontal diseases are
common chronic inflammatory disorders. PCOS is a complicated
condition affects overall health and causes broad spectrum
changes that affect periodontal health status. Available evidence
suggests that oxidative stress might comprise a link for the
association between periodontal diseases and components of the
metabolic syndrome. Both homocysteine (Hcy) and nitric oxide
(NO) are considered to reflect the strength of oxidative stress. The
aims of the study were to compare the periodontal health condition
among the study groups (gingivitis, gingivitis +PCOS, chronic
periodontitis (CP) and CP + PCOS group) by measuring the
clinical periodontal parameters (Plaque Index (PLI), Gingival
Index (GI), Bleeding on Probing (BOP), Probing Pocket Depth
(PPD) and Clinical Attachment Level (CAL), and measure serum
(Hcy) and (NO) and compare their levels between study groups ,
then correlate between these parameters with each other and with
clinical periodontal parameters in order to determine the effect of
PCOS on periodontal health status and levels of serum
Hcy and NO.

To make comparative evaluation of gonial cortical bone thickness,
antegonial index, gonial angle values and mandibular canal bone
resorption, pathologies like ground-glass appearance in jawbones
and brown tumor in Iraqi patients undergoing dialysis due to
chronic renal failure and patients from the healthy control group
on panoramic .Panoramic radiographs were taken from 40 patients
divided into two groups (20 normal and 20 dialysis patients)
.Gonial cortical thickness, antegonial index and gonial angle
values with the mandibular canal wall resorption were assessed ,
pathologies such as ground-glass appearance and Brown tumor as
“available” or “not available.” Mandibular canal wall resorption
(Chi-square:16.52 , P<0.01) was found highly statistically
significant difference between the patient and control groups
,resorption detected mainly in right side of male patients
.Panoramic radiographs showed decreasing in values of the
measuring parametersin patients receiving dialysis treatment due
to chronic renal failure compared to the control group.

The lower third molar is the most teeth failed to erupt in the
alveolar process and the surgical extraction of lower third molar is
widely carried out in the dental clinic due to pathologic change
and prophylactically purpose, the damage of the inferior dental
canal can be occurred when the lower third molar located deep and
its root is closely to the inferior dental canal, the aim of this study
was to investigate the prevalence of the types of impacted lower
third molar between male and female and to determine the
radiographic relationship of the inferior dental canal to the root
apices of different types of the impacted lower third molar using
dental panoramic radiograph, eighty (80) panoramic radiographic
images ,40 male 40 female aged (18-41) were selected from the
pool of data stored in the computer of the digital panoramic
machine, the teeth were divided according to the relation to the
lower 7th molar (angulation), and the relation of the root apices to
the inferior dental canal according to the distance of root apices
from the inferior dental canal either far, close , superimposed. The
result of this study showed that the mesioangular type of
impaction is the most closely positioned to the inferior dental
canal , and this may represent an independent risk factor for
postoperative paraesthesia, the majority of patients showed the
position of the inferior dental canal varies in relation to the root
apices of impacted mandibular third with the majority being in
adjacent position , The superimposed relation of roots apices of
the mesioangular impaction in male was 32% while in female was
46% so the risk of the damage to the mandibular canal in female
more than the male during the surgical extraction of lower third
molar, this variation should be appreciated by the oral surgeon
when undertaking surgical extraction of the impacted mandibular
third molars.

The Iraqi and the Yemeni dental literature lack documentation of
keratoacanthoma (KA). It uncommonly appears at the
mucocutanous junction and very rarely reported to arise in the
mucous membrane. Nevertheless, it has such a chance; therefore,
it is necessary to bring the attention of dental practitioners to this
lesion. It is a benign epithelial tumor that frequently affects the
face of old people. It usually, appears as an exophytic nodule with
a central keratin plug that grows rapidly but with several poses.
Clinically and microscopically KA is similar to squamous cell
carcinoma (SCC) and can be occasionally misdiagnosed therefore
it is important to be biopsied and carefully interpreted. This report
presents two clinically unusual cases of KA.