Journal of Baghdad College of Dentistry

Background: Poly-ether-ether-ketone(PEEK) has been introduced to many dental fields. Recently it was tested as a retainer wire following orthodontic treatment. This study aimed to investigate the effect of changing the bonding spot size and location on the performance of PEEK retainer wires.
Methods: A biomechanical study involving four three-dimensional finite element models was performed. The basic model was with a 0.8 mm cylindrical cross-section PEEK wire, bonded at the center of the lingual surface of the mandibular incisors with 4 mm in diameter composite spots. Two other models were designed with 3 mm and 5 mm composite sizes. The last model was created with the composite bonding spot of the canine away from the center of the crown, closer to the lateral incisor. The linear displacement of the teeth, strains of the periodontal ligament, and stresses in PEEK wire and composite were evaluated. The data was numerically produced with color coded display by the software. Selected values were tabulated and compared among models.
Results: The amount of linear displacement and strain was very low. Stresses in the wire and composite were affected by the size and position of the composite bonding spot. The safe limits were identified at 235 MPa for PEEK and 100 MPa for composite. The basic model had a von Mises stress in the PEEK wire of 122.09 MPa, and a maximum principal stress in the composite of 99.779 MPa. Both stresses were within the safe limits, which means a lower risk of failure in PEEK and composite. All other models had stresses that exceeded the safe limit of the composite. The 3 mm composite model was the only one that developed stresses in the wire more than the safe limits of PEEK.
Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, bonding PEEK wires with 4 mm bonding spots to the clinical crown center provided the best mechanical performance of the wires and spots; otherwise, the mechanical properties of the wire and composite would be affected and, therefore, might affect the retention process.

Background: One of the significant public health problems is the traumatic dental injury to the anterior teeth, it has a great impact on children’s daily. Physical and psychological disturbance, pain and other negative impacts, such as tendency to avoid laughing or smiling may be associated with traumatic dental injuries, that may affect the social relationships. To determine the occurrence of traumatic dental injuries in relation to quality of life, this study was established among children of primary schools.
Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among private (574) and governmental (1026) primary school children in Baghdad city. Dental trauma was assessed according to Ellis and Davey classification in1970 and quality of life concerning a child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ) was used which consisted according to Jokovic et al.in 2006. Statistical analysis was done using IBMSPASS version (21).
Results: Among the permanent anterior dentitions; the most widespread injured teeth were the maxillary central incisors. The boys were more affected with traumatic teeth than girls, as well as a higher percentage noticed in governmental schools than in private schools. Among all quality of life questionnaire, a higher percentage were observed in boys rather than in girls, as well as in governmental schools a higher percentage were listed more than in private schools, all differences were statistically highly significant.
Conclusion: A higher association was noticed between traumatic anterior teeth and quality of life for children.

Background: An injury to both the primary and permanent teeth and the supporting structures is one of the most common dental problems seen in children. Splinting is usually difficult or impossible to perform in the primary dentition (due to diminutive room size and lack of patient cooperation). Healing must, therefore, occur despite mobility at the fracture line, usually resulting in interposition of connective tissue. In some instances, infection will occur in the coronal pulp. The present study reported a case of trauma to the anterior primary teeth and alveolar bone in a four year old child. The trauma has caused fracture to the crowns and roots of the primary anterior teeth. The following case was managed in a procedure that may provide primary teeth subjected to trauma a better chance than extraction with a better prognosis.
Case presentation: a 4 and a half year old child was subjected to trauma in anterior segment of maxilla. Suturing of the torn soft tissue was the first step followed by pulpotomy for the left primary lateral incisor. Fixation of the right primary central and lateral incisors was done by acid etch wire fixation. Both clinical and radiographic follow up was carried out for 6.4 years.
Results: healing of the soft tissue was observed after one week and completed after two months. Fixation of the teeth continued for ten months. The fracture lines in the roots remained in position. Clinically there was no sign of any pulpal inflammation or necrosis. Radiographically, no signs of infection to the surrounding tissues could be seen, no resorption in the alveolar bone, external or internal resorption of the root did not happen also. After ten months fixation ended and the wire was removed. At that time there was normal resorption of the roots of the primary incisors in relation with the normal development of the permanent incisors. After 3 years both permanent central incisors erupted in their normal position. After 6.4 years all four permanent incisors erupted into occlusion in their normal position.
Conclusion: primary teeth with root fractures and severely mobile coronal fragments can be treated by a conservative approach. The severity of the sequels is directly related to the degree of permanent tooth formation (child’s age), type of dental trauma and extent of the impact.

Background: The bond strength of endodontic sealers with dentin is a very important property for maintaining the integrity and seal of the root canal filling. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effect of various irrigants (QMix, 17% EDTA and 2.5% NaOCl) on the push-out bond strength of AH plus and Bioceramic sealers.
Materials and methods: Forty eight freshly extracted maxillary first molars human teeth with striaght palatal root were used in the study. The collected samples were randomly divided into three groups of equal sample size (n=16), according to the final irrigation regimen as follows: Group (1): QMix 2 in 1, Group (2): 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, Group (3): 2.5% sodium hypochloride. All samples were instrumented using Edge file X7 rotary instrument reaching file size 40/.04 as the final master apical file. After that each group was randomly divided into two subgroups (n=8) according to the type of sealer used: AH Plus and Total Fill BC Sealer. Obturation was conducted using single cone technique with gutta percha (GP) to all experimental roots. Two-millimeter thick slices were obtained from the middle section of the root. Bond strength of sealers was measured via a universal testing machine by using stainless steel plunger. Then, the data were statistically evaluated using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc test (Bonferroni’s test).
Results: The push-out bond strength was significantly increased by the “irrigant” factor (P≤0.05) and by “sealer/irrigation solution” interaction (P≤0.05). Final rinse with QMix solution with BC sealer showed the highest mean value of bond strength (5.976 MPa), with a significant difference with other groups (P≤0.05), while NaOCl with AH Plus sealer showed the lowest mean value of bond strength (3.811 MPa).
Conclusion: Final irrigation of the root canals with different irrigants improved the endodontic sealer's bond strength, and QMix had a positive influence on the adhesion of BC sealer.