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Background: The presence of treatment-resistant microorganisms is known as the main cause of pulpectomy failure in the endodontic treatment of deciduous teeth. The usage of lasers can contribute to reducing these microorganisms. This study aimed to compare the effect of three disinfection methods for deciduous teeth canals using laser diode 810 nm, photodynamic therapy with laser 660 nm and methylene blue, and sodium hypochlorite., Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 58 single-root deciduous teeth with no root resorption were investigated in four groups, including one control group of 10 and three intervention groups of 16. Preparation of the samples was done using manual files up to three numbers after the initial file. After sterilizing the samples in an autoclave, Enterococcus faecalis bacteria were cultured in the canals. In the first group, irrigating with hypochlorite 2.5% was done; in the second group, photodynamic therapy was performed using a laser diode and 0.1 mg/mL methylene solution; and in the third group, high-intensity laser 810 nm direct radiation was done into the canal. Next, samples were taken from all canals. The colony formation unit (CFU) of the bacteria was counted in the blood agar culture medium. The data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and negative binomial regression test (α =0.05)., Results: The mean CFU differed significantly between the four groups. The rate of incidence of E. faecalis colonies showed a reduction in all three intervention groups compared to the negative control. In the high-intensity laser 810 nm group, there was 68.4%; in the photodynamic therapy with diode 660 nm and methylene blue, there was 88%; and in the hypochlorite group, 98.3% reduction was observed compared to the negative control group., Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, to compare three disinfection methods of the deciduous teeth canals without preparation of canals, sodium hypochlorite had greater efficiency. All three groups of laser, photodynamic therapy, and sodium hypochlorite showed reductions of E. faecalis bacterial colony compared to the control group. The reductive effects of CFU were greater in the hypochlorite sodium group, followed by photodynamic and direct laser radiation groups., Competing Interests: The authors of this manuscript declare that they have no conflicts of interest, real or perceived, financial or non-financial in this article., (Copyright: © 2024 Dental Research Journal.)

Background: Direct observation cannot detect caries under restorations; therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of radiographs and DIAGNOdent in detecting caries under restorations in primary teeth using histologic evaluation., Materials and Methods: A total of 74 previously extracted primary molars (37 with occlusal caries and 37 without caries) were used. Class 1 cavity preparations were made on each tooth by a single clinician and then the preparations were filled with composite resin. The accuracy of radiographs and DIAGNOdent in detecting caries was compared using histologic evaluation. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 21 using Chi-square, Mc Namara statistical tests and receiver operating characteristic curve. The significance was set at 0.05., Results: The sensitivity and specificity for DIAGNOdent were 70.97 and 83.72, respectively. Few false negative results were observed, and the positive predictive value was high (+PV = 75.9) and the area under curve was more than 0.70 therefore making DIAGNOdenta great method for detecting caries (P = 0.0001). Two observers evaluated the radiographs and both observers had low sensitivity ( first observer: 48.39) (second observer: 51.61) and high specificity (both observers: 79.07). The +PV was lower than DIAGNOdent and the area under curve for both observers was less than 0.70. However, the difference between the two methods was not significant., Conclusion: DIAGNOdent showed a greater accuracy in detecting secondary caries under primary molar restorations, compared to radiographs. Although DIAGNOdent is an effective method for detecting caries under composite restorations, it is better to be used as an adjunctive method alongside other detecting procedures.

Background and aims. Tooth development is widely used in determining age and state of maturity. Dental age is of high importance in forensic and pediatric dentistry and also orthodontic treatment planning .The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of four radiographic age estimation methods. Materials and methods. Orthopantomographic images of 537 healthy children (age: 3.9-14.5 years old) were evaluated. Dental age of the subjects was determined through Demirjian's, Willem's, Cameriere's, and Smith's methods. Differences and correlations between chronological and dental ages were assessed by paired t-tests and Pearson's correlation analysis, respectively. Results. The mean chronological age of the subjects was 8.93 ± 2.04 years. Overestimations of age were observed following the use of Demirjian's method (0.87 ± 1.00 years), Willem's method (0.36 ± 0.87 years), and Smith's method (0.06 ± 0.63 years). However, Cameriere's method underestimated age by 0.19 ± 0.86 years. While paired t-tests revealed significant differences between the mean chronological age and ages determined by Demirjian's, Willem's, and Cameriere's methods (P < 0.001), such a significant difference was absent between chronological age and dental age based on Smith's method (P = 0.079). Pearson's correlation analysis suggested linear correlations between chronological age and dental age determined by all four methods. Conclusion. Our findings indicated Smith's method to have the highest accuracy among the four assessed methods. How-ever, all four methods can be used with acceptable accuracy.