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Statement of the Problem: Healing of the inferior alveolar nerve injury during dental procedures is one of the biggest concerns of dentists. There are still debates on different treatment modalities. Purpose: This study aimed to compare the effect of 940nm and 810nm diode lasers on the repair of the inferior alveolar sensory nerve. Materials and Method: In this single-blinded randomized clinical trial, 39 patients with inferior alveolar nerve injury were divided into three groups: 1. 810nm laser irradiated, 2. 940nm laser irradiated, and 3. No laser irradiation (control group). All patients were treated in 12 sessions (3 days per week) and evaluated using a complete clinical neurosensory test (CNT), including brushstroke, 2-point discrimination, pinprick nociception, and thermal discrimination before and after treatment. Results: The mean dysesthesia of the patient treated with 810nm diode laser was significantly lower than the control group in all sessions (the 1st (p= 0.003), 3rd (p=0.008), 7th (p= 0.006), and 12th sessions (p= 0.005)). The 810nm laser resulted in more satisfaction in patients than the control group in almost all sessions (1st (p< 0.001), 7th (p= 0.028), and 12th (p= 0.006)). More patient satisfaction was seen in the 1st and 3rd sessions in the 810nm laser than in the 980nm laser (p< 0.001 and p= 0.003, respectively). Conclusion: 810nm diode laser can be better than 940nm in repairing inferior alveolar sensory nerve damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Statement of the Problem: Considering the relatively high prevalence of oral mucosal ulcers, their fast healing is of significance. Purpose: This study aimed to histopathologically compare the effects of 810 nm and 940 nm diode laser on the healing of iatrogenic oral ulcers in rabbits. Materials and Method: In this single-blind experimental study, mucosal ulcers measuring 3mm in diameter and 1mm in depth were bilaterally created in the buccal mucosa of 18 rabbits using a biopsy punch. The defects were irradiated with 810 nm diode laser on the right side and 940 nm diode laser on the left side. Biopsy samples of the same depth were obtained from the ulcers on days 3 and 7 followed by histopathological analysis. The intensity of inflammation was determined on hematoxylin-eosin-stained sections using a fourpoint scale. Data were analyzed employing the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results: The degree of inflammation was not significantly different between the 810nm and 940nm diode laser groups on day 3; but on day 7, animals receiving 810 nm experienced a significantly lower degree of inflammation compared to those treated with 940 nm laser (p= 0.028). Conclusion: When comparing 810- and 940-nm diode lasers, 810 nm irradiation significantly decreased the severity of inflammation in oral wounds created on the buccal mucosa of rabbits in a time-dependent manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the effects of 660 and 810 nm diode laser on the proliferation and invasion of cancer cells were investigated. Sixteen plates of oral cancer cells originated from tongue SCC were irradiated with diode laser at 660 nm (40 and 80 mW) and 810 nm (100 and 200 mW) with the energy density of 4 J cm−2. One plate received no irradiation (the control). Irradiation was performed at four times (0, 24, 72 and 168 h). Cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay. The Ki67 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) markers were examined by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Cyclin D1, E‐cadherin, β‐catenin and matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9; flow cytometry) were also evaluated. Proliferation was lower in the irradiated groups. This result was significant for all groups at 24 h. The percentages of cyclin D1 and MMP‐9 were higher in 810 nm groups, β‐catenin and E‐cadherin were higher in 660 nm groups, VEGF marker was significantly lower in 810 nm/200 mW group, and Ki67 marker has no difference between the groups. According to the results of this study, laser irradiation at 0 and 24 h resulted in a significant inhibitory effect on cell proliferation especially in 660 nm/80 mW and 810 nm/200 mW. Further studies are needed in this respect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Mechanical debridement of diseased root surfaces produces a smear layer that encompass microorganisms and residual cementum which may interfere with periodontal healing and regeneration of connective tissue attachment. Accordingly, this study aimed to determine impact of 940nm diode laser on adhesion of fibroblasts to root surface of extracted teeth from patients with chronic periodontitis. Methods: Twenty extracted single-rooted teeth with hopeless prognosis were collected and debrided with hand curettes. Afterward, two specimens were obtained from each tooth by splitting them with a sterile diamond disk. Samples were submerged in fibroblast suspension and randomly divided into two groups. Group A comprised of 20 specimens subjected to scaling and root planing only and group B included 20 specimens which received SRP and and 940 nm diode laser irradiation. The adhesion of fibroblasts was investigated by MTT and cell morphology was assessed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: The extent of adhesion was higher in group B compared with group A, though this difference was not statistically significant. In the laser group, fibroblast cells showed more elongated morphology and a smaller number of rounded forms was found. But no significant difference was observed between the two groups. Conclusion: A diode laser with a wavelength of 940 nm has a negligible effect on adhesion of fibroblasts to the root surface of teeth extracted because of chronic periodontitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome (MPDS) is a common temporomandibular joint disorder. Due to its multifactorial etiology, treatment usually involves more than one modality to obtain complementary results. The purpose of this study was to compare the combined effect of a low-level laser, a hard occlusal appliance, and conventional pharmacotherapy with pharmacotherapy only in the management of patients with MPDS. Methods: In this study, 15 patients with MPDS were diagnosed and randomly assigned to 3 groups (n=5). Subjects in Group 1 were treated with pharmacotherapy (PT); Group 2 received the diode laser (940 nm gallium arsenide) every other day for a total of 10 sessions, plus pharmacotherapy (PTL) and Group 3 were given hard occlusal splint 12 h/day for 4 weeks, plus pharmacotherapy (PTO). The intensity of pain was measured using the visual analog scale (VAS) prior to the treatment, 2 and 4 weeks after the onset of treatment and 2 weeks later. The maximum painless mouth opening and pain intensity at muscle palpation were also recorded. Comparisons were made between the groups via repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) (P < 0.05). Results: Pain relief in the subjective VAS was observed in both laser and appliance groups in the third and fourth examination sessions (P < 0.05). No statistically significant reduction in pain was noted using pharmacotherapy only. The maximum painless mouth opening and muscle tenderness were not significantly different between the 3 groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Both the laser and the occlusal appliance combined with pharmacotherapy proved to be effective for pain reduction in patients with MPDS. All groups, however, failed to result in a significant improvement in the maximum mouth opening or tenderness in masticatory muscles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To study trends of urological cancers mortalities in Iran between 1990 and 2015 as a part of a larger project named national and subnational burden of diseases, injuries, and risk factors. Methods: The primary dataset of this project comprises data of national death registration system. Cause‐specific mortality fraction for each age, sex, province, and year group was calculated using a two‐stage mixed effects and spatiotemporal models, and then these fractions were applied to all‐cause mortality rates, obtained from a parallel study to estimate mortality rates attributable to each cause. Results: In 2015, urological cancers constituted 8% of cancer‐related deaths in Iran, and number of deaths due to prostate, bladder, testicular, and kidney and other urinary organs cancers were estimated as 2,128 (1,565–2,891), 297 (230–385), 301 (144–639), and 195 (143–267), respectively. Our estimates show that age‐standardized death rates (ASDRs) of these cancers reached 6.8 (5–9.23), 0.47 (0.37–0.61), 0.96 (0.46–2.04), and 0.24 (0.18–0.33) deaths per 100,000 individuals in 2015, a reduction in the three latter cancers, from 4.09 (2.92–5.76), 13.04 (10.04–16.95), 1.23 (0.46–3.34), and 1.76 (1.28–2.42) deaths per 100,000 individuals in 1990, respectively. Conclusions: In conclusion, despite disparities among different provinces, overall mortality rate of urological cancers decreased significantly since 1990s in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is the most common neuralgia in the head and neck region and a common cause of orofacial pain. It is routinely treated with carbamazepine. Laser, acupuncture and radiofrequency are among other treatment modalities for this condition. This study sought to assess the efficacy of laser therapy in conjunction with carbamazepine for treatment of TN. Methods: A total of 30 patients who met the inclusion criteria were divided into 2 groups of cases and controls (n = 15) by double blind randomized controlled clinical trial. All patients received 100 mg carbamazepine at baseline and another 100 mg after 2 days for pain control. In the case group, low level laser therapy (LLLT) was also performed in addition to pharmaceutical therapy. Sham laser was used in the control group instead of LLLT. Treatment was continued for 9 sessions (3 days a week). The intensity of pain was measured and compared in the 2 groups using visual analog scale (VAS) in 3 period. The qualitative variables among the groups were compared using the repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The severity of pain was lower at the end of treatment in the case compared to the control group so this difference was statistically significant (P = 0.003). The severity of pain decreased in both groups over time. Significant difference was noted in this regard between the 2 groups either (P = 0.003). At the end of treatment pain intensity dropped in the intervention group from 6/8 to 1/2 and control group from 6/6 to 2/7. Conclusion: Laser therapy did add to the value of pharmaceutical therapy for treatment of TN. Both groups experienced significant improvement over time. So it is better to used laser complementary therapy to reduce side effects and the medicine dosage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the bond strength of fiber post to composite core following surface treatment with Er,Cr:YSGG laser at different powers and sandblasting with and without thermocycling. Methods: In this experimental study, 30 fiber posts (Glassix, Nordin, Switzerland) were randomly divided into 5 groups of sandblasting, no treatment and laser irradiation at 1, 1.5 and 2 W powers. Following composite filling and mounting, 1-mm thick sections were made for pushout bond strength testing. Half of the samples in each group were subjected to thermocycling (n=15). Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the bond strength values. Pairwise comparisons were made using Tukey test (P < 0.05). Results: Effect of treatment method on push-out bond strength of fiber post to composite core was significant (P = 0.017), while thermocycling had no significant effect on bond strength (P = 0.964). Pairwise comparison of surface treatment methods revealed no significant difference in groups with and without thermocycling (P > 0.05), but Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation with 1 W power yielded significantly higher bond strength than the control group (P =0.01). Conclusion: Irradiation of Er,Cr:YSGG laser at 1 W power increased the bond strength of fiber post to composite core. Thermocycling slightly decreased the bond strength at the fiber postcore interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Statement of the Problem: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is one of the most common lesions in the oral cavity. Due to its multifactorial nature, there is no definitive treatment for RAS. Laser therapy is one of the suggested treatments to reduce patient's discomfort. Purpose: The purpose of the present clinical trial is to assess the effect of low and high level laser therapy on pain control and wound healing of RAS. Materials and Method: Thirty six patients with minor RAS were divided into three groups. Group 1 (n=14) received CO2 laser, group 2 (n=12) were treated with In- GaAlP Diode laser and group 3 (n=10) received sham laser as placebo. All patients were evaluated daily up to 15 days after receiving one session of laser therapy. Pain severity before and after treatment, wound healing, patient's satisfaction, and functional disturbance before and after treatment were recorded for each patient. Results: According to statistical analysis, pain reduction after treatment in group 1 was 7.00±2.41, in group 2 was 2.08±2.31, and in group 3 was 1.40±1.77. In addition, a significant difference was observed in the reduction of functional complications in CO2 laser treated patients compared to the other two groups. Conclusion: High-level laser treatment showed analgesic effects on RAS, but no healing was observed. Low-level laser therapy demonstrated no positive effect on recurrent aphthous ulcers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the oral mucosa with treatment challenges for clinicians. Aims: The objective of this study is to compare the effects of cryotherapy as a new modality with topical corticosteroids as a conventional therapy in the treatment of OLP. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with bilateral OLP lesions were selected. From each patient a lesion on one side was chosen randomly for a single session of cryotherapy with nitrous oxide gas and the lesion on the other side received triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% ointment in orabase. Treatment outcome was measured by means of an appearance score, pain score (visual analogue scale), and severity of lesions before treatment and after 2, 4 and 6 weeks of treatment. Statistical Analysis Used: Paired samples i-test and Wilcoxon test. Results: In both methods of treatment sign score, pain score and severity of lesions was significantly reduced in all follow-up sessions (P < 0.05). But the treatment outcome and relapse was not significantly different between the two treatment methods (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Cryotherapy with nitrous oxide gas is as effective as topical triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of OLP with no systemic side effects and needs less patient compliance. It can be considered as an alternative or adjuvant therapy in OLP patients to reduce the use of treatments with adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Being able to cause disease in human, herpes simplex viruses (HSVs) clinically demonstrate themselves as intra-oral, extra-oral or recurrent lesions. The existing acyclovir has the selective anti-herpetic drug to control HSV infections. Due to emerged resistance to this drug and limitations of using it in especial situations, there is a need for alternative treatments such as available mouthwashes. This study aimed to compare two mouthwashes (Irsha and Chlorhexidine) with Acyclovir on HSV-1 in vitro. Methods: In this experimental research, we used MTT (Thiazolyl Blue Tetrazolium Bromide) colorimetric test to determine the cytotoxicity level of three solutions consecutively, antiseptic and nonalcoholic Irsha mouth wash (blue-colored), chlorhexidine 0.2% mouthwash, and acyclovir and absorbed wavelengths were recorded by Eliza Reader. After infecting the cells with different dilutions of HSV-1 in different concentrations of Irsha and chlorhexidine mouthwashes, we analyzed their antiherpetic effects on Vero cells. By using suitable statistical tests in version 15 of SPSS the results were then analyzed. Results: The results showed that in the concentrations of 0.38% for Irsha and 0.003% for chlorhexidine these mouthwashes kill 50% of Vero cells (CC50). After determining CC50, we detected the antiviral effects of Irsha and chlorhexidine mouthwashes and acyclovir solutions. We observed a significant difference between 0.5% concentration of Irsha mouthwash and other concentrations of it. The least logarithm of virus titration was observed in 0.002% concentration of chlorhexidine mouthwash. Both tested acyclovir concentrations (1250 μgr/Mililiter and 2500 μg/mLμgr/Mililiter) had a similar effect on decreasing virus titre Conclusion: According to our results, anti-herpetic effect of Irsha is less than chlorhexidine and anti-herpetic effect of Acyclovir and Chlorhexidine is stronger than Irsha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Recurrent intraoral herpes is a common oral disease that causes painful ulcers and viral shedding, resulting in various complications for patients. The antiviral efficacy of oral mouthwashes has not been adequately studied, although they are a readily available and rapid treatment modality for oral ulcers. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, viricidal effects of chlorhexidine and Persica mouthwashes on Vero cell lines were examined, before and after HSV-1 infection of the cells, in the presence of various concentrations of mouthwashes at different time intervals by using quantal assays. Then the results were compared with those of acyclovir. The 50% cytotoxic concentrations (CC50) of the two mouthwashes were determined. Data was analyzed by one-way and two-way ANOVA (α = 0.05). Results: CC50 of Persica at 5- and 30-minute intervals were 0.2% and 0.14%, respectively. Chlorhexidine was toxic at durations more that 5 minutes. Before inoculation, both mouthwashes showed viricidal effects and Persica showed more viricidal effect than chlorhexidine and acyclovir (p values of 0.0001 and 0.04, respectively). After virus inoculation antiviral effects of these mouthwashes were only limited to concentrations above 1/4. Acyclovir demonstrated the highest antiviral effect (p value = 0.0001). Conclusion: Considering the better direct anti-HSV effect of the herbal mouthwash, Persica, and its less side effects compared to chlorhexidine, it can be used to reduce oral fluid contamination caused by viral shedding and reduce infectivity of intra-oral ulcers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Galectin-3, a member of the family of β-galactoside-binding animal lectins, has been implicated in tumor invasion and metastasis. Materials and Methods: Using an ELISA kit, we assessed the circulating levels of galectin-3 in sera from 40 oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients and from 43 healthy controls. Results: Serum galectin-3 levels in OSCC patients were significantly higher (5.1±2.5 ng/ml) when compared with healthy controls (2.6±3.07 ng/ml, P<0.0005). There was no apparent correlation between serum galectin-3 concentration and clinico-pathological features such as stage, tumor size, nodal status, distant metastasis and histological grade. Conclusion: This result suggests that, in addition to other tests, measurement of serum galectin-3 concentrations can be utilized as an adjuvant test for establishing a diagnosis of OSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is being used in several conditions because of its non-invasiveness. Facial dysesthesia due to nerve injuries is one of the challenging conditions to treat that has few effective remedies. Using LLLT in nerve recovery is the subject of few studies. Methods: Twenty-six patients suffering from facial dysesthesia/anesthesia because of trauma or after surgery who were 18-60 years old entered the study. According to the duration of their problems, we divided them into 3 groups: A (trauma less than 7 days old), B (trauma 7-30 days old) and C (trauma older than one month). The severity of dysesthesia/anesthesia was evaluated in each section using visual analog scale (VAS) and the improvement rate was the percentage of the differences in these scores as: Grade I: less than 10%, Grade II: 10%-30%, Grade III: 31%-60%, Grade IV: 61%-100%. Our laser was InGaArP diode laser (940 nm) made by the American Biolase Company, the power was 0.4 W, the exposure time for each point was 10 s, in continuous mode and the energy density was 5.08 J/cm2. Patients were irradiated by laser for 10 sessions (3 times a week). Results: We had 10 patients in group A with a mean improvement rate of 59.5% (SD = 26.5047). In group B, we had 7 patients whom mean improvement rate was 35.28% (SD=24.2674). Patients in group C were 9 with a mean improvement rate of 31.55% (SD=16.7191). Comparing between A and B group levels showed the significant difference between them (P = 0.037) which group A showed higher improvement rate than B and also the improvement rate of group A was significantly higher than group C (P = 0.007). But, despite the better results of group B in contrast with group C, the difference was not significant (P = 0.36). Although there are some researches on the effect of LLLT (of red/infrared laser) on paraesthesia or anesthesia, it seems there should be more surveys on the effect of time of referral for the laser therapy. The improvement of patients in group B was better than group C but the difference was not significant statistically. Conclusion: Laser therapy can improve facial trauma induced anesthesia/dysesthesia, especially in early referral. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]