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Background and Aims: Dental caries is one of the most common infectious diseases which could be prevented in various ways. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a toothpaste containing different concentrations of nano-hydroxyapatite on the remineralization of incipient caries. Materials and Methods: 9 sound first premolar teeth of maxilla and mandible were sectioned to four pieces. 6 specimens were stored in distilled water as control group. The remaining 30 specimens were demineralized for 72 hours and then their microhardness was measured. 0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 5% wt nano-hydroxyapatite were added to the solution of distilled water and toothpaste. Specimens were divided into 5 groups (N=6) and after demineralization, each group were randomly immersed in the above-mentioned solutions for 15 minutes. Next, specimens were kept in artificial saliva for 1 hour followed by immersion in the related remineralizing solution for another 15 minutes. This procedure was repeated for 5 days. Finally, the microhardness of the teeth was measured. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The microhardness of demineralized teeth was increased following exposure to different concentrations of nano-hydroxyapatite, but this increase was not statistically significant (P=0.62). Conclusion: Nano-hydroxy apatite can enhance remineralization and increase the tooth microhardness although this increase was not significant.

Introduction: Early dental caries in childhood is one of the most prevalent health problems. This survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of early childhood caries and its contributing socio-economic factors among kindergarten children of Semnen, Iran. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1332 children under 6 years from Semnan kindergartens were selected by census and examined for dental caries using WHO criteria. Variables including age, gender, educational level and occupation of parents and the level of kindergarten were recorded in a checklist. Additionally, the number of decayed, filled or extracted teeth was also calculated to represent the dmft score. Results: From 1332 studied children, 61.1% had early childhood caries (ECC). Variables including age (OR= 2.21 and 95%CI: 1.90-2.56, p<0.001)) and maternal career (p= 0.002) showed significant relationship with ECC. Moreover, the incidence of ECC was 2.33 and 2.95 times greater among children with housewife mothers and mothers having non-medical jobs, respectively than that of children with mothers having medical jobs. Conclusion: The results indicated a high prevalence of early childhood caries among Semnan children. Therefore, particular emphasis should be placed on educational and interventional programs, especially for mothers of children specifically at preschool age regarding their health care procedures and diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We studied the role of maternal folic acid supplementation in modifying the effects of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677T and A1298C) gene polymorphisms in Iranian children with oral clefts. Materials and Methods: Forty-seven newborn infants with orofacial cleft and their mothers were selected randomly. Mothers were matched regarding dietary folate intake. The genotyping on venous blood was carried out. Consistency between maternal and child genotypes was analyzed. Results: Genotype consistency was not statistically significant in both C677T and A1298C gene variants (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Maternal folic acid consumption may not have any significant effect on modifying C677T and A1298C polymorphisms in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Several medications have been used for sedation in children in dentistry and intra-nasal route has been reported to be an efficient way regarding patient cooperation. The aim of the present study was to compare the changes in physiologic parameters following intra-nasal midazolam and ketamine administration. Methods: In this randomized cross-over double-blind trial, 17 uncooperative 3-6 years old children requiring at least two dental treatments were selected randomly and received intra-nasal ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) and midazolam (0.2 mg/kg) prior to the treatment using the other drug in the next visit. Physiologic parameters including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and O2 saturation were measured and compared during the different time intervals using two way repeated measure ANOVA. Results: The patients showed higher blood pressure and heart rate following ketamine administration compared to midazolam (p<0.001). No significant difference was found between the drugs at different time intervals regarding respiratory rate and O2 saturation. (p>0.05) Conclusion: In spite of significant differences between midazolam and ketamine regarding heart rate and blood pressure, both drugs can b e used as effective sedative medications without treatment interruption in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims. The aim of the present study is to determine the incidence of MTHFR C677 T and A1298C mutations in Iranian patients with cleft lip and/or cleft palate. Materials and methods. We screened 61 Iranian patients with cleft lip and/or cleft palate for mutations in the two alleles of MTHFR gene associated with cleft lip and/or palate: A1298C and C677T, using Polymerase Chain Reaction following by RFLP. Results. The 677T and 1298C homozygote genotypes showed a frequency of 36.1% and 11.4%, respectively. Combined genotype frequencies in newborns having oral clefts showed that the highest genotype was 677TT/1298AA (22.9%) and 677TT/1298CC genotypes were not observed. Conclusion. The results showed that 65.6% of all patients had at least one T mutant allele in C677T and 58.9% C mutant allele for A1298C. According to the frequencies of homozygosity of mutant alleles, it could be said that MTHFR genotype of 677TT shows a greater role in having oral clefts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Dental caries is an infectious disease that can be prevented in several ways. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of sodium fluoride mouthrinse and nano- hydroxyapatite (nano-HA) for the remineralization of incipient caries. Materials and Methods: After obtaining different concentrations of nano-HA (0- 2-5-10%), 60 sound premolars fixed in acrylic blocks were coated with nail polish except for one surface. Ten teeth (control group) were stored in distilled water and the remaining 50 samples were demineralized by immersion in 13 ml of 0.1 M lactic acid and 0.2% poly acrylic acid for 48 hours. Their microhardness was then measured and compared to that of the control group. Next, the 50 test teeth were randomly divided into 5 groups of group1 (negative), group 2 (2% nano-HA), group 3 (5% nano-HA), group 4(10% nano-HA) and group 5 (0.2 NAF mouthrinse). The microhardness of the teeth was measured after 12 hours of immersion in the above-mentioned solutions. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Microhardness of all samples decreased significantly after immersion in the demineralization solution and increased following immersion in nano-HA and NAF mouthrinses; however, this increase was not statistically significant (P=0.711). Conclusion: Nano-HA and NAF mouthrinses can greatly enhance remineralization and increase tooth microhardness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study was to describe the association of MTHFR gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (C677T and A1298C) and maternal supplementary folate intake with orofacial clefts in the Iranian population. Methods: In this case-control study, peripheral venous blood was taken from 65 patients with orofacial clefts and 215 unaffected controls for DNA extraction and kept in EDTA for further analysis. The genotyping was carried out using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) followed by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) and gel electrophoresis. Data were analyzed using Chi square test and logistic regression tests. Results: Genotype frequencies of 677TT were reported to be 13.5 and 36.1% in controls and CL/P patients, respectively, which showed a significant difference compared to CC as reference (OR=4.118; 95% CI=1.997-8.492; p=0.001). Conversely, 1298CC with frequencies of 10.8 and 12.7% in controls and patients, respectively, showed no significant difference compared to AA (OR=2.359; 95 % CI=0.792-7.023; p=0.123). Comparing patients whose mothers did not report the folate supplement intake during pregnancy, to controls, it was observed that lack of folate intake was a predisposing factor for having a child with oral clefts (OR=5/718, p=0.000). Conclusion: Children carrying the 677TT variant of the MTHFR gene may have an increased risk of CL/P. In addition, the finding that the risk associated with this allele was obviously higher when the mothers didn't use folic acid, supports the hypothesis that folic acid may play a role in the etiology of CL/P. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of intranasal ketamine and midazolam on behavior of 3-6 year-old children during dental treatments., Materials and Methods: In this randomized cross-over clinical trial, 17 uncooperative children requiring at least two dental treatments were selected and randomly received ketamine (0.5mg/kg) or midazolam (0.2mg/kg) prior to treatment. The other medication was used in the next visit. The children's behavioral pattern was determined according to the Houpt's scale regarding sleep, movement, crying and overall behavior. Physiological parameters were also measured at different time intervals. The data were subjected to Wilcoxon Signed Rank test and two-way repeated measures ANOVA., Results: The frequency of crying decreased significantly following ketamine administration compared to midazolam (P=0.002); movement of children decreased with fewer incidence of treatment interruption (P=0.001) while their sleepiness increased (P=0.003). Despite higher success of sedation with ketamine compared to midazolam, no significant differences were found between the two regarding patients' overall behavior (P>0.05). The patients had higher heart rate and blood pressure with ketamine; however, no significant difference was found regarding respiratory rate and oxygen saturation (P>0.05)., Conclusions: Ketamine (0.5mg/kg) led to fewer movements, less crying and more sleepiness compared to midazolam (0.2mg/kg). No significant differences were found between the two drugs regarding children's overall behavior and sedation efficiency. Both drugs demonstrated positive efficacy for sedation of children during dental treatments.