Objective: This study investigates the effect of fixed and removable orthodontic appliances among children on salivary Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus sp. and Candida albicans. Study Design: The study was conducted on 69 patients aged between 6-17 years who used fixed or removable orthodontic appliances. Five ml samples of unstimulated saliva from each patient were collected at baseline and at the 1, 3 and 6 month periodic controls. Samples were diluted and plated on Mitis Salivarus Agar (MSA), Man Rogosa Sharp Agar (MRS) and Saboroud Dextrose Agar (SDA). The growths on the plates were examined under a stereomicroscope. Numbers of colony forming units (CFU) per plate were counted. For statistical analysis,the paired t test and Chi-Square were used. Results: S mutans and Lactobacillus sp counts increased significantly 6 months after the insertion of fixed/removable orthodontic appliances in the oral cavity. A significant increase for C albicans presence was noted after 3 months compared with baseline for fixed appliances.Conclusion: Long-term utilization of orthodontic appliances may have a negative effect on microbial flora and increase the risk of new carious lesions and periodontal problems. Patients should be recalled within short time intervals to be motivated for oral hygiene during their orthodontic therapy.

Sleeping problems are common in the pediatric population. Their potential relationship with oral manifestations is in the scope of researchers' interest. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible associations between sleeping habits and sleep bruxism, temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and dental caries among children by using Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ). A cross-sectional study was carried out at the Faculty of Dentistry of Istanbul Aydin University, Turkey, with a representative sample of 100 children aged 6-13 years. The CSHQ was completed by their parents. In addition, an intraoral examination was carried out in a clinical setting and sleep bruxism was recorded. The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) were examined and TMD were rated according to the Helkimo anamnestic and clinical dysfunction index. Data was analyzed with Fisher's exact test and the χ2 test. Among sleeping habits, bedtime resistance was found to be significantly associated with sleep bruxism and TMD symptoms in children. Sleep behavior problems were also found to be related to TMD. Untreated dental caries was significantly associated with sleep fragmentation. Sleep bruxism, TMD and untreated dental caries might have a negative impact on children's sleeping habits and characteristics. Pediatricians and pedodontists should collaborate to identify the causes and clinical features of sleeping habits and disorders in order to avoid adverse effects on the child's stomatognathic system.

This paper describes the oral healthcare system and disease situation amongst children in Turkey. Considering the high prevalence and severity of dental caries, a proposal for improvement of oral health in this population group is formulated.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate microhardness and compressive strength of composite resin (Tetric-Ceram, Ivoclar Vivadent), compomer (Compoglass, Ivoclar, Vivadent), and resin modified glass ionomer cement (Fuji II LC, GC Corp) polymerized using halogen light (Optilux 501, Demetron, Kerr) and LED (Bluephase C5, Ivoclar Vivadent) for different curing times.Methods: Samples were placed in disc shaped plastic molds with uniform size of 5 mm diameter and 2 mm in thickness for surface microhardness test and placed in a diameter of 4 mm and a length of 2 mm teflon cylinders for compressive strength test. For each subgroup, 20 samples for microhardness (n=180) and 5 samples for compressive strength were prepared (n=45). In group 1, samples were polymerized using halogen light source for 40 seconds; in group 2 and 3 samples were polymerized using LED light source for 20 seconds and 40 seconds respectively. All data were analyzed by two way analysis of ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc tests.Results: Same exposure time of 40 seconds with a low intensity LED was found similar or more efficient than a high intensity halogen light unit (P>.05), however application of LED for 20 seconds was found less efficient than 40 seconds curing time (P=.03).Conclusions: It is important to increase the light curing time and use appropriate light curing devices to polymerize resin composite in deep cavities to maximize the hardness and compressive strength of restorative materials. (Eur J Dent 2008;2:37-42)

Objectives: To measure the release of TEGDMA and BisGMA from two commercially available composite resins; Filtek Z 250 (3M ESPE, Germany), Leaddent (Leaddent, Germany) and two fissure sealants; Helioseal F (3M ESPE, Germany) Enamel Loc (Premiere Rev, USA) over 1, 3 and 7 days after polymerization with standard quartz-tungsten halogen Coltolux II (QHL) (Coltene Switzerland) and a standard blue light emitting diode Elipar Freelight 2 (3M ESPE, Germany).Methods: 9 samples of each material were placed in disc shaped specimens in 1 mm of thickness and 10 mm in diameter (n=36). Each material was polymerized using LED for 20 s (n=12), 40 s (n=12) and halogen for 40 s (n=12), respectively. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was used to measure the amount of monomers released over 1, 3 and 7 days. Data was analyzed using one way ANOVA and Bonferroni test for multiple comparisons with a significance level of .05.Results: LED 20 sec group showed the highest release of monomers at 1, 3 and 7 days in sealant groups. Halogen 40 sec group resulted highest release of monomers for Leaddent at all time intervals (P<.05)Conclusions: Efficiency of the curing unit and applying the recommended curing time of the light activated resin based dental materials is very important to protect the patient from potential hazards of residual monomers. (Eur J Dent 2010;4:34-40)

Objective: This in vitro study evaluated the microleakage of a nano-filled resin-modified glass ionomer and a high viscosity glass-ionomer restorations in class V cavities. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two class V cavities prepared on the buccal and lingual surfaces of 16 sound, third molar teeth were randomly assigned into two groups and restored by one of the glass ionomer material; Group A: A high viscosity (Ketac Molar, 3M ESPE) Group B: A nano-filled resin-modified (Ketac N100, 3M ESPE) glass ionomer. One clinician prepared all the cavities. The materials were used according to the manufacturers’ recommendations. The restored teeth were then stored in distilled water at 37°C for 24 h, thermocycled at 5-55°C for 1000 cycles. The specimens were immersed in aqueous solution of Indian ink dye for 48 h at room temperature. They were embedded in resin polyester and sectioned longitudinally in a buccolingual direction. Microleakage was assessed according to the depth of dye penetration along the restoration. The extent of dye penetration at the occlusal and gingival margins was assessed using a stereo microscope. Randomly selected samples from each group were prepared for scanning electron microscope evaluation. The data were statistically analyzed with Friedman and Wilcoxon signed ranks tests. Results: There were statistically significant differences between the microleakage scores of the two groups for both occlusal and gingival scores (P = 0.001). Occlusal and gingival scores for high viscosity glass ionomer (P = 0.024) and nanoionomer (P = 0.021) using Wilcoxon signed ranks tests showed statistically significant differences. High viscosity glass ionomer showed significantly less microleakage compared to the nano-filled resin-modified glass-ionomer (RMGIs) at occlusal margin (P = 0.001). No significant differences were found between the groups at gingival margin (P = 0.0317). Conclusion: Within the limitations of this in vitro study, nano-filled RMGIs restorations did not perform better than high viscosity glass ionomer in class V cavities in terms of microleakage assessment.