Effect of electromagnetic fields and antioxidants on the trace element content of rat teeth Mehmet Sinan Dogan,1 Mehmet Cihan Yavas,2 Yasemin Yavuz,3 Sait Erdogan,4 Ä°smail Yener,4 Ä°brahim Simsek,1 Zeki Akkus,5 Veysel Eratilla,6 Abdulsamet Tanik,7 Mehmet Zulkuf Akdag2 1Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Harran University, Å?anliurfa, 2Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, 3Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, 4Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, 5Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, 6Department of Prosthodontics, 7Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey The purpose of this study was to examine the possible effect of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs), from a high-voltage source, on rat teeth in terms of changes in trace elements (TEs) and the effect of antioxidants (melatonin [MLT] and Ganoderma lucidum [GL]) in counteracting these effects. We used adult male Wistar albino rats with a mean weight of 250–300 g and divided the rats into eight groups. The groups were subjected to an ELF-EMF that was applied with a high-voltage line for 8 hours/day for 26 days (Groups I, II, and III) or 52 days (Groups V, VI, and VII). Groups IV and VIII were the 26- and 52-day control/sham groups, respectively. Groups II and VI were treated with GL, and Groups III and VII were treated with MLT. MLT and GL were administered daily based on the weight of the animals and appropriate standards. At the end of the study, the rats were euthanized, and their anterior teeth were extracted. The teeth were preserved in pure water before evaluating the major TEs. At the end of the study, TE concentrations (in mg/kg) were assessed in the control and test groups. Compared with Group V, statistically significant differences in the concentrations of zinc (Zn) and strontium (Sr) were found for Group VII (ELF-EMF + MLT) (P<0.05). Therefore, ELF-EMF exposure can change the content of certain TEs in teeth and, after administering MLT and GL, the values of some of the TEs return to normal. Keywords: ELF-EMF, tooth, trace element, melatonin, Ganoderma lucidum

The objective of this study is to assess the index of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMF-T), habit of brushing teeth, and the microbiological agents accumulating on the children’s toothbrushes for 4 weeks and response of these agents to disinfection via a chlorhexidine solution, then compare those results with the education and income levels of the children’s parents. Included in the study were 187 children (96 in the control group and 91 in the experiment group – chlorhexidine) chosen randomly from 600 kindergarten children whose ages ranged from 24 months to 72 months. The children selected had not taken any antibiotics, antimicotics for three months and dental treatments during this trial. The distribution of these children to the groups was also done randomly. After performing a survey for the education, occupation, and income status of the parents, the children were examined and the number of decayed teeth was recorded. The children were given toothbrushes, toothpaste (with fluroide), and the solutions (including distilled water and chlorhexidine) for four weeks under the condition that toothbrushes were returned at the end of each week. The 14 different microbiological agents observed as a result of the assessment of the samples taken in the first week were also included in the assessments of the samples taken over the four-week period. The decrease in the DMF-T index was found to be meaningful according to the differences in education, income, and occupation status of the parents. Of all the samples taken from the toothbrushes, the bacteria with the greatest rate of reproduction included Streptococcus mutans, Escherichia Coli, Pseudomonas aeuroginosa, Enterococcus spp, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Candida albicans. Except for Candida albicans, the other microorganisms taken as samples from the toothbrushes reproduced less overall. In the group using the solution with chlorhexidine, a meaningful decrease in bacterial reproduction was discovered compared to the control group. The findings of this study show that the education, occupation, and socioeconomic situations of the parents should be considered when discussing children’s oral and dental health. Moreover, the study shows that disinfection of toothbrushes in order to prevent reinfection and contamination oral flora with the bacteria again is important in terms of preventive medicine and family-children health.

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to determine whether Extremely low frequency electric and magnetic field (ELF-EMF) had any harmful effects on dental pulp tissue and examine histologically whether melatonin (MLT) and Ganoderma lucidum (GL) play a protective role against these harmful effects. Material and method: A total of 56 adult, male Wistar Albino rats were used in the study. The rats were separated into 8 equal groups and were exposed to ELF-EMF, generated by high voltage source, for 8 hours/day for 26 days – Groups I, II and III and for 52 days-Groups V, VI and VII. For sham-control groups (Groups IV and VIII for 26 and 52 days), rats were placed into same experimental set-up as exposure groups and same procedure was applied except ELF-EMF exposure. GL (20 mg/kg/day) and MLT (10 mg/kg/day) were administered by oral gavage and the intraperitoneal route respectively. At the end of the study, the rats anterior teeth were examined immunohistochemicaly using vimentin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Results: Degeneration in the odontoblast cells, inflammatory cell infiltration, dilatation of the blood vessels and haemorrhagic changes were determined in the pulp of the rats in Groups I and V. A statistically significant difference was determined in the groups treated with MLT and GL (p < 0.05). Conclusion: It was determined that exposure to ELF-EMF induced histological changes in the dental pulp of rats, the using of MLT and GL could have a protective effect against these effects.

Background: Untreated tooth cavities and the resulting toothaches have significant effects on children’s social and psychological development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of toothache on children’s educational and social activities. Methods: For this retrospective study, we issued a 15-question survey to the parents of 515 children between ages of 5–16 years in Diyarbakır, Turkey. The chi-square test was used to test the strength of the relationship between two variables (p ≤ 0.05). Results: 318 (61.7%) parents reported having difficulty in feeding their children, 94 (18.3%) left a game due to toothache, 173 (33.6%) had school absences, 167 (32.4%) avoided laughing, and 439 (85.2%) parents felt that dental problems influenced their child’s success in school. Conclusions: Tooth pain has a negative impact on school and the social lives of children. Families need education about this issue, and health policies should be developed to address this problem.

Pulpal vitality is important for the tooth to maintain its physiological function and preserve its structure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic 6- and 12-month treatment success of calcium hydroxide (CH) and calcium silicate materials in indirect pulp treatment (IPT) and direct pulp capping (DPC) in teeth with deep dentin decay. The study included 143 teeth of patients aged 17-69 years with no systemic disease. The study is grouped under 3 main groups (Dycal, Biodentine, TheraCal PT). Direct pulp capping was applied to 65 teeth and IPT to 66 teeth. All teeth were restored with Universal adhesive system and Universal composite (G-Premio Bond; GC Corp., Tokyo, Japan). In the statistical evaluations of the data obtained, 0.05 was accepted as the level of statistical significance. The general success rate in the IPT group was found to be 95.2% for Biodentine (Septodont, SaintMaur-des-Fossés, France), 91.7% for Dycal (Dentsply/Caulk, International Inc. Milford, USA) and 90.1% for TheraCal PT (Bisco Inc., Schaumburg, USA) at both 6 and 12 months. When the clinical and radiographic success was compared at 6 months and 12 months, no statistically significant difference was determined between the materials (p > 0.05). In the clinical and radiographic evaluations at the end of 6-month follow-up in the DPC group, the success rates were determined to be 96.0% for Biodentine, 81.8% for Dycal and 63.2% for TheraCal PT. At 12 months, these rates were 96.0% for Biodentine, 68.2% for Dycal and 63.2% for TheraCal PT. DPC Biodentine was found to be the most successful material (96.0%). At the end of the 12-month follow-up period, it was considered that the 3 materials (Biodentine, Dycal, TheraCal) can be selected for IPT. In DPC, Biodentine was found to be more successful than both calcium silicate containing resin and CH.

Objectives: This study will evaluate the effects of anti-epileptic drugs and brushing used in children on the color change of three restorative materials by creating an in vitro study model. Methods: Forty samples of polyacid-modified composite resin (compomer), glass ionomer cement (GIC), and composite resin (CR) were prepared. Samples were split into four groups (n = 10) and soaked in three anti-epileptic drugs (Tegretol, Depakine, Keppra) and distilled water. For each group (n = 5), two subgroups (brushing and non-brushing) were created. Discolorations [CIEDE2000 (ΔE₀₀)] were determined initially and on days 7 and 14. The data were analyzed with a four-factor repeated measures ANOVA analysis, and a post hoc analysis Bonferroni test was used. Results: After the second week, the highest ΔE₀₀ value was seen in the non-brushed compomer material in the Tegretol drug group (8.59 ± 0.43). In contrast, the lowest value was seen in GIC filling material-brushing-Depakine drug (3.45 ± 2.14). ΔE₀₀ values in the brushing groups were statistically significantly lower than those in the no brushing groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions: It has been determined that the color stability of aesthetic restorative dental materials used in pediatric dentistry is affected by antiepileptic drugs. In addition, it has been determined that tooth brushing positively affects the color stability of restorative materials. Therefore, pediatric dentists should advise their patients and their relatives about this issue and take precautions.