Objectives: The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) using the blue diode laser (BDL) with different output powers and the photosensitizers riboflavin and curcumin on reducing the number of Streptococcus mutans around orthodontic brackets. Materials and methods: A total of 36 orthodontic brackets were contaminated with S. mutans and randomly assigned to 12 groups as follows: control, riboflavin alone, riboflavin + BDL with an output power of 200, 300, 400, or 500 mW, and curcumin alone, curcumin + BDL with an output power of 200, 300, 400, or 500 mW, and 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX-positive control). Orthodontic brackets were irradiated with a BDL (wavelength 445 nm) at a power density of 0.4–1.0 W/cm² for 30 s. All orthodontic brackets were examined under a stereomicroscope at 10× magnification. Mean colony-forming units (CFUs)/mL were measured before and after treatment. A one-way analysis of variance with Tukey’s post hoc test was performed to compare CFU/mL between groups. Results: CHX and curcumin plus BDL with an output power of 500 mW had the highest reduction in S. mutans colony numbers (p < 0.001). The curcumin groups were more effective than the riboflavin groups. Riboflavin alone and riboflavin + BDL with an output power of 200 mW showed no significant difference from the control group (p = 0.99 and 0.74, respectively). Conclusion: Our results suggest that aPDT using curcumin as a photosensitizer plus BDL with an output power of 500 mW and a power density of 1.0 W/cm² at a wavelength of 445 nm can effectively reduce colonies of S. mutans around stainless steel brackets.

Surface Treatment by Different Parameters of Erbium:Yttrium–Aluminum–Garnet (Er:YAG) Laser: Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) Evaluation

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Background: Breast milk is a highly nutritious food for children which affects the craniofacial development. Breastfeeding also plays a significant role in muscle function and alignment of the teeth in dental arch. Given the resources in determining the evaluation of malocclusion and harmful oral habits, in this study we aimed to determine the effect of child feeding methods on non-nutritive sucking habits and anterior open bite. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 191 children aged 3 to 6 years from different kindergartens of Hamadan city were studied. Data were based on the questionnaires that were answered by parents. Then children were classified into the following 4 groups based on the history of breast-feeding: G1- bottle fed, G2- breast fed for less than 6 months, G3- breast fed for 6 to 12 months, G4- breast fed for more than 12 months. Children were examined for the presence of anterior open bite. Data were collected and analyzed by statistical tests. Pearson chi-squared test, logistic regression and Fisher exact tests were used. Results: The statistical analyses showed that demographic characteristics such as children’s age and birth order, maternal education, employment, and family income had no impact on child feeding methods and there was no significant relationship between them. Moreover, no meaningful relationship was found between non-nutritive sucking habits and feeding methods. Results showed that there was a significant relationship between feeding methods and incidence of anterior open bite. Conclusions: Feeding methods affect the prevalence of anterior open bite, and by increasing the duration of breast-feeding, prevalence of anterior open bite can be reduced.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the available clinical evidence on the use of ozonated gels and oils in the management of periodontitis. Material and Methods: Embase, SCOPUS, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar were searched up to May 13, 2025. Original peer‐reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in English that investigated patients with periodontitis were included. Study characteristics, methods of ozone application, conclusions, and reported complications were extracted. Pooled mean differences of clinical indices were compared between the ozone therapy groups (adjunctive or monotherapy) and control groups (placebo or CHX). Primary outcomes included clinical indices such as probing pocket depth (PPD), plaque index (PI), and gingival index (GI), whereas secondary outcomes comprised clinical attachment level (CAL), clinical attachment loss (CAtL), bleeding on probing (BoP), and sulcus bleeding index (SBI). Results: Of the 962 records, 19 clinical studies were included in the qualitative synthesis and 18 RCTs in the quantitative synthesis. For periodontitis, ozonated compounds significantly reduced PPD when used as an adjunct to subgingival instrumentation (MD = −0.780; p < 0.0001) and reduced clinical attachment loss (CAL) (MD = −0.457; p = 0.001) compared with subgingival instrumentation alone. No statistically significant differences were observed in PI or GI outcomes with ozonated compounds as an adjunct to subgingival instrumentation compared with subgingival instrumentation alone, although sensitivity analyses indicated some instability in the results. Follow‐up periods ranged from 4 to 12 weeks across outcomes (8–12 weeks for GI), with most studies reporting 12‐week follow‐up. No consistent differences were found between ozone and CHX in terms of PPD, CAL, PI or BoP. No adverse effects were reported in the studies. Conclusions: Ozonated gels and oils were associated with favorable periodontal outcomes, particularly when used as adjuncts to subgingival instrumentation, and no major adverse effects were reported. However, the evidence is limited by short‐term follow‐up and methodological heterogeneity.