Objective: This cross-sectional online questionnaire-based study evaluated the knowledge, awareness, and behaviors of dentists and senior dental students regarding oral cancer (OC). Materials and methods: This study included 168 dentists and senior dental students who had completed all theoretical educations and clinical practices. An online survey was administered to all participants to assess their awareness of the risk factors for OC, clinical knowledge, and behaviors. The participants’ demographic characteristics and knowledge of OC were analyzed. Results: Of the participants, 48.8% were female and 51.2% were male. Their mean age was 27.04 ± 5.56 years (range: 21–51). In addition, 59.5% were dentists, and 40.5% were senior dental students. The dentists’ mean time since graduation was 6.38 ± 5.64 years (range: 1–27). Routine oral mucosa examination for OC was significantly more frequent among the dentists than the senior dental students (p < 0.05). Among all participants, 33% of dentists and 51.5% of senior dental students had poor knowledge of OC-related or possibly predisposing factors. Routine evaluation of OC-related and predisposing risk factors, including human papillomavirus infection, smoking, alcohol use, trauma-related non-healing oral lesions caused by long-term incompatible prostheses, and poor oral hygiene, was significantly more frequent among the dentists than the senior dental students (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Educating dental students about a more comprehensive oral examination and early diagnosis of OC would help overcome the current lack of adequate knowledge and attitudes in OC prevention and early detection. A core curriculum compatible with the global standards on OC should be provided to dental students.

Clinical comparison of the use of ER,CR:YSGG and diode lasers in second stage implants surgery

This study aims to evaluate the effects of additional low-level laser therapy (940 nm GaAlAs) to the routine occlusal splint therapy on maximal mouth opening (MMO), visual analog scale (VAS) scores, and passive mouth opening (PMO). Between January 2016 and March 2018, a total of 40 patients (10 males, 30 females; mean age 22.35 years; range, 18 to 60 years) with disc displacement with reduction of the temporomandibular joint were included. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 (control group, n=20) received routine non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) therapy and occlusal splint therapy for eight hours per day for a total of three months. Group 2 (laser group, n=20) received NSAID, occlusal splint therapy and 940 nm wavelength diode laser therapy for two sessions per week for a total of four weeks. The MMO, PMO, and VAS scores were recorded before and at one, two, three, four, and 12 weeks after treatment. The joint and muscle examinations were performed. A constant decrease was found in the VAS scores in both groups. At four (p=0.008) and 12 weeks (p=0.003), a statistically significant difference in the VAS scores was observed. At all time points, PMO and MMO scores increased in both groups. The MMO scores were statistically higher in the laser group at all time points (p<0.005). Our study results suggest that short-term low-level laser therapy additional to conventional treatment may yield satisfactory outcomes.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effect of erbium, chromium doped:yttrium,scandium,gallium,garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser application combined with non‐surgical mechanical debridement (MD) on clinical parameters and peri‐implant crevicular fluid receptor activator of nuclear factor‐kappa B ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) levels in the treatment of peri‐implantitis.Methods: A total of 49 patients who underwent non‐surgical treatment of peri‐implantitis were randomly divided into two groups. The control group (n = 26) received MD alone, while the laser group (n = 23) received MD+Er,Cr:YSGG. The clinical parameters (bleeding on probing [BoP], gingival index [GI], plaque index [PI], probing depth [PD]), marginal bone loss (MBL), and biochemical parameters (RANKL and OPG) were measured at baseline (T0) and 6 months after treatment (T1).Results: There was a statistically significant decrease in all the clinical parameters in both groups at T1 compared to T0 (p < 0.05). The BoP, PD, MBL, and RANKL reductions were significantly higher in the laser group than in the control group (p = 0.046, p = 0.014, p = 0.047, p = 0.045, respectively). The OPG levels significantly increased at T1 in the laser group (p = 0.01). The OPG/RANKL ratio increased significantly in both groups at T1, which favored the laser group (p = 0.034).Conclusions: Although both treatment methods were influential in treating peri‐implantitis, the laser group (MD+Er,Cr:YSGG) yielded more favorable results by reducing clinical inflammation and improving biochemical parameters. Based on these findings, Er,Cr:YSGG laser may be a beneficial adjunctive treatment in this patient group.

Background: This study aimed to compare extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) with the use of stabilization splint in nonsurgical temporomandibular disorders treatments, and to evaluate the effects. Methods: In this study, individuals, who are diagnosed with disc displacements with reduction according to the diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorder examination criteria. The patients in the first control group (n = 36) were applied a medical treatment + stabilization splint. The second group (n = 25) was applied the ESWT (2 days a week for 4 weeks) + medical treatment + stabilization splint. Visual Analog Scale scores, painless maximum painless mouth opening, and passive-forced mouth opening measurements were recorded for the first and second weeks. Results: The ESWT application significantly contributed to pain-reducing (Visual Analog Scale) in patients at short notice (P = .030) in the second group. There were statistically significant differences between the groups in painless maximum active mouth opening (P = .009) and passive forced measurements (P = .004) in the second week. Conclusion: This pilot study showed that short-term ESWT addition to stabilization splint and medical treatment may yield satisfactory outcomes.