This study examined the antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of conventional glass-ionomer cement (GIC) modified by the addition of magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles. MgO nanoparticles were characterised by XRD, FTIR, and SEM analysis and tested for its activity against Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. MgO nanoparticles were incorporated into GIC powder (Ketac Molar Easymix) at different concentrations and the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity was evaluated using agar disk diffusion and biofilm-CFU counting assays. ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests were used for the analysis, and the level of significance was set at p < 0.05. MgO nanoparticles showed antibacterial activity against both microorganisms (MIC = 500 μg/ml and MBC = 1000 μg/ml). A significant difference in the zones of inhibition was detected (p < 0.005). The effect was evident in the 2.5% MgO nanoparticle modified GIC while the CFU counting biofilm assay showed the effect of the added nanoparticles from 1% with a significant difference between the tested material groups (p < 0.005). The MgO nanoparticle modified GIC showed effective antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against two cariogenic microorganisms and could be considered for further development as a biocompatible antibacterial dental restorative cement.

The current study aimed to find a prediction equation to estimate the arch perimeter (AP) depending on various arch dimensions including intercanine width (ICW), intermolar width (IMW), interpremolar width (IPMW), and arch length (AL) in a sample of the Kurdish population in Sulaimani City. The study sample was 100 pairs of preorthodontic dental casts. Calculations of dental arch dimensions and perimeter were performed by a digital vernier. Statistical analysis was performed via using the SPSS version 25 software. The developed prediction equation for the upper arch was , whereas the equation for the lower arch was . Paired -test revealed no statistical difference between predicted and real arch perimeters. Two separate prediction equations for upper and lower arches were developed based on the arch length (AL) and intermolar width (IMW) for the maxillary arch, intermolar (IMW), and inter canine widths (ICW) for the lower arch. The developed equations could have further beneficial impacts on orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning.

Purpose: Antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgONPs) mixture assessed against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), in addition to examining MgONPs varnish impact on the preservation of the tooth color and inhibition of methylene blue diffusion to the enamel. Methods: MgONPs mixture was prepared in deionized water (DW), absolute ethanol (E), and rosin with ethanol (RE), named varnish. The antibacterial and antibiofilm capacities of MgONPs mixtures were tested by agar well diffusion, colony-forming unit (CFU), and biofilm inhibition microtiter methods in triplicate and compared to sodium fluoride varnish (NaF) and chlorhexidine mouthwash (ChX). A spectrophotometer was used to record basic tooth color. The artificial demineralization was initiated for 96 h. Then, experimental materials were applied to the corresponding group, and 10-day pH cycles proceeded. Then, the color was recorded in the same ambient environment. The methylene blue diffusion was evaluated by staining the samples for 24 h. After that, the diffusion test was calculated by a digital camera attached to the stereomicroscope. Results: The agar well diffusion test expressed a significant inhibition zone with all MgONPs mixtures (p = 0.000), and maximum inhibition zone diameter associated with MgONPs-RE. The same finding was observed in the CFU test. Additionally, 2.5%, 5%, and 10% MgONPs-RE varnish showed strong biofilm inhibition capacity (p = 0.039) compared to NaF and ChX groups that inhibit biofilm formation moderately (p = 0.003). The study shows that the 5% MgONPs-RE varnish maintains basic tooth color with minimal methylene blue diffusion compared to NaF varnish (p = 0.00). Conclusion: Evaluating MgONPs as a mixture revealed antibacterial and antibiofilm capacity against S. mutans with a higher effect of MgONPs-RE varnish. Also, examining the topical effect of MgONPs-RE varnish on the preservation of the tooth color after pH cycle challenges and methylene blue diffusion to enamel confirmed the high performance of MgONPs-RE varnish at 5%.

Background Pulpotomy treatment is one of the vital pulp therapies that can play a major role in the preservation of primary teeth until their natural exfoliation. The objective of this current clinical trial was to assess the clinical and radiographical success of diode and Er,Cr:YSGG lasers as a viable alternative to formocresol (FC) and sodium hypochlorite in the primary molar pulpotomies. Materials and methods Sixty primary molars were selected and randomly allocated to four groups. All treatment groups followed the same clinical protocol, except for the techniques used for hemostasis of the pulpotomy sites. In group A, hemostasis was achieved by applying a 1:5 dilution of FC solution, whereas in group B, 3% sodium hypochlorite was applied to achieve hemostasis. In group C, exposure to a diode laser of 940 nm was performed, whereas for group D, erbium laser irradiation with Er,Cr:YSGG laser of 2,780 nm was employed to achieve hemostasis. Radicular pulp stamps were covered with a 2 mm layer of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) paste. Stainless steel crowns were utilized for the final restorations of the primary teeth. The clinical and radiographic outcomes were evaluated at the six- and 12-month follow-up intervals. The investigation was registered with the ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol and Registration System (ID: NCT06002646). Results The overall clinical and radiographic success rates of pulpotomy were 92.3% for FC, 89% for sodium hypochlorite, 98.3% for a diode laser, and 98.7% for Er,Cr:YSGG lasers. There were no statistically significant differences among the four groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions Both the diode and Er,Cr:YSGG lasers showed outcomes comparable to those of FC and sodium hypochlorite. Therefore, they could be promising alternatives to primary tooth pulpotomies.