The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical efficacy of different chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) preparations applied subgingivally as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP). A total of 120 periodontal pockets was included in this randomized, controlled, split mouth designed study. According to protocols used in treatment, periodontal pockets were assigned to experimental and control groups as follows: CHX solution as an addition to SRP versus control SRP group; CHX gel as an addition to SRP versus control SRP; CHX chip as an addition to SRP versus control SRP group. Following clinical parameters were recorded at baseline, one and three months after the baseline: plaque index (PI), probing pocket depth (PPD), bleeding index (BI) and clinical attachment level (CAL). The most significant improvements were found concerning PI in CHX solution with SRP and CHX gel with SRP groups over controls at one month recall, as well as concerning BI and PPD in CHX chip with SRP group over SRP alone at three-month recall. Results of this study favour combination therapy using CHX chip as an adjunct to SRP due to greater improvements in BI and PPD compared to those obtained by SRP alone in the treatment of chronic periodontitis.

Background: Good glycoregulation at patients with diabetes mellitus is essential for prevention of many complications, including those in oral cavity. Results of numerous studies indicate that xerostomia and neurosensory oral disorders are present in type 2 diabetics. A review of the literature shows contradictory results about prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in diabetics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of xerostomia, neurosensory disorders and mucosal lesions in oral cavity of type 2 diabetics. Material and Methods: This study involved 90 adults, 60 with type 2 diabetes and 30 healthy subjects, aged 45-65 years. With regard to value of HbA1c level diabetics were divided into two groups: 30 subjects with satisfactory glycoregulation (HbA1c<9%) and 30 subjects with poor glycoregulation (HbA1c≥9%). All patients recruited into the study completed a questionnaire that included their demographic, medical and oral health data. Clinical examination of the oral mucosa was performed by a single examiner. Results: In relation to the presence of xerostomia and dysgeusia between satisfactory controlled diabetics and healthy subjects a significant difference was observed (p<0.05). Compared with healthy subjects, poor controlled diabetics had significantly higher presence of xerostomia (p<0.001) and neurosensory disorders (p0.05). A significant positive correlation was revealed between smoking and glossodynia as well as smoking and glossopyrosis (p>0.05). Conclusion: Glycemic control level seems to influence the susceptibility of type 2 diabetics to xerostomia and neurosensory disorders. Less clear is whether diabetes are correlated to oral mucosal lesions.

Background/Aim. Developmental disorders of teeth are the problems that are becoming more present in pediatric dentistry, especially on first permanent molars and incisors. Molar Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH) is proposed term for this phenomenon. The aim of this study was to establish the MIH prevalence in children living in the Foca municipality (Bosnia and Herzegovina) as well as to assess characteristics and expression of hypomineralization within the tested population. Methods. A total of 141 children from the Foca municipality, 8 years of age, were included in this study. Criteria according to Weerhejm have been used for diagnosis of hypomineralization: demarcated opacity (DO), post-eruptive breakdown (PEB), atypical restoration (AR), extracted molars due to MIH (E-MIH) and unerupted tooth (UT). Level and the prominence of color changes have been determined for patients with DO, PEB and AR. Results. MIH in this area was present in 12.8% of children. The prevalence of MIH changes expressed in percentages was as follows: DO was at 9.2%, PEB in 3.5%, AR in 5.6%, while E-MIH was 5.6%. A total of 9.9% of the examinees had mild, 5.6% moderate, and 7.8% severe form of MIH. White form of MIH defects was found in 9.9% of the examinees, white-yellow one in 5.6% and yellow-brown color in 3.5% of the examined children. These changes were more often present in the lower jaw (60.3%). In total, 6.4% of children had these changes present only on molars, while 6.4% of them both on molars and incisors simultaneously. Conclusion. A total of 12.8% of the examinees with MIH is not to be disregarded. With timely diagnosis, prevention and therapy complications could be avoided or mitigated.

Introduction. Epulis is a change in gingival tissue that occurs under the influence of chronic irritation. Histologically, there are several different types of epulis. Fibrous epulis is benign tumor of gingiva that most often occurs in interdental papilla area as a result of local irritation (inadequate restorative fillings, carious teeth, subgingival deposits or the combination of them). The aim of this paper is to present a clinical case of fibrous epulis. Case report. A 25-year-old girl reported to the Specialist Center for Dentistry in Foca. Clinical examination revealed a gingival tissue enlargement in the area of the upper jaw central incisors with speech and chewing function disturbances. Intraoral examination revealed a change above the level of gingiva, reddish-pink in color with smooth surface texture and soft consistency. The size of the change was 1 x 1.5 cm. It was connected to the interdental gingiva between teeth 12 and 21 by a narrower base. Clinically, a significant amount of soft and hard dental deposits surrounded the remaining teeth. Remaining gingiva was swollen, red, bleeding on provocation. The anamnesis did not confirm the presence of other acute and chronic diseases. The patient was not pregnant. She was informed about clinical condition assessment, as well as possible therapeutic procedures. Our patient was treated with non-surgical periodontal therapy and surgical excision of the enlargement. After histopathological examination of the removed tissue, the diagnosis was made: “Fibrous epulis cum ulceration”. Conclusion. Clinical examination is insufficient for definite diagnosis. Therefore, a histopathological examination of the tissue is mandatory for fibrous epulis definite diagnosis. Treatment of choice is surgical excision of the enlargement and removal of predisposing factors to avoid recurrence.

Background/Aim. Health education plays a very important role in maintaining health of individuals. Good oral health, as a part of general health, is largely dependent on the level of knowledge, attitudes and habits that children already have. The aim of this study is to examine the level of knowledge and habits in children regarding oral hygiene, diet and bad habits. Methods. The study included 506 school children aged 12 and 15 years in three towns (Foča, Čajniče, Kalinovik, Bosnia and Herzegovina). The survey was conducted in order to assess knowledge, attitudes and habits that children have in relation to their own oral health. Results. Most respondents stated that they began to brush their teeth at the age of 4, while a smaller number linked beginning of tooth brushing to the start of school. The parents more often help the boys during tooth brushing. A total of 54.9% of children brush their teeth after every meal, while 40.1% of them brush teeth only once during the day. Twelve year olds brush their teeth more often, especially after a meal. A total of 92.5% of children had never used fluoride tablets nor are the tablets recommended to them by anyone. More than half of the children (61.7%) visited the dentist for the first time before starting school that is on the regular examination that is performed upon enrollment to school. A pain as a reason for dental visits was present in 43.9%, while the preventive check in only 31.4% of the children. Conclusion. Children included in this study, particularly 15-year-olds, are quite well informed about teeth brushing frequency and proper selection of tools for hygiene maintenance, but this knowledge is not applied. Girls are more responsible for their own health, and come regularly to the preventive dental checkups.

Introduction. ALBO-HA (Vinca, Serbia) is new nanostructured calcium aluminate cement, synthesized as a potential alternative to mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). The purpose of this study was to compare the periapical tissue response to new nanostructured calcium aluminate cement ALBO-HA with white MTA (MTA Angelus, Londrina, Brasil) as root-filling material into the root canal of sheep?s teeth. Material and methods. Sixteen mandibular incisors from two 24-month-old sheep were used. Root canals were prepared and filled with ALBO-HA (group 1) or MTA (group 2) (eight teeth per group in each sheep). After four weeks the animals were sacrificed, teeth with surrounding tissue removed, and histologically processed. The sections were analyzed for determination of scores of the following parameters: periapical inflammatory infiltrate, newly mineralized apically formed tissue, apical periodontal ligament space thickness and resorption of dentin, cementum and bone. Data were analyzed statistically (?=0.05) using Mann-Whitney U test. Results. Slight inflammatory infiltrate was observed in 75.0% and 62.5% of samples in the group 1 and group 2, respectively (p>0.05). Partial newly mineralized apically formed tissue was found in 75.0% of samples in the group 1, and 87.5% of samples in group 2 (p>0.05). No significant difference was noted for periodontal ligament space thickness (p>0.05). Resorption of dentin, cementum or bone was not observed. Conclusion. ALBO-HA and white MTA Angelus had a similar effect on inflammation, newly mineralized apical tissue formation and thickness of periodontal ligament space after root canal filling under the present experimental conditions.