Introduction: Acid erosion is the superficial loss of enamel caused by chemical processes that do not involve bacteria. Intrinsic and extrinsic factors, such as the presence of acid substances in the oral cavity, may cause a pH reduction, thus potentially increasing acid erosion. Objective: Aim of this study was to evaluate the microhardness of bleached and unbleached human enamels after the immersion in a soft drink for 7 and 14 days. Materials and Methods: Thirty freshly extracted human teeth were used in the experiment. The specimens were submitted to initial microhardness measurement. The specimens of groups non-hydrogen peroxide and hydrogen peroxide, each of which was exposed to one of the respectively assigned acid solutions for 5 minutes and stored in artificial saliva for 23 hours and 55 minutes to complete a period of 24 hours. This process was repeated for 7 days in a row, where all the specimens were submitted to microhardness measurement. Results: The main effects of enamel microhardness revealed the statistical significance of the bleaching agent, as a greater microhardness mean value was observed for the unbleached condition, as compared with the bleached condition.

A total of 305 stools samples during the period of October 2011 to June 2012 were collected from patients attending Brack General Hospital and Medical Technology, Department of Brack, Al-Shati, Libya. All stool samples were examined by direct smear preparation in normal saline, iodine, and eosin stains and 4 concentration methods (formalin-ether, normal saline sedimentation, zinc sulfate, and Sheather's sugar flotation). Of the 305 samples, 18.03% stools were found positive for protozoan parasites in direct smear microscopy. Normal saline sedimentation and zinc sulfate flotation detected 27.21% and 23.6% positive samples, respectively. However, formalin-ether was found to be the most sensitive method. Sheather's sugar flotation failed to detect Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, Entamoeba coli, and Blastocystis hominis. B. hominis was the most common parasite among the patients. Concentration techniques showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) detection rates of parasites compared with direct smear microscopy.

Introduction: Hybrid layer degradation is mainly attributed to matrix metalo proteinases (MMP) activity. In this study, we compare inhibitory effect of nano zinc oxide with chlorhexidine (0.12%) on distraction of collagen scaffolding of the hybrid layer by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and microleakage tests. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 extracted molars and premolar teeth with no caries and visible anatomic defects were selected. Class 5 cavities with dimensions of 2 × 2 × 2 mm was performed for each tooth on the buccal surface 1 mm above cemento enamel junction. Results: In microleakage test, there was no significant difference in the result for groups pretreated with nano zinc oxide mixed with single bond (C), pretreated with chlorhexidine (0.12%) applied before bonding (B) and not pretreated with these agents (A) whether in 24 h or 1-week. in IHC test, there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) between all groups except in group B and group C. Conclusion: (1) The inhibitory effect of chlorhexidine and nano zinc oxide on MMPs activity is different. (2) Microleakage amount is different in composite resin restoration used in a cavity pretreated with nano zinc oxide contained bonding or chlorhexidine 24 h and 1-week later.

Background: Many studies have demonstrated the beneficial effect of tea on dental caries. Aim: The aim of the present study was to compare and evaluate the effect of green tea and black tea infusions on salivary pH in caries free and with caries individuals. Settings and Design: Randomized double-blinded concurrent parallel study. Materials and Methods: Forty healthy subjects, aged 18-20 years participated in the study. Commercially available green tea (Tetley Pure Green Tea) and black tea (Tetley Black Tea) were used in the study. The pH of saliva and of the tested tea products was determined with a digital pH meter. pH of whole saliva was measured at baseline and immediately after the intake of product (0), 5, and 10 min later. Data analysis was carried out by Student's t-test and repeated measure ANOVA. Results: In vitro pH determination of infusion showed pH value of green tea (6.27 ± 0.02) was higher compared to black tea (6.13 ± 0.03). Both green and black tea infusion intake led to a statistically significant rise in salivary pH, both in caries-free and with caries groups, which remained above the base salivary pH over the whole period of measurements. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that after intake of both green and black tea there was an increase in salivary pH both in caries-free and with caries groups. The pH rise was more in green tea intake compared to black tea.

Background: Despite of the fact that good oral health is essential to maintain a good overall health and quality of life; it generally gets low priority in patients with psychosocial disorders. Very little data are available to estimate the current oral health status of patients with psychosocial disorders and their treatment needs. Hence this study was conducted to determine the oral health status and treatment needs of patients in Pune, India. Materials and Methods: Two hundred patients who were above 18 years of age; diagnosed with psychosocial disorders, and either institutionalized or under out-patient care in three rehabilitation centers of Pune participated in this study. To determine their caries experience; decay-missing-filled teeth (DMFT) index was used where as screening of periodontal problems was done using Basic Periodontal Examination (BPE) index. Presence of any oral mucosal lesion was also recorded. Results: Mean DMFT score for all 200 participants of this study was 5.52. Among the particular psychosocial diagnosis groups, mean DMFT was relatively higher in schizophrenic (6.71) and depressive patients (5.82). BPE index showed considerable periodontal treatment needs. Mucosal lesions associated with tissue abuse habits were present in 24 (12.0%) participants, with a majority of them occurring in patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome, schizophrenia and depression. Three (1.5%) patients were found to have self inflicted mucosal lesions where as 9 (4.5%) patients had other mucosal lesions viz. lichen planus, glossitis etc. Conclusion: Although the caries experience of the participants of this study was not on the higher side, large unmet dental treatment need was identified in this population. Awareness as well as practice of oral hygiene methods was also poor. This calls for integrated efforts on the behalf of psychiatrists, care takers and dentists towards providing a better oral health care to this often neglected group of patients.

Dentigerous cyst or follicular cyst is an odontogenic cyst with the crown of an impacted, embedded, unerupted, or developing tooth. It is the second most common odontogenic cyst associated with an impacted, embedded, unerupted, or developing tooth. A case of large dentigerous cyst associated with an impacted canine in the mandible. This case is of interest due to its extensiveness and the presence of an impacted canine in the mandible. The purpose of this report was to describe the successful outcome of conservative surgical management of a large dentigerous cyst associated with an impacted mandibular canine. Treatment modalities range from enucleation to marsupalization which is influenced by the age of the patient, severity of impaction, size of the cyst, and root formation of associated tooth/teeth.