This study aimed at determining the oral and dental health and periodontal condition of adult patients in southeastern Turkey. Nine thousand and five hundred patients aged of 18-79 were included in the study. Demographic characteristics and education level of individuals were recorded. The Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN) was used for periodontal status. According to the World Health Organization criteria, the Decayed, Missing and Filled Tooth (DMFT) index was used. The collected data were analyzed statistically. The average DMFT values of individuals were 6.72 ± 4.21. There was a statistically significant difference between DMFT value and, CPITN scores, depending on gender, age and education level (p < 0.001). According to the CPITN and DMFT indices, males had a 1.39-fold (95% CI: 1.33-1.45) and 1.01fold (95% CI: 1.00-1.02) greater risk of gingival and dental health problems than females, respectively. Periodontal disease prevalence and DMFT values were determined to be high for those at older ages (57-69 age group) and low levels of education. It was also found that the oral health of males was worse than that of females.

Introduction Periodontal disease is an infectious disease with a complex pathogenesis characterized by periodontal tissue and bone loss, in which local factors, host response, environmental factors, and genetic predisposition play important roles in etiology (1). The inflammation occurring during the development of a periodontal disease may result in degeneration of bone tissue causing changes in bone morphology (2). However, in periodontal defects, various graft materials are used to remove deformities caused by tooth extraction and trauma. The aim of the bone regeneration process is to increase the volume of bone (3). In order to achieve the desired success in these applications, experimental and clinical studies are still being carried out. However, despite these studies, there is not yet an ideal graft material that will allow the lost tissues to be recovered and the bone defects to be filled completely. Studies have focused on bone structure, types of bone Background/aim: In this experimental study, we aimed to evaluate the late period effects of the combination of Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS), which has bone wound healing effects, and β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) on the regeneration of bone tissue through histopathological, immunohistochemical, and radiological (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry-DEXA) methods in nondiabetic rats. Materials and methods: Sixty-four Wistar albino male rats were used. In the calvaria of the rats, a bone defect 7.0 mm in diameter was created. These rats were divided into 4 different groups. Group 1 was the control group without any treatment, a 0.125 mL Β-TCP graft was applied to Group 2, a 0.125 mL ABS was applied to Group 3, and a 0.125 mL (β-TCP + ABS) mixture was applied to group 4. Half of the rats were sacrificed on day 28 and the other half on day 56. Histopathological, immunohistochemical, and DEXA analyses of the specimens were performed after the experiment. Results: As a result of the histopathological analysis, osteoblastic activity and new bone formation were found to be significantly higher in Group 2, Group 3, and Group 4 than the control group on day 28 (P < 0.05). However, inflammatory cell infiltration and vascular dilatation and hemorrhage decreased significantly compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The histopathological analysis in rats on day 56 showed that osteoblastic activity in Group 2 and Group 4 was significantly higher than in the control group, but there was a statistically significant decrease in inflammatory cell infiltration and vascular dilatation and hemorrhage compared to the control group (P < 0.05). New bone formation in Group 2, Group 3, and Group 4 was significantly higher than in the control group. Western blotting findings revealed that the osteonectin and osteopontin expression on day 28 was increased significantly in Group 2 and Group 4. DEXA analyses revealed that BMC values in Group 2 and Group 4 on day 28 were significantly higher than in the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in bone mineral density va...

The purpose of this study was to examine the possible effect of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs), from a high-voltage source, on rat teeth in terms of changes in trace elements (TEs) and the effect of antioxidants (melatonin [MLT] and Ganoderma lucidum [GL]) in counteracting these effects. We used adult male Wistar albino rats with a mean weight of 250–300 g and divided the rats into eight groups. The groups were subjected to an ELF-EMF that was applied with a high-voltage line for 8 hours/day for 26 days (Groups I, II, and III) or 52 days (Groups V, VI, and VII). Groups IV and VIII were the 26- and 52-day control/sham groups, respectively. Groups II and VI were treated with GL, and Groups III and VII were treated with MLT. MLT and GL were administered daily based on the weight of the animals and appropriate standards. At the end of the study, the rats were euthanized, and their anterior teeth were extracted. The teeth were preserved in pure water before evaluating the major TEs. At the end of the study, TE concentrations (in mg/kg) were assessed in the control and test groups. Compared with Group V, statistically significant differences in the concentrations of zinc (Zn) and strontium (Sr) were found for Group VII (ELF-EMF + MLT) (P<0.05). Therefore, ELF-EMF exposure can change the content of certain TEs in teeth and, after administering MLT and GL, the values of some of the TEs return to normal.

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to determine whether Extremely low frequency electric and magnetic field (ELF-EMF) had any harmful effects on dental pulp tissue and examine histologically whether melatonin (MLT) and Ganoderma lucidum (GL) play a protective role against these harmful effects. Material and method: A total of 56 adult, male Wistar Albino rats were used in the study. The rats were separated into 8 equal groups and were exposed to ELF-EMF, generated by high voltage source, for 8 hours/day for 26 days-Groups I, II and III and for 52 days-Groups V, VI and VII. For sham-control groups (Groups IV and VIII for 26 and 52 days), rats were placed into same experimental setup as exposure groups and same procedure was applied except ELF-EMF exposure. GL (20 mg/kg/day) and MLT (10 mg/kg/day) were administered by oral gavage and the intraperitoneal route respectively. At the end of the study, the rats anterior teeth were examined immunohistochemicaly using vimentin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Results: Degeneration in the odontoblast cells, inflammatory cell infiltration, dilatation of the blood vessels and haemorrhagic changes were determined in the pulp of the rats in Groups I and V. A statistically significant difference was determined in the groups treated with MLT and GL (p < 0.05). Conclusion: It was determined that exposure to ELF-EMF induced histological changes in the dental pulp of rats, the using of MLT and GL could have a protective effect against these effects.

Introduction The wound healing process consists of four highly connected and overlapping processes: haemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and tissue remodelling [1]. These stages and their biophysiological functions take place in a specific sequence, at a particular time, and for a specific period at an optimal intensity [2]. Many factors can affect wound healing and interfere with one or more phases of the wound healing process, leading to incomplete tissue repair [3]. After periodontal surgery, both bacterial contamination and plaque control affect the success of the surgery. Therapeutic agents are used to reduce bacterial plaque accumulation, prevent postoperative pain and tissue oedema, and accelerate wound healing [4]. Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS) is a plant extract that is widely used as a haemostatic agent in Turkey. ABS consists of Glycyrrhiza glabra, Vitis vinifera, Alpinia officinarum, Urtica dioica, and Thymus vulgaris [5]. Previous research demonstrated the effectiveness of ABS in bleeding control, as well as its strong antimicrobial properties [6]. According to a previous study, the haemostatic activity and antimicrobial properties of ABS suggest that it may be useful in dental treatments [7]. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is an active component of propolis, which is a compound produced by bees from substances that the bees collect from plants. Propolis-based products are used in the cosmetic industry, as well as in the therapeutic field, primarily for their antibacterial and antiinflammatory effects, and the therapeutic properties of propolis are well accepted [8]. Considering the reported beneficial effects of ABS and CAPE, it is reasonable to speculate that they might accelerate the healing process of mucosal wounds [7,8]. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of topical ABS and CAPE on secondary healing of the surfaces of experimental excisional wound areas created in the palatal mucoperiosteum of rats. Background/aim: Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS) are considered to contribute to wound healing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of ABS and CAPE on secondary wound healing of oral mucosal tissue. Materials and methods: In total, 63 male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. The animals were randomly divided into three groups and anaesthetized with ketamine (8 mg/100 g, intraperitoneally): a control group, CAPE group, and ABS group. A full-thickness excisional wound was created using a 4 mm punch biopsy tool. Topical ABS and CAPE were then applied in each group for 7, 14, and 21 days (n = 7 in each group). The animals in each group were sacrificed after 7, 14, and 21 days. Palatal specimens were stained with haematoxylin-eosin. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tumour necrosis factor-inducible gene 6 (TSG-6) protein expressions were determined using the Western blot method. Results: Inflammation, vessel dilatation, and haemorrhages were significantly lower in the CAPE group as co...