The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the effect of erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser irradiation and conventional dental bur cavity preparation on in vitro microleakage of class V cavities restored with different adhesive restorative materials and two types of self-etching adhesives in primary teeth. Standard class V cavities were prepared on 80 extracted primary, and the teeth were randomly divided into eight subgroups prepared either by dental bur or Er:YAG laser irradiation and then restored with self-cured glass ionomer (GI), resin-modified glass ionomer (RMGI), resin composite and Clearfil SE Bond (two-step self-etching adhesive), and resin composite and Clearfil S3 Bond (one-step self-etching adhesive). Restorations were finished and stored in distilled water at 37 °C for 24 h and then subjected to thermocycling. All the teeth were sealed with nail varnish, placed in a silver nitrate solution, and then vertically cut in a buccolingually direction. Subsequently, the specimens were evaluated for gingival and occlusal microleakage using a stereomicroscope. Data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Mann-Whitney test. Wilcoxon test was used for comparing occlusal microleakage with gingival microleakage at p < 0.05. A higher degree of occlusal and gingival microleakage values for the teeth restored with GI or RMGI was obtained by both preparation methods compared with that of resin composites and the two self-etching primers. Er:YAG laser irradiation resulted in a significantly higher degree of microleakage only at the gingival margins for teeth restored with GI or RMGI, or composite and Clearfil S3 Bond compared with the bur preparation. The Er:YAG laser-prepared teeth restored with composite and Clearfil SE Bond demonstrated a better marginal seal on occlusal and gingival margins compared with that of bur-prepared cavities. The degree of microleakage in class V cavities was affected by the type of adhesive restorative materials, type of self-etching adhesive, cavity margin location, and tooth preparation method either by Er:YAG laser or dental bur.

Background and Objectives: Controversy exists regarding the need for a space maintainer after early unilateral loss of a primary first molar. This study aimed to assess the need for a space maintainer after unilateral loss of a primary first molar in the early mixed dentition period. Materials and Methods. In this cross-sectional study, fifty children between 6 and 8 years who had lost a primary first molar unilaterally later than 6 months ago were randomly selected. Midline deviation, molar and canine relationships at both sides, facial growth pattern, and the amount of space loss were all assessed. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 via the one-sample t-test, paired t-test, and linear regression (alpha = 0.05). Results. The mean amount of space loss was 1.36 ± 0.78 mm (1.32 mm in the maxilla and 1.40 mm in the mandible). Time since tooth extraction and facial pattern had significant correlations with space loss P < 0.05 . Conclusion. In this particular age group, it is imperative to precisely assess the related factors such as the facial pattern and time since tooth extraction to decide about the placement of a space maintainer for a prematurely lost primary first molar.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Er:YAG and Er,Cr:YSGG laser on tensile bond strength of composite resin to dentine in comparison with bur-prepared cavities. Fifteen extracted caries-free human third molars were selected. The teeth were cut at a level below the occlusal pit and fissure plan and randomly divided into three groups. Five cavities were prepared by diamond bur, five cavities prepared by Er:YAG laser, and the other group prepared by Er,Cr:YSGG laser. Then, all the cavities were restored by composite resin. The teeth were sectioned longitudinally with Isomet and the specimens prepared in dumbbelled shape (n = 36). The samples were attached to special jigs, and the tensile bond strength of the three groups was measured by universal testing machine at a speed of 0.5 mm/min. The results of the three groups were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and Tamhane test. The means and standard deviations of tensile bond strength of bur-cut, Er:YAG laser-ablated, and Er,Cr:YSGG laser-ablated dentine were 5.04 ± 0.93, 13.37 ± 3.87, and 4.85 ± 0.93 MPa, respectively. There is little difference in tensile bond strength of composite resin in Er,Cr:YSGG lased-prepared cavities in comparison with bur-prepared cavities, but the Er:YAG laser group showed higher bond strength than the other groups.

One of the most important current medical concerns across the globe is the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, which has been designated by the World Health Organization as a novel viral pneumonia named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 has substantially affected all aspects of human lives and forced most people to self-quarantine themselves and stay home in order to remain safe. As pediatric dentists as a part of the health care system deferring elective procedures, we are obliged to manage emergency situations such as cellulitis, severe tooth pain, and dental trauma. Therefore, we need to beware of the symptoms and risks of the emerging disease and, accordingly, change the policies in our offices to minimize the risk of transmission while checking up and treating our patients in the safest possible way. Knowledge Transfer Statement: This article aims to acquaint clinicians treating pediatric patients with COVID-19 hazards and delineate the steps required for minimizing cross-infection in case of providing emergency treatment to children in dental offices.

Background: Fissured tongue is a common manifestation of the tongue, marked by the presence of multiple prominent grooves or fissures on the dorsal surface of the tongue. However, there is a lack of studies focusing on the prevalence and factors associated with fissured tongue among patients attending an outpatient clinic in Afghanistan. Aim: The purpose of the current study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with fissured tongue and its effects on the general health of adult outpatients in Afghanistan. Patients and Methods:The cross-sectional survey was conducted among outpatient populations in Andkhoy City, Afghanistan, between September 2019 and December 2019. A convenience technique was applied by including 1182 patient aged 18-80 years. Socio-economic status, smoking, nass use (smokeless tobacco use) and medical data were collected using face-toface interviews. We used logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with fissured tongue. A convenience technique was applied by including patient aged 18-80 years. Results: The studied population consisted of 1182 participants, of whom 573 (48.5%) were males and 609 (51.5%) females. The prevalence of fissured tongue was 27.2% (95% CI: 24.7-29.9%) with males having significantly higher prevalence than females (47.5%, 95% CI: 43.3-51.6% versus 8.2%, 95% CI: 6.2-10.7%, p<0.001). Male participants (OR=7.1, 95% CI: 4.8-10.3), diabetes mellitus (OR=1.6, 95% CI: 1.1-2.3) and smokeless tobacco use (OR=12.0, 95% CI: 8.1-17.6) were the only variables independently associated with fissured tongue. Conclusion:This study suggested that there was a high rate of fissured tongue among an outpatient clinic in Andkhoy, Afghanistan. Male gender, diabetes mellitus, and nass consumption were associated with fissured tongue. Therefore, these factors might usefully be targeted in local health promotion, prevention and early intervention programs.