The Persian version of the MSQoL-54 questionnaire has a good structural characteristic, it is a reliable and valid instrument and can be used for measuring the effect of MS on the Quality of Life.

Background. The design of an orthodontic mini-implant is a significant factor in determining its primary stability and its clinical success. The aim of this study was to measure the relative effect of mini-implant design factors on primary stability of orthodontic mini-implants. Methods. Thirty-two 3-dimensional assemblies of mini-implant models with their surrounding bone were generated using finite element analysis software. The maximum displacement of each mini-implant model was measured as they were loaded with a 2-N horizontal force. Employing Taguchi’s design of experiments as a statistical method, the contribution of each design factor to primary stability was calculated. As a result of the great effect of the upper diameter and length, to better detect the impact of the remaining design factors, another set of 25 models with a fixed amount of length and diameter was generated and evaluated. Results. The diameter and length showed a great impact on the primary stability in the first set of experiments (P<0.05). According to the second set of experiments, increased taper angle in the threaded and non-threaded area decreased the primary stability. There was also an optimum amount of 2.5 mm for threaded taper length beyond which the primary stability decreased. Conclusion. It is advisable to increase the diameter and length if primary stability is at risk. In the second place, a minimum amount of taper angle, both in the threaded and non-threaded area with an approximate proportion of 20% of threaded taper length to MI length, would be desirable for MIs with a moderate size.

Background. Bracket base design is a factor influencing shear bond strength. High shear bond strength leads to enamel crack formation during debonding. The aim of this study was to compare enamel damage variations, including the number and length of enamel cracks after debonding of two different base designs. Methods. Eighty-eight extracted human premolars were randomly divided into2 groups (n=44). The teeth in each group were bonded by two types of brackets with different base designs: 80-gauge mesh design versus anchor pylon design with pylons for adhesive retention. The number and length of enamel cracks before bonding and after debonding were evaluated under an optical stereomicroscope ×40 in both groups. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the number of cracks between the two groups. ANCOVA was used for comparison of crack lengths after and before debonding in each group and between the two groups. Results. There was a significant increase in enamel crack length and numbers in each group after debonding. There was no significant difference in enamel crack numbers after debonding between the two groups, whereas the length of enamel cracks was significantly greater in anchor pylon base design after debonding. Conclusion. Bracket bases with pylon design for adhesive retention caused more iatrogenic debonding damage to enamel surface.

One of the essential aspects of the mini-implant’s successful application is its stability after being installed in the bone. The stability of the mini-implant affected the most by its geometry. In the present research, the effect of the geometry-related parameters of the mini-implant on its lateral displacement is investigated by Finite Element (FE) modeling using ABAQUS software. The parameters studied include length, diameter, pitch, and depth of the screw threads; besides, length and angle of the conical section. The Taguchi method was used to prevent many experiments. The mesh convergence tests and experimental tests confirmed the FE model quantitatively and qualitatively. Mean of means and variance analysis determined the parameters significance and their contribution on the stability. The screw diameter and length have the most contribution to mini-implant’ displacement. The effect of screw pitch was less than that for length and diameter. The conical section improved the initial stability by creating compressive stress and additional friction in its surrounding bone. No significant effects on the stability of the mini-implant have been observed for the non-threaded part. By examining the effect of thread depth on its stability by defining the ratio of thread depth to the internal diameter and to maintain the strength of the screw the optimal value for internal to external ratio is set at about 0.7.

Background. One of the essential properties of sealers used during endodontic treatment is their biocompatibility. Different materials are added to these sealers to improve their properties, including antibacterial activity. In recent years, there has been an increase in interest in the use of herbal medicines. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of incorporating triphala into AH26 sealer on its cytotoxicity on gingival fibroblasts at different intervals after mixing. Methods. In the present in vitro study, the cytotoxicity of AH26 sealer was evaluated once in its pure form and once after mixing it with triphala at 24-, 48-, and 72-hour, and 7-day intervals after mixing using the standard MTT assay protocol on gingival fibroblasts. Results. Two-way ANOVA was used to evaluate the effect of groups on the mean changes in cytotoxicity at different time intervals at a significance level of P<0.05. The results showed that the incorporation of triphala into the AH26 sealer did not increase or decrease its cytotoxicity (P=0.909). Besides, there was a decrease in cytotoxicity in both study groups. However, there was a relative increase in the sealers’ cytotoxicity in both groups in the first 72 hours (P<0.0001). Conclusion. Considering the well-established antibacterial properties of triphala in our previous study, the present study’s results showed that the incorporation of triphala into the AH26 sealer did not increase the cytotoxicity of the sealer. Therefore, it can be incorporated into the AH26 sealer to improve the other properties of the sealer, including its antibacterial activity.

Background: The present study aimed at evaluating the effect of weekly phone calls on treatment outcomes and quality of life among a group of Iranian patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial study, 60 patients aged 15-85 with RA were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group, in addition to a monthly assessment on a weekly basis, received a full 3-month follow-up telephone conversation in order to follow the correct and regular use of the drug and respond to the patients’ questions. The control group was only evaluated routinely. Finally, the severity of the disease activity (based on DAS-28) and the quality of life (based on the SF-12 questionnaire) were evaluated after three months. Results: After three months from the onset of intervention, a significant reduction was observed in the number of tender joints, mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and total score of DAS-28 in the intervention group compared to the control group. In addition, after three months of treatment, the quality of life for the intervention group improved significantly more than that of the control group. Conclusion: A weekly phone call with the patients suffering from RA with the purpose to guide the therapeutic process and respond to the patients’ questions could positively improve the severity of the disease along with the quality of life among the patients.

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