Aim. Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) refer to functional disorders of the masticatory system, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and masticatory muscles. The main objective of this study was to determine whether and to what extent temporomandibular disorders (TMD) affect the maximum bite force (MBF). Methods. The present study included subjects with and without temporomandibular disorder. The presence of TMD was assessed by means of the Helkimo clinical dysfunction index analysis. We measured the maximum bite pressure (MBP) and occlusal contact area (OCA) by means of a Fuji Prescale Pressure measurement film. Based on the MBP and OCA values obtained, MBF values were determined. Results. The MBF values were significantly lower in patients with TMD compared to subjects without TMD (P<0.0005). MBF values demonstrate a trend, with a tendency towards a decrease in values with the increase in the severity of TMD (P <0.01). OCA was significantly lower in patients with TMD (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between controls and patients with TMD in terms of the MBP (P=0.135). Conclusion.TMDs have a significant impact on MBF and masticatory muscle action potential. More research is needed to determine the impact of reduced maximum bite force on the functional efficiency of the masticatory system.

Background Besides classical and electrical toothbrushes market offers tooth brushes that can be chewed, like chewing gums. The aim of this study was to show the effectiveness of chewable toothbrush versus a conventional brush in the students’ population. Methods The prospective study included 346 students. For this research, we used a e-questionnaire for “smart” phones, that students completed outside the dental office. Respondents are divided into two groups: control group used conventional toothbrushes, respondents from the tested group used chewable toothbrush. For assessment of accumulation of the plaque we used TQHI index. For testing statistical hypotheses, the following were used: t-test for two independent samples and analysis of the variance of repeated measurements. Results Before brushing teeth, the average TQHI value for chewable brushes is 2.8 ± 0.3, while conventional is 2.7 ± 0.3, which is not a statistically significant difference ( p = 0.448). After brushing teeth, the average TQHI value for chewable brushes is 2.0 ± 0.1, while conventional 2.0 ± 0.3, which is also not statistically significant ( p = 0.729). Observing the index of the plaque values on the tooth surfaces in the upper jaw, in both groups, there was a statistically significant change in the amount of plaque in time ( p < 0.001). There is a statistically significant interaction between groups and changes in the amount of plaque in the observed period ( p = 0.013). Conclusions The fact that there is no significant difference in the effectiveness of the tested brushes indicates the benefits of using chewable toothbrushes in order to reduce plaque, primarily in the inability to use conventional brushes.

Background/Aim. Dental education has developed over the years, and various technologies have been included. Considering the fact that mobile devices are an imperative of modern time, the aim of our research was to evaluate effectiveness of Mobile-Aided Learning on practical administering the inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB). Methods. This prospective study involved 34 students who were randomly divided into two groups: G1 (control) group with 16 students and G2 (study) group with 18 students. Students of both groups previously successfully completed theoretical and practical training provided by the curriculum. For the purpose of additional education, students of the G2 group used a mobile application for 3D simulation of local anesthesia (Mobile-Aided Learning) outside the dental office for a period of one semester. After that, all students completed a post-clinical questionnaire. Results. The average time for performing anesthesia by participants in the G1 group was 70.54 ? 20.16 seconds, while in the G2 group it was 57.13 ? 17.45 seconds, which was significantly shorter (p ? 0.05). A successful anesthesia application was higher in the G2 group (83.3%) compared to the G1 group (75%). The results of the post-clinical test questionnaire also indicated difference in the mean values of the responses to all questions, which was in favor of the G2 group participants. Conclusion. Application of Mobile-Aided Learning showed a significantly higher efficiency in student education for practical implementation of the IANB.

Uvod: Karijes predstavlja najčešće oralno oboljenje u svim starosnim grupama. Sve češća pojava karijesa kod dece predškolskog i školskog uzrasta postaje jedan od najvažnijih problema oralne patologije. Cilj ovog rada bio je da se utvrdi učestalost karijesa kod školske dece uzrasta 12 i 15 godina na području severnog dela Kosova i Metohije, kao i informisanost dece o značaju oralnog zdravlja. Materijal i metode: Ispitivanjem je obuhvaćeno 626 učenika, oba pola iz pet škola, koji žive na teritoriji opština Kosovska Mitrovica, Zvečan i Leposavić. Za procenu rasprostranjenosti karijesa korišćen je Klein-Palmerov sistem DMF (D-Decayed, M-Missing, F-filled) i odgovarajući indeksi: karijes indeks osoba, karijes indeks zuba, karijes indeks prosek i struktura KEP. Sva izabrana deca iz uzorka pregledana su standardnim stomatološkim dijagnostičkim sredstvima pri veštačkom osvetljenju na suvim zubima, na stomatološkoj stolici. Rezultati: Prosečna vrednost DMFT indeksa za decu uzrasta 12 i 15 godina iznosila je 4.2. Karijes je imalo prosečno 92.3% pregledane dece. Srednja vrednost karijes indeksa bila je 15.11%. Zaključak: Nakon ovih epidemioloških istraživanja zaključujemo da stanje zdravlja zuba ispitivane dece, s obzirom na visoke vrednosti nesaniranog karijesa ali i svih drugih obeležja KEP, nije zadovoljavajuće. Ovakvo stanje ukazuje na neophodnost primene savramenih preventivnih i profilaktičkih mera radi očuvanja i unapređenja oralnog zdravlja stanovništva.

Introduction/Objective Molar-incisor hypomnineralization (MIH) is relatively common developmental anomaly characterized by hypomineralized enamel defects in the first permanent molars and incisors. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypomineralization of the first permanent molars and incisors in children aged eight and 10 years who live in the northern part of Kosovo and Metohija. Methods The study included 712 respondents, 289 of whom aged eight (40.6%) and 423 of whom aged 10 years (59.4%). Criteria according to Weerheijm were used for diagnosis of hypomineralization and the severity of changes was determined. Results The frequency of hypomineralized changes in the first permanent molars and incisors of the examined children in this area was 12.2%. It was lower in children aged eight years (10.7%) compared to those aged 10 (13.2%). Demarcated enamel opacity was more common in younger children, whereas both atypical restoration and tooth extraction due to hypomineralization were more common in older children. Mild form is more common in children aged eight years, whereas both severe form and severe form with extracted teeth are more common in children aged 10 years. The results indicate that the first permanent molars were most commonly affected by MIH changes. Conclusion The percentage of the respondents with MIH changes in the northern part of Kosovo and Metohija, which is 12.2%, is not negligible and points to the necessity of early diagnosis in order to prevent and reduce the complications of the condition by timely prevention and treatment.

Background/Aim. Nasal breathing plays an important role in overall physical growth and mental development, as well as in the growth of the craniofacial complex. Oral breathing over a long period of time, can cause changes in position of the head relative to the cervical spine and jaw relationship. It can cause an open bite and the narrowness of the maxillary arch due to increased pressure of strained face. The aim of this study was to analyze the position of the head and craniofacial morphology in oral breathing children, and compare the values obtained compared with those of the same parameters in nasal brething children. Methods. We analyzed the profile cephalometric radiographs of 60 patients who had various orthodontic problems. In the first group there were 30 patients aged 8?14 years, in which oral breathing is confirmed by clinical examination. In the second group there were 30 patients of the same age who had orthodontic problems, but did not show clinical signs of oral breathing. The analyses covered the following: craniocervical angle (NS/OPT), the length of the anterior cranial base (NS), anterior facial height (N-Me), posterior facial height (S-Go), the angle of maxillary prognathism (SNA), angle of mandibular prognathism (SNB), difference between angles SNA and SNB (ANB angle), the angle of the basal planes of the jaws (SpP/MP), cranial base angle (NSB), and the angle of facial convexity (NA/Apg). Results. The average value of the craniocervical angle (NS/OPT) was significantly higher in OB children (p = 0.004). There were significantly different values of SNA (p < 0.001), ANB (p < 0.001), NA/APg (p < 0.001) and length of the anterior cranial base (NS) (p = 0.024) between groups. Conclusion. Oral breathing children have pronounced retroflexion of the head in relation to the cervical spine compared to nasal breathing children, and the most prominent characteristics of the craniofacial morphology of skeletal jaw relationship of class II and increased facial convexity.

Česta pojava karijesa i oboljenja parodoncijuma, pre svega gingivitisa, kod dece školskog uzrasta postaje jedan od najvažnijih problema oralne patologije, iako se mogu staviti pod kontrolu kroz zdravstveno vaspitanje i primenu preventivno-profilaktičkih mera. Cilj ovog rada je da se utvrdi učestalost karijesa i gingivitisa kod dece uzrasta od 12 godina koja pohađaju školu na području Kosovske Mitrovice, kao urbana sredina, i osnovnih škola u Gračanici i Lapljem Selu, kao ruralna sredina. Ispitivanjem je obuhvaćeno 227 učenika, uzrasta 12 godina, podeljenih u dve grupe. Prvu grupu, njih 129, činila su deca iz osnovnih škola na području Kosovske Mitrovice, kao urbana sredina. Drugu, grupu, njih 98, predstavljala su deca iz osnovnih škola u Gračanici i Lapljem Selu, kao ruralna sredina. Za procenu rasprostranjenosti karijesa korišćen je Klein-Palmerov sistem DMF (D-Decayed, M-Missing, F-filled), a za procenu nivoa oralne higijene, stanja gingive i stepena njene inflamacije su korišćeni plak indeks po Silness-Löeu, gingivalni indeks po Löe-Silnessu i indeks krvarenja po Milemanu (Muhlemann). Prosečan broj obolelih stalnih zuba po jednom ispitaniku (KIp) ukupno za svu decu iznosio je 4.6. Prosečna vrednost KIp-a kod dece iz gradske sredine iznosila je 3.8, a kod dece iz ruralne sredine 5.3. Indeks SiC iznosio je 7.9. Prosečna vrednost plak indeksa iznosila je 1.53±0.61, gingivalnog indeksa 1.05±0.58 a indeksa krvarenja (IK) 0.64±0.59. Utvrđeno stanje zdravlja zuba i parodoncijuma kod ispitivane dece ukazuje na neophodnost primene savremenih preventivno-profilaktičkih mera sa ciljem poboljšanja zdravlja usta i zuba i povećanja motivacije za brigu o celokupnom sopstvenom zdravlju. Ključne reči: zdravlje; deca; karijes zuba; gingivitis.

Concentration of the main chemical elements, primarily calcium and phosphorus, is significantly reduced in hypomineralized enamel whereas carbon concentration is increased compared to healthy enamel.