The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of dental students at different levels of education (Basic, Preclinic, and Clinic groups) to assess the level of gingival health status by using the Development of Ability to Assess Gingival Status (DAAGS) computer software program designed according to the Oral Rating Index (ORI) criteria. Two hundred and thirteen dental students at three levels of dental education voluntarily participated in three DAAGS tests in which they judged twenty-four photos. The three groups were first-and second-year dental students (Basic), third-and fourth-year dental students who had not yet participated in the clinical periodontology course (Preclinic), and fifth-year dental students who had completed the clinical periodontology course (Clinic). A gold standard of each photo was shown after completing Test 1, and then Test 2 was conducted immediately. Two weeks later, the third test was performed. Analyses of differences among the groups and between the tests for each groups were carried out by using Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon Sign Rank tests, respectively. Students were asked to evaluate the DAAGS by written survey. Most of the students had a positive opinion. There were significant differences among the groups for correct and irrelevant answers and overall ability (p<0.001). The Basic group showed a significant (p<0.01) improvement between Test 1 and Test 2. This improvement was greater than Preclinic students and almost equal to Clinic students. The findings from this study indicate that the DAAGS software can serve as a useful instructional tool for education.

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Aim: Bruxism is defined as the involuntary recurrent masticatory muscle activity characterized by gnashing, grinding, clenching of teeth, and/or pushing the mandible. Factors creating its etiology are peripheral (morphological) or central (physiopathological and physiological), and exogenous. Recently, among physiological factors, depression and bruxism were considered to be related. A definitive treatment method does not exist for bruxism; however, botulinum toxin-A (BT-A) application is an up-to-date and effective way of treatment. The present study is aimed to evaluate the levels of depression in bruxism patients treated with BT-A application. Materials and Methods: A total of 25 individuals (23 females and 2 males) who were diagnosed as bruxism patients were included in the study. 25 U of BT-A for each masseter muscle was injected into the patients. Patients were prospectively observed for a possible change in depression levels by using Beck’s Depression Inventory. The inventory was implemented before and six months after the BT-A application. Depression levels before and six months after the injection were compared. A paired t-test was used to compare “before” and “after” treatment values. One-way analysis of variance and post-hoc Tukey tests were used to evaluate the change in Beck’s Depression Inventory scores according to age groups. Results: The mean total score was 7.80 ± 8.10 before the treatment and 7.16 ± 6.52 six months after the treatment. The decrease in the mean score was not statistically significant ( P > .05). Conclusion: In conclusion, despite the decrease in the mean Beck’s Depression Inventory scores, a statistically significant decrease in the depression levels of patients was not observed.

The aim of this study was to compare the ability of inal-year Turkish dental students and dentists to assess the level of gingival health status by using the Development of Ability to Assess Gingival Status (DAAGS) computer program. Forty-eight students in their inal year of dental education and 240 dentists participated in DAAGS tests in which they judged twenty-four photos. The participants were organized into one group of students and ive groups of dentists: those who graduated in the last ive years, in the last six to ten years, in the last eleven to ifteen years, in the last sixteen to twenty years, and twenty and/or more years ago. A gold standard of each photo was shown to participants after they completed test 1; then, test 2 was conducted immediately. Participants were asked to evaluate the DAAGS by written survey. There were signiicant differences between the parameters of two tests for all groups. Signiicance levels differed for each group and both tests considering correct answers, reproducibility, irrelevant answers, and overall ability. The indings from this study indicated that the DAAGS software is easier for more recently graduated dentists to use.

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of three different instruments on cement loss, porosity and micro‐crack formation, which was not evaluated before, following scaling and root planning (SRP) using micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT).MethodsIn this experimental study, 30 single‐rooted extracted human teeth were used and divided into three groups. All the teeth were scanned with micro‐CT before and after SRP. Group 1: SRP was performed with Gracey curettes, Group 2: SRP was performed by using an ultrasonic device, and Group 3: SRP was performed by using diamond burs. Cement loss from the root surface, porosity, and micro‐crack formation in the root dentine were analysed. Micro‐CT is used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of samples. The obtained data were analysed statistically (p < 0.05).ResultsMinimum cement loss following SRP was detected with ultrasonic scaler (26.98 mm3), whereas the highest was created by diamond burs (96.20 mm3) (p < 0.05). The total porosity values after SRP were 0.278%, 0.334% and 0.252% for Groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Although Group 3 had the least porosity values, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. The highest micro‐crack formation was seen in Group 2 and the lowest was in Group 1 with a significant difference (p < 0.05).ConclusionsMore cement loss was observed with diamond burs. Ultrasonic devices appear to be a viable alternative to instrumentation with curettes. However, ultrasonic devices should be used carefully because of micro‐crack formation since the micro‐crack resulting from instrumentation with hand instruments is the least of all.

Background: Bruxism is defined as recurrent masticatory muscle activity. Although there is not an agreed treatment method for bruxism, the application of botulinum toxin A (BT-A) has become a reliable lately. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between the changes in masseter muscle thickness and clenching habits in bruxism patients treated with BT-A. Methods: Twenty-five patients, 23 females and 2 males, diagnosed with possible sleep bruxism were included in the study. The Fonseca Anamnestic Index was applied to the patients to determine their clenching habits and depression levels both before the treatment, and 6 months after it. The masseter muscle thickness was measured using ultrasonography before the treatment and 3 months and 6 months after the treatment. All the patients were injected with a total of 50 U of BT-A, 25 U to each masseter. Results: A statistically significant decrease in masseter muscle thickness was observed in the ultrasonography 3 and 6 months after the BT-A treatment. There was a statistically significant decrease in the Fonseca scores, in which the teeth clenching habits of the patients were evaluated 6 months after the treatment. Although there was a decrease in the depression levels of the patients 6 months after the treatment, this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: When the results of this study were evaluated, it was seen that the BT-A injections are an effective, safe, and side effect-free method in the treatment of bruxism and masseter hypertrophy.

Summary Background/Aim: It has been discussed over the years whether emotional stress might be a risk factor for periodontal diseases. The correlation between periodontal disease and stress can still not be explained. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of academic stress on gingival tissues in a prospective design. Material and Methods: The study population consisted of randomly selected 40 dental students. Clinical examinations of plaque (PI), gingival (GI) and sulcus bleeding (SBI) indices, probing pocket depth (PPD) and gingival crevicular fluid flow rate were performed along with State-Trait Anxiety Inventory at three different periods of the school year. Measurements were recorded one month before the finals (1st period), during the final exams (2nd period), and two months after the final exams (3rd period). Results: The changes in mean values of all parameters except plaque and pocket depth between the final and control terms were statistically significant. There was a significant correlation between gingival index and stress, plaque, pocket depth, and sulcus bleeding indices at 1st period. There was a significant correlation between gingival index and crevicular fluid at 2nd period. There was a significant correlation between gingival index and plaque, and sulcus bleeding indices at 3rd period. Conclusions: The present results support the hypothesis that academic stress is a significant risk factor for gingival and periodontal inflammation.

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