Evaluation of the single and combined therapeutic effects of individually manufactured earplug therapy in patients with myogenous temporomandibular disorders: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of individually manufactured earplug therapy on pain intensity (PI), symptom severity (SS), and maximum mouth opening (MMO), in patients with myogenous temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

Methods: One-hundred-twenty patients were randomly allocated to six groups: Groups EP (earplug), OS (occlusal splint), EX (exercise), EPO (earplug with occlusal splint), EPE (earplug with exercise), and C (control). Outcomes were PI (assessed with a visual analog scale (VAS)), SS (assessed with the modified Symptom Severity Index Questionnaire (mSSI)), and MMO (evaluated with a digital caliper).

MRI of pelvic endometriosis: evaluation of the mr#Enzian classification and the importance of adenomyosis subtypes.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the utility of the #Enzian classification in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for endometriosis assessment, focusing on inter-reader agreement, diagnostic accuracy, and the correlation of adenomyosis with deep endometriosis (DE).

Methods: This IRB- approved retrospective single-center study included 412 women who underwent MRI evaluation for endometriosis between February 2017 and June 2022. Two experienced radiologists independently analyzed MRI images using the #Enzian classification and assessed the type of adenomyosis, if any.

The Effect of the Wall Thickness of 3D-Printed Obturator Bulbs on Masticatory Function in Patients with Aramany Class I Defects: A Randomized Crossover Clinical Trial.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of obturator bulb thickness on the masticatory performance and weight of obturator prostheses in edentulous hemimaxillectomy patients.

Materials And Methods: A randomized, single-blind, three-period crossover trial was conducted with 17 edentulous patients. Each patient was provided with three definitive 3D-printed obturator prostheses.

Mechanical and chemical characterization of contemporary occlusal splint materials fabricated with different methods: a systematic review.

Objective: To systematically review studies on various occlusal splint materials and describe their mechanical and chemical properties.

Methods: MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, and Web of Science searches were conducted for in vitro studies focusing on occlusal splint materials. Two reviewers performed an assessment of the identified studies and data abstraction independently, and this was complimented by an additional hand search.

Clinical Performance of 11,646 Dental Implants Using Surgical Guides and Two Different Surgical Approaches: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

To assess and quantify survival rates and marginal bone levels (MBLs) of implants placed using guided surgery with a flapless approach vs traditional flap elevation. An electronic literature search was conducted in PubMed and the Cochrane Library and refereed by two independent reviewers. Data were synthesized for MBL and survival rates for "flapless" vs traditional "flap" implant placement approach groups.

Short-term effect of material type and thickness of occlusal splints on maximum bite force and sleep quality in patients with sleep bruxism: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Objective: To evaluate the short-term effects of hard and soft splints of different thicknesses on maximum bite force (MBF) and sleep quality (SQ) in participants with sleep bruxism (SB).

Methods: One-hundred-fifteen patients were randomly allocated to five groups: Groups H2(Hard splint-2 mm), H3(Hard splint-3 mm), S2(Soft splint-2 mm), S3(Soft splint-3 mm), and C (control). Outcomes were MBF (assessed with a digital gnathodynamometer) and SQ (assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index).

Evaluation of marginal and internal fit of lithium disilicate and zirconia all-ceramic CAD-CAM crowns using digital impressions: A systematic review.

Purpose: A range of materials for single-tooth computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) restorations have been introduced that may affect CAM accuracy. This study aimed to review articles evaluating marginal and internal fit of lithium disilicate (LD) and zirconia (Z) crowns fabricated by CAD-CAM systems using intraoral optical scanners (IOS).

Materials And Methods: Under the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA), a systematic review was performed along with an electronic article search in the Medline/Pubmed database.

Clinical performance of lithium disilicate and zirconia CAD/CAM crowns using digital impressions: A systematic review.

Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review was to compare the clinical performance of lithium disilicate (LDS) and zirconia (Z) single crowns manufactured by computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems using intraoral optical scanners (IOS).

Materials And Methods: An electronic search for articles published between January 2012 and January 2022 in the English language was performed with the Medline/Pubmed database under the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systemic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA). The specific search terms used were "zirconia", "lithium disilicate", "CAD/CAM", "intraoral optical scanner", and "survival".

Effects of Various Laser Treatments on Surface Characterization and Repair Bond Strength of Zirconia-Reinforced Lithium Silicate Ceramics.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of two different lasers and their use in combination with hydrofluoric acid (HF) etching on the surface roughness of zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (ZLS) ceramics and their shear bond strength (SBS) to composite resin.

Materials And Methods: The five study groups were as follows: (1) Group H = HF etching; (2) Group N = Nd:YAG (neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet) laser; (3) Group NH = Nd:YAG laser + HF gel; (4) Group E = Er:YAG (erbium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet) laser; and (5) Group EH = Er:YAG laser + HF gel. Surface roughness was assessed using a noncontact profilometer, and SBS tests were conducted with a universal testing machine.

Effect of low-level gallium aluminum arsenide laser therapy on the chewing performance and pain perception of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on pain intensity (PI) and chewing performance (CP) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with myogenic temporomandibular disorder (TMD).

Methods: Ninety-one patients were randomly allocated to three groups: Group L (intervention), Group P (placebo), and Group C (control). Outcomes were PI (assessed with visual analog scale (VAS)) and CP (assessed with the geometric mean diameter (GMD) of crushed test food).

Can polylactic acid be a CAD/CAM material for provisional crown restorations in terms of fit and fracture strength?

This study aimed to evaluate polylactic acid (PLA) as a provisional crown material. Lower right first molar phantom tooth was used for the fabrication of 60 crowns. Samples were divided into three groups (n=20) according to the material: Group PL (PLA), Group PM (polymethyl methacrylate), and Group PE (polyetheretherketone).

Silent brain infarcts and white matter lesions in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis.

The association of carotid atherosclerosis with silent brain infarcts (SBIs) and white matter lesions (WMLs) currently remains unknown. This study aims to compare SBIs, deep white matter lesions (DWMLs), and periventricular white matter lesions (PWMLs) in ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres to internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis, and investigate their association with stenosis grade in patients with asymptomatic ≥ 50% unilateral extracranial ICA stenosis. Patients without previous history of stroke and/or transient ischemic attack who had ≥ 50% stenosis in unilateral ICA on carotid color Doppler ultrasound were enrolled in the study.

Thermal, structural and morphological characterization of dental polymers for clinical applications.

Purpose: Polymers are used in dentistry on a daily basis due to their mechanical, functional and aesthetic properties. However, such biomaterials are subject to deterioration in the oral environment. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the structural properties of five commonly used dental polymers to determine their best clinical indications.

A novel treatment modality for myogenous temporomandibular disorders using aromatherapy massage with lavender oil: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

Objective: To investigate the effect of aromatherapy massage on pain intensity and maximal mouth opening (MMO) in patients with myogenous TMD.

Methods: Ninety-one patients were randomly assigned to three groups: Group L (aromatherapy massage with lavender oil, test), group P (massage with sweet almond oil, placebo), and group C (control). Participants were evaluated at T0 (before the intervention), T1 (immediately after the intervention), and T2 (2-month follow-up).

Surface characterization and bonding properties of milled polyetheretherketone dental posts.

PEEK has been used in many dental applications except intra-radicular post. The aim of this study is to test polyetheretherketone (PEEK) as a dental post material through tensile bond strength (TBS) and surface roughness (SR), and to compare it with glass-fiber and cast-metal posts. Thus, 60 human maxillary central incisors with a single root were endodontically treated and divided into three groups (n = 20) according to the type of post (Group P: PEEK, Group F: Glass-fiber, Group M: Cast-metal).

Orofacial manifestations and dental management of systemic lupus erythematosus: A review.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune multisystem disease with numerous clinical manifestations. There is no consensus about the ideal oral management for this group of patients to date. This review aimed to describe the broad spectrum of orofacial and clinical manifestations and their therapeutic approaches.

Surface roughness and wear behavior of occlusal splint materials made of contemporary and high-performance polymers.

With the development of a digital technology of computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM) and new age materials, the use of new types of occlusal splint is to consider. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the surface roughness (Ra) and wear behavior of different CAD/CAM materials against enamel antagonist through a simulated chewing test. A total of 75 specimens made from ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and polyethyleneterephthalate (PETG) as a control were polished to evaluate the Ra before loading by optical profilometry and further analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Cross-sectional areas of rectus abdominis and psoas muscles reduces following surgery in rectal cancer patients.

Purpose: To evaluate the trophic changes in rectus abdominis and psoas muscles in patients who underwent open or laparoscopic rectum resection for rectal cancer.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed preoperative staging computerized tomographies (CT) and postoperative first oncological follow-up CTs of the patients who underwent low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer from 2010 through 2015. We measured cross-sectional area of left and right rectus abdominis muscles from two levels (above and below umbilicus) where they are widest and psoas muscle at mid-level of the fourth lumbar vertebral body in axial CT images and compared preoperative and postoperative measurements.

Purification and characterization of intracellular and extracellular α-glucosidases from Geobacillus toebii strain E134.

Two different α-glucosidase-producing thermophilic E134 strains were isolated from a hot spring in Kozakli, Turkey. Based on the phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic evidence, the strain was proposed to be a species of G. toebii.

Antimicrobial activity of endemic Digitalis lamarckii Ivan from Turkey.

Antimicrobial activity of the methanolic extracts of leaves and flowers of D. lamarckii Ivan, (Scophulariaceae), an endemic plant species of Turkey, was tested on ten bacterial and four yeast strains. Effective antibacterial activity was observed in four bacterial strains.

Antimicrobial activity of endemic Crataegus tanacetifolia (Lam.) Pers and observation of the inhibition effect on bacterial cells.

Up to now an increasing number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria have been reported and thus new natural therapeutic agents are needed in order to eradicate these pathogens. Through the discovery of plants such as Crataegus tanacetifolia (Lam.) Pers that have antimicrobial activity, it will be possible to discover new natural drugs serving as chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of nosocomial pathogens and take these antibiotic-resistant bacteria under control.