Background: B-cell activating factor belonging to the TNF family (BAFF) levels may increase in response to oral infections. The aim of the study was to evaluate saliva and serum BAFF levels in patients with oral infection and to monitor them after dental treatments. Materials and methods: Fifteen patients with an oral infection foci including pericoronitis (n = 7) and irreversible pulpitis (n =...

AIM To analyse the gene expression of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in human dental pulps, under normal and inflammatory conditions and to examine the association between any observed alterations in the expression of this cytokine with the severity of the clinical symptoms. METHODOLOGY Eighteen pulpal samples were obtained from single-rooted human teeth. Six of the teeth were norma...

INTRODUCTION Pain management after root canal treatment is a very important issue in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of occlusal reduction on postoperative pain in teeth with irreversible pulpitis and tenderness to percussion. METHODS Fifty-four posterior vital teeth with sensitivity to percussion requiring endodontic treatment were included in this stu...

INTRODUCTION The study was designed as a randomized double-blind trial to evaluate the anesthetic efficacy of 4% articaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine in inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) and infiltration anesthetic techniques to anesthetize mandibular molars with irreversible pulpitis. METHODS The study was composed of 2 test arms and 1 control arm. Subjects in the test arms received eithe...

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this prospective, randomized, double-blind study was to compare the anesthetic efficacy of 4% articaine and 2% lidocaine (both with 1:100,000 epinephrine) for buccal infiltration in patients experiencing irreversible pulpitis in maxillary posterior teeth. STUDY DESIGN Forty patients with irreversible pulpitis in first premolar or first molar were divided into 4 study ...

AIM To evaluate the outcome of root canal treatment in primary teeth using three root canal filling materials - RC Fill, Vitapex and Pulpdent root canal sealer. METHODOLOGY The study was a single-centre, double-blind, randomized controlled trial carried out on 129 primary mandibular molars with necrotic pulps or irreversible pulpitis in 4- to 9-year-old children. Participants were selected ba...

In cariously exposed immature permanent teeth, the treatment choice is controversial in pediatric dentistry. Radical root canal treatment usually appears to be the solution for these teeth. Even partial pulpotomy is a vital treatment for traumatically exposed immature permanent teeth; extending the borders of indication towards cariously exposed immature permanent teeth with reversible pulpitis...

Background The purpose of this prospective randomized single-blind clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of tilting the head on the anesthetic efficacy of inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) in patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. Methods Ninety-two patients were divided into two groups: the first group received IANB and the head was tilted in the direction of the block for 1...

Family physicians commonly encounter patients with dental infections, such as dental caries and periodontal disease. Dental caries is caused by bacteria that destroy the enamel and dentin; it can be detected by an oral examination that shows stained pits or fissures on the tooth surface. Use of fluoride is the most effective prevention measure for dental caries. Untreated caries may progress to...