Saprophytic molds such as Mucor, Rhizopus, and Absidia cause mucormycosis, a fungal infection. These saprophytic fungi are common in the environment and have a strong proclivity for invading major blood arteries, causing tissue ischemia, necrosis, and infarction. They have been linked to immunocompromised individuals with a history of diabetic ketoacidosis, corticosteroid medication, HIV infection, malignant lymphomas, and patients currently receiving and recovering from COVID-19 treatment. The foregoing is the case of a 78-year-old COVID-19 recovered male who presented with a primary complaint of upper tooth movement for 1 month and maxillary segmental mobility. The maxillary alveolar process was resected, and histopathological reports revealed mucormycosis, which was treated with antifungal medication and nasolabial flap surgery. For the past 6 months, he has been disease-free. Early detection and treatment may offer a higher chance of successfully minimizing this debilitating condition.

Background: The posterior denture teeth wear faster than the anterior teeth, which can result in occlusal interferences, loss of vertical dimension of occlusion, greater stress accumulation in the anterior region, and higher ridge resorption. This study aimed to compare the wear resistance of three types of artificial acrylic teeth before and after removing the glaze layer. Materials and Methods: This in vitro study compared three types of artificial acrylic teeth, namely, Finex (F), SR Orthotyp DCL (S), and Vita Physiodents (V) in six groups (n = 10). Half of the artificial teeth of each brand underwent 0.5-mm buccal reduction to remove the glaze layer (groups FC, SC, and VC). The teeth were thermocycled and placed in a chewing simulator. The teeth with and without the glaze layer were weighed before and after the wear test. The data were analyzed using ANCOVA (the level of significance was 0.05). Results: The weight reduction (indicative of wear) was 0.03 ± 0.02 and 0.12 ± 0.03 mg in Groups S and SC, 0.03 ± 0.02 and 0.25 ± 0.04 mg in Groups V and VC, and 0.11 ± 0.15 and 0.28 ± 0.1 mg in groups F and FC, respectively. Removing the glaze layer (P < 0.01), type and brand of acrylic tooth (P < 0.01), and the baseline weight of artificial teeth (P < 0.01) had significant effects on wear resistance of artificial teeth. Conclusion: The wear of artificial teeth was greater after removing the glaze layer, and the magnitude of wear was also significantly different among the three brands. The group FC showed maximum wear while the groups S and V showed minimum wear.

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common cancers. Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) has been related to throat-esophageal and gastric cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of EBV in OSCC. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was performed on 48 samples recorded in the archives of the Oral Pathology Department of Isfahan Dental School with definitive diagnosis of OSCCs prepared by excisional biopsy. Samples were selected in different age groups, locations, and genders. The grade of the tumor malignancy was determined based on Annreroth's classification. The EBV expression was determined by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. The data were entered into SPSS software and statistically analyzed by t-test, Chi-square, and Fisher's exact test. Significance level was considered P < 0.05. Results: IHC staining for EBV was positive in 25 samples (52%). There was no significant relationship between EBV expression and mean age, gender, clinical feature, and grade of tumor differentiation (P > 0.05). A significant difference was observed between the EBV expression and location (P = 0.035). Furthermore, a significant difference was observed between the grade of tumor and staining intensity distribution index of EBV (P = 0.005). Conclusion: EBV expression was observed in most of the OSCCs, especially in poorly differentiated tumors. The pathogenesis of OSCCs may be related with EBV. OSCCs in buccal mucosa and floor of the mouth have more frequently of EBV expression. Future studies on the mechanisms of EBV and their role in OSCC are required with larger sample sizes.

Background: This study assessed the effect of sodium hypochlorite on cyclic fatigue resistance of RaCe, HyFlex CM and XP-endo Shaper files. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro, experimental study, 90 RaCe, HyFlex CM and XP-endo Shaper files (n = 30 of each) were divided into two groups (n = 45). Group 1 included 15 files of each rotary system, which were immersed in 37°C sodium hypochlorite (5.25%) for 5 min. Group 2 files were immersed in 37°C saline for 5 min. The files underwent cyclic fatigue testing using simulated root canals in which, the rotary files could freely rotate until fracture. Time of fracture was recorded by a chronometer and the number of cycles until fracture was calculated. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni test (α = 0.05). Results: No significant difference existed in the mean number of cycles or rotation time of files between saline and sodium hypochlorite (P > 0.05). The mean rotation time of RaCe was significantly shorter than that of HyFlex and XP-endo Shaper in both solutions (P < 0.05). The mean number of cycles of RaCe was significantly lower than that of HyFlex and XP-endo Shaper files in both solutions (P < 0.05). The mean number of cycles of HyFlex was significantly lower than that of XP-endo Shaper (P < 0.05). >Conclusion: Immersion of rotary files made of different alloys in 5.25% sodium hypochlorite for 5 min had no effect on their fracture resistance. However, type of file alloy affected its fatigue resistance such that XP-endo Shaper showed the highest and RaCe showed the lowest fatigue resistance.

Background: The background of this study was to improve the longevity of a restoration and optimal adaptation of restorative material to the prepared cavity walls is crucial. The study aimed to evaluate the interfacial adaptation of Activa, Micron, and Predicta bulk bioactive restorative materials to coronal dentin using micro-computed tomography (CT) analysis. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro micro-CT assessment study, Class II mesio- and disto-occlusal cavities were prepared on 60 extracted human mandibular molar teeth. After etching and bonding procedures, all the mesial cavities (n = 60) were restored with Tetric N-Ceram and the disto-occlusal cavities with Activa or Micron or Predicta bioactive (n = 20 each) restoratives. Interfacial gap percentages were evaluated under micro-CT before (baseline) and after thermo-mechanical load cycling (TMC). Acquired data were analyzed statistically using one-way analysis of variance, Paired t-test, and Tukey's multiple post hoc procedures, at P < 0.05 level of significance. Results: The interfacial gap percentages were lowest for Predicta bioactive and highest for the Micron group (P < 0.05). The number of gaps increased significantly after TMC in all the groups (P < 0.05). The adaptation of tested materials was inferior to axial wall and pulpal floor, whereas considerably better adaptation was observed on buccal and lingual walls. Conclusion: Predicta bioactive followed by Activa bioactive has shown superior interfacial adaptation, whereas Micron bioactive demonstrated maximum microgaps compared to nanohybrid composite. Artificial aging with TMC has a negative influence on the internal adaptation of all tested materials.

Background: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic oral mucosal disease. It can manifest as severe erosive/ulcerative oral lesions, causing pain and discomfort. Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) may be deteriorated due to the patient's symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate OHRQoL and its relation to oral pain in erosive/ulcerative OLP patients. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, patients with erosive/ulcerative OLP filled out Chronic oral mucosal disease questionnaire (COMDQ). Meanwhile, they recorded their oral pain through Visual analog scale (VAS). The Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to analyze the relationship between COMDQ score and VAS (IBM SPSS Statistics). P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Sixty patients participated in the present study; 51 (85%) were women and 9 (15%) were men. The mean age of participants was 50 ± 14.5 years. The mean score of COMDQ was 47.44 (±18.21). The mean VAS score was 4.5 (±2.4). COMDQ total and all domain scores were significantly correlated with VAS (P < 0.05), except for the “Patient support” domain (P = 0.63). Conclusion: In patients with erosive/ulcerative OLP, there was a significant correlation between oral pain and COMDQ total score, as well as its physical, social, and emotional domains. It seems that COMDQ can be a complementary tool for assessing treatment outcomes in OLP patients.

Background: The aim of the present study is to compare the antibacterial effect of fluoride mouth rinse and fluoride varnish on the primary biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) in two types of orthodontic adhesives. Materials and Methods: This is an in vitro study in which forty composite discs of Transbond XT and Lightbond were divided randomly into 4 groups: Group 1: Control group (not treated with fluoride), Group 2: Rinsed by 0.2% fluoride mouth rinse, Group 3: Rinsed by 0.05% fluoride mouth rinse, and Group 4: Treated by varnish fluoride. Then each group was placed in S. mutans suspension. Bacterial suspension from each treatment was subcultured onto the surface of Mueller–Hinton agar plates, and bacterial growth was assessed. The results were analyzed by analysis of variance test and Scheffé test was run to compute the binary groups (P < 0.05). Results: There was a statistically significant reduction in the viability of S. mutans in treated groups by fluoride but no significant difference between two types of composites. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that S. mutans colonies were sensitive to fluoride and their most effective form was varnish. There was no significant difference in early biofilm formation of S. mutans in two types of orthodontic adhesive resins Transbond XT and Lightbond.

The corona virus malady 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has rekindled the well established argument regarding the role of dental aerosol in transference of severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Aerosols and droplets are generated amid innumerable dental procedures. With the commencement of the COVID-19 pandemic droplet, a review of the infection/disease control strategies for aerosols is required. We do not know where this pandemic is directed. We do not have conclusive evidence for an optimal management strategy. Every day brings in varying information, so recognizing the hazard created by aerosols will help diminish the probability of infection transfer at the time of dental procedures. Hence, the author assessed the evidence-based medical and dental literature in relation to “aerosol' that documented the source of transmission of aerosol through various potential routes, addressed the risk potential to patients and the dental team, and assessed the additional measures that might minimize the viral transmission if regularly adopted. In this article, the author evaluated and compiled dental guidelines by various countries and various health-care associations in context to aerosol-generating procedures and has made recommendations for the restriction of dental aerosols and splatter in routine dental practice.

Background: Remineralizing agents such as fluoride and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) are popular treatment choices for incipient enamel lesions. Recently introduced resin infiltration enhances the esthetics of teeth affected by these enamel lesions. Furthermore, few studies reported the utilization of colloidal silica infiltration for the white spot lesions. However, the potency of these materials for treatment in primary teeth necessitates investigation. Thus, this study evaluated and compared the effectiveness of CPP-ACP fluoride (CPP-ACPF), resin infiltration, and colloidal silica infiltration on surface microhardness in artificial white spot lesions in primary incisors using the Vickers microhardness testing machine. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, on the labial surface of 45 primary incisors, artificial white spot lesions were created by immersing them in a demineralizing solution. According to the evaluation method, random distribution of specimens into three groups: Group 1: CPP-ACPF, Group 2: resin infiltration, and Group 3: colloidal silica infiltration. Specimens after treatment were stored in artificial saliva, followed by microhardness evaluation using Vickers microhardness. Microhardness readings at baseline, post demineralization, and after treating them with different materials were taken. The level of significance was 0.01. Results: Enamel specimens treated with resin infiltration showed a high microhardness mean value compared to CPP-ACPF and colloidal silica infiltration. Conclusion: Resin infiltration is a promising and effective treatment option for incipient enamel lesions followed by CPP-ACPF compared to colloidal silica infiltration in primary teeth.

Background: To consciously select an appropriate dental cement for each type of intracanal post. Materials and Methods: An electronic search was carried out (1970 to 2020) through Medline, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The following keywords were searched in title, abstract, or keywords with different combinations: endodontically treated tooth, root canal therapy, dental posts, post and core, prefabricated posts, custom posts, dental cement, resin cements, cement selection, cement, and adhesive resin cement. Results: Evaluating full texts, 146 articles were selected to review the types of posts and cements, selection criteria of appropriate cement for each type of post, and compare the results obtained by different cements. Conclusion: Dental cements affect the survival rate, durability, and success rate of postbased treatments. Considering special characteristics and application of each type of intracanal post, conscious selection of cement is an important determining factor in long-lasting success. Choosing an appropriate cement has a key role in success and durability of dowel posts-based fixed restorations.