Temporomandibular disorders are defined as the pathologic conditions composed of musculoskeletal pain and function disturbance. It is known that occlusal splints are useful appliances in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders. Occlusal splints are removable appliances, usually made of hard acrilic that fits over the occlusal and/or incisal surface of the teeth, creating optimal occlusal contact with the teeth of the opposing arch. One of the efficacy mechanisms of the occlusal splints is shown as the inhibiting effect on the hyperactivity of the muscles. In the recent years, using the electromyographical scanning is used in the diagnosis and the treatment of the temporomandibular disorders, defining the muscle functions. Electromyography is used in many investigations that examine the effect of the occlusal splints on the masticatory muscles. The classification of the temporomandibular disorders, occlusal splints that are used and the effects of the occlusal splints on the masticatory muscles in using electromyographic studies are presented in this review.

Dental trauma is the major maxillofacial injuries during sport activities. It has been aimed to decrease the applied force to the maxillofacial region in these activities. Therefore, individually designed and prepared mouth guards specific for each sports activity are used. In this literature review, the types and the fabrication of various mouth guards were explained. Besides, the mouth guard use in our country and the scientific methods to test the mouth guards and were evaluated.

Upper airway sleep disorders are becoming recognized as common medical problems. Multiple treatment options had been described, including the use of dental devices. The dentist is a constant part of diagnosis and treatment because of the increase in the usage of dental devices available and rapid advancement in understanding of this disease. This article has undertaken the purpose to review the anatomic features, etiologic factors of upper airway sleep disorders, and the articles which are subject to medical and dental treatment options.

Tooth discoloration is becoming a greater concern as more emphasis is placed on esthetics. Therefore in recent years, tooth whitening has become one of the most rapidly growing section of esthetic dentistry. With the growing awareness of esthetic options, there is a greater demand for solutions to such unsightly problems as tooth staining, fluorosis and tetracycline staining. In general bleaching is applied as office and home bleaching with hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Bleaching systems have been received by the public as a more conservative and economical method of improving the appearance of the dentition. Tooth bleaching applications are discussed in this article.

The aim of this study was to review the literature about the therapeutic mechanism and the clinical and laboratory application of the mandibular advancement splint (MAS) as a part of the multidisciplinary approach of the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). MAS stimulates genoglossus and massater muscles, and this situation can be shown with electromyographies. Design characteristics which are more important criterions for success of MAS theraphy exist, and it has to be determined individually for each patient by the dentist. MAS increase superior airway space, because it removes nocturnal obstruction.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate demographic and work profiles and habits of dental technicians in Izmir.
Methods: One hundred and eighty-five dental technicians practicing in private dental laboratories in Izmir (27 women (mean age 25.14±3.87), 158 men (mean age 30.29±7.89)) participated in a questionnaire. They noted their socio-demographics, working period, habits of smoke and alcohol in the first part of the questionnaire. In the second part of the questionnaire, their past and present branches of work, the materials they have faced throughout their occupations and their use of protective materials during working were recorded. The data were analyzed statistically (Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U, α=0.05).
Results: Mean working period in dental laboratories was 12.21 years (±8.10; 1-40). When the educational status of the 185 participants were evaluated; 58 (31.4%) were primary school, 65 (35.1%) were secondary school, 35 (18.9%) were high school while 27 (14.6%) were college graduates and 53 were (28.6%) apprentice graduates, 96 (51.9) had master diplomas and 9 of them (4.9%) were occupational school graduates and 27 (14.6%) had vocational school diplomas. Ninety-eight (53%) were smokers, 11 (5.9%) gave up smoking and 76 (41.1%) were nonsmokers. Among men, 88 (51.95%) and among women 10 (27.9%) were smokers and daily smoking was found to be significant for gender (p<0.05). Throughout their working times, 111 people (60%) confronted with the dental stone, 101 (54.1%) with acrylic, 94 (50.8%) with pumice, 88 (47.6%) with investment material, 130 (70.3%) with wax, 34 (18.4%) with silica, 80 (42.3%) with ceramic, and 120 people (64.9%) with metal. When the relationship between the use of protective materials and gender were evaluated, the difference was significant (p<0.05), with the amount of mask and protective eye-wear use being higher in women than men.
Conclusion: Dental technicians are start up their occupations at early ages and confront with many hazardous materials for health during their work. Their work profiles, materials which they meet throughout their working period, their use of protective material and smoking habits differ in gender. Additional smoking besides these might increase the risk of occupation-related health.

Aim: To evaluate dentin caries in prepared cavities using a caries-detector dye and in addition, to compare results of caries detection using conventional method and a caries detector dye performed by students, a doctorate student and an associate professor.
Methods: 557 cavities prepared by students were checked using conventional method and Caries Detector. The relationship between staining and tooth type, upper or lower jaw, cavity type, cavity depth and localization of staining were determined. When caries removal was completed using conventional method by students, cavities were reevaluated by instructors. Results of caries detection performed by the two methods were compared with McNemar and chi square tests.
Results: Class II and deep cavities were the most staining cavities by Caries Detector at first and second checks. Caries and staining were determined 30% and 34% of cavities by instructors, respectively, which were indicated as ‘no decay’ using conventional method by students (p= 0,00).
Conclusion: Using a caries detector dye in caries diagnosis may be useful in inexperienced clinicians’ education.

Objectives: The first aim of this study was to assess the psychological, functional, behavioral and pain-related impacts of chronic periodontitis on patients. The second aim was to assess the impact of anxiety level, treatment region and some demographic characteristics such as; gender, age, education, socio-economic level on post-operative oral health-related quality of life.
Methods: Forty-three chronic periodontitis patients treated with periodontal surgery completed an oral health assessment index (GOHAI) in baseline and in post-operative period for seven days.
Results: It was found that the most considerable effect of periodontitis on patients’ life was psychological (2.60). The effect of gender on post-operative QoL was statistically significant (p<0.01) and female subjects had poorer post-operative oral healthrelated QoL for seven days. In addition, patients with higher anxiety level had poorer post-operative QoL. The relation between GOHAI subgroups and anxiety levels showed statistically significant positive correlation (p< 0.01).
Conclusion: Periodontal diseases and treatment can affect the ‘ability to eat, speak and socialize interpersonal relationships, daily activities, and therefore the ‘quality of life.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of TiF4 solution on the microleakage of total-etch and self-etching adhesives to the enamel and dentin.
Methods: Class V cavities were prepared on the buccal and lingual surfaces of twenty one human third molar teeth. Cavities were assigned into 6 groups: I- TiF4 +Acid-etching + SE Bond, II- Acid-etching + SE Bond, III- TiF4 + SE Bond, IV- SE Bond, V- TiF4 +Optibond, VI-Optibond. All cavities were restored with resin composite. The microleakage was evaluated using 1% methylene blue at x30 magnification. The scores were compared with Kruskall-Wallis and Mann Whitney U tests.
Results: TiF4 did not change the occlusal microleakage scores (p>0,05) while it increased the gingival leakage of SE Bond without acid-etching (p<0,05). It did not adversely affect the gingival leakage when OptiBond and SE Bond were used with acid-etching (p>0,05).
Conclusion: We may conclude that TiF4 application with acid-etching may be useful in preventing secondary caries under resin composite restorations.

Aim: The use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a source of growth factors is reported to be beneficial for periodontal regeneration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different PRP and thrombin concentrations on gingival fibroblasts (GF), periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PLF) and osteoblasts (OB) in an in vitro wound model designed by the research group.
Materials and Methods: A wound with a diameter of 5 mm has been performed on PLF, GF and OB cell cultures. The cell wells were divided into five groups. The control group received only Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium (DMEM), where the test groups received 0.5% PRP with 1/3 or 1/2 thrombin or 0.1% PRP with 1/3 or 1/2 thrombin. The cells in each group were stained with hematoxylin-eosine on days 2, 5, 7, 9 and 11. Digital screenings were performed on each time point and the results were interpreted by means of % surface area.
Results: PLF and GF cells covered the wound area earlier in the 0.1% PRP with 1/3 thrombin when compared with other groups and GF respond was better than PLF. OB group showed less proliferation than the control and the other cell groups at any concentration.
Conclusions: PRP might effectively promote wound healing at sites of injury in periodontal disease. The developed wound model may be utilized in future investigations of periodontal wound healing.