Browsing of Articles

1. Zukanović A, Ganibegović M. Preventive Dentistry in Bosnian Private Dental Practices. Acta Stomatol Croat. 2007;41(3):193-204.
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   Title in English:	Preventive Dentistry in Bosnian Private Dental Practices
   Title in Croatian:	Preventivna stomatologija u privatnim ordinacijama u Bosni
   Type of Article:	original scientific paper
   MeSH:	PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY DENTAL OFFICES DMF INDEX FLUORIDES, TOPICAL
   Abstract:	The aim of this research was to investigate the private general dental practitioners’ (GDPs) attitudes, practice and knowledge to primary preventive measures (professional topical fluoridation, oral hygiene instructions, dietary advice and fissure sealing) in treating patients in their practices. Specially designed questionnaire concerning GDP’s attitudes, practice and knowledge of preventive dentistry related questions, was distributed to 57 private dental practices in Canton Sarajevo area, Bosnia and Herzegovina. There were 46 (80.7%) completed and returned questionnaires. All of the respondents claimed to have applied some sort of preventive measures in treating their patients, but only 26% of GDPs said they had used all of the recommended measures. The only preventive measure that all of GDPs reported using was giving oral hygiene advice/instruction; 83% of dentists applied topical fluoride, 40.4 % of which admitted to practicing it rarely. Most GDPs give diet counseling to patients regularly while some 15% of them don’t practice this at all. Seventy two per cent of dentists used fissure sealants. Surveyed dentists were familiar with basic principles of preventive dentistry, but they did not give enough importance to it in overall treatment of patients. The only preventive measure delivered by all general dental practitioners was oral health advice/instructions, usually given verbally in a form of mini-lectures. Professional topical fluoridation was performed generally on children, mostly on routine basis in dental practices. The most often given dietary advice was about decreasing total intake of sugary foods and drinks.

2. Pellizzer C, Pejda S, Špalj S, Plančak D. Unrealistic Optimism and Demographic Influence on Oral Health-Related Behaviour and Perception in Adolescents in Croatia. Acta Stomatol Croat. 2007;41(3):205-15.
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   Title in English:	Unrealistic Optimism and Demographic Influence on Oral Health-Related Behaviour and Perception in Adolescents in Croatia
   Title in Croatian:	Nerealni optimizam i demografski utjecaji na oralnohigijenske navike i percepciju adolescenata u Hrvatskoj
   Type of Article:	original scientific paper
   MeSH:	ORAL HYGIENE ORAL HEALTH
   Abstract:	Knowledge and motivation are considered to be essential determinants of health-related behaviour. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of demographic characteristics, perception, knowledge and motivation regarding oral health of adolescents on their habits in oral hygiene. The study was conducted in 2006 in the sample of 302 secondary school students, aged 17 to 19, from three cities in different Croatian regions using a questionnaire. Data were analysed by nonparametric statistics. Adolescents have relatively high perception regarding oral health, but their perception of oral diseases is quite low. Although different demographic, social and gender-related factors affect oral health behaviours, they are less affected by adolescents’ knowledge. And in fact those who were better educated about oral diseases and prevention didn’t practice basic hygiene significantly more often, nor used additional products, changed their toothbrush, visited dentist or avoided sugar. It is obvious that young people do not draw personal implications from health risk information, or can not easily recognise the link between their own behaviour and the risk they are putting themselves into. It has been related to unrealistic optimism, the tendency to perceive negative events as less likely and positive events as more likely to oneself than to others.

3. Carek A, Živko-Babić J, Schauperl Z, Jakovac M. Macroscopic Analysis of Co-Cr Base Alloys Joints. Acta Stomatol Croat. 2007;41(3):216-24.
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   Title in English:	Macroscopic Analysis of Co-Cr Base Alloys Joints
   Title in Croatian:	Makroskopska analiza spoja odljevaka Co-Cr legura
   Type of Article:	original scientific paper
   MeSH:	DENTAL ALLOYS CHROMIUM ALLOYS DENTAL SOLDERING
   Abstract:	Cobalt-chromium alloys are used as standard restorative material in prosthodontics. Some errors in laboratory procedure or breaks of metallic parts during functional period must be repaired. The purpose of this study was to compare joint quality, obtained by different thermal techniques on Co-Cr as cast alloy. Three samples (32x 10 x 1,5 mm) of each alloy were cut and joined by soldering, laser and Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding. All samples were I-shaped. The connested surfaces were analysed by microscope, under 50 - 200 X magnification. From the macroscopic view, soldering of all specimens was successful. On the welded samples, either by laser or by TIG welding, overlapping of welding spots was insufficient, cracks and porosity were present. There is a need for proper handling and optimization of all parameters (impulse duration, voltage and power) for each applied method and for analysed alloys. It could be concluded that macroscopic analysis of the quality of joint, done by technician, is one of the aspects to predict the functional durability of prosthetic construction.

4. Maver-Bišćanin M, Mravak-Stipetić M, Jerolimov V, Klaić B, Žarković D, Bišćanin A. Recurrence of Candida Albicans Colonization in Denture Stomatitis Patients Treated with Low Level Laser Therapy. Acta Stomatol Croat. 2007;41(3):225-32.
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   Title in English:	Recurrence of Candida Albicans Colonization in Denture Stomatitis Patients Treated with Low Level Laser Therapy
   Title in Croatian:	Rekolonizacija gljivica Candida albicans u pacijenata s protetskim stomatitisom nakon terapije niskoenergetskim laserom
   Type of Article:	original scientific paper
   MeSH:	STOMATITIS, DENTURE ORAL HYGIENE LASERS + therapeutic use CANDIDA ALBICANS
   Abstract:	An optimal treatment modality for denture stomatitis (DS) hasn’t been yet found since the disease recurrs quite often. The aim of this paper is to investigate the occurrence of recolonization of the yeast Candida albicans one week after laser irradiation treatment in patients with DS. 70 patients with clinical evidence of denture stomatitis participated in this study. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of four different treatment regimens: 1) irradiation with a 685 nm wavelength laser for 10 minutes (30 mW); 2) irradiation with a 830 nm wavelength laser for 5 minutes (60 mW); 3) placebo control group: sham irradiation of patients; 4) antimycotic control group: self treatment of patients’ palatal mucosa with an antifungal oral gel and the use of an antiseptic solution for their dentures. A semiconductor diode laser, BTL-2000 (BTL-2 Dravotnicka Techika, Prague, Czech Republic), was used in both treatment cases using an energy density of 3.0 J/cm2 and a continuous working mode for five consecutive days. Swabs from patients palates and dentures were taken prior to initial treatment (1st day), immediately after the treatment was finished (5th day) and at a follow-up visit (12th day). We found that recolonization of Candida albicans, one week after treatment, occurred in a significant number of patients regardless of the treatment method. In order to achieve a long-term antimycotic effect, it is necessary to eliminate all predisposing factors individually, to incorporate the use of antifungal agents into the patients’ regime, and to have the patients improve their oral hygiene habits.

5. Taebunpakul P, Piboonratanakit P, Thongprasom K. Folate Levels in Burning Tongue. Acta Stomatol Croat. 2007;41(3):233-40.
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   Title in English:	Folate Levels in Burning Tongue
   Title in Croatian:	Razine folata u sindromu pekućeg jezika
   Type of Article:	original scientific paper
   MeSH:	BURNING MOUTH SYNDROME + diagnosis FOLIC ACID
   Abstract:	It can be recognized that some hematological abnormalities are involved in burningtongues. The aim of this study was to compare folate levels between patients withburning tongue and healthy control group. Twenty-nine patients with tongue symptomswere enrolled in this study. They were compared with 21 healthy volunteers.Complete blood counts, hemoglobin typing, serum and red cell folate, and serum vitaminB12 levels were investigated. Medication taking and systemic diseases in allsubjects were recorded. The results showed that 13 out of 29 patients (44.83%) hadlow red cell folate levels, whereas all healthy subjects had normal red cell folate levels.Patients with low red cell folate levels were defined as folate deficiency (n=6), folatedeficient erythropoiesis (n=2) and folate depletion (n=5). There was a significantdifference in red cell folate levels between two groups (p=0.000). Interestingly, 11out of 29 patients with low red cell folate levels showed various tongue appearancessuch as geographic, fissured, coated, atrophic and foliate papillitis. Only 2 casesof burning tongue with normal appearance revealed low red cell folate levels. Moreover,there was no significant difference in red cell folate levels between medicationand non medication taking patients (p=0.534). This study showed an association betweenred cell folate level and burning tongue but no association was observed betweenfolate levels and any attendant systemic condition or prescribed medication.

6. Ivić-Kardum M, Živko-Babić J, Tomljenović A. The Effect of Anticorrosive Chemical Factors on Periodontal Health. Acta Stomatol Croat. 2007;41(3):241-50.
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   Title in English:	The Effect of Anticorrosive Chemical Factors on Periodontal Health
   Title in Croatian:	Utjecaj antikorozivnih kemijskih čimbenika na zdravlje parodonta
   Type of Article:	preliminary report
   MeSH:	PERIODONTITIS ALVEOLAR BONE LOSS SPECIALTY USES OF CHEMICALS DENTAL PLAQUE
   Abstract:	The object/purpose of this investigation was to examine the condition of the periodontium in employees working in the Chemistry Department of the Shipyard in Rijeka. Thirty-four employees participated in the examination, aged 25 to 55 years, the majority of which work in direct contact with chemicals. The control group consisted of 90 examinees/subjects of the same age, not employed in the Chemistry Department of the Shipyard. The presence of periodontal changes in the examinees were based on a finding of gingival bleeding, dental plaque and tartar, probing depth of 3 mm and more and loss of attachment. Non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of two independent groups, the examinees and a control group. The results of the examination showed inflammatory gingival changes in 85% of the employees. In the examined group the greatest probing depth of periodontal pockets was in the lower central incisors, 3.06 ± 1.51 mm and 3.09 ± 1.58 mm, which was statistically significantly different in relation to the control group (p < 0.001). The greatest loss of attachment in the examined group was also in the lower central incisors, and amounted to 3.56 ± 2.67 mm and 3.53 ± 2.62, which differed significantly from the findings in examinees in the control group (p < 0.001). On the basis of the findings of inflammatory changes in the periodontium and the presence of probing depth and loss of attachment, indicating chronic periodontitis in the majority of examinees compared to the control group, it can be said that the specific environment has a negative effect on the periodontal condition of employees in the Chemistry Department of the Shipyard, which requires regular control of the periodontal condition of these employees.

7. Anić Milošević S, Lapter Varga M, Šlaj M. Possibilities of Soft Tissue Analysis in Orthodontics. Acta Stomatol Croat. 2007;41(3):251-9.
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   Title in English:	Possibilities of Soft Tissue Analysis in Orthodontics
   Title in Croatian:	Mogućnosti analize mekih tkiva u ortodontskoj dijagnostici
   Type of Article:	review
   MeSH:	ORTHODONTICS, CORRECTIVE RADIOGRAPHY, DENTAL
   Abstract:	After standardisation of radiographic technique during the 1930s the importance of soft tissues were of secondary importance and dentoskeletal relations became the decisive factor in facial analysis. However, at the beginning the 1960s it was observed that the relation between soft tissues and skeletal structures could differ considerably. The many investigations engaged in the psychological aspect of malocclusion indicated that the patient should not be treated exclusively in accordance with rigid dentoskeletal standards. More recently, when planning therapy, orthodontists and maxillofacial surgeons increasingly consider the soft tissues and rely more on the clinical condition than on cephalometric analysis, in view of the fact that exclusive reliance on cephalometric analysis can occasionally lead to an undesired facial appearance. Through a review of the literature the investigations of authors has been presented who have been engaged in the study and analysis of soft tissues, influence of orthodontic treatment on soft tissues and changes in soft tissues which occur as a result of growth and development.

8. Verzak Ž, Čuković-Čavka S, Čuković-Bagić I. A Case Report of Bulimia Induced Dental Erosion in a Female Adolescent. Acta Stomatol Croat. 2007;41(3):260-7.
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   Title in English:	A Case Report of Bulimia Induced Dental Erosion in a Female Adolescent
   Title in Croatian:	Prikaz slučaja bulimijom inducirane dentalne erozije kod adolescentice
   Type of Article:	case report
   MeSH:	BULIMIA TOOTH EROSION + etiology
   Abstract:	Very severe forms of dental erosion are uncommon finding in adolescent population. This paper describes a 17-year old female who complained of increased teeth sensitivity to cold temperature and to touch. Dental examination revealed extensive and severe pattern of dental erosion of all teeth typical for intrinsic causes of dental erosion. She also completed a questionnaire investigating any association between the presence of erosion and possible etiological factors. Questionnaire responses, heteroanamnestic data and dental status confirmed our preliminary diagnosis of bulimia nervosa that resulted in a rarely significant dental destruction for that age in only three years period.

9. Ozer N, Alpkilic E, Hayirlioglu A, Ak G. Burkitt’s Lymphoma: a Rare Sporadic Case. Acta Stomatol Croat. 2007;41(3):268-72.
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   Title in English:	Burkitt’s Lymphoma: a Rare Sporadic Case
   Title in Croatian:	Burkittov limfom: rijedak i sporadičan slučaj
   Type of Article:	case report
   MeSH:	BURKITT LYMPHOMA JAW
   Abstract:	We report a case of a 9 year-old boy who had multilocular lesions in both of his jaws. There was extraoral facial asymmetry and intraoral examination revealed remarkable gingival lesions with fixed swellings on the left and right parts of both maxilla and mandible. Radiographic examination included panoramic radiograph showing only a slight radiolucency in the left premolar and molar region of mandible. Incisional biopsy of the gingival masses was performed and histopathologic examination disclosed BL. The treatment could not be completed due to the disagreement of patient’s parents who were uneducated and had a low social status. The patient died within 8 months after the diagnosis. In this report we aimed to present a rare sporadic case of BL with a four segmental involvement of the jaws which is usually seen in endemic type of BL as well as emphasize the significance of the cooperation between physicians and patients.

10. Vojvodić D, Komar D, Žabarović D. Prosthetic Rehabilitation of a Patient with Cleidocranial Dysostosis: A Clinical Report. Acta Stomatol Croat. 2007;41(3):273-8.
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    Title in English:	Prosthetic Rehabilitation of a Patient with Cleidocranial Dysostosis: A Clinical Report
    Title in Croatian:	Protetska rehabilitacija pacijenta s keidokranijalnom disostozom: Prikaz slučaja
    Type of Article:	case report
    MeSH:	CROWNS BONE DISEASES PROSTHODONTICS CLEIDOCRANIAL DYSPLASIA
    Abstract:	Cleidocranial dysostosis (ccd) concerns both teeth and jaw and is characterized by supernumerary teeth, delayed resorption of deciduous teeth and delayed eruption of permanent teeth, tooth impaction and possible follicular cysts formation. A 26 years old patient with ccd received prosthetic treatment. Firstly, provisional removable prostheses were made for evaluation of the patient’s ability to adapt to the newly determined vertical dimension of occlusion and to stimulate the eruption of permanent teeth. Afterwards, telescopic crowns, coping with intraradicular retention and Dalla Bona type stud attachment, and metal-base partial dentures were designed resulting in satisfactory function and esthetics, also resolving the problems of appearance associated with this disease.

11. Uredništvo ASCRO. Professor Dora Najžar Fleger, DDS, PhD 1931 – 2007. Acta Stomatol Croat. 2007;41(3):286.
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    Title in English:	Professor Dora Najžar Fleger, DDS, PhD 1931 – 2007
    Title in Croatian:	Prof. dr. sc. Dora Najžar Fleger 1931. – 2007.
    Type of Article:	news
    MeSH:	NAJZAR FLEGER, Dora
    Abstract:	Dora Najžar Fleger was born 10th November 1931 in a small place called Orehovac near the town of Križevci where she finished elementary school. She moved to Zagreb and after she had graduated from high school she started the School of Dentistry which was at that time part of the Medical School, University of Zagreb,. She graduated in 1957 and started her professional career in the Community Health Centre Daruvar. She had worked there until 30th November 1960. During her last year there she was the Head of Dental Department. The same year she moved to Zagreb for the second time and started to work at the Department of Dental Pathology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb where she had worked until retirement.