Abstract: Background: Since the introduction of modern orthodontics, several indices have been proposed to help prediction normal maxillary arch width that would relieve crowding, maintain occlusion stability and reduces future relapse. Among these indices Pont had proposed an index in 1909 to estimate maxillary arch width depending upon the sum of maxillary incisors mesiodistal dimensions. Aims: The present study tried to investigate the reliability of Pont's index in estimating dental arch width. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 22 boys and 22 girls aged 14–16 years. Measurements of all study models were done using a sliding caliper. The arch width was measured in first premolar region between distal pits, and in first permanent molar region between central fossae. Results: Statistical analysis, using correlation coefficient; revealed a poor correlations existed between Pont's estimation for the arch width and the actual arch width measured from the casts for both sexes. The arch widths were generally underestimated for all test groups. Conclusion: It was concluded that Pont's index is not a precise method for prediction of maxillary dental arch width.

Abstract: Aims: To investigate the incidence of handpiece asepsis in general dental practice in Mosul City and to evaluate the problems associated with routine handpiece sterilization which are commonly needed by those practitioners. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was designed to collect the information about handpiece asepsis techniques performed by dentists. One hundred twenty dentists in Mosul City were randomly selected and the data were analyzed. Results: About 55.8% of the respondents know about the importance of handpiece sterilization, but no one do ideal sterilization between each patient due to absence of sufficient number of handpiece and lack of autoclave system in clinics. No one disinfect the handpiece scientifically; 59.38% smear the handpiece between each patient by one of the antiseptic solutions. Conclusion: Handpiece asepsis in Mosul dental clinics is poor. Most of dentists depend on disinfection by disinfectant solution to prevent cross infection by handpieces. Most dentists, because of their poor equipment in both private and national clinics, cannot sterilize handpieces after each patient.

Abstract: Aims: To determine the salivary calcium during lactation in females and compare with non–lactating females. The saliva nowadays is considered as good source or media for estimation of several ions such as calcium, magnesium, copper, zinc and even abused drug. Materials and Methods: The unstimulated saliva was collected from sixty females, thirty lactating and the other thirty were non– lactating. Results: Salivary calcium ion concentration in non–lactating females was 5.021 + 0.1 compared to 2.46 + 0.21 in lactating mothers that reflect a significant decline in calcium concentration (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This decline in calcium concentration reflected the importance of external calcium supplement during lactation

Abstract: Aims: To evaluate the prevalence of dental caries in Humaidat village (which is located at Tigris river about 25 Km to the Northern West from Mosul City), to determine the level of dental health attitude and behaviors and to compare the results with the previous study that carried out in the same village before 10 years. Materials and Methods: The size of the sample was 213 individuals, 105 males and 108 females. Their ages were ranged between 10–60 years. Clinical dental examination was carried out using decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index for the permanent teeth. Questionnaires were used to assess the level of dental health attitude and behaviours among the individuals. Results: Most of the individuals have poor awareness about their oral health. They were not used to brush their teeth regularly; they eat large amount of sweets at different times of the day and a large percent of them had no willingness to seek for dental treatment. Clinical dental examination indicated the high caries prevalence among the individuals, which increased by increasing age, and most of the cases were treated by extraction. Conclusion: The oral and dental health status in the rural areas is far from good and needs to be reevaluated.

Abstract: Aim: To measure the temperature rise induced by a light emitting diode (LED) curing unit and by quartz tungsten halogen (QTH) curing unit using two types of composite resin XRV Herculite and Venus. Materials and Methods: Forty extracted non–carious single canal premolars were cleaned and bisected longitudinally. Class V preparations were cut on the buccal surfaces. The teeth were divided into four groups; each of ten. The teeth in the first and second groups were restored with XR–Herculite composite resin. The teeth in the third and fourth groups were restored with Venus composite resin. The composite resin in the first and third groups were polymerized using QTH curing unit “Astralis” for 40 seconds; the light intensity was 502 mW/cm2. The distance between the tip of the light and the composite was 3 + 1 mm. The composite resin in the second and fourth groups was polymerized using LEDs “Ultra–Lite 200 E plus” curing unit for 20 seconds; the light intensity was 536 mW/cm2 using the same distance as the first and third groups. The temperature rise at the pulpal wall was recorded by placing a thermocouple on the pulpal wall directly under the restoration. Results: The lowest temperature rise during LED irradiation with Venus composite resin followed by LED irradiation with XRV Herculite composite resin. Whereas QTH curing units with XRV Herculite composite resin produced higher values, QTH curing units with Venus composite resin produced the highest temperature rise. Conclusion: The temperature rise of LED curing units and QTH curing units used in this study was under the limits that affect the integrity of the dental pulp.

Abstract: Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of periodontal ligament injection of 2% lidocaine with 1:80,000 adrenaline in producing profound pulp anaesthesia and soft tissue anaesthesia. Materials and Methods: The sample of this study included 120 dental students, 72 males and 48 females, ranging in age from 18 to 23 years. The periodontal injection was administered to the periodontal space on the mesial and distal aspects of the central incisor, first premolar and first molar of both arches. The injection was administered by a standard dental syringe using 0.2 ml of 2% lidocaine with 1:80,000 adrenaline. The pulp anaesthesia was evaluated by electric pulp tester and soft tissue anaesthesia was evaluated by probing. Results: The success rate of pulp anaesthesia in this study was 57.5% (60% in the maxilla and 55% in the mandible). In both arches, first premolar and first molar teeth showed a significantly higher success rate than that of central incisor (p<0.05). The mesial and distal teeth, adjacent to the injected tooth, were anaesthetized in 29.7% and 40.8% respectively. No significant difference was noted in the success rate of pulp anaesthesia between mesial and distal teeth (p>0.05). The duration of pulp anaesthesia was 18.34 minutes. The duration of pulp anaesthesia was significantly longer in the mandibular than maxillary teeth (p<0.05). The extent of associated soft tissue anaesthesia was 14.77mm on the labial (buccal) aspect and 11.18 mm on the lingual (palatal) aspect. No significant difference was noted, in both arches, in the extension of soft tissue anaesthesia on both aspects (p>0.05). Conclusion: The periodontal ligament injection anaesthesia has a higher success rate in premolars and molars as compared to incisors. The duration of pulp anaesthesia was 18.34 minutes. The extent of soft tissue anaesthesia was 14.77 mm on the labial aspect and 11.18 mm on the lingual aspect.

Abstract: Aim: To evaluate the degree of the reliability of the S–N reference line by using highly stable reference lines (vertical and horizontal cranial axes). Materials and Methods: The sample of the study comprised of lateral cephalometric radiographs of patients 13–18 years, 12 males and 12 females for each of the three skeletal relationships. The ANB angles were 0–2, more than 2 and less than zero respectively. The method was conducted by localization of the anterior superior of anterior wall of sella turcica point (As), which is stable at age 5–6 years, drawing the Vertical Cranial Axis (VCA) which pass through the point As and tangent to the upper part of the anterior wall of the sella turcica (at least for 3 mm); then, drawing the Horizontal Cranial Axis (HCA), which is perpendicular to the VCA at the As point. The deflection and the sagittal dimension of the S–N line were measured to evaluate the variation in the location of the points S and N, which are the determinant of the S–N line. Results: Point N had significantly local variation between gender and among the three skeletal relationships, but that point S had insignificant local variation between gender and among the three skeletal relationships. Conclusion: The S–N line is not stable due to unstability of the location of point N.

Abstract: Aim: To estimate the importance of time in determining the difficulty of surgical removal of impacted third molars. Materials and Methods: Two hundred medically fit patients were selected with an age range between 18–25 years of both sexes. These patients had vertically impacted lower third molars and indicated for surgical extraction. The diagnosis of third molar impaction was based on clinical and standard intraoral periapical radiographs. A double–blind approach was adopted whereby two researchers carried out a classification of the operation based on expected time of surgery and the third researcher performed the surgery. The classification of the impaction was performed pre–operatively according to Pell–Gregory classification, then the operation was performed following the standard procedure for this type of surgery. Following extraction, surgical difficulty was rated according to Garcia et al. classification and operation time from the incision till suturing of the flap. Results: Comparison among the three classification systems was performed and the results indicated no significant difference among the three classifications regarding simple and moderate operations, but only a significant difference was recorded for the difficult operations. Conclusion: This study, however, revealed the importance of time in assessing the difficulty of such operations and this, in turn, will help surgeons in scheduling the treatment plan and taking the necessary precautions when dealing with difficult operations

Abstract: Aim: To determine the various therapeutic effect of different concentrations of viscous curcumine solution on the healing of ulcer in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). Materials and Methods: A total of 83 patients with RAS divided into four groups: Group A: Thirty patients received viscous solution of curcumine 10%; Group B: Thirty three patients received viscous solution of curcumine 50%; Group C: Ten patients without treatment (control negative); and Group D: Ten patients received glycerin treatment (control positive). Results: Females were more affected than males with RAS (69.9% female and 30.1% male) and upper and lower labial mucosa were the most common site of the lesion. The results also showed significant difference between complete healings in patients using viscous solution of curcumine 50% and 10% respectively, and patients without treatment (control negative), while there was no significant difference between the complete healing in patients use 50% of solution and 10 % of the same solution. Conclusion: Topical application of viscous solution of curcumine at 10% and 50% showed a good percentage of complete healing of ulcer in patients with RAS and further study for its effect on other oral lesion may be recommended.

Abstract: Aims: To evaluate the mesiodistal angulation of the crowns in 50 study models (25 for each sex) of Class II division 1 malocclusion and compare it to 38 study models (19 for each sex) of Class I normal occlusion to find the differences between the two groups so as to provide valuable information in the treatment of Class II division 1 malocclusion. Materials and Methods: Mesiodistal crown angulation is measured as the angle formed between the long axis of the crown and a line perpendicular to the occlusal plane. The data subjected to statistical analysis at p< 0.05. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, minimum, maximum), correlation for all the crowns and comparison between right and left side, male and female and between Class I and Class II were carried out. Results: Significant differences in the angulation of the crowns between the two classes in the buccal segment of the upper dental arches for both sexes with significant higher values in Class II division 1 were found. For the lower arch there were significant differences in central, lateral incisors and second premolar in males and in all crowns except first molar in females with significant higher values in Class II division 1 indicating that the crowns are more mesially inclined in Class II division 1 malocclusion. Conclusion: The crowns were more mesially inclined for Class II division 1 malocclusion than for Class I occlusion. There was a correlation among teeth in each quadrant.

Abstract: that has almost the same properties of dental modeling wax used in dentistry. Materials and Methods: Three groups of waxes (220 samples) with different compositions regarding its origin (Al–Dora refinery waxes, natural bees wax–North of Iraq, and commercially available Iraqi waxes), additives such as starch, sodium–carboxyl methylcellulose (Na–CMC), rosin, or nylon, and coloring agents were prepared. The samples were tested for their melting range, 21 samples only had a melting range that nearly coincides with that of the dental waxes such as Major and Cavex. Results: The resultant 21 samples were tested for their softening, trimming, penetration, residue materials and solubility. Only 4 samples showed properties that are closely similar to that of Major and Cavex wax. The results of melting point ranged from 69–80oC. Softening test showed that the samples which contain nylon, Na– CMC, or rosin were softened without adhering to the fingers. Trimming test showed that they were trimmed easily and clearly. Penetration test showed that, some samples had the similar measurements of Major and Cavex wax (0.6–0.9mm). Residue materials showed that all samples had no residue of wax materials on acrylic teeth after wax elimination procedure. All the prepared waxes were soluble in ether (acetone), and petroleum spirit (benzene). Conclusion: Six new modeling wax materials were prepared according to ADA specification No.24. Three of new wax materials consist of nylon(polystyrene 1.71–2.13%); the other two novel modeling waxes were fabricated by using additive materials (Na–CMC and rosin).

Abstract: Aims: To assess the effect of alkalization of local anesthetic solution for the purpose of enhancing its efficiency in periapical surgery. Materials and Methods: A total sample of 80 patients, all needing periapical surgery on one or more of their upper anterior tooth (teeth) was subjected to this trial. For the purpose of comparison, the sample was randomly divided into two groups based on the local anesthetic solution that they were to receive before surgery. The first group(control) included those patients who received the commercially available local anesthetic solution with a standard pH of 3.5.The second group (trial group) included those patients who received a pH adjusted local anesthetic solution at 7.2 (using sodium bicarbonate).Prior to, and at the completion of intended surgery, the following data were recorded: Pain during injection, onset of achievement of surgical anesthesia, pain during operation and the duration of operation itself. Results: A significant difference in regard to onset of achievement of surgical anesthesia between both groups was noticed with a faster onset in group two where the patients received a pH adjusted local anesthetic solution when compared to control group where the patients received the commercially available local anesthetic solution. Also, less pain on deposition of solution was noticed in the second group as well as less pain score levels were recorded during operation in regard to the same group. Conclusion: The pH adjusted local anesthetic solutions may provide certain advantages when compared to the commercially available local anesthetic solutions regarding enhancement of anesthetic efficiency, reduced pain on injection as well as during surgery.

Abstract: Aim: To develop the amount of canine retraction or space closure and the amount of mesial migration of anchorage. Materials and Methods: Data collected from treated patients attending College of Dentistry/ Mosul University and from private clinics, in which a standardized method used for treatment work. Sixty eight patients, 37 have Class I crowding and 31 have Class II malocclusion were divided into two groups: Growing and non–growing patients. The data subjected to statistical analysis for description of variables. Results: There were what we can call them "primary factors" affecting anchorage loss which is represented by the type of malocclusion. In Class II malocclusion, greater anchorage loss than Class I crowding, and in the "secondary factors" effect of patients age, higher anchorage loss in growing subjects than non–growing patients was found. Conclusion: The type of malocclusion is important in affecting anchorage loss which is considered a primary factor. Also, higher anchorage loss in growing patients than non–growing patients was found.

Abstract: Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of canal size change on the penetration level of endodontic irrigant solution. Materials and Method: Five canals of different sizes (20, 25, 30, 35 and 40) were tested by preparing Class I cavity in the apex. Paper point was placed in this cavity and sealed 4 mm by sticky wax. Irrigation was done by methylene blue solution 15 times for each canal size, then the paper point piece examined under stereomicroscope for discoloration and wetness. Results: The irrigant solution was penetrated up to the apical area of the all canal sizes in the all 15 irrigation trials. The volume of fluid, the degree of fairing, the use of apical patency files, and the needle depth were the other different factors improving penetration depth of irrigating solution. Conclusions: There was no effect of canal size on the penetration level of the endodontic irrigant.

Abstract: Aims: To determine the ideal dimensions of the artificial dental arch by measuring the dimensions of dental arch of completely dentulous subjects and to find the relation of these dimensions to some facial measurements. Materials and Methods: The sample of study consisted of 54 completely dentulous adult subjects (24 females and 30 males) with Class 1 normal occlusion aged 19–24 years. Dental casts were taken for each subject and the dimensions of the dental casts and the facial measurements were made by using digital vernier caliper. The data were analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Science program. Results: The dimensions of the dental arches and the facial measurements of the male group was larger than that of female and there was high correlation between some dimensions of dental arch with some of the facial measurements. Conclusions: The width of the dental arches of the artificial dental prosthesis could be determined depending on the extraoral facial measurements as the percentage of upper intercanine distance to mouth width is 74.43% and the percentage of the upper inter first molar distance to bizygomatic width was 40.65%