Treatment of oral ulcers in dogs using adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

AIM: Adipose tissue Derived Mesenchymal Stem cells (ADMSCs) represent a promising toolfor new clinical concepts in supporting cellular therapy. The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of ADMSCs transplantation on oral ulcer healing in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from adipose tissues of dogs obtained by suction-assisted lipectomy (liposuction), by dish adherence and were expanded in culture. Oral ulcers were induced by topical application of formocresol in the oral cavity of 18 dogs. The dogs were classified into 3 groups. Either autologous ADMSCs, Corticosteriod (Dexamethasone) or vehicle (saline) was injected. The healing process of the ulcer was monitored histopathologically. Gene expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelets derived growth factor (PDGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and collagen was assessed in biopsies obtained from all ulcers "as healing markers'", by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: ADMSCs group showed significantly accelerated oral ulcer healing compared with the Dexamethasone and control groups. There was increased expression of VEGF PDGF EGF and collagen genes in ADMSCs-treated ulcers compared with Dexamethasone and controls. CONCLUSION: ADMSCs transplantation may help accelerate oral ulcer healing, possibly through the induction of angiogenesis by VEGF and PDGF as well as epithelial and connective tissue proliferation as evidenced by increased EGF and collagen gene expression.

Symptoms and signs of temporomandibular disorders and oral parafunctions among Saudi children.

This study aimed to record the prevalence of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and oral parafunctions among Saudi children. A questionnaire and a clinical examination of signs and symptoms of TMD were performed on 1940 stratified randomly selected schoolchildren. The sample was divided into three groups, 505 with primary, 737 with mixed and 734 with permanent dentition. The prevalence of TMD signs was found to be 20.7% and the most common sign of TMD was joint sounds (11.8%). The second most common sign was restricted mouth opening (5.3%). Muscle and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain as well as deviation upon jaw opening appeared infrequently. TMJ sounds were significantly increasing with age (P < 0.05). TMD symptoms as reported by the parents were evident in 24.2% of the returned questionnaires (1113). The most common symptoms were headache (13.6%) and pain on chewing (11.1%). The incidence of headache was found to be significantly increasing from primary to permanent dentition (P < 0.01). No sex difference in the prevalence of any symptom was reported. Nail biting was the most common oral parafunction (27.7%) while bruxism was the least common (8.4%). All parafunctions except bruxism were significantly related to age. Cheek biting and thumb sucking were reported more in females than in males. The importance of a screening examination for symptoms and signs of TMD should not be overlooked in the clinical assessment of the pediatric patient.

Relationship between premature loss of primary teeth and the development of temporomandibular disorders in children.

AIM: This study evaluated the prevalence of signs of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in children with and without premature loss of primary teeth. SAMPLE: Fifty-eight children, aged 4-6 years, with missing primary molars, were compared with 58 age- and sex-matched control children with complete primary dentitions. METHOD: All the children underwent an examination that consisted of palpation and assessment of the joints and associated muscles for tenderness and joint sounds. Maximum vertical opening and deviation during jaw opening were also recorded. Children with any single anomalous finding were designated positive for TMD signs. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of single or collective TMD signs between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that premature loss of primary teeth, uncomplicated by other factors, does not appear to be an aetiological factor for TMD development.

The effect of education upon dentists' knowledge and attitude toward fissure sealants.

Sealants are highly effective in preventing dental caries in the pits and fissures of teeth. It has been shown, however, that sealants are not widely used by dentists. This study aimed to educate dental professionals about sealants and to evaluate the effect of such education on dentists' knowledge, attitude and use of sealants. A total of 312 dentists were surveyed to determine their knowledge and attitude toward sealants. Respondents were randomly allocated to "Education" group, who received education materials; and "No Education" group, who received no material (until after the education phase). After 12 months, 105 dentists responded to the post-intervention survey. Comparison between the two surveys shows that dentists' knowledge increased significantly in the "Education" group. No difference was detected in dentists' knowledge in the "No Education" group. Dentists' attitude and sealant use did not significantly improve in any of the groups. It is therefore, concluded that continuing education were more likely to change dentists' knowledge than attitude and behaviour. Effort to encourage sealant use by dentists should continue, but with the recognition that changes in behaviour occur over a long time and that other external factors in the professional environment may affect the rate of change.

Sucking habits in Saudi children: prevalence, contributing factors and effects on the primary dentition.

A review of the literature on the prevalence of sucking habits shows that it varies from one population to another. The purposes of this study were to: 1) determine the prevalence of sucking habits among preschool Saudi children living in Riyadh City, 2) assess the influence of some cultural factors on that prevalence, and 3) to study the effect these habits might have on the primary dentition. This cross-sectional study was conducted through a survey questionnaire and clinical examination of 583 Saudi children aged 3-5 years using a stratified cluster random sampling technique. The prevalence of sucking habits was 48.36% with the dummy-sucking as the dominant type. Most dummy-suckers had broken their habits in the first few years of life while more digit-suckers were still active at age 5 years. Sucking habits were only related to parents' education and the child feeding methods without significant effect of gender or birth rank or family income. Children with existing digit sucking habits had significantly (P < 0.05) more distal molar and class II canine relationships, larger overjet, and open bite than did children without sucking habits. These differences were even more significant (P < 0.01) when dummy-suckers were compared with nonsuckers. The only measurable effect of previous sucking habits was a more open bite. Posterior crossbite was no more common in children with sucking habits than in children without these habits.

Characteristics of primary dentition occlusion in a group of Saudi children.

Occlusal characteristics of the primary dentition vary among populations and ethnic groups. This cross-sectional study aimed to record various primary dentition parameters in 520 3-5-year-old randomly selected Saudi children and to observe the differences between the age groups. 80% of the children had a 'flush terminal plane' molar relationship. The proportion of the children with 'distal step' molar relationship was significantly lower at age 5 (7%) than at age 3 (16%). 86% of the children had Class I canine relationship, with no significant differences between the age groups. The degree of overbite was significantly less in the 5-year-olds than in the 3-year-olds. The majority of the children (76%) had an overjet of 0-2 mm, but the prevalence of 0-1 mm overjet was significantly higher, and that of 2-3 mm significantly lower, in the elder age group. The prevalence of anterior crossbite was 2% and of posterior crossbite 4%. The prevalence of malocclusion was lower in these subjects than in some Caucasian populations.