The phenetic distances of the living Druze from other human populations suggest a major genetic drift from the Western Eurasian ancestral category.

The objectives were to determine the expression frequency and sexual dimorphism of 16 non-metric crown traits on the sample of permanent dentitions of the living Druze population (a Near Eastern genetic isolate) in Jordan, and to assess the biological affinity of this sample to 21 regional groups, and to the living general Jordanian population, based on these traits. Druze schoolchildren (46 males, 40 females; mean age=16.0, sd=0.5 years) were studied in 2011. The traits were classified using the Arizona State University dental anthropology system, counted with the individual count method, and dichotomized according to the criteria of Scott and Turner for the purpose of group comparisons. Fisher's exact test for dichotomized scores was used to assess sexual dimorphism in these traits. Smith's mean measure of divergence was used to measure all pairwise distance values among the groups. Sexual dimorphism was found in five traits (i.e., UI2 interruption grooves, 3-cusped UM2, UM1 Carabelli's tubercle/cusp, 4-cusp LM1, and LM2 Y-groove pattern). This study revealed that the dental pattern of living Druze, which is similar to that of the general Jordanian population, is sufficiently distinct from the Western Eurasian pattern and all other known dental patterns to form a distinct dental pattern for the regional group or subcategory to which these two populations belong. Moreover, the relatively large distance values of the living Druze and Jordanians from the other world groups considered, including the Western Eurasian groups, suggest a similar major genetic difference of these two populations from the Western Eurasian ancestry.

Relationship between dental impacts on daily living, satisfaction with the dentition and personality profiles among a Palestinian population.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between dental impacts on patients' daily living, satisfaction with the dentition and personality profiles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-two patients (22 males and 30 females; mean age 22.7 +/- 5.5 years) were recruited for this study. A "dental impact on daily living" (DIDL) questionnaire was used to assess patients' satisfaction with their dentition and impacts on daily living. The NEO five factor inventory (NEO-FFI) was used to assess personality profiles. RESULTS: The dentition had measurable impacts on daily living as well as satisfaction with appearance, pain levels, oral comfort, general performance, and eating capability (p < 0.001). Older patients were more totally satisfied (p = 0.014), more satisfied with appearance (p = 0.034), and less satisfied with general performance (p = 0.024). Older patients had higher Conscientiousness scores (p = 0.001) and lower Openness scores (0.018). Females were more satisfied with eating (p < 0.001). Significant correlations were established between neuroticism and total DIDL scores (p = 0.006). Extraversion had significant correlations with total satisfaction (p < 0.001) as well as satisfaction with appearance (p = 0.047) and oral comfort (p = 0.008). Significant correlations were also established between openness and satisfaction with general performance (p < 0.001), between Agreeableness and satisfaction with eating (p = 0.001), and between Conscientiousness and total satisfaction (p = 0.001), satisfaction with pain (p = 0.004), and satisfaction with oral comfort (p = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: The status of the oral cavity might impact on patients' daily living and satisfaction with the dentition. Patients' satisfaction with their dentition has definitive impacts on daily living and dental perceptions. Personality profiles (neuroticism; extraversion; openness; agreeableness and conscientiousness) may influence dental perceptions; play a significant role in shaping satisfaction with dentition, and help with prediction of dental impacts on daily living. Patient satisfaction and psychological profiles should be considered when formulating a treatment plan in order to achieve patient acceptance of the offered treatment.

Central mucoepidermoid carcinoma in a previously enucleated radiolucent lesion in the mandible. A case report.

Central muco epidermoid carcinomas (CMC) are rare tumours, representing about 2 to 3% of all mucoepidermoid carcinomas. Usually affecting the mandible, they appear as uni- or multilocular radiolucent lesions. We report a case of CMC in a 52-year-old Middle Eastern woman who presented with pain, limitation of jaw movement and tingling sensation of the tongue, related to a radiolucent lesion in the angle of the mandible. The lesion was first detected but not diagnosed in another hospital three years earlier. We describe the progression of the lesion over the past three years and describe the clinical, radiographic, histopathological, and surgical aspects of the case.

A review of the questions and needs in endodontic diagnosis.

The current diversity of opinions in endodontic diagnosis has been a source of interest and academic debate by clinicians and researchers. Currently, no single pulp testing technique can reliably diagnose all pulpal conditions neither it has been proven to be superior in all aspects. Despite improvements of various aspects of this process, there are no historically dramatic changes, or consensus for pulpal status in health or disease in addition to a lack of relative systematic reviews. In this review, the past, present and future most debated and critically questioned issues of endodontic diagnosis are discussed. The aim of this review is to provide insights in future diagnostic modalities and areas for further study in endodontic practice pertinent to diagnosis.

Entoconulid (cusp 6), metaconulid (cusp 7), post-metaconulid and pre-entoconulid expression on permanent mandibular first molar in the living Jordanian population and inter-trait interactions.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of expression and sexual dimorphism of the following dental morphological traits on the permanent mandibular first molar (LM1) in the living Jordanians: Entoconulid (cusp 6; tuberculum sextum), metaconulid (cusp 7, tuberculum intermedium), post-metaconulid and pre-entoconulid (entostylid) traits. In addition, to analyze inter-trait interactions whenever possible was one of the aims. METHODS: Three hundred sixty school children (176 males, 184 females, ages 15.5 +/- 0.4 years) from the middle of Jordan were involved. Impressions for the mandibular dental arches were taken, and dental casts were produced in 2009. The above-mentioned traits were observed. Z-value test between two proportions and nonparametric correlation analysis were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Cusp 7 on LM1 was found in 15.83 %, while cusp 6 on this tooth was found in 21.67% of the examined students. In comparison, both post-metaconulid and pre-entoconulid traits were found to be absent on LM1 in all observed subjects. Nonparametric correlation analysis revealed weak negative and statistically insignificant association between the expression of cusp 6 and 7 on LM1 among the living Jordanians. CONCLUSION: Both cusp 6 and cusp 7 on LM1 are expressed in a relatively higher rate among the living Jordanian Arabs than other studied Western Eurasians, suggesting a significant gene flow from Sub-Saharan Africans and Mongolians to the Middle East. In addition, the insignificant weak correlation between cusp 6 and 7 on LM1 suggests that these two dental morphological traits are both genetically and phenotypically independent.

Immediate vs. early loading of dental implants: 3-year results of a randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to test whether or not immediately loaded implants exhibit the same survival rates as early loaded implants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eleven patients with bilateral free end mandibles were randomly assigned to treatment either with immediately (test) or early loaded implants (control). Test implants received provisionals in occlusion on the day of surgery, control implants 6 weeks later. Parameters assessed included implant stability quotient (ISQ), plaque, prosthesis stability and radiographs at baseline (implant insertion), 1 and 3 years. The statistical analysis was performed by means of Student's paired t-test and Wilcoxon's signed-rank test. The level of significance was set at P<0.05. RESULTS: After a mean observation period of 39.8 months (36.7-53.1), three test implants were lost in two patients resulting in a survival rate of 85% compared with 100% for control implants. At baseline, the mean marginal bone level was significantly higher at test implants (mean=0.36 mm, SD +/-0.5) compared with control implants (1.08+/-0.37 mm). For both test and control implants, the bone level significantly decreased from baseline to 3 years (test: 1.51+/-0.79 mm; control: 0.89+/-0.94 mm). The bone loss until 3 years was not significantly different between test and control group. There was no significant difference for ISQ both at test and control implants between baseline (test: 63.59+/-4.62 mm, control: 65.35+/-7.43 mm) and 3 years (test: 66.47+/-7.47 mm, control 68.80+/-8.75 mm). CONCLUSIONS: Immediate loading was associated with a lower implant survival rate. Although the test implants were placed with increased sink depth compared with the control implants, the marginal bone levels were not different between test and control at 3 years.

Effect of different modes of light curing and resin composites on microleakage of Class II restorations--Part II.

INTRODUCTION: To reduce the polymerization shrinkage of the composite resins and after the introduction of the "slow and gradual polymerization" by GORACCI et al. in 1992, many light curing units (LCU) presented the "soft-start polymerization" in addition to the classical high light intensity mode. This study investigated whether this slow and gradual polymerization has the ability of reducing the marginal debonding, by minimizing the internal stress of the composite, knowing that rare are the studies which compared this mode of polymerization. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred twenty Class II cavities were prepared at the mesial and the distal side of human extracted premolars. The teeth were randomly divided into four groups (n = 15). In each tooth the mesial Class II cavities were restored with the micro-hybrid resin composite Filtek Z250 (3M ESPE) and the distal Class II cavities were restored with the nano-filled resin composite Filtek Supreme (3M ESPE). The light curing unit used in this study was a conventional quartz tungsten halogen (QTH) curing light, the QHL 75 (Dentsply) modified by adding a regulating electronic device, controlled by a special software that gives 4 different modes of polymerization as follows: Group A: Standard polymerization: Exposure for 20 seconds at 700 mW/cm2, this group was used as control. Group B: Modified pulse-delay polymerization: Exposure for 2 seconds at 700 mW/cm2, 5 seconds at 0 mW/cm2, then 20 seconds at 700mW/cm2. Group C: Modified ramp polymerization: Exposure for 20 seconds with a slow rise of the intensity to reach the 700 mW/cm2 then 20 seconds at 700 mW/cm2. Group D: Slow and Gradual polymerization: Exposure for 4 minutes with a slow rise of the intensity to reach 700 mW/cm2. The teeth were stored in water at 37 degrees C for 48 hours, then finished and subjected to thermocycling (3000 cycles between 5 degrees C and 55 degrees C). All the teeth were immersed in 2% methylene blue solution for 12 hours at 37 degrees C, sectioned, and evaluated at the gingival margins. Data were statistically analyzed by two-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey HSD multiple comparisons. RESULTS: The main effect for the type of composites (p = 0.682), and the interaction effect (p = 0.678) did not reach statistical significance. There was a statistically significant main effect for the type of polymerization used (p = 0.014). Post-hoc comparisons using the Tukey HSD test indicated that the mean score for the Group A (M = 2.40, SD = 1.102) was significantly different from the group D (M = 1.30, SD = 1.393, p = 0.010). The group D did not differ significantly from group B (M = 1.63, SD = 1.351, p = 0.767), and group C (M = 1.60, SD = 1.404, p = 0.819). There was a difference between the group A (M = 2.40, SD = 1.102), group B (M = 1.63, SD = 1.351) and group C (M = 1.60, SD = 1.404). However, when the Tukey HSD was used, no statistically significant differences between Group A, B and C were found (p = 0.122 and p = 0.098). CONCLUSIONS: There was a statistically significant difference in microleakage between the "slow and gradual polymerization" and the standard polymerization, however no significant differences were found when using the nano-filled or the micro-hybrid composite materials cured with different polymerization regimens.

Association between intensity of smoking and periodontal pockets among young university students.

UNLABELLED: Smoking is known to be a risk factor for the progression of periodontal disease. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the association between intensity and duration of cigarette smoking with the presence of periodontal pockets at a young adult age in relation to oral hygiene practices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comparative study was carried out on a systematically selected random sample of 357 Jordanian university students aged between 18-28 years. Subjects were interviewed about their smoking habits for the number of cigarettes smoked per day and the duration. Clinical examination was performed by a qualified periodontist for the detection of periodontal pockets (probing depth > or = 5 mm). Subjects were divided into four groups: Group A (smoker with pockets at many sites), Group B (smoker with no pockets), Group C (non-smoker with pockets), and group D (non-smoker with no pockets). Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Chi-square test of association, One-Way ANOVA, and Logistic Regression were performed (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The study showed 40.2% pockets prevalence among smokers (group A), while it was only 11.8% for non-smokers (group C), indicating strong association between periodontal pockets and smoking (P < 0.0001). Odds ratio for group A compared to group C was 5:1. In addition, the heavier the dose and the longer the duration of smoking, the more periodontal pockets were present (P < 0.0001). A significant association of the presence/absence of periodontal pockets and patient's own oral hygiene practices was found among the four groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Among young smokers, this study has confirmed existence of significant association between smoking and presence of periodontal pockets, especially with increased intensity and longer duration of smoking.

In vitro evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of nine root canal sealers: direct contact test.

PURPOSE: The aim of this in-vitro study was to analyze the antimicrobial activity of root canal sealers by using the direct contact test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine root canal sealers (4 resin-based sealers, 3 zinc oxide-eugenol based (ZOE) sealers, and 2 calcium hydroxide based sealers) and three microbial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis) were used in the present study. The antimicrobial activity of root canal sealers was tested by using the direct contact test at three time intervals. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Tests of differences were analyzed by T tests and a value of p < or = 0.05 was statistically significant. RESULTS: Staphylococcus aureus: All sealers showed significant differences when freshly mixed except Endorez and sealapex. Candida albicans (90028): Only the 48 hours and the one week preparations of Sealapex showed significant differences. The 48 hrs preparations of Topseal and AH plus showed significant differences. The ZOE based sealers showed significant differences at all time intevals. Candida albicans (10231): All sealers showed significant differences when freshly mixed except the two calcium hydroxide based sealers that showed no significant differences at all time intervals. Enterococcus faecalis: Topseal, AH plus, AH 26, Sealite regular and Acroseal showed significant differences only when freshly mixed. The 48 hours and the week preparations of all root canal sealers showed no significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that that antimicrobial activity of the tested sealers depends on the time interval between mixing and testing. Most sealers exhibited antibacterial activity when freshly mixed that is lost over time.

Prevalence, association, and sexual dimorphism of Carabelli's molar and shovel incisor traits amongst Jordanian population.

INTRODUCTION: The correlation between dental morphological traits can be used as an indicator to show major ethnic differences. Therefore, this study investigated the prevalence of Carabelli's molar and shovel incisor traits and tested their association and sexual dimorphism in Jordanian population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three hundred subjects of school children at their 10th grade and of 15.5-year as an average age were involved. Alginate impressions for the maxillary arch were taken, poured, and casts were then trimmed. The selected accurate casts were of 132 male- and 155 female-students. The examined morphologic traits were Carabelli's trait on the maxillary first and second molars and shovel-shaped incisors. The relationship between different traits was investigated by Nonparametric Correlation analysis and Independent Sample t test was used to test sexual dimorphism in trait expression. RESULTS: The prevalence of Carabelli's trait in maxillary first molar and shovel trait in maxillary central incisor was relatively high (65.0 % and 53.0 %, respectively). The prevalence of Carabelli's trait on maxillary second molars was 3.8 %. Nonparametric Correlations revealed a strongest positive correlation between Carabelli's trait on maxillary first molar and shovel trait in males (P = 0.005). Significant sexual dimorphism was only found in the prevalence of Carabelli's trait on maxillary first molar (P = 0.013) and shovel trait (P = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: The Jordanian Population had comparatively high prevalence of Carabelli's molar and shovel incisor traits. There was a positive association between Carabelli's trait on maxillary first molar and shovel trait in males. Sexual dimorphism was evident in Carabelli's trait on maxillary first molar and shovel trait.