Levels of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Among Saudi Arabia's Medical and Dental Practitioners: A Cross-Sectional Study Following the Covid-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND Healthcare providers, particularly in dentistry and medicine, experience high stress levels, exacerbated by factors like patient anxiety, clinical work, and continuous training. The COVID-19 pandemic has further increased these risks. This study aimed to assess depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS) among dental and medical practitioners in Saudi Arabia, investigating influential factors on their psychological behavior. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this cross-sectional study conducted in July and August 2021, the depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21) was administered through a Google questionnaire. Data analysis involved stepwise mode modeling and bivariate analysis, with a significant P value <0.05, using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. RESULTS The study included 376 dentists and 201 medical practitioners. Most worked more than four days a week, slept under six hours nightly, and were non-smokers. DAS scores indicated depression (51.7-57.4%), anxiety (50.7-58.2%), and stress (54.2-60.1%). Significant differences (P<0.05) were observed among younger, single, female, and lower-income participants. Higher DAS scores correlated with less sleep, extensive social media use, and smoking history. Socio-demographic factors were mostly non-significant for medical practitioners, except social media use. Sleep duration significantly impacted stress levels, while specialty, income, and marital status influenced depression CONCLUSIONS DAS levels were notably higher in dentists compared to medical practitioners, particularly regarding anxiety. The impact of socioeconomic factors varied, being more statistically significant for dentists.

Evaluation of Root Canal Morphology of Maxillary Second Premolars and Its Relation to Maxillary Sinus in a Saudi Arabian Population.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the root canal anatomy of maxillary second premolars, and its relation to the maxillary sinus in a Saudi Arabian population using cone-beam computed tomography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records of 301 patients (602 Teeth) were obtained from a Cone-beam Computed Tomography Database of the College of Dentistry, Jazan University from February 2020 to January 2022. The number of roots, root canals, and the relationship between the root apices of maxillary second premolars and the floor of the maxillary sinuses were studied. The data was recorded, tabulated, and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: A majority of maxillary second premolars were single-rooted (78.74%), followed by double-rooted (20.76%) and three-rooted (0.5%). Two canals (59.1%) were seen in the majority of the examined teeth, followed by one canal (40.4%) and three canals (0.5%). The roots of the maxillary second premolars were predominantly (69.17%) outside the sinus. Nineteen percent of roots were in contact with the floor of the maxillary sinus with no significant difference between buccal and palatal roots, and around twelve percent (11.73%) of roots were inside the maxillary sinus. CONCLUSIONS: The root canal system morphology of maxillary second premolars showed a wide range of anatomical variations in the Saudi Arabian population with a predominance of single roots. Most of the roots were located outside the sinus followed by in contact and then inside the sinus. Three-rooted second premolars were exceedingly rare. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The cognizance of maxillary second premolar root canal anatomy and its relation to maxillary sinus would be a valuable affirmation for dentists of different nationalities treating the Saudi Arabian population to ensure a successful endodontic treatment.

Taurodontism in maxillary and mandibular molars using cone beam computed tomography in a dental center in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Taurodontism is a dental anomaly characterized by altered crown root ratio that is often diagnosed by radiographic evaluation. A three-dimensional cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) can aid in the diagnosis and treatment of taurodontic teeth. Only one study has reported the prevalence of taurodontism in a Saudi population. OBJECTIVE: Determine prevalence and other characteristics of taurodontism in permanent maxillary and mandibular molars, by CBCT in a dental center in Saudi Arabia. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: College of dentistry. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The first and second molars, maxillary and mandibular, from study participants of Saudi origin from Jazan region of Saudi Arabia were evaluated for taurodontism based on the criteria of Shifman and Chanannel. The degree of taurodontism was determined by the taurodontism index. Results were tabulated for analysis and the chi-square test was applied for the differences between age groups, genders, and maxillary and mandibular teeth. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Characteristics of taurodontism. SAMPLE SIZE: 1839 teeth in 300 individuals. RESULTS: Taurodontism was seen in 24 (8%) of the study participants and in 71 teeth (3.9%). Taurodontism was significantly more prevalent in individuals between 21 and 40 years of age. Hypotaurodontism (67.6%, n=48) was most prevalent, followed by mesotaurodontism (23.9%, n=17) and hypertaurodontism (8.5%, n=6). The maxillary molars were more commonly involved than mandibular, but the results were not statistically significant. No significant differences in gender were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Dental clinicians should be familiar with the condition due to the clinical implications in oral surgery, endodontics and prosthodontics. The possibilities of a complex root canal system, an additional canal, difficulties in canal negotiation, instrumentation and subsequent obturation can be challenging for the clinician. LIMITATIONS: Conducted in a single dental center hence future studies with larger sample sizes in different regions of Saudi Arabia should be conducted to more accurately measure the prevalence. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: None.

Anatomical variations and bilateral symmetry of roots and root canal system of mandibular first permanent molars in Saudi Arabian population utilizing cone- beam computed tomography.

AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the anatomical variations of the roots and root canal system, and to determine the symmetry between right and left sides of mandibular first permanent molars in Saudi Arabian population using images derived from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. METHODS: The CBCT scans (with the following parameters: FOV 170 × 120 mm, 90 Kv, 5-8 mA, 17.5 s exposure time and 0.25 mm voxel size) were retrieved from the database and axial, coronal and sagittal sections of mandibular first molars were examined. The number of roots, canals and type of canal configuration based on Vertucci's classification were recorded. Bilateral symmetry between right and left side of the same individuals and differences between genders were investigated. RESULTS: Out of 174 mandibular first molars, 97.1% were two rooted and 2.9% were three rooted (distolingual root). In regards to the number of canals, 73% had three, 25.3% had four and 1.7% had two root canals. In teeth with four root canals, 90.9% of the extra canal was in the distal root, while 9.1% in the extra distolingual root. The most common canal configuration in mesial and distal root were type IV (64.9%) and type I (77%), respectively. Symmetrical analysis revealed 100% symmetry in number of roots and 56.4% in number of canals between right and left teeth in the same individual. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitation of this study, wide range of canals configurations were noted in mandibular first molars among the Saudi Arabian population. The prevalence of three rooted mandibular first molars was relatively low. Three canals were most commonly seen in mandibular first molars. Bilateral symmetry was varied in number of canals and canals configurations, which could be of clinical significance while performing root canal treatment on both side mandibular first permanent molars.

Analysis of Fused Rooted Maxillary First and Second Molars with Merged and C-shaped Canal Configurations: Prevalence, Characteristics, and Correlations in a Saudi Arabian Population.

INTRODUCTION: The aims of this in vivo cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) study were to evaluate the prevalence, characteristics, and correlations between the fused rooted maxillary first and second molars as well as their consequent merged and C-shaped canals in a Saudi Arabian population. METHODS: CBCT imaging of 726 maxillary first and second molars from 208 subjects of Saudi origin were evaluated in the present study. The prevalence of fused rooted maxillary molars, merged canals, C-shaped configurations, and correlations between the presence of fused rooted teeth between first and second molars were examined as the primary outcome. Differences by sex, location in the jaw, and bilateral symmetry (similarity between right- and left-side teeth in the same patient) were evaluated as the secondary outcome. The Z test was used for differences in the independent proportions, the chi-square test was used for differences between sex and locations, and the Cohen kappa test was used for bilateral symmetry. The kappa test was also used for intrarater reliability. A value of P < .05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The prevalence of fused rooted maxillary first and second molars was 7% and 21%, respectively. Within fused rooted teeth, the presence of merged canals was 8.3% and 32.1%, whereas the prevalence of C-shaped canals was 8.3% and 5.1% in first and second maxillary molars, respectively. Among 57 subjects who had fused rooted maxillary molars, 19.3% showed a correlation between first and second molars. In fused rooted maxillary molars, 3.8% first molars and 13% second molars were bilaterally symmetrical. There were no statistically significant differences between sexes and right- and left-sided fused rooted maxillary molars, merged canals, or C-shaped canals. CONCLUSIONS: Maxillary second molars presented more complex external and internal morphology compared with maxillary first molars, with an overall prevalence of 14% of fused rooted maxillary molars and 3.7% merged and 0.8% C-shaped canal configurations for all maxillary molars. The clinician should be aware of such challenges, and for a better treatment outcome, the use of CBCT imaging (small field of view) and an operative dental microscope can be considered when a preoperative periapical radiograph shows signs of fused rooted maxillary molars.

Quantitative evaluation of apical extrusion of intracanal bacteria using rotary ProTaper, K3XF, twisted and hand K-file system: An ex vivo study.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the number of intracanal bacteria extruded apically during root canal preparation using rotary ProTaper, K3XF, twisted, and hand K-file system. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Seventy extracted single-rooted human mandibular premolar teeth were used. Access cavities were prepared and the teeth were mounted in glass vials. Root canals were then contaminated with a pure culture of Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212) and incubated at 37°C for 24 h. The contaminated roots were divided into four experimental groups of 15 teeth each and one control group of 10 teeth. Group 1: ProTaper; Group 2: K3XF; Group 3: Twisted file; Group 4: Hand K-file; Group 5: Control group. Bacteria extruded from the apical foramen during instrumentation were collected into vials. The microbiological samples were incubated in culture media for 24 h. Colonies of bacteria were counted and the results were given as number of colony-forming units (CFU)/ml. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The obtained data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance and Mann-Whitney U-tests. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the rotary and hand instrumentation system related to the apically extruded intracanal bacteria. CONCLUSIONS: Both the rotary and hand instrumentation systems extruded intracanal bacteria through the apical foramen. K3XF file system showed least bacterial extrusion amongst all instrumentation groups.

Effect of single dose pretreatment analgesia with three different analgesics on postoperative endodontic pain: A randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: One of the aims of root canal treatment is to prevent or eliminate pain. Postoperative endodontic pain control continues to be a significant challenge. AIM: To compare and evaluate the effect of single oral dose of 100 mg of tapentadol, 400 mg of etodolac, or 10 mg of ketorolac as a pretreatment analgesic for the prevention and control of postoperative endodontic pain in patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. The incidence of side effects was recorded as secondary outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty emergency patients with moderate to severe pain, diagnosed with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis were randomly allocated (1:1:1) to any of the three groups; tapentadol, etodolac, or ketorolac. Medications were administered 30 min before beginning of the endodontic treatment. Patients recorded pain intensity on 10 cm visual analog scale (VAS) after treatment, for upto 24 h. RESULTS: At 24 h, mean ±standard deviation (SD) of VAS scores (in cm) for tapentadol, etodolac, and ketorolac were 0.89 ± 0.83, 2.68 ± 2.29, and 0.42 ± 0.69, respectively. Kruskal-Wallis (K-W) test showed significant difference among the three groups (P = 0.001). Mann-Whitney test showed significantly lower VAS scores in tapentadol and ketorolac than etodolac group (P = 0.013 and 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Single oral dose of 10 mg of ketorolac and 100mg of tapentadol as a pretreatment analgesic significantly reduced postoperative endodontic pain in patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis when compared to 400 mg of etodolac.

Root canal morphology of mandibular first permanent molars in an Indian population.

An in vitro study was performed to determine the number of roots, root canals per tooth, root canal configurations, and frequency of isthmi and apical deltas in mandibular first permanent molars in an Indian population. Hundred and fifty mandibular first permanent molars were collected and subjected to clearing technique. The cleared teeth were examined in a stereomicroscope under 7.5x magnifications. The canal configurations were categorized using Vertucci's classification. Overall 94.6% of the mandibular first molars had two roots, and 5.3% had extradistal roots (distolingual root). In addition, 64% of the specimens had three root canals, and 36% had four root canals. The most common canal configurations of mesial and distal roots were Vertucci type IV (54%) and type I (65.3%), respectively. Clinician should be aware of the complex root canal morphology of mandibular first molars among the Indian population before and during the root canal treatment.