Bioactivity and antibacterial effect of star anise biosynthesized silver nanoparticles against Streptococcus mutans: an in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are receiving a lot of attention as a prospective antibacterial agent for use in caries prevention. The objective of this study was to investigate the bioactivity and antibacterial effect of silver nanoparticles biosynthesized using Star Anise against Streptococcus mutans (S.mutans). METHODS: The bioactive components of the Star Anise were assessed by employing the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technique. The antibacterial activities of Star Anise Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles against S.mutans bacteria were evaluated using Bauer and Kirby's disc diffusion mechanism and the minimum inhibitory concentration. RESULTS: Silver nanoparticles biosynthesized using Star Anise revealed high antioxidant activity. AgNPs inhibited S. mutans with a 16 mm inhibition zone diameter and demonstrated an 80 µg/ml minimum inhibitory concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Biologically synthesized AgNPs made from aqueous extract of Star anise appear to be a potential and effective bactericidal agent against S.mutans that can be used to prevent dental caries.

Effectiveness of buccal infiltration anaesthesia compared to inferior alveolar nerve block anaesthesia in primary mandibular molar extractions: a randomised controlled study.

Aim The current study assessed the efficiency of buccal infiltration (BI) and inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) during the extraction of deciduous mandibular molars.Subjects and method A total of 112 children aged between 5-8 years with mandibular molar indicated for extraction were divided into two groups at random. The BI group was injected with 4% articaine using BI, while the IANB group was injected with 2% lidocaine using IANB. The effectiveness of both techniques was examined using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale (W-BFPRS); Faces, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability (FLACC) scale; and pulse oximetry.Results Using the W-BFPRS scale, success rates were 83.9% and 75.0% for the BI group and 82.1% and 71.4% for the IANB group during the injection and extraction, respectively, while using the FLACC scale, success rates were 83.9% and 92.9% for the BI group and 78.6% and 89.3% for the IANB group. In terms of pulse rate and oxygen saturation, there was no significant difference between the two groups.Conclusions BI with articaine is as efficient as IANB with lidocaine in the extraction of deciduous mandibular molars.

A retrospective analysis of oral and maxillofacial pathological lesions in a group of Egyptian children over 21 years.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of the current study was to evaluate the relative frequency of oral and maxillofacial pathological lesions among Egyptian children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records of biopsies submitted to the department of oral and maxillofacial pathology from the year 1999 to 2019 were retrieved and reassessed for all cases under the age of 18 years. Information on age, sex, location of the lesion, and the histopathologic diagnosis was analyzed. RESULTS: Over the course of twenty-one years, 1108 specimens were analyzed where reactive soft tissue lesions, which accounted for 397 (35.8%) of all cases ranked the highest presented category, followed by inflammatory odontogenic cysts, which accounted for 213 cases (19.2%). With 208 cases, the inflammatory radicular cyst was on the top of the most common 20 lesions, followed by pyogenic granuloma (160 cases). Malignancy was found in 19 cases, with soft tissue tumors (10 cases) being the most common, followed by salivary gland (5 cases) and bone pathologies (4 cases). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of oral and maxillofacial pathological lesions among Egyptian children increased over the years but remained consistent with global trends. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This is the first study evaluating the relative frequency of oral and maxillofacial pathological lesions among Egyptian children and provides an insight into the most commonly encountered pediatric pathologies. This may aid in the understanding of the most prevalent oral lesions that impact the pediatric population, as well as providing the key to early detection of lesions.

Bioactive composition and antibacterial activity of three herbal extracts (lemongrass, sage, and guava leaf) against oral bacteria: An in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to estimate the antibacterial activity of three different herbal extracts against oral bacteria and their bioactive composition. METHODS: Using the disk diffusion technique, the antibacterial activities of three different extracts (lemongrass, sage, and guava leaf) were evaluated against oral bacteria (Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis). Additionally, the bioactive components of the herbal extracts were assessed by employing the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technique. RESULTS: The sage, lemongrass, and guava leaf extracts suppressed the proliferation of all three tested bacterial strains at different rates. The phytochemical analysis revealed that sage extract possessed the highest content of antioxidants, phenols, and flavonoid compounds. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the tested plants revealed the presence of vital bioactive compounds. CONCLUSIONS: Lemongrass, sage, and guava leaf extracts have potent antibacterial activities, are rich in bioactive compounds, and could be utilized as natural remedies for the prevention of oral diseases.

The prescription pattern and awareness about antibiotic prophylaxis and resistance among a group of Egyptian pediatric and general dentists: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The use of antibiotics in dentistry as prophylaxis and treatment is frequent. Their misuse has led to a major public health problem globally known as antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to assess the pattern of antibiotic prescription and its prophylactic use for systemic conditions. Besides, this study evaluated the awareness and adherence to antibiotic prescription guidelines and antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines along with awareness of antibiotic resistance across pediatric and general dentists. METHODS: An overall of 378 pediatric and general dentists meeting the required eligibility criteria, fulfilled a pre-designed validated questionnaire. Data were collected, tabulated, and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: A significant statistical difference was found among the pediatric and general dentists regarding antibiotics prescription for most of the oral conditions where Amoxicillin with clavulanic acid was the most frequently prescribed antibiotic among the two groups (53% pediatric dentist and 52% general dentist). The majority of pediatric and general dentists, on the other hand, were aware of antibiotic resistance and prescribing recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed a tendency to overprescribe and overuse antibiotics in certain dental conditions among the participants. The vast majority of dentists, especially general dentists do not have adherence to professional guidelines for antibiotics prescription in children despite their awareness of antibiotic resistance and prescription guidelines.

Impact of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Egyptian dentists' fear and dental practice (a cross-sectional survey).

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the fear of infection among Egyptian dentists practicing during the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to explore the dentist's knowledge about guidelines to fight the virus and to assess various modifications in dental practice. METHODS: An online survey was submitted to dental professionals. Data were collected through a validated questionnaire consisting of 23 closed-ended questions. The gathered data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: An overall 216 dentists completed the survey. A total of 200 (92.6%) dental professionals were afraid of becoming infected with COVID-19 while 196 (90.7%) became anxious to treat patients showing suspicious symptoms. The majority of the participants were aware of the mode of transmission of COVID-19 and a lot of them were updated with the current Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for cross-infection control. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 pandemic has a significant impact on dental professionals.

Clinical and radiographic evaluation of indirect pulp treatment of young permanent molars using photo-activated oral disinfection versus calcium hydroxide: a randomized controlled pilot trial.

BACKGROUND: Calcium hydroxide is the most commonly used material in indirect pulp treatment (IPT). However, its drawbacks required its replacement by other materials. AIM: This study aims to estimate clinically and radiographically the success of indirect pulp treatment of young permanent molars with either photo-activated oral disinfection (PAD) or calcium hydroxide. DESIGN: This Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial included 32 vital first permanent molars with deep caries that were treated by indirect pulp treatment with either PAD (group 1) or calcium hydroxide (group 2). Clinical and radiographic success in addition to newly-formed dentin thickness were evaluated regularly at 2, 6, 9, and 12 months. RESULTS: The success for both groups was 100% clinically and radiographically at all follow-up periods. Regarding the mean thickness of newly-formed dentin for both groups at different follow-up periods, there was no statistically significant difference between both groups at 2, 6, 9, and 12 months, with P values = 0.825, 0.146, 0.280, and 0.400, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical and radiographic success for indirect pulp treatment of young permanent molars with both PAD and calcium hydroxide were comparable.