A prospective case series in regenerative endodontics: The effective use of diluted antibiotic hydrogels in endodontic regeneration procedures.

Objective: to investigate the effectiveness of diluted antibiotic hydrogels in endodontic regeneration procedures. Materials and Methods: One conventional treatment (calcium hydroxide) and two experimental treatments containing 1 mg/mL antibiotic in gel (MC-TAP and MC-DAP) were prepared for this study. The effect of these medicaments on the proliferation and differentiation potential of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) was examined before their clinical use, using WST and ALP assays. Twenty-two teeth diagnosed with necrotic immature roots were treated with calcium hydroxide, MC-TAP or MC-DAP using the endodontic regeneration protocol as described by the American Association of Endodontists (AAE). Teeth were examined after application of the medicament, at the time of regeneration and after 12-24 months. Results: All treated teeth showed resolution of signs and symptoms shortly after treatment with the different medicaments. However, signs and symptoms returned a few months after initial treatment in clinical cases treated with MC-DAP. All successfully treated teeth examined after 12-24 months were free of signs and symptoms, but vitality was not achieved. Conclusion: Low concentration antibiotic gel containing triple antibiotic paste (MC-TAP) can be successfully used for endodontic regeneration procedures.

Prevalence and severity of plaque-induced gingivitis in a Saudi adult population.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence and severity of plaque-induced gingivitis among a Saudi adult population in Riyadh region. METHODS: Three hundred and eighty-five eligible participants in this cross-sectional study were recruited from routine dental patients attending the oral diagnosis clinic at Al-Farabi College in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from June 2013 to December 2013. A clinical examination was performed by 2 dentists to measure the gingival and plaque indices of Löe and Silness for each participant. RESULTS: The prevalence of gingivitis was 100% among adult subjects aged between 18-40 years old. Moreover, the mean gingival index was 1.68±0.31, which indicates a moderate gingival inflammation. In fact, males showed more severe signs of gingival inflammation compared with females (p=0.001). In addition, the mean plaque index was 0.875±0.49, which indicates a good plaque status of the participants. Interestingly, the age was not related either to the gingival inflammation (p=0.13), or to the amount of plaque accumulation (p=0.17). However, males were more affected than females (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that plaque accumulation is strongly associated with high prevalence of moderate to severe gingivitis among Saudi subjects. 

Prevalence and awareness of halitosis in a sample of Jordanian population.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and awareness of halitosis among the subjects of a population, and also to compare the results of Halimeter(®) readings to self-estimation of halitosis and to assess the relationship between halitosis and oral health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 205 employees from the Jordan University for Science and Technology (JUST) were selected as study subjects. A standardized questionnaire focusing on dental hygiene, self-reported halitosis, and smoking was filled by all participants. In the clinical examination, the objective values for assessment of oral health and the presence of halitosis were gathered through an organoleptic test (OLT) and the measurement of volatile sulfur compound (VSC) level by Halimeter for each participant. RESULTS: The prevalence of halitosis was 78%, with low rate of awareness (20.5%). The amount of TC played the most important role in increasing the concentration of VSCs in mouth air (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A statistically significant correlation was found between OLT and Halimeter values (P < 0.001). Subjective patients' opinion did not correlate with the objective evaluation of halitosis. TC scores and smoking were the factors significantly associated to halitosis. The Halimeter showed promising characteristics regarding diagnosis of halitosis for clinical setting and field surveys.

The effect of glycemic control on Candida colonization of the tongue and the subgingival plaque in patients with type II diabetes and periodontitis.

OBJECTIVES: Identify the relationship between the tongue and subgingival plaque Candida colonization, and its relationship to the quality of glycemic control (assessed by glycosylated hemoglobin) and other confounders, in type II diabetics who have periodontitis. STUDY DESIGN: Candida species were isolated from the tongue and subgingival plaque of the 2 deepest periodontal pockets from 78 patients, and were identified by RapID Yeast Plus System. Student's t test, χ(2) test or Fisher's exact test, analysis of variance, multivariate logistic regression analysis, and Spearman's correlation test were used. RESULTS: Candida species colonized 46 (59%) and 38 (48.7%) of the patients tongue and subgingival plaque, respectively. Subgingival Candida was more prevalent in females than males (P = .041). The quality of glycemic control correlated with the prevalence of subgingival Candida (P = .047) and the severity of gingival disease (P = .047). CONCLUSION: Poor glycemic control and female gender may be associated with increased subgingival Candida in patients with type II diabetes.

Maximum occlusal bite forces in Jordanian individuals with different dentofacial vertical skeletal patterns.

This study was carried out to record maximum occlusal bite force (MBF) in Jordanian students with three different facial types: short, average, and long, and to determine the effect of gender, type of functional occlusion, and the presence of premature contacts and parafunctional habits on MBF. Sixty dental students (30 males and 30 females) were divided into three equal groups based on the maxillomandibular planes angle (Max/Mand) and degree of anterior overlap: included short-faced students with a deep anterior overbite (Max/Mand < or = 22 degrees), normal-faced students with a normal overbite that served as the controls (Max/Mand = 27 +/- 5 degrees), and long-faced students with an anterior open bite (Max/Mand > or = 32 degrees). Their age ranged between 20 and 23 years. MBF was measured using a hydraulic occlusal force gauge. Occlusal factors, including the type of functional occlusion, the presence of premature contacts, and parafunctional habits, were recorded. Differences between groups were assessed using a t-test and analysis of variance. The average MBF in Jordanian adults was 573.42 +/- 140.18 N. Those with a short face had the highest MBF (679.60 +/- 117.46 N) while the long-face types had the lowest MBF (453.57 +/- 98.30 N; P < 0.001). The average MBF was 599.02 +/- 145.91 in males and 546.97 +/- 131.18 in females (P = 0.149). No gender differences were observed. The average MBF was higher in patients with premature contacts than those without, while it did not differ in subjects with different types of functional occlusion or in the presence of parafunctional habits.

Periodontal parameters in different dentofacial vertical patterns.

OBJECTIVE: To assess periodontal parameters in a Jordanian population in individuals with three different facial types. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five dental students (ages 20-26 years) with short, average, and long face heights were divided into three equal groups. The plaque index, gingival index, gingival thickness, width of keratinized gingiva, and width of attached gingiva were measured in each group. Occlusal factors, including the dynamic occlusion and the presence or absence of premature contacts were recorded. Differences among the three groups were assessed using Student's t-test, chi-square test, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. RESULTS: No differences were present in the plaque index, gingival index, gingival attachment, width of attached and keratinized gingiva and gingival thickness between the subjects in the three groups studied. None of the subjects in the long face group had canine guidance dynamic occlusion. CONCLUSIONS: There were no differences in the periodontal parameters between the different dentofacial vertical patterns, but there was a difference in the canine guidance dynamic occlusion.

Fracture resistance of teeth restored with different post systems: in vitro study.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate fracture resistance and mode of failure of teeth restored with different prefabricated post systems. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty teeth were collected, sectioned 15 mm from the apex, root canal prepared, and randomly allocated into 3 groups as follows: glass fiber posts (group 1), carbon fiber posts (group 2), and Radix-Anchor titanium posts (group 3). Teeth were then restored with a composite core and tested using a universal testing machine at 10 mm/min cross-head speed. Mode of failure was identified as either reparable or irreparable (catastrophic). RESULTS: Mean values of fracture forces (N) for teeth restored with Radix posts (571.6) were statistically significantly higher than teeth restored with either carbon fiber (420.6) or glass fiber posts (393.9). There were 86.67% of fractures that were catastrophic in nature. CONCLUSIONS: Teeth restored with Radix-titanium posts were more resistant to fracture than those restored with either carbon or glass fiber posts. Most of the fracture modes were catastrophic in nature.