Factors Affecting Patients' Atttendance for Periodontal Follow-up Visits after Crown Lengthening Surgery.

PURPOSE: To assess adherence to follow-up maintenance visits among patients who had previously undergone crown-lengthening surgery and investigate the different factors impacting their compliance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 314 patients were identified for follow-up appointments. Based on their responses, participants were categorised into four groups: attendees, non-attendees, refusals, and unreachable. Furthermore, data on sociodemographic factors (age, sex, nationality, marital status, education, occupation, and residential area), medical history, dental history (including missing teeth, implants, or orthodontic treatment history), and past appointment attendance (average yearly appointments, missed appointment percentage, and last appointment date) were collected and analysed to understand their influence on patient compliance. RESULTS: In a sample of 314 patients, 102 (32.5%) attended the appointments successfully. Improved attendance rates were significantly associated with being female, Saudi Arabian, married, and employed (p < 0.05). Moreover, patients with a high frequency of annual appointments and a recent history of appointments exhibited better compliance. None of the analysed dental factors affected the attendance rates. CONCLUSION: About one-third of patients who had undergone crown lengthening surgery were compliant with the follow-up visits. Different factors influenced this compliance pattern to varying extents, with more efforts needed to enhance patients' commitment to these visits.

Correlation between whole salivary prostaglandin E2 and hemoglobin A1c levels among type-2 diabetic and non-diabetic patients with periodontal inflammation.

BACKGROUND: It is hypothesized that whole salivary prostaglandin E2 (PgE2) levels are higher in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (type-2 DM) than non-diabetic individuals with periodontal inflammation; and that whole salivary expression of PgE2 is correlated with hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) levels. The aim of the present study was to compare whole salivary PgE2 levels among patients with type-2 DM and non-diabetic individuals with periodontal inflammation. METHODS: Sociodemographic data, duration since the diagnosis and management of type-2 DM, most recent hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c level), and any familial history of DM was retrieved from patient's healthcare records. Participants were divided into four groups: Group-1: type-2 diabetics with periodontal inflammation; Group-2: type-2 diabetics without periodontal inflammation; Group-3: non-diabetics with periodontal inflammation; and Group-4: non-diabetics without periodontal inflammation. Plaque and gingival indices (PI and GI), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL) and marginal bone loss (MBL) were measured. Unstimulated whole saliva samples were collected and PgE2 levels were measured. Group-comparisons were done and P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: One-hundred-sixty individuals were included. Mean HbA1c levels were higher in Group-1 than groups 2 (P < 0.05), 3 (P < 0.05) and 4 (P < 0.05). The PI (P < 0.05), GI (P < 0.05) and PD (P < 0.05) were higher in Group-1 than groups 2 and 4. The CAL was higher in Group-1 than groups 2 (P < 0.05) and 3 (P < 0.05). The PD (P < 0.05), PI (P < 0.05) and GI (P < 0.05) were higher in Group-3 than Group-4. The MBL was higher in Group-1 than groups 2 (P < 0.05), 3 (P < 0.05) and 4 (P < 0.05). The PgE2 levels were higher in Group-1 than groups 2 (P < 0.05), 3 (P < 0.05) and 4 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Hyperglycemia in patients with type-2 DM is associated with increased expression of whole salivary PgE2 levels and worsened periodontal inflammation compared with individuals with well-controlled type-2 DM and non-diabetic individuals.

Dental Students' Perceptions Towards E-learning in Comparison With Traditional Classroom Learning.

INTRODUCTION: Electronic learning (e-learning) has evolved into a popular educational approach since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. While this represents an additional model for teaching, traditional classroom learning fosters the development of interpersonal skills and enables students to share and discuss specific topics. However, existing research on the comparison of both these modes of learning in the field of dental education is inadequate. This study aimed to evaluate the perceptions of dental students towards both electronic and classroom learning. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted between November 2022 and January 2023 among dental students in Saudi Arabia. Students were questioned on their comparative perceptions of e-learning and classroom learning before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Questionnaire responses, including demographic data, were collected and tabulated, using electronic data management software. The tabulated data were analyzed to provide descriptive statistics and compare electronic and classroom learning with demographic variables and previous experience with e-learning. RESULTS: Most respondents reported possessing average information technology (IT) skills and prior experience with e-learning. Blackboard Learning Management System (LMS) (Reston, VA: Blackboard Inc.), Zoom (San Jose, CA: Zoom Video Communications Inc.), and Microsoft Teams (Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation) were the most commonly used and advantageous e-learning platforms. While the majority of participants found both methods acceptable for problem-based learning sessions and theoretical lectures, they reported e-learning to be less effective than classroom learning for clinical and practical sessions. Regarding e-learning as a preferred method over classroom learning, most responses were "neutral" or "uncertain." Comparing the mean ranks of the ordinal responses for the different teaching methodologies and the nominal responses for e-learning as the preferred method, no statistically significant interactions were observed for demographic characteristics, IT-skill levels, or prior experience with e-learning. CONCLUSION: Although enhanced performance and learning capacity are enabled through e-learning, the advantages of personal interactions and the feasibility of practical and clinical dental sessions are achieved only through classroom learning.

Real-Time Assessment of Guided Bone Regeneration in Standardized Calvarial Defects Using a Combination of Bone Graft and Platelet-Derived Growth Factor With and Without Collagen Membrane: An In Vivo Microcomputed Tomographic and Histologic Experiment in Rats.

The aim of the present in vivo microcomputed tomography (µCT) and histologic experiment was to assess the efficacy of guided bone regeneration (GBR) around standardized calvarial defects using recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor (rhPDGF) with and without resorbable collagen membrane (RCM). A total of 50 female Wistar albino rats with a mean age of 7.5 months and mean weight of 275 g were used. The calvarium was exposed following midsagittal scalp incision and flap reflection. A full-thickness standardized calvarial defect (4.6 mm diameter) was created. Study animals were randomly divided into five groups based on biomaterials used for GBR within the defect: (1) no treatment (negative control), (2) bone graft alone (BG), (3) bone graft covered by RCM (BG + RCM), (4) bone graft soaked in rhPDGF (BG + rhPDGF), and (5) bone graft soaked in rhPDGF and covered with RCM (BG + rhPDGF + RCM). In vivo µCT for determination of newly formed bone volume (NFBV) and mineral density (NFBMD) and remnant bone particles volume (RBPV) and mineral density (RBPMD) was done at baseline and at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks postoperatively. Eight weeks following surgery, the animals were sacrificed and harvested calvarial specimens were subjected to histologic and biomechanical analysis. There was an increase in NFBV and NFBMD associated with a corresponding decrease in RBPV and RBPMD in all the study groups. Two-way analysis of variance revealed significant differences in the measured values within and between the groups across the timelines examined during the study period (P < .05). While the NFBV was significantly higher in the bone graft, BG + RCM, and BG + rhPDGF + RCM groups, the NFBMD was similar in all the groups except negative control. The greatest decreases in RBPV and RBPMD were observed in the BG + rhPDGF + RCM group in comparison to the other groups. Similarly, BG + rhPDGF + RCM groups had hardness and elastic modulus similar to that of natural bone. The in vivo µCT results were validated by the qualitative histologic findings. In real time, new bone formation starts as early as 2 weeks in rat calvarial defects treated with bone graft and rhPDGF, irrespective of the presence or absence of RCM.

Efficacy of Mesenchymal Stem Cells as Adjunct to Guided Bone Regeneration in Standardized Calvarial Defects in Rats: An In Vivo Microcomputed Tomographic and Histologic Analysis.

The aim of the present in vivo microcomputed tomographic (µCT), histologic, and biomechanical study was to assess the efficacy of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) for promoting guided bone regeneration (GBR) in a standardized rat calvarial defect model. Forty female Wistar albino rats with a mean age of 7.5 months and mean weight of 275 g were used. Following calvarial exposure under general anesthesia, a full-thickness standardized calvarial defect (4.6 mm in diameter) was created. The study animals were randomly divided into four groups based on biomaterials used for GBR: (1) no treatment (negative control); (2) bone graft alone; (3) bone graft placed in the defect and covered with a collagen membrane (CM); and (4) bone graft soaked in BMSCs and covered with a CM. Bone volume and bone mineral density (BMD) of newly formed bone (NFB) and remnant bone particles were determined at baseline and at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 24 weeks postoperative using real time in vivo µCT. Histologic and biomechanical analyses of calvarial specimens were performed at 24 weeks, when the rats were euthanized. Statistically significant differences in volume and BMD of NFB were observed between and within the groups at different data collection periods. Significant increases in volume and BMD of NFB occurred as early as week 2 in all groups except the negative control. While the greatest volume of NFB was observed in the bone graft + BMSC + CM group, BMD of NFB was significantly higher in the bone graft + CM group. Statistically significant decreases in volume and BMD of remnant bone particles were also observed between the groups. Histologic analysis revealed NFB in all groups. The hardness and elastic modulus of NFB in the bone graft + BMSC + CM group were significantly higher than that in the other groups and also similar to adjacent natural bone. This study shows that using adjunct BMSCs with bone graft and CM for guided bone regeneration in standardized rat calvarial defects resulted in the highest quality and quantity of NFB.