Chewing efficiency and contact area discrepancies in Angle's class I and II malocclusion: A comparative study.

Objective: The study aimed to assess and compare both the chewing efficiency and the contact area between class I and class II of Angle's malocclusions. Material and methods: A total of 120 individuals aged between 19 and 30 years were examined and were divided into two groups according to Angle's class (Class I and class II). The chewing efficiency was quantified using the ViewGum software and two-colored chewing gum. The contact area was quantified using modeling wax and MATLAB software. All data were collected, then, analyzed using SPSS software 21. Data normality was checked through kurtosis test. Descriptive results were calculated. Matched sample t-tests were used to compare chewing efficiency measurements between right and left sides. Independent t-tests were used to compare chewing efficiency and the contact area between class I and class II of Angle's malocclusions. Linear regression and Pearson correlation were used to assess the correlation between chewing efficiency and the contact area. The significance level was fixed at p = 0.05. Results: For group 1, the mean hue value on both sides was 0.086 ± 0.058. For group 2, it was 0.095 ± 0.055. The difference between both groups was statistically significant (p = 0.03). For group 1, the mean contact area was 49.91 ± 21.47 mm2. For group 2, it was 51.42 ± 19.76 mm2. The difference was statistically not significant (p = 0.4). The correlation between the contact area and the chewing efficiency in both groups was statistically significant and it was negative (in class I p = 0 and R = -0.616; in class II p = 0.01 and R = -0.408). Conclusion: The Chewing is better for patients with Angle's Class I malocclusion. The contact area is higher. Larger occlusal contact area leads to higher masticatory efficiency. Further studies should be conducted.

Laser-assisted debonding of ceramic veneers: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The process of removing ceramic veneers is difficult, time consuming, and invasive. However, although lasers should provide a straightforward method for the debonding of ceramic veneers, a systematic review is lacking. PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the efficacy of the laser-assisted debonding of ceramic veneers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in Medline/PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Then, an analysis was performed using the meta-analysis approach to investigate the efficacy of the laser-assisted debonding of ceramic veneers. Quality assessment of the included articles was carried out using the Cochrane Collaboration tool. For the meta-analysis, the RevMan 5.4 software program was used to perform a random-effects model of standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: A total of 1108 studies were identified, of which 627 studies were selected for title and abstract analysis. The qualitative analysis included 16 studies, of which 3 studies were used in the quantitative synthesis. In the meta-analysis, the shear bond strength of the laser groups was compared with that of the control group. A substantial level of heterogeneity was noted in the included studies (I2=67%, P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that erbium lasers have a significant immediate effect in decreasing the shear bond strength of ceramic veneers. Furthermore, with proper laser settings, veneers can be safely removed without damaging the underlying tooth structure.

The impact of COVID-19 on dental education in Tunisia.

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic might have an unprecedented impact on dental education. AIM: The main aim of this study was to investigate the impact of COVID-19 among Tunisian dental students. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study carried out from January to March 2022, at the Faculty of Dental Medicine of Monastir (FDMM), Tunisia. The population consisted of the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th year dental students registered for the academic year 2021/2022 at the FDMM. The potential number of participants was 881 according to the administration of the faculty. The applied questionnaire was made of 17 questions adapted to the Tunisian context. Incomplete answers were considered as exclusion criteria. RESULTS: A total of 446 students responded to the online survey giving an overall response rate of 50.6%. The study revealed that the FDMM was not doing its best to solve the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic for 88.8% of the responders. Dental students were concerned about the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on their dental education (69.6%) especially about graduating on time (63.0%) since changes made in dental medicine education due to the pandemic were stressful for 61.1% of them. The students reached emotional support from their family and friends (46.5%) whereas only 9.8% of them requested assistance from faculty's staff. CONCLUSION: This study provides information about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dental education. These findings may sensitize officials in the FDMM to take measures in order to deliver better education to dental medicine students.

The assessment of Golden and Red Proportions among a North-African population.

INTRODUCTION: The constant increase of both esthetic demands and advancement in materials and technologies have led to the development of guidelines to achieve optimal aesthetic results. These tools are useful to predict the teeth proportion and dimensions. Golden and Red proportion are the most described theories. AIM: of present study was to evaluate the existence of both Golden and Red proportion in the maxillary anterior teeth among a North-African population. METHODS: This was an observational study performed at the Fixed Prosthetic department of the dental clinic of Monastir, Tunisia. The study included participants with full intact anterior dentition. Those with diastema or teeth crowding were excluded. For each one, an alginate impression was done. Measures were, including the perceived width and length, have been taken on casts using digital caliper. Width ratios of maxillary lateral incisor to maxillary central incisor and lateral incisor to canine were calculated. RESULTS: The study included 100 Tunisian participants including 97 females and 21 males. The maxillary central incisors were the largest (8.60±0.58mm) and the longest (99.71±1.14mm). The ratio was 0.89±0.09mm. Anterior teeth dimensions were not statistically not different between males and females. Significant differences were observed between calculated ratios with GP and to each other's. (p=0). CONCLUSIONS: Either GP nor RP is applicable amongst the Tunisian Population.

Facial Line Angles: A Key to Tooth-like Rehabilitation.

Recently, improvement of appearance and a quest for beauty have become a primary concern for patients. It is a challenging task for a clinician to achieve esthetic integration of prosthetic pieces for anterior teeth, particularly for highly demanding patients who give attention to particular details. The challenge is harder when only one tooth has to be restored. The objective is to achieve a fully and perfectly integrated rehabilitation with natural dentition. Poorly described, facial line angles are key to the success of achieving the desired tooth shape, especially for the maxillary central incisor. They influence both the shape and color of the tooth through optical illusion. Their misplacement could certainly spoil the esthetic outcome. Thus, it is mandatory to respect and recreate them. The objective of the present study was to define and then to highlight their importance. It also aimed to give some tips on how to perfect the shape of prosthetic teeth through a clinical case of central incisor esthetic rehabilitation.

Peg-Shaped Lateral Incisors Treated with Ceramic Three-Quarter Crown.

In recent years, patients' expectations are becoming higher in terms of esthetic dentistry. Having the ideal smile is becoming a purpose as the appearance of stars and famous persons have been undoubtedly improved through smile correction. Peg-shaped lateral incisors are a common dental form aberration which could distort the smile and may hamper patient psychology because of the smaller shape and size in disharmony with other teeth. Three-quarter ceramic veneers are a mini-invasive approach which could solve the esthetic problem of peg-shaped teeth and ensure patient's satisfaction. The present paper was about a clinical case with peg-shaped lateral incisors treated with three-quarter ceramic crowns. It would also highlight the preparation particularities.