Clinical Efficacy of Topical Kenacort and Aloe Vera Gel in Minor Aphthous Stomatitis: A Comparative Study.

Aim: The aim of the study is to compare the clinical efficacy of both the topical agents-aloe vera gel and Kenacort oral paste (0.1% triamcinolone acetonide) in patients with minor aphthous stomatitis. Materials and Methods: 60 patients were recruited for the study and were randomly divided into two groups-Group A (aloe vera gel group) and Group B (Kenacort oral paste group). The baseline parameters were taken and recorded on the day of the first visit which included ulcer size, pain, and burning sensation. Evaluation of reduction in ulcer size, pain, and burning sensation were made on day 3 and day 7. Results: The results of the present study revealed that both the study groups showed no significant difference in the size of ulcer at day 1, day 3, and day 7 when compared using independent t-test as P > 0.05 at all study intervals. Therefore, both the agents were found to be equally effective against reducing the size of ulcer, pain, and burning sensation. Conclusion: The present study findings demonstrate that topical application of the aloe vera gel was able to decrease the ulcer size, intensity of pain, and burning sensation, thereby accelerating the healing without any side effects. Thus, topical aloe vera could be safe and a better alternative to topical steroid for RAS.

Comparative Evaluation of Sealing Ability of Three Different Materials as Barriers to Coronal Microleakage in Root-Filled Teeth: An In Vitro Study.

Aim: To compare the sealing ability of three different materials when used as postendodontic restoration barriers to coronal microleakage in root-filled teeth. Materials and Methods: In the present study, 60 single-rooted mandibular premolars with single canals were selected. After endodontic treatment was done with protaper files, they were divided into three groups of 20 teeth each, which were restored with Zirconomer (Group I), Hi-Dense (Group II), and Surefil composite (Group III), respectively. After storing in artificial saliva for 10 days, all teeth were then immersed in Rhodamine 6G fluorescent dye. Teeth were then sectioned buccolingually in a longitudinal direction. The coronal microleakage was measured in both halves under a fluorescence microscope and images were taken with a digital camera. Data obtained from the study in the form of scoring as per specific criteria was subjected to statistical analysis. Result: Results of the study showed that the minimum amount of coronal microleakage was seen in Group II restored with Hi-Dense followed by Group III restored with Surefil Composite and the maximum amount of coronal microleakage was seen in Group I restored with Zirconomer. Conclusion: On the basis of the results of the present study, it may be concluded that Hi-Dense showed better coronal sealing ability in access cavities. Surefil composite exhibited coronal microleakage less than Zirconomer but more than Hi-Dense.

Knowledge and Attitude about Evidence-Based Dental Practice among Dentists in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Quality of patient care will improve when dental professional practices are based on evidence. The present study was aimed at assessing the knowledge and attitude of private dental practitioners in Al-Kharj regarding evidence-based dentistry. Methodology: The study sample consisted of 180 private dental practitioners in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect information regarding knowledge and attitude toward evidence-based dental practice (EBDP). Data were collected by direct personal contact and information was collected on the same day. Results: Awareness of EBDP among private dental practitioners was 67.8%. Also, 31.1% of subjects told that they practice EBD in decision-making about patient treatment. Only 16.7% of study subjects were aware of the Cochrane database, whereas 34.1% were aware of the evidence-based pyramid. Also, 91.7% thought that they needed to be trained regarding EBD. Conclusion: Awareness of EBDP is low among private dental practitioners but the majority of dentists think they need training regarding evidence-based dentistry.

Knowledge about Emergency Management of Orofacial Injuries among School Teachers at Alkharj Saudi Arabia.

Background: Children suffer from orofacial injuries during sport activities in schools. School teacher's knowledge about managing emergency during orofacial injuries will help in treatment prognosis. Aim: To assess and compare school teacher's knowledge about management of orofacial injuries at alkharj Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study was planned among school teacher working in various schools at alkharj. Questionnaire consisted of Demographic details such as age and year of experience and knowledge-related questions about management of orofacial injuries. Questionnaire was distributed and collected on the same day. Results: All participants were aware that sport activities results in injuries to head, orofacial structures, or teeth. 15.6% participants have undergone training. 84.4% of study participants have told they don't know to manage avulsed tooth. 92.8% of study participants are interested to get training on orofacial injury management. Conclusion: Knowledge of school teachers about management of orofacial injury is insufficient. Teachers are primary level of contact in schools during sports injuries, measures should be taken to improve their knowledge about orofacial injuries.

Knowledge and Attitude of Dental Practitioners about Probiotics in Alkharj, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Background: Probiotics are dietary supplements have found their usage mainly for gastrointestinal problems. Recently, oral health benefits of probiotics are investigated and their use for prevention of oral diseases such as dental caries, periodontal problem, and halitosis are established. Aim: The aim of the study is to assess the knowledge and attitude about probiotics among private dental practitioners in Alkharj, Saudi Arabia. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted on a total of 170 dentists practicing in alkharj. The subjects completed a questionnaire that consisted of information related to assess the awareness, knowledge, and attitude about probiotics. The collected data were expressed as number and percentages. Results: 96.47% of dentists were aware of the probiotics, while 82.3% of dentists think probiotics helps in improving health. 76.2% have used probiotics for some reason. 81.7% were of the intention to use probiotics for prevention of oral disease. Conclusion: This study revealed good awareness of probiotics among dentists in Alkharj. Lack of adequate knowledge about use of probiotics for oral health needs to be addressed.

Malocclusion and Esthetic Perception Among Young Adults in Riyadh Region of Saudi Arabia.

Aim: To assess the malocclusion and esthetic perception among young adults in Riyadh region. Methodology: A total of 667 subjects aged above 6 years were included in this study. Link containing questionnaires were sent through social media, email, and WhatsApp. Questions were related to the effect of malocclusion on oral health such as dental caries, gum disease, difficulty in tooth brushing, perception of their teeth in the way of alignment, and smile personality. Results: 54.1% of participants said malocclusion can cause dental caries, 63.3% said it will lead to gum disease, and 72% were of the opinion that it will make tooth brushing difficult. 27.9% of study subjects were not happy with the alignment of their teeth. None of the responses were found to be statistically significant according to age (P > 0.05). Most of the questions were statistically significant according to gender (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Majority of study subjects had good knowledge about malocclusion and oral health. Perception about esthetics was more among women than men. More than 90% of subjects thinks beautiful smile is a part of personality.

Acidogenic Evaluation of Pediatric Medications in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: To gain patient compliance, pediatric medication preparations are made palatable by adding sugars such as sucrose, glucose, or fructose. These readily fermentable carbohydrates can significantly increase dental caries potential in the young and chronically sick children. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate acidogenic potential of commonly used pediatric liquid medicaments (PLMs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The acidogenic potential is assessed by estimating the endogenous pH of PLM. RESULTS: The mean endogenous pH was higher in Azomycin (9.16 ± 0.25) and lowest in Lorinase (3.16 ± 0.15). CONCLUSION: Of nine, eight PLMs were acidic in nature.

Assessment of Saudi parent's awareness towards space maintainers at Alkharj city: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Premature extraction or loss of a tooth due in primary dentition may lead to malocclusion in permanent dentition. Space maintainers are very important to children in mixed and primary dentition for preventing problems of malocclusion. The utilization of space maintainers depends on parental knowledge and awareness about space maintainers. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the of Saudi parent's awareness toward space maintainers in Alkharj city. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was planned among Saudi parents who visited the College of Dentistry, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University. Questions related to space maintainers awareness, use, source of information, and utilization of space maintainers were asked. RESULTS: Around 312 (82.1%) parents were not aware of space maintainers and did not receive any information about the same. About 166 (43.7%) parents did not have any personal experience of a child's missing deciduous teeth. Only 115 (30.26%) respondents received some information about space maintainers. The majority of parents 298 (78.4%) were unaware whether space maintainers aid in the eruption of permanent teeth. Similarly, 73.7% did not know when to use space maintainers. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of space maintainers among Saudi parents is very less. Dental professionals hence need to create awareness of interceptive orthodontics rather than curative approaches, to achieve better oral health outcomes.

Assessment of Microleakage Using Dye Penetration Method in Primary Teeth Restored with Tooth-colored Materials: An In Vitro Study.

AIM: The present study aimed to assess the microleakage in primary teeth restored with tooth-colored materials using the dye penetration method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 healthy primary molar teeth were included in this study and standardized class II mesio-occlusal cavities were prepared on the samples. Consequently, these teeth were randomly divided into three experimental groups (n = 20 each group) such as group I: nano-filled resin-modified glass-ionomer, group II: nanocomposite resin, and group III: Cention N. After completing all the restorations, the restored teeth were subjected to 100 cycles of thermocycling. Next, all the surfaces of the tooth, except the restoration and a 1-mm zone adjacent to the restoration's margins, were covered with two coats of nail varnish. The coated teeth were then submerged in a 0.5% basic fuchsin dye solution. The teeth were then sectioned along the center of each restoration mesiodistally. Each part was visualized under a stereomicroscope at ×40 magnifications to assess microleakage. RESULTS: Out of all the included restorative materials, the least microleakage was demonstrated by teeth restored by the nano-filled resin-modified glass-ionomer (RMGI) group (1.05 ± 0.21) followed by the Cention N group (1.84 ± 0.14) and the nanocomposite resin group (3.10 ± 0.03). A statistical method involving the analysis of variance revealed a statistically significant difference among the different restorative materials. Multiple comparisons among the restorative materials showed a statistically significant difference between groups I and II and groups II and III restorative materials (p < 0.05). The dye penetration score 1 was more [11(55%)] for the nano-filled RMGI group, score 3 was more [12(60%)] for the nanocomposite resin group, and score 2 was more [9(45%)] for the Cention N group. CONCLUSION: The present study showed significantly less microleakage associated with the nano-filled resin-modified glass ionomer group than nanocomposite resin and Cention N groups. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Since many years, dentists have encountered a challenging problem with cervical lesions. Thus, an interdisciplinary treatment approach is the appropriate option in the management of carious teeth that involve gingival recession and cervical extension.