Evaluation of effect on stability of implants with and without platelet rich fibrin using a resonance frequency analyzer - An in-vivo study.

Background: Although the conventional replacement for lost teeth has been partial or full dentures, the need for a fixed, esthetic, and functional restoration makes dental implants a reliable alternative. Aim: To evaluate the initial and final stability of platelet rich fibrin coated implants using resonance frequency analyzer. Method: ology: Thirteen patients with two or more missing teeth were informed about the procedure, and a consent form was obtained after cone beam computer tomography evaluation. Blood was drawn from the anticubital area of the patient, which was centrifuged to obtain platelet-rich fibrin. In all, 26 implants were placed, among which 13 were platelet-rich fibrin-coated (test group) and 13 were without platelet-rich fibrin (control group), and implant stability quotient values were recorded. Results: The mean age of the patients was 34.4 (SD = 4.28). Majority of the patients were males (9; 69.2%) whereas there were only four (30.8%) female patients. When comparison between overall primary implant stability with and without PRF was done, the mean difference was 5.12 and this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.221) whereas a statistically significant difference (p = 0.019) was found when comparison between overall secondary implant stability was done with and without PRF. The primary and secondary stability values for the control group were 69.18 ± 7.45 and 73.84 ± 8.21 respectively, and the primary and secondary stability values for the test group were 64.06 ± 12.66 and 81.49 ± 7.61 respectively, which showed statistically significant differences among the groups. The difference in these values signify that primary stability is more in control group whereas secondary stability is more in case group. This signifies that PRF enhances the stability of implant. Conclusion: Implants coated with platelet-rich fibrin exhibited better osseointegration than implants without platelet-rich fibrin.

Exploring the Oral Manifestations and Hazards to Dental Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review.

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has inundated the whole world by causing severe acute respiratory syndrome in humans, thus posing serious public health concerns. The oral and olfactory systems are significantly impacted by the COVID-19 condition, in addition to the respiratory and digestive systems. Oral symptoms of COVID-19 can be caused by a loss in oral hygiene, immune system suppression, a decline in general health, and candidiasis due to prolonged antibiotic use. Because many aerosols and droplets are produced during various dental operations, dental professionals and dentists are at a significant risk of contracting the COVID-19 infection. Few precautionary measures include performing a pre-appointment health screening for all patients, performing aerosol-producing procedures in a designated space or operatory, using proper personal protective equipment and disinfecting the operatory between patients, and limiting the number of dental procedures at one time. Against this background, the purposes of this article are to explore the oral presentations of COVID-19 infection and to emphasize the hazards to dental professionals during COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, few preventive measures are also highlighted.

Awareness about emergency management of avulsed tooth among intern dentists-a cross-sectional observational study.

Tooth avulsion is a frequently encountered dental emergency. Children are commonly reported group due to frequent sports activities, trauma, accidents and falls. Prompt emergency management is vital for long term success and to avoid morbidity. The study was aimed to assess the understanding of intern dentists about the emergency handling of avulsed teeth cases as mostly they are first responders among health care personnel. In this study a fourteen-item questionnaire with predefined responses was shared as online Google survey form with intern dentists of 5 different dental teaching hospitals of Islamabad, Pakistan. The duration of the study was 6 months (01 March 2022 to 31 August 2022). The questions were intended to collect personal information and to check level of knowledge and awareness about the management of avulsed tooth among the dental interns. The data was analyzed by statistical methods and is presented through tables and descriptive methods. In total, 152 participants completed the shared questionnaire. The vast majority (71%) of them were aware of the initial management of avulsed teeth, 49% were aware of the ideal transport medium for an avulsed tooth, (43%) were aware of the critical time for successful replantation, while (62%) had knowledge of the multiple factors responsible for the outcome of the tooth replantation. For majority of the statements, female participants had better knowledge as compared to their male counterparts. Statistically significant difference was noted for the statement "If you found the knocked-out tooth and it is dirty what will be your initial approach?" with female participants having better knowledge as compared to the male (p value = 0.005). Based on our study results, generally dental interns are well-informed but still lack expected level of awareness regarding the proper management protocol for avulsed tooth. Hence, improvement is needed regarding the effective handling of avulsed teeth cases.

Influences of Different Torques on the Size of the Microgap and Bacterial Leakage in Different Implant Systems: An In-vitro Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the adherence of three types of bacteria [Staphylococcus (S) aureus, Escherichia (E) coli, Pseudomonas (Ps) aeruginosa] and the size of the microgap of three different implant systems (JD, ORA, and Ankylos) under four different screw torque values. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten samples for each tested implant system were used under different torques to determine the width of the gaps. The abutments were connected to the fixtures using a universal digital wrench. A torque value of 10 N/cm was applied for all samples. After the assessment of the microgap, the fixture was repositioned into the Bench Vice, and the torque was increased to 20, 30, and, finally, 40 N/cm. The microgap assessment was done using a Scanning Electron Microscope. Before the torque increased to 40, eleven samples for each tested implant system were used under 30 N/cm torque to determine the leakage in the tested implants for S. aureus, E. coli, and Ps. aeruginosa. Data were analyzed with multiple one-way ANOVA, Post Hoc, and chi-square tests. RESULTS: The Ankylos system showed the widest gap under all torques (p < 0.005), whereas the JD system demonstrated the lowest (p < 0.005). Regarding the bacteria leakage, JD showed the highest adherence to the bacteria, and the adherence was mainly to the Ps. Aeruginosa, while the Ankylos system showed the lowest (p < 0.005). CONCLUSION: Within limits, the higher torque provides a higher fit to the IAI, offering more stability. Ankylos implant showed the widest gap, while JD showed the narrowest. Regarding the bacteria leakage, JD showed the highest adherence to Ps. Aeruginosa, while the ORA system showed the highest adherence to E. coli.

Analysis of Gender Dimorphism and Assessment of Racial Variation Through Odontometric Technique: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: When conducting a forensic investigation, one of the most important steps is establishing the biological profile of a victim who cannot be positively recognized or is just a skeleton. It has been shown that, among the other clinical indicators, the diameters of dental crowns are a good and dependable source for determining gender in a particular population sample. However, the literature is sparse regarding their assessment as a viable marker for the determination of a particular race. In addition, the need for population-specific data has also been advocated while determining gender dimorphism based on tooth size. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To study the bisexual variation in the permanent dentition of individuals from three different sets of populations: Arabian, South Asian, and East Asian. The other objective is to explore the role of this odontometric analysis in predicting the racial identity of the subjects belonging to the aforementioned population. METHODOLOGY: The research was conducted at the College of Dentistry, AlJouf University in Sakaka. Measurements of mesiodistal and buccolingual (BL) distances were taken using a digital vernier caliper on a total of 75 pairs of research models or casts. Statistical tests were run on the information gathered. RESULTS: Of the 75 casts, 38 (50.7%) were of male and 37 (49.3%) were of female. Our analysis showed between genders, a significant difference in maxillary central incisor (P = 0.001), first premolar (P = 0.01), and first molar (P = 0.02) while for a mandibular arch, a significant difference was noted for incisors (P = 0.002) with greater tooth dimension in male than in the female. Concerning the BL dimensions, only the mandibular canine showed a significant difference between males and females (P = 0.001). Comparisons of the crown dimensions between population groups showed that the Arabian population consistently exhibits larger tooth dimensions than the other two populations in both arches. CONCLUSION: A few crown dimensions can be used as an adjunctive tool for the identification of the gender and race of an individual.

Applications of artificial intelligence in the utilisation of imaging modalities in dentistry: A systematic review and meta-analysis of in-vitro studies.

Background: In the past, dentistry heavily relied on manual image analysis and diagnostic procedures, which could be time-consuming and prone to human error. The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has brought transformative potential to the field, promising enhanced accuracy and efficiency in various dental imaging tasks. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively evaluate the applications of AI in dental imaging modalities, focusing on in-vitro studies. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted, in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. The following databases were systematically searched: PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, IEEE Xplore, Cochrane Library, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), and Google Scholar. The meta-analysis employed fixed-effects models to assess AI accuracy, calculating odds ratios (OR) for true positive rate (TPR), true negative rate (TNR), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI). Heterogeneity and overall effect tests were applied to ensure the reliability of the findings. Results: 9 studies were selected that encompassed various objectives, such as tooth segmentation and classification, caries detection, maxillofacial bone segmentation, and 3D surface model creation. AI techniques included convolutional neural networks (CNNs), deep learning algorithms, and AI-driven tools. Imaging parameters assessed in these studies were specific to the respective dental tasks. The analysis of combined ORs indicated higher odds of accurate dental image assessments, highlighting the potential for AI to improve TPR, TNR, PPV, and NPV. The studies collectively revealed a statistically significant overall effect in favor of AI in dental imaging applications. Conclusion: In summary, this systematic review and meta-analysis underscore the transformative impact of AI on dental imaging. AI has the potential to revolutionize the field by enhancing accuracy, efficiency, and time savings in various dental tasks. While further research in clinical settings is needed to validate these findings and address study limitations, the future implications of integrating AI into dental practice hold great promise for advancing patient care and the field of dentistry.

Unveiling the Influence of the Curve of Spee on Bite Force and Chewing Ability: A Comparative Study.

Aim: To investigate the impact of the curve of Spee (CS) accentuation on bite force, chewing ability, and additionally, other factors that influence chewing ability and bite force such as restorations, caries, gender, habits, and TMJ problems. Materials and Methods: 231 participants (118 male and 113 female, mean age = ±27.96 years) were recruited for this cross-section study. Participants completed a data collection sheet in which age, gender, Angle's classification of malocclusion, overjet, overbite, TMJ problems, habits, restorations, and caries experience were recorded. Two examiners made a lower impression, chewing ability test and measured the bite force for each participant. Measurement of the CS was obtained digitally from the poured dental cast, and the categorization was as follows: flat (<1 mm), normal (1-2 mm), or deep (>2 mm). Results: The mean maximum bite force (MBF) was 468.722 N for participants with flat CS, 389.822 N for normal CS, 647.08 N for deep CS, and 384.667 N for reverse CS. The average MBF was higher for participants with deep CS (p < 0.05). MBF force was higher in males. However, BMI was not significantly related to MBF values. Participants with normal and flat CS have comparable chewing capacity (p > 0.05). Also, a significant difference in bite force and chewing ability was found between the three categories of CS (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Bite force variations across various CS types were linked to gender and habits. Chewing ability showed no differences concerning gender, habits, TMJ problems, caries, or restorations, emphasizing CS's significant impact on bite force while showcasing the unchanged nature of chewing ability amidst diverse factors.

Effectiveness of Chitosan versus Natural Aloe Vera on Candida Adherence in Denture Soft Lining Material.

Background: Soft denture lining materials act as a cushion between the denture base and tissues. Alongside having many advantages, its main problem is candida growth due to its rubbery and porous texture. Many interventions have been performed to halt the growth of candida within soft lining materials such as the use of antifungal therapy and strict oral and denture hygiene but there are consequences such as recurrence, drug resistance, and toxicity related to these interventions. Since natural agents such as aloe vera and chitosan have been proven to have antibacterial and antifungal properties with minimum adverse effects, this study aimed to study the effectiveness of chitosan and aloe vera powders incorporated within denture soft lining materials against candida adherence. Methodology. A total of 60 soft-lining material samples were prepared that were equally divided into three groups, viz., group 1 (chitosan incorporation), group 2 (aloe vera incorporation), and group 3 (control). Candida was obtained from the microbiology lab to form a candidal suspension, diluted in 0.9% NaCl to match the McFarland standard bacteriologic solution. Samples were incubated at 37°C for 24 hours in test tubes containing 100 mL of the candidal suspension and 9.9 mL of the previously prepared Sabouraud dextrose agar. Crystal violet stain was used to stain the adhering cells by fixing them with methanol 80%. For each sample, the adhering candida cells were counted on three standard fields by using an inverted light microscope, and the mean of those fields was recorded. Results: The mean value for samples containing aloe vera was 41.15, while the mean values for samples containing chitosan and the control group were 16.05 and 79.1, respectively. Of all the three groups, aloe vera powder had a significant efficacy against candida growth as compared to the chitosan and control groups (P value = 0.001). Conclusion: Both herbal agents were effective against candida growth. In comparison, aloe vera was more effective against candida growth compared to chitosan.

Exploring the aspirations, expectations and impediments of 'dental anaesthesiology' as a medical and dental speciality: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Local anaesthesia is the anaesthetic technique most frequently used in dentistry. Advanced anaesthetic treatments like conscious sedation and/or general anaesthesia are required for major dental surgical procedures. Although general dentists are capable of administering local anaesthesia, additional training is needed for advanced anaesthetic procedures. It is generally disputed whether advanced anaesthetic techniques should be related to one or two dental specialties or whether they should receive a separate degree. OBJECTIVE: This paper aims at introducing the field of 'dental anaesthesiology' in routine dental practice as applicable within laws laid down for dental and medical specialities. METHODS: Publications, articles and mouthpieces relevant to the topic of dental anaesthesiology were identified using various search engines like MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, and Web of Science. The terms used for the search were 'Dental anaesthesiology', 'General anaesthesia', and 'Dental care'. Articles about dental treatment done under anaesthesia were only considered describing various anaesthesia techniques. Additionally, the authors being regular caregivers of dentistry including oral and maxillofacial surgeon have shared their personal experiences and information on the said theme. RESULTS: In total, 127 articles were found of which 33 were available as full texts. Unrelated articles from the available full text were excluded. Finally, 17 studies were incorporated into the review. Majority of dental anaesthesiologist has a positive and favourable attitude towards the profession. Pediatric dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and special needs dentistry are the fields with the highest service demand. Also, the field is lucrative if the practitioner is refined and provides sophisticated services. It is easier and time saving to train the dentists, especially the ones with oral and maxillofacial surgery background. CONCLUSION: A degree of dental anaesthesiologist will open new doors to the budding dentist seeking for jobs or wanting to provide the best outcome.

Factors Affecting Clinical Performance among Pakistani Dental Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Objective: To identify the factors affecting clinical performance among dental students and to help addressing these problems. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study in which students of third and final year of dentistry participated. Data was collected from June 2022 till September 2022. Data was collected from the third and final year dental students of both public and private dental colleges within the Pakistan using a purposive sampling technique. Results: A total of 372 dental students participated in this study. Thirty eight (31.9%) students belonged to third year while 81 (68.1%) were final year students from government college. For the private dental college, 121 (47.8%) were third year students while 132 (52.2%) were final year students. Majority of the participants were males from both the colleges. 42.9% of government dental students and 26.5% of private dental students agreed on well-preparedness of clinical instructors. 5.5% from private and 21.0% from government dental colleges agreed that adequate personal protective equipment were present in clinical departments. Conclusion: From this study, it is concluded that there should be focus more focus on the factors to enhance clinical skills, supervision of students in clinical practice to help addressing the problems faced during learning and performance in a clinical environment, to produce self-confident, motivated, knowledgeable, skillful and a professional dental graduates.

Burnout among Dental Students of Private and Public Dental Colleges in Pakistan - A Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the prevalence of burnout among dental students of public and private institutions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, Pakistan. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted at five public and private dental institutions from June 2021 to May 2022. A validated twelve-item closed-ended Burnout Clinical Subtype Questionnaire was distributed among the dental students of two private and two public institutes in Pakistan. The research questions focused on demographic information and students' academic experiences. Data analysis is presented through tables and descriptive methods. Results: A total of 274 dental undergraduate students - second (42.3%), third (35.4%), and final (22.3%) academic year participated in this study. The mean age of the respondents was 21.9, with the range of 20-26 years. Most participants were females (74.1%) compared to the males (25.9%). The findings for burnout syndrome among dentistry students and students in the private and public sectors were not significant. Conclusion: In the current study, burnout levels among dental undergraduates, both private and public, were low.

Frequency and etiological denominators of alveolar osteitis at Northern Province of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia-An observational study.

Objective: Alveolar osteitis is a painful complication that often arises after tooth extraction, presenting a significant clinical challenge. It is imperative to gain a comprehensive understanding of both its occurrence and the contributing factors to enhance the quality of dental care. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and prevalence of alveolar osteitis among patients and compare these variables based on demographic characteristics (age and sex), the number of teeth extractions, operator experience, health status, and smoking habits in the target population. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted from May 2019 to April 2020. It included all patients above 16 years of age, of both genders, who underwent permanent tooth extraction for various reasons. Patient demographics, smoking habits, health status, operating dental surgeon's clinical experience, extraction technique, and the number of teeth extracted were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25. Chi-square test and regression analysis were used to assess differences between age, sex, smoking habit, dentist category, and the number of teeth extractions in relation to alveolar osteitis. Results: A total of 679 permanent tooth extractions were performed in 438 patients. Alveolar osteitis was observed in 107 cases (15.7%) following tooth extractions. Among these, 36 cases (33.6%) occurred in single tooth extraction cases, while 71 cases (66.4%) were present in patients with multiple extractions. Moreover, 67 cases (62.6%) of alveolar osteitis were found in cigarette smokers. In addition, 61 cases (57%) of dry sockets were reported after tooth extractions performed by dental interns, while 46 cases (43.0%) were noted in extractions performed by experienced dental surgeons and specialists. Conclusion: The study found a 15.7% incidence of alveolar osteitis in tooth extraction patients in the Al-Jouf region. Alveolar osteitis was more prevalent in males and the age group of 56-77 years. Multiple tooth extractions were associated with higher alveolar osteitis incidence, while operator inexperience increased post-extraction complication risks. In addition, a promising novel protocol and risk assessment scoring system have been devised which require further validation and future research.

Frequency of Diplopia in Zygomatic Complex Fractures-A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study.

Background: The zygomatic complex is the second most common fracture of the facial bones after the nasal bone. The prominent convex shape of the zygoma makes it vulnerable to traumatic injury. Diplopia is one of the serious complications of zygomatic complex fracture and is a common subjective complaint. Objective: To determine the frequency of diplopia in zygomatic complex fractures. Methodology. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Ward, Civil Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. The duration of the study was 1 year (March 1, 2021 to February 28, 2022). A total of 126 patients having zygomatic complex fractures were included in this study. After recording the patient's complete history, like demographic details and cause for fracture, diplopia was examined clinically. If, during the examination, the patient complained of double vision, this was labeled as diplopia positive (Yes) and negative (No) if the patient did not have any such complain. Data were statistically analyzed. Results: The mean (±SD) age of patients was 33.42 (±9.27), with 91 (72.2%) male patients and 35 (27.8%) female patients. The frequency of diplopia in zygomatic complex fractures was observed in 52 (41.3%) patients. The rate of diplopia was significantly high in patients aged between 31 and 40 years (P-value=0.0005). Conclusion: The frequency of diplopia among patients having zygomatic complex fractures was high in this study. Thus, forming a strategy to properly diagnose and treat it and to prevent persistent morbidity to improve patient's quality of life is recommended.

Early Assessment of Impact of Increased Value Added Tax on Smoking Behaviors and Financing among Adult Smokers in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Cigarette smoking has been identified as most perilous risk factor for several health ailments. Increased price may discourage smoking habits. There is limited literature available on impact of price rise on smoking behaviors in Saudi Arabia, which is the fourth largest importer of cigarettes and this study assessed the impact of tax increase (in 2020) on smoking behaviors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out between July 2021 and December 2021.i.e.one year after new value added tax (VAT) system came into force. Data was collected with 14-item pretested questionnaire from 721 adult smokers in Al-Jouf Region of Saudi Arabia selected through stratified cluster ransom sampling. We measured effects of tax increase on smoking behaviors, its impact on decision to quit and perceived health improvements as outcome variables. Results: Nearly 40% of the respondents said that increased price lead them to smoke less number of cigarettes per day (P=0.000), decreased smoking improved their health in terms of breathing capacity, mood, ability to exercise and sleep in hierarchy. 67.4% of the participants are currently thinking of quitting smoking due to increased prices (P=0.001) and logistic regression models identified reduced smoking due to tax rise (Odds=5.68), improvement in health (Odds=2.94) and excess spending of above 20% (Odds=1.72) significantly associated with intentions to quit smoking. Conclusion: Increased price of cigarettes due to VAT significantly decreased smoking behaviors and has impact on smokers' decision to quit smoking. Future studies needed to assess the long-term effect of increased tax on smoking behaviors and its relapse.

Assessment of parental acceptance towards different non-pharmacological behaviour management techniques in pediatric dental care-a cross-sectional study.

It is imperative to manage children with empathy and concern for their well-being in order to carry out any dental procedure smoothly. Owing to the inherent fear of dental operatory, behaviour management of children is an important aspect of pediatric dental care. Many techniques are available to help manage the behaviour of children. It is, however important to educate parents about these techniques and to get their cooperation for these techniques to be used on their children.This study aimed to familiarize the parents with non-pharmacological behavior management techniques and to determine the parental acceptance of such techniques in children seeking dental treatment in specialty care dental units. A total of 303 parents were evaluated through online questionnaires in this research. They were shown videos of randomly selected non-pharmacologic behaviour management techniques including tell-show-do, positive reinforcement, modelling and voice control. Parents were asked to watch the videos and give their response on seven-items inquiring about their acceptance levels regarding the respective techniques. The responses were recorded on a Likert scales ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree. According to parental acceptance score (PAS), positive reinforcement was the most accepted technique whereas voice control was the least acceptable technique. Majority of the parents were more receptive towards those techniques that involved a healthy and friendly communication between a dentist and the pediatric patient such as, positive reinforcement, tell show do and modelling. Most significantly the people having low socio-economic status (SES) in Pakistan were more acceptable of voice control than people with high SES.

Barriers and challenges faced by orthodontists in providing orthodontic care and implementing new innovative technologies in the field of orthodontics among children and adults: a qualitative study.

Orthodontic treatment requires the cooperation of patients as well as orthodontists. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate and address the challenges and barriers orthodontists have in achieving the desired orthodontic results, as well as make recommendations for ways to address the stated problems and introduce new innovative technologies to the area of orthodontics. This qualitative study wasbased on the grounded theory. Twelve orthodontists participated in face-to-face interviews, which were primarily comprised of open-ended questions. Data analysis was carried out manually using the "by hand" method. Orthodontists between the age group of 29-42 were interviewed. The answers varied depending on the years of experience of the interviewees. Teenagers and boys were found to be most non-compliant with the treatment. The average treatment span ranged between 6 months for mild cases up to 3 years for severe orthodontic cases occurring most commonly in government hospitals. Patient compliance plays a major role in orthodontics. Poor oral hygiene maintenance, brackets breakage by patients, and missed appointments were the major concerns mentioned by participants and hindered getting the desired results. Patients' main worries were related to the cost of therapy, premolar extractions, the length of treatment, and the possibility of relapse. Patient counseling and reinforcement at the start of the treatment can help to overcome the challenges and barriers in orthodontics since patient motivation is a very important factor in obtaining the desired results. It is recommended to conduct more training sessions for the orthodontists in order to introduce them to new technological paradigms.

Comparative Evaluation of Condylar Guidance Angles Measured Using Arcon and Non-Arcon Articulators and Panoramic Radiographs-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The condylar guidance value (CGV) measurement constitutes an important part of a holistic prosthodontic treatment plan, with horizontal CGVs (HCGVs) and lateral CGVs (LCGVs) being two of the most prominently recognized. This systematic review aimed at evaluating the efficacy of two different types of CGV measurement protocols-articulators (both arcon and non-arcon) and panoramic radiographs. Additionally, it attempts to determine which of the mentioned methods performs better across several parameters. Several important web databases were searched using search terms derived from medical subject headings (MeSH), using keywords linked to "Arcon articulator", "Condylar guidance angle", "non-arcon articulator", "Panoramic x-ray" and "Radiographic examination", which constituted the first step in the study selection strategy. After completion, the search strategy which initially turned up to 831 papers, eventually ended up with 13 studies. The review and subsequent meta-analysis revealed that panoramic radiographs had noticeably greater efficacy in terms of the CGVs as compared to the articulators in the majority of the studies. Within the articulators, the arcon types recorded slightly higher CGVs than the non-arcon variety owing to the precision of jaw movement simulation in the former. However, further studies are required to validate these findings and establish more precise guidelines for the use of CGV measurement protocols in prosthodontic practice.

Radiographic Analysis of Morphological Variations of Sella Turcica in Different Skeletal Patterns Among Saudi Subpopulations.

Background: Size and shape of the sella turcica is considered vital for many radiographic analyses. Objectives: To assess and compare the linear dimensions and shape of sella turcica on digital lateral cephalograms in Saudi subpopulation with different skeletal patterns, age groups and genders. Methodology: A total of 300 digital lateral cephalograms were retrieved from the hospital archive. The selected cephalograms were grouped based on the age, gender, and skeletal types. The linear dimensions and shape of sella turcica were measured on each radiograph. Data were analyzed using an independent t-test and a one-way ANOVA. To test the inter-relationship of age, gender, and skeletal type with the dimensions of sella turcica, regression analyses were used. Statistical significance was set at P ≤ 0.01. Results: Significant differences in linear dimensions between the age groups (P < 0.001) and genders (P < 0.001) were noted. On comparing sella size with different skeletal types, a significant difference was found for all sella dimensions (P < 0.001). The mean length, depth and diameter among skeletal class III were significantly higher than that among classes I and II. On comparing age, gender, and skeletal type with size of sella, age and skeletal type were significantly related to the change of length, depth and diameter (P < 0.001), whereas gender was found to be significantly related only to a change in length of the sella (P < 0.01). For the sella shape, normal morphology was noted in 44.3% of patients. Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, the measurements of sella can be used as reference standards for future studies in Saudi subpopulation.

Exploring the properties of formocresol in dentistry-a comprehensive review.

Due to concerns about formocresol's mutagenic and genotoxic potential, its use as a pulpotomy medication is currently debatable. The current paper aimed to review the properties of formocresol and concerns regarding its safety as a pulpotomy medicament for primary teeth. With reference to the context of the recently published literature, the alternatives to formocresol are discussed, together with their benefits and drawbacks. A literature search was conducted using multiple databases comprising of MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, and Web of Science. The terms used for the search were "formocresol", "pulpotomy", and "primary teeth". In total, 364 articles were obtained from the analysis of the databases. Unrelated articles from the available full text of 174 articles were excluded. The main reasons for excluding the articles were: they were usage and precautionary guidelines. A total of 68 studies were finally included in the review. The literature review in this paper supports the notion that formocresol continues to be the most often utilized pulp dressing agent in primary teeth pulpotomies despite offering no advantages over other pulp dressing chemicals that are currently on the market.

Evaluation of two different approaches of health education (Tailored leaflet vs Video) on referral compliance for prosthetic replacement of missing teeth among the patients at a university dental care center.

BACKGROUND: Prosthodontic replacement of missing teeth is necessary to maintain function, aesthetics and prevent further oral complications. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether health education 'video' increased prosthodontics treatment demand for replacing missing teeth compared to traditional health education (IEC) 'leaflet' among patients visiting a university dental care centre, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A non-randomized educational intervention was conducted among the patients who had missing teeth. 350 participants were divided equally into two interventions groups- health education leaflet group and health education video group. Two major variants were ascertained; demand for prosthodontic dental care and awareness (knowledge) about importance of replacement of missing teeth. These two variants were studied for the difference in the scores between base line and at the end of the program i.e. after 3 months. Bivariate analysis was done with Chi square test, Mc Nemar Chi-square test and Wilcoxon matched-pairs tests and finally binary logistic regression analysis was done. RESULTS: Final analysis included 324 participants. There was improvement in both knowledge and demand for prosthodontic care in both the groups after health education, but statistically significant improvement in demand for dental care was observed in the health education video group compared to leaflet group (42.9% vs 63.2%). Logistic regression analysis identified that having missing teeth in anterior region of jaw and being into video group were two significant factors associated with increased demand for care. CONCLUSION: Health education video method was found to be effective method compared to leaflets in improving knowledge and demand for replacing missing teeth.