Effect of a novel mesh design and the sandblasting technique on the bond strength of computer-designed and three-dimension laser printed resin bonded bridges: an in vitro study.

Resin-bonded bridges (RBBs) are a minimally invasive and aesthetically pleasing treatment modality. However, their frequent failure has posed challenges for both dental professionals and patients. This necessitates the exploration of innovative strategies to enhance the longevity of RBBs. This study aimed to assess the bond strength of a mesh bridge fabricated using computer-aided design and three-dimensional (3D) printing technology in comparison to the traditional aluminum oxide sandblasting method. A total of 48 lower incisors were embedded in acrylic bases according to a standardized computer-generated model to receive 24 metal RBBs. The two groups underwent distinct metal surface treatments: the 3D mesh novel design and sandblasting with aluminum oxide particles sized at 250.00 µm. The bond strength of the bridges was evaluated, and statistical analysis was performed using the independent samples t-test with a significance level set at α = 0.05. The findings revealed a significant difference between the two methods (p < 0.001). The 3D mesh design exhibited a mean bond strength of 387.89 ± 24.15 N, while the sandblasting technique yielded a mean value of 161.46 ± 31.25 N. In summary, the 3D mesh design substantially enhanced the bond strength of RBBs compared to the traditional sandblasting technique.

Effect of various staining beverages on the color stability of CAD/CAM PMMA denture teeth: An in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the color change of computer-aided design (CAD)/computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) denture teeth and conventional acrylic teeth after immersion in three staining beverages (coffee, red tea, and cola) for a day, 7 days, and 30 days. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Group 1: Conventional acrylic teeth (n = 32). Group 2: Milled CAD/CAM teeth out of PMMA disc (n = 32). The specimens of each material were further divided into four subgroups: (1) Control group, distilled water (n = 16). (2) Red tea solution (n = 16). (3) Coffee solution (n = 16). (4) Cola (n = 16). The color change ( ∆ E $\unicode{x02206}E$ ) was assessed using a spectrophotometer at four time points: at the baseline (t0 ), on the 1st day (t1 ), on the 7th day (t2 ), and the 30th day (t3 ) of immersion. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was applied, followed by performing independent samples t test, one-way analysis of variance and post-hoc Tukey tests to compare the color change values at different time points. RESULTS: The mean score of NBS values of the coffee solution indicates perceivable color change at the end of the 30th day in the conventional acrylic teeth group. It was 0.843 ± 0.395 at t1 , then increased to 1.017 ± 0.477 at t2 and to 2.259 ± 1.059 at t3 . There is a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in color change values between both tooth types at the end of the 30th day of immersion in red tea solution and a statistically significant difference at the end of the 7th day (p < 0.05) and the 30th day (p < 0.05) of immersion in coffee solution. CONCLUSIONS: CAD/CAM PMMA teeth are more color stable than conventional acrylic teeth after 30 days of immersion in coffee and red tea solution.

The effect of secondhand smoke exposure on dental caries and gingival health among schoolchildren in Damascus, Syria: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of secondhand smoke on dental caries and gingival health among schoolchildren in Damascus, Syria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. It was carried out at government schools in Damascus, Syria. This study included healthy children aged 10 to 13 years old. Schoolchildren were interviewed to answer the researcher-administered questionnaire to obtain answers regarding demographic information and family smoking behavior. A dental examination was performed by a dentist, and the number of decayed (D), missing (M), and filled (F) permanent teeth (DMFT) was scored based on the World Health Organization (WHO) 1997. A gingival examination was performed using the modified gingival index (MGI) and Silness-Leo plaque index (PI) to assess gingival inflammation and plaque accumulation, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 284 schoolchildren participated. More than half (61.26%) of them were exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS), and about half of them (52.11%) resided in a house with at least one cigarette smoked in a day. About one-third of the passive smokers (33.30%) had poor plaque control, with a statistically significant difference from non-passive smokers (p < 0.05). The multivariate regression model showed that the number of smokers at home was significantly associated with the DMFT score, dental plaque accumulation, and gingival inflammation (p < 0.1). However, the number of cigarettes smoked at home in a day was not a predictor for dental caries and gingival status (p = 1.000). CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, the number of smokers at home appears to have more adverse effects on children's oral health compared to the quantity of smoke inhaled. In addition, SHSe was associated with more dental plaque accumulation among schoolchildren.

Effect of various types of milk on salivary pH among children: a pilot randomized controlled crossover trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate salivary pH changes after consuming three types of milk in children aged 3-5 years. The null hypothesis was that no statistically significant difference would be noted in the salivary pH between high-protein, full-fat, and sweetened milk groups at different time points. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a double-blind, pilot randomized controlled crossover trial. 30 Children have undergone three experimental sessions with a 1-week washout period. Each child was given 250 mL of one of the following types of milk: high-protein, full-fat, or sweetened milk. The salivary pH was measured at the baseline (t0) after 5 (t1), 10 (t2), 15 (t3), 30 (t4), and 60 (t5) minutes of milk consumption, using a pH saliva indicator strip. RESULTS: There is a sharp drop in salivary pH after 5 min of sweetened (P < 0.05) and full-fat milk consumption (p < 0.05). However, the initial drop in the salivary pH was found to remain above the critical level. For the high-protein milk group, salivary pH decreased slightly after 5 min but was similar to that at the baseline (p = 0.573). In the high-protein milk group (p < 0.05), the salivary pH was slightly greater than the baseline value at t5. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows an initial suggestion that milk is a non-cariogenic beverage, even when sugar is added. Furthermore, high-protein milk has a protective effect from dental caries.

The efficacy of the dental Water Jet, orthodontic, and conventional toothbrushes in plaque removal around orthodontic braces in adolescents: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Orthodontic treatment improves both masticatory function and the aspects of facial esthetics through the correct alignment of the teeth. If oral hygiene is neglected during fixed orthodontic treatment, it may lead to plaque accumulation and gingivitis. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of the dental Water Jet (DWJ), and orthodontic toothbrush (O-TH) in removing dental plaque around the orthodontic braces compared to conventional toothbrush (C-TH) in adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a three-arm, double-blind, and parallel-group randomized active-controlled trial. Forty-five patients were randomly allocated into three groups: DWJ, the O-TH, and the C-TH (control group). The primary outcome measure was dental plaque accumulation change from the baseline (t0 ) to post-cleaning (t1 ), and plaque scores were recorded using the Orthodontic Plaque Index (OPI). The current clinical trial was registered and approved by Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12623000524695). RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was noted in the OPI scores between different time points in the DWJ group, the O-TH group, and the C-TH group (p < .05). However, no significant difference was noted between the groups after the cleaning procedure (p > .05). CONCLUSION: The level of oral hygiene was not satisfactory in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. In addition, the efficacy of the DWJ was not superior to O-TH nor to C-TH in plaque removal.

Comparative efficacy of topical povidone-iodine and chlorhexidine gel on dental plaque regrowth in toddlers: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare and evaluate the efficacy of topical use of povidone-iodine (PVP-I) solution and chlorhexidine (CHX) gel on dental plaque regrowth after 3 and 7 days in toddlers aged 24-36 months. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized controlled trial that included 45 healthy toddlers aged 24-36 months, who were randomly assigned to three groups. The first group received a placebo (distilled water (DW)) (negative control). The second group received topical CHX gel (0.2% w/v) (positive control). The third group received topical PVP-I solution (10% w/v). Plaque accumulation was measured at the baseline (t0 ), after 3 days (t1 ) and after 7 days (t2 ) using the Turesky-modified Quigley-Hein plaque index (TMQHPI). Oral hygiene practices were prohibited during the trial period. The trial ID is ACTRN12623000567628. RESULTS: In the DW group, the mean of the TMQHPI score was 1.89 ± 0.67 at t0 and decreased to 1.45 ± 0.66 at t1 (p = .028). Similarly, in the CHX group, the mean of the TMQHPI score was 1.83 ± 1.06 at t0 and decreased to 1.02 ± 0.99 at t1 (p = .033). Regarding the PVP-I group, the mean of the TMQHPI score went from 1.84 ± 0.85 to 1.01 ± 0.61 at t1 and then increased to 1.57 ± 0.74 at t2 . Those changes were statistically significant (p = .001) and (p = .002), respectively. No statistically significant difference was noted between TMQHPI scores at t0 (p = .789). Regarding t1 and t2 , no statistically significant difference was found between the three groups (p > .05). CONCLUSION: CHX and PVP-I efficacy lasted only for 3 days, and PVP-I was not superior to CHX in terms of plaque control in toddlers. However, further studies are needed to determine the long-term efficacy of these antiplaque agents in toddlers.

Knowledge, perceptions, and behavior regarding children's oral health among Syrian pediatricians: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Oral health has a direct impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Hence, general health and oral health cannot be separated. Pediatricians play a pivotal role in providing primary care for infants and are the first to interact with them since birth. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, perceptions, and behavior of Syrian pediatricians regarding children's oral health. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. The questionnaire consisted of six main sections and required answers regarding demographic characteristics, knowledge, behavior, perceptions, and training received in oral health. The association between categorical variables was tested with Pearson's chi-square tests and Fishers exact tests using SPSS ver. 23. RESULTS: The response rate was 43.12% (229/531). Most of the participants (64.02%) got a poor level of knowledge and no significant association was found between knowledge level and years of experience (p = 0.270). The majority of the participants (99.13%) perceived that diet, bacteria, and sugar exposure time are the etiological factors of dental caries. The overwhelming majority of the participants (98.25%) acknowledged the need for further oral health training during residency. CONCLUSIONS: Most pediatricians reported a poor level of knowledge. It is recommended to update the postgraduate and residency curriculum to equip pediatricians with adequate knowledge regarding children's oral health.

Molar-incisor hypomineralisation: Knowledge and perception of Syrian undergraduate and postgraduate dental students.

INTRODUCTION: Dentists' knowledge and expertise, especially in their early career, are primarily shaped during undergraduate studies. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the knowledge and perception of Syrian under- and postgraduate students regarding diagnosing and managing molar-incisor hypomineralisation (MIH)-affected teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Final-year dental students (FY-students), postgraduates in paediatric dentistry (PD-postgraduates) and postgraduates in other lines of specialty (OS-postgraduates) in all Syrian dental schools were invited to participate in an established web-based survey covering the knowledge and attitudes regarding the prevalence, aetiology, diagnosis and management of MIH. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics and Fisher's exact/chi-squared tests at 5%. RESULTS: In total, 1142 post- and undergraduate students from six public and five private dental schools in Syria participated in this study (867 FY-students, 74 PD-postgraduates and 201 OS-postgraduates). PD-postgraduates were found to present statistically significantly better knowledge regarding MIH compared with the two other groups. Only 19% of FY-students and 54% of OS-postgraduates reported themselves familiar with MIH (compared with 97% of PD-postgraduates). Similarly, 18% of FY-students and 27% of OS-postgraduates were capable of diagnosing MIH (compared with 81% of PD-postgraduates). Stainless-steel crowns and direct composite fillings were chosen as most suitable for treating MIH-affected molars from all responders. CONCLUSIONS: FY-students and even OS-postgraduates in Syria lack knowledge and confidence when confronted with MIH. The university curricula need to include more educational materials to equip the students with the necessary tools to manage MIH clinically.

Knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, and clinical experiences on molar incisor hypomineralization among Syrian pediatric dentists and general dental practitioners: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a widespread oral health problem. Dentists encounter several challenges regarding MIH management worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, and clinical experiences on MIH among general dental practitioners and pediatric dentists in Syria. METHODS: All general dental practitioners and pediatric dentists belonging to the Syrian Dental Syndicate of Damascus were invited to complete a cross-sectional structured questionnaire (n = 1936). The questionnaire consisted of four sections and required responses regarding demographic data, knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, and experiences on MIH. Data were analyzed with Pearson's chi-square test and multivariate regression models using SPSS Ver. 23.0. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 36.31% (703/1936). Pediatric dentists were significantly more familiar with MIH (p < 0.001) and more confident when diagnosing it (p < 0.001). Most participants (43.95%) perceived an increase in MIH prevalence in Syria. Stainless steel crowns were the most favorable restorative material for molars with post-eruptive breakdown (51.38%). As for molars and incisors with opacities, composite resin was preferred with (41.82%), and (67.51%) respectively. General dental practitioners requested further training regarding MIH treatment (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric dentists were equipped with further knowledge regarding MIH, and were more confident when diagnosing it. There is a need for additional training and education for general dental practitioners. Most respondents perceived an increase in the prevalence of MIH. There is a dearth of data regarding MIH prevalence in Syria. The materials of choice for restoring teeth with MIH were stainless steel crowns and composite resin.