Craniofacial characteristics in Crouzon's syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to strengthen the credibility of primary research results by combining open-source scientific material, namely a comparison of craniofacial features (Cfc) between Crouzon's syndrome (CS) patients and non-CS populations. All articles published up to October 7, 2021, were included in the search of PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Medline, and Web of Science. The PRISMA guidelines were followed to conduct this study. PECO framework was applied in the following ways: Those who have CS are denoted by the letter P, those who have been diagnosed with CS via clinical or genetic means by the letter E, those who do not have CS by the letter C, and those who have a Cfc of CS by the letter O. Independent reviewers collected the data and ranked the publications based on their adherence to the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. A total of six case-control studies were reviewed for this meta-analysis. Due to the large variation in cephalometric measures, only those published in at least two previous studies were included. This analysis found that CS patients had a smaller skull and mandible volumes than those without CS.in terms of SNA° (MD = -2.33, p = <0.001, I2 = 83.6%) and ANB°(MD = -1.89, p = <0.005, I2 = 93.1%)), as well as ANS (MD = -1.87, p = 0.001, I2 = 96.5%)) and SN/PP (MD = -1.99, p = 0.036, I2 = 77.3%)). In comparison to the general population, people with CS tend to have shorter and flatter cranial bases, smaller orbital volumes, and cleft palates. They differ from the general population in having a shorter skull base and more V-shaped maxillary arches.

Assessment of Bite Forces in Restored Teeth with Different Commonly Used Restorative Materials: A Comparative Study

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate and compare bite force (BF) in permanent first molars restored with glass ionomer cement (GIC), composite and amalgam, and normal contralateral permanent first molars. Material and Methods: BF was recorded in decayed permanent first molars, which were filled with GIC (n=30), composite (n=30), and amalgam (n=30), and in healthy contralateral first molars (n=90) with Force Transducer Occlusal Force Meter and compared. Results: BF was significantly higher in normal teeth on the contralateral side compared to teeth restored with GIC and composite. However, in patients with amalgam restoration, though it was less compared to that on the contralateral side, it was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: Restoring teeth with various filling materials may improve bite force. In the present study, it was found that the teeth restored with amalgam had higher bite forces in comparison to the other restorative materials used. However, it was not comparable to that observed in the normal tooth (control) on the contralateral side.

Investigation on Enamel and Dentine of Tooth through 1D Photonic Structure to Identify the Caries in Human Teeth.

In this research, a one-dimensional (1D) photonic structure was employed to study the nature of both enamel and dentine teeth at the signal of 1.8 THz. A simple three layer one-dimensional crystal is chosen to avoid fabrication intricacy. The materials and methods for sample preparations are discussed. The principle of investigation of caries in the teeth relies on the amount of reflected signal from the structure. Similarly, reflectance is a function of refractive indices and thickness of each layer, the nature of both substrate and infiltrated materials, and the configuration of the structure. Apart from this, the fabrication process of one-dimensional structure and experimental set-up was proposed in this article. The numerical treatment is explained here to obtain reflectance, and subsequently, the output potential. Comparison studies on output potential between enamel and dentine are also shown through graphical representation. The output result in terms of milli-Volt (mV) were obtained at the output end and collected at the photodiode. Interesting results were also observed at the photodetector. For example; the output potential of the reflected signal is around 0.18 mV for both enamel and dentine teeth whereas the potential is more than 0.26 mV and 0.31 mV for caries in dentine and enamel, respectively. Finally, it was inferred that the nature of teeth pertaining to the caries in the enamel and dentine teeth can be investigated by identifying the amount of potential at the output end.

Exploring the Mechanisms and Association between Oral Microflora and Systemic Diseases.

The scope of dentistry is ever-changing and dynamic in all fields of dentistry including periodontal health and disease. Recent studies show that oral health and systemic health are interdependent, particularly in the way that poor oral hygiene and periodontal health affect the systemic health of an individual and vice versa. Periodontal diseases are multifactorial in nature in which the role of bacterial infections is inevitable. Furthermore, high-throughput sequencing technologies have shed light on the dysregulation of the growth of oral microbial flora and their environment, including those that are associated with periodontitis and other oral and non-oral diseases. Under such circumstances, it becomes important to explore oral microbiota and understand the effects of periodontal pathogens in the pathogenesis of systemic diseases. In addition, it may strengthen our view that a better understanding of oral microbial flora and proper examination of the oral cavity may aid in the early diagnosis and possible treatment of systemic diseases and conditions. This will eventually lead to providing better care to our patients. Therefore, in this research, we attempt to outline the periodontal pathophysiology along with the role of periodontal pathogens in some commonly encountered systemic conditions.

Cone Beam Computerized Tomographic Analysis of Collum Angle of the Maxillary Central Incisors in Different Types of Malocclusion: Comparative Assessment in Saudi, Jordan and Egypt Subpopulation.

Background: The collum angle (CA) is an extremely significant for patients who are undergoing orthodontic, dental implant restoration, prosthodontic and periodontic treatments. Aim and Objectives: To determine and compare the mean CA for maxillary central incisor in different types of malocclusion utilizing 3D Cone Beam Computerized Tomography (CBCT) images. The additional objectives were to determine and compare the mean CA for maxillary central incisor based upon the demographic characteristics among Saudi, Jordan and Egypt subpopulation and to test for significant differences in the CA of maxillary central incisor with different molar malocclusions. Methodology: A total of 400 CBCT images were included from the radiology archive at the College of Dentistry, Jouf University (Sakaka, Saudi Arabia). The CBCT images were divided into four groups based upon molar classifications. The selected records were used for the measurement of CA of maxillary central incisor using the measurement tool built into 3D:OnDemand software. Statistical analysis was done using independent t test and ANOVA to examine the differences between gender and races. Results: The mean CA for Class II div 2 exhibited significantly higher crown-root variation as compared other groups (p < 0.0001). Males sample showed greater value of CA for each group as compared to the females and this difference was statistically significant for all the groups other than for Class I (p < 0.05). The post hoc pairwise comparisons between the races showed statistically insignificant findings (p > 0.05). Significant difference was found on pairwise comparisons among different malocclusion groups other than for group Class I/Class II div 1 (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The CA of Class II div 2 group was the greatest as compared to other malocclusion groups. Males sample showed greater value of CA for each group as compared to the females and this difference was statistically significant for all the groups other than for Class I. Statistically insignificant difference was noted for the mean CA among different races whereas significant difference was found on pairwise comparisons among different malocclusion groups other than for group Class I/Class II div 1.

Do learning style preferences influence the cumulative gross point average and self directed learning hours in dental students: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Learning styles influence the outcome of the student performances based on preliminary data available. To evaluate whether the learning styles discriminate the cumulative gross point average (CGPA) scores and self-directed learning hours (SDL) in an integrated curriculum of dental students. METHODS: Participants in this blinded cross-sectional study were dental students enrolled in the Bachelor of Dental & Oral Surgery program at XXXX College of Dentistry. An online survey (Kolb Learning Style Inventory) was used to collect data. It has four sections: Concrete Experience (CE), Abstract Conceptualization (AC), Reflective Observation (RO), and Active Experimentation (AE). Questionnaire was distributed electronically to students of Academic level 1 to 5, selected by using non-probability quota sampling technique. In addition to learning style assessment the questionnaire also included measures to obtain data such as gender, academic level, CGPA score, and SDL hours of participants. The CGPA scores were categorized into average (3 to 3.6), good (3.7 to 4.2), excellent (4.3 to 4.7) and outstanding (> 4.7) as well as SDL in to three classes as, < 1 h, > 1 but < 3 h and > 3 h. Discriminant function test was computed to assess the effectiveness of discrimination by the learning styles in GPA and SDL. RESULTS: The study's questionnaire was completed by 198 participants (43% females and 57% males). Learning styles were discriminated by excellent category of CGPA scores that presented 72.1% group membership whereas in case of outstanding category presented the least as 17% group membership. Learning styles were discriminated by > 2 but < 3 h category of SDL hours that presented 69.7% group membership. CONCLUSION: Learning styles can be used to discriminate the student academic performances and self-directed learning hours. Among the different category of CGPA participants with outstanding performance represent a good prediction for learning styles preferences. Participants with varying SDL hours also influenced the learning styles.

COVID-19 and stress: An evaluation using Beck's depression and anxiety inventory among college students and faculty members of Jouf University.

BACKGROUND: Individuals might suffer emotional, psychological, and even bodily challenges as a result of any pandemic. The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on Saudi Arabian University students and faculty members has received little attention. OBJECTIVE: To assess stress during the COVID-19 pandemic among university college students and faculty members of Jouf University, KSA and evaluate the impact of socio- demographic factors on anxiety and depression levels. METHODS: Two hundred and seventeen participants from Jouf University completed an anonymous web-based survey that includes questionnaires about anxiety and depression symptoms. Beck's anxiety inventory (BAI) was used to assess the anxiety levels, and Beck's depression inventory (BDI) was used to determine the depression levels due to COVID 19 pandemic. The research was carried out between April 1, 2020, and June 30, 2020. An ordinal logistic regression analysis was performed to explain the odds of observing anxiety and depression. RESULTS: For "moderate anxiety" (22-35), the most frequently observed category of age, nationality, gender, duration spent in lockdown and profession was 20-30 years (n = 15, 65%), Saudis (n = 14, 61%), female (n = 15, 65%),>3 months (n = 17, 74%), and students (n = 15, 65%) respectively. For "moderate depression" (21-30), the most frequently observed category of age, nationality, gender, duration spent in lockdown and profession was 20-30 years (n = 10, 50%), Saudi (n = 15, 65%), female (n = 26, 65%).>3 months (n = 13, 65%), and both students and faculty members, each with an observed frequency of 10 (50%) respectively. Ordinal logistic regression analysis suggested that the observed effects of nationality, gender, and duration spent in lockdown period influenced the anxiety levels among participants. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of the lockdown duration was more significant in students than in faculty members and females than in males. Authors recommend the critical need for intervention and prevention strategies to address college students' mental health.

Cone-Beam Computed Tomography: A New Tool on the Horizon for Forensic Dentistry.

Teeth and bones of calvarium are important structures from a forensic point of view, as they are extremely resilient to destruction or decomposition, even under temperature variations. Radiology is inevitably an important tool in forensic investigations. Maxillofacial radiology provides a considerable amount of information for the identification of remains and evidence in case of legal matters. The advent of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in the arena of maxillofacial 3D imaging has contributed immensely to forensic science such as the age estimation through teeth, analysis of bite marks, determination of race and sex, etc. The advantages of accuracy in imaging the anatomy, digitized technology favoring easier comparison of records and storage of records for a longer period, cost reduction, dose reduction, and easier portability have made it an unavoidable adjunct in forensic investigations. The aim of this paper is to review and highlight the importance of CBCT in successful forensic identification and analysis. This review is written to address the various aspects of CBCT as a recently developed technology that may be very useful in some forensic contexts, based on searches for current studies in the literature using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases, to identify studies published since inception to December 2021, with no language restriction. In conclusion, CBCT is an accessible 3D imaging technology with many applications, one of them being in forensic sciences.

IHC expression of AKT in different grades of epithelial dysplasia: An in vitro study.

Introduction: Akt, also known as protein kinase B, is a serine/threonine-specific protein-kinase which plays a key role in multiple cellular processes such as glucose metabolism, apoptosis, transcription and cell migration. The activation of Akt is one of the most frequent alterations observed in human cancer and tumour cells. Akt regulates cellular survival and metabolism by binding and regulating many downstream effectors, e.g., Nuclear Factor-kB, murine double minute 2(MDM2). Aims: To evaluate and compare immunohistochemical expression of Akt in normal epithelium and different histological grades of epithelial dysplasias. Materials and Methodology: Forty paraffin-embedded tissue sections were used for the immunohistochemical study of which 10 cases of normal epithelium, 10 cases of each mild, moderate and severe epithelial dysplasia which were diagnosed by haematoxylin and eosin procedures. The tissue sections were immunohistochemically analysed for expression of Akt in different grades of epithelial dysplasia by using anti-Akt-1 monoclonal antibody. Statistical analysis was carried out using statistical package for social science (SPSS, V 10.5). The data were analysed using Chi-square test and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results and Conclusion: An overall significant difference was observed when normal tissues were compared with epithelial dysplasia with a Chi-square value of 21.04, but there was no statistical significance between the three grades of epithelial dysplasias. In conclusion, this study suggests that Akt-1 overexpression can be one of the useful diagnostic markers for predicting the potential behaviour of oral dysplasias transforming into oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

A 3D cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) investigation of mandibular condyle morphometry: Gender determination, disparities, asymmetry assessment and relationship with mandibular size.

OBJECTIVE: CBCT (cone beam computed tomography) analysis of condyle morphometry, to investigate the gender differences, symmetry and relationship with mandibular size. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study. 800 CBCT scan obtained for the measurement of condyle in anterior-posterior and medio-lateral aspect using OnDemand 3D software. Participants were Saudi nationals of age above 18 years. 395 Males and 405 Females with the mean age of 38.2 ± 10.5 years. Right and left anterior-posterior width and medio-lateral width of the condyle were measured. Condyles were not isolated on the CBCT for volume measurement. RESULTS: Mean right and anterior-posterior condyle width was 9.02 mm and 8.74 mm in males whereas in females it was 9.01 mm 8.69 mm respectively. For males mean medio-lateral width of the condyle in right and left side was 17.40 mm and 16.95 mm. For females, mean medio-lateral width of the condyle in right and left side was 17.14 mm and 16.93 mm. The prediction rate of gender was 57.2% for males and 53.3% for females. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in the anterior-posterior and medio-lateral width of right and left condyles among males and females. Left anterior-posterior and medio-lateral width of average vs small mandible shows statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Condyle morphometry is a weak predictor for gender. Irrespective of gender, right and left condyle are asymmetrical in relation to condyle morphometry of anterior-posterior and medio-lateral aspect. Left mandibular condyle morphometry is different in relation to the mandible size.

Effect of N95 filtering facepiece respirators on dental health professionals with an emphasis on pulmonary function and heart rate: an intrasubject comparison.

Despite the ubiquitous use of N95 filtering facepiece respirators (N95 FFR), published literature on the topic remains scarce, especially in relation to dental professionals. This study assesses the impact of N95 FFRs on blood oxygen saturation and heart rate of dental health professionals while performing procedures requiring varying degrees of physical exertion in an aerosol-rich environment. A total of 51 participants, consisting of 43 men and eight women aged between 23 and 31 years were recruited into the study. All subjects were well-versed in wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). A clinical grade pulse oximeter was used with a clamp placed around the fingertip or the earlobe of the participant. The selection of N95 FFR was based on fit and leakage. All data were collected once from the same participants using a surgical mask as a control. Data were collected again from the same subjects after 1, 2, and 3 hours of use. There were significant differences in both oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate between the two groups after 1, 2, and 3 hours of wearing the respective masks. In healthy young individuals, wearing an N95 FFR for an extended period of time during clinical dental procedures reduced the SpO2level and increased the heart rate compared with a standard surgical mask. However, SpO2 levels remained within a healthy range of more than 95%, and heart rate was within acceptable limits.

Unusual Variant of Unicystic Ameloblastoma with CEOT-Like Areas: A Rare Case Report with Review of Literature.

Ameloblastoma is an epithelial odontogenic neoplasm with clinical and histological diversity. They are locally invasive tumors with 3 clinical variants such as solid, unicystic, and peripheral ameloblastomas, and the unicystic variant constitutes only 13%. Histologically, it shows diverse microscopic patterns that may occur isolated or in combination with other patterns. The granular cell variant accounts for 3.5% of all ameloblastoma cases. The eosinophilic granules seen in the cytoplasm of the tumor are thought to be lysosomes and presumably contribute to the pathogenesis of the tumor. Although such a phenomenon is rare in unicystic ameloblastoma, granular cell differentiation in solid multicystic ameloblastoma is a well-established phenomenon. In this paper, we present a unique case of unicystic ameloblastoma with granular cell differentiation with a brief review.

An Ultrastructural Study on the Effect of High Temperatures on Teeth and Restorative Materials That Aids in the Identification of Human Remains.

INTRODUCTION: In most disasters, teeth are the only means of positive identification of an otherwise unrecognizable body, as there has been tremendous increase in the use of dental restorations that have different resistance to prolonged high temperature which is an important aid in identifying burned victims. Application of SEM/EDS in forensics was found useful in areas where there is a need for good imaging with high magnification combined with elemental analysis. The objective of this study was to analyze incineration effects on teeth and restorative materials using SEM/EDS. Materials and Method. 128 extracted teeth were collected, 96 were restored with silver amalgam, composite, and GIC of 32 each, and crown preparation was done in 32 teeth for which metal ceramic crowns were prepared. These teeth were subjected to 4 different temperatures (500°C, 700°C, 900°C, and 1100°C) for 20 minutes, and they were analyzed macroscopically and by using SEM for the changes subsequent to their exposure to such high temperatures. RESULTS: All the restorations which were very difficult to identify by naked eye were identified with the help of SEM/EDS. CONCLUSION: Elemental analysis of the specific restorative material proves to be an essential tool for the forensic odontologist.

Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in Patients with Dental Prosthesis

Abstract Objective: To determine the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) for post-treated fixed dental prostheses in selected sample of patients. Material and Methods: 120 patients treated with fixed dental prostheses, either single crowns or fixed partial dentures in maxillary or mandibular arches were asked to express their views about their quality of life. Patients' files were randomly selected from the archives of Department of Prosthetic Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Saudi Arabia. For this purpose, a self-structured questionnaire was prepared and their responses recorded. The responses were categorized on a 5 point scale and frequencies calculated. Results: Of 120 patients approached, 79 responded with the mean age group of 37 years. From the survey, it was noted that only three variables were statistically significant, those relating to the importance of natural teeth over fixed prostheses (p=0.046), the ability to chew all kinds of foods (p=0.021) and satisfaction with the occlusion (p<0.001). Conclusion: Oral health remains important, which directly or indirectly is related to many systemic diseases. In the present study, the majority of patients were satisfied with the treatment given.