Medical Conditions, Oral Health Practices, and Barriers to Treatment among Patients Visiting a Teaching Dental Hospital in Eastern Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of medical conditions, oral hygiene practices, and dental visits among patients who attended a teaching dental hospital in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Materials & Methods. This retrospective cross-sectional study used patient records from 2009 to 2015 from the dental hospital of the College of Dentistry Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam. Patients' demographics, medical history, oral hygiene practices, reasons for attending the facility, attendance patterns, and smoking habits were studied. RESULTS: The study included 1502 records of patients with 65.1% of males and 34.9% of females. The prevalence of medical conditions was 25.7% in the study. The most common medical conditions included diabetes mellitus (7.2%), hypertension (6.5%), and anemia (4.7%). Only 21.8% reported visiting the dental hospital in the past one year. The prevalence of smoking was 16.7%, and this did not differ significantly between healthy and medically compromised patients (P=0.165). Fillings were the most common (21.6%) reason for visiting a dental hospital, followed by treatment for periodontal problems (12.9%) and oral lesions (12.6%), whereas treatment for braces (orthodontics) was the least common (5%) reason for visiting the hospital. The reasons for visiting the hospital did not differ significantly between healthy and medically compromised patients (P > 0.05). The three most common barriers to dental visits included long waiting time (18.1%), fear of dental treatment (14.4%), and difficulty in getting an appointment (11.3%). CONCLUSION: The study showed that dental patients had a high prevalence of medical conditions. Diabetes mellitus was the most prevalent problem. Most patients visited the dental hospital to receive restorative treatment, and a long waiting time was the most common barrier to dental visits. Public health measures should be taken to improve the general health and oral care of patients.

Matrix Metalloproteinases in Dental and Periodontal Tissues and Their Current Inhibitors: Developmental, Degradational and Pathological Aspects.

OBJECTIVES: This review article aims to describe some of the roles of Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in enamel, dentine, dental caries, hybrid layer degradation, pulp and periodontal tissues, throwing light on their current inhibitors. The article addresses the potential of MMPs to serve as biomarkers with diagnostic and therapeutic value. DESIGN: The sections of this review discuss MMPs' involvement in developmental, remodeling, degradational and turnover aspects of dental and periodontal tissues as well as their signals in the pathogenesis, progress of different lesions and wound healing of these tissues. The literature was searched for original research articles, review articles and theses. The literature search was conducted in PubMed and MEDLINE for articles published in the last 20 years. RESULTS: 119 published papers, two textbooks and two doctoral theses were selected for preparing the current review. CONCLUSIONS: MMPs are significant proteases, of evident contribution in dental and periapical tissue development, health and disease processes, with promising potential for use as diagnostic and prognostic disease biomarkers. Continuing understanding of their role in pathogenesis and progress of different dental, periapical and periodontal lesions, as well as in dentine-pulp wound healing could be a keystone to future diagnostic and therapeutic regimens.

Reasons for Permanent Teeth Extractions and Related Factors among Adult Patients in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reasons for permanent teeth extractions and related factors among adult patients visiting dental clinics in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study included data of patients who underwent teeth extractions. Data were collected from public and private dental clinics in different cities of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia (January-March 2020). The demographic information of patients and their reasons for teeth extractions were obtained from participating dentists. RESULTS: The study included data of 696 patients with 55.9% of males and 44.1% of females. The mean number of teeth extractions in the sample was 1.86 ± 1.8, and it increased significantly with advancing age (P ≤ 0.001). Saudi (1.97 ± 1.98) versus non-Saudi patients (1.55 ± 1.11) (P=0.02) and patients in public practice (2.03 ± 1.95) versus patients in private practice (1.50 ± 1.38) (P ≤ 0.001) showed significantly higher teeth extractions. Dental caries was the most common reason for teeth extractions (49.1%), followed by remaining roots (18.5%), periodontal disease (18.4%), and impactions (7.2%). Most commonly extracted teeth included tooth # 30 (9.8%), followed by tooth #16 (9.6%), tooth # 1 (8.8%), tooth # 19 (8.3%), and tooth # 4 (8.3%). On the other hand, upper incisors were the least commonly extracted teeth. CONCLUSIONS: Dental caries, remaining roots, periodontal disease, and impactions were the most common reasons for teeth extractions in our sample of patients. The extractions increased significantly with increasing age. Saudis and patients in public clinics underwent significantly higher teeth extractions. Measures aimed at the prevention and treatment of oral conditions can help reduce teeth extractions and improve the quality of life of patients.

Global Prevalence of Periodontal Disease and Lack of Its Surveillance.

BACKGROUND: Periodontal disease is a public health problem and is strongly associated with systemic diseases; however, its worldwide distribution is not fully understood. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate global data of periodontal disease: (1) among adolescents, adults, and older population and (2) in low-, middle-, and high-income countries. METHODS: This ecological study included data of periodontal disease from the World Health Organization's data bank which are based on the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN code: 0 = no disease; 1 = bleeding on probing; 2 = calculus; 3 = periodontal pocket (PD) 4-5 mm; 4 = PD (6+ mm). Age- and income-related periodontal disease inequalities were evaluated across the globe. RESULTS: Compared with 9.3% of adults and 9.7% of older persons, 21.2% of adolescents had no periodontal disease (P = 0.005). Nearly 18.8% of adolescents compared with 8.9% of adults and 5% of older persons had bleeding on probing (P ≤ 0.001). Similarly, 50.3% of adolescents, 44.6% of adults, and 31.9% older persons demonstrated the occurrence of calculus (P = 0.01). On the other hand, older persons had the highest prevalence of PD 4-5 mm and PD 6+ mm than adults and adolescents (P ≤ 0.001). The distribution of periodontitis (CPITN code 3 + 4) in adults differed significantly in low- (28.7%), lower-middle- (10%), upper-middle- (42.5%), and high-income countries (43.7%) (P = 0.04). However, no significant differences in periodontitis (CPITN code 3 + 4) were observed in adolescents and older persons in low- to high-income countries. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of data, this study found that the distribution of periodontal disease increases with age. Periodontitis was the most common in older persons and in population from high-income countries.

Critical Size Defects for Bone Regeneration Experiments in the Dog Mandible: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVES: To perform a systematic literature review of studies involving critical size defects (CSDs) in the dog mandible and calvarium to find out the common characteristics of CSDs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Internet search of the literature was performed on June 2016 based on specific keywords. The search process included 5 databases. The Animal Research Reporting In Vivo Experiment (ARRIVE) guidelines was used to assess the quality of the included studies. RESULTS: Nine studies have met the inclusion criteria and subjected to quality evaluation. All the defects (N = 156) were located in the mandible. Only 2 articles showed randomized controlled studies, whereas the remaining 7 were nonrandomized controlled studies. The geometry of the defects was either rectangular, box, cylindrical (circular), arch, or saddle shaped. CONCLUSION: There is a lack of homogeneity in reporting data on CSDs in the dog mandible. Future animal studies should include a negative control group for an objective comparison and evaluation of any new biomedical materials. More awareness is needed for the Animal Research Reporting In Vivo Experiment (ARRIVE) guidelines to improve data reporting, which can facilitate comparison and reproducibility of future studies.

Efficacy of metformin in the management of periodontitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Periodontitis is characterized by inflammation of the periodontium and leads to loss of teeth if untreated. Although a number of surgical and pharmacological options are available for the management of periodontitis, it still affects a large proportion of population. Recently, metformin (MF), an oral hypoglycemic, has been used to treat periodontitis. The aim of this review is to systematically evaluate the efficacy of MF in the treatment of periodontitis. An electronic search was carried out using the keywords 'metformin', 'periodontal' and 'periodontitis' via the PubMed/Medline, ISI Web of Science and Google Scholar databases for relevant articles published from 1949 to 2016. The addressed focused question was: 'Is metformin effective in reducing bone loss in periodontitis? Critical review and meta-analysis were conducted of the results obtained in the selected studies. Following the removal of the duplicate results, the primary search resulted in 17 articles and seven articles were excluded based on title and abstract. Hence, 10 articles were read completely for eligibility. After exclusion of four irrelevant studies, six articles were included. The topical application of MF resulted in improved histological, clinical and radiographic outcomes. Additionally, results from the meta-analysis indicated that application of metformin improved the clinical and radiographic outcomes of scaling and root-planing, but at the same time heterogeneity was evident among the results. However, because of a lack of histological and bacterial studies, in addition to short follow-up periods and risk of bias, the long-term efficacy of MF in the treatment of bony defects is not yet ascertained. Further studies are needed to envisage the long-term efficacy of MF in the management of periodontitis.

Efficiency of piezotome-corticision assisted orthodontics in alleviating mandibular anterior crowding-a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this clinical trial was to investigate the duration of mandibular-crowding alleviation with piezotome-corticision orthodontics compared with conventional orthodontics. DESIGN: Single-centre, two-arm parallel group randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Orthodontic clinic at the University of Connecticut. ETHICAL APPROVAL: The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB # 12-0147-2). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-one adult subjects from a single centre with more than 5mm of mandibular anterior crowding were randomly allocated using block randomization into experimental and control groups. The experimental group received a corticision procedure with a piezotome on the labial aspect of the mandibular incisors in conjunction to a self-ligation fixed orthodontic appliance. The control group received the self-ligation fixed orthodontic appliance and no corticision. Same archwire sequence (0.014 inch followed by 0.014 × 0.025 inch copper-nickel-titanium) was followed for both groups. Mandibular study casts taken every 4-5 weeks were used to assess changes in the irregularity index by blinded outcome assessors. OUTCOME MEASURES: The time to alignment was calculated in days. RESULTS: Twenty-nine subjects (16 experimental and 13 control) completed the study. Overall, no significant difference in the time required to correct mandibular crowding with piezotome-corticision assisted (102.1 ± 34.7 days; 95% CI, 83.6 to 120.6) and conventional orthodontics (112 ± 46.2 days; 95% CI, 84-139.9) was observed. No complications with treatment or unintended consequences were observed on any of the subjects. LIMITATIONS: A high attrition rate. CONCLUSIONS: This randomized clinical trial found no evidence that piezotome-corticision assisted orthodontics was more efficient in alleviating mandibular anterior crowding. REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT02026258. FUNDING: Division of Orthodontics, University of Connecticut. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

Human Saliva Collection Devices for Proteomics: An Update.

There has been a rapid growth in the interest and adaptation of saliva as a diagnostic specimen over the last decade, and in the last few years in particular, there have been major developments involving the application of saliva as a clinically relevant specimen. Saliva provides a "window" into the oral and systemic health of an individual, and like other bodily fluids, saliva can be analyzed and studied to diagnose diseases. With the advent of new, more sensitive technologies to detect smaller concentrations of analytes in saliva relative to blood levels, there have been a number of critical developments in the field that we will describe. In particular, recent advances in standardized saliva collection devices that were not available three to four years ago, have made it easy for safe, simple, and non-invasive collection of samples to be carried out from patients. With the availability of these new technologies, we believe that in the next decade salivary proteomics will make it possible to predict and diagnose oral as well as systemic diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases, among others. The aim of this article is to review recent developments and advances in the area of saliva specimen collection devices and applications that will advance the field of proteomics.

Periodontitis and obstructive sleep apnea's bidirectional relationship: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between periodontal disease and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). METHODS: Electronic search using PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL), Cochrane Central Trial Registry, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Scopus, and Embase was carried out for randomized controlled trials, longitudinal, cohort, case-control, and epidemiological studies on humans, published until October 2014. Manual searches were also performed. The participants considered were adult subjects with OSA and chronic periodontitis. The authors reviewed all articles and extracted data using a customized data abstraction sheet. Methodological quality assessment was carried out using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. RESULTS: Six studies met the inclusion criteria set for this review. They evaluated the association between periodontal disease and OSA and the efficacy of periodontal interventions on OSA occurrence and severity. The periodontal disease outcome measures included clinical attachment loss, periodontal pocket depth, oral hygiene indices, radiographic alveolar bone loss, and salivary cytokines. Meta-analysis of four studies revealed a statistically significant association between periodontal disease and OSA (pooled odds ratio = 1.65, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1.11, 2.46, P = 0.01). There is insufficient evidence on the efficacy of periodontal disease interventions. CONCLUSIONS: There is some evidence to a plausible association between periodontal disease and OSA. Evidence on the efficacy of periodontal disease interventions is insufficient. The causal-effect relationship of periodontal disease and OSA is debatable. Further research with case-control studies is warranted.

A Simplified Technique to Measure Plaque on the Intaglio Surfaces of Complete Dentures.

OBJECTIVE: The main aim of this study was to develop a simplified quantitative denture plaque index that could help dentists to motivate denture patients to maintain optimal oral hygiene. The secondary aim was to assess specific areas of dentures more prone to accumulate plaque and subjects' oral hygiene habits related to their dentures. METHODS: One hundred subjects who wore maxillary and/or mandibular complete dentures for at least one year were included in the study as a powered sample. Fifteen females and 85 males, age range 45-75 years, were recruited. The study was carried out at King Saud University (KSU), College of Dentistry. A plaque disclosing solution was used to assess the plaque covered areas of denture. A quantitative percentage (10 x 10%) score index was developed by assessing plaque scores from digital images of intaglio surfaces of the dentures. The weighted kappa method was used to assess inter-examiner agreement in the main study. RESULTS: The new denture plaque index was identified as ASKD-DPI (Almas, Salameh, Kutkut, and Doubali-Denture Plaque Index). It ranged from 0 - 100%, and reflected the percentage of the intaglio surfaces of maxillary and mandibular complete dentures that contained plaque. It also classified quantitative percentages: 30 subjects ranged from 0 - 30% (low DPI), 50 subjects ranged from 31 - 70% (moderate DPI), and 20 subjects ranged from 71 - 100% (high DPI) denture plaque score. CONCLUSIONS: A simplified denture plaque index (ASKD-DPI) technique was developed and tested in this study. ASKD-DPI may be used for evaluating denture plaque scores, monitoring denture hygiene, and measuring compliance of patients regarding plaque control for complete dentures.

Maxillary sinus and success of dental implants: an update.

The maxillary sinus augmentation procedure has been gaining more acceptance among dental professionals. The aim of this review article is to provide an update about various aspects of anatomy, physiology, and common pathological conditions of the maxillary sinus and their clinical relevance to the sinus augmentation procedure and subsequent implant placement.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Periodontal Disease. An Update.

A review of the epidemiological, pathological and immunological relationships between two chronic inflammatory diseases: rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontal disease (PD). RA is a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints, characterized by loss of connective tissue and mineralized structures, the so-called "synovial membrane." Periodontitis is the inflammatory destruction of the periodontal attachment and alveolar bone. While the etiology of these two diseases may differ, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms are similar. And it is possible that individuals manifesting both PD and RA may suffer from a unifying underlying systemic deregulation of the inflammatory response. There is an overproduction of a variety of cytokines and MMPs that appears to be common in both diseases. Oral health parameters should be more closely monitored in patients with RA, an autoimmune disease. Data suggest that periodontal therapies combined with routine RA treatments further improve RA status. Interventions to prevent, minimize or treat periodontitis in arthritis patients will definitely promise a better quality of life for these patients.

Significance of osteogenic surface coatings on implants to enhance osseointegration under osteoporotic-like conditions.

PURPOSE: The aim was to assess the significance of osteogenic surface coatings on implants to enhance osseointegration under osteoporotic-like (OP-like) conditions. METHODS: To address the focused question "Do osteogenic surface coatings on implants enhance osseointegration under OP-like conditions?" PubMed/MEDLINE and Google-Scholar databases were searched from 1995 up to and including February 2014 using various keywords. Unpublished data, letters to the editor, review articles, and articles published in languages other than English were excluded. RESULTS: Of the 28 studies identified, 11 experimental studies were included. These studies were performed on bilaterally ovariectomized animals. In all studies, implant surface roughness was increased by various osteogenetic surface coatings including alumina, hydroxyapatite, calcium phosphate, and zoledronic acid. Nine studies reported that compared with non-coated surfaces, osteogenic coatings on implant surfaces increases bone volume and bone-to-implant contact (BIC) under OP-like conditions. In 2 studies, there was no difference in BIC around hydroxyapatite-coated implants placed in animals with and without OP-like conditions. CONCLUSION: Osteogenic coatings on implant surfaces enhanced osseointegration in animals with OP-like conditions. However, additional clinical studies are warranted to assess the role of osteogenic coatings in increasing osseointegration in patients with osteoporosis.

Peri-implantitis: etiology, diagnosis and treatment: an update.

Peri-implant mucositis is described as the presence of inflammation in the mucosa around implants without any bone loss. By contrast, in peri-implantitis, besides the inflammation in the peri-implant mucosa, loss of supporting bone is also seen. The probing depth, the presence of bleeding on probing, suppuration and radiographs should be assessed regularly for the diagnosis of peri-implant diseases. Poor oral hygiene, smoking and previous history of periodontitis are known risk factors for the disease. The occlusion and longevity of fixed partial dentures around implants, whether connected to the natural teeth or not, is still an area of investigaton, but studies show that long-term results are acceptable for both. Various treatment modalities are discussed in relation to the management of periimplantitis. The predictable outcome of peri-implantitis management is not yet known.

Mini implants for definitive prosthodontic treatment: a systematic review.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Mini implants are commonly used in orthodontics and for interim prosthodontic treatment, but evidence for their use in definitive prosthodontic treatment is not clear. PURPOSE: This systematic review evaluated the mini-implant literature to analyze short-term (1 to 5 years), medium-term (5 to 10 years), and long-term (beyond 10 years) survival rates when used for definitive prosthodontic treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An electronic search of the English language literature for articles published between January 1974 and May 2012 was performed by using PubMed and Cochrane databases with predetermined inclusion criteria. Key terms included in the search were mini dental implants, narrow diameter implants, reduced diameter implants, small diameter implants, transitional implants, interim implants, and provisional implants. After a systematic filtering process, the selected articles were subjected to a detailed review, and the data collected were used to calculate the 1-year interval survival rate (ISR) and the cumulative survival rate (CSR). RESULTS: The electronic database search yielded 1807 titles. By scrutinizing the titles and abstracts with inclusion and exclusion criteria, the researchers identified 9 studies of mini implants for definitive prosthodontic treatment. Of the studies identified, 1 was a randomized controlled trial, 2 were prospective studies, and 6 were retrospective studies. The majority of mini implants were placed by using a flapless surgical technique in the mandibular anterior region to support an overdenture. The 1st year ISR was 94.7% and the CSR over a 9-year period, primarily attributed to data from 1 study, was 92.2%. Most implants were immediately loaded and almost all implant failures occurred during the first year after implant placement. CONCLUSIONS: For short-term survival, the first year ISR of 94.7% of mini dental implants appears encouraging, but the true 1-year survival rate is unknown, as the minimum follow-up period reported for several implants was less than a year. Insufficient information about failures after the first year makes it difficult to draw conclusions about the medium-term survival of these implants. Currently, there is no evidence for the long-term survival of mini implants.

Multiple sclerosis and oral health: an update.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, neurodegenerative disease seen in 69.1 per 100,000 person-years in the world. As multiple sclerosis and periodontal disease both have an inflammatory origin, dental professionals should be aware of the link between these two diseases. In patients unable to carry out effective oral hygiene, dental treatment should be done by dental hygienists and/or dentists to prevent dental caries and periodontal disease. It is hoped that by identifying multiple sclerosis patients in dental clinics, the required support and treatment could be provided to these patients to improve their quality of life and that dental professionals would feel comfortable treating patients with multiple sclerosis.

Managing dental fear and anxiety.

Fear and anxiety are primary reasons why individuals avoid visiting the dental practitioner. Dental anxiety appears to vary by type of treatment, with periodontic and endodontic patients reporting higher levels of anxiety than patients receiving restorative or prophylactic treatment. Parents who experience dental anxiety often pass along such feelings to their children. Front office employees are the first line in screening for anxiety-related behaviors while the patient is in the reception area. It is extremely important to recognize dental fear and anxiety before the patient receives oral care because the stresses can lead to exacerbation of medical problems such as angina, seizures, asthma or hyperventilation. Applying behavioral techniques helps to induce the patient's relaxation, reduce anxiety and also reduce the need for analgesics with their potential side effects.

Child abuse: concerns for oral health practitioners.

Child abuse and neglect are prevalent issues that permeate all ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic segments of society. Parents of abused children frequently change physicians in order to prevent detection, but they are more likely to continue to visit the child's dentist. Most states recognize four major types of maltreatment: neglect; physical abuse; psychological maltreatment; and sexual abuse. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry defines dental neglect as "the willful failure of parent or guardian to seek and follow through with treatment necessary to ensure a level of oral health essential for adequate function and freedom from pain and infection." The oral health practitioner must uphold his or her legal and ethical responsibility if there is suspicion, record and report the incidence. It may help save a child from further abuse.

Multiple sclerosis and oral health--an update.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, neurodegenerative disease seen in 69.1 per 100,000 person-years in the world. As multiple sclerosis and periodontal disease both have an inflammatory origin, dental professionals should be aware of the link between these two diseases. In patients unable to carry out effective oral hygiene, dental treatment should be done by dental hygienists and/or dentists to prevent dental caries and periodontal disease. It is hoped that by identifying multiple sclerosis patients in dental clinics, the required support and treatment could be provided to these patients to improve their quality of life and that dental professionals would feel comfortable treating patients with multiple sclerosis.

Influence of Smoking on Periodontal and Implant Therapy: A Narrative Review.

BACKGROUND: smoking is considered the most modifiable risk factor for periodontal disease. OBJECTIVE: the aim of this narrative review is to emphasize the effect of smoking on periodontal and implant therapy. METHODS: The authors reviewed the literature reporting the clinical outcomes of smoking on periodontal surgical and nonsurgical treatment. The impact of smoking on implant therapy and sinus lifting procedures were also reviewed. RESULTS: Periodontal and implant therapy outcomes are adversely affected by smoking. Smokers respond less favorably to periodontal therapy and periodontal flap procedures as compared to nonsmokers. Clinical outcomes for smokers are 50-75% worse than for nonsmokers. Studies reveal that smokers experience a significantly lower reduction in pocket depth compared to nonsmokers as well as less bone growth after treating infra-bony defects with guided tissue regeneration. The relative risk of implant failure is significantly higher in patients who smoke 20 cigarettes or more per day compared to nonsmokers. Additionally, smoking has also been shown to increase postoperative wound dehiscence and infection rates following sinus floor elevation. Longitudinal studies on smoke cessation have shown a reduction in bone loss and probing depths for periodontitis patients after cessation compared to those who smoke. CONCLUSION: Smoking cessation can reduce probing depths and improve clinical attachment after nonsurgical periodontal therapy. There is insufficient evidence regarding the effect of smoking on peri-implantitis, as well as the loss of implants in the long-term.