Prevalence of oral behaviours in general dental patients attending a university clinic in Italy.

BACKGROUND: Oral behaviors represent a diverse array of habits beyond the physiological behaviors of the stomatognathic system. OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of different oral behaviors, as reported with the Oral Behavior Checklist (OBC-21), in a convenience sample of patients attending an Italian university clinic for routine dental cares. METHODS: In this study, charts of adult patients presenting to the dental department of a regional hospital in Trieste, Italy, from January 2018 and January 2019 were reviewed. Patients with complete files were retrieved, and those with orofacial pain complaints were excluded. OBC-21 scores and grades (score of 0 corresponding to no risk, 1-24 to low risk, and higher than 24 to high risk) were analyzed and stratified according to age and sex. RESULTS: Data from a total of 1424 patients were reported. The overall mean OBC score was 13.3 ± 9.9, with 6.7% no-risk grade, 79.6% low-risk grade, and 13.7% high-risk grade. In general, mean OBC scores decreased with increasing age. Females showed a higher frequency of high-risk grade than males. Most frequent prevalent habits included yawning (73.1%), eating between meals (66.9%) and chewing food on one side only (63.3%). Other behaviors were also highly prevalent, including pressing, touching, or holding teeth together other than while eating (52.7%) and awake clenching (47.5%). CONCLUSION: A low-risk grade of oral behaviors has been found to be frequent in our sample. Future studies are warranted to confirm these findings in larger, representative general populations and to assess if any of these habits are linked to negative effects on the stomatognathic system.

Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination and its determinants among Lebanese dentists: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Dentists are at high risk of exposure to occupational Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Since vaccination is crucial to control COVID-19 pandemic, we aimed to assess COVID-19 vaccination acceptance and its determinants among Lebanese practicing dentists. METHODS: A cross-sectional online study was conducted between February 15 and 22, 2021, among dentists practicing in Lebanon. Prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was estimated. A multivariable modified Poisson regression model was used to explore determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. RESULTS: In total, 86% of participants were willing to receive or have already received a COVID-19 vaccine. Having received the influenza vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic was linked to a 12% increase in the COVID-19 vaccination acceptance rate. In addition, participants having moderate and high COVID-19 vaccination knowledge levels were more likely to accept receiving the vaccine, and participants whose fear of COVID-19 level was high were more likely to accept receiving the vaccine compared to those having a low fear level. Contrarily, those who visit the medical doctor only when needed and once a year were less likely to accept COVID-19 vaccine compared to participants who routinely visit the medical doctor. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed a high level of acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination among Lebanese practicing dentists. And since knowledge about COVID-19 vaccination was associated with the vaccine acceptance, it should be improved and updated to further increase the acceptance rate. High acceptability of COVID-19 vaccination among dentists is expected to have a positive impact among the population in terms of increasing awareness and vaccine uptake.

Prevalence of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) in Dental Patients at a Specialized Regional Medical Center in Italy.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) in a sample of general dental patients seeking dental treatments in a northeastern Italian university clinic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records of all patients presented for the first time to the dental division of Maggiore Hospital, Italy, between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2017, were collected. Patients comprised those presenting to the dental clinics for non-TMD complaints, who, upon general examination, were found to have TMD signs and were referred for TMD evaluation. Data were extracted and analyzed, retrospectively. The prevalence of TMDs, age, gender, signs, and symptoms were evaluated. RESULTS: Out of the 18,774 patients studied, 284 had signs of TMD. Women predominance was evident (73%), and patients aged 45-50 were the most frequent sub-population within the TMD population. Clicking was the most commonly present symptom (26.8%), and arthralgia was most commonly diagnosed among this sample (30.7%). A considerable number of patients suffered from muscular disease (myalgia and myofascial pain with 10.1% and 20.7% of the patients, respectively). Significant associations were found among those with myofascial pain on the one hand and degenerative disease and disc displacement with reduction, on the other hand. Furthermore, disc displacement with reduction on one side was associated with displacement without reduction on the other side. CONCLUSION: A considerable number of patients presenting with dental complaints may have asymptomatic TMDs. This highlights the importance of systematic screening of dental patients for TMDs as part of general assessment.

Intermittent fasting & performance: The iFast clinical trial protocol.

There is increasing evidence from animal and human studies suggesting that fasting can play a role in disease prevention, weight control and longevity. However, few studies have compared exercise performances in individuals adhering to an intermittent fasting (IF) in comparison to individuals who are not. Given the rising popularity of IF we aim to investigate whether this type eating pattern will improve cardiovascular performance over a period of 12 weeks through VO2 max measurements in participants from a Lebanese community. Additionally, we will study the variation of different health parameters, physical performance and biomarkers potentially affected by IF. Participants will be recruited from a large university community and randomized into 4 arms. Baseline information will be collected from all participants, which includes biological, physical, nutritional, medical and psychological data. Two arms will follow a time-restricted fasting diet with and without physical exercise, one arm will exercise without fasting, and one will act as a control group. Throughout the study, measurements will be repeated, and data analysis will follow to evaluate results.

Radiographic evaluation of non-syndromic third molar agenesis in two Mediterranean populations.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Third molar agenesis is a common finding across the world. Many studies have assessed third molar agenesis in different ethnicities and populations. However, there are no such studies in the Italian and Lebanese populations. Our study aims to evaluate the prevalence of third molar agenesis and study the pattern and distribution of agenesis in between genders in Italian and Lebanese Mediterranean populations and compare these findings with other global and Mediterranean populations' studies. METHODS: Retrospective chart review was conducted based on the history and orthopantomograms of adolescents aged 12 to 21 years to assess the agenesis of third molars in a sample of Italian and Lebanese populations by two experienced dental surgeons twice within 1 month. Descriptive and comparative tests were used to analyze the patterns of ageneses and make comparisons between the two samples. RESULTS: 23.4% of the studied sample had at least one third molar agenesis; females were more likely to have two or more third molar agenesis than males, but neither sex predisposition for single third-molar agenesis was recorded. Both the Italian and Lebanese subgroups seemed to have similar results. The maxillary right third molar was the most common third molar to be absent. Two or more ageneses were more common than one third molar agenesis. CONCLUSION: Our Mediterranean population results fall within the range reported in the literature and corroborate with the global average prevalence.

Styloid process elongation in a sample of Lebanese population: a consideration for the prevention of Eagle syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and patterns of styloid process elongation in a general Lebanese population sample. METHODS: Digital panoramic radiographs of 489 Lebanese adults (218 males and 271 females, mean age of 47.56 ± 16.149) were included in this retrospective study. First, we screened for detection of elongated styloid process, then we analyzed these cases and classified the elongation types. Data obtained were transformed into SPSS v24 and descriptive and inferential analyses were done. RESULTS: In our sample, elongated styloid process was seen in 76 cases (15.5%) (45/271 women and 31/218 men). Despite no significant gender predisposition, females were slightly more affected than males (59.2% females to 40.8% males). As for the age, elongation was significantly more likely to be present at 45-64 years of age. The right side was slightly more affected than the left side (86.8% vs. 76.3% respectively), with type 1 elongation as the most common. Nevertheless, bilateral elongation was much more common than unilateral elongation (63.2%).Interestingly, females were more likely to suffer from bilateral elongation (64.58%) compared to men (35.41%). CONCLUSION: Elongated styloid process represents a common finding detected fortuitously on panoramic radiographs. Therefore, being a main feature in Eagle syndrome, dentists should be aware of this clinical entity and actively screen for it.

Mapping Maxillary Sinus Septa in a Lebanese Sample: a Radio-anatomical Study.

INTRODUCTION: Sinus septa are bony processes that develop in a variable fashion. Such structures present a challenge for surgical procedures of the maxillary sinuses. AIM: This study aims to evaluate the prevalence and patterns of maxillary sinus septa in a sample from the Lebanese population. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on a series of 568 Cone Beam Computed Tomography scans (CBCT) belonging to patients that presented to the Maxillofacial Radiology division of the Faculty of Dental Medicine in the Lebanese University. None of the included patients had sinus pathologies. Age ranged from 18 to 80 years with 332 females and 236 males yielding a total of 1136 maxillary sinus. Sinuses were inspected for septa, specifying their location in multiple dimensions, angulations and number. RESULTS: 36.27% of studied patients presented at least one septum (27.46% of all sinuses). No predilection towards age or sex was found. A higher number of septa were located in the middle region anteroposteriorly (38.14%), and most were localized in the inferior third coronally (81.16%). Multiple angulations are also reported. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest a common prevalence of maxillary sinus septa in our Lebanese sample and suggest similar distribution and patterns to that of reported literature.

Papillon-Lefèvre Syndrome: Diagnosis, Dental Management, and a Case Report.

AIM: This paper revisits Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome (PLS), addresses its diagnostic update and dental management, and reports a case of a 5-year-old Lebanese patient with consanguineously married parents. BACKGROUND: PLS, also known as "keratoris palmoplantaris with periodontopathia" and "hyperkeratosis palmoplantaris with periodontosis," is an extremely rare autosomal-recessive trait that combines a diffuse palmoplantar hyperkeratosis and a severe generalized, progressive prepubertal form of a precocious form of juvenile, aggressive periodontitis. CASE DESCRIPTION: We are reporting a 5-year-old boy that sustained a spontaneous loss of all his primary teeth. At consultation, he was under treatment for hyperkeratosis of his palms and soles. Detailed family history of the child revealed that the patient's parents, grandparents, and relatives were consanguineously married and two of his cousins displayed similar clinical signs (palmoplantar hyperkeratosis and premature loss of deciduous and most of the permanent teeth). CONCLUSION: PLS is an extremely rare disorder that usually becomes apparent from approximately 1-5 years of age. Genetic counseling should always be suggested to parents of affected children, informing them of chances of their offspring having the inherited disease.

Assessment of the Mental Foramen Location in a Sample of Fully Dentate Lebanese Adults Using Cone-beam Computed Tomography Technology.

OBJECTIVE: The literature reports that the location of mental foramen shows differences among races. The aim of this study was to assess the mental foramen position in a sample of Lebanese population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) technology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we investigated CBCT images of 50 fully dentate Lebanese adults (23 males and 27 females). We assessed the horizontal position of the mental foramen in relation with the mandibular premolars in both right and left sides and the vertical position by measuring the distance from the upper border of the foramen to the inferior border of the body of the mandible. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using Chi-square test, and two-sided t-test. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: In our sample, the mental foramen was mostly found in line with the second mandibular premolar in both sides and the mean distance from the superior border of the foramen to the inferior border of the body of the mandible was 13.0120 ± 0.98487 mm on the right and 13.0728 ± 0.96029 mm on the left. CONCLUSION: Within the limits of this study, we concluded that in our sample of Lebanese population, there was substantial variability in the mental foramen location.

Prevalence of Dentinogenesis Imperfecta in a French Population.

BACKGROUND: Dentinogenesis imperfecta is a genetic disorder of the dentin occurring during the tooth development. It leads to many structural changes that can be identified clinically (brownish colored teeth, cracked enamel) and radiologically (globular crown, cervical constriction, short roots, and obliterated pulp chamber and/or root canals). The aim of this study was to determine by panoramic radiographs assessment the incidence of dentinogenesis imperfecta in a group of patients attending a specialized maxillofacial imaging center in Paris, France. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted using panoramic radiographs of 8830 patients (3723 males and 5107 females), which were used to search the radiological criteria of dentinogenesis imperfecta. RESULTS: In our sample, the prevalence of dentinogenesis imperfecta was 0.057%. Out of the 8830 subjects, 0.080% of the males presented the radiological signs of the dentinogenesis imperfecta against 0.039% of the females. CONCLUSION: In our study, we found that dentinogenesis imperfecta is a relatively rare dental anomaly in France, with a rate different from the rates reported in other studies and with no disparity in prevalence among genders.