Gingival biotype in relation to incisors' inclination and position

To study the association between gingival biotypes and inclination and position of the maxillary and mandibular incisors. This cross-sectional study included 142 consecutive orthodontic patients [64 males and 78 females] who were seeking orthodontic treatment at the Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from February 2013 to January 2014. Gingival biotype was assessed independently for the maxillary and mandibular central incisors using the transparency of periodontal probe method. Maxillary and mandibular incisors' inclination and position were measured using cephalometric analysis. The mean age was 23.56 [+/- 2.55] years. The prevalence of thin gingival biotype was 43% for the maxillary and 52.1% for the mandibular incisors. Females were 4 times more likely to have thin gingiva for the maxillary incisors and 5 times more likely for the mandibular incisors. A significant association was found between mandibular incisor inclination and position and thin gingival biotype, while there was no association between the maxillary incisor inclination and position and gingival biotypes. Mandibular incisor proclination and protrusion is associated with thin gingival biotype while no association is found in the maxilla. The evaluation of the gingival biotype is essential during diagnosis and treatment planning for potential orthodontic patients

Estrogen deficiency reduces the expression of estrogen receptor-beta in Wistar rats` periodontal tissues

To assess the effect of ovariectomy on the expression of estrogen receptor-beta [ER-beta] in periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. This animal study was conducted at King Fahad Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from March to October 2012. Thirty 12-week-old female Wistar rats were divided into 2 groups [15 each]: ovariectomized [OVX] and sham-operated. Levels of estrogen and progesterone in the sera were measured using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. To detect the expression of ER-beta, immunostaining was performed on the tibia, alveolar bone, and periodontal ligament specimens followed by quantitative histomorphometric analysis. Estrogen [p=0.001] and progesterone [p=0.007] levels were significantly decreased in the OVX rats compared to their controls. Histologically, the thickness and area percentage of the tibia and alveolar bone trabeculae were significantly reduced in OVX rats compared to the controls [p=0.001]. The periodontal ligament fibers in the control group exhibited well-organized and appropriately oriented fibers, while in the OVX group they appeared disrupted with loss of orientation. The ER-beta expression in the OVX rats was significantly decreased in the periodontal tissues [p=0.005] and tibia [p=0.008]. Estrogen deficiency resulted in a significant decrease in the expression of ER-beta in both tibia and periodontal tissues

effect of obesity and periodontitis on the expression of antimicrobial peptides in gingival tissues

To compare the expression of human beta-defensins [HBD] in the gingival tissues of obese and normal weight systemically healthy subjects. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from March 2010 to November 2011. Twenty obese [10 affected with periodontitis and 10 periodontally healthy], and 20 normal weight subjects [10 affected with periodontitis and 10 periodontally healthy] were selected. Gingival tissue samples were collected and subjected to immunohistochemistry assay to evaluate the expression of HBD-1 and -2. In the epithelium, the staining was almost limited to the basal and supra-basal cells, while the superficial layers and keratin were negative. In the connective tissue, some of the chronic inflammatory cells and fibroblasts were also stained. Endothelial cells lining blood or lymphatic vessels were mostly positive with HBD-2 and were almost negative with HBD-1. The percentage of positively stained areas did not show any differences in the expression of HBD-1 and -2 in obese compared to normal weight subjects whether they were affected or not affected with periodontitis. The results of this study did not demonstrate an association between the expression of HBD-1 and -2 and obesity and periodontitis

Prevalence of gingival biotype and its relationship to dental malocclusion

To study the prevalence of different gingival biotypes in a sample of patients and the association between gingival biotype and different dental malocclusions. Two hundred adult patients [100 males and 100 females] who presented for treatment at the Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia were recruited from February 2011 to February 2012. Gingival thickness was assessed for the maxillary central incisors using the transparency of periodontal probe technique. Angle's classification of malocclusion and smoking habit were also recorded. The mean age was 32.1 [ +/- 11.0] years. Thin gingival biotype was observed in 44.5% of the sample, of which 64% were females and 25% were males [p=0.001]. Only 31.4% of current smokers had thin gingival biotype compared to 51.9% of subjects who never smoked [p=0.011]. No significant association between dental malocclusions and the presence of thin gingival biotype was found [Class I = 42.9%, Class II = 44.1%, and Class III 53.9%, p=0.6]. A high prevalence of thin gingival biotype especially among females was observed. Smokers had thicker gingival biotype. No relationship was found between gingival biotypes and Angle's classification of malocclusion.

use of mini-implants in en masse retraction for the treatment of bimaxillary dentoalveolar protrusion

This case report describes the treatment of a 22-year-old girl who had incompetent lips with severe bimaxillary dentoalveolar protrusion. The treatment of choice for such patients is usually extraction of four first premolars and retraction of the anterior teeth. To maintain the extraction space, maximum anchorage is required. Mini-implants were used to provide maximum anchorage for obtaining a good facial profile

Bruxism prevalence in a selective Lebanese population

Statement of the problem: In recent years, many Lebanese dentists reported an increase in night-time parafunctional activity of their patients. Purpose of the study: To investigate night bruxism awareness in a selective Lebanese population. Materials and 868 visitors of a shopping mall in the city of Beirut [Lebanon] were interviewed about their habit of clenching and grinding their teeth at night, and about their age and gender. Gender distribution was as follows: 530 females and 338 males, mean age was 34.9 [ +/- 11.6 SD] and 37.8 [ +/- 14.6 SD] respectively. Overall prevalence of bruxism was 35.8% for males and 32.6% for females with no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Bruxism was found to increase with age for both genders. Bruxism awareness per age and gender was as follows: <26 years [F: 24.1%; M: 19.4%], 26-35 years [F: 26.1%; M: 27.2%],36-45 years [F: 41.1%; M: 41.6%], 46-55 years [F: 41.5%; M: 50%] and> 55 years [F: 63.6%; M: 53.5%]. Night bruxism prevalence in this Lebanese group seems to be higher than in reported western studies and a deeper socio-economical investigation is needed. Future larger scale studies might be needed to confirm if bruxism awareness increases with age