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.

Prevalence of Peg-Shaped Lateral Incisors in Non-Syndromic Subjects: A Multi-Population Study

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and gender-wise distribution of peg-shaped maxillary permanent lateral incisors among populations in Saudi Arabia representing different geographical locations (Saudi, Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Philippine, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh). Material and Methods: Panoramic radiographs of 9945 patients attending outpatient university dental clinics of College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Saudi Arabia between February 2014 and January 2018 were collected from the archives randomly. Two calibrated investigators examined the data, which were collected from the dental radiology department archives with prior permission from the authorities. The anomalies of maxillary lateral incisors (right and left) were investigated. Results: Among all geographic locations, the prevalence of peg laterals was more in males in comparison to females except in Pakistani and Philippine populations. Among the Saudi population, peg laterals' prevalence was more in case of right lateral incisor than the left incisor. Conclusion: A higher prevalence of peg laterals was found in Saudi. Conclusion: A higher prevalence of peg laterals was found in Saudi region, followed by Egypt. Among all geographic locations, the prevalence of peg laterals was higher in males than females except for Pakistan and Philippines populations. Among Saudi population prevalence of peg laterals was found to be higher in case of right lateral incisor when compared to the left.

Clinical Consequences of Untreated Dental Caries among Primary School Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the dental caries experience and clinical consequences of untreated dental caries (UDC) among primary school children of Al Jouf region, Saudi Arabia and to determine the correlation between dental caries experience and clinical consequences of UDC. Material and Methods: A 250 primary school children 6-7 years were recruited using systematic random sampling. The prevalence of dental caries in deciduous dentition was assessed by following WHO criteria using the dmft index and the clinical consequence of UDC was assessed with the pufa index. The pufa score was calculated cumulatively following the pufa diagnostic criteria. The Student's t-test was used to equate the mean dmft and pufa scores between boys and girls. The correlation between the dmft and the pufa scores was evaluated using Pearson's correlation coefficient (r), and the p-value was set at 0.05 for statistical significance. Results: Out of which 154 (61.60%) boys and 94 (37.60%) were girls. The mean (SD) values of dmft for boys reported to be 5.37 (± 3.31) and for girls 6.35 (± 3.27), which was statistically significant with gender (p<0.001). Statistically, significant mean values of pufa were 1.20 (± 1.37) in boys and 1.71 (± 1.58) in girls, respectively was observed (p<0.001). The Pearson correlation between dmft and pufa values showed a highly significant positive correlation among dmft and pufa values (r= 0.635, p<0.001). Conclusion: The present study revealed that high caries prevalence and experience of the clinical consequences of UDC in the primary dentition, and there was a strong positive correlation between dmft and pufa score values.

Challenges of Autism Spectrum Disorders Families Towards Oral Health Care in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding oral health care among parents of autistic children and also the challenges faced by them in providing dental care for their Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) children's in four regions of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Material and Methods: In total, 263 parents of autistic children participated in this cross-sectional study who were enrolled from 4 major regions of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire formulated in simple Arabic was distributed to parents of children diagnosed with autism or any form of ASD. The questionnaires consisted of demographic questions and also to assess their knowledge on oral health, child's oral hygiene practices and visits to their dentist, oral hygiene, experience and challenges in waiting room area before the dental treatment, acceptance of treatment or rejection, accessibility to find non-dental centers either government or private for treatment and their recommendations. Results: All the parents brushed their child's teeth using a toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste. A total of 29.7% of the parents informed that their child never brushes teeth. A total of 41.4% of the parents visit the dental clinic when the child complains about dental problems and 54% find difficulty in locating appropriate dental clinic to deal with their ASD children. Most parents reported taking their child to a private office (38.8%). Only 3.8% of parents reported that their children had seizures during dental procedures. Conclusion: The knowledge toward oral health was found to be inadequate among the majority of the parents. Parents of ASD children need to be educated about the consequences of oral health neglect and the importance of regular check-ups.

Prevalence of Tooth Decay and Associated Factors Among Ethiopian Patients

Abstract Objective: To assess the prevalence of tooth decay and it's associated factors among the age group of 15-20 years old visiting Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Material and Methods: An epidemiological cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 384 subjects aged 15-20 years. A closed-ended questionnaire, according to the World Health Organization methodology was used to collect the data. The subjects were examined for the presence of tooth decay using the DMFT Index. One examiner was trained and standardized using a Kappa test (K=0.90). To test the differences in the DMF-T index related to socioeconomic variables, the Chi-square and the Mann-Whitney tests were employed. For all tests, the level of significance was set at p≤0.05 with 95% Confidence level. Results: The magnitude of tooth decay among study participants was 57.8%. The mean decayed, missed and filled was 1.26 and prevalence was higher in males (34.1%). Poor oral hygiene practice was strongly associated factor with tooth decay. 56.2% of visitors from the urban area were mainly affected by tooth decay. Conclusion: Tooth decay is highly prevalent among visitors between15-20 years of age. Tooth brushing habit, residency, and consumption of sugary food and drinks were significantly associated with the occurrence of tooth decay. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment can prevent further damage.

Comparative evaluation of micronuclei in saudi smokers and non-smokers without any visible oral lesions: a pilot study / Evaluación comparativa de micronúcleos en fumadores y no fumadores sauditas sin lesiones orales visibles: un estudio piloto

Objectives: A systematic review was conducted to evaluate effectiveness and safety of beta carotenes for the treatment of oral leukoplakia regarding clinical resolution and prevention of malignant transformation. Material and Methods: The systematic search was conducted in three electronic databases and the study's selection was performed according to pre-set eligibility criteria. Four studies evaluating the efficacy of beta carotenes in oral leukoplakia compared to placebo were included in the review; three of which were assigned for quantitative analysis. Data were extracted, tabulated, quality assessed and statistically analyzed. Results: The meta-analysis revealed that when comparing clinical resolution the beta carotene group favored was favored compared to placebo, with statistically significant difference. However, a meta-analysis comparing beta carotene and placebo groups regarding malignant transformation as a primary outcome failed to show any significant benefit. Furthermore, results showed evidence of beta carotene safety. Conclusion: the overall quality of evidence about efficacy of beta carotene in oral leukoplakia treatment was not high. However, given the obvious safety of this agent, data suggests it could have a promising effect in clinical improvement of oral leukoplakia lesions. However, no evidence supporting its benefits in reducing risk of malignant transformation in these lesions was found. Therefore, further long term, well designed randomized clinical trials are highly recommended.

Introducción: el cáncer oral es un problema grave con alta mortalidad y morbilidad, a pesar de la disponibilidad de los mejores tratamientos. Uno de los factores más importantes para una mortalidad tan alta es su diagnóstico tardío. La mejor manera de enfrentar un problema de este tipo es evitar su aparición creando conciencia entre la población y tenendo un diagnóstico más temprano. El cáncer oral es una enfermedad multifactorial, donde el daño genómico tiene un papel. Se ha demostrado que los micronúcleos (MNi) son un biomarcador importante y en este estudio se utilizó como una herramienta para crear conciencia sobre el riesgo de cáncer oral. Objetivo: evaluar y comparar la frecuencia de MNi en fumadores sin ninguna lesión oral visible (Grupo I) y no fumadores sanos (Grupo II). Materiales y métodos: se obtuvieron citoestimuladores de fumadores sauditas (n = 15, Grupo I) sin ninguna lesión oral visible y no fumadores sanos (n = 15, control, Grupo II) y se tiñeron con hemotoxilina y eosina para evaluar la frecuencia de MNi y las observaciones fueron sometidas a análisis estadístico utilizando la prueba t de Student. Resultados: La frecuencia media de MNi en el Grupo I fue significativamente mayor (p<0.05) que en el Grupo II. El estudio ayuda a educar, motivar y crear conciencia, alentando así a los pacientes a dejar de fumar, y evitando así el cáncer oral antes de su inicio.

Prevalence and Molecular Analysis of Novel Newly Identified Periodontal Pathogens in Subgingival Plaque Samples of Saudi Patients with Chronic Periodontitis

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of novel newly identified periodontal pathogenic strains in subgingival plaque samples and relate it with bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth and age. Material and Methods: 268 chronic periodontitis patients with a mean age of 46.0 ± 6.0 years were included. The following microorganisms were evaluated: Campylobacter gracilis (Cg), Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), and Tannerella forsythia (Tf). Full mouth examination was registered; the probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level were assessed at six sites per tooth. Dental subgingival plaque samples were taken in the deepest pocket per arch in the maxilla and mandible. DNA analysis was performed using DNA-strip technology. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used for statistical analysis. Results: Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia were detected at high level of 80% and 82% respectively. F nucleatum revealed a rate of 94%. Bacterial load significantly increased by increasing mean probing depth of the examined sites. Pearson's coefficient was the highest for Pg (r=0.62, p=0.0001) and the lowest for Cg (r=0.08, p=0.04). The bacterial load significantly increased by increasing the number of bleeding sites; Pearson's coefficient varied from r= 0.14 for Pg (p=0.01) to r=0.39 for Tf (p=0.001). Conclusion: It was confirmed the presence of main putative periodontal pathogens detectable in Saudi periodontal subjects, also providing a comprehensive view for correlation of these putative periodontal pathogens with the increase in probing pocket depth to the presence and load of all the bacterial species.

Parent's Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Prevention of Early Childhood Caries in Al jouf Province, Saudi Arabia

Objective: To measure the knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices of parents in regards to their understanding of early childhood caries (ECC) in Al jouf province, Saudi Arabia (KSA). Material and Methods: A cross-sectional oral health survey was conducted among 228 parents, who were selected by stratified cluster sampling. A questionnaire consisting of 10 questions in each domain addressing knowledge, attitude, and preventive practice for ECC was applied. Scoring in the knowledge field included Yes/No/Don't know, while the attitude and practice domains used a 5-point Likert scale. Results: The mean values for knowledge of the respondents was 'Yes' (106.1 ±46.12), 'No' (63.5 ±50.95), and 'Don't know' (58.4 ±23.21); the p-value was p>0.05. The mean values for attitudes of the parents were strongly disagree (49.8 ±33.51), disagree (28 ±15.63), cannot say (47.4 ±20.33), agree (69.4 ±26.57), and strongly agree (33.4 ±30.48); the p-value was p<0.05. The mean values for preventive practices were strongly disagree (23.3 ±25.15), disagree (27.6 ±28.29), cannot say (38.9 ±31.8), agree (84.9 ±28.07), and stronglyagree (53.3 ±38.73); the p-value was <0.05. Conclusion: The parents did not have adequate knowledge of ECC but did have a good attitude and practice towards its prevention.