Crystal methamphetamine and its effects on mental and oral health: A narrative review.

The purpose of this comprehensive literature review is to present the available evidence on the effects of methamphetamine on mental and oral health, as well as provide an overview of the most widely used medical and dental care strategies in the management of meth mouth. For this purpose, PubMed and Google Scholar electronic databases were searched for relevant articles, yielding 115 search results, which were further scrutinized for their relevance, leaving 55 for a detailed review. The analysis of the gathered data indicates that a comprehensive patient-centered approach that takes into consideration the physical, mental, and social aspects is crucial for mitigating the detrimental effects of increasing methamphetamine use.

Evaluating the effects of splinting implant scan bodies intraorally on the trueness of complete arch digital scans: A clinical study.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: A predictable protocol for accurately scanning implants in a complete edentulous arch has not been established. PURPOSE: The purpose of this clinical study was to investigate the effect of splinting implant scan bodies intraorally on the accuracy and scan time for digital scans of edentulous arches. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This single center, nonrandomized, clinical trial included a total of 19 arches. Definitive casts with scan bodies were fabricated and scanned with a laboratory scanner as the reference (control) scan. Each participant received 2 intraoral scans, the first with unsplinted scan bodies and the second with resin-splinted scan bodies. The scan time was also recorded for each scan. To compare the accuracy of the scans, the standard tessellation language (STL) files of the 2 scans were superimposed on the control scan, and positional and angular deviations were analyzed by using a 3-dimensional (3D) metrology software program. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the distance and angular deviations between the splinted group and the unsplinted group with the control. The ANOVA test was conducted to examine the effect of the scan technique on trueness (distance deviation and angular deviation) and scan time (α=.05 for all tests). RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found in the overall 3D positional and angular deviations of the unsplinted and splinted digital scans when compared with the reference scans (P<.05). No statistically significant differences in overall 3-dimensional positional deviations (P=.644) and angular deviations (P=.665) were found between the splinted and unsplinted experimental groups. A faster scan time was found with the splinted group in the maxillary arch. CONCLUSIONS: Conventional complete arch implant impressions were more accurate than digital complete arch implant scans. Splinting implant scan bodies did not significantly affect the trueness of complete arch digital scans, but splinting appeared to reduce the scan time. However, fabricating the splint was not considered in the time measurement.

Clinical Peri-Implant Parameters and Marginal Bone Loss for Early Mandibular Implant Overdentures: A Follow-Up of 60 Months.

Background and Objectives: Despite the identified benefits of early implant loading, studies have questioned its advantages compared to delayed loading in edentulous patients. This study aimed to evaluate clinical peri-implant parameters and marginal bone loss around early placed and loaded mandibular implant overdentures with a 60-month follow-up. Materials and Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 43 patients were enrolled to receive 86 early loading sub-crestal dental implants through prosthetic guides. Implant overdentures were supported by two isolated implant locator attachments between two mental foramens. Clinical peri-implant parameters, including plaque index (PI), bleeding index (BI), peri-implant pocket depth (PIPD), and marginal bone loss (MBL) were evaluated using standardized techniques at 1, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months follow-up. At 60 months, complications associated with implant overdentures (IOD's) were noted. The mean comparison of peri-implant clinical parameters was performed through ANOVA test. A p-value of ≤0.05 was taken as significant. Results: Out of the total 43 enrolled patients, 8 patients were lost during follow-up; as a result, 35 patients completed the 5 years follow-up. The mean values of PI, BI, and PIPD increased with no statistical difference (p > 0.05). For marginal bone loss, an increase in the mean values was noted at different time intervals with statistical differences (p < 0.001). The most common complications noted were loosening of the abutment, occlusal adjustment, retentive locator loosening and replacement, and relining of the denture. Conclusions: Early placement of IODs failed to prevent bone loss over time and was associated with complications, predominantly consisting of abutment loosening, occlusal adjustments, broken retentive locator components, relining, and rebasing.

Assessment of knowledge and practices of additive manufacturing in dentistry among university teaching faculty in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: In recent era, digitalization in the dental sciences has been observed in wide ranges. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess knowledge and practice of additive manufacturing (AM) in dentistry among university teaching faculty in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A questionnaire was prepared and validated to distribute to the different dental colleges in Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was divided into three parts: demographic information, knowledge and practices of AM among the dental teaching faculty. After receiving all the responses, descriptive statistics were used for the frequency distribution of all the responses. RESULTS: A total of 367 responses were received from the different faculty members. Most of the participants were male (67.30%), holding assistant professor (52.50%) positions in the field of prosthodontics (23.40%). In terms of knowledge, even though most of the participants were aware of AM (64.30%); however, do not understand the AM techniques (33.50). Moreover, 71.90% of the participants had no experience working with AM and only 13.60% of participants used AM in their respective dental colleges. CONCLUSION: AM techniques are not commonly used in the field of dentistry in Saudi Arabia; therefore, more platforms should have created to enhance the knowledge and practice of AM in the current population.

Evaluation of Peri-Implant Parameters and Functional Outcome of Immediately Placed and Loaded Mandibular Overdentures: A 5-year Follow-up Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the peri-implant parameters of immediately placed and loaded mandibular overdentures over a 5-year follow-up period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All subjects who had been advised and planned for two-implant mandibular overdenture treatment were included in this study. The peri-implant parameters -including plaque index (PI), bleeding index (BI) and peri-implant pocket depth (PIPD) as well as marginal bone loss (MBL) - were assessed. In addition, prosthodontic parameters including abutment-, implant- and denture-related complications were assessed. Patients were evaluated at follow-up visits, scheduled at 1, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months. The data distribution was analysed with the Shapiro-Wilk test. Data within follow-up categories were compared using ANOVA and the Tukey-Kramer test. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Among the 32 participants, 19 were males and 13 were females, with a mean age of 60.5 ± 7.33. The mean plaque index (PI), bleeding index (BI) and peri-implant pocket depth (PIPD) varied over time. However, no statistically significant difference was observed in the plaque index, bleeding index and peri-implant pocket depth over time (p > 0.05). The mean value at baseline was found to be -0.9 ± 0.3. The values increased over time, with the highest value observed at 60 months 2.6 ± 0.7, which was statistically significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Immediately placed and loaded mandibular implant overdentures using two un-splinted implants with locator attachments showed acceptable PI, BI and PIPD at the 5-year follow-up. Statistically significantly greater marginal bone loss was observed from baseline to follow-up, but it was within acceptable limits. A moderate number of restorative and abutment complications were observed during the follow-up of IODs.

Effect of silicone-based sealers on fiber post retention: An in vitro study.

PURPOSE: The effect of a silicone-based sealer on fiber post retention has not been the subject of research and remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the impact of a silicone-based sealer and an epoxy resin sealer on fiber post retention. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty extracted human mandibular premolars that were caries-free, single-rooted, and possessed straight single canals were the specimens of the present study. Teeth were randomly divided into two groups (n = 20 each). All specimens were prepared using gutta-percha. The sealer used in the first group was Guttaflow 2, while AH26 was used in the second group. Post spaces were prepared immediately after obturation for each specimen. Prefabricated fiber posts were luted in both groups using a self-adhesive resin cement (RelyX-U200). Each specimen was vertically secured using a universal testing machine (Instron Corp.) and a constant pull-out force at a loading rate of 0.5 mm/min was applied until the point of dislodgement. Data were analyzed using t-tests. RESULTS: A significant difference was found between the mean of maximum loads of the silicone-based sealer and epoxy resin sealer groups (p = 0.0001). The mean maximum load for the epoxy resin sealer group was 194.62 N, while that for the silicone-based sealer group was 111.64 N. CONCLUSION: Fiber post retention in teeth obturated using silicone-based sealer was inferior to that in teeth obturated with epoxy resin sealer. Therefore, the sealer used during obturation can significantly affect fiber post retention.

Clinical, Bacterial, and Prosthodontic Parameters After Implant Abutment Disinfection Using Nd:YAG, Er,Cr:YSGG, Chlorhexidine, and Conventional Steam Before Prosthesis Delivery.

Objective: This 1-year prospective clinical trial was designed to assess the microbial, clinical, radiographic, and prosthetic parameters after disinfection of the implant abutment connection using Er,Cr:YSGG (erbium, chromium-doped: yttrium, scandium, gallium, and garnet) and Nd:YAG (neodymium-doped yttrium, aluminum, garnet). Materials and methods: All the patients were divided into four groups; Group I: Nd:YAG laser, Group II: Er,Cr:YSGG laser, Group III: 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHx), and Group IV: steam disinfection. Peri-implant parameters assessed included peri-implant bleeding scores (PIBS), peri-implant plaque scores (PIPS), peri-implant pocket depth (PIPD), and crestal bone loss (CBL). The peri-implant plaque samples were acquired to perform microbiological analysis to assess Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia, respectively. All measurements were completed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months postsurgery. Multiple groups were compared with the help of the Bonferroni post-hoc adjustment test (p < 0.01). Logistic regression models were utilized to assess the association between age, oral hygiene practices (brushing and flossing), and duration of implant function. Results: At the baseline level, there were no discernible differences in the peri-implant parameters between the study groups (p > 0.05). At the 6-month (p < 0.01) and 12-month (p < 0.001) follow-ups, all four study groups demonstrated a significant improvement in PIPS and PIBS, with no significant differences between the groups at baseline (p > 0.05). Based on an intergroup comparison, Group I (Nd:YAG) showed a significant decrease in PIBS when compared with the other groups. Group II showed a considerable decrease in PIPD and enhancements in CBL when compared with Groups I, III, and IV (p < 0.01). At the 6- and 12-month follow-up periods, P. gingivalis and T. denticola reduction were found to be statistically higher in Group II, whereas P. gingivalis and T. forsythia mean log CFU/mL were found to be statistically higher in Group I. Conclusions: Nd:YAG and Er,Cr:YSGG lasers both outperformed CHx and steam disinfection in terms of clinical, peri-implant, and prosthetic results when used to clean implant abutments.

Polytetrafluoroethylene tape spacer for direct splinted teeth-supported provisional restoration: A dental technique.

Provisional restoration is essential for function, esthetics, occlusion, and tissue health. However, when multiple teeth are involved, making a direct splinted provisional restoration could be challenging due to the combined undercuts between the prepared teeth. This article describes a dental technique using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tape as a spacer to fabricate a splinted provisional restoration for multiple prepared teeth. The PTFE tape spacer will compensate for discrepancies in the path of insertion between prepared teeth, thus facilitating the removal of the direct splinted provisional restoration intact.

Efficacy of adjunct photodynamic therapy on Candida growth and oral health quality of life in denture stomatitis patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus wearing implant-retained overdentures: A randomized clinical study.

AIM: The aim of the present clinical trial was to study the efficacy of combined miconazole and PDT in the improvement of quality of life and levels of Candida species in chronic hyperglycemic patients with denture stomatitis (DS). METHODS: One hundred patients were randomly divided into five groups; 20 each in the miconazole, PDT, miconazole+ PDT, CHX and distilled water groups. Methylene blue mediated irradiation was conducted using 600 nm diode laser with power, energy density and radiance as 100 mW, 3527 mW/cm2 and 9 J, respectively. Patients were advised to apply 2.5 ml of 2% topical miconazole four times a day. The existence of Candida spp. was detected by means of microbiological culture technique. Candida colony counts from the palates and dentures surfaces, quantified as colony forming unit (CFU)/mL were evaluated at baseline, end of 14 days, 28 days and 60 days. Oral health related quality of life was assessed with the help of a questionnaire. RESULTS: The quality of life showed significant improvement in the group where combination treatment was executed. The overall CFU/mL values were greater in the dentures in comparison to those from the palates of the patients of all the five groups. During all time periods of the study, the CFU/mL values obtained from combination treatment group showed significant differences. Candida albicans was the most predominant yeast. CONCLUSION: This study showed the effectiveness of methylene blue- PDT in combination with miconazole in improving oral health related quality of life and significantly reducing Candida CFU counts to resolve palatal inflammation in diabetic individuals with implant-supported complete dentures.

What Materials and Reproducible Techniques May Be Used in Recording Centric Relation? Best Evidence Consensus Statement.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this Best Evidence Consensus Statement was to evaluate the existing literature relative to two focus questions: What are the techniques used and their reproducibility in recording centric relation (CR) in a dentate and partially dentate population and what effect do different recording materials have on the reproducibility of CR? MATERIALS AND METHODS: Keywords used in the initial search were: CR, interocclusal records, CR accuracy, CR reproducibility, and CR technique. The search was then limited to Systematic Reviews, Randomized Controlled Studies, Meta-analyses, and Clinical Trials. RESULTS: Initial search related to the selected search terms resulted in more than 3500 articles. When subsequent search was limited to Systematic Reviews, Randomized Controlled Studies, and Meta-Analysis and Clinical Trials, this resulted in 291 articles selected for further analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Techniques using chin point guidance, bimanual manipulation, power centric, Gothic arch tracing, leaf gauge, and anterior deprogramming devices to record CR can all be comparable in precision and clinical accuracy in regards to clinical relevance. Practitioner experience and familiarity with a particular technique is critical for accuracy when recording CR. Polyvinyl siloxane and polyether consistently performed better in the broad range of studies on recording materials. Virtual capture of CR could serve as a comparable recording medium but requires further clinical study.

The Relationship Between Centric Occlusion and The Maximal Intercuspal Position and Their Use as Treatment Positions for Complete Mouth Rehabilitation: Best Evidence Consensus Statement.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this Best Evidence Consensus Statement was to evaluate the existing literature relative to two focus questions: How often does centric occlusion coincide with maximal intercuspal position in dentate and partially dentate populations?; and should centric occlusion or maximal intercuspal positions be equivalent for dentate and partially dentate patients undergoing complete mouth rehabilitation? MATERIALS AND METHODS: Keywords used in the initial search were: intercuspal position, centric occlusion, centric relation, maximal intercuspal position, prosthodontic rehabilitation, and occlusion. The search was then limited to Systematic Reviews, Randomized Controlled Studies, Meta-analyses and Clinical Trials. RESULTS: The initial search strategy related to the selected search terms resulted in more than 15,000 articles. When the subsequent search was limited to Systematic Reviews, Randomized Controlled Studies, and Meta-Analysis and Clinical Trials, 313 articles were selected for further analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Review of the literature reveals that most dentate and partially dentate patients do not have coincident centric occlusion and maximal intercuspal position. There is support for coincidence between centric occlusion and maximal intercuspal position as the preferred occlusal relationship in complete mouth rehabilitations. The literature does not report conclusive evidence of adverse prosthodontic outcomes with complete rehabilitations in centric occlusion or maximal intercuspal position in a healthy population. However, there is support for an association between centric occlusion-maximal intercuspal position discrepancies and occlusal instability as well as temporomandibular joint disorders. Hence, it is concluded that partially and completely dentate patients requiring complete mouth rehabilitation should be restored in centric occlusion.