ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In patients with gingival exposure on smiling due to altered passive eruption, esthetic crown lengthening is often indicated. Meticulous planning and surgical precision are key for successful outcomes. Surgical guides are helpful tools that are seldomly reported on in the literature related to esthetic crown lengthening procedures. TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED: The authors searched the literature for articles that described the planning, tools, and execution related to esthetic crown lengthening procedures. RESULTS: Several techniques have been reported to guide the esthetic crown lengthening procedure, ranging from direct bone level measurement to 3-dimensional printed surgical guides. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: This review serves the clinician as an aid in the decision-making process for esthetic crown lengthening procedures and available surgical guide options, including computer-based guides.
Subject(s)
Crown Lengthening , Esthetics, Dental , Gingiva/surgery , Humans , Smiling , Tooth CrownABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Proper sealing of screw-access channels against microbial microleakage is advisable for the long-term success of screw-retained implant prosthesis. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the bacterial adhesion and microleakage with three restorative materials, namely, composite resin, acrylic resin and bis-acryl, that are used to cover the access channels of screw-retained implant prostheses, using polytetrafluoroethylene tape as a spacer material. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this in vitro study, 18 titanium straight abutments (Hex-lock® Zimmer) were torqued into implant analogs, which were then subdivided into three groups. The samples of each group were filled with polytetrafluoroethylene tape and sealed with the three restorative materials (Group A: composite resin; Group B: acrylic resin; Group C: bis-acryl). Measurements of surface bacterial adhesion and internal microleakage were then recorded. The results were statistically analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-square tests. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between the investigated materials in terms of their sealing effectiveness against microbial microleakage (P = 0.06). Regarding bacterial adhesion, composite resin showed the highest number of surface adhesion, but there was no significant difference between the three materials (P = 0.081). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that composite resin, acrylic resin and bis-acryl materials could be used alternatively in sealing the implant access channel owing to no significant differences in terms of microleakage and bacterial adhesion.
ABSTRACT
Patients may report to health practitioners with unusual symptoms that necessitate a thorough examination and review of underlying medical conditions and medications for rare side effects. Hence, it is crucial to report such rare cases to raise awareness and increase the related body of knowledge. Hydroxyurea-associated oral hyperpigmentation has been reported.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Oral and systemic problems are common among pregnant women. Routine dental visits are important for the maintenance of optimal oral health which is linked with systemic health. AIM: To evaluate dental care utilization and related factors among pregnant women in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in hospitals and healthcare centers in the cities of Khobar, Dammam, and Qatif in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. A piloted tested self-administered questionnaire available in Arabic and English languages was distributed among a calculated sample of 341 pregnant women. Pearson's chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: In the study, 270 questionnaires were analyzed giving a response rate of 79.2%. Mean age of the participants was 29 ± 5.9 years. There were 43.7% pregnant women who received dental treatment when they have a dental problem and only 13.7% performed routine dental visit. Half the sample (52.6%) avoided dental visits during pregnancy and dental treatment being unsafe was the most common reason for avoiding dental visits. After adjustment, routine dental visits during pregnancy were 7.38 times higher among Saudis compared with non-Saudis women (p 0.05). The participants who had a negative perception about the safety of dental treatment had significantly lower odds (OR 0.31, p 0.036) of dental attendance for routine dental visits. CONCLUSION: Routine dental visits were low among pregnant women and many visited dentists when they had a dental problem. Negative perception about the safety of dental treatment was associated with reduced regular dental visits during pregnancy. Pregnant women should be educated about the importance of receiving dental care for the maintenance of optimal oral health.
