The relationship between matrix metalloproteinases-8 and peri-implantitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Peri-implantitis diagnosis typically involves evaluating inflammation, pocket depth, bleeding, and bone loss around dental implants. Although these methods are reliable and convenient, they mainly determine the history of the disease instead of the current activity or disease susceptibility. This meta-analysis evaluates whether the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 level in the peri-implant crevicular fluids (PICF) can be associated with peri-implantitis. Methods: The research was conducted in February 2022, where three electronic databases were searched and complemented with a manual search. The search criteria included original cross-sectional and longitudinal studies that compared MMP-8 biomarkers in crevicular fluids around healthy implants with unhealthy implants (peri-implantitis). To assess the risk of bias, the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Scale was used. The data was analyzed using the RevMan program, and the standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval was applied to evaluate the MMP-8 levels, with a significance level of p less than 0.05. Results: Out of 1978 studies, six were eligible. This meta-analysis included 276 patients divided into two groups; 121 patients (124 implants) in the peri-implantitis group and 155 patients (156 implants) in the health implants group. The quality of the included studies was evaluated as high to moderate. The meta-analysis showed a significant increase in MMP-8 levels in individuals with peri-implantitis compared to those with healthy implants (SMD = 1.43, 95% CI [0.19, 2.68], p = 0.02). Conclusion: The current meta-analysis found that the levels of MMP-8 in PICF were significantly elevated in peri-implantitis cases compared to healthy controls, indicating a potential link between MMP-8 and peri-implantitis. However, the meta-analysis does not provide evidence for MMP-8 as a diagnostic test for peri-implantitis. Further research, specifically diagnostic accuracy studies, is needed to establish the value of MMP-8 as a diagnostic tool for peri-implantitis.

Incidence of maxillary sinus septa in the saudi population.

BACKGROUND: The variability in the maxillary sinus anatomy makes dental implant planning challenging. One of the anatomical landmarks that could affect the decision for implant placement around the maxillary sinus is the sinus septa. This study aimed to retrospectively determine the prevalence, anatomical distribution, and morphology of the maxillary sinus septa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 309 CBCT images that were analyzed to determine the prevalence, height, location, and orientation of the maxillary sinus septa. Descriptive statistics, Mann‒Whitney U tests, and Kruskal‒Wallis tests were used for data analysis. RESULTS: A total of 618 maxillary sinuses were analyzed. Maxillary septa were present in 30% (n = 188) of the sinuses and in approximately 45% of the analyzed images. The mean height of the septa was 5.09 mm. The presence of bilateral septa was evident in 49 subjects (35.25%). Female subjects were significantly more likely to have only one septum (n = 67, 53.6%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The presence of septa is very common, found in one-third to approximately half of the evaluated cases, which warrants careful examination before any surgical interventions to avoid possible complications.

Silent sinus syndrome (First Case Report, Saudi Arabia with recommendation).

INTRODUCTION: Silent sinus syndrome is a rare disorder that presents a diagnostic challenge, most of the patients with this syndrome present with ophthalmological complaints without any nasal sinus symptoms, and it has a painless course and slow development. The syndrome can be diagnosed clinically and confirmed radiologically, and CT imaging is considered the gold standard for its diagnosis. The classical radiographic findings are opacification and collapse of the sinus walls. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is the standard gold treatment of choice to arrest the progression of the disease. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A case report of a 37-years-old-female who was complaining of severe throbbing pain since 2009, is presented here where the diagnosis of SSS was obtained in 2018, this delay in diagnosing the situation had affected the patient lifestyle tremendously. DISCUSSION: Accordingly, knowledge of the signs and features of SSS can result in an accurate diagnosis. Suspected cases of silent sinus syndrome require prompt ear, nose, and throat referral for consideration of definitive diagnosis and surgical management. Nasal endoscopy and clinical evaluation are also essential for the diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Our recommendation is to consider SSS as a differential diagnosis for patients with spontaneous enophthalmos and hypoglobus, even in the absence of maxillary sinus opacification. Moreover, encourage all the specialists in the medical and the dental field to communicate well together in cases like this.

Isolation of dental pulp stem cells from a single donor and characterization of their ability to differentiate after 2 years of cryopreservation.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the viability and differentiation capacity of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) isolated from single donors after 2 years of cryopreservation.   METHODS: This prospective study was conducted between October 2010 and February 2014 in the Stem Unit, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Seventeen teeth extracted from 11 participants were processed separately to assess the minimum tissue weight needed to yield cells for culturing in vitro. Cell stemness was evaluated before passage 4 using the colony forming unit assay, immunofluorescence staining, and bi-lineage differentiation. Dental pulp stem cells  were cryopreserved for 2 years. Post-thaw DPSCs were cultured until senescence and differentiated toward osteogenic, odontogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic lineages.   RESULTS: Viable cells were isolated successfully from 6 of the 11 participants. Three of these 6 cultured cell lines were identified as DPSCs. A minimum of 0.2 g of dental pulp tissue was required for successful isolation of viable cells from a single donor. Post-thaw  DPSCs successfully differentiated towards osteogenic, odontogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic lineages. The post-thaw DPSCs were viable in vitro up to 70 days before senescence. There was no significant difference between the cells.   CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this investigation, viable cells from dental pulp tissue were isolated successfully from the same donor using a minimum of 2 extracted teeth. Not all isolated cells from harvested dental pulp tissue had the characteristics of DPSCs. Post-thaw DPSCs maintained their multi-lineage differentiation capacity.

Dental pulp stem cells. Biology and use for periodontal tissue engineering.

Inflammatory periodontal disease is a major cause of loss of tooth-supporting structures. Novel approaches for regeneration of periodontal apparatus is an area of intensive research. Periodontal tissue engineering implies the use of appropriate regenerative cells, delivered through a suitable scaffold, and guided through signaling molecules. Dental pulp stem cells have been used in an increasing number of studies in dental tissue engineering. Those cells show mesenchymal (stromal) stem cell-like properties including self-renewal and multilineage differentiation potentials, aside from their relative accessibility and pleasant handling properties. The purpose of this article is to review the biological principles of periodontal tissue engineering, along with the challenges facing the development of a consistent and clinically relevant tissue regeneration platform. This article includes an updated review on dental pulp stem cells and their applications in periodontal regeneration, in combination with different scaffolds and growth factors.

Osteogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells under the influence of three different materials.

BACKGROUND: Regeneration of periodontal tissues is a major goal of periodontal therapy. Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) show mesenchymal cell properties with the potential for dental tissue engineering. Enamel matrix derivative (EMD) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) are examples of materials that act as signaling molecules to enhance periodontal regeneration. Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) has been proven to be biocompatible and appears to have some osteoconductive properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of EMD, MTA, and PDGF on DPSC osteogenic differentiation. METHODS: Human DPSCs were cultured in medium containing EMD, MTA, or PDGF. Control groups were also established. Evaluation of the achieved osteogenesis was carried out by computer analysis of alkaline phosphatase (ALP)-stained chambers, and spectrophotometric analysis of alizarin red S-stained mineralized nodules. RESULTS: EMD significantly increased the amounts of ALP expression and mineralization compared with all other groups (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, MTA gave variable results with slight increases in certain differentiation parameters, and PDGF showed no significant increase in the achieved differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: EMD showed a very strong osteogenic ability compared with PDGF and MTA, and the present results provide support for its use in periodontal regeneration.

Knowledge and attitude of dentists towards the use of botulinum toxin and dermal fillers in dentistry, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

INTRODUCTION: Botulinum toxin (BTX) and dermal fillers (DFs) are considered as quick and effective non-surgical solutions for enhancing facial appearance. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate dentists' knowledge and attitude towards using Botulinum toxin and DFs in dental treatment in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: Five hundred questionnaires were distributed in Riyadh city to government and private sectors to determine awareness and attitude towards using Botulinum toxin and DFs in dental clinics for therapeutic and aesthetics uses. RESULTS: Botulinum toxin: A total of 1.2% is practising it. Only 34.8% could recognise its composition. Use of Botulinum toxin in wrinkle reduction was the most reported (73.7%). A total of 81.1% believed that Botulinum toxin has side effects; allergic reaction was the most reported (57.5%). A total of 47.8% reported that higher doses are more toxic, and that males need higher doses than females (10.2%). Dermal fillers: A total of 0.9% is practising it. The most reported type (47.8%) was Fat transfer. Filling of wrinkles was the most reported use (57.8%). A total of 69% believed that DFs has side effects; allergic reaction was the most reported (53.4%). Attitude: A total of 37.8% would like to practise Botulinum toxin/DFs, mostly for aesthetic dental reason. However, 60.2% rejected the idea, mainly due to lack of knowledge and experience (44%). CONCLUSION: Limited knowledge regarding Botulinum toxin and dermal fillers is found among dentists in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Hepatitis B and C knowledge among Saudi dental patients.

OBJECTIVE: To explore Saudi dental patients' awareness of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections and its knowledge of transmission; and to compare the HBV and HCV knowledge and practices of men and women. METHODS: A pre-tested anonymous self-administered one-page questionnaire consisting of 3 parts with 32 different statements concerning basic knowledge of HBV and HCV, their mode of transmission, risk behaviors, prevention, treatment and immunization were randomly distributed to dental patients at clinics and waiting areas of different governmental and private dental clinics. The study was conducted between 2006 and 2007, in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: Six hundred and seventy-seven participants responded to the questionnaire. More than 60% of the participants were aware of both HBV and HCV and approximately 50% were aware that it could affect the liver function and lead to death. Availability of vaccine for HBV was a fact appreciated more by females (69%) than by males (31%) (p=0.00). It was also found that there is an increase in the awareness and knowledge of HBV and HCV with the increase in the level of education and with higher income. CONCLUSION: Efforts should be made to develop and implement hepatitis B and C educational campaigns for Saudi community. These efforts might be suitable for male and female audiences. Targeted community-wide awareness-raising campaigns and health care worker education is required to improve knowledge of HBV and HCV.