Does the application of autologous injectable Platelet-Rich Fibrin (i-PRF) affect the patient's daily performance during the retraction of upper canines? A single-centre randomized split-mouth controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have assessed different aspects concerning the applications of i-PRF in the oral cavity. However, nothing is known regarding patients' perceptions of the injection of autologous platelet-rich fibrin (i-PRF). OBJECTIVES: To investigate patients' perceptions after injecting platelet-rich fibrin (i-PRF) in the course of retracting upper canines. METHODS: Twenty-one patients, whose treatments required extractions of both upper first premolars, were recruited. Extraction side was randomly allocated to the intervention or control sides. After the alignment phase, i-PRF was injected twice with a one-month interval on the buccal and palatal aspects of the extraction sites (intervention side). Patients' perceptions were evaluated with two questionnaires: the first was used to assess the level of pain, discomfort, swelling, eating and swallowing difficulties as well as jaw movement restriction after 1 h (T1), 2 h (T2), 6 h (T3), 24 h (T4) and 48 h (T5) of the second injection; the second questionnaire was used to assess the acceptance of the i-PRF injection and overall satisfaction with this technique at the end of canine retraction phase. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was adopted for this purpose. Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test was used to compare between both sides at all time points while Friedman's Test was the selected test for detecting variables' changes over time. Post-hoc Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Signed-Rank Tests were applied when any of the results were significant. As to the multiplicity of tests, Bonferroni Correction was implemented. RESULTS: Pain and swelling levels were significantly higher on the experimental compared to the control sides at T1, T2, and T3 (P < 0.05), whereas they declined sharply and went back to almost normal values at T4 (after 24 h). At T5 they were 0. Discomfort and difficulty in mastication on intervention sides were significant only at T1 and T2. Pain, swelling, and chewing difficulties were significant (P < 0.001) during the 4 assessed time points. The increase was insignificant regarding swallowing difficulties and jaw movement limitations at all time intervals. CONCLUSIONS: Injecting autologous (i-PRF) during orthodontic canine retraction is a well-perceived and well-tolerated method due to the limited discomfort which significantly diminishes 24 h afterwards. TRIAL'S REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier Number: NCT03399422. 16/01/2018).

Caries prevalence and dental health of 8-12 year-old children in Damascus city in Syria during the Syrian Crisis; a cross-sectional epidemiological oral health survey.

BACKGROUND: There was an immense need for studies evaluating the dental health status in Syrian children, especially under the current circumstances of the Syrian crisis. No contemporary data was available. The aim of this study was to assess the current dental health status in children aged 8 to 12 years in Damascus city. METHODS: The study was a cross-sectional epidemiological school-based oral health survey using stratified random cluster sampling. A total of 1500 children were clinically examined. For each child, personal information together with DMFT and dmft indices were recorded. Statistical analysis was undertaken to investigate the effects of different factors on caries prevalence. ANOVA, and Chi Square tests were both utilised. RESULTS: The caries prevalence for the whole city was at (79.1%). The mean DMFT was (2.03 ± 1.81) and the mean dmft was (2.47 ± 2.94). Of the DMFT index mean value, (91.14%) was for decayed and missing permanent teeth. Of the dmft index mean value, (89.1%) was for decayed and missing deciduous teeth. The most affected teeth were the permanent first molars (1.58 ± 1.51). There is a statistically significant relationship between the used indices means and the children's distribution as to the city's localities. CONCLUSIONS: Dental caries was higher than expected. Health promotion programmes are essential and of critical importance in order to improve the dental health status.

The gingival health status of 8-12 year-old children in Damascus city in Syria during the Syrian Crisis: a cross-sectional epidemiological oral health survey.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the current gingival health status in children aged 8-12 years in Damascus city. No contemporary data was available with an immense need for studies evaluating the gingival health status in Syrian children, especially under the current circumstances of the Syrian crisis. RESULTS: The study followed the school-based health survey model using stratified random cluster sampling. A total of 1500 children were clinically examined. The mean PI was at (1.39 ± 0.57) and the mean GI was at (1.12 ± 0.46). Of the total sample, (97.93%) had gingivitis. There is a statistically significant relationship between the used indices means and the children's distribution as to the city's localities. Also, there is a statistically significant relationship between the used indices means and the children's gender. Gingival health was seen to be better and plaque accumulations were less in females. The gingival health status is moderate and is within the acceptable ranges while the plaque accumulations are right above moderate. Still, gingivitis prevalence is high and special care as well as developing and implementing advanced preventive programmes are highly needed.