Antibacterial, Antibiofilm, and Tooth Color Preservation Capacity of Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles Varnish (in vitro Study).

Purpose: Antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgONPs) mixture assessed against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), in addition to examining MgONPs varnish impact on the preservation of the tooth color and inhibition of methylene blue diffusion to the enamel. Methods: MgONPs mixture was prepared in deionized water (DW), absolute ethanol (E), and rosin with ethanol (RE), named varnish. The antibacterial and antibiofilm capacities of MgONPs mixtures were tested by agar well diffusion, colony-forming unit (CFU), and biofilm inhibition microtiter methods in triplicate and compared to sodium fluoride varnish (NaF) and chlorhexidine mouthwash (ChX). A spectrophotometer was used to record basic tooth color. The artificial demineralization was initiated for 96 h. Then, experimental materials were applied to the corresponding group, and 10-day pH cycles proceeded. Then, the color was recorded in the same ambient environment. The methylene blue diffusion was evaluated by staining the samples for 24 h. After that, the diffusion test was calculated by a digital camera attached to the stereomicroscope. Results: The agar well diffusion test expressed a significant inhibition zone with all MgONPs mixtures (p = 0.000), and maximum inhibition zone diameter associated with MgONPs-RE. The same finding was observed in the CFU test. Additionally, 2.5%, 5%, and 10% MgONPs-RE varnish showed strong biofilm inhibition capacity (p = 0.039) compared to NaF and ChX groups that inhibit biofilm formation moderately (p = 0.003). The study shows that the 5% MgONPs-RE varnish maintains basic tooth color with minimal methylene blue diffusion compared to NaF varnish (p = 0.00). Conclusion: Evaluating MgONPs as a mixture revealed antibacterial and antibiofilm capacity against S. mutans with a higher effect of MgONPs-RE varnish. Also, examining the topical effect of MgONPs-RE varnish on the preservation of the tooth color after pH cycle challenges and methylene blue diffusion to enamel confirmed the high performance of MgONPs-RE varnish at 5%.

Scan Aided Dental Arch Width Prediction via Internationally Recognized Formulas and Indices in a Sample of Kurdish Population/Iraq.

Background: Numerous studies have investigated the applicability of Pont's index using a variety of selection criteria. The morphology of teeth and the shapes of the face are significantly influenced by racial, cultural, and environmental factors, so the current study focused on these demographics. Methods: This study is a retrospective study and included one hundred intraoral scanned images selected from patients seeking orthodontic treatment. Medit design software was used to obtain the real measurements and compare them to the predicted values from Pont's index. Paired t tests were used to test the validity of Pont's index, and regression equations were advocated to predict the inter-molar, inter-premolar, and anterior arch widths via SPSS version 25. Results: There were significant differences between the real anterior, inter-premolar, and inter-molar widths and the predicted values obtained from Pont's index, and there were weak positive correlations between the real values and the predicted values from Pont's index. Conclusions: Pont's index is not reliable to predict the arch widths for the Kurdish population, and new formulas are advocated. Hence, space analysis, malocclusion treatment, and arch expansion therapy should all take into account these results. Therefore, the derived equations may have further positive effects on diagnoses and treatment preparation.

Prediction of the Dental Arch Perimeter in a Kurdish Sample in Sulaimani City Based on Other Linear Dental Arch Measurements as a Malocclusion Preventive Measure.

The current study aimed to find a prediction equation to estimate the arch perimeter (AP) depending on various arch dimensions including intercanine width (ICW), intermolar width (IMW), interpremolar width (IPMW), and arch length (AL) in a sample of the Kurdish population in Sulaimani City. The study sample was 100 pairs of preorthodontic dental casts. Calculations of dental arch dimensions and perimeter were performed by a digital vernier. Statistical analysis was performed via using the SPSS version 25 software. The developed prediction equation for the upper arch was Y = +1.3 × (arch length) + 1 × (intermolar width), whereas the equation for the lower arch was Y = +0.9 × (intermolar width) + 0.92 × (intercanine width). Paired t-test revealed no statistical difference between predicted and real arch perimeters. Two separate prediction equations for upper and lower arches were developed based on the arch length (AL) and intermolar width (IMW) for the maxillary arch, intermolar (IMW), and inter canine widths (ICW) for the lower arch. The developed equations could have further beneficial impacts on orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning.

The effect of magnesium oxide nanoparticles on the antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of glass-ionomer cement.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of conventional glass-ionomer cement (GIC) modified by the addition of magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MgO nanoparticles were characterised by XRD, FTIR, and SEM analysis and tested for its activity against Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. MgO nanoparticles were incorporated into GIC powder (Ketac Molar Easymix) at different concentrations and the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity was evaluated using agar disk diffusion and biofilm-CFU counting assays. ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests were used for the analysis, and the level of significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: MgO nanoparticles showed antibacterial activity against both microorganisms (MIC = 500 µg/ml and MBC = 1000 µg/ml). A significant difference in the zones of inhibition was detected (p < 0.005). The effect was evident in the 2.5% MgO nanoparticle modified GIC while the CFU counting biofilm assay showed the effect of the added nanoparticles from 1% with a significant difference between the tested material groups (p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The MgO nanoparticle modified GIC showed effective antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against two cariogenic microorganisms and could be considered for further development as a biocompatible antibacterial dental restorative cement.

Traumatic dental injuries among primary school children in Sulaimani city, Iraq.

A cross-sectional survey was carried out through clinical examination of anterior teeth among 4015, 6- to 13-year-old children enrolled in 20 public primary schools of Sulaimani city, northern Iraq. The prevalence and pattern of traumatized anterior teeth were studied in relation to age, gender, type of injury, dental treatment needs, place and cause of the trauma in addition to occlusal relation and upper lip position. The prevalence of children with traumatic dental injuries was found to be 6.1% (243 children) of the total sample. Age and gender were highly significantly associated with dental trauma (P < 0.001). Males were more affected than females and the prevalence increased with age. Simple enamel fracture was the most common type of injury followed by enamel-dentine fracture and concussion. The maxillary central incisors were found to be most affected by trauma followed by mandibular central incisors and the maxillary lateral incisors. The number of injured teeth per child was 1.38 (totally 336 anterior teeth were found with dental trauma) and single tooth trauma was the most common type (69.5%). Results showed that only 7% of the traumatized anterior teeth received treatment and about half (48.7%) of the remaining traumatized teeth did not need dental treatments, while the least treatment type needed was extraction (3.5%). The highest proportions of traumatized children were found with class II division 1 malocclusion and inadequate upper lip coverage. Falls and playing were the most common causes of dental injury, while home was the most common place of trauma occurrence. The present study revealed a relatively low prevalence of dental trauma, but still this figure represents a large number of children. Therefore, educational programs are to be initiated for the community regarding causes, prevention and treatments of traumatic dental injuries.