Oral health status among transgender young adults: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) people are a marginalized set of the population that continues to experience health care inequalities. This study aimed to assess oral health parameters including Candida growth and intensity among TGNC adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited two subgroups: 40 transgender and 40 control adults. Consented participants were interviewed and clinically examined. Data using the WHO oral health assessment forms were obtained. Samples for Candida growth and intensity analysis were collected from the dorsum surface of the tongue. RESULTS: 27.5% of the transgender group was HIV seropositive. Oral nicotine stomatitis and leukoplakia are reported to be the most prevalent intra-oral lesions showing a prevalence of 27.5% and 20%, respectively. The dental and periodontal health parameters of the transgender group were worse than those of the control group. The intensity of Candida colonies was significantly higher in the test group (p = 0.014). CONCLUSION: Poor oral health and significant oral mucosal disorders were reported in transgender adults that have shown a higher rate of behavioral risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol consumption. Further longitudinal studies in different world regions are warranted to understand the barriers to good oral health in transgender adults and how to implement effective prevention and management strategies.

Serum uric acid levels in patients with oral cancer, leukoplakia and submucous fibrosis: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: This cross-sectional cohort study aimed to assess the associations between the serum uric acid levels and oral leukoplakia (OL), submucous fibrosis (OSMF) and squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and to correlate these with the clinical and histopathological features of these lesions. METHODS: Fifty-two patients with oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) (25 OL and 27 OSMF cases) and 33 OSCC patients with complete clinical and histopathological characteristics were included. A healthy control group was also investigated. The serum uric acid concentration was assessed using the uricase method from a blood sample without hemolysis. RESULTS: The level means of serum uric acid in the OL, OSMF and OSCC patients were 3.86±1.31, 5.65±0.85 and 4.99±1.34 mg/dL, respectively, compared to 5.16±0.97 mg/dL in the healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: The serum uric acid levels were reduced in the OL and OSCC patients but they were increased in the OSMF patients when compared to the healthy controls. No significant differences were seen in the clinical and histopathological features of the OL and OSMF patients. Future studies with larger sample sizes may improve the understanding of the contributory role of uric acid in the risk stratification of OPMDs. Although measuring the serum uric acid level involves a simple and economical assay, the data from this cross-sectional cohort does not support the clinical utility of evaluating the uric acid levels in OPMD and OSCC patients.

Oral manifestations of a rare variant of Marfan syndrome.

This article reports the oral manifestations of an unusual presentation of Marfan syndrome (MFS) and provides an evidence to the importance of recognizing the oral features in confirming the diagnosis of MFS. Dentists have a vital role in confirming the diagnosis of developmental disorders that involve the craniofacial compendium.

Comparison of Taste Threshold in Smokers and Non-Smokers Using Electrogustometry and Fungiform Papillae Count: A Case Control Study.

INTRODUCTION: Smoking in long term is not only responsible for cancerous changes but is also one of the reasons of altered taste sensation in smokers. These taste changes are hypothesized to be due to reduction in density of fungiform papillae on the dorsum of the tongue. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between fungiform papillae count, blood Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) and electrogustometric thresholds in smokers and non-smokers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fungiform papillae count was assessed using digital photography and imaging software while electrogustometric thresholds were assessed using modified Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation (TENS) machine in 30 smokers and 30 non-smokers. The subjects also underwent RDW evaluation. The data collected was analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Fungiform papillae counts in smokers were less than those of non-smokers and an inverse relationship was detected between smoking and fungiform papillae count. Electrogustometric thresholds were more in smokers than non-smokers and showed direct relationship with smoking. RDW was significantly more in smokers compared to non-smokers. An inverse relationship was observed between fungiform papillae count and RDW. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that smokers have a high taste threshold because of decrease in the number of fungiform papillae on the tongue and RDW values do show an inverse relationship with fungiform papillae density which depicts subclinical nutritional deficiency bringing atrophic changes in tongue.

The opinion and response of health professionals associated with academics about the research design and methods: A study.

AIM: The study aimed to survey the opinions and responses of health professionals in academics about their interest and experience in research, knowledge over study designs, and application of a common study design to find out the objectives behind any research study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A semi-structured questionnaire containing three variables with 15 questions were sent to 300 health professionals associated with academics in the category of Bachelor/Master/Doctorate working at Al-Farabi Colleges campuses located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected manually, descriptive frequencies were generated and the variables were statistically analyzed using Chi-square test. The knowledge scores between the qualification and gender were carried out using ANOVA and t-test. The final response rate was in conjuction to the statistician to exclude the uncompleted responses from the statistical analysis. RESULTS: The results showed a discrepancy in the participation; of 95 health professionals, (40) were females and (55) were males. Bachelor (16), Masters (61) and Doctorate holders (18) gave their opinion. For the first variable (research experience), all the surveyed categories showed the same response. However, for the second variable (study design and research criteria) bachelor holders showed poor, but equal performance was reported to the master and doctorate holders. In the third variable (objectives and common designs), bachelor holders showed a poor response in contrast to the master and doctorate holders whose have mixed opinions. For knowledge scores, no significance was present between the master and doctorate holders. CONCLUSION: There is a lack of understanding of the research objectives and common designs frequently used in research studies particularly among the bachelor holders. Additional postgraduate education on research methods is recommended to improve the knowledge and practices of research.

Cyst or tumor in the buccomaxillary region: Review of literature and a case report.

Odontogenic tumors (OTs) include entities of a hamartomatous nature, such as odontoma, benign neoplasms like an adenomatoid odontogenic tumor (AOT), some benign neoplasms are aggressive as in the case of ameloblastoma. The AOT is a rare odontogenic tumor constituting only 3% of all the OT and very often misdiagnosed as an odontogenic cyst. We report a case of an intra-osseous type of AOT occurred in a young 16-year-old female located in the anterior maxilla along with the clinical, radiological, histological features, and literature review related to the tumor affecting the patient.

Oral polyp as the presenting feature of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome in a child.

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is a congenital growth disorder characterised by abdominal wall defects, macroglossia and somatic gigantism. A number of associated features, including gastrointestinal and urinary tract polyps, have been described, but there are no previous reports of oral polyps occurring in this syndrome. We describe the first case of BWS presenting with an oral polyp. Clinicians should be alert to the possibility of BWS if other features of the syndrome are present, in children with oral polyps.

Histological Evaluation of Allium sativum Oil as a New Medicament for Pulp Treatment of Permanent Teeth.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the histo pathology effects of two medicaments Allium sativum oil and formocresol on the remaining pulp tissue of the permanent teething children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 18 premolars were included in this study. Two sound premolars were extracted and subjected to histological examination to show the normal pulp tissue. Pulpo tomy procedure was performed in the rest of the remaining 16 premolars; half of them using Allium sativum oil and the rest of the tested premolars were medicated using formocresol and all were sealed with suitable restoration. Then, premolars extracted at variable intervals (48 hours, 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months), stained using hemotoxylin and eosin etain (H&E) and prepared for histopathology examination. RESULTS: Histological evaluation seemed far more promising for Allium sativum oil than formocresol. Histological evaluation revealed that teeth treated with Allium sativa oil showed infammatory changes that had been resolved in the end of the study. On the contrary, the severe chronic infammation of pulp tissue accompanied with formocresol eventually produced pulp necrosis with or without fibrosis. In addition, pulp calcification was evidenced in certain cases. CONCLUSION: Allium sativum oil is a biocompatible material that is compatible with vital human pulp tissue. It offers a good healing potential, leaving the remaining pulp tissue healthy and functioning.

Immunohistochemical comparison of p53, Ki-67, CD68, vimentin, α-smooth muscle actin and alpha-1-antichymotry-psin in oral peripheral and central giant cell granuloma.

INTRODUCTION: Giant cell lesions are characterised histologically by multinucleated giant cells in a background of ovoid to spindle-shaped mesenchymal cells. There is a major debate whether these lesions are separate entities or variants of the same disease. Our aim was to study the nature of multinucleated and mononuclear cells from peripheral giant cell granuloma (PGCG), and central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) and giant cell tumor (GCT) of long bones using immunohistochemistry evaluation and to determine whether there is a correlation between recurrence and the markers used. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ki-67, p53, Vimentin, smooth muscle specific actin, CD68 and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin were used to study 60 giant cell lesions. These included 26 CGCG, 28 PGCG, and 6 GCT cases using an avidin-biotin-complex immunohistochemistry standard method. RESULTS: All studied cases showed the same results except the percentage of Ki-67 positive mononuclear cells in PGCG was significantly higher than that of both CGCG and GCT (p<0.05). Interestingly, no statistical correlation between recurrence and the markers used was found. CONCLUSION: Our results may suggest that these lesions have the same histogenesis. The mononuclear stromal cells, both histiocytic and myofibroblastic, are thought to be responsible for the behavior of these lesions whereas the multinucleated cells are considered as reactive. This might support the argument that PGCG, CGCG and GCT are different variants for the same disease. Further studies using molecular techniques are required to elucidate why some of these lesions behave aggressively than others.

Effect of yogurt and pH equivalent lemon juice on salivary flow rate in healthy volunteers - An experimental crossover study.

BACKGROUND: Xerostomia is a common clinical problem, and different medications have been tried in its management. In the present study, routine dietary products are used to assess their effect on salivary flow. AIM: To assess the efficacy of yogurt and lemon juice on increase in salivation and its comparison with that of unstimulated saliva. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 volunteers (aged 19-48) were selected. The pH of yogurt was calculated, and equivalent pH lemon juice was prepared. First, normal resting saliva was collected as baseline followed by every 1 min for 5 min. Patients were given lemon juice or yogurt and then crossed over to the other group to assess the impact of the stimulants on salivary flow from 1 to 5 min. RESULTS: The results were analyzed statistically. Comparisons between baseline saliva secretion and that by yogurt and lemon juice (using the ANOVA test) showed that there was a significant increase after treatment at the end of the experiment for both yogurt and lemon juice. However, yogurt showed a significant increase in saliva secretion compared to baseline than lemon juice. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that yogurt is a potential candidate for the treatment of dry mouth.

An In vitro Study on Post Bleaching Pigmentation Susceptibility of Teeth and Scanning Electron Microscopy Analysis.

BACKGROUND: To determine the susceptibility of teeth for repigmentation after bleaching. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty premolars were assigned to three groups (n = 12). Group 1 was bleached using 30% w/v hydrogen peroxide 15 min 3 times a day every other day for 4 days. In Group 2 was bleached using 16% carbamide peroxide (Polanight), 90 min a day for 15 days. 2 days later, the shades of the bleached teeth were recorded. Remaining 4 teeth were bleached according to Group 1 and 2 and were subjected to atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy analysis. RESULTS: Specimens of athome bleaching were lighter than the specimens of inoffice bleaching. CONCLUSION: The susceptibility of enamel to pigmentation can be increased after bleaching, and pigmentation is greater if bleaching is performed with H2O2. The percentage change (lighter) was more for athome bleaching specimens as compared to inoffice bleaching specimens.

Using an existing crown to repair a damaged cast post and core restoration.

A fractured coronal tooth structure beneath an intact crown is a common clinical occurrence. If the underlying root is healthy, the tooth is restored with a post and core followed by refabrication of the crown. This paper describes a technique of using the existing intact crown for the above-mentioned situation. A 34-year-old female was referred with a fractured right canine with an intact crown. A post was found fractured in the canal which was subsequently retrieved. A new fiber post was cemented in the post space followed by adaptation of 50 µm polytetrafluoroethylene (teflon) tape on the tissue surface of the crown. Dual-cured core build-up composite resin was injected into the crown and adapted to the fractured tooth. On curing and removal of the crown, a new composite resin core was found bonded to the tooth structure. The Teflon tape was removed from the crown, and the crown cemented to the core using glass ionomer cement. This technique of building up the core of the tooth using teflon tape adapted to the tissue surface of the crown was found to be successful even after 1 year of follow-up.

Clinical and Radiographic Evaluation of Allium sativum Oil as a New Medicament for Vital Pulp Treatment of Primary Teeth.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to compare between the clinical and radiographic effects of Allium sativum oil and those of formocresol in vital pulpotomy in primary teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 children age ranged from 4 to 8 years were included in the study. In every one of those children, the primary molars indicated for pulpotomy. Pulpotomy procedure was performed, and the radicular pulp tissue of one molar capped with A. sativum oil in a cotton pellet, whereas the other molar capped with formocresol, the teeth evaluated clinically and radiographically before and after 6 months, using standard clinical and radiographical criteria. Statistically, these results revealed no significant difference between the radiographic findings of vital pulpotomy in primary molars with the two medicaments was found. RESULTS: A. sativum oil offers a good healing potential, leaving the remaining pulp tissue healthy and functioning. Vital pulpotomy with allium sativa oil was given raise 90% success rate while that with formocresol was 85%. CONCLUSION: A. sativum oil is a biocompatible material that is compatible with vital human pulp tissue. It offers a good healing potential, leaving the remaining pulp tissue healthy and functioning.

An unusual side effect of Ibuprofen post dental therapy: increased erectile and libido activity.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the most commonly used medications for pain control in dentistry. The reported adverse effects include gastrointestinal and cardiovascular events, alterations in renal function, and effects on blood pressure, hepatic injury, and platelet inhibition which can lead to increased bleeding. This case report describes an unusual rare adverse event of the use of ibuprofen for pain control post restorative treatment. A 26-year-old, otherwise healthy Saudi male reported an unusual side effect of increased libido and erectile function post use of ibuprofen. The medical and laboratory tests have failed to identify a link between this rare adverse event and either underlying conditions or possibly related etiology. This case represented a puzzling challenge with no clear explanation.

Correlation of habits and clinical findings with histopathological diagnosis in oral submucosal fibrosis patients.

BACKGROUND: Oral submucosal fibrosis (OSMF) is one of the most prevalent premalignant conditions in India which is easy to diagnose but difficult to manage. At present it is considered as irreversible and incurable. It has also been referred to as an epidemic in India. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To correlate the frequency and duration of habits with clinical staging, functional staging and histopathological grading and to correlate the clinical and functional staging with histopathological grading. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included a total of 90 subjects, 80 with OSMF in the experimental group and 10 patients in the control group. Patient personal history was recorded with chewing habits, including frequency and duration of chewing. The site of keeping the quid, time duration and whether he/she swallows it or spits it were also noted. Clinical staging was done on the presence of palpable fibrous bands. Functional staging was accomplished by measuring mouth opening. Incisional biopsy was done for all the patients for histopathological examination. Histopathological grading was according to Pindborg and Sirsat. RESULTS: The experimental group comprised 71 males and 9 females, the majority of which were in the age group of 21-30 years. Correlation of habits with clinical staging, functional staging and histopathological grading were significant (p<0.05). Clinical and functional staging did not correlate with histopathological grading, but the correlation of clinical and functional staging was highly significant (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The widespread habit of chewing gutkha is a major risk factor for OSMF, especially in the younger age group. In this study, it was found that with increase in the duration and frequency of the habit the severity of the disease increased.