Prevalence of mesio-distal dilaceration in patients presenting for initial orthodontic care: A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of dilaceration in a sample of patients presenting for initial orthodontic care. METHODS: Examining radiographs from a random sample of orthopantomogram images was used to acquire the data. In all, 2,801 dental records were evaluated at Oman Dental College (ODC), Oman. A dental X-ray processing software was utilized to view the images. A tooth was classified as having a mesial/distal dilaceration if its long axis exhibited an angle of 90 degrees or greater. Dilacerated roots in the buccal/lingual direction were diagnosed by observing the appearance of a spherical opaque area with a dark shadow in its central region, projected by the apical foramen, which gave the root canal a "bull's-eye" appearance. RESULTS: Dilacerations were found in 17.32% of the records examined. The maxillary second molars (22.71%) were the most commonly affected, followed by the mandibular third molars and mandibular lateral incisors (21.90% and 17.23%, respectively). The central incisors and canines were the least affected, with dilaceration affecting less than 0.2% of the teeth. The mandible was found to have more dilacerations than the maxilla (53.78% and 46.22%, respectively). 61.03% of dilacerations occurred in molars, 43.12% of which occurred in third molars. CONCLUSION: Dilaceration is a notable dental anomaly that can affect any tooth, with some teeth being more affected than others. Dilaceration in maxillary second molars and mandibular lateral incisors is more common in the population of this study than in other populations reported in the literature. Recognizing the condition will allow for more effective orthodontic treatment.

Evaluating the Role of Inorganic Elements of Camelus Dromedarius Saliva in Protecting Enamel Against Tooth Surface Loss.

The aim of this study was to provide insight into the role of camel's saliva in protecting enamel against erosion and to evaluate the levels of salivary sodium, potassium, calcium, and phosphate ions among 2 groups of camels, those with low-grade tooth surface loss and those with high-grade tooth surface loss. Twenty-eight healthy camels, 5 males and 23 females, aged 20 months to 10 years, were divided into 2 groups. Group I comprise camels with "low-grade tooth surface loss" and Group 2 with "high-grade tooth surface loss." Unstimulated saliva was collected by a draining method. The samples were then analyzed for sodium, potassium, calcium, and phosphate concentrations using automated chemistry analysis. Data were then statistically analyzed using the unpaired Student's t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient test. The study found the salivary calcium and phosphate concentrations were significantly lower in the "high-grade" erosion group, in comparison with the other group (P < .0001 and P = .0257, respectively). The results also revealed that the more extensive the tooth surface loss, the more carious lesions the subject had (P = .023), and that caries are more common in the anterior teeth, particularly the incisors. The authors conclude that alterations in inorganic elements of saliva, particularly the calcium and phosphate ions, play a major role in the development of resistance to tooth surface loss. This work may represent a direction for future research to develop custom-made preventive supplements, which can protect camelid teeth against tooth surface loss.

Impact of COVID-19 on Student's Dental Education and Life.

Objectives: We sought to identify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Oman Dental College (ODC) students' management of their educational and student life. Methods: We conducted a quantitative cross-sectional online survey study using SurveyMonkey. During the 2019-2020 academic year, 383 ODC students across six levels of education were invited to participate in the survey. Descriptive statistics were applied to the students' demographic profiles, and other characteristics of the participants' data were analyzed. Cronbach's alpha was calculated for internal consistency. A univariate analysis was carried out to identify the differences between genders and between the Bachelor of Dental Surgery levels in relation to the questionnaire themes. A Pearson's correlation test evaluated the association between students' perception of risks due to the pandemic and the other relevant themes. Results: A 50.9% response rate revealed that five of the themes showed internal reliability ranging from excellent to acceptable, namely: performance of exercise, effect of the pandemic on their families, use of a facemask, college's online services, and students' mental health (0.51, 0.59, 0.70, 0.78, and 0.90, respectively). More than half of the participants felt encouraged to engage in self-directed learning using online resources. They felt some level of nervousness, worry, anxiety, or tension as well as stress during the pandemic. Statistical differences between levels of education were noted in the ODC's-online teaching services (p < 0.001) and students' mental health (p = 0.03). There was no difference between female and male students. The ODC's online services theme positively related to the students' mental health theme (r = 0.22, p < 0.001). Conclusions: ODC students experienced some mental health issues during the pandemic, including anxiety, stress, and sleeping issues. However, the majority of them were healthy. Most students were satisfied with the online teaching provided by ODC. It was also evident that faculty were always connected with the students. A positive relationship was noted between the management of online lectures and students' mental health.

Interactive Crossword Puzzles as an Adjunct Tool in Teaching Undergraduate Dental Students.

Background: In the restorative dentistry module of the undergraduate dental program, dental students encounter many new terms and concepts in a short period of time. The provision of adequate learning support to reinforce key concepts can be challenging. Aim: The purpose of this study is to determine student perceptions of how effective interactive crossword puzzles are as adjunctive tools to enhance the learning of restorative dentistry. Methods: Students completed interactive crossword puzzles created by the authors, with a reward awarded to the first group of students who completed the puzzles successfully. The interactive crossword platform was programmed using the ReactJS framework and designed using Tailwind CSS. An evaluation of the student's perception of this educational method was conducted using textual feedback and Likert-scale questionnaires. Results: Students found the crossword puzzles engaging, meaningful, and successful as indicated by their favorable Likert scores and feedback. Written comments revealed student enthusiasm for and a desire to be exposed to more of these exercises. Conclusions: This work sheds light on the potential advantages of incorporating interactive crossword puzzles into the restorative dentistry course from a student's perspective. The crossword puzzles improved students' ability to review and reinforce concepts and terminology and proved to be meaningful and enjoyable. The web-based nature of the tool ensured good student responsiveness and engaged the entire class in an interactive, competitive setting. Application of the hint option, which offered a text of relevant reading material, helped students understand, retain more knowledge, and engage with course material more than they might have otherwise.

Oral rinses, mouthwashes and sprays for improving recovery following tonsillectomy.

BACKGROUND: This is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in The Cochrane Library in Issue 1, 2010.Tonsillectomy is the surgical removal of lymphoid tissue, the palatine tonsil, which is located at the back of the throat. It is still commonly performed for patients who have recurrent bouts of acute tonsillitis. Although tonsillectomy is considered a fairly minor procedure, pain and bleeding are two of the most common complications; either may delay recovery and can on occasion lead to hospital readmission. Postoperative tonsillectomy medication should provide an adequate reduction in morbidity while minimising side effects, therefore topical agents would seem to be an ideal, safe option. A number of mouthwashes and topical sprays are available which offer pain relief or can help to reduce bleeding in the immediate postoperative period. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of oral rinses, mouthwashes and sprays in improving recovery following tonsillectomy. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Group Trials Register; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); PubMed; EMBASE; CINAHL; Web of Science; BIOSIS Previews; Cambridge Scientific Abstracts; ICTRP and additional sources for published and unpublished trials. The date of the most recent search was 22 April 2011. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials in which mouthwashes, used pre- and postoperatively, have been compared with placebo. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors selected trials for inclusion, assessed the risk of bias and extracted data independently. MAIN RESULTS: We included six trials (528 participants; 397 children and 131 adults). The period of follow up ranged from 24 hours to two weeks. Few of the trials provided reliable data for the pre-specified primary outcomes and none for the secondary outcomes. Lidocaine spray appeared to be more effective than saline spray at reducing the severity of pain but only until the third postoperative day. A small number of participants experienced a burning or stinging sensation with benzydamine spray but not sufficient to discontinue usage. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The risk of bias was high in most of the included trials and poor reporting quality and inadequate data did not permit comprehensive and reliable conclusions to be made. Future trials should be well-constructed and pay more attention to the methods used to assess outcomes, the timing of the assessments, and the quality of reporting and subsequent analysis of the data.

Oral rinses, mouthwashes and sprays for improving recovery following tonsillectomy.

BACKGROUND: Tonsillectomy is the surgical removal of lymphoid tissue, the palatine tonsil, which is located at the back of the throat. It is still commonly performed for patients who have recurrent bouts of acute tonsillitis. Although tonsillectomy is considered a fairly minor procedure, pain and bleeding are two of the most common complications; either may delay recovery and can on occasion lead to hospital readmission. Postoperative tonsillectomy medication should provide an adequate reduction in morbidity while minimising side effects, therefore topical agents would seem to be an ideal, safe option. A number of mouthwashes and topical sprays are available which offer pain relief or can help to reduce bleeding in the immediate postoperative period. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of oral rinses, mouthwashes and sprays in improving recovery following tonsillectomy. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Group Trials Register; CENTRAL, PubMed; EMBASE; CINAHL; AMED; ISI Web of Science; BIOSIS Previews; CAB Abstracts; LILACS; KoreaMed; IndMed; PakMediNet; China National Knowledge Infrastructure; NRR (National Research Register) Archive; mRCT (the metaRegister of Controlled Trials) and Google to March 2009. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials in which mouthwashes, used pre- and postoperatively, have been compared with placebo. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors selected trials for inclusion, assessed the risk of bias and extracted data independently. MAIN RESULTS: We included six trials (528 participants; 397 children and 131 adults). The period of follow up ranged from 24 hours to two weeks. Few of the trials provided reliable data for the pre-specified primary outcomes and none for the secondary outcomes. Lidocaine spray appeared to be more effective than saline spray at reducing the severity of pain but only until the third postoperative day. A small number of participants experienced a burning or stinging sensation with benzydamine spray but not sufficient to discontinue usage. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The risk of bias was high in most of the included trials and poor reporting quality and inadequate data did not permit comprehensive and reliable conclusions to be made. Future trials should be well-constructed and pay more attention to the methods used to assess outcomes, the timing of the assessments and the quality of reporting and subsequent analysis of the data.