The Comparison of Survival Rates between Narrow Diameter Implants and Standard Diameter Implants: An Updated Meta-analysis.

Background: One of the key objectives is to update knowledge in order to develop treatment and care recommendations based on research findings. The purpose of the present meta-analysis was to compare the survival rate of narrow dental implants (NDI) with standard dental implants (SDI). Methods: The international databases targeted for conducting a broad search included PubMed (Medline), Scopus, Web of Sciences, and Embase (Elsevier), which were searched to retrieve articles from January 1, 2000, to the end of July 2022. After the search, studies were screened based on the title, abstract, and full text, and finally, information extraction and quality assessment of the articles were performed based on the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale checklist. All analyzes were conducted in STATA software Version 17. Results: After the screening, 8 retrospective and prospective cohort studies remained in the research for analysis. The outcomes demonstrated that the probability of healthy teeth in the 2 groups of NDI and SDI was not substantially different at least a year after implantation, and the risk ratio of tooth loss in the NDI group was comparable to that of the SDI group (RR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.98, 1.02; I2: 28.37 %; P = 0.252). In addition, the survival rates in the 2 groups were also measured using meta-analysis and the results showed the survival rates in the 2 groups of NDI and SDI were almost equal. In the SDI group, the survival rate was equal to 94% (95% CI, 90%-98%), and in the NDI group, it was equal to 94% (95% CI, 92%- 98%). Conclusion: Based on the results of the present meta-analysis, the survival rates in the both NDI and SDI groups were almost equal.

Dentists' knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding Hepatitis B and C and HIV/AIDS in Sanandaj, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers including physicians, dentists, nurses and laboratory workers are considered to be among the groups at the risk of blood-borne pathogen transmission. Thus, it is necessary to evaluate the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) of dentists regarding infection control and basic principles. METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited 106 dentists in Sanandaj, Iran. The dentists' KAP regarding hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and HIV/AIDS were evaluated. Chi-square test, student's t-test, and one-way ANOVA were used to assess differences between the groups. Data were analyzed in Stata 12. RESULTS: The results showed that the majority of the subjects in the study population (53.8%) were female. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) for age and work experience was 39.6 ± 9.80 and 10.6 ± 8.7 years, respectively. The mean ± SD for knowledge, attitude and practices of participants was 37.3 ± 3.01, 22.9 ± 4.80 and 24.07 ± 5.06, respectively. The results also indicated that dentists' higher level of knowledge about HBV, HCV and HIV/AIDS was significantly influenced by work experience (≥10 years; P < 0.001) and graduation year (after 2006: P < 0.001). Positive attitude towards HBV, HCV and HIV/AIDS was considerably influenced by age group (< 30 years: P = 0.021), work experience (≥10 years: P < 0.001), and workplace (dental office: P = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrated a satisfactory level of knowledge and attitude of dentists about HBV, HCV and HIV/AIDS infections, but some gaps were observed, suggesting that higher knowledge level of dentists plays a very important role in forming the attitudes and practices regarding patients with HBV, HCV and HIV/AIDS.

Microtensile Bond Strength Between Zirconia Core and Veneering Porcelain After Different Surface Treatments.

OBJECTIVES: The long-term clinical success of all-ceramic restorations requires sufficient bond strength between the veneering ceramic and substructure. The present study compared the effects of three methods of surface treatment on the microtensile bond strength of the veneering porcelain to zirconia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve zirconia blocks were randomly divided into four groups of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) air abrasion, carbon dioxide (CO2) laser irradiation, erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser irradiation, and control samples (no surface treatment). After surface treatment, the zirconia blocks were veneered with porcelain. To assess the surface topographies, four surface-treated specimens were left uncoated. Microtensile bond strength was tested in each group and was statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey's test. Surface topographies were examined by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RESULTS: The highest and lowest microtensile bond strength values were recorded in the Al2O3 (43.6±10.0 MPa) and control groups (34.7±8.2 MPa, P<0.05). The bond strengths in the CO2- and Er:YAG-irradiated groups were equal to 40.4±6.5 MPa and 38.2±7.5 MPa, respectively. The majority of the failures (mean=92.44%) were of cohesive nature located in the veneer, followed by mixed fractures (mean=7.6%). The milling marks of the computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) machine were apparent in the control samples, while desert-like micro-cracks were observed on the surfaces treated with CO2 and Er:YAG lasers. Al2O3 air abrasion produced the roughest topography. CONCLUSIONS: Al2O3 air abrasion resulted in a higher microtensile bond strength compared to CO2 or Er:YAG laser irradiation. Cohesive failure mode was predominant. No pure adhesive failures were observed.