Caries experience of urban and rural children in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: Caries experience and restorative treatment needs often are reported to be higher in urban than rural areas in developing countries. The purpose of this study was to compare caries experience in 12- and 13-year-old children in urban and rural areas of Saudi Arabia, a young, oil-rich, developing country. METHODS: A random sample of 1,873 schoolchildren aged 12-13 years from urban and adjoining rural areas of 10 administrative regions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were examined for dental caries. Questionnaires also were administered to elicit information on the frequency of snacking as well as consumption of sweets and soft drinks. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found between urban and rural children in caries experience in permanent teeth (mean DMFT = 2.69 in urban areas; 2.65 in rural areas), frequency of snacking, or frequency of consumption of sweets and soft drinks. The percentage of DMFT found to be D was equally high (> 89%) in both urban and rural areas, indicating a high level of restorative treatment need. CONCLUSION: In Saudi Arabia, an economically prosperous developing country, exposure to cariogenic diet in urban and rural areas does not differ. Also, a difference in caries experience in urban and rural areas often reported for developing countries does not apply to Saudi Arabia.

Engraved fixed restorations to facilitate identification in forensic dentistry.

A procedure for making accurate identification markings on metal crowns and fixed partial dentures with minimal cost is described. The markings can aid in identification of unknown bodies within a short period of time if this procedure becomes routine and is recognized by forensic odontologists.

Sleeve design for a fixed partial denture.

A new sleeve design of a cemented cast retainer for a posterior fixed partial denture to improve retention with minimal tooth reduction while sustaining the original occlusal relationships is described.

Dental caries, sugar consumption and restorative dental care in 12-13-year-old children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

A 3-day dietary history was obtained from 363 Riyadh schoolchildren aged 12-13 yr, after which their dentitions were examined for dental caries. About 16-31% of the children were caries-free and the mean DMFT varied between 1.67 and 2.43. However, in those with at least one tooth decayed, missing or filled, the mean DMFT remained constant at about 3, irrespective of age or gender; and most of the carious teeth were unrestored. There was a statistically significant relationship between DFS and the frequency of sugar consumption on the first 2 days of the dietary diary. It is suggested that the management of dental caries in the children must include the control of dietary sugar.

The relationship between chewing sticks (Miswak) and periodontal health. 3. Relationship to gingival recession.

Aggressive or improper toothbrushing techniques may have a detrimental impact on the gingiva. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between chewing sticks (Miswak) and gingival recession. Gingival recession was measured on the mid facial surfaces of the incisors, canines, and premolars in 238 patients presenting for routine dental appointments. All patients had been interviewed previously regarding their oral hygiene habits and use of Miswak. Patients were divided into three groups: Miswak group, toothbrush group, and Miswak/toothbrush group. The Miswak users had significantly more (P less than or equal to .05) sites gingival recession than did the toothbrush users. Furthermore, the severity of the recession was significantly more (P less than or equal to .05) pronounced in the Miswak users than it was in the toothbrush users.

The relationship between chewing sticks (Miswak) and periodontal health. 2. Relationship to plaque, gingivitis, pocket depth, and attachment loss.

For centuries, chewing sticks have been used as a tooth-cleaning device. One of the most commonly used types is known as the Miswak. Despite its common use, few studies have examined possible effects on the gingiva and the surrounding structures. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between Miswak and periodontal health. The incisors, canines, and premolars were examined in 236 patients. All patients were interviewed regarding their demographic data, oral hygiene habits, and use of Miswak. Clinical examination included scoring of plaque, gingival inflammation, pocket depths, attachment loss, and gingival recession. Patients were divided into three groups: a Miswak group, a toothbrush group, and a Miswak/toothbrush group. The results of this study indicated that use of the Miswak may influence plaque accumulation and periodontal health.

Relationship between chewing sticks (Miswak) and periodontal health. Part 1. Review of the literature and profile of the subjects.

For more than 1,000 years, Moslems all over the world have used chewing sticks (Miswak) as an oral hygiene aid. In spite of the introduction of modern oral hygiene devices, many Moslems still prefer to use the natural Miswak. Despite its common use, there is a paucity of data bout its effects on the periodontal structures. This is the first of a three-part series examining the relationship between Miswak and periodontal health. Part I presents a review of the current literature and a demographic profile of the study population. Patients presenting for routine dental appointments were subjected to a comprehensive interview regarding their demographic data, oral hygiene habits, and use of Miswak. Clinical examination included scoring of plaque and periodontal health.

Three-rooted permanent mandibular first molars of Asian and black groups in the Middle East.

The occurrence of supplementary roots of the lower first permanent molars is 2.33% for a Saudi group of Asiatic descendants and 0.65% for an Egyptian group of African descendants. The most prominent finding demonstrated in this study is the lower percentage of occurrence of the third root among the Saudi samples compared to other Asiatic samples in other studies. Furthermore, this study confirmed the occurrence of the anomaly in our African samples, and the clinical situation illustrates the importance of early diagnosis to avoid complications for such molars by dental practitioners.

Gingival response to lingual contours of bonded metal bridges: a 12-month study.

Overcontouring of cast metal on the lingual surfaces of teeth used as abutments in acid-etched bridges may be responsible for plaque accumulation and inflammation of the gingiva. The purpose of this study is to assess the gingival response in acid-etched bridge abutments during a period of 12 months. The parameters used for assessment are the gingival cervicular fluid flow, plaque and gingival indices, and the free gingival margin height for both the abutments and uninvolved controls. The results of both the experimental and control sites in 17 patients were similar with no significant differences (p less than .02). The study suggests that careful contouring of the ligual surfaces of acid-etched bridges does not adversely affect the health of the adjacent gingival tissues during a 12-months of follow up.