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Objectives: This study aimed to compare the surface roughness and friction of different orthodontic archwires after exposure to salbutamol sulphate inhalation, an anti‐asthmatic medication. Methods: Orthodontic archwires (stainless‐steel [StSt], nickel‐titanium [NiTi], beta‐titanium [β‐Ti], and copper‐NiTi [Cu‐NiTi]) were equally divided into two groups. The exposed groups were subjected to 20 mg salbutamol sulphate for 21 days and kept in artificial saliva. The control groups were only kept in artificial saliva. Surface changes were visualized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The average surface roughness (Ra) was evaluated using atomic force microscopy (AFM), and friction resistance forces were assessed using a universal testing machine. Statistical analyses were performed using t‐tests and ANOVA followed by post hoc tests. Results: Salbutamol sulphate did not change the surface roughness of StSt and NiTi archwires (p >.05). However, the change in the surfaces of β‐Ti and Cu‐NiTi archwires was significant (p <.001). The frictional forces of exposed StSt, NiTi, and Cu‐NiTi archwires did not change (p >.05). However, the frictional forces of β‐Ti archwires increased significantly after exposure to salbutamol sulphate (p =.021). Brushing with fluoride after exposure to salbutamol sulphate increased the frictional forces of β‐Ti only (p =.002). Conclusions: Salbutamol sulphate inhalation significantly affected the surface texture of β‐Ti and Cu‐NiTi orthodontic archwires and increased the friction of β‐Ti archwires. These deteriorating effects were not detected on the surface of StSt and NiTi archwires. Therefore, we suggest that β‐Ti and copper titanium archwires should be used cautiously in individuals under salbutamol sulphate inhalation treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dental intrusions are a severe type of injury because they impact the neurovascular supply of the tooth as well as the supporting tissues which predispose the tooth to necrosis and root resorption. Management of these injuries requires repositioning of the teeth under close monitoring to avoid complications. The management becomes more comprehensive when an intrusion is combined with other injuries, such as a crown-root fracture. This case report represents a 4-year follow-up of a child who suffered from a concomitant injury of intrusion and complicated crown-root fracture to the maxillary immature permanent central incisors. The management involved a multidisciplinary approach including endodontics, pedodontics, orthodontics, periodontics, and prosthodontics. Given the guidelines of dental trauma and the circumstances of the case, the fractured teeth were root canal treated, filled with a bioceramic plug and gutta-percha, and then restored with posts/cores and temporary crowns. The intrusion was managed initially by passive eruption followed by an active orthodontic eruption, after which the teeth were restored with permanent ceramic crowns. Throughout the course of treatment, the teeth showed no complications of root resorption or ankylosis, although one tooth developed a periapical infection which was managed by apical surgery. At the 4-year follow-up, the teeth revealed healthy periodontium and good esthetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To analyze bite force distribution in subjects with different occlusal characteristics. This prospective study included 132 candidates (50 males, 82 females) seeking orthodontic treatment, who were divided into four groups based on Angle's classification of malocclusion. T-Scan® III Version 7.0 was used to record their relative distribution of bite forces, which were compared using gender, Angle's occlusal classification, overjet, overbite, space analysis, sagittal, and transverse skeletal relations variables. ANOVA revealed significant differences in posterior/anterior bite force ratios between sagittal dental and skeletal relationships, overjet, and overbite groups (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found between different space analysis and transverse relationship groups (p > 0.05) or between genders (p > 0.05). Subjects with Class III, decreased overjet and decreased overbite displayed higher bite force in posterior teeth compared to other groups. This feature must be considered when evaluating patients with dental and periodontal pathologies that might be affected by excessive tooth stress, especially in subjects with oral parafunctions and bruxism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the role of oral myofunctional therapy for the treatment of temporomandibular disorders.Methods: A search of the literature was carried out looking for randomized controlled trials performed on humans and written in English, Italian, French, and Arabic.Results: Four randomized controlled trials were found and evaluated by using the Study Quality Assessment Tool of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.Oral myofunctional therapy was shown to be effective for the treatment of temporomandibular disorders, alone or associated with other treatments, in three out of four studies, with significant reduction of pain intensity when compared to other conservative treatments and no treatment.Discussion: Even though scientific evidence is weak, oral myofunctional therapy appears to be effective for the treatment of temporomandibular disorders with favorable cost-benefit and risk-benefit ratios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Depression and tooth loss are significant health problems that affect individuals' functionality and quality of life. Comorbidity between depression and oral diseases has been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between depression and tooth loss in a US representative adult sample. Methods: This study included data from 22,532 adults ≥18 years by combining six 2‐year cross‐sectional cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) administered between 2005 and 2016. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression adjusted for gender, age, race/ethnicity, smoking, education, socioeconomic status, body mass index, diabetes, and alcohol intake. Results: Of the total sample, 4.5 percent were edentulous, 10.3 percent were lacking functional dentition (1–19 remaining teeth) and 85.2 percent had functional dentition (≥20 remaining teeth); among whom, the prevalence of depression was 12.4, 11.7, and 5.9 percent, respectively. Compared to individuals without depression, those with depression were more likely to be edentulous or lacking functional dentition versus having functional dentition (adjusted odds ratios (95% CI): 1.48 (1.16–1.89) and 1.43 (1.18–1.75), respectively). Conclusions: Depression was associated with edentulism and a lack of functional dentition. Further longitudinal and interventional studies are needed to elucidate the nature and direction of the relationship between depression and tooth loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Understanding the changes in bone density of patients affected by aggressive periodontitis could be useful in early disease detection and proper treatment planning. Aim: The aim of this study was to compare alveolar bone density in patients affected with aggressive periodontitis and periodontally healthy individuals using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 20 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of aggressive periodontitis. Twenty periodontally healthy patients attending the dental clinics for implant placement or extraction of impacted third molars served as controls. Alveolar bone density was measured using CBCT scanning. Comparisons between aggressive periodontitis group and controls for age and alveolar bone density of the anterior and posterior regions were performed using an independent sample t-test. Multivariable linear regression models were also performed. Results: The differences between groups in regard to age, anterior and posterior alveolar bone density was not statistically significant (p<0.05). In the posterior region, the multivariable regression model showed that bone density was not associated with age, gender or the study groups. Whereas, in the anterior region, patient's age was found to be significantly associated with bone density, p=0.014. Conclusion: Alveolar bone density as measured by CBCT in aggressive periodontitis patients was not different from periodontally healthy individuals. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study patients' acceptance of corticotomy-assisted orthodontics as a treatment option. Methods: Adult patients seeking orthodontic treatment were asked to complete two sets of questionnaires; the first set included questions about age, sex, and level of education and general questions about orthodontic treatment; and the second set was related to the corticotomy-assisted orthodontics. Before answering the corticotomy questions, a brief description of the clinical procedure was explained and photographs of an actual procedure were shown. Results: A total of 150 subjects were approached and 129 (86%) agreed to answer the questionnaires (72 male and 57 female patients). Of these, only 3.1% did hear about corticotomy and 7.8% selected corticotomy instead of extraction. Fear from the surgery (53.2%) was the most frequent reason for not selecting corticotomy followed by fear from pain (36.9%). The acceptance of corticotomy between males and females was similar. No relationship was found between the level of education and prior knowledge of the procedure, P=0.857. Prior knowledge about corticotomy was not a factor in selecting it as a treatment option (P=0.556) to reduce the treatment time (P=0.427). Conclusion: The acceptance of corticotomy-assisted orthodontics as a treatment option was low. Fear from the surgery was the main reason for not selecting it. The acceptance of corticotomy-assisted orthodontics was not related to patient's level of education or sex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This longitudinal study was aimed to investigate the association between didactic grades and practical skills for dental students and whether didactic grades can reliability predict the dental students' practical performance. Materials and methods: Didactic and practical grades for graduates from the Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, between the years 2009 and 2011 were collected. Four courses were selected: Dental Anatomy, Operative Dentistry, Prosthodontics, and Orthodontics. Pearson product-moment correlation analyses between didactic and practical scores were conducted. Results: There was only a significant correlation between didactic and practical scores for the Dental Anatomy course (P,0.001). There was also a significant correlation between all four subjects in the didactic scores (P,0.001). Only the scores of male students showed a significant correlation in the Operative Dentistry course (P,0.001). There were no correlations between Orthodontic grades. Moreover, a poor degree of reliability was found between didactic and practical scores for all subjects. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, the relationship between didactic grades and practical performance is course specific. Didactic grades do not reliably predict the students' practical skills. Measuring practical performances should be independent from didactic grading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]