Tissue Reactions to Various Suture Materials Used in Oral Surgical Interventions

A variety of suture materials are available for primary wound closure following oral surgical procedures. The aim was to review the tissue reactions to the various suture materials used in oral surgical interventions. Databases were searched using the following keywords: cotton, nylon, polyglecaprone 25, polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), Polyglactin 910, polyglycolic acid (PGA), polylactic acid, silk, surgery, suture, and tissue reaction. Articles published only in English language were included. Seventeen studies were included. Two studies reported that polyglecaprone 25 had positive effects on wound-healing as compared to silk. Six studies reported that silk elicits more intense tissue inflammatory response and delayed wound healing as compared to other suture materials (including ePTFE, polyglecaprone-25, PGA, and nylon). Polyglactin 910 sutures were associated with the development of stitch abscess in one clinical study. Eight studies reported that tissue reactions are minimal with nylon sutures. Tissue reactions to suture materials used for oral surgical interventions may vary depending on the surface properties and bacterial adherence properties of the material

Global Prevalence of Tobacco Use in Adolescents and Its Adverse Oral Health Consequences

BACKGROUND: Smoking is associated with various systemic conditions and contributes to a huge financial burden to economies around the world. AIM: The study aimed to evaluate global data about the prevalence of tobacco use among male and female adolescents and to discuss smoking-related oral complications. METHODS: The prevalence data of tobacco use among adolescents (13-15 years) was retrieved from the World Health Organization (Global Health Observatory). The World Bank’s statistics about gross national income (GNI) per capita were used to categorise low-income, lower-middle-income, upper-middle-income, and high-income countries. PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase databases were searched to gather updated evidence about the adverse consequences of smoking on oral health among adolescents. RESULTS: The prevalence of tobacco use was 19.33%, and there were 23.29% of male and 15.35% female smoker adolescents in 133 countries (p < 0.001). The highest prevalence of tobacco use in male (24.76%) and female (19.4) adolescents was found in high-income countries. Significantly higher proportions of male adolescents were smokers than female counterparts in low-income, lower-middle-income, and upper-middle-income (p < 0.001). However, there were no statistically significant differences in tobacco use between male and female adolescents in high-income countries. Low-income countries had the lowest prevalence (14.95%) of tobacco use, while high-income countries had the highest prevalence estimates (22.08). Gingivitis (72.8%), gingival bleeding (51.2%), oral malodor or halitosis (39.6%) is common oral conditions among smoker adolescents. Smoking habit is significantly associated with dental caries, periodontal disease, hairy tongue, smoking-related melanosis, and hyperkeratosis among adolescents. CONCLUSION: There was a high prevalence of tobacco use among male and female adolescents around the globe. Available evidence suggests a strong association between smoking and compromised oral health among adolescents. Globally, measures should be taken to prevent and control the menace of tobacco use to reduce systemic and oral complications

Trends in implant dentistry: Implant systems, complications and barriers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The file attached to this record is the Publisher's final version. Open access article.Background. Patients who are partially dentate or edentulous can receive both conventional and implantsupported fixed prostheses, which leads to improvement in function, esthetics and self-esteem. Currently, implant dentistry is one of the fastest-growing disciplines in dentistry. Objectives. The aim of the study was to assess the education and training of dentists practicing implant therapy in the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia, including their preferred dental implant systems, the clinical complications experienced as well as the barriers to implant therapy they encounter. Material and Methods. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among dentists in Riyadh performing dental implants in both the state and private sectors. The questionnaire included demographic data, such as nationality, the practitioner’s affiliated specialist category and their respective qualifications. Other data included their main sources of education pertaining to implant dentistry, the most commonly used implant systems, common clinical complications, and barriers to implant therapy. A descriptive statistical analysis of the data was carried out. Results. A significant majority of non-Saudi dental practitioners were employed in the private sector (p = 0.001), whereas a significant majority of Saudi dental practitioners were employed in the state sector (p = 0.001). The largest group of practitioners performing implants were general dentists (48.1%). The 3iTM implant system was the most widely utilized (35.4%). Failed osseointegration (12.6%) and peri-implantitis (12%) were the most common clinical complications. The biggest barrier to placing implants was the cost of implants to patients (59.1%). Conclusion. Fundamental to implant practice is the clinical practitioner and patient selection. The utilization of implant systems should preferably be based on the chemical properties of implant surfaces which promote early osseointegration. Comparative studies investigating the reasons for failed osseointegration and other clinical complications are needed locally and internationally. Further research, together with advanced clinical specialist training, can lead to improvement in the quality of implant therapy for the benefit of patients

Efficacy of the muscle energy technique versus the strain-counter strain technique on immediate deactivation of myofascial trigger points in upper trapezius muscle

Aims and objectives: Thisstudy aimed to check the comparative efficacy of the Muscle EnergyTechnique versus the Strain-Counter Strain technique on immediate deactivation ofmyofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle. Study design: The study comprised acomparative analytical design to compare and contrast the two study interventions. Place andduration of the study: The research was conducted in the Department of Physical therapy,Allied hospital Faisalabad for 6 months. Patients and methods: Based on inclusion andexclusion criteria, 40 subjects were enrolled in the study using the convenient samplingmethod. The subjects were divided into two groups; group A (n=20) received a single sessionof baseline treatment with themuscle energy technique, while group B (n=20)received a singlesession of baseline treatment with the strain-counter strain technique. The subjects wereevaluated through the pressure-pain threshold (algometer), Numeric Pain Rating Scale, andModified Bournemouth Questionnaire as pre-intervention and post-intervention measuringtools for pain and functional status. Results: The data was analyzed using SPSS version 17.Within group analysis showed a significant difference between pre- values and post values ofpressure-pain threshold, Numeric Pain Rating Scale and Modified BournemouthQuestionnaire in both groups (P<0.05). Between group analysis was done using independentsample t test. It also showed significant difference (P<0.05) in post mean values between thetwo group subjects in all three outcomes. The post-mean values for the strain-counter straingroup were slightly more improved than the Muscle Energy Technique group. Conclusion:The strain-counter strain technique is found more effective than the Muscle Energy Techniquefor immediate deactivation of myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle

General public awareness, knowledge and attitude toward COVID-19 infection and prevention: a cross-sectional study from Pakistan [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the knowledge, perceptions, and attitude of the public in Pakistan (using social media) towards COVID-19. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 1120 individuals nationwide. A self-developed, pre-tested questionnaire was used that comprised of sections covering demographic characteristics, medical history, hygiene awareness, COVID-19-related knowledge, and learning attitude. Descriptive statistics were used for frequencies, percentages, averages and standard deviations. Inferential statistics were done using the Student’s t-test and ANOVA. Results: The average age of participants was 31 years (range 18-60 years). In total 56 individuals (5%) had completed primary or secondary school education; 448 (40%) were employed (working from home) and 60% were jobless due to the COVID-19 crisis. Almost all the study subjects (1030 (92%)) were washing their hands multiple times a day. A total of 83% had awareness regarding quarantine time, 82% used face masks whenever they left their homes, 98% were aware of the origin of the disease, and 70% had knowledge regarding the most common symptoms of COVID-19. Conclusion: It can be concluded from the current study that female participants had higher level of education, and more awareness regarding the coronavirus. The majority of the participants followed proper hand washing regimes and washed their faces. Further knowledge and awareness should be promoted

Periodontal disease adversely affects the survival of patients with end-stage renal disease

Periodontal disease is associated with cardiovascular disease and is thought to accelerate systemic atherosclerosis. Here we examined the relationship between periodontitis and cardiovascular disease mortality in outpatients on hemodialysis using a retrospective analysis of 168 adult patients in New York City and North Carolina. During 18 months of follow-up, cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality were determined from a centralized dialysis registry. One hundred patients had mild or no periodontal disease but the remaining 68 had moderate-to-severe disease defined as 2 or more teeth with at least 6 mm of inter-proximal attachment loss. At baseline, the proportion of males was significantly lower in the moderate-to-severe group. Compared with mild or no periodontal disease, moderate-to-severe disease was significantly associated with death from cardiovascular causes. Adjustment for age, gender, center and dialysis vintage, smoking status, and history of diabetes mellitus or hypertension did not diminish the strength of this association. Our findings suggest a need for larger studies to confirm this connection, along with intervention trials to determine if treating periodontitis reduces cardiovascular disease mortality in dialysis patients

SCImago Journal Rank indicator : a viable alternative to Journal Impact Factor for dental journals

Objective. This paper investigated the possibility of SCImago Journal Rank (SJR) indicator as an alternative to the Journal Impact Factor (JIF) in the field of dentistry. Method. The SJR and JIF scores and ranking order of 88 dental journals were downloaded from the relevant websites. Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated to test hypotheses for association between the two journal quality metrics. Result. A very strong positive correlation was found between the scores and ranking order based on the SJR and JIF of selected journals. Hence, academics and researchers in dentistry can use the SJR indicator as an alternative to JIF.Published versio

The prevalence of localized juvenile periodontitis in a female Saudi population

Studies of juvenile periodontitis have reported variable prevalences among different populations andsocieties. The aims of this study were to find out the prevalence ans severity of juvenile periodontitisamong a female Saudi population, from their treatment records at King Saud University [KSU], College ofDentistry Malaz Campus, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A three year record of female patients from the division ofPeriodontics, KSU College of Dentistry was, screened. A total number of two thousand and five hundredfiles from Record Section of the College were screened. Four hundred and fifty two subjects were found inthe age range of 14 - 27 years (mean 20,5 years) with different forms of periodontal diseases. Onlyfivesubjects were diagnosed with Localized juvenile periodontitis (LJP) as assessed from panorex radiographs.The prevalence of LJP among the studied population was 1.1. percent. The severity of the periodontitis wasassessed by extend and pattern of alveolar bone loss, position and number of missing teeth. It was foundthat most of the cases had vertical alveolar defects ranging from 5 to 10 mm ; missing teeth were registeredin patients in their mid twenties.It is recommended that general dentists should be trained in early diagnosis and management of cases withjuvenile periodontitis. Further research is needed at the national level to find out the prevalence andseverity of juvenile periodontitis in the general populatio

Effect of miswak extract on healthy human dentin an in vitro study

The purpose of this study was to compare the texture of dentin surfaces after the application of saline, aqueous and alcohol-derived miswak extracts using different modes of application and exposure times. It was concluded that alcohol derived miswak extract at pH of 2.5 to 2.9, selectively removed the smear layer from the dentin surface exposing the dentinal tubules. This result was in contrast to burnishing dentin surface with aqueous - miswak extract of higher pH 6.3 to 6.6 or with saline, both of which partially removed the smear layer without dentinal tubules exposure. It cannot be excluded that the pH of the solutions used is an important factor in determining whether etching occurs.Corresponding Author: Dr. Nadir Babay, Division of Periodontics, Department of Preventive Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, PO Box 60169, Riyadh 11545, K.S.A. Email: [email protected]