The amazing spectrum of light – LASER

“In right light at right time everything is extraordinary”- says Aaron Rose. This is very true with respect to lasers. Discovery of lasers from the spectrum of light has revolutionized the technology in many fields. The word “LASER” means Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. They offer many useful clinical applications for general dentists in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. There are many clinical, aesthetic, and psychological reasons to use lasers. Herein we present a brief overview of “THE AMAZING SPECTRUM OF LIGHT

An update on Cention N: An aesthetic direct bulk-fill restorative material

The demand for aesthetic restorative materials has increased in recent years. Glass ionomer cements (GIC), their modifications, and various composite restorative materials have been developed as direct tooth-coloured restorative materials. However, none of these materials can be compared to the properties of amalgam restorative materials. Recently, a new direct tooth-coloured, bulk-fill, and aesthetic restorative material, Cention N, was developed. This material is easy to handle and has properties similar to those of type-IX GIC. This article provides an update on the composition and properties of Cention N restorative material

Evasion of anti-growth signaling: a key step in tumorigenesis and potential target for treatment and prophylaxis by natural compounds

The evasion of anti-growth signaling is an important characteristic of cancer cells. In order to continue to proliferate, cancer cells must somehow uncouple themselves from the many signals that exist to slow down cell growth. Here, we define the anti-growth signaling process, and review several important pathways involved in growth signaling: p53, phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), retinoblastoma protein (Rb), Hippo, growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), AT-rich interactive domain 1A (ARID1A), Notch, insulin-like growth factor (IGF), and Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) pathways. Aberrations in these processes in cancer cells involve mutations and thus the suppression of genes that prevent growth, as well as mutation and activation of genes involved in driving cell growth. Using these pathways as examples, we prioritize molecular targets that might be leveraged to promote anti-growth signaling in cancer cells. Interestingly, naturally-occurring phytochemicals found in human diets (either singly or as mixtures) may promote anti-growth signaling, and do so without the potentially adverse effects associated with synthetic chemicals. We review examples of naturally-occurring phytochemicals that may be applied to prevent cancer by antagonizing growth signaling, and propose one phytochemical for each pathway. These are: epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) for the Rb pathway, luteolin for p53, curcumin for PTEN, porphyrins for Hippo, genistein for GDF15, resveratrol for ARID1A, withaferin A for Notch and diguelin for the IGF1-receptor pathway. The coordination of anti-growth signaling and natural compound studies will provide insight into the future application of these compounds in the clinical setting

A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF THE 100 MOST CITED ARTICLES IN TOP RANKED DENTAL JOURNAL

Aim: To review the notable characteristics of the 100 most cited articles in dental journals with the highest impact factor according to journal citation reports 2021 by Clarivate analytics. Methods: From the Web of Science database, the impact factor of dental journals was collected. Then, the top 100 cited articles from the top-ranked dental journal were retrieved from the Web of Science database up to June 2021 and cross-matched with Scopus and Google scholar. The following data were gathered for each article including the number of citations, title, year of publication, authors, country and institute, study design, the strength of supporting evidence, and area of research. Results: Journal of Clinical Periodontology (JCP) had the greatest impact factor of 8.728 in the Dentistry, Oral Surgery, and Medicine category. The 100 most cited articles in JCP were published between 1974 and 2018, with the numbers of citations ranging from 2652 to 257 (Web of Science), 2754 to 207 (Scopus), and 4965 to 344 (Google scholar). Lindhe J tops the list with 29 articles followed by Socransky SS with 15. Gothenburg University, Sweden took the leading position with 27 articles followed by Forsyth Dental Centre, United States with 12. The list was represented mainly by articles with experimental study designs and level-I evidence. Surgical periodontal therapy was the most studied thematic area. Conclusions: Our findings reveal trends and preferences in the research component of a top-ranked journal in dentistry. There is considerable evidence of exceedingly citable articles with superior research design and a high level of evidence being published

Screening and Allotting Completely Edentulous Patients using Prosthodontic Diagnostic Index in a Dental School, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Introduction: To formulate an ideal treatment plan for edentulous patients, data collected from various diagnostic aids need to be structured and classified according to their treatment needs. The lack of structured diagnostic findings for edentulous patients has always been a barrier to effective care for patients. To address these issues, the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) established the Prosthodontic Diagnostic Index (PDI) based on specific criteria. Aim: To screen and allot completely edentulous patients to students using PDI in a dental school, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 122 completely edentulous patients who visited the outpatient clinic of a dental school in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The edentulous patients based on PDI were classified into four classes (Class I–IV) according to the diagnostic findings based on the complexities. The parameters studied were: mandibular bone height measured on a panoramic radiograph, residual ridge morphology of the maxillary arch, muscle attachments in the mandibular arch, and maxillomandibular relationship. Statistical analyses were performed using counts and percentages. Results: In the overall classification of PDI maximum 52 (42.6%) patients were classified as Class IV. Among the different criteria of PDI, 48 (39.4%) patients exhibited Class III mandibular bone height of 11-15 mm, whereas 40 (32.8%) patients exhibited Class IV mandibular bone height of 10 mm or less. In the maxillary residual ridge morphology, 62 patients (50.8%) were classified as Class I. A large number of patients 84 (70%) had Type A mandibular muscle attachment criteria and were classified as Class I or II. In the maxillomandibular relationship, the maximum number of patients 74 (60.7%) was of Class I. Conclusion: The majority of patients in the study were categorised as Class IV (severely compromised). Edentulous patients must be classified according to PDI during the initial screening phase so that less complex cases (Class I and II) can be allotted to undergraduate students and more complex cases (Class IV) can be handled by prosthodontists or can be referred to specialist centers so that costly and time-consuming remake of complete dentures can be avoided

Characteristics of endodontic clinical trials registered in clinicalTrials.gov between 2000 and 2022

Aim: This study aims to examine the characteristics of endodontic clinical trials registered in the ClinicalTrials.gov database. Methods: The ClinicalTrials.gov website was searched for endodontic clinical trials that were registered between 2000 and 2022. The search term used was “endodontics.” As a result of the search strategy, 613 trials were identified. Out of which, 500 clinical trials met our inclusion criteria. For each clinical trial, information was extracted including the year of registration, location of the trial, type of trial, study design (allocation, intervention model, and masking) estimated enrollment, participants' age, health condition/problems studied, intervention/treatment, the status of the trial, study results, phase of the trial, and source of funding. Fisher's exact test was applied to identify the characteristics of clinical trials associated with funding. Results: The number of registered clinical trials gradually increased from 2000 to 2022. Out of 500 clinical trials, 456 were interventional, and 44 were observational. Only 18 clinical trials had secured funding. The majority of interventional trials (90.8%) are randomized, and the most common interventional model was parallel assignment (88.4%). It was observed that irreversible pulpitis was the most common condition studied (32.2%). Nonsurgical endodontic therapy was the most common intervention used in the trials (42.2%). Conclusion: The study provided an overview of endodontic clinical trials that were registered in the ClinicalTrials.gov. The findings showed that registered endodontic clinical trials have increased rapidly since 2000. The vast majority of trials took place in Africa. The majority of endodontic clinical trials followed rigorous methods in terms of allocation, intervention model, and masking. However, only a small portion of trials had secured funding. The findings also indicate the need for trial results to be made publicly available to enhance evidence-based practice in endodontics

The Evaluation of Clinical Signs and Symptoms of Malignant Tumors Involving the Maxillary Sinus: Recommendation of an Examination Sieve and Risk Alarm Score

This observational study was conducted to evaluate the clinical signs and symptoms of maxillary sinus tumors and to propose a clinical examination sieve and a unique risk alarm score to be used for timely patient referral and vigilance. The study consisted of 70 patients between 20 to 82 years of age from both sexes. The clinical information gained was collected from the upper dentoalveolar segment, orbit, and nasal sites. Regarding the early clinical sign and symptoms of patients, nasal obstruction was found in 67 patients (95.7%), facial swelling in 69 patients (98.6%), paresthesia in 41 patients (58.6%), and epistaxis in 50 patients (71.4%). Furthermore, in terms of the late signs and symptoms, a palpable mass in buccal sulcus was observed in 65 (92.9%) of the patients, lymphadenopathy in 24 (34.3%), paresthesia in 38 (54.3%), and diplopia in 22 (31.4%). Furthermore, general sign and symptoms like exophthalmos was present in 35 patients (50%), anosmia was observed in 37 patients (52.9%), and oroantral fistula was noted in 37 patients (55.9%). Additionally, 67 (95.7%) of the patients complained of nasal obstruction. Similarly, facial asymmetry was observed in 69 (98.6%) of the patients and double vision was observed in 24 (34.4%). Tumors of the maxillary sinus have a very insidious course of spread and uncertain clinical signs and symptoms. What makes diagnosis worse is the fact that the symptoms of these tumors are so well hidden in the sponge-like nature of the midfacial region that they are easily misinterpreted by patients. Therefore, diagnoses must be made early, dentists must be vigilant, and patients must be fully investigated at the slightest suspicion of a tumor, albeit benign

ThalassoChip, an array mutation and single nucleotide polymorphism detection tool for the diagnosis of beta-thalassaemia

Background: The detection and diagnosis of beta-thalassaemia for populations with molecular heterogeneity, or diverse ethnic groups, has increased the need for the development of an array high-throughput diagnostic tool that can deliver large scale genetic detection. We report on the update and validation of the ThalassoChip, a beta-thalassaemia genetic diagnostic tool which is based on arrayed primer extension (APEX) technology. Methods: ThalassoChip slides with new and redesigned probes were prepared for testing the microarray. Six hundred and sixty DNA samples collected from eight Mediterranean countries were used for standardisation, optimisation and validation of the ThalassoChip. The beta-globin gene region was amplified by PCR, the products were hybridised to the probes after fragmentation and the APEX reaction followed. Results: The ThalassoChip was updated with new probes and now has the ability to detect 57 beta-globin gene mutations and three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a single test. The ThalassoChip as well as the PCR and APEX reactions were standardised and optimised using 500 DNA samples that were previously genotyped using conventional diagnostic techniques. Some probes were redesigned in order to improve the specificity and sensitivity of the test. Validation of the ThalassoChip performed using 160 samples analysed in blinded fashion showed no error. Conclusions: The updated version of the ThalassoChip is versatile, robust, cost-effective and easily adaptable, but most notably can provide comprehensive genetic diagnosis for beta-thalassaemia and other haemoglobinopathies. Clin Chem Lab Med 2010; 48:1713-8