Association between Self-Reported Bruxism and Sleeping Patterns among Dental Students in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to identify sleeping patterns among dental students and their association with self-reported bruxism in Riyadh Colleges of Dentistry and Pharmacy (RCsDP). Methods. A cross-sectional study was performed including 549 students (67 men and 482 women). A structured questionnaire was adopted from The PSQI (The Pittsburgh Sleep Questionnaire Index) used for data collection. It included questions which are categorized into sleeping habits, sleep-related symptoms, and additional questions concerning bruxism. This questionnaire was randomly distributed among all college preclinical and postclinical students. Sleep bruxism diagnosis was based on self-reported data. The data were analyzed using Chi-square tests through SPSS software for Windows. Results. Statistical analyses revealed significant correlations between self-reported bruxism and sleeping habits including sleep initiation (χ2=22.6, p=0.000), continuous sleep until morning (χ2=19.2, p=0.001), nighttime sleep duration (χ2=20.2, p=0.000), and length of daytime naps (χ2=28.35, p=0.000). There was an association between self-reported bruxism and sleeping-related symptoms including awakening early in the morning before the usual time without a cause (χ2=16.52, p=0.000) and increased nightmares (χ2=13.7, p=0.001). Conclusions. Poor sleeping pattern was an important factor among dental students, who reported sleep bruxism

Family physicians' utility of social media: a survey comparison among family medicine residents and physicians

Introduction: Social media has become ubiquitous and has brought a dramatic change in health services. Little is known about its use by family physicians and residents for personal or professional purpose. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the utility of social media among family medicine residents and consultants. Methods: The collection of data was through the use of a five part questionnaire developed by researchers. The questionnaire was delivered to 70 physicians and 100 residents, out of which 132questionnaires were completed, representing a 78 percent response rate. Results: Our findings demonstrate that there was an overall high use of social media. Females used social media more for general education and professional purposes. Men, by contrast, used it more frequently for personal purposes. The participants in this study appeared to consider social media as having several useful dimensions, such as: enabling them to accomplish job tasks, improve job performance, productivity and more effective patient care when using social media. Conclusions: To date, limited studies have compared social media use among family physicians and residents. This study may serve as an initial step for future studies explaining the pattern of use among physicians

Radiographic investigation of in vivo endodontically treated maxillary premolars in a Saudi Arabian sub-population

Aim: To determine the prevalence of the number of root canals in permanent maxillary first and second premolars of a Saudi Arabian sub-population. Results will be compared to previous Asian studies. Materials and Methods: A total of 894 periapical radiographs of endodontically treated maxillary first and second premolars of 628 Saudi patients (268 males and 360 females) were viewed. The teeth were segregated into maxillary first premolars (463) and maxillary second premolars (431). The diagnostic, working length, master cone and final films with different angles were mounted, projected and, with the utilization of written clinical records, evaluated. Teeth with multiple canal systems were categorized according to whether the canals exited the root by common or separate apical foramen. Data was analyzed statistically using Chi-square test and professional t-test, by comparing pairs of groups with the significant level established at 5% (P < 0.05). Results: More than 90% of first maxillary premolar and more than 50% of the second maxillary premolar was found to have two canals. There was no significant difference between male (92%) and female (95%) in the distribution of the two root canals of the first maxillary premolar (t-test = 1.21, P value = 0.228), however, there was significant difference between the distributions of male (69.4%) and female (52.2%) of the two root canals within the second maxillary premolar (t-test = 3.75, P value = 0.000). Few teeth showed three canals. Conclusion: The number of root canals of the maxillary first premolar in Saudi population shows a higher incidence of two canals (93.6%) than previously reported. In addition, the figure is higher than most of the Asian countries

Interdental alveolar bone density in bruxers, mild bruxers, and non-bruxers affected by orthodontia and impaction as influencing factors.

Aim: To assess the interdental alveolar bone density within specific regions of interest in the mandible of bruxers, mild bruxers and non-bruxers in absence or presence of influencing factors, such as orthodontia and impaction. Materials and methods: The study consisted of 104 subjects (64 bruxers and 40 controls) from the female students in the Faculty of Dentistry. Students were classified into bruxers, non-bruxers, and mild bruxers. The presence of modifying factors, such as impacted mandibular third molars and/or current or recent orthodontic treatment were identified. Panoramic radiographs were obtained, and the mean bone density values of interdental alveolar bone were measured using ImageJ software. Results: Non-bruxers had the highest mean bone density in all measured regions. The mesial aspect of the second premolar was an area of higher mean bone density in bruxers and in mild bruxers, compared to non-bruxers. In the presence of orthodontic treatment, the mean bone density in non-bruxers surpassed that of bruxers and mild bruxers. Conclusion: Bruxism, whether mild or severe decreased the interdental mean bone density in the studied regions of interest. The presence of influencing factors affected the interdental mean bone density.Objetivo: Evaluar la densidad ósea alveolar interdental en áreas de interés de la mandíbula de bruxómanos, bruxómanos leves y no bruxómanos en ausencia o presencia de factores como ortodoncia e impactación dentaria. Material y métodos: El estudio consistió de 104 (64 bruxómanos y 40 controles) estudiantes de odontología. Los estudiantes fueron clasificados en bruxómanos, bruxómanos leves y no bruxómanos. Se identificó la presencia de factores modificadores: terceros molares mandibulares y/o tratamiento de ortodoncia actual o reciente. Se obtuvieron radiografías panorámicas, y los valores medios de densidad ósea del hueso alveolar interdental se midieron utilizando el software ImageJ. Resultados: Los no bruxómanos tuvieron la mayor densidad ósea media en todas las áreas de interés. La cara mesial del segundo premolar fue un área de mayor densidad ósea media en bruxómanos y en bruxómanos leves, en comparación con los no bruxómanos. En presencia de un tratamiento de ortodoncia, la densidad ósea media en los no bruxómanos superó a la de bruxómanos y bruxómanos leves. Conclusión: El bruxismo, ya sea leve o grave, disminuye la densidad ósea interdental promedio en las regiones de interés estudiadas. La presencia ortodoncia e impactación dentaria influye en la densidad ósea interdental promedio

Influence of Thermal and Mechanical Load Cycling on Fracture Resistance of Premolars Filled with Calcium Silicate Sealer

The aim of this study was to evaluate the aging effect of thermomechanical cyclic load on fracture resistance of lower premolars obturated with AH Plus and BioRoot RCS root canal sealers. Forty-eight single-rooted premolars teeth were instrumented with REVO-S files up to SU/0.06 taper. The teeth were randomly assigned into 2 main groups (n = 24) according to the selected two root canal sealers (AH Plus or BioRoot RCS). All teeth were obturated using matching gutta-percha. Each main group were further divided into 3 subgroups (A, B and C) (n = 8). Group A acted as the negative control group (non-Thermomechanical aging). Whereas Group B and C were subjected first to thermal variations in a thermal cycling machine (7500 and 15,000 thermal cycles), then two different dynamic loading periods namely 3 × 105 and 6 × 105 in a masticatory simulator with a nominal load of 5 kg at 1.2 Hz which simulate approximately 1 ½ and 3 years of clinical function respectively. The roots were decoronated and fracture resistance were measured using a universal testing machine. After thermal-mechanical aging, BioRoot RCS showed significantly higher fracture resistance (p p < 0.05). It could be concluded that thermomechanical aging had a significant impact on the outcome of the fracture resistance of AH Plus and BioRoot RCS

Comparison of mechanical properties and color stability of various vacuum-formed orthodontic retainers: An in vitro study

Background: Vacuum-formed retainer (VFR) is the most used retainer due to its higher aesthetic properties and lower cost, their mechanical properties of are important in determining the stability and long-term use of appliances made out of them. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the flexural modulus, surface hardness, and color stability of three different VFR materials. Methods: Three different VFR materials, namely Duran, Keystone, and Zendura, of 1 mm thickness, were tested after thermoforming for flexural modulus, hardness, and color stability. They were formed over a stainless-steel model of 12 mm diameter and 6 mm height. Results: There were significant statistical differences (p = 0.000) in the flexural modulus and hardness of the three materials. Regarding color stability, Zendura exhibited significantly higher ΔE* values than Keystone and Duran (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Zendura had the highest flexural modulus and hardness compared with Duran and Keystone; however, it is more susceptible to color change compared to the other tested materials

Influence of long -term thermal cycling and masticatory loading simulation on bond strength of roots filled with epoxy resin and calcium silicate based sealers

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of thermal and mechanical cyclic aging using a mastication simulator on push-out bond strength of mandibular premolars obturated with AH Plus and BioRoot RCS root canal sealers. Methods With REVO-S files up to SU/0.06 taper, 48 single-rooted premolar teeth were instrumented. The teeth were randomly divided into two main groups (n = 24) based on the two root canal sealers used (AH Plus and BioRoot RCS). All teeth were obturated with h matched-taper single-cone. Each main group was then subdivided into three subgroups (A, B, and C) (n = 8). Group A served as the negative control group (no-thermocycling aging). While groups B and C were subjected to thermal changes in a thermocycler machine (15,000 and 30,000 thermal cycles, respectively), followed by two different dynamic loading periods, 3 × 105 and 6 × 105 in a masticatory simulator with a nominal load of 5 kg at 1.2 Hz which represent roughly 1½ and 3 years of clinical function respectively. 2 mm slice at 3 levels, apical, middle, and coronal, to obtain 3 sections were prepared and subjected to push-out test using a universal testing machine. Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by a Tukey post hoc comparisons test and an independent T-test. A significance level of 5% was used. Results After thermal–mechanical cyclic aging, the two root canal sealers showed a significantly decreased in push-out bond strength (p < 0.05), however, AH Plus had significantly higher bond strength values than BioRoot RCS after cycling aging. Conclusions It could be concluded that thermal–mechanical cyclic aging had a significant impact on the outcome of the dislodgment resistance of AH Plus and BioRoot RCS

Adoption of new endodontic technology by dental practitioners in Saudi Arabia

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to assess the adoption of new endodontic technology by a population of endodontists (ENs) and general dental practitioners (GPs) practicing in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A total of 250 self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 50 randomly selected private dental clinics. The questionnaire consisted of questions regarding the use of NiTi rotary instruments, Digital radiography, and Electronic Apex Locators. Follow-up questions investigated the reason for not using the specified technology by selecting one or more of the stated choices. In addition, the type of rotary NiTi instrument system and the type of apex locator used were explored. The response rate was 56.4%; 121 GPs and 20 EN participated in the study. The percentage of dentists (GPs+ENs) who used NiTi rotary instruments was 46.1%, Digital radiography was 40.7%, and Electronic Apex Locators was 48.9%. The percentage of ENs who used the three technologies was higher than that of GPs, the difference was statistically significant (P=0.001). The most common reason for not using the three new technologies was the lack of availability. In addition to unavailability, NiTi rotary instruments and Electronic Apex Locators were not used because of lack of training and concern about instrument fracture (rotary NiTi) and patient safety (Electronic Apex Locators). The fact that more than 50% of dentists (GPs+ENs) practicing in Saudi Arabia have never used rotary NiTi instrumentation systems, Digital radiography, or Electronic Apex Locators underlines the importance of supporting increased utilization of new endodontic technologies by providing professional training opportunities for current and future dentists

Water Sorption, Water Solubility, and Rheological Properties of Resin-Based Dental Composites Incorporating Immobilizable Eugenol-Derivative Monomer

The present study aimed to evaluate the properties of new dental formulations incorporating a new polymerizable-derivative of eugenol (EgGMA). The experimental composites were prepared (by weight) with 35% resin-based matrix (1:1, bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate/triethylene glycol dimethacrylate) and 65% reinforcing materials (4:3, hydroxyapatite/zirconium oxide). A portion of 0.0, 2.5, and 5.0% of the resins with respect to the total composite was replaced by EgGMA monomer to obtain TBEg0, TBEg2.5, and TBEg5, respectively. The complex viscosity (at 25 and 37 &deg;C), degree of conversion (DC), and water sorption (WSP) and water solubility (WSL) (3 cycles of sorption-desorption process) were investigated. Data were statistically analyzed using one-way and Tukey post-hoc tests. The results revealed a viscosity reduction with shear-thinning behavior as the EgGMA amount and temperature increased. The average complex viscosities at a lower frequency (&omega; = 1.0 rad/s) and at 25 &deg;C were 234.7 &plusmn; 13.4, 86.4 &plusmn; 16.5, and 57.3 &plusmn; 17.1 (kPa&middot;s) for TBEg0, TBEg2.5, and TBEg5, respectively. The inclusion of EgGMA led to a lower DC and WSP but higher WSL, compared to those of the reference (TBEg0). However, no significant differences between TBEg2.5 and control were detected (p &gt; 0.05). Therefore, the incorporation of EgGMA in a low quantity, e.g., up to 8.45 mol% of resins, within the matrix may enhance the composite&rsquo;s performance, including handling and solubility properties without any apparent effect on DC and water sorption, making it a promising monomeric biomaterial for various applications including restorative dentistry