Use of herbal extract from Artemisia herba-alba (Shih) in pharmaceutical preparations for dental hygiene

Antibiotic resistance in bacterial species is opening new avenues to search for alternative modes of antimicrobial treatment, medicinal plant extracts being one among them. The aim of this study was to access the possibility of medicinal plant extract from Shih in the manufacture of pharmaceutical preparations for oral hygiene specifically for the prevention and treatment of dental caries due to Streptococcus mutans. Antimicrobial effects of crude organic extract of Shih on S. mutans isolated from the saliva were examined by taking S. mutans with culture media only (−ve control); S. mutans treated with the antibiotic gentamicin (+ve control) and S. mutans treated with Shih. Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimal Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) were Determination by Iodonitrotetrazolium chloride (INT) colorimetric assay Time-kill dynamic assay was performed using broth microdilution method. The metabolic reason behind the bacteriostatic and bactericidal effect were studied by measuring the glucose utilization by the microbes, pH as a measure of acid production, nucleic acids quantitation to check the DNA status and inhibition of water-insoluble glucan synthesis were undertaken. Shih MIC for S. mutans was at 2.5 mg/ml and MBC was 4 mg/ml. S. mutans bacterial population started reclining within 60 min of incubation with Shih at MBC. Utilization of added glucose was very high at MIC due to bacteria overcoming the stress, whereas at MBC its utilization was less. Accordingly pH also became acidic to 2.9 with MIC and 4.03 with MBC. There was a great degree of inhibition in the formation of nucleic acids indicating this crude extract interferes with DNA replication. Inhibition of glucan synthesis was to the tune of 45% as compared to control. Thus we conclude that Shih has potentially effective antibacterial activity hence it can be proposed as a potentially effective antiplaque and anticariogenic agent in the form of mouth wash or gum paint. However, the cytotoxicity of the extract needs to be evaluated in in-vitro and in-vivo conditions before it is considered as a safe antiplaque and anticariogenic agent. Keywords: Artemisia herba-alba (Shih), Streptococcus mutans, Dental caries, Antimicrobial effect, Metabolic effect

Have biomarkers made their mark? A brief review of dental biomarkers

Biomarkers are substances that are released into the human body by tumor cells or by other cells in response to tumor. A high level of a tumor marker is considered a sign of certain cancer, which makes biomarker the subject of many testing methods for the diagnosis of cancers. In recent times, these biomarkers have been successfully isolated to diagnose dental-related tumors, benign and malignant conditions. This article is a brief review of literature for various biomarkers used in the field of dentistry

Salivary 1,5-Anhydroglucitol and Vitamin Levels in Relation to Caries Risk in Children

The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between salivary 1,5-anhydroglucitol (AG), vitamins A (VA), C (VC), and E (VE), and caries risk in children. 100 healthy children aged between 6 and 13 years were divided into two equal groups of caries-free (DMFS/dmfs=0) and caries active (DMFS/dmfs>3). Unstimulated midmorning saliva was collected from all the children and the levels of salivary AG and vitamins A, C, and E were measured. Caries risk assessment was done using American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Caries Assessment Tool. Analysis of salivary AG and vitamins was performed using a commercially available ELISA kit. Low levels of AG were present in caries active and high caries risk groups compared to caries-free and low/medium caries risk groups. This difference is statistically significant (p < 0.05). A strong negative correlation between AG and caries activity was observed in the caries active group. VA was not related to caries activity, while VC and VE displayed a statistically significant correlation (p < 0.05). Similarly, a strong negative correlation was observed between the levels of AG and high caries risk group. Salivary AG, VC, and VE together are related to caries risk in caries active children. These salivary parameters can act as indicator of caries status in children

Prevalence of malocclusion and its common traits in Saudi males of Aseer region

Background: To evaluate the prevalence of malocclusion and its common characteristics in young male population of Aseer province. Methods: One thousand eight hundred and twenty Saudi male students between the age of 15 and 17 years were chosen from 3408 pupils studying in different middle schools of Abha region. Oral examination was performed to check the prevalence of malocclusion according to Angles classification and the individual traits including crowding, spacing, deep bite, anterior open bite, and anterior cross bite. Results: The prevalence of Class I, II, and III malocclusions was 62.3%, 28.4%, and 9.3%, respectively. Crowding was the most common individual trait (43.8%) while anterior open bite was the least prevalent (7.2%). Conclusion: There was high prevalence of malocclusion observed in the study population. Nearly half of them were suffering from crowding of teeth

A Critical Evaluation of the Undergraduate Endodontic Teaching in Dental Colleges of Saudi Arabia

Background: The purpose of the research was to evaluate the content and delivery of the undergraduate endodontic curriculum. Methods: A needs assessment survey was distributed among the Deans of all the dental colleges in Saudi Arabia. Results: The response rate was 72%. All the colleges include foundational and advanced topics in their curriculum. Didactic lectures, clinical cases, self-directed learning assignments and projects, and videos are the most common teaching methods, whereas virtual learning and reading list are the least popular methods. The average staff-to-student ratio for preclinical and clinical training is 1:6 and 1:7, respectively. Eighty-six percent of colleges utilize dedicated endodontic clinics supervised by specialized endodontists. Eighty percent of colleges use simple cases for canal preparation and obturation. Most colleges do not use magnification and ultrasonic instruments. Saline and sodium hypochlorite are preferred irrigation solutions, whereas calcium hydroxide is the preferred inter-visit medicament. Many use MTA as an advanced material, calcium hydroxide as an inter-visit medicament, and provisional restoration after RCT. Conclusion: The content and delivery of the endodontic undergraduate curriculum are primarily uniform. The use of specialist endodontists dedicated endodontic clinics, rotary instruments, and advanced materials have emerged as curricular strengths. However, diversification of teaching strategies, use of magnification instruments, and an increase in the minimum number of endodontically treated teeth are leading areas demanding curricular improvement

Oral Rehabilitation of Parkinson’s Disease Patient: A Review and Case Report

Parkinson’s disease is usually seen in adults in their middle and late ages. Most people with this disease are less likely to opt for dental treatments unless it is an acute condition. Tremors caused by Parkinson’s disease can make dental appointments, especially prolonged treatments, a challenge. The case presented here was successfully treated with an immediate denture for the partially edentulous maxillary and mandibular arches. Early morning brief appointments were given for the procedure. Patient was instructed to take the prescribed parkinsonism medications 60 to 90 minutes before the appointment to utilize the advantage of its peak response. Sympathetic and caring approach towards the patient was employed to reduce his anxiety during the procedures. Some modification of technics and materials was adopted to suit the special situation