Transverse analysis of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) at the canine level

OBJECTIVE: To determine the range of positions and relationships between the maxillary and mandibular canines and the related skeleton, and to evaluate using CBCT imaging whether dental and skeletal transverse discrepancies identified in the molar area also exist in the canine area. METHODS: CBCT scans of 148 patients, with and without crossbite were analyzed to assess the width of the jaws and the inclination of the canines relative to the occlusal plane. The dental and skeletal measurements were compared between the non-crossbite and the crossbite groups. RESULTS: At the canine area, we found no statistically significant differences between the non-crossbite group and the crossbite group in canine transverse angulations and maxillary and mandibular width. There is a weak statistically significant correlation between canine lingual width and both maxillary and mandibular canine axial angles that is not observed between canine palatal width and both maxillary and mandibular canine axial angles. We found a weak statistically significant correlation between maxillary canine and molar angulations as well as palatal and lingual width, but not between mandibular canine and molar angulations. CONCLUSION: We have developed a reliable method to measure transverse tooth angulation and skeletal width using CBCT at the canine level. Changes in transverse angulation and compensation observed in the molar area do not carry on at the canine area. Expansion of crossbite cases are most likely needed at the molar area, as our findings suggest that crossbites are more confined to the molar area and less expressed at the canine level

Diseases of the prostate gland, prostate specific antigen and periodontal disease

OBJECTIVE: The overall objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between different diseases of the prostate gland (Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH), Prostatitis, and Prostate Cancer) as well as levels of Prostate specific Antigen (PSA) with periodontal disease. METHODS: A subset of data from the VA Dental Longitudinal Study was used for this study. The total sample size was 352 subjects with at least one PSA reading. Diagnoses of diseases of the prostate gland (BPH, Prostatitis, and Prostate Cancer) and PSA were used as the main outcome variables. Measurements of periodontal disease [average clinical attachment loss (CAL), average probing pocket depth (APD), and number of teeth with severe bone loss (NTBL)] were used as the main predictors. Statistical analysis included descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate testing. For the final multivariate analysis, Generalize Estimating Equations (GEE) controlling for potential confounders was used. RESULTS: The study subjects were predominantly Caucasian males. At baseline the mean age was 71 years, and the mean PSA level was 2.5 ng/ml. The proportion of subjects with prostate diseases at baseline was 79.6% for BPH, 7.4% for prostatitis, and 8.8% for prostate cancer. Using GEE models and after controlling for potential confounders we found an association between CAL and BPH, as for every millimeter increase in CAL the odds of having BPH increased by 41%. We have also found that those with BPH and CAL above 2.7mm have higher PSA levels than those with either condition alone. We have not found any relationship between BPH and APD or NTBL. We have also not found any relationship between PSA, Prostatitis, and prostate cancer with any of the measurements of periodontal disease used in this study. CONCLUSION: This study showed an association between an increase in CAL and BPH. As well as showing that those with BPH and CAL above 2.7mm have higher PSA levels than those with either condition alone. These findings support that periodontal disease could affect the health of the prostate gland in an aging population, as well as the importance of oral health as an important and integral part of general health and well-being

Customer Awareness and Satisfaction of Islamic Retail Products in Kuwait

The market for Islamic banking has grown rapidly over the past few years, and this high growth is expected to continue for the near future in Kuwait Banking Industry. At the same time the competition market is being reshaped, with more Islamic financial services institutions than before entering the market. Within this competitive environment customers have been identified as the most important foundational pillar for business sustainability.  Using a questionnaire distributed to 150 Kuwaiti client deals with Islamic banks, the study aimed to examine the factors affecting Kuwaiti customers in the choice of the Islamic Bank, which they deal with, and to study the level of awareness customers have on the Islamic principles that stand behind each retail service provided by the Kuwaiti Islamic Banks. The study also examined the level of satisfaction of services provided by these banks. The study found the twenty three factors investigated by the study were very important in choosing Islamic banks in Kuwait. One Islamic factor only (Bank reputation in regards of abidance with Sharia principles) was one of the first five factors but it took last place. This mean that Kuwaiti customers seek more than abidance by sharia low, they want the same things customers of traditional banks requests from their bank. Kuwaiti customers are aware of Tawaroq and Islamic credit cards, but they aren’t fully aware of Mudarabah, Murabaha, Musharaka and Ijara. The study also found that in spite of a relatively high degree of satisfaction by Kuwaiti customers in general, they are still not fully satisfied with some areas related to Kuwaiti Islamic banks including adherence to Shariah principles. Keywords: Satisfaction, Customer Awareness, Islamic Banks, Islamic Shariah, Mudarabah, Murabaha, Musharaka and Ijara