Dental Status Research Articles

Investigating dental health status in patients with psychiatric disorders

Investigating dental health status in patients with psychiatric disorders

Features of the dental status of specialists-operators of underwater technical means of marine equipment

BACKGROUND: Conduct a comparative analysis of the dental status of specialists-operators of underwater technical equipment and military personnel of the St. Petersburg garrison. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of the dental formula of 66 contract servicemen was conducted. The main group consisted of 37 operators of underwater technical equipment aged 32 to 56 years, with average age of 44,7 ± 5,7 years. The comparison group included 29 officers of the St. Petersburg garrison aged 39 to 52 years, with average age of 46,3 ± 3,2 years. Dental status was assessed by the value of the intensity coefficient of carious process, and the level of dental care according to the generally accepted formula of P.A. Leus. RESULTS OF THE STUDY: It was found that the dental status of underwater equipment operators differs significantly in the number of decayed and extracted teeth, and although their coefficient of intensity of the carious process did not have statistical differences, it was significantly less (10 units) than in the comparison group (11 units). These features were naturally reflected in the reliable differences in the indicator of the level of dental care. In the group of operators of underwater technical means, it amounted to 92,4 ± 14,1%, and in the group of officers of the St. Petersburg garrison — 57,1 ± 18,4%. There were no significant differences in the study parameters when patients were divided into subgroups by age (young, medium). CONCLUSION: Despite the peculiarities of professional activity, the dental status and the level of dental care for underwater equipment operators are better than for officers of the St. Petersburg garrison. This can be explained not only by the higher level of medical and preventive dental care for these servicemen, but also by the better motivation to maintain dental health in connection with long autonomous trips.

Forensic medical characterization of sudden death in young people with connective tissue dysplasia according to the data of the Bureau of Medical Examinations of Moscow City

BACKGROUND: Sudden death is an urgent problem of modern public healthcare, with prevalence in the Russian Federation. The wide range of causes and data scarcity led to the complexity of diagnosis and interpretation of pathologic changes at autopsy. This study presents an epidemiologic analysis of the causes of sudden death in a young population. AIM: To provide a forensic medical description of cases of sudden death of young people with connective tissue dysplasia using data from forensic autopsies conducted at the Bureau of Medical Examinations of the Moscow City Health Department. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample study of 48 corpses of young people aged 18–44 years who died suddenly, was performed based on data from the Forensic Medical Examination Bureau of the Moscow Department of Health. The protocols for examining the corpse at the scene of the incident, medical records were analyzed comprehensively. An extended description of the external and internal examinations of corpses was performed, and materials for histological, histochemical, and immunohistochemical studies were collected. RESULTS: Cardiovascular pathologies were the main cause of sudden death in young people. In some cases, an asthenic type was established with the following signs: high stature, elongated chest with an acute epigastric angle, poorly defined subcutaneous fatty tissue, weight less than the age norm, and narrow shoulders. Pathological changes were identified in the sternum, spine, limbs, dental status, and internal organs, which corresponded to connective tissue dysplasia. A correlation was noted between sudden death in young people and asthenic skeletopathy with exposure to extreme factors such as physical stress, psychoemotional stress, and previous infectious diseases. In most cases of sudden death, pathological changes in blood vessels were diagnosed in young people. CONCLUSION: The development of a modern comprehensive scientific and methodological approach is necessary to assess pathomorphological changes in young people who died suddenly.

Oral and Dental Status in Children with Congenital Heart Disease in Ibn Rochd University Hospital of Casablanca Morocco

Objective: A case-control survey was conducted to assess the oral status of children with congenital heart disease in the cardiothoracic department at the CHU Ibn Rochd in Casablanca.

Piloting an intraoral pH device to track gastroesophageal reflux in adults

This study evaluated in vivo, an intraoral device against the gold standard esophageal device for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) monitoring. Subjects scheduled for a catheter-based esophageal pH/impedance testing at a gastroenterology clinic were recruited. They were screened using the GerdQ questionnaire, demographics and dental conditions recorded. A prototype intraoral device, consisting of a Bravo™ capsule embedded in an Essix-style retainer fabricated for each subject, monitored intraoral pH. Concurrently, subjects underwent 24-h esophageal pH-impedance monitoring. A self-administered survey elicited the comfort and acceptance of both devices. The study recruited ten adult subjects (23 to 60-years-old) with a median GerdQ score of 9.5 corresponding to a 79% likelihood of GERD. Subjects with severe dental erosion had significantly (p < 0.05) higher acid exposure time and more non-meal reflux events. No adverse events were associated with the intraoral device while one was recorded for the esophageal device. The intraoral device was significantly more comfortable to place, more comfortable to wear, and interfered less with daily routine compared to the esophageal device. Accuracy of the intraoral device ranged between 86.15% and 37.82%. Being more tolerable than traditional esophageal pH monitoring, intraoral pH monitoring may be a useful adjunct for the diagnosis and management of GERD.

Radiographical examination of pulp stone distribution by cone beam computed tomography

Aims: The present study aimed to ascertain the association between pulp stone production and tooth type, jaw, arch orientation, and dental status in a Turkish subpopulation in the southern region of Turkiye by analyzing cone beam computed tomography images. Methods: The study included a retrospective examination of cone beam computed tomography images obtained at Gaziantep Private Dental Clinic and Gaziantep University Faculty of Dentistry between 2014 and 2020 for various purposes, and a recording of teeth with pulp calcification in the pulp chamber. The study did not include any teeth that had root canal therapy or porcelain crowns. Data was gathered from radiographs of people in the 19-90 age range. In all, 1676 teeth had pulp stones found in them. To compare proportions, two proportion z-tests were employed. Results: Male individuals possessed 774 teeth with pulp stones, while female individuals possessed 902 teeth with the same condition. The prevalence of pulp stones in first and second molar teeth (1092, 65.16%) is statistically farther than central and lateral incisors (238, 4.2%), canine (207, 12.35%) and premolar (139, 8.29%). The rate of pulp calcifications is statistically higher; in intact (1065, 63.54%) teeth compared to the teeth with filling materials (443, 26.43%) and teeth with caries (173, 10.32%); in the maxilla (874, 52.15%) compared to mandible (802, 47.85%). Pulp stone occurrence was higher on the right side (888, 52.98%) than on the left side (788, 47.02) (p

The Correlation between Dental Health Status and Educational Level, Age, and Gender as Demographic Attributes of the Children of Migrant Workers

Introduction Migrant workers and their families appear to have greater health issues, given their need to adjust to new environments and restricted access to healthcare services. One obstacle to receiving healthcare is culture. This study aims to analyze the correlation between dental health status and the level of class, age, and gender as demographic attributes in the children of migrant workers. Methods This cross-sectional study involved the children of Indonesian migrant workers who resided in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The population of the study consisted of children who met the inclusion criteria. Their ages varied between six and twelve. In this study, we used the purposive sampling method. There are 93 samples that met the inclusion criteria. We obtained the data on dental health status using the RedCap online form, which is used in the WHO oral health survey. The researchers performed data analysis, the def-t and DMF-T measurement index and prevalence analyses, and the Spearman-Rho correlation tests to examine the data and determine the appropriate analytical tests. Results The characteristics of the children of Indonesian migrant workers are as follows: based on the class level, 1, 5, and 6; based on age, 6-8 and 9-11; and based on gender, nearly equal between the male and female respondents. The DMF-T index score was 1.22, and the def-t index was 3.77 among the migrant children. The prevalence of caries in permanent adult crowns was lower (53.76%) than that in primary children crowns (64.52%.). Root caries is present in less than 1% of the adult population; however, its prevalence among the children of migrant workers is indeterminable. The majority of the negative correlation occurs between the level of grade and age of the children of Indonesian migrant workers and their dental and oral health status; however, there is no significant correlation between gender and oral health status. Conclusion The DMF-T index of migrant children is low, while their def-t index is high. The prevalence of crown and root caries among the children of migrant workers is significantly higher. There are many negative correlations between the educational level and age of the migrant children and their oral health status.

“Tan's Dent-Card Qr Model Website Based” as an Effort to Improve Teeth Brushing Behavior and Dental Hygiene Status Primary School Children

Background: Children aged 10-12 years have a very high rate of tooth decay at 57.6% with a mean (DMF-T) of 4.8. This is caused by one of the influencing factors, namely the low level of behavior in maintaining dental hygiene, as evidenced by the results of the 2019 Semarang City health data, that 86.7% of elementary school children do not have good tooth brushing behavior. The achievement of the new joint tooth brushing program is 47.8%, so innovation is needed in changing tooth brushing behavior, namely through the "Tan's Dent-Card QR Website Based Model" which is expected to improve tooth brushing behavior and the dental hygiene status of elementary school children. Research purposes:Producing a "Website Based Tan's Dent-Card QR Model" that is effective and feasible to implement to improve tooth brushing behavior and the dental hygiene status of elementary school children. Method : The method used in this research is Research and Development (R&amp;D) with 5 research stages, namely needs identification, design and build, expert validation, feasibility test 1, and feasibility test 2. This research uses a pre-experimental design with a one- group pre-post- test. The sampling technique was purposive sampling consisting of 30 elementary school children aged 10-12 years who were given intervention for 14 days. Results: The validity results of the "Tan's Dent-Card QR Website-Based Model" show a value of p=0.000, which means this model is suitable for use to improve the behavior and dental hygiene status of elementary school children. “Tan's Dent-Card QR Website-Based Model” was also effective in enhancing tooth brushing behavior and dental hygiene status (p=0.000). In feasibility test 2, the result was p=0.000, which means the model is suitable for independent use by elementary school children aged 10-12 years. Conclusion: "Tan's Dent- Card QR Website-Based Model" is effective and ideal for use as an effort to improve tooth brushing behavior and the dental hygiene status of elementary school children.

Denta Go Model: An Effective Approach to Improving Tooth Brushing Skills and Dental Hygiene Status of Preschool Children

Background: According to Riskesdas, 63.7% of children aged 5 years have a dental caries experience number (def-t) ≥6 which is included in the category of severe early childhood caries. One of the factors that influence this is the low behavior in maintaining and maintaining oral hygiene. Therefore, through the innovation of the “Denta Go” Model, it is hoped that it can improve the tooth brushing skills and dental hygiene status of preschool children. Research Objective: To produce a “Denta Go” Model that is effective and feasible to implement in an effort to improve tooth brushing skills and dental hygiene status of preschool children. Methods: Research and Development (R&amp;D) method with 5 stages, namely identification of needs, design, expert validation, feasibility test 1, and feasibility test 2. This study used a pre-experiment design with a one group pre-post test design. The sampling technique was purposive sampling which was given an intervention for 21 days with 3 stages, namely introduction, repetition, and practice. Results: The validity results of the “Denta Go” Model show that the model is feasible as a dental health education model (p 0.000). The “Denta Go” model is effective in improving tooth brushing skills (p 0.000) with a mean pretest score of 59.06 and posttest 94.64. The “Denta Go” model is effective in improving dental hygiene status (p 0.000) with a mean pretest score of 2.64 and posttest of 1.16. Feasibility test 2 showed that the model is feasible to be used independently by kindergarten teachers (p 0.000). Conclusion: The “Denta Go” model is effective and feasible to use as an effort to improve tooth brushing skills and dental health status of preschool children.

The Influence of Dental Status and Blood Parameters Characterizing Endogenous Intoxication on the Timing of Childbirth.

Background and Objectives: Epidemiological and microbiological-immunological studies have led to the conclusion that periodontal disease may be a risk factor for preterm birth. The aim of this study was to investigate and identify the relationship of some hematological cellular biomarkers characterizing the chronic oral focus of infection with pregnancy outcomes and their impact on those outcomes. Materials and Methods: Clinical and laboratory tests were conducted on 100 pregnant women, grouped by full-term or preterm births, with the assessment of the following markers: DMF, CPI and PIRI, PHP, microbiological examination of periodontal pockets and amniotic fluid, WBS count, WBCSI, LGI, and NMR. A statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS Statistics version 19.0. Results: Women with preterm labor had higher-grade caries (CSL > 0.3), while women with full-term childbirth had moderate caries (CSL < 0.3). A satisfactory level of oral hygiene efficiency was found in 50% (group 1) and 38.1% (group 2) of the expectant mothers. The periodontal status by the PIRI showed tissue lesions in 20.7% (group 1) and 92.9% (group 2) of the women. The WBCSI was 2.27 ± 0.82 and 2.15 ± 0.68, the NMR was 9.29 ± 5.119 and 11.62 ± 7.78, and the LGI was 3.54 ± 1.1 and 3.73 ± 0.81 in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Comparative analysis of bacterial contamination of the amniotic fluid revealed the predominance of Fusobacterium nucleatum (64.3%), Tannerella forsythia (57.1%), Prevotella intermedia (50%), Porphyromonas gingivalis (57.1%), Staphylococcus aureus (45.2%), and Candida albicans (50%) in women with premature birth. Conclusions: In women with preterm birth, the values of the indices characterizing a chronic oral focus of infection evoke more significant correlations with the timing of delivery, which indicates the significant role of an oral focus of infection. The presence of microbial invasion of amniotic fluid may indicate the role of periodontopathogenic bacteria in pregnant women diagnosed with a risk of preterm birth.

Convolutional neural network for automated tooth segmentation on intraoral scans

BackgroundTooth segmentation on intraoral scanned (IOS) data is a prerequisite for clinical applications in digital workflows. Current state-of-the-art methods lack the robustness to handle variability in dental conditions. This study aims to propose and evaluate the performance of a convolutional neural network (CNN) model for automatic tooth segmentation on IOS images.MethodsA dataset of 761 IOS images (380 upper jaws, 381 lower jaws) was acquired using an intraoral scanner. The inclusion criteria included a full set of permanent teeth, teeth with orthodontic brackets, and partially edentulous dentition. A multi-step 3D U-Net pipeline was designed for automated tooth segmentation on IOS images. The model’s performance was assessed in terms of time and accuracy. Additionally, the model was deployed on an online cloud-based platform, where a separate subsample of 18 IOS images was used to test the clinical applicability of the model by comparing three modes of segmentation: automated artificial intelligence-driven (A-AI), refined (R-AI), and semi-automatic (SA) segmentation.ResultsThe average time for automated segmentation was 31.7 ± 8.1 s per jaw. The CNN model achieved an Intersection over Union (IoU) score of 91%, with the full set of teeth achieving the highest performance and the partially edentulous group scoring the lowest. In terms of clinical applicability, SA took an average of 860.4 s per case, whereas R-AI showed a 2.6-fold decrease in time (328.5 s). Furthermore, R-AI offered higher performance and reliability compared to SA, regardless of the dentition group.ConclusionsThe 3D U-Net pipeline was accurate, efficient, and consistent for automatic tooth segmentation on IOS images. The online cloud-based platform could serve as a viable alternative for IOS segmentation.

Classification-Predictive Model Based on Artificial Neural Network Validated by Histopathology and Direct Immunofluorescence for the Diagnosis of Oral Lichen Planus.

The diagnosis of oral lichen planus (OLP) poses many challenges due to its nonspecific clinical symptoms and histopathological features. Therefore, the diagnostic process should include a thorough clinical history, immunological tests, and histopathology. Our study aimed to enhance the diagnostic accuracy of OLP by integrating direct immunofluorescence (DIF) results with clinical data to develop a multivariate predictive model based on the Artificial Neural Network. Eighty patients were assessed using DIF for various markers (immunoglobulins of classes G, A, and M; complement 3; fibrinogen type 1 and 2) and clinical characteristics such as age, gender, and lesion location. Statistical analysis was performed using machine learning techniques in Statistica 13. The following variables were assessed: gender, age on the day of lesion onset, results of direct immunofluorescence, location of white patches, locations of erosions, treatment history, medications and dietary supplement intake, dental status, smoking status, flossing, and using mouthwash. Four statistically significant variables were selected for machine learning after the initial assessment. The final predictive model, based on neural networks, achieved 85% in the testing sample and 71% accuracy in the validation sample. Significant predictors included stress at onset, white patches under the tongue, and erosions on the mandibular gingiva. In conclusion, while the model shows promise, larger datasets and more comprehensive variables are needed to improve diagnostic accuracy for OLP, highlighting the need for further research and collaborative data collection efforts.

TREATMENT OF CHRONIC PERIODONTITIS WITH THE USE OF PHYTOEXTRACT

Background. Periodontal diseases are one of the most common and complex pathologies of the dental system. Chronic inflammatory diseases of periodontal tissues are second only to caries in terms of prevalence. The aim of the study is to conduct a comprehensive treatment of patients using a phytoextract based on a clinical analysis of the incidence of mild and moderate chronic generalized periodontitis (CGPP). Material and methods. A comprehensive dental examination and treatment was performed on 120 patients diagnosed with mild chronic generalized periodontitis (MGPP LS) and moderate chronic generalized periodontitis (MGPP SS). Results. The results showed that the use of the phytoextract in patients with CGP LS severity contributed to the improvement of the dental status parameters of patients in this group. The course of complex treatment with the additional inclusion of the phytoextract in the OG led to a decrease in GI by 54.13% (p 0.05), with a decrease in the parameter in patients using Metrogyl Denta (GS) - by 26.3% (p 0.05) compared to the initial values. In this case, there is a significant decrease in CI in the MG by 69.2% (p 0.05), with a similar shift in CG patients - by 32.13% (p 0.05), a decrease in PI in the MG - by 52.9% (p 0.05), in CG patients - by 38.9% (p 0.05) compared to the initial values. Discussion. The use of the phytoextract in MG patients contributed to the improvement of the dental status, with a reliable decrease in hygienic indices and contributed to a prolonged effect in the late period, which allowed us to conclude that it has a good anti-inflammatory effect. Conclusion. As a result of the course of treatment and observation in patients with MG with CGP LS and CGP SS: clinical signs of inflammation in the periodontal tissues were relieved, which was accompanied by an improvement in the condition of the oral cavity of patients, the absence of complaints associated with the severity of inflammation (bleeding gums, swelling, pain, exudate release from periodontal pockets and tooth mobility) and is confirmed by the values of periodontal indices.

Appropriateness of antimicrobial prescribing for oral and dental conditions in Australian hospitals: 2013 to 2022

ObjectivesDentists manage a variety of oral infections in clinical practice. Inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing by dentists occurs frequently and antimicrobial stewardship strategies should include dentistry. The aim of this retrospective analysis of the Australian Hospital National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey (Hospital NAPS) dataset, was to describe the types of oral and dental indications where antimicrobials were prescribed, and assess the guideline compliance and appropriateness of the antimicrobials in Australian hospitals. MethodsData from the Hospital NAPS was extracted for oral and dental indications from 2013 to 2022. The types of oral and dental indications presented, and the corresponding antimicrobials prescribed were assessed for compliance according to national prescribing guidelines, and appropriateness according to the NAPS structured algorithm. ResultsA total of 8,001 prescriptions for 7,477 patients were identified, from 433 hospitals. Antifungal, antibiotic and antiviral agents accounted for 84.5 %, 15.4 % and 0.03 % of prescriptions respectively. A greater proportion of antibiotics were prescribed in regional and rural areas compared to antifungals. The prescriptions assessed as compliant were 80.0 % and 44.7 % of antifungals and antibiotics respectively. Prescriptions assessed as appropriate were 84.4 % of antifungals, and 65.3 % of antibiotic prescriptions. ConclusionsA wide variety of antimicrobials were used with moderate levels of compliance and appropriateness. Future interventions should include targeted education, utilisation of prescribing guidelines, and tools to diagnose and manage oral and dental conditions. Consideration can be given to adjustment of the Hospital NAPS tool to cater for oral conditions and include the provision of dental treatment in the management of these infections. Clinical significanceA wide variety of oral and dental conditions are presented in Australian hospital settings, managed by a range of antibiotics and antifungals, with moderate levels of compliance to guidelines and appropriateness. Antimicrobial stewardship strategies should target and support dentistry in hospital settings.

Pattern of Dental Diseases among patients presenting at a Tertiary Care Hospital

Objective: To determine the pattern of the dental diseases among patients attending dental department of the Sheikh Zayed Hospital Rahim Yar Khan Methodology: The study was carried out at the Dental Outpatient Department (OPD) of Sheikh Zayed Medical College and Hospital. It used a cross-sectional design. The period of the study was June through December 2023. Consecutive sampling was used to enroll a total of 300 patients. Patients of any age with dental conditions, regardless of gender, who were undergoing treatment at the Dental OPD were eligible to participate as long as they fulfilled the inclusion requirements. A predesigned and pretested questionnaire covering relevant study variables including demographic and different dental diseases was used for data collection. For analysis, data were imported into SPSS version 20. Results: A total of 300 patients were included in the study, the mean age was 31±15 years, 181 (60.3%) were females. Most of the patients 160 (53.3%) presented with dental caries, 41(13.7%) with broken down root, 14 (4.7%) with calculus, 14 (4.7%) with gingivitis, 12 (4%) with periodontal disease, 6 (2%) with mal-aligned teeth, 4 (1.3%) with trauma, 1 (0.3%) with staining, 48(16%) with other diseases. About one third 93 (31%) of the patients had duration of disease as more than a year. Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the distribution and management of dental diseases in a tertiary care setting. It emphasizes the need for targeted interventions to address dental health disparities and improve access to care in resource-constrained regions. Future research should focus on the socio-economic, environmental, and behavioral determinants of dental diseases to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies. Keywords: Calculus, Caries, Dental diseases, Frequency, Gingivitis,

Exploring the integration of dentistry within a multidisciplinary palliative care team: does bedside dental care improve quality of life and symptom burden in inpatient palliative care patients?

BackgroundDespite the significant impact of oral problems on the quality of life of palliative care patients, comprehensive studies are lacking. This study is the first of its kind to address this gap by including both a dental examination and an intervention and assessing quality of life using the EORTC QLQ OH 15 questionnaire.ObjectivesThe objective of this study is to explore the impact of incorporating dentists into inpatient palliative care, with a focus on enhancing quality of life and alleviating symptom burden.MethodsIn this monocentric study, data were gathered from a palliative care unit over an 8-month period. At the beginning of the multidisciplinary treatment, T0, patients underwent both a dental examination and interviews utilizing established questionnaires, the EORTC QLQ-C30 (core, general) and OH 15 (oral health). A week later, at T1, patients underwent a follow-up examination and interview. The QLQ-C30 and OH15 are widely recognized instruments developed by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) for evaluating health related quality of life in cancer patients.ResultsA total of n = 103 patients (48.5% women) were enrolled in the study. The median duration since their last dental visit was 1 year, and the dental condition at T0 was desolate. At T1, statistically and clinically significant changes in oral quality of life and symptom burden were observed. Noteworthy changes were noted in the OH-QoL score (median 63 vs. 92, p < 0.001), sticky saliva (median 33 vs. 0, p < 0.001), sensitivity to food and drink (median 33 vs. 0, p < 0.001), sore mouth (median 33 vs. 0, p > 0.001), and poorly fitting dentures (median 33 vs. 0 p < 0.001). Additionally, improvements were observed in xerostomia candidiasis and mucositis.ConclusionThe study highlights the powerful contribution of integrating a dentist in inpatient palliative care. With very little dental effort and simple ward and bedside treatments, significant improvements in the oral symptom burden of critically ill palliative patients can be achieved. This contributes to improved care status, relief of distressing symptoms, and ultimately improved quality of life. The results strongly support the consideration of dental support as an integral part of palliative care units.

Higher Onset of Periprosthetic Joint Infections in Patients With Teeth Compared to Those Without Teeth.

Bacteria can enter the bloodstream through simple actions such as brushing teeth, flossing, and even chewing food, increasing the chance of hematogenous seeding of prosthetic joints. Antibiotics before dental work in patients with orthopedic hardware is a topic of debate because of concerns for antibiotic resistance. Patients with dentures theoretically avoid this risk due to the lack of teeth and their maintenance. Most periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) that occur in the first six months after surgery are due to wound infection, whereas late PJIs are more commonly caused by hematogenous seeding. Charts from patients who received primary total joint arthroplasty were interrogated for the condition of their teeth at the time of operation. If the patient had a PJI, the time from surgery and the organism responsible were noted. Multivariate linear regressions were performed for statistical analysis to compare rates of dental status, infection, comorbidities, and demographics. From the 1,500 charts reviewed, patients with teeth and edentulous had similar rates of comorbidities. PJI patients had higher rates of chronic kidney disease than patients who did not have the infection. The overall rate of infections in patients with teeth was 2.14%, close to the national average. The rate of infection in patients without teeth was 0.78%. Patients with teeth have a higher rate of infection one month or longer from surgery than edentulous patients. There was an increased infection rate in patients with teeth at six months and greater since the primary total joint arthroplasty. The organisms responsible for many of the PJIs are commonly found in the mouth of humans. Having teeth is a potential risk factor for late PJI.

The Impact of Mouth Masks on Oral Hygiene Status, Seeking Dental Care, Esthetics, and Temporomandibular Joint Disturbances Among the Adult Population in Nellore District: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract Background: Despite preventing infection transmission, because of its prolonged use, the impact of masks on social life, behavior, and oral hygiene status and habits of everyday people are still unknown. The knowledge of the changes in patients’ esthetic complaints, perceptions, and habits with the use of masks is essential for clinicians. Aim and Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of the continuous use of face masks on oral hygiene habits; dental, smile and oral conditions, and self-perception; current reasons to seek dental care; and the importance attributed to teeth and smile esthetics among the adult population (students/employees) who wear masks 6 h per day for 6 months from August 30, 2021 to February 28, 2022. Materials and Methods: An electronic survey (Google Forms) was used to generate a web-based platform for the responses in the form of a questionnaire. A link to the structured questionnaire was posted on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and WhatsApp. The study considered all the individuals willing to participate, and the subjects were informed about the survey’s objectives. Data Analysis Method: The recorded data were analyzed using the SPSS software. Proportions were compared using the Chi-square test. P &lt; 0.05 was selected to denote statistical significance with the confidence level, and the significance level was set at 95% and 5%, respectively. Conclusion: The study gave the current status of participants and their motivational levels toward seeking dental treatment, suggesting further studies in planning preventive strategies for the participants.

Prevalence and Pattern of Mandibular Condensing Osteitis Lesions in Saudi Population at Qassim Region

ABSTRACT Background: Condensing osteitis (CO) is a common radiopaque lesion observed in the jaws, often detected incidentally on panoramic radiographs. Understanding the prevalence and characteristics of CO is essential for early detection and appropriate management. Objective: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of condensing osteitis among the Saudi population in the Qassim region. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using 876 digital panoramic radiographs. The presence of CO was identified based on specific radiographic features, and data were collected regarding gender, age, lesion localization, lesion shape, and associated dental status. Results: The prevalence of CO was found to be 2.3% (n = 20) in the study population, with a higher predilection in females (1.4%) compared to males (0.9%). The most commonly affected age group was 30–39 years for males and 10–19 and 30–39 years for females. The mandibular molar region was predominantly affected (90%), with a ‘U’ shape observed in 55% of the lesions. Root canal treatment was the most commonly associated dental status (75%), followed by deep caries (20%) and large restorations (5%). Conclusion: The study highlights a 2.3% prevalence of CO in the Saudi population of the Qassim region, with a higher predilection in females and a predominant localization in the mandibular molar region. Dental practitioners should be vigilant in identifying CO, especially in at-risk populations, to facilitate timely diagnosis and appropriate management.

Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)-Based Diagnosis of Dental Bone Defects.

Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) has completely changed the way that bone disorders are diagnosed and treated, especially in the dental and maxillofacial domains. This article examines the diverse applications of computed tomography (CBCT) in the diagnosis and treatment of facial trauma, including mandibular, dentoalveolar, and other facial fractures, as well as bone abnormalities like dislocations and fractures. CBCT is useful for a wide range of dental conditions and greatly improves diagnostic accuracy in periodontics, orthodontics, endodontics, and dental implantology. Additionally, a comparison between CBCT and conventional imaging methods was conducted, emphasizing the latter's inferior 3D imaging capabilities, allowing for more precise treatment planning and better patient outcomes with CBCT. Although CBCT has many benefits, it also has some drawbacks, such as requiring specific training for accurate interpretation, cost considerations, and a higher radiation exposure than with traditional dental X-rays. In order to optimize benefits and reduce risks, the conclusion highlights CBCT's revolutionary influence on clinical practice while arguing for its prudent and responsible application.