Background and Objectives: Labial alveolar bone thickness in the maxillary anterior region is the key factor in the placement of implants. Differences in the thickness of the bone are reported among different ethnic groups. Thus, the present study was aimed at assessing labial alveolar bone thickness in the maxillary anterior region in the population of the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: The six anterior teeth in each of the 186 CBCT sagittal images were analyzed at three points: Point A from the facial plate at the level of the bone crest to the coronal root third, Point B to the mid-root surface, and Point C to the apical third. Crest height (Point D) was measured as the distance from the CEJ to the alveolar bone crest. The analysis was done using SPSS version 20. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The bone thickness at any given point (Point A, Point B, or Point C) was less than the preferred bone thickness of 2 mm in all six teeth. The thickness was minimum at Point B, maximum at Point C, and intermediate at Point A. This difference was found to be statistically significant (p-value < 0.05). The crestal height (Point D) was less than 3 mm, and it was not statistically significant. Comparison of bone thickness on the right and left sides for any given point was not statistically significant except at Point A in the central incisor, where it was statistically significant (p-value = 0.035). Gender comparison of bone thickness showed no difference at Point A; however, at Points B and C, it showed statistical significance (p-value < 0.05). Conclusions: The alveolar bone thickness being <2 mm in the labial anterior region warns of the importance of the proper assessment of bone during implant placement to have a predictable outcome.
Background: Pedagogy in dental education has evolved over the decades. Today, many alternative modes of content delivery are being used as an adjunct to the traditional classroom. A flipped classroom is one among those that are being explored for teaching clinical dentistry. Objective: This mini-review is aimed at evaluating the available evidence in the efficacy of flipped classrooms and its related aspects in the learning curve of clinical dentistry. Methods: A thorough literature search on electronic databases for all the studies focusing on the following evidence-based question: “Is Flipped classroom in clinical dentistry a useful mode of pedagogy delivery? was performed. A combination of MeSH terms using Boolean operators “AND,” “OR:” FLIPPED [All Fields] AND (“dental health services” [MeSH Terms] AND “health” [All Fields] AND “services” [All Fields]) OR “dental” [All Fields]) AND (“learning” [MeSH Terms] OR “learning” [All Fields]). Specific terms such as “Perio” OR “Prostho” OR “Restorative” OR “Ortho” OR “Oral medicine” OR “Maxillofacial surgery” OR “Pediatric” OR “endo” was also used. Data from these articles addressing the aim of this study was extracted. Results: A total of 16 articles were considered for the review. The majority of the studies considered flipped classroom as a successful model of pedagogy. The most common mode of outside classroom activity was pre-recorded videos. In-classroom activities, a combination of seminars, interactive discussions, and quiz were explored. Time constraints, lack of faculty development programs are considered to be negative factors for the success of the flipped classroom. Conclusion: Within the limitation of the study, flipped classroom can be adapted as a method of pedagogy in clinical dentistry.
Introduction: Primate animal models are being utilized to explore novel therapies for spinal cord injuries. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of the transplantation of predegenerated nerve segments in unilateral spinal cord-hemisected bonnet monkeys’ (Macaca radiata) locomotor functions using the complex runways. Materials and Methods: The bonnet monkeys were initially trained to walk in a bipedal motion on grid and staircase runways. In one group of trained monkeys, surgical hemisection was made in the spinal cord at the T12-L1 level. In the other group, hemisection was induced in the spinal cord, and the ulnar nerve was also transected at the same time (transplant group). After one week, the hemisected cavity was reopened and implanted with predegenerated ulnar nerve segments obtained from the same animal of the transplant group. Results: All the operated monkeys showed significant deficits in locomotion on runways at the early postoperative period. The walking ability of operated monkeys was found to be gradually improved, and they recovered nearer to preoperative level at the fourth postoperative month, and there were no marked differences. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that there were no significant improvements in the locomotion of monkeys on runways after the delayed grafting of nerve segments until one year later. The failure of the predegenerated nerve graft as a possible therapeutic strategy to improve the locomotion of monkeys may be due to a number of factors set in motion by trauma, which could possibly prevent the qualities of regeneration. The exact reason for this ineffectiveness of predegenerated nerve segments and their underlying mechanism is not known.