Gingivitis is an oral condition characterized by inflammation and bleeding of the gingiva (gums), largely caused by Porphyromonas gingivalis. Oral hygiene options for controlling P. gingivalis include mouthwash containing Commiphora myrrha (myrrh), which has been shown to be effective against the microbe. Silver nanoparticles (SN) have been studied for their antibacterial effect in different oral health applications, including mouthwash. This was an in vitro laboratory study of the anti-microbial actions of myrrh and SN against P. gingivalis. We compared the anti-microbial properties against P. gingivalis of four solutions: a) placebo solution, b) myrrh solution (MS), c) MS mixed with silver nanoparticles (MSN), and d) SN suspension alone. Sixteen agar plates were divided into four groups of four plates, and each group was treated with one of the solutions/suspensions. The solution/suspension was administered on the agar disc diffusion method, and inhibition zones (IZs) were measured after 24 (time 1), 48 (time 2), and 72 h (time 3). To characterize MSN and SN, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used. UV–Vis spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) were used to further characterize MSN. After 24 h, the median IZ for the MS plates was 16 mm, and the median IZ for MSN plates was 15 mm. At time 2, the MS median IZ was 15 mm, but the MSN median IZ increased to 18 mm, and the interquartile ranges (IQRs) did not overlap. At time 3, the median IZs was similar again, with MSN and MS having IZs of 16 mm and 15 mm, respectively. SN alone showed no anti-microbial activity. Our findings show that MSN displayed superior anti-microbial activity against P. gingivalis compared to MS and SN after 48 h of incubation, but not after 24 h. Also, the increased anti-microbial activity had ceased by 72 h.

There are no studies that have evaluated the effect of Alveogyl with and without adjunct photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) in reducing self-rated post-operative pain (SPP) in patients with alveolar osteitis (AO; dry socket). The aim of the present randomised controlled trial was to assess the effectiveness of Alveogyl with and without PBMT for the management of SPP in patients with AO. Adult nonsmokers with diagnosed AO were included. Patients were randomly divided into 4 groups. In Group 1, patients underwent mechanical curettage (MC) with copious normal saline irrigation. In Group 2, patients underwent MC + Alveogyl dressings in extraction sites which were changed every 48 hours until cessation of pain. In Group 3, patients underwent MC + Alveogyl followed by PBMT using a 660-nm indium-gallium-aluminum-phosphide diode laser. In Group 4, patients were treated solely with PBMT. The visual analogue scale was used up to 3 postoperative days to assess SPP up to 3 days at 6- (T0) and 12-hour (T1) intervals. Statistical analyses were performed using the analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc adjustment tests. Correlation between SPP scores and age, sex, and eruption status of teeth was assessed using logistic regression models. P values <.01 were nominated as being statistically significant. In all, 14, 13, 14, and 14 individuals with AO were included in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. All patients had undergone extraction of mandibular third molars. At baseline and on day 1, there was no difference in SPP in all groups. On days 2 and 3, mean visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at T1 (P < .01) and T2 (P < .01) intervals were significantly high in Group 2 compared with Group 3. On days 2 and 3, mean VAS scores at T1 (P < .01) and T2 (P < .01) intervals were significantly high in Group 4 compared with Group 3. There was no difference in SPP in groups 3 and 4 on day 3 at T0 and T1 intervals. PBMT following MC and Alveogyl dressing is more efficient in reducing SPP compared with MC with or without Alveogyl dressing in patients with AO.

Background: It is hypothesized that knowledge towards ionizing radiation (IR) protection measures is lacking among newly graduated dentists from Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The purpose of the present questionnaire-based study was to compare the IR protection knowledge among newly graduated dentists from Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Methods: The present investigation was a questionnaire-based study and had a cross-sectional observational analytical design. Newly graduated dentists were defined as individuals who had graduated from a credentialed dental institution within the past 36-months. The questionnaire was related to knowledge about radiation safety, awareness and practices. The questionnaire comprised of 17 multiple choice questions. Questionnaires in which all the 17 questions were not answered or had missing pages were excluded. Odds ratios were computed for the number of correct and incorrect responses and 95% confidence intervals were determined. Individuals that provided up to 40%, 41% to 70% and >70% correct answers were categorized as having “low competence”; “moderate competence” and “high competence” in IR knowledge. p-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The mean percentage of correct answers provided by dentists from Egypt and KSA were 56.9% and 67.4%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the percentages of correct responses for the 17 questions submitted by respondents from Egypt and KSA. The overall percentage of correct responses ranged between 40.2–71.2% and 45.4–81.4% for respondents from Egypt and KSA, respectively. The odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals showed no statistically significant correlation in the responses from respondents from Egypt and KSA for each of the 17 questions addressed. Conclusion: Newly graduated dentists from Egypt and KSA are moderately competent regarding IR doses and related safety measures. It is recommended that modifications in the undergraduate dental education curriculum with emphasis on IR safety and practice would help enhance the knowledge and competence of students and newly graduated dentists. Moreover, routine continuing dental education seminars/programs may help enhance the IR knowledge of dental students and dentists.