In this study, we evaluated the fracture resistance of three commercially available prefabricated primary zirconia crowns and their correlation with dimensional variance. Methods: a total of 42 zirconia crowns were selected from three companies, (1) NuSmile primary zirconia crowns, (2) Cheng Crowns zirconia, and (3) Sprig EZ crowns. The crowns were divided into two groups based on their location in the oral cavity and further divided into subgroups based on the brand. All of the samples were subjected to fracture tests using a universal testing machine. Results: the mean load observed was highest with Cheng Crowns zirconia anterior crowns (1355 ± 484) and the least load was seen with Sprig EZ anterior crowns with a mean load of 339 ± 94. The mean load observed was highest with Cheng Crowns zirconia posterior crowns (1990 ± 485) followed by NuSmile posterior crowns and the least load was seen with Sprig EZ posterior crowns with a mean load of 661 ± 184. Conclusion: the Cheng crowns showed the highest fracture resistance amongst all three groups. Overall, the zirconia crowns (anterior and posterior) tested showed optimum mechanical properties to withstand the masticatory forces.

The study evaluated the addition of silver (Ag) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles to conventional glass ionomer cement (GIC), considering compressive strength (CS), diametral tensile strength (DTS), flexural strength (FS), and hardness. Ag and TiO₂ nanoparticles were blended into the powder of a commercially available GIC restorative material at 5% (w/w). Unblended powder was used as a control. One hundred twenty samples were prepared from two study groups and one control group (n = 10). CS, DTS, and FS were evaluated using a universal testing machine, while hardness was measured by Vickers microhardness testing. The data obtained were analyzed using One-way analysis of variance and the Tukey?s test (p < 0.05). GIC containing Ag and TiO₂ nanoparticles significantly improved the CS, DTS, and hardness compared to the control group (p < 0.05). However, the FS was not much affected by the addition of either of the nanoparticles (p >0.05). TiO₂ blended GIC demonstrated significantly higher CS (154.20+2.38) and DTS (13.2±0.5 MPa) compared to control 117.2±1.2 MPa and 7.2 ±0.8 MPa, respectively. While Blend of GIC+Ag nanoparticles showed the highest FS (29.0±0.7 MPa). Additionally, the blend of GIC+TiO₂ exhibited the highest hardness (90.4±1.1 VHN). Ag and TiO₂ blended GICs might guarantee their use in occlusal or higher stress-bearing areas.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to assess the dental anxiety of patients using the modified dental anxiety scale (MDAS) questionnaire along with examining the possible relationship between dental anxiety and sociodemographic factors. Materials and Methods: The MDAS questionnaire was used to assess the anxiety level of the patients which included a total of five questions and five options to respond to each question. MDAS questionnaire was filled out by all the patients before the dental treatment. After finishing the treatment, all the patients were given a post-treatment questionnaire to assess their anxiety levels after treatment. Descriptive statistics were performed for measuring the frequency of responses. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the anxiety between the gender. The chi-square test was used to identify the distribution of pre-treatment with gender and post-treatment questionnaire with gender and treatment modalities. Linear regression was used to identify the association between clinical variables and different levels of anxiety. Results: A total of 115 patients including 59 males and 56 females with a mean age of 35 ± 11.34 years were included in the current study. Female patients were significantly more anxious about dental treatment compared to male patients. Linear regression showed that age and gender have a significant association with the pre-treatment anxiety level; however, types of treatment is not associated with the MDAS. Anxiety levels decreased for the majority of the patients after the treatment and types of treatment did not show any differences with the post-treatment anxiety level. Conclusions: Age and gender play an important role in dental anxiety; however, types of treatment are not associated with pre-treatment and post-treatment dental anxiety.

Background: The study aimed to assess dental anxiety (self and proxy reported) using a Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) and modified short State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scale (Emoji). Methods: 200 children visiting the pediatric dental clinic at the College of Dentistry at Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University were recruited to assess their anxiety levels. The anxiety score was measured before and after the treatment using a short STAI scale and MDAS of 200 children using a Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) and a modified short STAI (Emoji) Scale. Results: The perception of children with MDAS was found to have the highest mean score of 14.54 ± 3.82 before the dental procedure compared to the mean score of 9.40 ± 2.90 after the dental procedure. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). A statistically significant difference was observed in MDAS after the dental procedure and, in short, STAI before the dental procedure. Conclusion: All children improved their dental anxiety levels before and after the procedure. Therefore, procedural experience may improve the child’s response.

Introduction: Dentistry is considered a stressful profession. Stress is defined as a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances. In particular to paediatric dentistry, dental student’s anxiety and stress level is elevated to the peak as managing a child in the dental chair is a great challenge for any dentist. Aim: To evaluate self-reported levels of stress of dental students about performing different procedures in paediatric dentistry in Riyadh city. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among final year dental students in seven different dental schools in Riyadh city. The final questionnaire was used following literature review of similar studies, focus group and piloting stage. The questionnaire addressed upon stress of performing treatment on a child patient and the future specialty preference for final year dental students. Descriptive analysis was done using Microsoft Excel. The statistical analysis were performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) (Version 22.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.) and conducted at a Confidence Interval (CI) of 95%, and a significance level of 0.05. Internal consistency of the questionnaire was assessed by calculating Cronbach’s alpha. The level of significance was set at p-value <0.05. Results: The study included 176 participants of which 92 males and 84 females. A 43.8% of the dental students are not stressed of having the patient’s guardian in the clinic during the time of treatment, some are little confident in using the non-pharmacological management approaches for uncooperative child. A 54% of the students are quite stressed when performing dental treatment for preschool children. Conclusion: The current study revealed that both genders show some similarity in their answers, with the majority having no or little stress providing paediatric treatment. Dental students in Saudi Arabia were more stressed when performing pain stimulating procedures on preschool children.

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the antibacterial effect of 0.5% metronidazole, 2% chlorhexidine, and normal saline irrigant solutions against Enterococcus faecalis bacteria in the treatment of root canals of primary anterior teeth. This study was carried out on sixty nonvital primary anterior teeth of Egyptian children diagnosed with (early childhood caries) ECC. These teeth were classified equally into three groups according to irrigation materials. A fresh sample was collected from each root canal after access opening before and 3 days after irrigation with the help of a paper point. The number of organisms (E. faecalis) before and after irrigation was compared for each group. The bacterial count of E. faecalis was decreased in all groups however, these differences were statistically insignificant where (p <0.05). Both 0.5% metronidazole and 2.0% chlorhexidine appeared to be superior against E. faecalis bacteria as endodontic irrigants in pulpectomy anterior primary teeth with higher antibacterial efficacy compared to saline. The success of endodontic treatment depends on the removal of microbes, from the root canals and avoidance of reinfection thus; this study provides an insight on the effects of different irrigant solutions to further help dental practitioners in the endodontic management of primary dentition.