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.

There is a perplexity in the association between interleukin (IL) polymorphisms and periodontitis among patients with and without diabetes mellitus (DM). The aim of the present study was to evaluate indexed data regarding the association between periodontitis and genetic polymorphisms in interleukins among patients with and without DM. The addressed question was “Is there an association between periodontitis and polymorphisms in interleukins among patients with and without DM?” Original studies were included. Indexed databases were searched, and the pattern of the present literature review was customized to summaries’ the pertinent information. Eight studies were included and processed for data extraction. Two studies showed that polymorphisms in IL-1B genes aggravate periodontitis in patients with type-2 DM, and two studies showed that IL-1B genes either do not or are less likely to contribute towards the progression of periodontitis in patients with type-2 DM. Two studies reported that IL genes do not show cross-susceptibility with periodontitis and type-2 DM. One study reported that the primary factor that governs the occurrence and progression of periodontitis in patients with and without type-2 DM is poor routine oral hygiene maintenance. Seven studies had a high risk of bias. The role of IL gene polymorphisms in the development and progression of periodontitis in patients with and without DM remains controversial.

This chapter provides an overview of tooth morphology, including a review of tooth anatomy, tooth development, and associated nomenclature and numbering systems. First, basic tooth morphology nomenclature is presented. Next, various tooth numbering systems are described and discussed, and the Federation Dentaire Internationale (FDI) system is detailed. Third, tooth surfaces and ridges are explained along with terminology, followed by an explanation of tooth crown and root anatomy. Fourth, the stages of tooth formation are described, starting with the bud stage, and followed by the cap stage, bell stage, and maturation. Annotated diagrams are presented for clarity. Finally, two currently accepted hypotheses explaining tooth formation are presented.

Background: This study compared the efficacy of a bioflavonoid-enriched herbal mouthwash versus 0.12% and 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX) in reducing peri-implant inflammation and subgingival Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) carriage among patients with peri-implantitis. Methods: In all, 67 individuals diagnosed with peri-implantitis were enrolled. Demographic and implant-related data were retrieved, and subgingival biofilm samples were analysed for P. gingivalis. All patients underwent non-surgical mechanical debridement (MD) and were then randomised into three groups: test group (bioflavonoid mouthwash, n = 22), control group 1 (0.12% CHX, n = 23), and control group 2 (0.2% CHX, n = 22). Participants rinsed with 15 ml of the assigned solution twice daily for 90 days. Clinical parameters, including modified plaque index (mPI), modified bleeding index (mBI), probing depth (PD), and crestal bone loss, were recorded at baseline and after 90 days. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: Significant reductions in mPI, mBI, and PD were observed across all groups compared with baseline (P < 0.05). The follow-up scores for these parameters were significantly lower in the test group compared with both CHX groups (P < 0.05). At baseline, P. gingivalis was detected in 79.1% of participants. After 90 days, P. gingivalis carriage was lower in the test group (13.6%) compared with control group 1 (50.0%) and control group 2 (54.5%). Conclusion: Prescription of a bioflavonoid-enriched herbal mouthwash following MD is more effective in reducing peri-implant inflammation and subgingival P. gingivalis compared with 0.12% and 0.2% CHX rinses.

This parallel-group clinical study evaluated whether adding natural bioflavonoids to 0.12% chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthwash enhances outcomes of non-surgical therapy for peri-implant mucositis. The primary aim was to assess soft-tissue inflammatory changes and subgingival Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) carriage compared with CHX alone. Thirty-three patients were enrolled (test, n = 16; control, n = 17). All patients underwent mechanical debridement, following which patients in the test group were prescribed a bioflavonoid-enriched CHX, whereas those in the control group were prescribed 0.12% CHX. All participants were instructed to rinse their oral cavity every 12 hours for 30 s with their respective oral rinse for 3 weeks. A follow-up clinical evaluation was done after 6 weeks. Peri-implant indices, modified plaque index (mPI), modified bleeding index (mBI), and probing depth (PD) were recorded at baseline and follow-up. Subgingival oral biofilm samples were also collected and assessed for the presence of P.gingivalis in both groups. Statistical significance was set at P 0.05. At baseline, groups were comparable across clinical parameters. At 6 weeks, the test group exhibited significantly lower mPI, mBI, and PD versus controls (all P 0.05). Specifically, mean PD was 2.2 ± 0.04 mm in the test group versus 2.5 ± 0.03 mm in controls; mPI and mBI also favoured the test rinse (0.38 ± 0.04 vs 0.30 ± 0.07; 0.28 ± 0.05 vs 0.32 ± 0.02, respectively). P. gingivalis was detected at baseline in all participants; at 6 weeks, carriage persisted in 3/16 (18.8%) test versus 9/17 (52.9%) control patients. Supplementing 0.12% CHX with bioflavonoids provides added clinical benefits when used as an adjunct to mechanical debridement (MD) in patients with peri-implant mucositis. This combined approach appears more effective than 0.12% CHX alone in reducing peri-implant soft-tissue inflammation and P. gingivalis carriage, indicating that bioflavonoid-enriched formulations may represent a valuable therapeutic option in routine clinical practice for improving peri-implant health.

Objective: The aim was to systematically review clinical studies that investigated the efficacy of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) in reducing oral yeasts growth (OYG) in individuals wearing implant overdentures (IO). Methods: The focused question was "Is aPDT effective in reducing OYG in patients wearing IO?" Literature search was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Indexed databases were searched without time and language restrictions up to and including January 2024. Clinical studies were included; and letters to the Editor, case-reports/case-series, perspectives/commentaries, in-vitro/ex-vivo studies, studies on animal models and expert opinions were excluded. The risk of bias was also assessed. Results: Two clinical studies were included and processed for data extraction. The study population comprised of 100 (mean age: 58.5 years) and 53 (mean age: 58.5 years) individuals. The numbers of males and females included in these studies ranged between 33 and 35 males and 18-67 females, respectively. In both studies, follow-up evaluations were performed after 60 days. In both studies, aPDT was performed using a 660 nm diode laser at a power of 100 mW and using methylene-blue as photosensitizer. Results from both studies showed that aPDT is effective in significantly reducing oral yeasts CFU/ml and improvement of OHRQoL of individuals using IO. Conclusion: The aPDT is useful in reducing OYG on IO; however, further well-designed and power-adjusted studies are needed in this area of research.