Objective: To analyze the radiological characteristics of impacted teeth in the population of Makkah in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 2199 digital panoramic radiograph (OPG) scans collected from the database of the dental teaching hospital at Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, KSA. Out of these, 1503 OPGs (749 males and 754 females) met the inclusion criteria, which required clear OPGs with high quality and good visibility of anatomic structures. The study included patients of both genders, aged between 13 and 70, with complete root formation of impacted teeth. Results: The analysis of 1,503 patients’ radiographs revealed that 27.70% had impacted third molars, with mandibular molars being more commonly affected than maxillary molars. Additionally, other impacted teeth were observed, including maxillary canines, second premolars, second molars, and supernumerary teeth. Male patients had a slightly higher prevalence of impaction. The majority of impacted third molars were found in the age group of 18-30. The angulation and depth of impacted teeth differed between maxillary and mandibular arches. Most impacted mandibular third molars had a class I relation with the ramus. Conclusion: The study provides valuable insights into impacted teeth in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. It highlights a significant occurrence of impacted third molars, as well as other teeth. These findings contribute to a better understanding of impacted teeth and provide important support for dental professionals in their efforts to improve patient outcomes.

Objectives: The present study aims to investigate the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among children with special needs (CSN) and children without special care needs (CWSCN) in Saudi Arabia and to explore the association between various factors, including dental caries status, sociodemographic characteristics, and behavioral factors, with OHRQoL. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. A total of 773 children were examined (257 with CSN and 516 with CWSCN). OHRQoL was assessed using the Modified Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP). Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between the OHIP (mean score) and independent variables. Results: The mean physical impact was 2.5 ± 1.1 and 3.1 ± 1.7 among 6–11 yrs-old and 12–16-yr-old children (p = 0.021), respectively. The mean personal satisfaction score was 3.2 ± 1.7 and 2.4 ± 1.1 among CSN and CWSCN (p = 0.001), respectively. Children with special needs had a 3.11 (95% CI: 1.23–5.21, p = 0.0001) times higher mean OHIP than CWSCN. Male children had a 1.87 (95% CI: 0.12–2.89, p = 0.024) times higher mean OHIP than female children. Children whose parents had primary school or less education had a 1.92 (95% CI: 0.17–3.11, p = 0.029) times higher mean OHIP than those whose parents had intermediate or higher education. Conclusions: The present study showed that children with special needs had a poor OHRQoL with high mean physical impact, pain, and psychological impact scores compared to CWSCN. A strong association was observed between poor OHRQoL and parental education status, poor oral hygiene practices, and use of non-fluoridated toothpaste.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of color vision deficiency (CVD) among dentists and dental students, and to evaluate their ability to select suitable shades for aesthetic restorations, comparing those with CVD to participants with normal color vision. Materials and Methods: A total of 187 participants were screened for CVD using the Ishihara color blindness test. Additionally, participants were assessed for their shade-matching ability using a custom shade guide with 10 composite resin samples. The results were analyzed based on gender, qualification level, and CVD status. Results: The prevalence of CVD was found to be 5.3%, with a significantly higher proportion of male participants (90%). Despite the presence of CVD, no significant differences were observed in shade-matching performance between participants with CVD and those with normal color vision (P=0.48). Knowledge of CVD among participants was generally low, with many participants unaware of the condition before testing. Conclusion: While CVD was relatively rare among dental practitioners and students, it did not significantly impact shade-matching abilities. Routine color vision screening and further education on CVD are recommended for dental professionals to ensure optimal clinical outcomes.

Periodontal disease is the most prevalent oral condition worldwide, resulting from a prolonged inflammatory reaction triggered by the buildup of dental plaque. Many studies have concluded that there is a strong association between periodontal health and tooth restorations, as the periodontium must be healthy for the restoration to last. to evaluate the impact of fixed and removable dental prostheses on the periodontal health of abutment teeth. This was a retro-prospective cohort study of 112 abutment teeth collected from 34 patients who received a total of 47 fixed (81 abutments) and 14 removable (31 abutments) dental prostheses treated by senior dental students under supervision during the past two years. Patients were recalled for clinical and radiographic examinations to assess periodontal parameters of abutments, including pocket depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), presence of plaque, and bleeding on probing (BOP), and to evaluate fixed and removable prostheses. Most of the prostheses were fixed (72.32 %), and most of them were bridges (60.71 %) located in the anterior region of the mouth (58.56 %). The study findings showed a significant increase (mean = 0.46 mm) in clinical attachment loss after prosthesis placement (p < 0.01), while no significant difference was observed in pocket depth (p = 0.062). Furthermore, there was a significant increase in plaque at the follow-up visit compared to the baseline visit (p < 0.01) for only the fixed dental prostheses. There was no significant difference between fixed and removable prostheses regarding their impact on the periodontal health of abutments. The study found that abutment teeth had increased clinical attachment loss after receiving dental prostheses, highlighting the need for regular maintenance and patient education to maintain periodontal health.