Early childhood caries (ECC) is a significant worldwide oral health problem. However, parents do not take their children to the dentist for regular screening of oral diseases as early as they do with pediatricians and family physicians. As a result, pediatricians and family physicians are considered as a reliable and perfect source for children's oral health promotion and disease prevention. Studies assessing pediatricians' and family physicians' practice, knowledge and attitude regarding ECC and infant's oral health in Saudi Arabia are few. As a result, this study aimed to assess these aspects. A cross-sectional study based on a structured close-ended questionnaire was conveniently distributed among pediatricians and family physicians in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire composed of two main sections; demographic characteristics and questions assessing participants' practice, knowledge and attitude. The data was analyzed using SAS software, frequency and chi-square test were conducted, and P-value of <0.05 and less was considered significant. There was a discrepancy between the participants' knowledge, attitude and practice. The participants' practice was lower (42.6%) compared with their attitude (86.1%) and knowledge (65.3%). Most of the participants (52.5%) indicated lack of clinical time was the main barrier for performing oral health related activities. Majority of the participants (76.7%) indicated that they need more dental training and education. Dental caries preventive methods (44.6%) was the most requested topic, of which workshops and seminars were the main preferred method (39.6%). Although most of the participants reported good dental attitude and knowledge, a lack of the associated dental practice was detected. Therefore, more efforts are encouraged to enhance and facilitate dental practice among pediatricians and family physicians.

Self-medication is a widespread behavior worldwide. It is defined as the practice of self-diagnosis and drug prescription without proper professional consultation. Aim: To determine the prevalence and predictors of self-medication for oral health problems among adults living in Riyadh city. Methods: A cross-sectional study based on a structured close-ended questionnaire was distributed among adults visiting shopping malls in all different five regions of Riyadh. A two-stage sampling technique was used: cluster and simple random sampling. The questionnaire was composed of two main sections: demographic characteristics and questions assessing the behavior of self-medication. Results: The prevalence of self-medication was found to be 63.25%, with a higher prevalence among females than males. Gender and nationality were significantly associated with self-medication. Salt in hot water locally (52.57%) and acetaminophen (47.43%), a type of an analgesic, were, systemically, the most frequently used. Pharmacy shops were the main source of these medicaments (66.01%). Similarly, the advice for using them was mainly given by pharmacists (53.36%). Lack of time was claimed to be the main reason for practicing self-medication (54.55%) with abscess, toothache, and gingival bleeding being the main predictors. Conclusions: Self-medication was found to be a common practice among the population of Riyadh city.

This paper aims to assess the evidence in the literature reporting orthodontically induced inflammatory root resorption (OIIRR) in treatment with orthodontic clear aligners using 3D measurements. Following preferred reporting Items for systematic reviews (PRISMA) statement, eight electronic databases were searched for relevant published and unpublished records. Data collected according to restricted inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 236 articles were identified as relevant to our topic. Duplicates were excluded resulting in 226 papers, out of which 31 papers were relevant after screening titles and abstracts. Only 2 high-level evidence papers out of the 31 met the inclusion criteria for the qualitative synthesis. Based on the available studies with high level of evidence in the literature, we conclude that orthodontic clear aligners are non-inferior to light-force fixed orthodontic appliances, and superior to heavy-force fixed orthodontic appliances in terms of the risk for developing apical root resorption. Orthodontists can be more assured about the low-risk of OIIRR associated with clear aligners compared to other orthodontic treatment modalities, and it remains up to the practitioner's assessment to select the appropriate treatment on a case by case basis.

Background: Mini-esthetics is an important concept in orthodontics concerned with relatedness of dentition to the face. Purpose: We compared the perception of altered smile esthetics between orthodontists, dentists, and laypeople in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Patients and Methods: A total of 216 participants (orthodontists, dentists, and laypeople) were conveniently surveyed. An image representing the ideal smile was altered in terms of buccal corridor, gingival display, and midline diastema. Using Likert scale, participants were asked to rate the attractiveness of the altered images. Results: The three surveyed groups preferred wide rather than narrow buccal corridors. Also, as the amount of gingival display and midline diastema increased, the smile was rated less attractive. Age of participants was significantly associated with more precise recognition of gingival display and midline diastema, P< 0.05 and P< 0.001, respectively. Conclusion: The concept of an ideal smile holds true across the heterogenous groups we studied despite gender and professional background.

This study used seven different adhesive removal systems to evaluate and compare enamel surface integrity, heat generation, and time consumed during residual cement removal after de-bracketing. The sample size was 140 human premolars. Teeth were cleaned, mounted, and prepared for orthodontic bracket bonding. Brackets were then debonded using bracket-removing pliers. Teeth were randomly assigned to seven groups based on the residual cement removal system: Group 1: Stainbuster bur, Group 2: Renew diamond bur #129, Group 3: Renew carbide bur, Group 4: OneGloss Complete system, Group 5: Sof-Lex system, Group 6: Enhance Finishing and PoGo Polishing complete kit, and Group 7: Renew friction grip points. The enamel surface was evaluated for roughness before bracketing and after residual cement removal using surface profilometry. The time taken for cement removal was recorded using a digital timer, and heat generation was measured using a laser thermometer before and after cement removal. One-way ANOVA compared the pre- and post-values for enamel surface roughness, temperature, and time consumed. When comparing the difference between the post- and pre-finishing roughness using one-way ANOVA, the Renew diamond bur produced the roughest enamel surface post-removal with a mean of 4.716 μm, while the Sof-Lex recorded the lowest at 0.760 μm. The highest mean temperature was recorded with the Stainbuster bur at 5.545 °C, and the lowest temperature was recorded with the Enhance bur at 2.260 °C. The time for cement removal was the shortest with the Enhance bur at 12.2 s, whereas the time was the longest with the Renew diamond bur at 30.4 s. In conclusion, all the residual cement removal systems used in this clinically simulated study were not able to restore the original enamel surface smoothness. However, the 3M Sof-Lex produced the lowest enamel roughness but with more time consumption and heat generation. When selecting the best residual cement removal system to be used, clinicians should weigh the merits and demerits of each system based on the clinical judgement of the operator.

Bone turnover biomarker levels serve as valid tools for assessing bone resorption and formation. While the standard retention protocol consists of using fixed retainers, removable retainers, or both, attempts have been made to explore alternative approaches using biological agents. Psidium guajava fruit is reported to possess osteoanabolic properties. These properties might be useful in preventing orthodontic treatment relapse. To assess the effect of orally administered Psidium guajava fruit suspension on alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OC) levels in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of Wistar rats using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Fourteen rats underwent orthodontic tooth movement of the left maxillary first molar. Subsequently, the appliance was removed, then retention phase was initiated by placing composite resin in the created space between the left maxillary first and second molars. The intervention group received 250 mg/kg of P. guajava fruit suspension daily, while the control group received normal saline for 35 days. When retention ended, the left maxillary first molars were allowed to relapse for 7 days. At the end of the relapse phase, GCF samples were collected from the distal side of the left maxillary first molars using a PerioPaper and analyzed by ELISA. The mean concentration of ALP in the control and intervention groups was 0.074 ± 0.012 pg/mL and 0.075 ± 0.005 pg/mL, respectively (P = 0.704), while that of OC was 0.696 ± 0.003 pg/mL and 0.692 ± 0.011 pg/mL, respectively (P = 0.391). Oral supplementation of P. guajava fruit suspension did not have a positive impact on GCF bone turnover biomarkers (ALP and OC) in Wistar rats.