To evaluate the torque expression of self ligating (SL) orthodontic brackets and conventionally ligated brackets and the torque expression in active and passive SL brackets. Our systematic search included MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Scopus, and key journals and review articles; the date of the last search was April 4th 2016. We graded the methodological quality of the studies by means of the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies, developed for the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP). In total, 87 studies were identified for screening, and 9 studies were eligible. The quality assessment rated one of the study as being of strong quality, 7 (77.78%) of these studies as being of moderate quality. Three out of 7 studies which compared SL and conventionally ligated brackets showed, conventionally ligated brackets with highest torque expression compared to SL brackets. Badawi showed active SL brackets with highest torque expression compared to passive SL brackets. Major and Brauchli showed no significant differences in torque expression of active and passive SL brackets. Conventionally ligated brackets presented with highest torque expression compared to SL brackets. Minor difference was recorded in a torque expression of active and passive SL brackets. Key words:Systematic review, self ligation, torque expression, conventional ligation.

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.

Background: In Saudi Arabia, dental trauma is regarded as one of the most important issues affecting schoolchildren. This study evaluated Saudi Arabian schoolteachers’ knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding emergency dental trauma management. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 263 schoolteachers from 25 schools; 50.9% were females. A questionnaire was used to collect respondents’ personal and professional data and information on managing dental injury scenarios and the respondents’ attitudes toward dental injuries. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out for the independent and outcome variable of inadequate knowledge regarding dental trauma management. Results: Male teachers had better knowledge than female teachers regarding emergency management of avulsed teeth. Compared to female teachers, male teachers would scrub a tooth with a toothbrush to replant it back into its socket if it fell onto the ground and was covered with dirt. Males had a significantly higher percentage of believing it is not teachers’ responsibility to care for tooth injuries in schools. Teachers with teaching experience of 5–10 years had a significantly higher percentage of training in dental emergencies. Teachers with bachelor’s degrees agreed on the need for teacher involvement to save the tooth in a timely manner. Compared to general teachers, physical education teachers would put the tooth back in the mouth and send the child to the dentist immediately if they were hit in the face and the upper front tooth fell out of their mouth. Teachers with a diploma level of education and teachers with a general type of teaching qualification were 2.15 times (CI = 0.98–3.11, p = 0.002) and 3.19 times (CI = 1.71–4.22, p = 0.0001) more likely to have a higher level of inadequate knowledge regarding dental trauma management. Conclusions: There is a need to raise teachers’ awareness and improve their dental trauma emergency management training.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of zinc phosphate (ZnP) cement, glass ionomer cement (GIC), and nano-integrated bio-ceramic (NIB) cement on mineralization when placed in contact with bone tissue-forming cells. Materials and Methods: ZnP cement, GIC, and NIB cement were divided into direct and indirect groups. A total of 72 cement pellets (24 pellets of each test sample) of 3 × 1 mm (width × height) were prepared using polytetrafluoroethylene molds. A total of 3 sample groups were demarcated using 96- cell well culture plates. In the control group, 24 wells were filled with mineralized osteoblasts and 1 µL of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). In test group 1, to show a direct effect, 36 samples were plated with mineralized osteoblasts and 1 µL GCF for 24 h; the cells were directly exposed to cement pellets. A total of 36 samples were immersed in GCF for 24 h; later the supernatant was transferred to the mineralized osteoblasts to demonstrate an indirect effect in test group 2. To assess the mineralization, osteoblasts were stained with alizarin red and later observed under an inverted phase-contrast microscope. Data were analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences. An independent t-test compared the direct and indirect effects of the ZnP cement, GIC, NIB cement, and control groups on the mineralization of osteoblasts derived from hDPCs. Results: A statistically significant difference was observed between the ZnP cement, GIC, and NIB cement groups (p < 0.05). ZnP cement exhibited a moderate, NIB cement the least harmful effect, and GIC showed the most harmful effect on the mineralization of osteoblast cells. Conclusions: The biocompatibility of dental luting cements is an important aspect that clinicians should consider during their selection. Nano-integrated bio-ceramic cement showed the least negative effect on the mineralization of osteoblast cells which is beneficial for the cementation of cement-retained implant prostheses. However, further studies are needed to evaluate osteoblast and osteoclast activity in vivo.