Background: Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by polymorpho nuclear neutrophils occurs in chronic periodontitis. These ROS are mainly involved in bacterial destruction. However, extracellular release of same results in destruction of surrounding tissue. Spirulina, a potent antioxidant when administered sub gingivally in pockets can offer improved results in chronic periodontitis patients. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Spirulina when delivered sub gingivally in patients with chronic periodontitis. Methods: Sixty chronic periodontitis patients were divided into 2 groups. Group I (n = 30) were treated with Scaling and Root planning (SRP) followed by placement of placebo (SRP-P) and in Group II (n = 30) Spirulina microspheres were placed sub gingivally (SRP-S) following SRP. Clinical parameters like bleeding on probing (BOP), clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival index (GI) and probing pocket depth (PPD) were evaluated. Levels of salivary and serum Malondialdehyde (MDA) were estimated using ultra violet spectrophotometer. Results: At baseline, in both groups there was no statistically significant difference in clinical and biochemical parameters. Intra group comparisons of parameters from baseline to 90 days were statistically significant in both groups. After 90 days difference in clinical parameters and salivary MDA levels were statistically significant in SRP-S compared to SRP-P group. Though serum MDA levels were reduced in both groups, they were not significant statistically. Conclusions: Our study concluded that, local drug delivery of Spirulina adjunctive to SRP has potent antioxidant effect in treatment of chronic periodontitis.

Objective: This systematic review aims to summarize the evidence on the use and applicability of AI in impacted mandibular third molars. Methods: Searches were performed in the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The study protocol is registered at the International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols (INPLASY202460081). The retrieved articles were subjected to an exhaustive review based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the study. Articles on the use of AI for diagnosis, treatment, and treatment planning in patients with impacted mandibular third molars were included. Results: Twenty-one articles were selected and evaluated using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) evidence quality scale. Most of the analyzed studies dealt with using AI to determine the relationship between the mandibular canal and the impacted mandibular third molar. The average quality of the articles included in this review was 2+, which indicated that the level of evidence, according to the SIGN protocol, was B. Conclusions: Compared to human observers, AI models have demonstrated decent performance in determining the morphology, anatomy, and relationship of the impaction with the inferior alveolar nerve canal. However, the prediction of eruptions and future horizons of AI models are still in the early developmental stages. Additional studies estimating the eruption in mixed and permanent dentition are warranted to establish a comprehensive model for identifying, diagnosing, and predicting third molar eruptions and determining the treatment outcomes in the case of impacted teeth. This will help clinicians make better decisions and achieve better treatment outcomes.

Purpose: Dentists face a great deal of professional stress, in dental school and in practice. Their personal, as well as professional lives, get affected negatively by stress and poor mental health. This study aims to evaluate anxiety and depression among dentists of Abha in kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 246 registered dentists of Abha to assess anxiety and depression. Participants willing to participate, and completely filled questionnaire were included in study. Data regarding demography, work-related characters, lifestyle and self-reported physical and mental status were collected. Mental status was measured by using pre validated questionnaire Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 20) by IBM. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, independent t test and one way ANOVA were used to analyze the data at the significant interval of p≤ 0.05. Results: Different levels of anxiety and depression were noticed both in males and female dentist. There was no statistical difference in the mean scores between males and females. There was a statistical difference of anxiety and depression scores noticed among dentist working in government institution, with five to ten years of experience. Habits of smoking were shown to significantly affect the risk of anxiety and depression scores. Conclusion: Dentist due to nature of the practice are prone for anxiety and clinical depression. Stress coping methods should be included in dental curriculum which would indirectly improve professional abilities and personal life.

BACKGROUND This research is aimed at minimizing the patient's discomfort and suffering from temporomandibular joint disorders through less-invasive procedures to evaluate the efficacy of proliferative injection therapy, particularly prolotherapy, in fearful patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. MATERIAL AND METHODS A structured questionnaire covering symptom intensity and presence or absence of TMJ clicking and joint hypermobility in patients with confirmed temporomandibular disorder symptoms was completed by patients. Mouth opening and maximum incisor height was measured in millimeters. Degree of pain was obtained from the Visual Analog Scale score. The patients were referred to an oral surgeon who did the prolotherapy procedure, and this was repeated at the end of 1, 3, and 6 months. The collected data were analyzed using the Chi-square and t-tests. RESULTS The patients' pain decreased from the third month of treatment until the end of the sixth month of the treatment program, and patient mouth opening ability was significantly different (F=3. 56; df=2; P<0. 05). After a duration of 3 months of the process of treatment, crepitus and periauricular discomfort were reduced. In terms of pain and mouth opening, prolotherapy in treating temporomandibular disorder was generally beneficial as shown by the P<0.05 scores. CONCLUSIONS From this evaluation, prolotherapy using 50% dextrose as a single injection via a conventional protocol, which can be single dosage or several doses, is recommended as treatment for chronic recurring dislocations and mandibular subluxations. Recurrent or severe cases can only be managed through operations. Much larger studies with greater sample sizes and even longer follow-up periods are necessary for the results of this study to be supported.

The pulp–tooth area ratio (PTR) from radiographic dental archives is considered useful for age estimation in the forensic field. Since there have been no studies conducted in the Saudi Arabian population using the PTR method, this study aimed to assess the relationship between the pulp–tooth area ratio of maxillary canines and central incisors and chronological age among Saudi Arabian adults using CBCT and to compare the selected teeth’s predictive power. For this, 100 CBCT scans of 62 male and 38 female patients aged between 20 and 60 years were assessed using OnDemand 3D DentalTM software (Cybermed Co., Tustin, CA, USA) in the axial and sagittal section of each tooth. The mean age estimated using the PTR of the maxillary incisors (39.98 years) was higher than the canines’ (37.9 years). A negative correlation coefficient ‘r’ value was seen between PTR and age. The strongest inverse correlation was noted between age and incisor axial view (0.47) (p < 0.05), Maxillary central incisors had higher R² in both genders (males: PTRS-0.18, PTRA-0.17; females: PTRS-0.19, PTRA-0.35) than canines. We conclude a weak correlation between the pulp–tooth ratio and chronological age estimation. CBCT pulp–tooth ratios of axial and sagittal sections of incisors were inconclusive in estimating the age of Saudi Arabian individuals owing to their low coefficient of estimation. Among the tooth types studied, maxillary incisors were better predictors than canines.

The aim of the study is to assess "Myths in dentistry related to Oral Hygiene and its association with Gingival Health Status among patients visiting Institutional diagnostic clinic in Aseer region of Saudi Arabia." The present study was a cross-sectional study done on 152 subjects attending Institutional diagnostic clinic in Aseer region Saudi Arabia. Myths in dentistry related to oral hygiene were assessed by using a ten-item, multiple-choice, close-ended structured questionnaire and Gingival Health Status was assessed using gingival index described by Loe and Silness on the Ramfjord teeth. For the comparison of proportions, a Chi-Square test was used with continuity correction whenever appropriate. "p" value of <0.05 was taken to be statistically significant for the purpose of analysis. A total of 152 study subjects were included in the study, of which 60.5% were males and the rest 39.5% were females. Eighty-two percent of the study subjects believed that myths do affect the oral hygiene of the person. Combinational use of household ingredients (like apple vinegar, turmeric, lemon, baking soda, coal, honey, and sodium bicarbonate) was seen among 40% of the subjects. A majority of 48% learned from family as a source of information and 53% believed that use of household ingredients would improve the esthetical value (bleaching) of the tooth. Eighty-two percent of the study subjects believed that myths do affect the oral hygiene of the person. 40.8% had some form of gingival health problem. There was no statistically association observed between myths in dentistry related to oral hygiene and gingival health. The present study revealed that myths in dentistry related to oral hygiene are quite prevalent in society. The use of household ingredients can influence oral health status and one has to ensure the judicious use if good oral health is to be expected. Myths in dentistry related to oral hygiene can influence a lot on oral health and this can augment the health of the individual in any direction. So as a responsible clinician, it is very important to address these issues and bring in more health awareness among the study population to achieve the social goal-"health for all." How to cite this article: Assiri KI, Ajmal M, Al-Ahmari BM, et al. Oral Hygiene Myths and its Association with Gingival Health Status among Patients in Aseer Region of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2021;22(5):506-510.