Objective: Anxiety towards dental procedures are common difficulties that may be experienced by dental patients all over the world. This study focused on evaluating the dental anxiety frequency and its relationship with age, gender, educational level, and past dental visits among patients attending the outpatient clinics of College of Dentistry, Al Jouf University, Saudi Arabia. Material and Methods: A total of 221 patients, aged 21-50 years were selected for the study. A questionnaire comprising the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) was used to measure the level of dental anxiety. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: The mean anxiety score of the 221 patients was 11.39 (SD ± 2.7). Independent t-test showed a significant variation between the age groups with regards to their mean overall anxiety score (P < 0.05), which reduced with increasing age. A significant difference was found by independent t-test in the mean total score between male and female groups and regarding previous dental visit (P < 0.05). Regarding education level, there was no significant difference between the groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Younger patients, female, and patients with previous unpleasant dental experience were associated with increased MDAS score. Clinical Significance: The present study was done for better patient management and proper treatment plan development for dentally anxious patients.

Since the first cases of the novel corona virus disease (COVID-19) were diagnosed in China, outcomes associated with this infection in terms of total numbers of cases and deaths have varied widely between countries. While some countries had minimal rates of infections and deaths, other countries were hit hard by the pandemic. Countries with highest numbers of cases continued to change over time, but at the time of submission of this article they are: USA, Brazil, Russia, UK, India, Spain, Italy, Peru and Chile. This is in contrary to many countries in the Middle East, Far East, and Africa, which had lower cases or deaths/cases rates. This raised many questions pertaining to this variation. This overview explores the potential factors that contribute to spread, transmission and outcomes of the COVID-19 infection. It also uses an evidence-based approach in reviewing the available most recent literature that tackled the various factors that modify the populations’ response to COVID-19, namely, factors pertaining to population characteristics, environmental and geographic factors.

Objective: The current study aimed to determine the prevalence and pattern of partial edentulism among dental patients attending the College of Dentistry, Aljouf University, Saudi Arabia. Patients and Methods: A total of 142 patients were selected, and the prevalence of partial edentulism among the selected patient was recorded. Patients were grouped into three age groups; Group I: 21-30 years, Group II: 31-40 years, and Group III: 41-50 years. Kennedy's classification was used to determine the pattern of partially edentulous arches. Modification areas were not included in the assessment to avoid complexity. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.0 for windows. Results: The results showed that the occurrence of Kennedy Class III partial edentulism was 67.2 % in the maxillary arch and 64.1% in the mandibular arch. Followed by Class II in both maxillary and mandibular arch with an average of 16.3 % in maxillary arch and14.8% in the mandibular arch. Based on these results, class III has the highest prevalence in group II (31- 40 years). Class I and class II have the highest incidence among group III Patients (41-50 years). Conclusions: Among selected patients, Class III dental arch was the most prevalent pattern in maxillary and mandibular arches. Class IV being the least dominant pattern between all classes. There are a rise in Kennedy Class I and Kennedy Class II pattern and a decline in Class III and Class IV with an increase in age.

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the maximum bite force (MBF) with different denture base materials in completely edentulous patients. Materials and Methods: MBF was evaluated in randomly selected 100 completely edentulous patients. Patients were selected from the Outpatient Clinic, College of Dentistry, Aljouf University, Saudi Arabia. The patients were randomly divided into two equal groups: Group I (control group): Patient received a conventional heat-cured acrylic complete denture (Vertex™ Regular, Vertex-Dental B.V., The Netherlands) and Group II (experimental group): Patient received a thermoplastic complete denture (Vertex™ ThermoSens, Vertex-Dental B.V., The Netherlands). MBF measurements were taken at the time of new denture placement and after 6 months of denture use. Statistics were analyzed using independent t-test to compare the MBF measurements between both groups. Results: At the time of denture placement, there was no significant difference in bite force measurements between both groups. Bite force is increasing considerably after 6 months of denture use, and it was higher than MBF recorded at the time of new prosthesis placement in the same group. The MBF values were considerably higher in patients with a thermoplastic denture than patients with conventional acrylic denture with statistically significant difference after 6 months of denture use. Conclusion: After 6 months of denture use, patients with a thermoplastic denture have a higher biting force than patients with a conventional acrylic denture. Therefore, it could be considered a treatment plan option according to the ridge nature and quality to solve the problem of diminished bite force in old age patients.

This study aimed to compare the effect of four approaches in the treatment of TMJ disc displacement without reduction (DDwoR). Thirty-two patients (40 joints) with mean age 28.025 ± 7.18 (23 female patients and nine male patients) were assigned randomly into four groups (10 joints in each group). Group I, patients were treated by centric splint. Group II, patients were treated by distraction splint. Group III, patients were treated by arthrocentesis and centric splint, while group IV patients were treated by arthrocentesis and distraction splint. The groups were compared in terms of joint function (mouth opening), joint pain through joint palpation, and use of visual analog scale (VAS). These records were taken preoperatively, two weeks, one month, three, and six months postoperatively. Also, the presence of disc recapture was evaluated in all patients on MRI at the end of the treatment period. Significant improvements in all parameters were recorded in all groups. At two weeks postoperatively, there was a significant improvement in all parameters in group III and group IV than group I and group II, while there was no statistical difference between group III and group IV. Regarding mouth opening and joint palpation, there was a significant improvement in group III than group I and group II. Also, there was a significant improvement in group IV than group II at the subsequent follow-up periods. Regarding VAS, at one and three months postoperatively, there was a significant improvement in group III than other groups. However, both types of splints provide better results without a statistical difference; the simultaneous application of arthrocentesis and occlusal splint decreases pain and improving the function effectively and more rapidly.

Maxillofacial prosthetics is a specialized field focused on replacing part or all of the facial and cranial structures. In recent years, digital technology has gained popularity over traditional methods for fabricating maxillofacial prostheses. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive review of recent innovations in maxillofacial prosthetic rehabilitation, with an emphasis on emerging technologies and their impact on patient outcomes, treatment efficiency, and overall quality of life. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across the Web of Science, PubMed, MEDLINE, and CENTRAL databases for studies published in English within the last decade. The keywords utilized included “Maxillofacial Prosthesis Implantation,” “Maxillofacial Prosthesis,” and “rehabilitation,” as well as “Virtual Rehabilitation,” “Artificial intelligence,” and “digital technology.” The initial search yielded 178 articles. After resolving 51 duplicates, 127 articles were screened based on titles and abstracts. Following full-text assessment, 81 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The results indicated that advancements in digital technologies, digital imaging, data acquisition, and the integration of digital workflows have significantly transformed the rehabilitation of maxillofacial prosthetics. These innovations enabled customization and personalization, provided an improved fit, enhanced precision, reduced number of visits and chair time, and facilitated seamless rehabilitation of complex maxillofacial defects. Four-dimensional printing involves materials that can change shape or properties over time, enabled printed objects to adapt dynamically to external stimuli, enhancing both comfort and functionality of prosthetics. Further advancements, such as five-dimensional and six-dimensional printing, improved the sensory capabilities of prostheses. Virtual and augmented reality enhance real-world experiences by overlaying digital data, improving accuracy and fit, enabling virtual surgical planning, and developing patient-specific implants. Artificial intelligence (AI) assists automated decision-making and supports the design of AI-driven prostheses. AI algorithms have shown the potential to automate digital planning, replicate intricate anatomical features, and attain high diagnostic accuracy in maxillofacial prosthodontic scenarios.