Fouad Salama

Retention and caries-preventive effect of glass ionomer and resin-based sealants: An 18-month-randomized clinical trial

The objective of this study was to compare the retention and caries-preventive effect of glass ionomer (Fuji Triage) and resin-based (Clinpro) sealants among 6-9-year-old children. This split-mouth, randomized clinical trial covered 35 children/140 fully erupted permanent first molars. Evaluation was conducted by two independent examiners after 6, 12, and 18 months and the data were compared in relation to the childrens caries risk and age groups. The Kaplan-Meier survival method and chi-square test were used for analysis. There were no statistically significant differences in the survival of partial and fully retained sealants or in the survival of caries-free pits and fissures between glass-ionomer and resin-based sealants. In terms of retention, both sealants performed better in the younger age group at the end of the study, and showed better caries prevention in moderate caries risk children. After 18 months, both sealants had comparable retention and caries-preventive effects in 6-9-year old children.

Effectiveness of an infant oral health care educational intervention on knowledge of dental students

Background This study evaluated the effectiveness of an infant oral health care educational intervention on the knowledge of female dental students at King Saud University in Riyadh city. Methods One hundred and twenty-eight students participated in the study. The participants were from different levels in the dental college, ie, second year (D2), third year (D3), fourth year (D4), and fifth year (D5). Assessment by questionnaire was completed immediately before and after a 14-minute educational intervention, in the form of a PowerPoint presentation and video on oral health of infants for dental students. The 18-item multiple-choice questionnaire was based on information presented in the presentation. Results A significant difference (P < 0.001) was found between average pretest scores (9.30 ± 2.24), and average post-test scores (12.56 ± 2.05). The highest percentage of improvement in the post-test as compared with the pretest was recorded for group D2 (50.6%) followed by D3 (40%), D4 (35%), and D5 (23%). One hundred and twenty-six (98.4%) study participants found the presentation helpful in improving their understanding of infant oral health, and 77 (60.2%) were very satisfied with the presentation. Sixty-six participants (51.6%) reported that the presentation was very effective in teaching them about infant oral health, and 83 (65%) were very likely to incorporate this information into their daily practice. Conclusion A 14-minute PowerPoint and video educational intervention was effective in teaching basic information about infant oral health to dental students.

A survey of pediatric dentists' caries-related treatment decisions and restorative modalities – A web-based survey

Objective To identify current practices and the preferred caries-related treatment decisions and restorative modalities of primary teeth among pediatric dental practitioners in Saudi Arabia. Materials and methods This was a web-based cross-sectional survey conducted among licensed pediatric dental practitioners in Saudi Arabia. Following the retrieval of the email addresses from the Saudi Dental Council, an email explaining the purpose of the study and a link to SurveyMonkey electronic survey consisting of 23 questions was sent to all the members registered under the pediatric dentistry practitioners, starting in September till December 2013. The data obtained was analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi square with and without tabulation processes. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Results A total of 108 [54 (50%) male and 54 (50%) female] pediatric dental practitioners responded to the survey out of 308 targeted individuals for an overall response rate of 35.1%. About 65% of the respondents reported that they have never considered pre-veneered or Zirconia crowns as a restorative option for carious vital anterior primary teeth. About 40% reported doing pulpectomy and restored with composite strip crowns at all times. About 86% of the respondents reported doing pulpotomy and stainless steel crown for restoring carious vital posterior primary teeth whereas 73.8% reported restoring with composite resin. However, 83.1% of the respondents reported that they never used pre-veneered or Zirconia crowns after pulpotomy for restoring carious vital posterior primary teeth. A significantly higher number of male participants reported that they used esthetic pediatric crowns in their practice compared to female participants (p < 0.001). Conclusion The prevalence of use of composite resin to restore primary teeth was higher compared to glass ionomer cements and amalgam whereas a limited use of esthetic pediatric crowns was found among the sample surveyed. Esthetic pediatric crowns were more utilized by male compared to female participants.

Effect of different intermediary bases on microleakage of a restorative material in Class II box cavities of primary teeth

Introduction The aim of this in vitro study was to assess and compare the effect of different intermediary bases on microleakage between tooth and a nanocomposite interface in Class II box cavities in primary teeth. Methods Standard Class II box cavities were prepared in 52 primary molars and randomly divided into 9 groups according to the intermediary base used (Multicore Flow, Fuji II LC, SDR, Smart Dentin Replacement, and Biodentine). All specimens were subjected to thermocycling and prepared for microleakage testing and evaluation. Results There was significant difference in the mean ranks of microleakage between the 9 groups, which was observed in the gingival side (p<0.0001) and the occlusal side (p<0.0001). The mean ranks microleakage was significantly higher with experimental SDR, experimental Multicore Flow, and positive control materials when compared with the other 6 groups. The microleakage mean ranks were statistically significantly lower in experimental Fuji II LC, experimental Biodentine, and all negative control groups when compared with the other 3 groups. Conclusions Microleakage is affected by the application of intermediate material. Experimental Biodentine and Fuji II LC showed the lowest microleakage while experimental SDR and experimental Multicore Flow showed the highest microleakage.

Orofacial findings associated with obstructive sleep apnea in a group of Saudi Children.

Objectives: To evaluate orofacial and occlusion findings associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in a group of Saudi children. Methods: The sample consisted of 30 OSA patients, and 30 age and gender matched, healthy control. The following facial and occlusal features were evaluated: frontal view, facial profile, mandibular angle, tongue size, dental midline to facial midline, upper to lower dental midline, overjet, overbite, anterior open bite, cross bite, scissors bite, palatal vault, maxillary and mandibular arch crowding and spacing, molar and canine relationship. Results: Participants age ranged from 3 to 8 years. Study group had steeper mandibular angle, deeper palatal vault, and less spaced upper and lower arches. There was no statistically significant difference between the two examined groups regarding facial morphology, facial profile, midline, anterior openbite, tongue size, posterior crossbite, overjet or molar relationship. Conclusion: OSA children have a relatively different orofacial morphology compared with control children. OSA subjects had deeper palatal vault, steeper mandibular plane angle and less spaced upper and lower arches compared to control.