Khalid H. Zawawi

The Prevalence of Dental Anomalies in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia

Objective. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the prevalence of dental anomalies that could be a cause of malocclusion in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods. A retrospective study of 878 digital orthopantomograms (OPGs) taken of patients, age ranging between 12 and 30 years, who presented to treatment at the Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia between 2002 and 2011. The OPGs and dental records were reviewed for congenitally missing teeth, supernumerary teeth, impactions, ectopic eruption, transposition, germination, fusion, dilacerations, taurodontism, dens in dent, and any other unusual conditions that can be assessed with OPG. Results. The prevalence of patient that exhibited at least one dental anomaly was 396 (45.1%) patients. The prevalence of congenitally missing teeth was 226 (25.7%), impacted teeth 186 (21.1%), dilacerated teeth 10 (1.1%), supernumerary teeth 3 (0.3%), odontoma 1 (0.1%), and taurodontism was also 1 case (0.1%) of the total radiographs reviewed. Conclusions. Congenitally missing teeth were found to be the most prevalent anomaly (25.7%), and the second frequent anomaly was impacted teeth (21.1%), whereas root dilacerations, supernumerary teeth, and taurodontism were the least frequent anomalies (1.1%, 0.3% and 0.1%, resp.).

Changes in the Upper and Lower Pharyngeal Airway Spaces Associated with Rapid Maxillary Expansion

Objectives. The primary objectives of this retrospective study were first to compare the upper and lower pharyngeal airway spaces between orthodontic patients with and without maxillary constriction and second to evaluate the effect of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on these airway spaces. A secondary objective was to compare the mode of breathing between groups. Materials and Methods. The experimental (RME) group consisted of 30 patients (mean age, 14.2 ± 1.3 years, 16 boys and 14 girls) with maxillary constriction who were treated with hyrax-type RME. The control group comprised the records of age- and gender matched patients (mean age, 13.8 ± 1.5 years, 16 boys and 14 girls) with no maxillary constriction but requiring nonextraction comprehensive orthodontic treatment. Cephalometric measurements in the sagittal dimension of upper and lower airway spaces for the initial and final records were recorded. Mode of breathing and length of treatment were also compared. Results. The sagittal dimension of the upper airway increased significantly in the RME group (mean = 1.3 mm) compared to the control group (mean = 0.5 mm), P = 0.016. However, there was no significant difference in the lower pharyngeal airway measurement between the RME group (mean = 0.2) and the control group (mean = 0.4), P = 0.30. There was no significant difference with respect to mode of breathing between the two groups (P = 0.79). Conclusion. Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) during orthodontic treatment may have a positive effect on the upper pharyngeal airway, with no significant change on the lower pharyngeal airway.

Acceptance of orthodontic miniscrews as temporary anchorage devices

Objective To study the patient’s acceptance, expectation, and experience of pain with orthodontic temporary miniscrews. Methods Questionnaires were distributed to 165 potential temporary orthodontic miniscrew recipients or their parents. Using the numeric rating scale, patients who received miniscrews as part of their orthodontic treatment were also asked to rate the pain or discomfort experience after miniscrew placement. Results A total of 165 subjects completed the first set of questions. There was a significant relationship between level of education and prior knowledge about orthodontic miniscrews (P=0.029). Even though only 12.7% had heard about miniscrews, 82.4% agreed to have miniscrews placed to facilitate orthodontic tooth movement. Eighty-three subjects who needed miniscrews as part of their orthodontic treatment completed two more sets of questions after 6 and 24 hours of miniscrew insertion. After 6 hours of miniscrew insertion, there was a significant difference in pain perception between men (mean =2.6±2.2) and women (mean =2.1±1.5; P=0.03). After 24 hours, there was no difference between men (0.2±0.4) and women (0.2±0.5; P>0.05). Postplacement, 32.5% did not require any pain medication, while 59.1% required a single dose and only 8.4% required two doses. A total of 76 patients (91.6%) said that they would recommend this procedure. Conclusion Patients do accept miniscrew as a treatment option in orthodontics. Postoperative pain is significantly low. The acceptance of miniscrews was not related to patient’s previous knowledge of the device, and patients preferred miniscrews to extractions.

Effect of lip position and gingival display on smile and esthetics as perceived by college students with different educational backgrounds.

Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of education on the perception of female college students on the effect of lip position and gingival display upon smiling and esthetics. Methods A photograph of a smiling subject was altered to show varying degrees of gingival display. Female students, who were studying in different colleges, assessed a total of five images, using a numerical rating scale. Results A total of 440 college students from eight educational faculties (dentistry, dental assistants, medicine, medical technology, nursing, science, arts, and pharmacology) participated in this study. There was no difference found between students’ ratings of the altered images (P<0.05). The perception of a gummy smile was found to be similar among the participants. There was agreement between all participants that 2 mm of gingival display was the most attractive smile, while a 4 mm covering of the teeth by the upper lip was the least attractive. Conclusion Educational influence did not have an effect of the perception of a gummy smile.

Periodontal findings in systemic lupus erythematosus patients and healthy controls

Objectives: To compare periodontal findings in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and healthy controls, and to determine, whether there is a correlation between periodontal parameters and SLE biomarkers. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between November 2012 and February 2014. Twenty-five participants diagnosed with SLE and 50 healthy controls were selected. Periodontal assessment consisted of clinical attachment level (CAL), probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing, and plaque scores. For the SLE group, several laboratory tests were obtained, such as, white blood cell count, hemoglobin level, platelet count, anti-nuclear antibody, anti-double-stranded DNA antibody, calcium level, and vitamin D. Results: Periodontal findings in SLE patients and controls were not significantly different. The SLE patients who had no flare-ups for more than a year showed significant bleeding on probing and deeper PD compared with those who had flare-ups less than a year before starting the study. The SLE patients with arthritis symptoms showed more CAL than those without arthritis. In the SLE patients, no significant correlation was found between their periodontal findings and SLE biomarkers. Conclusion: Periodontal health was not different between SLE patients and healthy controls. In SLE patients however, flare-ups and presence of arthritis had a significant relation with periodontal health.

Self reported halitosis in relation to glycated hemoglobin level in diabetic patients.

Objective: This study was conducted to examine the relationship between the glycated hemoglobin level (HbA1c) and halitosis status among diabetic patients affected with periodontitis and to examine if there is a relationship between halitosis and different periodontal parameters. Methods and Materials: Consecutive type 2 diabetic patients were recruited from patients presented for treatment at a University hospital. Age, gender and smoking were recorded. A structured questionnaire on patients’ perception of their oral health, halitosis and diabetes severity and control was completed. Peripheral blood samples were obtained and analyzed for HbA1c levels. In addition, periodontal clinical parameters including probing depth, clinical attachment level, bleeding on probing and plaque scores were recorded. Results: A total of 38 type 2 diabetic patients were selected. The mean age was 52.1 (±8.8) years. Sixteen subjects (42.1%) reported halitosis. Of these, 62.5% were females, and only one subject was a current smoker. The mean levels of HbA1c were significantly different between those with and without halitosis, mean 9.6 (±2) and 8.2 (±1.6), respectively (p=0.03). No significant differences were found in the mean periodontal parameters between those with and without halitosis. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest an association between halitosis and increased levels of HbA1c. Further studies are needed to explain the nature of this association.

The use of mini-implants in en masse retraction for the treatment of bimaxillary dentoalveolar protrusion

This case report describes the treatment of a 22-year-old girl who had incompetent lips with severe bimaxillary dentoalveolar protrusion. The treatment of choice for such patients is usually extraction of four first premolars and retraction of the anterior teeth. To maintain the extraction space, maximum anchorage is required. Mini-implants were used to provide maximum anchorage for obtaining a good facial profile.

Radiographic comparison of apical root resorption after orthodontic treatment between bidimensional and Roth straight-wire techniques.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the amount of root resorption after orthodontic treatment between the bidimensional and the Roth straight-wire techniques. Another objective was to compare the amount of root resorption in the whole sample studied and record the prevalence of root resorption. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 40 patients (age ranged between 11 and 18 years) with Angle Class II division 1 malocclusions, treated nonextraction. Twenty patients were treated with bidimensional technique and 20 with a 0.018-inch Roth straight-wire technique. Root lengths of the maxillary incisors were measured on pre- and post-treatment periapical radiographs. Results: The results demonstrated that the bidimensional and Roth straight-wire groups showed significant root resorption after treatment, 1.11 (0.17) and 0.86 (0.05), respectively, P < 0.001. When comparing the amount of root shortening between the bidimensional and Roth straight-wire groups, there was no significant difference between the mean change from pre- to post-treatment between bidimensional group (mean = 1.00 ± 1.34) and Roth straight-wire group (mean = 0.88 ± 0.86), P = 0.63. Considering the whole sample, there was no root resoprtion in 32.5% of the analysed teeth. There was only mild resorption in 56.2%, moderate in 8.8% and severe in only 2.5% of the teeth. Conclusions: Treatment with the bidimensional technique did not produce an increase in the amount of root resorption. The prevalence and amount of root resorption was similar between bidimensional and Roth straight-wire techniques.

Correlation of psychomotor skills and didactic performance among dental students in Saudi Arabia.

Objectives The objective of this study is to investigate the correlation between the psychomotor skills and the academic performance of dental students. Methods Didactic and preclinical scores were collected for students who graduated from the Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2011. Three courses (Dental Anatomy, Removable Prosthodontic Denture, and Orthodontics) were selected. Correlations comparing didactic and practical scores were done for the total samples, then for the males and females separately. Results There was no significant correlation between the practical and didactic scores for the three courses for the total sample. There was a significant correlation between all three subjects in the didactic scores. For females, the results showed that there was only a significant correlation between the practical and didactic scores for Dental Anatomy. For males, no correlation was observed between the practical and didactic scores for all subjects. Conclusion In the present sample, didactic performance did not correlate well with the students’ psychomotor performance.

Prevalence of maxillary lateral incisor agenesis and associated skeletal characteristics in an orthodontic patient population

Abstract Objectives: This study was aimed to investigate the prevalence of maxillary lateral incisor agenesis and associated skeletal characteristics in an orthodontic patient population. Materials and methods: The records of the 1066 patients seeking orthodontic treatment were screened for maxillary lateral incisor agenesis (MLIA). The following data were recorded for each subject: age; gender; unilateral or bilateral agenesis of MLI and side. The lateral cephalogram of each subject with MLIA was digitally traced. The data were compared to age-matched control orthodontic patients with skeletal Class I. Results: The prevalence of maxillary lateral incisor agenesis was 4.9% (52 patients) in which 63.5% were females. There was a significant difference between MLIA patients and controls in sagittal relationships (ANB, Wits, AB plane, angle of convexity and Co-A/Co-Gn differential analyses) p < 0.05. Conclusions: Patients with maxillary lateral incisor agenesis showed a significant tendency for skeletal Class III compared with the Class I control. This could be attributed to maxillary hypoplasia/retrognathia.