Mohammad M. Hammad

Effectiveness of propolis and calcium hydroxide as a short-term intracanal medicament against Enterococcus faecalis: a laboratory study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of propolis-based intracanal medicament against Enterococcus faecalis using infected dentine models, and to compare its antimicrobial efficacy with that of the non-setting calcium hydroxide paste when used as a short-term medication for 1 and 2 days. A total of 50 dentine discs of 7-mm length was obtained from extracted human teeth. Five dentine discs were kept sterile to serve as a negative control. The remaining 45 were contaminated with E. faecalis and divided into two groups (n = 20) in addition to five discs that served as a positive control. The discs were treated as follow: 20 discs were filled with propolis, while the other 20 discs were filled with non-setting calcium hydroxide. Microbiological sampling was performed utilising sterile paper point, headstrom file and disc immersion. Results showed that propolis was significantly more effective than non-setting calcium hydroxide against E. faecalis after short-term application, which made comparison from this prospect unlevelled. The most effective microbiological sampling technique was abrading the lumen with headstrom file. Propolis is very effective as intracanal medicament in rapidly eliminating E. faecalis ex vivo.

Maximum occlusal bite forces in Jordanian individuals with different dentofacial vertical skeletal patterns

This study was carried out to record maximum occlusal bite force (MBF) in Jordanian students with three different facial types: short, average, and long, and to determine the effect of gender, type of functional occlusion, and the presence of premature contacts and parafunctional habits on MBF. Sixty dental students (30 males and 30 females) were divided into three equal groups based on the maxillomandibular planes angle (Max/Mand) and degree of anterior overlap: included short-faced students with a deep anterior overbite (Max/Mand < or = 22 degrees), normal-faced students with a normal overbite that served as the controls (Max/Mand = 27 +/- 5 degrees), and long-faced students with an anterior open bite (Max/Mand > or = 32 degrees). Their age ranged between 20 and 23 years. MBF was measured using a hydraulic occlusal force gauge. Occlusal factors, including the type of functional occlusion, the presence of premature contacts, and parafunctional habits, were recorded. Differences between groups were assessed using a t-test and analysis of variance. The average MBF in Jordanian adults was 573.42 +/- 140.18 N. Those with a short face had the highest MBF (679.60 +/- 117.46 N) while the long-face types had the lowest MBF (453.57 +/- 98.30 N; P < 0.001). The average MBF was 599.02 +/- 145.91 in males and 546.97 +/- 131.18 in females (P = 0.149). No gender differences were observed. The average MBF was higher in patients with premature contacts than those without, while it did not differ in subjects with different types of functional occlusion or in the presence of parafunctional habits.

The effect of glycemic control on Candida colonization of the tongue and the subgingival plaque in patients with type II diabetes and periodontitis

OBJECTIVES Identify the relationship between the tongue and subgingival plaque Candida colonization, and its relationship to the quality of glycemic control (assessed by glycosylated hemoglobin) and other confounders, in type II diabetics who have periodontitis. STUDY DESIGN Candida species were isolated from the tongue and subgingival plaque of the 2 deepest periodontal pockets from 78 patients, and were identified by RapID Yeast Plus System. Students t test, χ(2) test or Fishers exact test, analysis of variance, multivariate logistic regression analysis, and Spearmans correlation test were used. RESULTS Candida species colonized 46 (59%) and 38 (48.7%) of the patients tongue and subgingival plaque, respectively. Subgingival Candida was more prevalent in females than males (P = .041). The quality of glycemic control correlated with the prevalence of subgingival Candida (P = .047) and the severity of gingival disease (P = .047). CONCLUSION Poor glycemic control and female gender may be associated with increased subgingival Candida in patients with type II diabetes.

Prevalence and awareness of halitosis in a sample of Jordanian population.

Objectives: This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and awareness of halitosis among the subjects of a population, and also to compare the results of Halimeter® readings to self-estimation of halitosis and to assess the relationship between halitosis and oral health. Materials and Methods: A sample of 205 employees from the Jordan University for Science and Technology (JUST) were selected as study subjects. A standardized questionnaire focusing on dental hygiene, self-reported halitosis, and smoking was filled by all participants. In the clinical examination, the objective values for assessment of oral health and the presence of halitosis were gathered through an organoleptic test (OLT) and the measurement of volatile sulfur compound (VSC) level by Halimeter for each participant. Results: The prevalence of halitosis was 78%, with low rate of awareness (20.5%). The amount of TC played the most important role in increasing the concentration of VSCs in mouth air (P < 0.001). Conclusion: A statistically significant correlation was found between OLT and Halimeter values (P < 0.001). Subjective patients’ opinion did not correlate with the objective evaluation of halitosis. TC scores and smoking were the factors significantly associated to halitosis. The Halimeter showed promising characteristics regarding diagnosis of halitosis for clinical setting and field surveys.

Periodontal Parameters in Different Dentofacial Vertical Patterns

OBJECTIVE To assess periodontal parameters in a Jordanian population in individuals with three different facial types. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-five dental students (ages 20-26 years) with short, average, and long face heights were divided into three equal groups. The plaque index, gingival index, gingival thickness, width of keratinized gingiva, and width of attached gingiva were measured in each group. Occlusal factors, including the dynamic occlusion and the presence or absence of premature contacts were recorded. Differences among the three groups were assessed using Students t-test, chi-square test, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. RESULTS No differences were present in the plaque index, gingival index, gingival attachment, width of attached and keratinized gingiva and gingival thickness between the subjects in the three groups studied. None of the subjects in the long face group had canine guidance dynamic occlusion. CONCLUSIONS There were no differences in the periodontal parameters between the different dentofacial vertical patterns, but there was a difference in the canine guidance dynamic occlusion.

Influence of body mass index on severity of dental caries: cross-sectional study in healthy adults

BACKGROUND The relationship between body mass index (BMI) and dental caries is still undetermined. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the relationship between the dental status by decayed, missed, filled teeth index (DMFT), and BMI by age and gender among healthy adults. DESIGN Analytical, cross-sectional study. SETTINGS University dental hospital in Riyadh. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Healthy adults aged between 18 and 35 years were recruited during the 10-month period from March 2015 to December 2015. Dental caries severity was estimated using the DMFT index. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The prevalence of overweight/obesity and the association of BMI category with the DMFT index. RESULTS The mean age of 502 subjects was 24.3 (4.9) years. The caries severity of the study population was considered moderate according to the WHO caries severity scale (mean [standard deviation] DMFT 13.3 [3.8]). The mean (SD) DMFT of male and female subjects was 13.1 (4.0) and 13.36 (3.7), respectively. No significant association was seen between dental caries and BMI. Logistic regression analysis showed that males had two times more risk of developing dental caries compared to females. In addition, the risk of caries development was increased by about 5 times for every year of age. CONCLUSION Dental caries was not associated with BMI but age significantly influenced the DMFT index and gender was associated with more missing teeth. Further longitudinal studies with larger cohorts from several geographic regions are warranted. LIMITATION Convenience sampling and recruitment from a single dental center may have some impact on the generalization of data.