Syed Rashid Habib

Prevalence and severity of temporomandibular disorders among university students in Riyadh

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and severity of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) among male university students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The role of relevant medical and dental histories in the assessment of TMD in this Arab population was also addressed. Methods Required information was collected via a questionnaire. The first part of the questionnaire was used to obtain the medical and dental histories of participants. The second part included 10 questions regarding common TMD symptoms. Fonseca’s anamnestic index (FAI) was used to classify TMD severity as “no dysfunction”, “light dysfunction”, “moderate dysfunction”, or “severe dysfunction”. Results Of the 600 distributed questionnaires, 400 questionnaires were completed (response rate: 66.6%). Mean age of eligible participants was 21.90 ± 1.79 years. Psychological stress (30.5%) and direct restorations (77%) were the most commonly reported items on the medical and dental histories respectively for the total number of participants. According to the FAI, 53.2% of participants were classified as having no dysfunction, followed by light (36.1%), moderate (9.6%), and severe dysfunction (1.1%). Conclusions Based on the FAI, mild to moderate prevalence of TMD appears to exist among male university students in Riyadh. Histories of psychological stress and dental treatment were evident among these students. Information obtained from the FAI may be helpful in assessing the prevalence of TMD and has important implications for the early diagnosis of TMD and the prevention of future TMD-related complications.

Effect of anatomic, semi-anatomic and non-anatomic occlusal surface tooth preparations on the adaptation of zirconia copings

PURPOSE To compare the accuracy of marginal and internal adaptation of zirconia (Zr) copings fabricated on anatomic (A), semi-anatomic (SA) and non-anatomic (NA) occlusal surface preparations. MATERIALS AND METHODS 45 extracted bicuspid teeth were prepared for receiving zirconia crowns, with different occlusal preparation designs A=15, SA=15 & NA=15. The Zr copings were fabricated by using CAD4DENT, CAD/CAM. The copings were adjusted, cemented and were cross sectioned centrally from buccal cusp tip to lingual cusp tip into mesial and distal halves. The copings were examined under electron microscope at ×200 magnification and the measurements were recorded at 9 predetermined areas in micrometers. RESULTS Overall mean gap values for the three groups was found to be 155.93±33.98 µm with Anatomical Occlusal preparation design having the least gap value of 139.23±30.85 µm showing the best adaptation among the groups. Post Hoc Tukeys test showed a statistically significant difference (P=.007) between the means of gap for A & NA preparation designs. Measurements recorded at 9 predetermined points showed variations for the three groups. CONCLUSION Anatomical occlusal preparation designs resulted in better marginal and internal adaptation of Zr copings. There is a considerable variation between the measured marginal and internal gap values for the Zr copings fabricated by the (CAD4DENT-CAD/CAM). This variation may be associated with the lack of standardization of the preparation of teeth, computerized designing of the coping for each tooth, cement used, uniform pressure application during the cementation of the copings, sectioning of the copings and the microscopic measurements.

The current considerations in the fabrication of implant prostheses and the state of prosthetic complications: A survey among the dental technicians

Purpose To investigate the current considerations in the fabrication of dental implant prostheses (DIP) and the state of prosthetic complications from the dental technicians (DT) perspective. Methods A self-designed pretested questionnaire and an informed consent were distributed to 150 certified DT working in dental laboratories of Riyadh, KSA. The demographic data, questions related to the implant fixed/removable prostheses and questions on the prosthetic complications related to the DIP were collected. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis, considering a P-value of <0.05 using SPSS. Results 130 responses (response rate 83.6%) were received. 53% (n = 69) of the DT received job orders for DIP from >20 dentists. 49% (n = 64) of dentists took the leading role in the treatment planning/designing. 48% (n = 62) and 52% (n = 68) of requests were for Cement and Screw retained DIP respectively. Custom abutments 37% (n = 49) choice of abutments. Porcelain fused to metal (PFM) 34% (n = 44) and PFM with metal occlusal surface 55% (n = 71) were material of choice. 49% (n = 64) designing of implant overdentures were according to the dentist’s instructions with Ball and Socket 48% (n = 63) to be the most common attachment. DT regarded poor implant location/orientation 38% (n = 49) and inaccuracies in impression/bite-registration 40% (n = 52) as the obstacles to success. Half 50% (n = 65) of the repairs were for facing damage/chipping of ceramic. Fracture of the denture base/tooth detachment 50% (n = 65) was common with implant over dentures. Conclusions DT played a role and took decisions regarding the DIP. Frequent problems found by DT were poor implant location, discrepancies in impression/bite-registration, facing damage/chipping and damage/fracture of the denture base/prosthetic teeth. The frequency of these complications can be minimized by an increase in the prosthetic knowledge of the dentists and establishing clear protocols for communication between the dentist and the DT.

Effect of cementation, cement type and vent holes on fit of zirconia copings

Objectives To investigate the effect of cementation, cement type and vent-holes on the marginal and internal fit of Zirconia (Zr) Copings. Materials and methods Extracted premolars (N = 100) were mounted in resin and prepared for Zr crowns. Samples were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 20); A: No Cementation; B: Cementation with Glass-Ionomer (GI); C: GI + Vent-Holes; D: Cementation with Resin Cement (RC); E: RC + Vent-Holes. The copings were fabricated using semi sintered Zr Blocks with a standardized cement space of 20 µm. Groups C & E were designed to have 0.5 mm of Vent-Holes on the Buccal and Lingual Cusp Tips. The copings were tried, cemented, thermocycled, re-embedded in resin and cross sectioned into two halves. The copings were examined with 3D-Digital Microscope (HIROX, KH-7700, Tokyo, Japan) at 50-200X. The gaps were recorded at 9 predetermined points. Results The non-cemented groups showed statistically better fit compared to the cemented groups P < 0.05 except vs Group E (RC plus vent holes). No significance was found between the cemented groups P > 0.05. Copings with vent-holes showed statistically better fit than copings without holes P < 0.05. Conclusion Marginal and Internal gap values designed in the software programs differed than the actual values measured for the non-cemented copings. Cementation process also influenced the fit of the Zr copings, the resin cement being the more accurate. The addition of vent-holes on the occlusal surface improved the fit.

Evaluation of thickness of CAD/CAM fabricated zirconia cores by digital microscope

Despite several advantages of digitalized workflow, researchers have noted discrepancies in the precision and trueness. This study investigated the accuracy in the final thickness of Zirconia (Zr) cores fabricated by five CAD/CAM systems. Standardized manufacturing of the cores with 1 mm thickness were carried out. Cores were then sectioned into two halves and measurement made with Digital Microscope at 5 points in micrometers. Overall, mean thickness for the groups was 1048.81 ± 94.01, which was 48 μm higher than the thickness programmed in the software. Anova showed a statistically significant difference between the groups (p= 0.000). Presence of variations in the thickness and 5 measurement points for the CAD/CAM systems investigated was found. No significant difference was observed and the thickness of the cores were within acceptable level.

Effects of Evaluator's Fatigue and Level of Expertise on the Global and Analytical Evaluation of Preclinical Tooth Preparation: Effects of Fatigue and Expertise on Preclinical Evaluation

PURPOSE To investigate the effects of evaluator fatigue and level of expertise on the grading of preclinical tooth crown preparations, by global and analytical methods of evaluation. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study had a double-blind design. Two faculty members, each with more than 10 years of clinical and teaching experience, and two demonstrators with no teaching experience evaluated tooth preparations on maxillary central incisors and mandibular first molars. As a test of the effect of fatigue, preparations were globally (subjective grading) and analytically (criteria-based grading) graded on day 1 (after evaluators had been on duty continuously for 8 hours) and day 2 (in the morning after evaluators had sufficient sleep). Evaluators worked under the same circumstances and did not communicate with each other. The assigned textbooks were used to develop the criteria for grading (rubric) and the predefined exclusion criteria. Grades were recorded and statistically analyzed using statistical software. The paired-sample t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for multiple comparisons. Level of significance was set at p ˂ 0.05. RESULTS An inconsistency in preclinical tooth preparation evaluation was found to exist by both global and analytical methods. Junior faculty tended to award higher grades than senior faculty did. Furthermore, higher grades were scored by the analytical method. More clinical and academic experience did not guarantee intra- and interexaminer reliability. Younger faculty appeared to tolerate fatigue better than older faculty. Likewise, global evaluation appeared to be more influenced by fatigue than was the analytical method. CONCLUSION There were variations in grading, with no consistently preferred grading method. Evaluator performance after continuous 8-hour duty had no significant effect on preclinical tooth preparation evaluation. Level of expertise did not affect preclinical evaluation regardless of the grading method used.

Perceptions of dental interns in Saudi Arabia toward implant placement in medically compromised patients

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Increasing incidence of medically compromised patients seeking dental treatment and implant rehabilitation, necessitates greater knowledge toward managing such patients. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the perceptions of dental interns in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, toward dental implant therapy for medically compromised patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a convenience random sampling technique, a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted to evaluate the perceptions of the interns from dental schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data pertaining to demographic details of the participants, academic grade point average (GPA), clinical implant training and experience and perceptions about dental implant therapy for medically compromised patients were collected. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 82.9% (n = 174/210; Males-129/Females-45). Less than half of the interns (n = 82/174; 47.1%) had performed dental implants, out of which 41.5% (n = 34/82) had placed implants in medically compromised patients. Most medical illnesses except controlled diabetes mellitus and hypertension were perceived by the interns as contraindications for dental implant placement. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of the present study, it could be concluded that courses with a greater emphasis toward management of dental patients with medical problems and undergraduate implant training for such patients would result in better knowledge and perception among dental interns regarding dental implant placement in medically compromised patients.

Preserving esthetics, occlusion and occlusal vertical dimension in a patient with fixed prostheses seeking dental implant treatment

The preservation of esthetics and occlusal vertical dimension is critical in patients with existing full-arch tooth-retained fixed prostheses. This clinical report describes the provision of a maxillary immediate complete denture in a patient with a maxillary full-arch fixed dental prosthesis over nonviable teeth. The existing fixed dental prosthesis was used in the fabrication of the maxillary immediate complete denture to preserve esthetics. The technique involved recording and preservation of the occlusal vertical dimension and occlusion of the existing prosthesis. The technique is simple, quick, cost-effective and less challenging clinically and technically.

Effects of Evaluator's Fatigue and Level of Expertise on the Global and Analytical Evaluation of Preclinical Tooth Preparation.

PURPOSE To investigate the effects of evaluator fatigue and level of expertise on the grading of preclinical tooth crown preparations, by global and analytical methods of evaluation. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study had a double-blind design. Two faculty members, each with more than 10 years of clinical and teaching experience, and two demonstrators with no teaching experience evaluated tooth preparations on maxillary central incisors and mandibular first molars. As a test of the effect of fatigue, preparations were globally (subjective grading) and analytically (criteria-based grading) graded on day 1 (after evaluators had been on duty continuously for 8 hours) and day 2 (in the morning after evaluators had sufficient sleep). Evaluators worked under the same circumstances and did not communicate with each other. The assigned textbooks were used to develop the criteria for grading (rubric) and the predefined exclusion criteria. Grades were recorded and statistically analyzed using statistical software. The paired-sample t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for multiple comparisons. Level of significance was set at p ˂ 0.05. RESULTS An inconsistency in preclinical tooth preparation evaluation was found to exist by both global and analytical methods. Junior faculty tended to award higher grades than senior faculty did. Furthermore, higher grades were scored by the analytical method. More clinical and academic experience did not guarantee intra- and interexaminer reliability. Younger faculty appeared to tolerate fatigue better than older faculty. Likewise, global evaluation appeared to be more influenced by fatigue than was the analytical method. CONCLUSION There were variations in grading, with no consistently preferred grading method. Evaluator performance after continuous 8-hour duty had no significant effect on preclinical tooth preparation evaluation. Level of expertise did not affect preclinical evaluation regardless of the grading method used.