OBJECTIVES: To assess the knowledge level and attitude of the Saudi population about the use of a dental implant as a treatment option for replacing the missing teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study adopted a quantitative approach and used an online questionnaire to collect data. Nine hundred and five participants were recruited as per the inclusion criteria (above 18 years of age, know how to read and write, and technology literate). The collected data were analyzed statistically using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. RESULTS: A low level of knowledge about teeth replacement methods (56%) was recorded among the participant, while 44.4% of them had heard about implant, bridges, and dentures. The oral hygiene of the participants was considered good (59.3%). The main source of information, reported by the participants, was the dentist (53.4%). The knowledge about dental implants was found to be significantly the highest (P = 0.02) among the highly educated participant who had completed postgraduate studies. CONCLUSION: There is a need for introducing comprehensive orientation programs, conducted by dentists, to communicate knowledge about dental implants. The social campaigns and official information programs should be instigated for improving the knowledge of the patients. Structured programs should be also introduced at an academic level, for enhancing the knowledge related to replacing missing teeth and dental implants.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the gingival parameters in the clear aligner treatment versus the three other types of brackets, i.e., conventional metal, conventional ceramic, and metal self-ligating. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty patients coming for regular appointments undergoing orthodontic treatment were included. They were further divided into four groups with 20 patients in each: Group one underwent conventional brackets (CB) treatment; Group two had conventional ceramic brackets (CCB); Group three was treated with self-ligating (SL) brackets; Group four underwent with clear aligner (CA) treatment. Inclusion criteria were any patient with a minimum age of 18 years having Class II, Class III skeletal relationship, undergoing orthodontic treatment for at least 6 months with fixed orthodontic appliances (FOA) on both arches. While smokers, pregnant, diabetics, or those taking medication affecting gingival health or having cardiovascular diseases were excluded. Also excluded were patients who used antiseptic solutions or mouthwash during the past 6 months, underwent any periodontal treatments in the past 6 months, or who had fixed bridges and crowns or extensive restorations close to the gingival margins. Seven indices, namely plaque index, gingival index, gingival bleeding index, sulcus bleeding index, papillary bleeding index, basic periodontal examination index, and bleeding on probing index, were recorded for all groups. RESULTS: Mean age for Group 1 with CB was 26.65 ± 5.15 years, whereas it was 27.65 ± 8.15 years for Group 2 with CCB, and 26.85 ± 5.19 for Group 3 with SB. Group-4 with CA treatment had a mean age of 26.85 ± 4.83 years. Multivariate analysis and a Bonferroni correction was performed (P = 0.008). CA treatment has better periodontal parameter values compared with the CB and the CCB groups, and no significance difference with the SL brackets group. CONCLUSION: CA treatment has better periodontal indices levels compared to other types of orthodontic treatments such as CB and the CCB groups; no significant difference with the SL brackets group. Importance should be given to oral hygiene instructions before, during, and after the treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment needs in a Saudi sample of Jeddah city. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional (descriptive) study was performed in 2017 among 3016 subjects (1507 females and 1509 males) selected according to stratified random sampling design. The inclusion criteria were Saudi students aged between 14-18 years with no craniofacial deformities or syndromes and no orthodontic treatment carried out. Malocclusion was assessed using the modified Bjork et al. system, and Angle's classification and orthodontic treatment need to be evaluated by using the IOTN (DHC). Descriptive, associations and gender differences were assessed by one-way ANOVA, Chi-square, and Fisher exact tests. Data was analyzed using STATA version 13.0 (StataCorp, College Station, Texas, USA). Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Approximately 12% of the participants had normal occlusion, 57% had Class I malocclusion, 17% had Class II malocclusion, and 14% had Class III malocclusion. The highest prevalence of malocclusion traits was for displacement, followed by a crossbite. The IOTN results revealed slight need for orthodontic treatment in (n = 795-26%) moderate/borderline in (n = 1166-39%), and great need in (n = 1055-35%). Class II and III malocclusion, OJ, reverse overjet, scissor bite, open bite, midline discrepancies, and crowding were significantly higher in males than females (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Overall, there was a high prevalence of malocclusion and high orthodontic treatment need. The most common malocclusion was Class I. The most common orthodontic treatment need was moderate to borderline.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of different adhesion promoters, namely, Enhance LC, Ortho Solo, Assure Universal Bonding Resin and deproteinizing agents such as 5.25% NaOCl, 10% papain gel on the shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The present study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College and Research Centre, affiliated to Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad, India. Around 150 extracted sound human upper bicuspids were taken and divided into six groups. Group 1 control (37% H₃PO₄), Group 2 (37% H₃PO₄+ Ortho Solo), Group 3 (37% H₃PO₄+ Assure Universal Bonding Resin), Group 4 (37% H₃PO₄+ Enhance LC), Group 5 (5.25% NaOCl + 37% H₃PO₄), and Group 6 (10% papain gel + 37% H₃PO₄). In all the groups (n = 150) orthodontic metal brackets were bonded with Transbond^TM XT and all the samples were subjected for evaluation of shear bond strength using Instron universal testing machine at a cross speed of 0.5 mm/min. The bracket failure mode was examined using Adhesive Remnant Index (ARI). The Kruskal-Wallis test and the Mann-Whitney test were used to compare the shear bond strength. The Chi-square test was used to determine significant differences in the ARI scores among the groups. The significance for all statistical tests was P < 0.05. RESULTS: Mean values of shear bond strength showed statistically significant differences between the evaluated groups (P < 0.005). The lowest and highest shear bond strength was attributed to Group 1 (control) and Group 2 (Ortho Solo), respectively. No statistically significant difference was noted for the mean ARI scores between control, adhesion promoters, and deproteinized group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that adhesion promoters and deproteinizing agents can be used to enhance the shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets. Among all the groups Ortho Solo showed the highest bond strength when used with Transbond^TM XT.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the antimicrobial property of cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) when polymerized with cold cure acrylic and to assess the duration of its release from modified acrylic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CPC was added in different concentrations (0%, 2.5%, 5%, and 10%) to cold cure acrylic resin and 180 acrylic discs were prepared. These were divided into four groups of 45 each depending on the concentration of CPC. The antimicrobial property of the modified acrylic for Streptococcus mutans was tested using disc diffusion assay in agar. The duration of release of CPC from self-cure acrylic was tested with optical density reading of solutions by ultraviolet spectrophotometer. The effect of addition of CPC on diametral tensile strength (DTS) of acrylic was tested using UTM (Instron) and the effect of water aging on modified acrylic was compared with unaged specimens. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The normality of the data was checked by Shapiro–Wilktest, and as the data failed to show normal distribution, inferential statistics were performed using nonparametric tests of significance. Antimicrobial activity of modified acrylic increased with increase in CPC concentration. Greatest CPC release was observed on the seventh day with a decrease in release from 7 to 180 days. There was a decrease in the diametral strength of the modified resin and water aging had a significant effect on the DTS of the modified resin.