Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice最新文献

Aim: The presence of microbial contaminants in the dental unit waterline poses a potential risk for both patients and healthcare personnel. This study aimed to conduct a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the microflora in the dental unit waterline of dental clinics in Mangaluru city.

Methods: Water samples were collected from a total of 16 private dental clinics across Mangaluru. For the quantitative assessment, bacterial counts were determined using standard culture media, and the automated identification of the isolated bacterial species was done for qualitative assessment. Following the standards proposed by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Dental Association (ADA), grading was done as a bacterial count below 500 CFU/mL was classified as unsatisfactory. The data was recorded, and statistical analysis was performed on the same.

Results: The bacterial counts were found to range between 37 CFU/mL and 690 CFU/mL. The majority of isolated microorganisms included Bacillus species, Pseudomonas species, and non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli. Although most tested samples had bacterial counts within acceptable limits, the various isolated bacterial species emphasized their ability to cause potential health hazards even at lower concentrations.

Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that there were no major microbial contaminants in the dental unit waterline of dental clinics in Mangaluru. However, the presence of varied microorganisms, even though in low concentrations, raises the threat of potential contamination.

Clinical significance: This study indicates that the presence of fewer, yet varied concentrations of microbes can still pose the threat of contamination, and hence it underscores the need for regular supervision and disinfection of the dental unit waterlines in routine clinical practice. How to cite this article: Mense U, Shetty MK, Shetty K, et al. Qualitative and Quantitative Evaluation of the Microflora in Dental Unit Waterline of Dental Clinics in Mangaluru: A Cross-sectional Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2025;26(10):1001-1005.

Aim: The current investigation aimed to assess the impact of dietary factors on the shear bond strength and color stability of three different bonding materials on orthodontic brackets.

Materials and methods: Ninety human single-root premolars that were extracted due to orthodontic treatment reasons were utilized in the present investigation. Based on the various bonding agents used, all 90 samples were randomly divided into three distinct groups with 30 samples in each group: Group I: Brackets bonded with Transbond XT, group II: Brackets bonded with Proseal sealant, group III: Brackets bonded with RelyX^TM Unicem. Baseline data were recorded, and for 15 days, the 15 samples from every group were immersed in Coca-Cola and coffee for 15 minutes, three times a day, with 2-hour breaks in between, respectively. They were maintained in artificial saliva at other times. A spectrophotometer was used to assess the color stability of bonding materials in compliance with the International Commission on Illumination (CIELAB) protocol. Shear bond strength was measured using a universal testing machine. Data was recorded and statistically analyzed.

Results: After being immersed in Coca-Cola, the least color change was found in group I (1.98 ± 0.06 to 3.14 ± 0.01), followed by group II (1.84 ± 0.10 to 8.28 ± 0.12) and group III (1.92 ± 0.04 to 9.06 ± 0.08). After being immersed in coffee, the least color changes were found in group I (1.98 ± 0.06 to 4.28 ± 0.02), followed by group II (1.84 ± 0.10 to 9.44 ± 0.06) and group III (1.92 ± 0.04 to 9.96 ± 0.14). The maximum shear bond strength after immersion in Coca-Cola was found in group I (13.38 ± 0.16), followed by group II (11.20 ± 0.24) and group III (10.92 ± 0.20) and after immersion in coffee was in group I (14.02 ± 0.10) followed by group II (12.48 ± 0.04) and group III (11.88 ± 0.02).

Conclusion: The current investigation concluded that the Transbond XT group showed superior shear bond strength and good color stability compared to the Proseal sealant group and RelyX^TM Unicem group.

Clinical significance: Considering bonded brackets are frequently used in fixed orthodontic therapy, it is crucial to establish an adequate amount of contact between the bracket and the enamel surface. By identifying color stability and bond strength in different coloring solutions and bonding materials used for braces, this study can help patients and clinicians get better treatment outcomes. How to cite this article: Parida P, Sreedharan S, Sam G, et al. Influence of Dietary Components on Color Stability and Shear Bond Strength of Different Bonding Agents on Orthodontic Brackets. J Contemp Dent Pract 2025;26(10):950-953.

Aim: This study aims to determine the morphological variations of mandibular lingual foramina (LF) using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in the Salvadoran population.

Materials and methods: We collected data from 300 CBCT scans to examine medial lingual foramina (MLF) and lateral lingual foramina (LLF). The study included 151 women and 149 men over the age of 18 years with intact dentition, and the scans were performed using the Orthophos SL 3D system. Two trained observers made all the measurements. The data were analyzed using the analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey's test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and the Mann-Whitney U tests, with a significance level set at p < 0.05.

Results: In total, the authors identified 1,195 LF in the evaluated CBCT scans, comprising 699 MLF and 496 LLF, with a higher prevalence observed in men. A significant difference was found regarding the higher presence of MLFs in the 18-44 age-group (p = 0.013). The diameters of MLFs were measured at 0.63 ± 0.21 mm in women and 0.64 ± 0.17 mm in men (p = 0.298). The lengths were 8.78 ± 1.44 mm in women and 9.66 ± 3.51 mm in men (p = 0.002). No significant differences were noted based on their age-group. Additionally, a larger diameter of MLFs was associated with a lower number of foramina (p < 0.001), and this relationship was similarly observed with length (p = 0.01). The largest MLF diameters were noted in the supraspinous and interspinous positions (p = 0.001), while the most extended lengths were found in the interspinous and infraspinous positions (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: This study highlights the practical implications of understanding the morphological variations in LF. The authors found that all participants had MLFs, with men aged 18-44 years exhibiting fewer foramina. This knowledge is crucial for dental professionals as it can help them to anticipate and manage the potential higher risk during surgical interventions for this demographic due to the potential for larger diameters and lengths located in more superior positions along the bone rim.

Clinical significance: Dentists should understand that the morphological variations of MLF can differ significantly within a given population. Additionally, there is a lack of research in Central America, which restricts clinicians and radiologists from accessing crucial information. This knowledge gap may hinder their ability to recognize these variations, potentially leading to complications that could jeopardize dental treatments and patient health. How to cite this article: Guevara-Ayala SJ, Pinel-Ordoñez BE, Llaguno-Rubio JM, et al. Morphological Variations, Number, and Position of Lingual Foramina Using Cone-beam Computed Tomography: A Cross-sectional Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2025;26(10):996-1000.

Introduction: Orthodontic treatment with fixed braces promotes plaque accumulation, leading to increased microbial count and deterioration of periodontal status. Volatile sulfur-producing organisms also increase, contributing to halitosis. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of oil pulling, regular brushing, normal saline mouthrinse, and chlorhexidine (CHX) in treating halitosis and its impact on pathogenic microorganisms in orthodontic patients.

Materials and methods: Forty patients aged 14-20 years were randomly divided into four groups: CHX, oil pulling, normal saline, and regular brushing. Halitosis and oral hygiene were evaluated using five parameters: anaerobic bacteria count in culture, organoleptic technique, breath analyzer, gingival index (GI), and plaque index (PI). Data were gathered at baseline, 10, and 20 days after the initiation of treatment. The ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for the statistical analysis, with p < 0.05 serving as the significance level.

Results: Both GI and PI showed statistically significant improvement in CHX and oil pulling groups at the end of the intervention, with p < 0.05. The organoleptic and breath analyzer scores demonstrated significant differences across all groups between the intervention periods. The CHX group showed a significant reduction in anaerobic bacterial count at 10 days, but at 20 days, oil pulling was more effective in reducing anaerobic bacterial count.

Conclusion: Oil pulling and regular saline can be used as viable substitutes for CHX in order to improve oral hygiene and lessen halitosis in individuals receiving fixed orthodontic treatment. How to cite this article: Narayanan A, Gnanasambandam V, Anbarasu P, et al. Halitosis Reduction and Oral Hygiene Improvement: A Study of Chlorhexidine, Oil Pulling, and Saline in Orthodontic Patients with Braces. J Contemp Dent Pract 2025;26(10):983-987.

Aim: This research sought to compare and correlate the salivary thiocyanate (SCN) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels of smokers with those of non-smokers in periodontitis patients.

Materials and methods: Forty systemically healthy male patients were recruited and assigned into four groups of 10 patients each. Group I composed of periodontally sound non-smokers with probing pocket depth (PPD) not more than 3 mm and absence of clinical attachment loss (CAL) represented the control group, group II incorporated smokers with the same periodontal criteria as mentioned for group I, group III consists of non-smokers with PPD and CAL of more than 3 mm (moderate to severe chronic periodontitis) with bleeding on probing, and smokers with the same periodontal criteria as mentioned for group III formed group IV. Unstimulated pooled saliva was collected and stored at -20°C for assessment of the levels of thiocyanate and LDH using a UV spectrophotometer. All the data were analyzed by SYSTAT 12 statistical software system.

Results: According to the findings, smokers with and without periodontitis (group II and group IV) had significantly higher levels of SCN and LDH when compared to non-smokers with chronic periodontitis (group III) and healthy controls (group I), with a p-value of 0.001. It was shown that there was a statistically significant positive connection (r = 0.683) between smoking and the levels of thiocyanate and LDH in the saliva (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Cigarette smoking increases levels of SCN and LDH enzyme activity, leading to further progression of periodontitis.

Clinical significance: Saliva, an easily collected and noninvasive sample, contains valuable markers, like SCN and LDH, of periodontal disease derived from systemic and local sources. In this study, the salivary biomarkers were assessed using upfront biochemical techniques that are widely used in various scientific fields because of their versatility, quantitative capabilities, speed, cost-effectiveness, and ease of use. How to cite this article: Seshadri PR, Syed NK, Ahmed MM, et al. Quantitative Assessment of Levels of Salivary Thiocyanate and Lactate Dehydrogenase Enzyme Activity in Smokers with Periodontitis. J Contemp Dent Pract 2025;26(10):954-958.

Aim: To assess the improvement of the oral health-related quality of life in patients who received Corticobasal^® implant-supported prostheses.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study design was conducted using a structured survey based on the validated oral health impact profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaire, with the addition of knowledge questions to fulfill the study requirements. All the patients who planned to receive Corticobasal^® implant-supported prostheses (BCS^®, Dr. Ihde Dental AG, 8737 Gommiswald, Switzerland) at Narsinhbhai Patel Dental College and Hospital were asked to participate in the study after screening for the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The questionnaire was distributed and filled out before and six months after treatment for section C. Data were analyzed using SPSS 17.0 version. A paired t-test was used to analyze the average of all the OHIP-14 items (pretreatment vs posttreatment), while gender differences in total OHIP scores were analyzed using an independent-samples t-test. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Descriptive statistics were presented in terms of tables and graphs.

Results: A total of 82 patients (68.3% females, 31.7% males) participated in the study. A significant improvement was reported with the use of the Corticobasal^® implant treatment (p = 0.0001), with no gender variation (p = 0.1341). Seventy-eight participants (95%) were very satisfied with the treatment's time, while 97.5% showed their interest in recommending the treatment modality. The majority of the participants knew about the treatment modality from social media. The participants reported high satisfaction with the treatment and overall outcomes.

Conclusion: Corticobasal^® implant treatment modality significantly improves the patient's quality of life with a reported enhancement in the patients' functional abilities and psychosocial well-being and reduced functional limitation.

Clinical significance: Corticobasal^® implant treatment is a reliable treatment option for rehabilitation patients presented with compromised bone support, with reported improvement in patient quality of life. How to cite this article: Doshi A, Patel J, Awadalkreem F, et al. Does the Use of Corticobasal^® Implant Treatment Improve the Patient's Quality of Life? A Cross-sectional Survey. J Contemp Dent Pract 2025;26(9):883-889.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the treatment difficulty of impacted maxillary canines by using the KPG index and qualitative measurement of the surrounding alveolar bone based on Hounsfield Unit (HU).

Materials and methods: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 115 Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scans of patients aged 13 years or older with impacted maxillary canines. The KPG index was used to assess spatial position in three planes. Bone density was measured on buccal, palatal, mesial, and distal surfaces at cervical, middle, and apical root levels. Data were analyzed using SPSS v26, with significance set at p < 0.05.

Results: Most impactions were palatal (74.78%), unilateral (58.26%), and more frequent in females (69.6%) than males. According to the KPG index, 49.6% were classified as "Difficult," followed by "Moderate" (33.9%). Bone density was highest at the apical root third and increased with age, though no significant gender or impaction-type differences were observed. KPG scores and bone density values showed no significant correlation.

Conclusion: Most impacted maxillary canines were classified as "difficult" based on the KPG index. Bone density was highest apically and increased with age, but showed no correlation with KPG scores, highlighting the need for independent evaluation of both factors in treatment planning.

Clinical significance: Integrating the 3D-based KPG index with bone density measurements enables earlier and more accurate prediction of treatment difficulty in impacted maxillary canines, leading to better treatment planning and improved patient outcomes. How to cite this article: Mahmood KO, Omer ZQ. 3D Assessment of Orthodontic Treatment Difficulty of Maxillary Impacted Canine Using KPG Index and Qualitative Bone Measurement: A Retrospective Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2025;26(9):836-845.

Aims: The aim of this study was to measure Steiner's cephalometric norms for the Kazakh adult population representing the indigenous population of Kazakhstan and compare them with published measurements from selected ethnic groups.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 120 adult Kazakh patients, 60 males and 60 females, aged 16-35 years, with normal class I occlusion, a balanced profile, and no previous orthodontic treatments. Steiner's cephalometric norms were measured from lateral cephalometric radiographs.

Results: Most of the Kazakh cephalometric parameters did not significantly differ from Steiner's (Caucasian) norms. Although SNB (angle) and U1-NA (angle) were statistically significantly less than the presented Caucasian norms. In contrast, parameters such as L1-NB (angle) and L1-NB (line) statistically significantly exceeded Steiner's norms. We found slightly protruding upper jaws, a characteristic of Kazakhs with normal occlusion. Specifically, the ANB angle of 2.8°, which slightly exceeds Steiner's norms, indicated the dominance of the class II bite. Various measures differed between Kazakh males and females, including angles U1-NA, L1-NB, Occl.-SN, GoGn-SN, and the position of the lips relative to the S-line.

Conclusion: We established the cephalometric norms of the Kazakh population and highlighted similarities and differences with the Caucasian population (as a representative of their geographical neighbors) and other selected populations. Our data will significantly support and improve the diagnosis and treatment of the Kazakh adult population.

Clinical significance: Considering ethnic-specific craniofacial morphology is essential for achieving effective and lasting orthodontic outcomes. Our findings support the need for national cephalometric standards to improve diagnosis and treatment planning for the Kazakh population. How to cite this article: Dosmatova K, Yasa Y, Nigmatov R, et al. Cephalometric Norms of Kazakh Adults Using Steiner's Analysis and Comparison of Their Craniofacial Features with Other Populations: An Observational Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2025;26(9):821-827.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of oral implants with three different thread designs on marginal bone loss using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Materials and methods: A total of 45 participants between the ages of 25 and 45 years were included in this study. The first round of periodontal treatment was administered to each participant. After performing an osteotomy, implants were inserted into the osteotomy site. All participants were randomly divided into three groups, with 15 participants in each group as follows: Group I: Participants received implants with spiral thread design, group II: Participants received implants with crestal microthreads design, and group III: Participants received implants with dual-fit implant design. Using the CBCT, radiographic examinations were performed at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. In all directions (mesial, distal, buccal, and palatal), the crestal bone level circumference surrounding the implant was measured. All data were recorded and statistically analyzed.

Results: The mean marginal bone level at baseline in group I was 4.78 ± 0.06, group II was 4.96 ± 0.12, and group III was 5.04 ± 0.18. The mean marginal bone level at 3 months in group I was changed to 5.24 ± 0.10, group II was changed to 5.60 ± 0.09, and group III was changed to 5.71 ± 0.18. The least mean marginal bone loss was found in group I, which was 5.40 ± 0.14, group II was 6.12 ± 0.04, and group III was 6.46 ± 0.10. A significant difference was found among three different implant thread designs. And post hoc reveals the significant difference found between group I vs group II and group I vs group III.

Conclusion: In conclusion, implants with spiral thread design exhibited significantly less marginal bone loss than those with implants with crestal microthreads design and implants with dual fit implant design.

Clinical significance: Thread design affects bone loss primarily by the way it transmits mechanical stress to the surrounding bone. In order to avoid high stress concentrations around the implant neck, which are linked to bone resorption, an optimized design is necessary. The surface area for bone-implant contact is increased by some thread patterns, which can enhance stability and osseointegration and lessen bone loss. How to cite this article: Jalaluddin M, Jasthi VC, Shah SD, et al. Evaluation of the Impact of Oral Implant with Different Thread Designs on Marginal Bone Loss: A Comparative Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2025;26(9):872-875.