Satisfaction with Dental Appearance and Attitude toward improving Dental Esthetics among Patients attending a Dental Teaching Center

Catalysis-based approaches with biopolymers and violet LED to improve in-office dental bleaching

This in vitro experimental investigation aimed to evaluate the impact of the combined application of a nanofiber scaffold (NS), a polymeric catalyst primer (PCP) containing 10 mg/mL of heme peroxidase enzyme, and violet LED (LEDv) on the esthetic efficacy (EE), trans-amelodentinal cytotoxicity (TC), and procedural duration of conventional in-office bleaching therapy. To achieve this, 96 standardized enamel/dentin discs were individually placed in artificial pulp chambers. A 35% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) bleaching gel was administered for 45, 30, or 15 min to the enamel, either previously coated with NS + PCP or left uncoated, followed by irradiation with LEDv for 15 min or no irradiation. The established groups were as follows: G1, negative control (no treatment); G2, 35% H2O2/45 min; G3, NS + PCP + LEDv; G4, NS + PCP + 35%H2O2/45 min + LEDv; G5, NS + PCP + 35%H2O2/30 min + LEDv; and G6, NS + PCP + 35%H2O2/15 min + LEDv. Extracts (culture medium + gel components diffused through the discs) were collected and applied to odontoblast-like MDPC-23 cells. EE (ΔE00 and ΔWI) and TC were assessed using ANOVA/Tukey analysis (p < 0.05). The EE analysis revealed no statistical differences between G6 and G2 (p > 0.05). Cells in G6 exhibited higher viability and lower oxidative stress compared to other bleached groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, employing NS + PCP + LEDv to catalyze a 35%H2O2 bleaching gel applied for 15 min to the enamel resulted in successful esthetic improvements and reduced the cytotoxicity commonly linked with traditional in-office bleaching procedures.

Development and validation of the Italian version of the Orofacial Esthetic Scale (OES-I)

OBJECTIVE

To develop an Italian version of the Orofacial Esthetic Scale (OES-I), validated in a prosthodontic and non-prosthodontic patients' cohort, for clinicians and researchers to use in their practice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The OES-I was obtained with a process of translation and back translation from the English version of the questionnaire (OES-E). The psychometric properties of the obtained version were then observed in a group of 70 prosthodontic and 70 non-prosthodontic patients. Validity (discriminative and convergent) and reliability (internal and external) were measured. Also, CFA (confirmatory factor analysis) was run, and several models were obtained.

RESULTS

The OES-I scores were much higher for patients who were not scheduled for an esthetic prosthodontic treatment (p < 0.05); similarly, the same analysis conducted by a clinicians provided similar results (Pearson's coefficient = 0.93, p < 0.05). Reliability results show that the different items of the questionnaire are consistent within the test (Cronbach alpha = 0.93) and that the obtained results are stable within a reasonable time period (test-retest reliability = 0.98). The Final CFA model showed that OES score can properly characterize orofacial esthetic.

CONCLUSIONS

The OES-I is a reliable means both for clinicians and researchers to assess patients' self-perceived esthetic.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The OES-I can be used effectively for measuring the self-perceived esthetic appearance in all areas of dental practice and research.

Evaluation of application protocol of the 4% hydrogen peroxide for at-home bleaching: A randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

Few studies evaluated low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide protocols. The aim of this paper was evaluated two application protocols using 4% hydrogen peroxide in at-home bleaching.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty-six patients with upper canines' shade A2 or darker were randomly allocated under two experimental conditions: two daily applications of 1 h each or a 2-h single application. Color change was evaluated using Vita Classical, Vita Bleachedguide, and digital spectrophotometer weekly and 1 month after the bleaching procedure through one-way ANOVA. The risk and intensity of tooth sensitivity (TS) was assessed through visual and numeric rating scale and measured by Fisher's exact test, Mann-Whitney test and one-way ANOVA respectively.

RESULTS

After 3 weeks, the mean difference for the ΔSGU Vita Classical (1.0; 95% CI -0.1 to 2.0), ΔEab (0.7; 95% CI -1.4 to 2.8), ΔE00 (0.1; 95% CI -1.4 to 1.6) and Wi (1.8; 95% CI -1.9 to 5.5) presented no difference (p > 0.08). The relative risk for TS was 0.91 (0.72 to 1.14) without significant difference neither in the risk (p = 0.6) nor in the TS intensity for both pain scales (p > 0.65).

CONCLUSIONS

The application protocols evaluated (two daily applications of 1 h each or a 2-h single application) for at-home bleaching with 4% hydrogen peroxide did not showed differences in color change and tooth sensitivity.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Higher amount of active hydrogen peroxide in two daily applications for at-home bleaching neither accelerate bleaching nor increase the risk or intensity of tooth sensibility.

Oral Health Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors (KAB) of German Dental Students: Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Germany's 2030-oral health agenda incorporates behavioral targets such as twice-daily toothbrushing and routine dental check-ups. Given the professional and social roles of dentists in oral health promotion, the oral health-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (KAB) of dentists and dental students became worth investigation. The present study was designed as a descriptive cross-sectional study that aimed to evaluate oral health KAB of German dental students using the Hiroshima University - Dental Behavioral Inventory (HU-DBI). A total of 508 dental students filled in the questionnaire, out of which 74.2% were females, 38.8% were clinical students, 11.4% reported tobacco smoking at least once week, 26.6% reported drinking alcohol at least once a week, and 82.9% reported suffering from problematic internet use. The overall HU-DBI score was high (7.67 ± 1.32), and it was slightly higher among females (7.70 ± 1.33) than males (7.59 ± 1.29), and gender-diverse students (7.33 ± 1.37). Clinical students (7.88 ± 1.26) had a significantly higher HU-DBI score, especially in the domain of oral health behaviors, compared with preclinical students (7.53 ± 1.34). A significant improvement in oral health behaviors and HU-DBI score was found between the third- vs. the fourth year, which corresponds to the period when prophylaxis, hygiene, and periodontology courses are delivered. Tobacco smoking was significantly associated with poor oral health knowledge, behaviors, and overall HU-DBI score. Problematic internet use and alcohol drinking had slightly lower HU-DBI scores. The findings of the present study call for early implementation of preventive dentistry elements in German curricula and addressing oral health needs of gender minorities in Germany by future epidemiologic studies.

Oral Health Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors (KAB) of German Dental Students: Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Germany's 2030–oral health agenda incorporates behavioral targets such as twice-daily toothbrushing and routine dental check-ups. Given the professional and social roles of dentists in oral health promotion, the oral health-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (KAB) of dentists and dental students became worth investigation. The present study was designed as a descriptive cross-sectional study that aimed to evaluate oral health KAB of German dental students using the Hiroshima University – Dental Behavioral Inventory (HU-DBI). A total of 508 dental students filled in the questionnaire, out of which 74.2% were females, 38.8% were clinical students, 11.4% reported tobacco smoking at least once week, 26.6% reported drinking alcohol at least once a week, and 82.9% reported suffering from problematic internet use. The overall HU-DBI score was high (7.67 ± 1.32), and it was slightly higher among females (7.70 ± 1.33) than males (7.59 ± 1.29), and gender-diverse students (7.33 ± 1.37). Clinical students (7.88 ± 1.26) had a significantly higher HU-DBI score, especially in the domain of oral health behaviors, compared with preclinical students (7.53 ± 1.34). A significant improvement in oral health behaviors and HU-DBI score was found between the third- vs. the fourth year, which corresponds to the period when prophylaxis, hygiene, and periodontology courses are delivered. Tobacco smoking was significantly associated with poor oral health knowledge, behaviors, and overall HU-DBI score. Problematic internet use and alcohol drinking had slightly lower HU-DBI scores. The findings of the present study call for early implementation of preventive dentistry elements in German curricula and addressing oral health needs of gender minorities in Germany by future epidemiologic studies.

Perception about tooth colour and appearance among patients seen in a tertiary hospital, South-West, Nigeria

Introduction

patients´ satisfaction with their dental appearance and tooth colour is often influenced by certain factors which need to be addressed periodically among different populations.

Methods

a self-administered questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic data, questions on patients´ satisfaction with tooth colour, perceived malalignment of teeth, non-aesthetic anterior tooth-coloured restoration and presence of tooth fracture were distributed. Data collected was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM, SPSS version 20). Chi square was used to test the statistical differences at a significance of p> 0.05.

Results

a total of 410 patients (M=147, F=263) participated in the study. About 73% had tertiary education while 36.3% were within the modified ISCO-08 Group 2. The respondents that were satisfied with the general dental appearance and tooth shade were 66.3% and 63.5% respectively. More males (65.1%) than females (62.7%) were satisfied with tooth colour while more females (69.1%) were satisfied with dental appearance. The older age group were more satisfied with dental appearance and tooth colour. Awareness of tooth whitening (Over 80%) and the desire to undergo tooth whitening was more among the post-secondary individuals. More of dental patients (73.1%) than medical (59.2%) were satisfied with teeth appearance (p=0.003).

Conclusion

patients are increasingly aware of their dental appearance/tooth colour and the need to improve it with tooth bleaching and/or orthodontic treatment. Female were more dissatisfied with their tooth colour but more satisfied with their dental appearance than the male. Older people were more satisfied with their dental appearance and tooth colour compared to younger age group.

Prevalence of color vision anomalies among dental professionals

PURPOSE:

Color blindness is one of the potential disabilities affecting the ability of color perception by the eye. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of color blindness among dental professionals.

METHODS:

For the present study, a total of 198 dental professionals were randomly selected as subjects who were asked to fill the required questionnaire followed by which their color vision status was evaluated using the Ishihara test. The results obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The prevalence of color blindness, age specificity, and the ratio of the occurrence of color blindness in relation to gender were assessed using Chi-square test for independence and Chi-square test with Yates's correction for independence when the expected frequency was <5. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS:

The present study reported 3.54% prevalence of color blindness among the study population. A higher number of cases were reported from males (9.26%) than females (1.39%). (P < 0.05) Furthermore, the prevalence of color blindness was found to be more in faculty members (5.88%) than in students with a reported prevalence of 3.31%.

CONCLUSION:

The present study reported high prevalence of color blindness in dental professionals while they were totally unaware of it.

Perception of orofacial appearance among laypersons with diverse social and demographic status

BACKGROUND

The perception of dentofacial esthetics differs considerably between patients and dentists. Patient's expectations regarding his/her esthetics are important and should be assessed ahead of any planning of esthetic treatment. The aim of this study was to explore the differences in perception of orofacial appearance by laypersons with different social and demographic status.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 400 subjects. The questionnaire comprised three parts; the first part addressed the demographic variables. The second part queried about dental prosthesis, orthognathic or plastic surgery, and/or ongoing or previous orthodontic treatment. The third part included the Arabic version of the-8-item Orofacial Esthetic Scale (OES-Ar) whose responses were scored in the 5-point Likert scale. These scores were compared by different grouping factors (age, gender, marital status, and education) using non-parametric Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal Willis tests with 95% confidence interval (α > 0.05).

RESULTS

A total of 268 questionnaires were eligible for analysis, representing 67% response rate. The satisfaction with facial profile appearance was the highest (4.0±1.1) followed by facial appearance (3.9±1.1), while the color of teeth was the least satisfying item (3.1±1.3). No significant differences were found between age groups for the mean summary score as well as for each item independently. No significant difference was found between both sexes except for the last item "overall impression". Married subjects rated one item (alignment of teeth) better than their counterparts. Positive perception of orofacial appearance increased significantly with the increase of education level, the perception of the oral health status, and the perception of the general health status.

CONCLUSION

Good oral health and/or high education level are significant determinants of more positive perception of orofacial esthetic appearance. Patients with these characteristics might be more concerned about their orofacial appearance, and this should be taken into consideration before planning any esthetic restorative dental treatment.

Knowledge and Attitudes of Dental Interns and Dentists on Implants and Implant-Retained Restorations in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Objectives:

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of dental interns and dentists in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, about Cement-Retained Restoration (CRR), Screw Retained Restoration (SRR), and implant restoration.

Methods:

A total of 530 dentists and students participated in the study. Data were collected using a self-administrated questionnaire modified from previous studies. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software for t-test, linear regression, and ANOVA.

Results:

Participants had a mean score of 5.01 (SD = 1.50) for a total of nine implant-retained restoration (IRR)knowledge questions (lowest score = 0, highest score = 9), and general implant knowledge had a mean score of 3.12 (SD = 1.25) for five questions with scores of 0 to 5. The participants’ knowledge about implants significantly differed in relation to gender, place of work, and work status. Also, participant knowledge about IRR showed significant differences in relation to participants' knowledge, age, gender and place of work. The dental interns and dentists were in agreement in considering SRR to be better than CRR for six out of nine factors. Those factors were cost effectiveness, expertise required for provision, retrievability, retention, fracture resistance, and passivity of fit.

Conclusion:

The overall knowledge of dental interns and dentists regarding implants and IRR was fair and needs to be improved, given the tendency of general dentists to engage in implant dentistry. Both dentists and interns considered CRR to be aesthetically superior, easier to fabricate, and requiring comparatively less expertise in comparison to SRR.

Intention to seek esthetic dental treatment and the theory of planned behavior in Saudi dental students and the general population

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Tooth shade is of major concern for patients when receiving esthetic dental treatment. Understanding the motivating factors that drive patients' intentions to seek esthetic dental treatment helps in planning services.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to assess the relationship between the intention to seek esthetic dental treatment and the theory of planned behavior (TPB), including attitude regarding tooth shade, perceived ability to seek treatment, and subjective norms of how others perceive tooth shade.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included first-year dental students and clinic patients in a Saudi dental school (N=283). The shade of the maxillary central incisors was clinically assessed by using the Crystaleye spectrophotometer, and the L*, a*, and b* values were recorded. Participants were asked to select a shade that represented how others perceived their shades by using the VITA classical shade guide and to respond to a self-administered questionnaire based on a TPB assessing attitude regarding shade (9 items), perceived ability to seek esthetic treatment (7 items) on a 5-point Likert scale, and intention to seek esthetic treatment. The internal consistency of the TPB items was assessed, and scores were calculated. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess factors associated with the intention to seek esthetic treatment, including the TPB components controlled for L*, a*, and b* values in addition to age (α=.05).

RESULTS

Of all participants, 49.5% indicated that they intended to seek esthetic treatment. The most commonly perceived shades were B1, B2, A2, A1, and A3 (76%). In adjusted regression, the intention to seek esthetic treatment was significantly associated with a more positive attitude regarding shade (OR=2.31, 95% CI=1.54, 3.47) and a lower b* value (OR=0.74, 95% CI=0.59, 0.93), but not with shade coordinates (P values of L*=.94, a*=.64, and b*=.13).

CONCLUSIONS

Intention to seek esthetic dental treatment was associated with a positive attitude regarding the importance of shade and a greater perception of having a less yellow shade, regardless of the shade.

The potential factors affecting the perception of aesthetic smile among adult patients attending Dental clinics of Jazan University

Introduction: Aesthetic smile is an important part for every patient since it plays a vital role in his personality, selfconfidence and self-esteem. Aim: To assess the relationship between the potential factors affecting the perception of aesthetic smile among adult patients, to evaluate the patient's satisfaction toward their smile and to find the most common factors for their dissatisfaction caused by smile. Materials and methods: A 100 males and 100 females were evaluated for the presence or absence of aesthetic smile. The clinical examination was included categories related to personal aesthetic factors of the smile. A questioner designed by Goldstein to measure the patient's self-perception and satisfaction of their smiles was used. The data were pooled for analysis, statistical significance was set to p-value ˃ 0.05. Results: There was a significant differences in the parallel interpupillary line and coincided of dental midlines alone and with facial midlines in the aesthetic and non-aesthetic choices, also between the symmetry of maxillary central and lateralicisors, and canines with their axial inclinations choices (p< 0.05). Some group of questions showed significant differences among female and male subjects while, the male subjects Some questions were near to the statistical significant differences, while others showed no significace between males and females choices. Conclusion: Dental and facial factors showed highly significant relationship with aesthetic smile. So, it should be observed by a dental specialist to provide a proper treatment plan with respect to the potential factors of the aesthetics to help for self-satisfaction measurement.

Bleaching gel mixed with MI Paste Plus reduces penetration of H2O2 and damage to pulp tissue and maintains bleaching effectiveness

OBJECTIVES

MI Paste Plus remineralizer (Rem) strengthens dental structures after bleaching. We investigated the effect of Rem on the penetration of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), bleaching effectiveness, and pulp inflammation after bleaching.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Bovine disks were grouped as follows (n = 10): control (untreated), bleached (Ble; 35% H₂O₂, 30 min), Ble-Rem (H₂O₂ followed by Rem, 30 min), Rem-Ble (Rem followed by H₂O₂), Rem-Ble-Rem (Rem before and after H₂O₂), and Ble+Rem (mixture of Rem with H₂O₂, 1:1, 30 min). The penetration of H₂O₂ was quantified and bleaching efficacy was analyzed. Upper rat molars (n = 10) received the same treatments at random. The rats were euthanized after two days and 30 days, and their jaws were removed for histological analysis. Statistical tests were performed (P < 0.05).

RESULTS

The bleached groups, except Ble+Rem (P > 0.05), showed significant H₂O₂ penetration compared with control (P < 0.05). Color alteration analysis showed that ΔL and ΔE were significantly higher in the bleached groups than those in control (P < 0.05); the Δb of the bleached groups differed from that of control at 24 h (P < 0.05). At two days, necrosis or inflammation was observed in the bleached groups compared with control (P < 0.05), except Ble+Rem, which was similar to control (P > 0.05). At 30 days, tertiary dentin formation was significant in the bleached groups (P < 0.05), except Ble+Rem (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The mixture of MI Paste Plus and bleaching gel reduces H₂O₂ penetration and pulp damage and maintains bleaching effectiveness.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Because bleaching can damage dental tissues, we studied a new bleaching protocol that reduces damage to the pulp tissue while maintaining bleaching efficiency: a single application of 30 min of MI Paste Plus mixed with 35% H₂O₂ bleaching gel (1:1).

Socioeconomic status, oral health and dental disease in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States

BACKGROUND

Socioeconomic inequalities are associated with oral health status, either subjectively (self-rated oral health) or objectively (clinically-diagnosed dental diseases). The aim of this study is to compare the magnitude of socioeconomic inequality in oral health and dental disease among adults in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States (US).

METHODS

Nationally-representative survey examination data were used to calculate adjusted absolute differences (AD) in prevalence of untreated decay and fair/poor self-rated oral health (SROH) in income and education. We pooled age- and gender-adjusted inequality estimates using random effects meta-analysis.

RESULTS

New Zealand demonstrated the highest adjusted estimate for untreated decay; the US showed the highest adjusted prevalence of fair/poor SROH. The meta-analysis showed little heterogeneity across countries for the prevalence of decayed teeth; the pooled ADs were 19.7 (95% CI = 16.7-22.7) and 12.0 (95% CI = 8.4-15.7) between highest and lowest education and income groups, respectively. There was heterogeneity in the mean number of decayed teeth and in fair/poor SROH. New Zealand had the widest inequality in decay (education AD = 0.8; 95% CI = 0.4-1.2; income AD = 1.0; 95% CI = 0.5-1.5) and the US the widest inequality in fair/poor SROH (education AD = 40.4; 95% CI = 35.2-45.5; income AD = 20.5; 95% CI = 13.0-27.9).

CONCLUSIONS

The differences in estimates, and variation in the magnitude of inequality, suggest the need for further examining socio-cultural and contextual determinants of oral health and dental disease in both the included and other countries.