Aim: This review sought to examine the prevalence of dental caries in left-behind children (LBC) and explore the association between parental migration and dental caries among children in China. Materials and Methods: Web of Science, PubMed, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Weipu, and Wanfang were searched about the LBC and dental caries in China from 2000 to May 2021. The primary outcome was the prevalence of dental caries in primary and permanent dentition among LBC. The number of children with dental caries among LBC and non-LBC (NLBC) was pooled, and the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of the relationship between parental migration and children’s dental caries were determined. Result: These included a total sample of 8275 children aged 3–12 years from a total of 11 studies, of which 4547 were LBC and 3728 were NLBC. The pooled prevalence of dental caries among Chinese LBC aged 3–12 years was 64%. Parental migration was significantly associated with the prevalence of dental caries. LBC has a 1.61 times higher risk of having dental caries than NLBC (95% CI: 1.47–1.77). LBC living in the countryside has a higher prevalence (68%) and higher risk of developing dental caries (OR = 1.64; 95% CI: 1.48–1.82) than those living in the city. The prevalence of dental caries is notably elevated among LBC in China. Conclusion: Parental migration stands out as a significant risk factor for dental caries in children aged 3–12 years, particularly in rural or countryside regions. The results call attention to the oral health problems among the LBC.

Aim: Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria, the main goal of our study is to analyze the safety of e-cigarettes and their relationship to quitting smoking. Materials and Methods: From January 2011 to December 2022, a thorough search of the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Scopus databases was carried out. Using PRISMA criteria, we evaluated 25 review papers, three randomized controlled trials, and three cross-sectional studies in this review, which analyzed 12,210 study participants. Although language did not restrict search results, all discovered studies were in English. The threat of bias and level of evidence were determined for each selected study. Results: Our systematic review showed a bigger rate of smoking cessation, i.e., 20%, with the use of E-cigarettes, suggestive of their contribution to smoking cessation. We found a correlation between cessation of smoking and E-cigarettes with nicotine, which suggests that they may prove as an effective alternative smoking cessation aid. The count of cigarettes used per day is lessened, so they may be used to reduce the harm caused by tobacco. Conclusion: Although not formally monitored, E-cigarettes can help smokers unable or unwilling to quit to remain abstinent or reduce their cigarette consumption. The toxic substances and chemicals within E-cigarettes are not clearly labeled, and hence, their safety is not guaranteed.

Aim: The aim of this systematic review is to provide a comprehensive summary of the current evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of nonsurgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) in pre- and postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: We performed a systematic search of five databases until May 2022 with no language or date restrictions. We included experimental or quasi-experimental clinical studies in pre- or postmenopausal female patients (≥40 years). We considered NSPT as scaling and root planning (SRP). The primary outcomes were: periodontal index (PRI) by Russell, plaque index (PI) by Löe and Silness or O’Leary and adverse events. A secondary outcome was a change in the bone mineral densitometry T-score. Results: We included three studies but did not meta-analyze the studies due to high heterogeneity. Two studies were pre–post trials, and one was a nonrandomized controlled trial. One trial included both pre- and postmenopausal women and two studies only evaluated postmenopausal women. The studies that compared the effect of SRP in pre- and postmenopausal women found a statistically significant reduction in PRI and PI according to Löe and Silness, and O’Leary. Another study found that SRP plus vitamin D and calcium supplementation decreased PI values. No study reported adverse events. The nonrandomized controlled trial reported a high risk of bias, and the two quasi-experimental studies showed high quality. Conclusion: All the studies included in the analysis demonstrated the effectiveness of Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy (NSPT) in both pre- and postmenopausal patients with periodontitis. However, future studies with higher methodological quality and larger sample sizes are necessary.

Aim: Applying forces to teeth causes orthodontic tooth movement. Orthodontic tooth movement necessitates bone remodeling, brought on by intricate aseptic inflammatory cellular and molecular processes. According to the “pressure-tension” theory, applying pressure to a tooth varies the blood vessels’ diameter in the periodontal ligament, which then changes the blood flow. Chemical messengers cause cellular changes as a result, which results in the remodeling of the alveolar bone. Materials and Methods: This study was obtained based on literature in journals from Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The review developed a method to determine whether comparable the literature was using the exact keywords before developing findings and then summarizing them into a continuous sequence. The case reports investigated patients who met the inclusion criteria for dental implants and osseointegration. There were 21 journals from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The present review is from research, review, and case report study with eligibility criteria. The review results discovered that according to the “pressure-tension” idea, applying pressure to a tooth modifies the blood flow by altering the periodontal ligament’s blood vessel diameter. Results: Alveolar bone remodeling results from cellular changes brought on by chemical messengers. Inflammation is the host tissue’s defensive reaction to pathogens, injury, or external objects. Vascular dilation, improved capillary permeability, increased blood flow, and leukocyte recruitment are all signs of inflammation. The first cells to arrive at the inflamed region are polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Eicosanoids, a group of hormones that includes prostaglandins, are chemical messengers. Conclusion: Several articles have suggested specific compounds as orthodontic tooth movement biomarkers. The creation of biomarkers to comprehend the ongoing biological processes related to orthodontic tooth movement is developing.

Aim: Palatogingival groove (PGG) is a morphological defect that usually affects maxillary incisors and may be related to periodontal and endodontic disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, characteristics, and clinical implications of the PGG in a Brazilian population. Materials and Methods: A convenience sample with 169 consecutive participants was evaluated in a cross-sectional study from September 2021 to May 2022. Upper anterior teeth were evaluated by a single examiner considering the presence of PGG, its characteristics and the presence of caries, periodontal and endodontic disease. Chi-square test and logistic regression were applied and P value was set at 5%. Results: PGG prevalence was 21.67% in individuals and 5.9% in teeth. A logistic regression did not reveal significant differences between sex [female: odds radio (OR) 1 and male: OR 0.53] and race (white: OR 1; black: OR 0.81; brown: OR 0.70). The highest prevalence was found in the upper lateral incisors (68.6%), in the cingulum (80.39%), with greater occurrence in the mid-palatal face of the tooth (39.21%). A high prevalence of bleeding on probing (83.8%) and caries (37.8%) was found in teeth with PGG, but no pulp alterations were found. Conclusions: PGG prevalence is high when the number of individuals is considered, and the tooth more frequently affected by PGG is the upper lateral incisor, with greater occurrence in the mid-palatal and cingulum face. In addition to incisors, canines also can be affected by PGG. Teeth with PGG may present high rates of biofilm accumulation, periodontal inflammation, and caries.

Aim: Understanding how specific genetic variations related to dental caries in understudied populations can pave the way for more personalized approaches to oral health care. The study is designed to explore the correlation between three genetic polymorphisms in Egyptian adults. Materials and Methods: We included 132 young adults aged 15–22 years, with an equal distribution of males and females, randomly selected from secondary Cairene school. The participants were in good health, without hereditary diseases, and had no recent dental treatment. Dental exams were conducted using standardized criteria, with reliability ensured between examiners. DNA collection was performed using buccal swabs, and DNA purification was carried out according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Samples were stored at −21°C for future analysis. We selected specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for ENAM rs3796703, DEFB1 rs11362, and AMELX rs946252 for genotyping. χ² test and its corresponding statistical significance were calculated. Results: Specific genetic variations, particularly ENAM rs3796703, AMELX rs946252, DEFB1 rs11362, and KLK4 rs2242670, were found to be significantly linked to an elevated caries risk in the group predisposed to caries. These particular genetic variations were notably more prevalent among individuals at a higher risk of developing dental caries. Conclusion: The DEFB1 rs11362 AG genotype showed significance, notably associated with a high DMFT index, particularly in individuals with severe and proximal caries. In contrast, the ENAM rs3796703 polymorphism revealed similar frequencies of allele C and allele T in both caries-susceptible and caries-resistant groups, with genotype CT being significantly associated with reduced dental caries susceptibility. KLK4 rs2242670 did not reveal significant associations with dental caries susceptibility, indicating that this gene polymorphism.

Aim: This study aimed to compare the effects of root bio modification only with coronally advanced flap (CAF; control group) versus placement of either platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) or amniotic membrane (AM) after root biomodification (test groups) using the CAF technique in class I or class II gingival recession defects. Hence, this study evaluated the role of root biomodification alone and as an adjunct with PRF or AM membrane in class I and class II gingival recessions. Materials and Methods: This was a randomized, parallel-arm, clinical trial conducted on 24 patients. Subjects were equally divided into three groups. Patients in group 3 (control group) were treated with CAF alone and hyaluronic acid (HA) root conditioning and those in group 2 underwent CAF with AM and HA root conditioning whereas those in group 1 underwent CAF with PRF and HA root conditioning for class I or class II gingival recessions. The clinical variables were assessed pre and 3 months and 6 months postsurgery. The visual analog scale (VAS) was assessed on the 10th and 30th day, postsurgery. Intragroup analysis was done by repeated one-way analysis of variance test followed by Bonferoni’s multiple comparisons test. Intergroup comparison used repeated two-way analysis of variance test for continuous data. All P value less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: A comparison within the groups yielded insignificant results in group 3 (control group), whereas in group 1 (PRF + HA root conditioning) the probing depth (PD) and percentage root coverage (PRC) values did not improve significantly and in group 2 (AM + HA root conditioning) the PRC values did not show significant improvement. Between the groups, however, it was observed that the test groups 1 and 2 performed better than the control group related to all the clinical parameters and the VAS scores reflected superior results in group 2. Conclusion: CAF was effective as a treatment modality. The test group yielded a better percentage of root coverage than the control group, though statistically insignificant.

Aim: To estimate C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide (CTx) levels in GCF, using ELISA in diabetic and nondiabetic patients with chronic periodontitis. Materials and Methods: A total of 42 patients were recruited: 21 type II diabetic patients with chronic periodontitis (group A) and 21 nondiabetic patients with chronic periodontitis (group B). Scaling and root planing (SRP) were done in groups, followed by collection of GCF samples and recording of clinical variables. Measurements for clinical indicators of periodontal health were taken on 0 day (baseline), first and after third month. The Ctx level of GCF was taken at baseline and after 3 months using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). GPower software (version 3.0) was used. Paired t tests and Student’s t tests as well as parametric tests were used to analyze the results. The threshold for significance was fixed at P < 0.05. Result: Following SRP, there was a significant reduction in Ctx levelsand an improvement in clinical parameters in both groups. There is a negative correlation uniting CTx quantity with an improvement in periodontal conditions in both diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Conclusion: CTx levels in both diabetic and nondiabetic candidates with chronic periodontitis infection were reduced after nonsurgical periodontal therapy.

Aim: The number of patients seeking veneers for minor changes in the color, shape, and size of their anterior teeth has increased. On the basis of this requirement, with the advances in physical and optical properties, composite resins have become viable materials to be used for veneers. There is a paucity of studies that highlight the use of composite resins for anterior esthetic rehabilitations. Hence, this study aimed to compare the fracture strengths of direct and indirect composite veneers. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on a total of 56 maxillary central incisor samples, divided into two groups: direct composite (n = 28) and indirect composite (n = 28) veneers. Tooth preparations were done, and composite veneers were made via the two techniques. Thermocycling was carried out to age the restorations for half the samples from both groups. The fracture test was performed in a universal testing machine where the load was applied from the incisal direction at the veneer–tooth interface. Results: Direct composite veneers showed a mean fracture strength of 485 ± 147 N before and 438 ± 199 N after thermocycling. Indirect composite veneers showed a mean fracture strength of 409 ± 179 N before and 254 ± 135 N after thermocycling. The most common mode of failure for direct composite veneers was veneer chipping and fracture, whereas debonding was most frequently noted for indirect composite veneers. Statistical analysis used: Unpaired t test was used to study the fracture strengths among the two groups before and after thermocycling. The comparison of frequencies of a mode of failure was investigated using the chi-square test. Conclusions: The direct composite resin veneers showed superior fracture strength, both before and after thermocycling.

Aim: Oral health literacy (OHL) significantly influences oral health behavior (OHB) and plays a crucial role in effective oral health promotion and achieving improved outcomes. This research aims to develop a measurement tool for evaluating OHL, named “OHL-Ortho,” and OHB in orthodontic patients. Furthermore, the study explores the extended causal relationship model from OHL to OHB. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional exploratory study was conducted between February and June 2023 among Thai working-age adults undergoing fixed orthodontic appliances. Participants were randomly selected and stratified from diverse healthcare facilities. OHL and OHB questionnaires were developed and subjected to confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling were utilized to analyze data and evaluate the causal relationship between OHL and OHB. Results: The sample consisted of 321 participants, with an average age of 28.44 ± 7.56 years. Regarding construct validity, the 31-item OHL Scale achieved an overall Cronbach α of 0.97, with factor loadings ranging from 0.52 to 0.85. Similarly, the 14-item OHB Scale achieved an overall Cronbach α of 0.89, displaying factor loadings ranging from 0.42 to 0.64. Additionally, the causal relationship model of OHB aligned with empirical data, indicating that OHL exhibited a highly significant positive direct effect on OHB at a level of 0.01 (effect size = 0.81), explaining 66.00% of the variance in OHB. Conclusion: The developed scales serve as high-quality assessment tools for healthcare providers. The study underscores the significant impact of OHL on OHB among orthodontic patients.

Aim: Dental caries pose a significant concern among pediatric populations and can substantially impact a child’s overall health. The application of topical fluoride in different forms has been an accurate strategy for combating decay on a global scale. The work done here aims to compare the outcomes of using topical fluoride therapy and silver diamine fluoride (SDF) on deciduous tooth enamel. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 nondecayed anterior deciduous teeth were collected from patients undergoing tooth extraction due to exfoliation or retained deciduous teeth. Following crown removal using diamond disks, the enamel samples were affixed to acrylic blocks, exposing the buccal (outer) surface. Baseline surface microhardness measurements were acquired for all enamel samples. The specimens were then randomly assigned to three groups, each comprising twenty samples: the control group (C) treated with distilled and deionized water, the fluoridated varnish group (V) treated with fluoride varnish, and the SDF group treated with SDF solution. Subsequent to exposure to pH-cycling solutions, microhardness measurements were taken again to evaluate changes in enamel hardness. Results: The group treated with fluoride varnish exhibited the highest mean enamel microhardness, measuring 251.80 ± 56.10. The SDF group displayed a mean enamel microhardness of 226.75 ± 60.25, while the control group (treated with distilled and deionized water) showcased the lowest mean enamel microhardness of 207.75 ± 35.19. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study determined that the fluoride varnish group demonstrated a more effective resistance to enamel demineralization compared to the SDF group. These findings suggest that topical fluoride therapy in the form of varnish is more successful in preventing dental caries in deciduous tooth enamel when compared to treatment with SDF.