Aim To measure translucency of two ceramic materials with different cements and beverages, and compare them to each other. Settings and design In vitro comparative study. Materials and methods One hundred twenty ceramic discs (10 mm diameter, 0.5 mm thickness) from IPS e-max press (n = 60) and Celtra press (n = 60), shade A₂ LT were assessed. Two cements [Rely X Ultimate resin cement (RC)] and [Nexus resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC)] applied to ceramic discs with 0.2 mm thickness through custom-made Teflon mold. Specimens were immersed in two beverages (tea and cola) for 4 h/day for 1 week at room temperature. Translucency parameter (TP) of ceramic discs was measured according to CIE L*a*b* system. Statistical analysis used One-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post-hoc test. Results IPS e-max press showed higher TP values than Celtra press. Discs cemented with RC had higher TP values than those cemented with RMGIC. TP values decreased after immersion in both beverages, with higher TP values to those immersed in cola than those immersed in tea. Conclusion IPS e-max press was more translucent than Celtra press A₂ LT discs. RC resin cement could be used to cement veneers with a high final esthetic outcome.

Statement of the problem For permanent molars in young age, which treatment planning guarantees better performance of such weakened teeth should be followed starting from the endodontic therapy till the final coronal restoration? Purpose The aim was to evaluate the performance of endocrowns as permanent restorations for endodontically treated molars (ETMs) in young age in a 2-year period. Materials and methods Inclusion and exclusion criteria were established. Ten patients of 9–12 years old were selected at random, in accordance with Research Ethics Committee (REC) of Faculty of Dental Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University and in conjunction with Departments of Pedodontics, Endodontics, and Crowns and Bridges. For endodontic treatment, Protaper Next system and iRoot SP sealer were used. According to the coronal restoration type, the patients were divided into two groups. Group 1: the patient received direct composite resin restorations, and Group 2: the patient received endocrown restorations. Due to the small sample size, statistical descriptive methods were applied. Results After 2-year follow up, all endocrowns were in function while two composite restorations failed. Conclusions In young age, ETMs restored with Protaper Next system, iRoot SP sealer, and IPS e.max CAD endocrowns have excellent clinical performance. Clinical significance In young age, whenever indicated, endocrowns are highly recommended for ETMs as permanent, esthetic and conservative type of restorations.

Objectives This experimental study was designed to evaluate the effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂NPs) alone or in combination with platelet rich plasma (PRP) on the healing of experimentally created critical-size bony defects in the rabbit's mandible histologically, immunohistochemically using matrix metalloproteinase-9 and vascular endothelial growth factor antibodies and histomorphometrically. Materials and methods Sixteen rabbits were included in the study, where three identical critical-size circular bony defects, two in the right side and one in the left side of the mandible of each rabbit, were created; group I: comprises 16 intraosseous defects (the mesial defect in the right side of the mandible of each rabbit) with no filler, group II: comprises 16 intraosseous defects (the distal defect in the right side of the mandible of each rabbit) filled with TiO₂NPs powder mixed with saline, group III: comprises 16 intraosseous defects (the defect in the left side of the mandible of each rabbit) filled with TiO₂NPs powder mixed with PRP. Samples were collected from the surgical sites of the experimental defects at 2 and 6 weeks. Results Histologically and histomorphometrically: the amount of newly formed bone was superior and significant in group III when compared with group II and group I at 2 and 6 weeks interval. Immunohistochemically group III showed superior and statistically significant increase in the vascular endothelial growth factor expression levels and matrix metalloproteinase-9 immunolabeling when compared with group II and group I. Conclusion TiO₂NPs can be considered a promising material for bone regeneration alone or when combined with PRP.

Background Hyaluronic acid (HLA) occurs naturally in the human body as a key component of the extracellular matrix. Furthering, HLA has a long history of usage in bone regeneration because it can be used as an osteo-promoting materials that can be added to nano-hydroxyapatite particles (HANP) to enhance its osteo-inductive properties. Hence, the purpose of this research was to compare histologically the bone regenerative ability of HLA + HANP versus HANP alone in the treatment of bony defects in rabbit calveria. Materials and methods This trial was conducted on 10 rabbits, where three identical bony defects in calveria were surgically created in each rabbit (with a total of 30 defects), one filled with of HLA + HANP (group I), the other was filled with only HANP (group II) and the third one was left empty as a control (group III). Rabbits were sacrificed at the fourth and eighth weeks postoperatively and samples were collected for histological and histomorphometric analysis. Results All animals survived the experiment successfully and stayed active and alert throughout the study. Both studied groups (I and II) were characterized by greater new bone formation compared to control group. Additionally, the newly formed bone was more evident in association with group I than group II. Conclusion HLA accelerated the initiation of new bone production when coupled with NHAP for bone augmentation in the management of osseous abnormalities.

Aim A study was carried out to determine how effective diode lasers and metrohex plus gel are at managing chronic periodontitis when compared to standard periodontal therapy. Materials and methods A total of 90 sites having periodontal probing depth more than or equal to 5 mm were included with patients aged around 35–60 years. Each group contains 30 sites as follows: group I laser-assisted new attachment procedure, group II metrohex plus gel, group III SRP alone. Results Based on the average GI value at baseline, 1 and 3 months, the values were 1.9 ± 0.67, 0.99 ± 0.26, and 0.89 ± 0.19, respectively. The mean PI* score decreased to 1.12 ± 0.31 at 1 month and 0.80 ± 0.31 at 3 months from 2.30 ± 0.58 at baseline. A periodontal probing depth reduction of 0.85 ± 0.03 mm was observed at 3 months for sites treated with laser, which was significantly higher than the reductions for sites treated with metrohex plus (metronidazole 10 mg + chlorhexidine gluconate 0.25% w/w and hyaluronic acid) and SRP alone. Periodontal probing depth reductions were not significantly different between groups I and II. Group II showed a 0.35 ± 0.11 mm improvement in clinical attachment level compared to group III. Conclusion As opposed to simple SRP, diode laser therapy and metrohex plus gel improve all clinical parameters in patients with periodontitis.

Background For patients who failed to respond to conservative measures for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) internal derangement after arthrocentesis, several intraarticular injections have been shown to be an effective treatment modality to reduce pain, improve joint movement and range of motion. Purpose Our study aim was to evaluate the efficacy of intraarticular injection of hyaluronic acid (HA) and platelet rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment of TMJ anterior disc displacement with (DDwR) and without (DDwoR) reduction after arthrocentesis. Patients and methods This prospective clinical study involved 20 patients with TMJ anterior disc displacement, assigned into two equal groups. Group 1 included 10 patients with DDwR and group 2 included 10 patients with DDwoR. Both groups were treated with arthrocentesis and intraarticular injection of 1 ml of equal amount of HA and PRP into the superior joint space. Visual analog scale (VAS), maximum mouth opening (MMO), lateral jaw movements and joint clicking sounds were assessed at each follow up period (1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months) for both groups. The collected data was then statistically analyzed. Results Pain intensity decreased in both groups; in group 1, mean VAS decreased from 6.9 to 0.6 while in group 2, VAS decreased from 6.8 to 0.8. MMO mean for group 1 increased from 32.4 to 44.9 mm. In group 2, MMO increased from 24 to 34.6 mm. TMJ lateral movement for group 1 increased from 6 to 8.7 mm and for group 2, it increased from 5.5 to 7.2 mm. Number of patients with TMJ clicking in group 1 decreased from 8 to 1 while in group 2, patients had no clicking sounds from the start. MRIs showed no change before and after study in both groups as disc remained at same position. Conclusions Intraarticular injection of HA and PRP mixture was found to be clinically effective in the treatment of TMJ disorders in both anterior DDwR and DDwoR groups; however, no significant difference was noticed on the disc position on the MRI.

Introduction Missing anterior teeth due to trauma or congenital missing is a dental handicap affecting child aesthetic, phonetics, function and quality of life (QoL). Traditional management includes removable partial denture, resin bonded bridge, auto-transplant, and closure of the space orthodontically. Implants are the ideal solution for missing teeth but we have to wait until the end of growth. Mini-implant gives a promising future for these cases as they guard to loss of bone and space, restore function and aesthetic and improves QoL. Aim Evaluate clinically and radiographically mini-implant in a group of children, and evaluate the effect of the mini-implant on the QoL for those children. Patients and methods Fifteen children aged from 11–13 with missing anterior teeth were selected for the study, mini-implants were inserted by the flapless technique, immediately loaded with ceramic fused to metal crown. Evaluation was made by Modified Gingival Index, probing depth, periotest mobility and marginal bone loss by standardized periapical radiograph every 6 months for 2 years and oral health impact profile questioner was taken before and after insertion of the mini-implant. Results There was no statistically significant difference in the Modified Gingival Index, probing depth, periotest mobility and marginal bone loss along 24 months follow up, while the QoL questioner revealed statistically significant difference before and after insertion of the mini-implant. Conclusion Mini-implant is a successful promising solution for missing anterior teeth in children up to 11 years, but careful study of the case and follow up until the end of growth to re-evaluate the case to either maintain the mini-implant or change it to an implant of appropriate size.