ObjectivesThis study examined the antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of conventional glass-ionomer cement (GIC) modified by the addition of magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles.Materials and methodsMgO nanoparticles were characterised by XRD, FTIR, and SEM analysis and tested for its activity against Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. MgO nanoparticles were incorporated into GIC powder (Ketac Molar Easymix) at different concentrations and the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity was evaluated using agar disk diffusion and biofilm-CFU counting assays. ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests were used for the analysis, and the level of significance was set at p < 0.05.ResultsMgO nanoparticles showed antibacterial activity against both microorganisms (MIC = 500 μg/ml and MBC = 1000 μg/ml). A significant difference in the zones of inhibition was detected (p < 0.005). The effect was evident in the 2.5% MgO nanoparticle modified GIC while the CFU counting biofilm assay showed the effect of the added nanoparticles from 1% with a significant difference between the tested material groups (p < 0.005).ConclusionsThe MgO nanoparticle modified GIC showed effective antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against two cariogenic microorganisms and could be considered for further development as a biocompatible antibacterial dental restorative cement.

No abstract

Oral pigmentation refers to discoloration of oral mucosa or gingiva as a result of a variety of lesions and conditions that are associated with several endogenous and exogenous etiologic factors.These conditions include drug use, heavy metals, genetics, endocrine disturbance, and inflammation. 1 The color of the oral melanin pigmentation may vary from light to dark brown or black according to the amount and distribution of melanin in the tissue. 2 Several studies reported significant correlation between cigarette smoking and oral pigmentation; prevalence of 21% and 90% among cigarette smokers was recorded. Gingival pigmentation is physiologic condition and called "racial pigmentation" or caused by several endogenous and exogenous factors including tobacco. 3 Although

Hard palate is regarded as an important part of the human skull, which contributes to the separation of the oral and nasal cavities. The aims of the study were to investigate the morphology of the hard palate in order to create a general guideline of three-dimensional values of the palate in a Kurdish sample in the city of Sulaimani as well as determining the possible correlations between different palatal parameters in class I malocclusion with the maxillary arch form and perimeter. A retrospective study design was adopted by collecting 100 study models of orthodontic patients aged 16–24 years old attending different private dental clinics in the city of Sulaimani seeking orthodontic management. In this study, three-dimensional palatal measurements including depth, length, and width were measured in an attempt to discover their correlation with each maxillary arch form and perimeter. Additionally, measurements of inter-molar width, inter-canine width, and arch perimeter were carried out. About two-thirds of those seeking orthodontic treatment were females. Nearly 80% of the study sample had narrow palate followed by 15 and 5% of intermediate palate and broad palate, respectively. In regard to arch form, almost 90% of subjects were with tapered maxillary arch form and 10% of them with oval arch form. Males had increased dimensions compared to females, with significant differences, except in palatal depth in the molar area, and palatine height index, in which females showed increased dimensions than males but the differences were statistically non-significant. A strong positive correlation was observed between arch form and canine depth. In regard to arch perimeter, a strong negative correlation was found with molar depth and a medium positive correlation with each of canine depth, palatal width, and palatal length.

Background/purpose Caries and periodontal diseases are the most common oral diseases that lead to teeth loss. The aim of this study is to assess the association of combination of salivary characteristics, Streptococcus mutans levels and clinical parameters to the dental and gingival health statuses of children. Materials and methods Saliva samples were collected from 89 children. Children were allocated to the low caries group (45 children: mean DMFT/dmft ≤ 2) or high caries group (44 children: mean DMFT/dmft ≥ 5) according to WHO method and criteria. Additionally, gingival health status was assessed as fair (gingival index and plaque index < 2) or bad (gingival index and plaque index ≥ 2). Each participant's resting saliva hydration (RSH), viscosity (RSV), pH (RSpH), stimulated saliva flow rate (SSFR), buffering capacity of saliva (BCSS) and level of S. mutans (SSM) were determined by chair side test kits. Results The result showed statistically significant differences in all salivary characteristics and SSM levels for both types of dentition between the low and active caries groups as well as between fair and bad gingival health status (except for RSH for permanent teeth and RSH plus SSFR for primary teeth). Logistic regression showed that combination of plaque index (PI), RSH, RSV, RSpH and SSM provided accurate association (permanent teeth: 92.1%, primary teeth: 100%) of caries status and PI plus BCSS provided accurate association (permanent teeth: 92.1%, primary teeth: 93%) of gingival health status. Conclusion This study has suggested that combination of salivary characteristics, PI and SSM levels could provide significant association of caries and gingival health statuses of children.

The current study aimed to find a prediction equation to estimate the arch perimeter (AP) depending on various arch dimensions including intercanine width (ICW), intermolar width (IMW), interpremolar width (IPMW), and arch length (AL) in a sample of the Kurdish population in Sulaimani City. The study sample was 100 pairs of preorthodontic dental casts. Calculations of dental arch dimensions and perimeter were performed by a digital vernier. Statistical analysis was performed via using the SPSS version 25 software. The developed prediction equation for the upper arch was Y = + 1.3 × arch   length + 1 × intermolar   width , whereas the equation for the lower arch was Y = + 0.9 × intermolar   width + 0.92 × intercanine   width . Paired t -test revealed no statistical difference between predicted and real arch perimeters. Two separate prediction equations for upper and lower arches were developed based on the arch length (AL) and intermolar width (IMW) for the maxillary arch, intermolar (IMW), and inter canine widths (ICW) for the lower arch. The developed equations could have further beneficial impacts on orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning.

Background. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is still a major health problem worldwide, placing healthcare workers, medical and dental students, and professionals at higher occupational risk. The present study aimed to evaluate the level of knowledge about this virus and relevant safety precautions among dental students in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Materials and methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted among the third, fourth, and fifth stage dental students of Hawler Medical, Sulaimani, and Duhok universities. Data on the students’ demographic characteristics and their knowledge about HBV (16 close-ended questions) and safety precaution measures (10 close-ended questions) were collected by means of a questionnaire. Analysis of variance was used to compare the mean of knowledge and safety precaution scores. Results. In total, 372 students (mean age 21.77 ± 1.31 years) completed the questionnaires. The mean scores for knowledge and safety precautions were 13.17 ± 2.09 and 8.05 ± 1.61 , respectively. Respondents from Hawler Medical University showed statistically significantly higher knowledge levels than their counterparts in Sulaimani and Duhok universities ( p = 0.012 ). Conclusions. The majority of surveyed dental students are aware of HBV, its mode of transmission, infection, complications, vaccination, and safety precautions required to prevent the spreading of the virus. While the levels of knowledge about HBV and safety precautions among the dental students in the Kurdistan region of Iraq were generally acceptable, differences in knowledge level were identified between the universities, and these may be related to their educational and training programs.

Objectives This article aimed to find out Iraqi people’s opinions on possible dental health care changes and their knowledge, attitude, and expectation toward infection controls in dental settings during and after the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Materials and Methods Different questions were presented regarding possible health care system changes, to gather people’s opinions concerning patients, dentists, and dental clinic tests for contagious viral infections, their history of vaccination, and their readiness to get vaccinated, and finally, how they would feel about visiting their local dental clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic if they faced dental problems. Results Generally, 69% of the respondents believed that the health care system will change in Iraq. A higher percentage of health care workers than nonhealth workers had been vaccinated against hepatitis virus and approximately equal numbers indicated their readiness to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and other contagious viral diseases. Additionally, a higher percentage of health care workers than Non health care workers expressed fear of contracting the infection from dental clinics and the relation was significant. More than two-thirds of respondents stated their inability to visit a dentist because all the dental clinics are closed, and they cannot find a trusted dental clinic. Likewise, the majority preferred to wait until after the outbreak or when the government provides strict control measures and guidelines for dental clinics. Conclusion There was a common belief that the health care system will change after COVID-19 in Iraq. All agreed that dental clinics and the population should be protected against microbial cross-transmission through appropriate infection control measures and vaccination. Future health care changes should include public health education and dental health care personnel training.