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Background and Objective. In forensic investigations, mandibular canines provide excellent materials to identify gender since they are more likely to survive disasters. The objective of this study was to investigate gender dimorphism by comparing the mesiodistal width of mandibular permanent canines and intercanine distance in a group of Lebanese population. Methods. Participants consisted of undergraduate students from the School of Dentistry, Lebanese University, for two academic years who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Canine widths and intercanine distance were measured by one operator directly on dental casts using a digital caliper. Results. One hundred thirty-three Lebanese dental students (54 males and 69 females) aged 18–25 were included in the study. The intercanine distance was significantly greater in males (P value < 0.0001). The right and the left canine widths were significantly greater in males than in females (P value < 0.0001). However, no significant difference was found between left and right canines for males (P value > 0.05) and females (P value > 0.05). The mean width of canine was greater than 7.188 mm for males. Conclusion. The parameters measured in the present study are of great help in sex identification in forensic investigations in the Lebanese adult population.

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Aim:The aim of this study was to compare the translucency parameter (TP) of ultratranslucent multilayered (UTML) zirconia according to thickness and layer level. Materials and methods:Rectangles of UTML zirconia with four layers [dentin layer (DEL), first transitional layer (FTL), second transitional layer (STL), and enamel layer (ENL)] and four different thicknesses (0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1 mm) were milled from blanks. Digital images were taken in a dark studio against white and black backgrounds under simulated daylight illumination and international commission on illumination (CIE) Lab* color values recorded using Photoshop Creative Cloud software. The TP was computed and compared according to thickness and layer level using analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Bonferroni post hoc analysis for multiple comparisons. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Results:In each thickness, TP values were similar between any two layers. The significant effect of thickness on the TP was observed only in the first two layers. In the DEL, translucency was significantly greater at 0.4 mm than all other thicknesses. In the FTL, differences were significant between 0.4 and 0.8 mm and between 0.4 and 1 mm. Conclusion:The investigated zirconia does not seem to show gradational changes in relative translucency from dentin to enamel levels regardless of the thickness used. Thickness affected the TP only in the first two layers with better translucency at 0.4 mm.Clinical significance: Since relative translucency does not seem to be significantly different between layers, clinicians can modify the apicocoronal positioning of the UTML layers within the restoration according to the desired Chroma without any implications on the clinically perceived translucency. While the thickness of 0.4 mm may be suggested for anterior esthetic veneers because of its higher translucency, the other thicknesses of 0.6 to 1 mm can be used to mask colored abutments in full contour restorations.

This research has several purposes: First to assess the bacterial and fungal minimum inhibitory concentration of Origanum Syriacum essential oil. Second to quantify its bactericidal and fungicidal minimal concentration against S. aureus , S. mutans , and C. albicans found in denture stomatitis. The third purpose is to look at the influence of three different soils (Annaya, Bhanin and Michrif) on the essential oils composition. Three essential oils were extracted by hydro-distillation from three different Origanum Syriacum plant origins. Bioassays were conducted using a broth microdilution methods. Gas Chromatography analysis was used to calculate the abundance of most components in each essential oil. Post hoc tests assessed antimicrobial effects between ecotypes while Pearson’s test correlated the different components and their antimicrobial efficiency (α < 0.05). All tested essential oils were efficient against all microorganisms. Origanum Syriacum essential oils derived from Annaya and Bhanin soils showed a superior antimicrobial activity compared to the Michrif one. The most abundant component and most efficient among all essential oils constituents was carvacrol. It can be concluded that Origanum Syriacum essential oils have an antimicrobial activity, which depends on the ecotype, its origin and its composition. They might be used to start a clinical trial for the treatment of denture stomatitis.