The objective was to compare the efficiency of probiotic (PT) versus antibiotic therapy (AT) as adjuvants to non-surgical-mechanical debridement (NSMD) in the treatment of peri-implant mucositis (Pi-M). Volunteers with Pi-M were encompassed. Therapeutically, patients were randomly divided into 3-groups: (a) Group-1: NSMD + PT; (b) Group-2: NSMD + AT; and (c) Group-3: NSMD alone. Peri-implant plaque index (P.I), bleeding on probing (B.O.P), probing depth (P.D) and crestal-bone-loss (C.B.L) were recorded at baseline and at 3-and 6-months follow-up. P<0.05 was selected as the indicator of statistical significance. Forty-two male individuals (14, 14 and 14 in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively) were included. At 3- and 6-months of follow-up, P.I (P<0.01), B.O.P (P<0.01) and P.D (P<0.01) were higher in Group-2 than Group-1. At 3-months of follow-up, P.I (P<0.01), B.O.P (P<0.01) and P.D (P<0.01) were higher in Group-3 than Group-2. At 6-months of follow-up, P.I, B.O.P and P.D were comparable in groups 2 and 3. In Group-3, P.I, B.O.P and P.D were comparable with the respective baseline values at 6-months of follow-up. The C.B.L in all groups remained unchanged up to 6-months of follow-up. The NSMD with adjuvant PT is more effective than adjunct AT in the treatment of Pi-M for up to 3-months.

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Since the 1980s, titanium (Ti) implants have been routinely used to replace missing teeth. This success is mainly due to the good biocompatibility of Ti and the phenomenon of osseointegration, with very early events at implant placement being important in determining good osseointegration. However, enhancing implant performance with coatings such as hydroxyapatite (HA) and calcium phosphate has proved largely unsuccessful. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are the first osteogenic cells to colonise implant surfaces and offer a target for enhancing osseointegration. We previously reported that small doses of bisphosphonate (BP) may play an integral role in enhancing hMSC proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. The aim of this study is to investigate whether small doses of bisphosphonates enhance proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs on Ti surfaces, to enhance bone osseointegration and to accelerate wound healing around the implant surface. Our data suggests that treating cells with small doses of BP (100 nM & 10 nM) induces significant hMSC stimulation of osteogenic markers including calcium, collagen type I and ALP compared to control group on titanium surfaces (P < 0.05). In addition, cell proliferation and migration were significantly enhanced on titanium surfaces (P < 0.05).

Dental professionals have a major role in the fight against the spread and transmission of COVID-19. This study aimed to evaluate awareness and practice of dentists in Saudi Arabia regarding COVID-19 and the utilization of infection control methods. A 24-item questionnaire was developed and distributed through social media to 627 dentists working in Saudi Arabia. 177 questionnaires were completed (28.2% response rate). Most dentists were aware about the transmission, incubation time and main clinical symptoms of COVID-19. Almost 83% of the respondents appreciate the risk of droplets, aerosols and airborne particles in transmission of COVID-19 in the dental clinic. Among the common practices of participants are measuring patient’s body temperature before undertaking a dental treatment (88.7%), cleaning the environmental surfaces at the dental clinic after each patient (91.5%) and restriction of dental treatment to emergency cases (82.5%). It seems that practicing dentists in Saudi Arabia are fairly aware about COVID-19. The practices of the surveyed dentists appear to be mostly consistent with the current guidelines and recommendations for infection control of COVID-19 in the dental clinic. Some drawbacks in knowledge and a number of inappropriate practices can be identified and require the attention of health authorities.

Background It is hypothesized that in the long‐term, (a) peri‐implant inflammatory variables (plaque index [PI], bleeding on probing [BOP], probing depth (PD) and crestal bone loss [CBL]) are worse in cigarette‐smokers (CS) and patients with type‐2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) than never‐smokers (NS) without T2DM. The aim of the present 7‐year follow‐up clinical observational study was to assess the survival of dental implant in CS and NS with T2DM. Methods Study participants were divided into four groups based on glycemic status and self‐reported cigarette‐smoking habit: a) CS with T2DM; b) CS without T2DM; c) NS with T2DM; and d) NS without T2DM. Demographic information was collected using a questionnaire and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were measured. Peri‐implant PI, BOP, PD, and CBL were measured. Sample‐size was estimated was statistical analysis was done using analysis of variance. P <0.01 was considered significant. Results In total, 101 male patients were included. There was no significant contrast in age among the groups. Every partaker in the study groups had one dental implant placed in posterior maxilla or mandible. The mean HbA1c levels were significantly higher among CS (P <0.01) and NS (P <0.01) with T2DM than individuals without T2DM. Peri‐implant PI (P <0.01), PD (P <0.01), and CBL (P <0.01) were significantly higher among CS and NS with T2DM and CS without T2DM than NS without T2DM. Peri‐implant BOP was significantly higher among CS and NS with T2DM than CS and NS without T2DM (P <0.01). Conclusions Peri‐implant inflammatory variables were worse among CS and NS with T2DM than NS without T2DM. A state of chronic hyperglycemia seems to be a stronger mediator of inflammation than cigarette smoking in patients with T2DM.

We hypothesized that in the long-term (6-months follow-up), non-surgical mechanical debridement (NSMD) with adjunct low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is more effective for the treatment of peri-implantitis compared with NSMD alone. The aim of the present 6-months follow-up convenience-sampled cohort study was to assess the efficacy of LLLT as an adjunct to NSMD in the treatment of peri-implantitis. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic information. Patients with peri-implantitis in the test-and control groups underwent NSMD with and without adjunct LLLT, respectively. Randomization was done by tossing a coin. In the test group, the laser was applied perpendicularly to the periodontal pocket for 20 seconds at a constant distance of 15 mm and with a continuous wavelength (3.41 J/cm2 delivery with a 1.76 cm2 spot and average output of 0.3 W). In both groups, peri-implant probing depth, bleeding upon probing and crestal bone resorption were assessed at baseline and at 3- and 6-months’ follow-up. Group comparisons were performed and P&lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant. Sixty-seven individuals with peri-implantitis were included. The mean age of individuals that underwent NSMD with adjunct LLLT and NSMD alone 46.5±3.4 and 45.3±1.1 years, respectively. At 3 and 6-months’ follow-up, peri-implant PI (P&lt;0.05), BUP (P&lt;0.05) and PrD (P&lt;0.05) were significantly higher among patients that underwent NSMD alone compared with individuals that underwent NSMD with adjunct LLLT. There was no significant difference in CBR in all patients up to 6-months’ follow-up. In the short-term, NSMD with adjunct LLLT is a useful treatment protocol for the treatment of peri-implant soft-tissue inflammation.

BackgroundThe hypothesis is that self‐rated peri‐implant oral symptoms (OS) and clinical (plaque index [PI] and probing depth [PD]) and radiographic (crestal bone loss [CBL]) are higher in (cigarette‐smokers [CS]) and (waterpipe‐users) than (nonsmokers [NS]). The aim was to relate peri‐implant self‐perceived OS with clinico‐radiographic parameters among CS, waterpipe‐users, and NS.Materials and MethodsThis study was performed on self‐reported CS, waterpipe‐users, and NS with peri‐implantitis. A questionnaire was used to record peri‐implant self‐perceived OS (pain in gums, bleeding gums, bad breath, and loose implant) and demographic data (age, sex, duration of smoking and waterpipe usage, duration of implants in function, duration since diagnosis of peri‐implantitis). Clinico‐radiographic parameters (CBL, PD, PI, and bleeding on probing [BOP]) were also measured; and compared with the self‐perceived OS. Group comparisons were done for perceived OS and clinico‐radiographic variables, and significant differences were deemed when P‐values were under .05.ResultsOne hundred male participants (35 CS, 33 waterpipe‐users, and 32 NS) with peri‐implantitis were included. Pain in gums (P < .05) and bad breath (P < .05) were more frequently perceived by CS and waterpipe‐users than NS. There was no significant difference in perceived bleeding gums around the implant or loose implant among all groups. The CBL (P < .01), PI (P < .001), and PD (P < .01) were significantly high in CS and waterpipe‐users than NS. NS (P < .05) had significantly higher BOP than waterpipe‐users and CS. There was no significant difference in CBL, PI, PD, and BOP among waterpipe‐users and CS.ConclusionTobacco‐smokers present with worse peri‐implant perceived OS and clinicoradiograhic parameters than nonsmokers with peri‐implantitis.

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