Probiotics have a role in maintaining oral health through interaction with oral microbiome, thus contributing to healthy microbial equilibrium. The nature and composition of any individual microbiome impacts the general health, being a major contributor to oral health. The emergence of drug resistance and the side effects of available antimicrobials have restricted their use in an array of prophylactic options. Indeed, some new strategies to prevent oral diseases are based on manipulating oral microbiota, which is provided by probiotics. Currently, no sufficient substantial evidence exists to support the use of probiotics to prevent, treat or manage oral cavity diseases. At present, probiotic use did not cause adverse effects or increased risks of caries or periodontal diseases. This implicates no strong evidence against treatment using probiotics. In this review, we try to explore the use of probiotics in prevention, treatment and management of some oral cavity diseases and the possibilities of developing designer probiotics for the next generation of oral and throat complimentary healthcare.

The present study aims to isolate Lactobacillus species from locally fermented vegetables and to characterize selected isolates for their probiotic potential. Seventeen Lactobacillus strains (9 Lactobacillus plantarum 1, 3 Lactobacillus pentosus, 2 Lactobacillus brevis 1, 2 Lactobacillus brevis 3 and 1 Lactobacillus salivarius) were isolated and tested for their probiotic potential. This included survival in gastrointestinal simulated juice, antagonistic activity against Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus and a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolate, bile tolerance and antibiotic resistance to 8 antibiotics. Most isolates, especially Lactobacillus plantarum 1, were tolerant to the acidity and intestinal conditions after exposure for three and four hours, respectively, with reduction less than one log cycle of the starting CFU/ml. The same trend was observed in respect to bile tolerance with slight variations. All isolates inhibited the growth of the tested pathogens and were the most effective against MRSA isolate. As for antibiotic resistance, it was pronounced against kanamycin, ampicillin, erythromycin and tetracycline. Some isolates (M3, M5, M6, M12, B14) showed a resistance to 6 or more antibiotics of those tested. These results prove that the traditionally fermented vegetables are a good source for probiotic Lactobacillus. However, further in vivo studies are needed to substantiate the potential of these isolates.

Mahasneh SA, Horner K, Cunliffe J, Al-Salehi S, Sengupta A, AlHadidi A. Guidelines on radiographic imaging as part of root canal treatment: a systematic review with a focus on review imaging after treatment. International Endodontic Journal, 51, e238-e249, 2018.Aim To identify guidelines on endodontics which make recommendations relating to post-root canal treatment radiological review imaging, to make an objective assessment of their quality using the AGREE tool and to examine the evidence cited in support of their recommendations. Methodology The primary sources to identify published guidelines were MEDLINE (Ovid â ) and EMBASE. The search aim was to identify guidelines pertaining to the post-root canal treatment follow-up recommendations published from 1946 with the final search date being 26 June 2016. The primary search was supplemented by searching Internet search engines and several websites that might have guidelines. The guidelines obtained from the search end-resultwere assessed for quality and scientific evidence using the AGREE II instrument. Similarities and differences in the recommendations were identified.Results Thirty guidelines were identified, seven of which met the inclusion criteria. Two guidelines used and clearly described the methods for obtaining scientific evidence from which the recommendations were set. The recommendations varied, particularly as regards the timing of the first review radiograph. Some guidelines lacked supporting evidence.Conclusions The recommendations for post-root canal treatment radiographic follow-up varied amongst the identified guidelines. However, the methodology for obtaining the scientific evidence was poorly described in most of the guidelines. Guideline development groups should use the AGREE II instrument as a guide to produce higher quality guidelines.

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The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of maxillary sinus mucosal thickening and compare it to the presence of odontogenic pathology of adjacent teeth. Three hundred and twenty-one full maxilla cone-beam computed tomography scans were examined. The parameters investigated included signs of maxillary sinus mucosal thickening and the diagnosis and proximity of the adjacent teeth. Statistical analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS version-16.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Out of the 2001 teeth examined, 888 (44.4%) were associated with mucosal thickening with a significant difference between the different tooth types (p = 0.04). Mucosal thickening in a maxillary sinus was more likely if the neighboring teeth had apical disease. Interruption of the maxillary sinus floor was noticed more in specific teeth, particularly the first and second molars (p < 0.001). Sinusitis of odontogenic origin can be more prevalent than clinicians expect. The treatment of odontogenic sinusitis should be straightforward, whereby the diseased tooth is root treated or extracted. The sinusitis will then resolve if there are no other etiological factors.

Purpose: To examine current decision-making preferences of Jordanian dentists when Restoring Root Filled Teeth (RFT). Materials and Methods: 834 Jordanian general dentists, prosthodontists and endodontists were invited to participate in a validated online survey with a 62% participation rate. Respondents were invited to answer 24 questions about their preferences for techniques and materials they use to restore RFT. The questions aimed at exploring restorative strategies commonly employed by Jordanian dentists when managing root filled teeth with extensive loss of tooth structure. Results: A minority of dentists consider direct resin restoration as the sole restoration for RFT with extensive loss of tooth structure. Full coverage metal-ceramic and all-ceramic crowns are more popular than endocrowns when restoring RFT with indirect restoration. Fiber posts are the most popular type of posts, followed by prefabricated metal posts. Glass ionomer is the most preferred cement for luting metal posts, while conventional dual resin cement with separate etch and rinse bonding strategy is the most employed when bonding fiber posts. The majority of dentists tend not to pretreat fiber posts. Loss of post/core retention or fracture of coronal tooth structure are the two most common reasons observed by dentists when RFT fail. Conclusion: Use of post and core is still preferred over more conservative approaches when restoring RFT with extensive loss of coronal tooth structure. Longevity of restorations can be enhanced by training practicing dentists on evidence-based adhesive strategies.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the degree of bone loss around teeth can be linked to the loss of vitality of adjacent teeth and periapical disease, which necessitates root canal treatments. Three hundred and twenty-one full maxilla cone-beam computed tomography scans were examined. The parameters investigated included the degree of crestal bone loss in relation to the cementoenamel junction, the presence/absence of apical periodontitis, and the presence/absence of root canal treatments. Out of the 2001 teeth examined, 696 (34.8%) showed evidence of crestal bone loss. The degree of crestal bone loss was classified as mild, moderate, or severe. A significant association (p < 0.001) was found between the presence of crestal bone loss around a tooth and root canal treatment of that tooth. It was found that it is more likely for teeth with crestal bone loss to be root canal treated compared to teeth with existing root canal treatment and healthy crestal bone levels. Furthermore, teeth with buccal or lingual crestal bone loss were significantly associated with a higher rate of periapical disease than teeth without crestal bone loss (p < 0.001). CBCT identified the severity of bone loss on all surfaces of the teeth, and the most common presentation was bone loss to the mid-root level. Teeth with crestal bone loss were significantly more likely to be associated with a higher rate of periapical disease. Teeth with crestal bone loss were more likely to be root treated than teeth with healthy crestal bone levels.

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the perceived satisfaction of optional pairing in undergraduate clinical dental training of fourth‐ and fifth‐year dental students and newly graduated intern dentists in the subject of conservative dentistry and endodontics. Methods Data were collected through a paper‐based 2‐part questionnaire. The first part was made of 3 questions; gender, undergraduate dental year, and grade point average (GPA). The second part involved 9 questions about assistant student‐year level preference, satisfaction of optional pairing and main advantages and disadvantages of pairing. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and Chi‐square test to investigate any statistically significant differences. Results A total of 92.4% were satisfied with optional clinical pairing. Satisfied respondents reported most prevalent advantages were speeding things up (88.5%) and helping in transferring instruments and materials (85.6%). Unsatisfied respondents reported the most prevalent disadvantages were like to work independently (56.8%) and the assistant was not always cooperative (32.4%). Students with low grade point averages (GPAs) felt incompetent to work in pairs compared with high GPA students (P = 0.001). Only 32.4% of participants thought that the assistant student should be given an evaluation mark. About 75% of respondents reported that clinical pairing improved their diagnostic skills and treatment planning. Conclusions Optional pairing in clinical dental training had a high satisfaction percentage. Allowing students to choose their own assistants may reduce pairing disadvantages and enhance its advantages. Students may gain a mentoring benefit from being encouraged to optionally pair with similar or higher study‐year students