Comparison of mechanical properties and color stability of various vacuum-formed orthodontic retainers: An in vitro study.

Unlabelled: Vacuum-formed retainer (VFR) is the most used retainer due to its higher aesthetic properties and lower cost, their mechanical properties of are important in determining the stability and long-term use of appliances made out of them.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the flexural modulus, surface hardness, and color stability of three different VFR materials.

Methods: Three different VFR materials, namely Duran, Keystone, and Zendura, of 1 mm thickness, were tested after thermoforming for flexural modulus, hardness, and color stability.

Psychosocial Impact of Malocclusion and Self-Perceived Orthodontic Treatment Need among Young Adult Dental Patients.

Objectives:  To investigate the psychosocial impact of malocclusion and self-rated and clinician-rated orthodontic treatment need on young adult patients in the Western Province of Saudi Arabia.

Materials And Methods:  Eighteen- to 30-year-old patients (=355) attending a tertiary dental care facility were included. Three instruments were used for data collection: (1) Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetic Questionnaire (PIDAQ), (2) aesthetic component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN-AC), self-rated and clinician-rated, and (3) clinician-rated Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI).

Students' Perceptions of their Dental Curriculum and Education.

Objective: To evaluate the satisfaction of dental students toward their dental curriculum and education at dental colleges in the central region of Saudi Arabia.

Methods: Two forms of the questionnaire were established, a paper version and an electronic internet-based survey (Google online form). Paper versions were distributed to interns graduated from universities in Riyadh.

Correlation between salivary dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) levels and cervical vertebral maturation in Saudi individuals.

Background: Growth incidents usually progress in a fairly expected sequence; however, their timing and pattern vary across individual subjects. Biochemical biomarkers have an association with bone metabolism and produce signals which stimulate the growth and development of various craniofacial structures. Steroid dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) plays a major role in the initiation of growth hormone actions which has a significant role in promoting and accelerating skeletal maturation during puberty.

Parents' Awareness of Early Orthodontic Consultation: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective: The aim of this paper is to assess parents' knowledge about early orthodontic consultation and treatment, and to determine the association of this knowledge with number of children, monthly income, children's age and perceived dental problems.

Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to 3000 school children aged 6-11 years. The children were asked to take the questionnaire to their parents and bring it back the next day.