Foreign-Trained Dentists in the United States: Challenges and Opportunities.

The aim of the present study is to review the licensing process and challenges faced by foreign-trained dentists in United States (U.S.), and how incorporating foreign-trained dentists in the dental workforce in the U.

Flipping the Dental Anatomy Classroom.

The development of cognitive knowledge, motor skills, and artistic sense in order to restore lost tooth structure is fundamental for dental professionals. The course of dental anatomy is taught in the initial years of dental school, and is a component of the basic core sciences program in the faculties of dentistry. The learning objectives of the dental anatomy course include identifying anatomical and morphological characteristics of human primary and permanent teeth; identifying and reproducing tooth surface details in order to recognize and diagnose anatomical changes; and developing student’s psychomotor skills for restoring teeth with proper form and function.

Comparison of oral Candida carriage in waterpipe smokers, cigarette smokers, and non-smokers.

The aim of the present cohort study was to compare oral carriage of Candida in waterpipe smokers (WS), cigarette smokers (CS), and non-smokers (NS). A total of 141 individuals (46 WS, 45 CS, and 50 NS) were included. A questionnaire was used to gather demographic information and data on the daily frequency and duration of smoking habits, the reasons for smoking, and daily oral hygiene maintenance habits.

Self-perceived oral symptoms and periodontal status among young intravenous heroin addicts: A cross-sectional case-control study.

Background: It is hypothesized that (a) self-perceived oral symptoms (OSs) are worse in intravenous heroin addicts (IHA) than controls; and (b) clinical periodontal inflammatory parameters (plaque index [PI], bleeding on probing [BOP], PD and clinical attachment loss [AL]), number of missing teeth (MT), and radiographic marginal bone loss (MBL) are higher in IHA compared with controls. The aim was to compare the self-perceived OSs and periodontal parameters among young IHA and controls.

Methods: Sociodemographic data, self-perceived OSs and duration and daily frequency of intravenous heroin use was gathered using a structured questionnaire.

Osteomyelitis Arising Around Osseointegrated Dental Implants: A Systematic Review.

Objective: The past few years have seen a progressive increment in the number of osteomyelitis cases associated with dental implants, raising the interest of a possible role of implant therapy in the development of osteomyelitis. The aim of the present study was to systematically review the association between dental implant therapy and occurrence of osteomyelitis.

Data Sources: The focused question addressed was "What is the risk to develop osteomyelitis among patients receiving dental implants?" Indexed databases were searched without language restrictions up to January 2017 using various key words including: "osteomyelitis"; "dental implants"; "osseointegration"; and "risk factors.

Laser-assisted removal of all ceramic fixed dental prostheses: A comprehensive review.

Objective: The aim of this comprehensive review was to assess the effectiveness of erbium lasers in the removal of all ceramic fixed dental prostheses (FDPs).

Overview: Indexed databases were searched without language or time restriction up to and including December 2017 using different combinations of the following keywords: "lasers"; "phototherapy"; "crowns"; "prostheses and implants"; "inlays"; "ceramics"; "dental porcelain"; "zirconium"; "removal"; "debonding"; "fixed dental prostheses"; "veneers"; "laminates"; and "fixed bridge." All levels of available evidence including experimental studies, case reports and case series were included.

Effectiveness of mechanical debridement with and without adjunct antimicrobial photodynamic therapy in the treatment of periodontal inflammation among patients with prediabetes.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of mechanical debridement (MD) with and without adjunct antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) in the treatment of periodontal inflammation among patients with prediabetes.

Methods: Demographic information was collected using a questionnaire. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were measured at baseline and at 3 and 6 months' follow-up.

Is antimicrobial photodynamic therapy a useful therapeutic protocol for oral decontamination? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the efficacy of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) as a therapeutic protocol for oral decontamination.

Methods: In order to address the focused question: Is aPDT a useful therapeutic protocol for oral decontamination?, an electronic search without time or language restrictions was conducted up to July 2017 in indexed databases using the combination of different key words including photochemotherapy, lasers, photodynamic therapy, disinfection, mouth, saliva and oral. The exclusion criteria included reviews, case-reports, case-series, commentaries, letters to the editor, interviews, and updates.

Role of Osteogenic Coatings on Implant Surfaces in Promoting Bone-To-Implant Contact in Experimental Osteoporosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the role of osteogenic coatings (placement of a thin film of organic and inorganic osteoinductive and osteoproliferative materials) on implant surfaces in augmenting bone-to-implant contact (BIC) in osteoporotic bone.

Data Sources: To answer the focused question "Do osteogenic coatings on implant surfaces increase BIC in osteoporotic bone?" PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, ISI Web of Knowledge, Scopus, and Google-Scholar databases were searched till June 2017 using different combinations of the following key words: bone-to-implant contact, coating, implant surface, osseointegration, and osteoporosis. Letters to the Editor, review articles, case-reports/case-series, and commentaries were excluded.

Effect of local zoledronate delivery on osseointegration: a systematic review of preclinical studies.

Purpose: The aim of the present systematic review was to assess the effect of local zoledronate (ZOL) delivery (topical or as implant surface coatings) on osseointegration.

Materials And Methods: In this systematic review, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed. To address the focused question, 'Does local zoledronate delivery enhance osseointegration?' indexed databases were searched without time or language restrictions up to and including April 2017 using various combination of the following keywords: 'zoledronate', 'bisphosphonates', 'osseointegration' and 'topical administration'.

Effect of Growth Hormone Supplementation on Osseointegration: A Systematic Review and Meta-analyses.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess whether growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy can enhance implant osseointegration.

Materials And Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted from 1982 to March 2016. A structured search using the keywords "growth hormone," "implants," and "osseointegration" was performed to identify preclinical and clinical in vivo controlled studies and was followed by a 2-phase search strategy.

Is salivary IgA level a potential biomarker for immunosuppression in HIV-positive children? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aim of this systematic review was to determine whether or not assessment of salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels could be a potential biomarker for immunosuppression in HIV-positive children. The Patient, Exposure, Comparative, Outcome question was "Is sIgA level a potential biomarker for immunosuppression in HIV-positive children?" Electronic and manual literature searches were conducted in indexed databases (MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, and SCOPUS databases) up to and including June 2017. The primary outcome was total mean salivary levels of IgA among HIV seropositive and seronegative children (controls).

Effect of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy and laser alone as adjunct to mechanical debridement in the management of halitosis: A systematic review.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy of laser therapy (LT) and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) as adjunct to mechanical debridement (MD) on the management of halitosis.

Data Sources: In order to address the focused question "Is MD with adjunct LT and/or aPDT more effective in the management of halitosis compared with MD alone?" an electronic search without time or language restrictions was conducted up to January 2017 in indexed databases using the combination of different key words including photochemotherapy, lasers, light, photodynamic therapy, halitosis, and bad breath. The exclusion criteria included qualitative and/or quantitative reviews, case reports, case series, commentaries, letters to the editor, interviews, and updates.

Efficacy of Local and Systemic Statin Delivery on the Osseointegration of Implants: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: In indexed literature, a systematic review of the efficacy of statins in enhancing osseointegration is lacking. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the efficacy of local and systemic statin delivery on the osseointegration of implants.

Materials And Methods: To address the focused question, "Does local and systemic statin delivery affect osseointegration around implants?", indexed databases were searched from 1965 through November 2015 using various keywords.

Effectiveness of radio waves application in modern general dental procedures: An update.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to review indexed literature and provide an update on the effectiveness of high-frequency radio waves (HRW) application in modern general dentistry procedures.

Data Sources: Indexed databases were searched to identify articles that assessed the efficacy of radio waves in dental procedures.

Results: Radiosurgery is a refined form of electrosurgery that uses waves of electrons at a radiofrequency ranging between 2 and 4 MHz.

Efficacy of scaling and root planning with and without adjunct Nd:YAG laser therapy on clinical periodontal parameters and gingival crevicular fluid interleukin 1-beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels among patients with periodontal disease: A prospective randomized split-mouth clinical study.

Background And Aim: Limited evidence exists regarding the role of scaling and root planning (SRP) with adjunct neodymium yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser therapy in reducing periodontal parameters (plaque index [PI], bleeding on probing [BOP] and probing pocket depth [PPD]) and levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) among patients with periodontal disease (PD). The aim was to assess the effect of SRP with and without adjunct Nd:YAG laser therapy on clinical periodontal parameters and GCF interleukin 1-beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels among patients with PD.

Methods: Demographic data was collected using a questionnaire.

Effect of laser-assisted scaling and root planing on the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the gingival crevicular fluid of patients with chronic periodontitis: A systematic review.

Background: The aim of the present systematic review was to assess the efficacy of laser-assisted (low level laser therapy [LLLT], high intensity laser therapy [HILT], or antimicrobial photodynamic therapy [aPDT]) scaling and root planing (SRP) compared with SRP alone on the expression of inflammatory cytokines in the gingival crevicular (GCF) of patients with chronic periodontitis (CP).

Methods: In order to address the focused question: "What is the efficacy of SRP with and without laser and/or aPDT on the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the GCF of patients with CP?" an electronic search without time or language restrictions was conducted up to and including February 2017 in indexed databases using various key words.

Results: Twenty-two randomized control trials were included in the present systematic review.

Effect of Nd:YAG laser-assisted non-surgical mechanical debridement on clinical and radiographic peri-implant inflammatory parameters in patients with peri-implant disease.

Background And Aim: The efficacy of neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) laser-assisted non-surgical mechanical debridement (MD) in the treatment of periimplant diseases remains uninvestigated. The aim was to assess the efficacy of Nd:YAG laser-assisted non-surgical MD on clinical and radiographic periimplant inflammatory parameters in patients with periimplant disease.

Methods: Treatment wise, 63 male patients with periimplant diseases were divided into 2 groups: Group-1 (32 patients): treatment of periimplant disease using MD alone (control group); and Group-2 (n=31 patients): treatment of periimplant disease using MD with a single application of Nd:YAG laser.

Efficacy of photodynamic therapy in the inactivation of oral fungal colonization among cigarette smokers and non-smokers with denture stomatitis.

Objective: The aim was to assess the efficacy of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) in the inactivation of oral fungal colonization among cigarette smokers and non-smokers with denture stomatitis (DS).

Methods: A questionnaire was used to gather demographic information. Clinical oral examination was performed to determine location of denture in the jaws and oral erythematous lesions.

Crestal Bone Loss Around Adjacent Dental Implants Restored with Splinted and Nonsplinted Fixed Restorations: A Systematic Literature Review.

Purpose: The aim of this systematic review was to compare the crestal bone loss around splinted and nonsplinted adjacent implants.

Materials And Methods: To address the focused question, "Is crestal bone loss around adjacent implants different with splinted from that with nonsplinted restorations?," indexed databases were searched from 1965 up to and including May 2016 using various combinations of the following keywords: "implant," "splinted," "nonsplinted," "unsplinted," "connected," "unconnected," "nonconnected," and "bone loss." Letters to the editor, commentaries, historic reviews, case reports, case series, animal studies, and studies on full-arch rehabilitation were excluded.

Does Local Ibandronate and/or Pamidronate Delivery Enhance Osseointegration? A Systematic Review.

Purpose: To our knowledge from indexed literature, the present study is the first one to systematically review the influence of local delivery of pamidronate (PAM) and/or ibandronate (IBA) on osseointegration enhancement. The aim of the present systematic review was to assess the efficacy of IBA and/or PAM local delivery (topically or coating on implants surfaces) in promoting osseointegration.

Materials And Methods: To address the focused question, "Does local IBA and/or PAM delivery enhances osseointegration?," indexed databases were searched without time or language restrictions up to and including May 2016 using various combinations of the following keywords: "pamidronate," "ibandronate," "bisphosphonates," "osseointegration," and "topical administration.

Effect of oral hygiene maintenance on HbA1c levels and peri-implant parameters around immediately-loaded dental implants placed in type-2 diabetic patients: 2 years follow-up.

Objective: The aim of the present 2-year follow-up study was to assess the effect of oral hygiene maintenance on hemoglobin Alc (HbA1c) levels and peri-implant parameters around immediately-loaded dental implants placed in type-2 diabetic patients with varying glycemic levels.

Material And Methods: Ninety-one individuals were divided into three groups. In group 1, 30 systemically healthy individuals were included (HbA1c < 6%).

Efficacy of bisphosphonate as an adjunct to nonsurgical periodontal therapy in the management of periodontal disease: a systematic review.

Aims: The aim of this systematic review was to assess the efficacy of bisphosphonate therapy as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) in the management of periodontitis.

Methods: Databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials Register databases) were searched up to and including July 2016. The primary outcome was probing depth (PD), and the secondary outcomes were changes in clinical attachment level (CAL) and bone defect (BD) fill.

Role of laser irradiation in direct pulp capping procedures: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

A variety of materials are available to treat exposed dental pulp by direct pulp capping. The healing response of the pulp is crucial to form a dentin bridge and seal off the exposed pulp. Studies have used lasers to stimulate the exposed pulp to form tertiary dentin.