Significance of primary factors influencing students' performance at the College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.

Objective: To determine the effect of different enabling factors such as curriculum, role of faculty, academic advising and availability of learning resources and supportive services on the performance of students pursuing their Bachelor's degree in dentistry.

Methods: Data was collected from the male and female students of the College of Dentistry, King Saud University, during the academic year 2008-2009. All undergraduate students (576) constituted the total sample size of the study.

Color management of the cervical region using different framework materials.

Background:   Color-matching of the cervical area between natural teeth and different crown prostheses is a common clinical problem.

Purpose:   The purpose of this study was to compare the color of the cervical region of five commercially available crown systems to an extracted natural tooth and to each other.

Materials And Methods:   The color of the cervical region of an extracted maxillary incisor was measured by means of a colorimeter (ShadeVision, X-Rite).

Effect of different ferrule designs on the fracture resistance and failure pattern of endodontically treated teeth restored with fiber posts and all-ceramic crowns.

Objective: This study investigated the effect of different ferrule heights on endodontically treated premolars.

Material And Methods: Fifty sound mandibular first premolars were endodontically treated and then restored with 7-mm fiber post (FRC Postec Plus #1 Ivoclar-Vivadent) luted with self-polymerized resin cement (Multilink, Ivoclar Vivadent) while the coronal section was restored with hybrid composite core build-up material (Tetric Ceram, Ivoclar-Vivadent), which received all-ceramic crown. Different ferrule heights were investigated: 1-mm circumferential ferrule without post and core (group 1 used as control), a circumferential 1-mm ferrule (group 2), non-uniform ferrule 2-mm buccally and 1-mm lingually (group 3), non-uniform ferrule 3-mm buccally and 2-mm lingually (group 4), and finally no ferrule preparation (group 5).

Allocation of color space for different age groups using three-dimensional shade guide systems.

Purpose: To determine the color space and the coverage error of two manual shade guide systems in four age groups of a selected population.

Material And Methods: A total of 174 patients were divided into four age groups and the shade of their natural teeth was measured (2067 teeth) with a spectrophotometer (Vita Easyshade). Color parameters in terms of L*, a*, b* values, chroma, and hue were recorded for each tooth.

Effect of different onlay systems on fracture resistance and failure pattern of endodontically treated mandibular molars restored with and without glass fiber posts.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between post and core build-up materials on the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth restored with different onlay restorations.

Methods: 60 mandibular molars were endodontically treated and divided into three experimental groups that received one of the following onlay restorations: gold onlays, glass ceramic onlays (Empress I), or resin composite onlays (Gradia). Half of the specimens in each group received a fiber post (n=10).

A comparative in vitro study on the retention and stability of implant-supported overdentures.

Objectives: Implant-supported overdentures have become the treatment of choice in restoring complete edentulism, but the number of implants required and type of connectors to assure retention and stability are still controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of connector type and implant number and location on the retention and stability of implant-supported overdentures by measuring retentive forces during vertical and 2 types of rotational dislodgment.

Method And Materials: Two model designs were selected based on the number and location of the inserted implants: In a first setup, 2 implants were placed in the canine regions; in a second setup, 2 implants were placed in the canine regions and 2 in the premolar regions.

The effect of location and number of endosseous implants on retention and stability of magnetically retained mandibular overdentures: an in vitro study.

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of location and number of implants on the retention and stability of magnetically retained mandibular overdentures. Four groups of such prostheses were classified according to number and position of the implants in the canine, premolar, or molar regions. Significant differences in retention were observed when 6 magnets were used (4.

The effect of different full-coverage crown systems on fracture resistance and failure pattern of endodontically treated maxillary incisors restored with and without glass fiber posts.

The aim of this study was to compare the fracture resistance and failure pattern of endodontically treated maxillary incisors restored using composite resin with or without fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) posts under different types of full-coverage crowns. The null hypothesis tested was that fracture resistance and the failure pattern of these teeth were not affected by the use of FRC posts or by the type of full-coverage crown. One hundred twenty maxillary incisors were endodontically treated and divided into 4 groups of 30 each.

Fracture resistance and failure patterns of endodontically treated mandibular molars with and without glass fiber post in combination with a zirconia-ceramic crown.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of a fiber post on the fracture mechanics of zirconia crowns inserted over endodontically treated teeth with different extent of coronal damage.

Methods: Endodontically treated human molars with three types of coronal damage received fiber posts before cementation of zirconia-veneered crowns. Controls received composite resin cores without fiber posts.

Effects of surface conditioning on the retentiveness of titanium crowns over short implant abutments.

Purpose: The integrity and retention of cemented restorations over implant abutments is difficult to achieve when the axial wall height of the abutment is short.

Purpose: : To compare the effect of different surface conditions on the retentiveness of titanium crowns cemented over short (3 mm) ITI solid abutments using 2 types of cement. Surface pretreatment included sandblasting, silicoating, and application of alloy primer.

Arthroscopy versus arthrocentesis. A retrospective study of disc displacement management without reduction.

Objective: To compare the outcome of arthroscopic surgery and arthrocentesis of internal derangement (disc displacement without reduction) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

Methods: The charts of 48 patients with TMJ derangement and treated with arthroscopy or arthrocentesis were included in this study carried out in a specialized private clinic in Beirut, Lebanon, between January 2001 and July 2005. Inclusion criteria included patients with a history of clicking followed by a sudden onset of limited mouth opening without clicking, a complaint of TMJ pain with mouth opening or chewing difficulty, or both, or a positive magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis of TMJ disc displacement without reduction.

Risk factors and management of dehiscent wounds in implant dentistry.

Successful implant dentistry is based on adequate training, proper selection of patients, careful surgery, preplanned restorations, and postoperative and supportive care. Although implant therapy is highly successful and predictable, it is not without possible early and/or late complications. The aim of this article is to highlight the importance of a relatively neglected subject of dehiscent wounds in the dental implant literature.

Special technique for attachment incorporation with an implant overdenture.

The Hader bar system is a popular bar and clip concept because of its 20-degree clip rotation, simplicity, and versatility. Two procedures may be used to incorporate the Hader nylon clip into a denture base. The direct technique consists of attaching the clip to the denture base as a clinical procedure.

Removable partial denture design: a study of a selected population in Saudi Arabia.

Determination of the incidence of various classes of removable partial dentures (RPDs) including their designs and their comparison with previous studies provide clinically useful information for dental training and continuing education. The purpose of this study is to determine the pattern of partial edentulism, the major connector, clasping, and design of 740 cobalt chromium RPD frameworks constructed for a selected population in Saudi Arabia. RPD framework design information and patient personal data were obtained from the work authorization form and the dental records respectively.

Surgical treatment of melanin-pigmented gingiva; an esthetic approach.

The aim of this clinical article is to review the methods of depigmentation of melanin pigmentation of gingiva and explain scalpel surgical technique for depigmentation of gingiva.