Effect of Nanostructures on the Properties of Glass Ionomer Dental Restoratives/Cements: A Comprehensive Narrative Review.

Overall perspective of nanotechnology and reinforcement of dental biomaterials by nanoparticles has been reported in the literature. However, the literature regarding the reinforcement of dental biomaterials after incorporating various nanostructures is sparse. The present review addresses current developments of glass ionomer cements (GICs) after incorporating various metallic, polymeric, inorganic and carbon-based nanostructures.

Marine-Derived Biowaste Conversion into Bioceramic Membrane Materials: Contrasting of Hydroxyapatite Synthesis Methods.

Marine-derived biowaste increment is enormous, yet could be converted into valuable biomaterial, e.g., hydroxyapatite-based bioceramic.

Baseline MMP expression in periapical granuloma and its relationship with periapical wound healing after surgical endodontic treatment.

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) catalyzes the degradation of the extracellular matrix components and have a major role in many physiological processes including wound healing. In the current study, we examined the correlation of baseline MMPs 1, 2, 7, and 9 expressions with periapical wound healing after surgical endodontic treatment.

Methods: 27 patients aged between 15 and 57 years presenting with chronic apical periodontitis or chronic apical abscess of an anterior tooth with previously attempted or failed root canal treatment were included in this study.

Concept generation of cognitive enhancement: healthcare professionals' approach towards the impact and utilization of cognitive enhancers in academic context.

Cognitive enhancers (CEs) encompass a wide range of drugs, including prescription medications for attention deficit disorders and pharmacological compounds for cognitive enhancement. It is well-documented that the students are the leading cohort of CEs users. Exploring how healthcare professionals perceive the use of CEs for academic accomplishments is significant to understand their encouragement of CE use.

Comparative efficacy of BioMin-F, Colgate Sensitive Pro-relief and Sensodyne Rapid Action in relieving dentin hypersensitivity: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) is a sharp toothache that influences a patients' oral health-related quality of life. Oral dentifrices have been marketed for pain relief within a minute for DH. The permanent management of DH is being investigated with the remineralisation potential of bioactive agents in dentinal tubules.

Evaluation of C-reactive protein and hematological parameters in smokeless tobacco users: A comparative cross-sectional study.

Objective: To investigate the changes in levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and hematological parameters among smokeless tobacco (SLT) users.

Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at the community level in the coastal districts of Sindh province namely Badin, Thatta, and Sujawal from January 2017 to December 2019. The CRP and hematological parameters were evaluated by well-established methods among SLT and non-SLT users.

Pediatricians' Compliance to the Clinical Management Guidelines for Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Infants and Young Children in Pakistan.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is among the most commonly prevailing acute infections in children that may require hospitalization. Inconsistencies among suggested care and actual management practices are usually observed, which raises the need to assess local clinical practices. The current study was conducted to evaluate pediatricians' compliance with the standard clinical practice guidelines and their antibiotic-prescribing behavior for the management of CAP in children.

Evolving Mechanisms in the Pathophysiology of Pemphigus Vulgaris: A Review Emphasizing the Role of Desmoglein 3 in Regulating p53 and the Yes-Associated Protein.

The immunobullous condition Pemphigus Vulgaris (PV) is caused by autoantibodies targeting the adhesion proteins of desmosomes, leading to blistering in the skin and mucosal membrane. There is still no cure to the disease apart from the use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents. Despite numerous investigations, the pathological mechanisms of PV are still incompletely understood, though the etiology is thought to be multifactorial.

Comparison of gingival biotype in smokeless tobacco users (Gutka and Paan) and non-tobacco users.

Objective: To assess the gingival biotypes in smokeless tobacco (Gutka and Paan) users and compare it with non-tobacco users in Karachi sub-population using trans-gingival probing method (TRAN).

Methods: This in-vivo, cross sectional study was conducted in the department of Operative Dentistry from 20th February 2019 to 25th June 2019 Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi after obtaining ethical approval from the Institutional review board of DUHS (Ref: IRB-1207/DUHS/Approval/2019/21). A total of 70 participants, 35 subjects currently using smokeless tobacco (Gutka and Paan) and 35 non-tobacco users from both genders were included in the study after taking informed consent.

Effect of pre-cooling agent on intensity of pricking pain at intraoral injection site in adults: An experimental study.

Objective: To determine the effect of pre-cooling agent on the intensity of pricking pain at the intraoral injection site in adult patients.

Methods: The in-vivo interventional study was conducted at the Department of Operative Dentistry, Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan Institute of Oral Health Sciences, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, from September 2018 to August 2019, and comprised adult patients of either gender.

Regenerative Potential of Enamel Matrix Protein Derivative and Acellular Dermal Matrix for Gingival Recession: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical effectiveness of using a combination of enamel matrix protein derivative and acellular dermal matrix in comparison to acellular dermal matrix alone for treating gingival recessions.

Methods: The Cochrane Library (Wiley), PubMed by Medline (NLM), Medline (EBSCO), and Embase (Ovid) databases were searched for entries up to April 2020. Only clinical trials were included.

Effect of Different Host-Related Factors on Postoperative Endodontic Pain in Necrotic Teeth Dressed with Interappointment Intracanal Medicaments: A Multicomparison Study.

Objectives:  The current study aimed to assess the impact of factors such as age, gender, and the tooth type on postoperative endodontic pain in necrotic teeth with symptomatic periapical periodontitis and radiolucency dressed randomly with either calcium hydroxide or propolis paste.

Materials And Methods:  The standard chemomechanical root canal preparation of 80 teeth was performed by the primary investigator. The intracanal medicaments were inserted by the secondary operator.

Expression of CD34 and α-SMA Markers in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Differentiation. A Histological and Histo-Chemical Study.

To reduce morbidity and mortality rates of OSCC cases, early diagnosis, assessment of behavior and prognostic estimates are vital. This study analyzed the expression of CD34 and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in OSCC, to establish their significance in diagnosis and prognosis. Primary cases of OSCC, diagnosed with excisional biopsy at multiple cancer treatment centers, were included.

Current trends in removable partial prosthodontics education in dental colleges of Pakistan.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the current trends in undergraduate teaching of removable partial prosthodontics in various dental colleges of Pakistan.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which a questionnaire was sent by email to head of Prosthodontics department of thirty-one dental institutes of Pakistan. The survey included multiple questions regarding current trends in removable partial prosthodontics education in undergraduate dental colleges.

Motivational factors for pursuing dentistry as a profession in colleges of Karachi, Pakistan.

Objective: To determine the reasons that motivated students to seek admission in dental colleges, and to assess differences in the reasons between students studying in private and public dental colleges.

Methods: The cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at two public-sector and four privatesector dental colleges in Karachi from June to September, 2018, and comprised students of first to final year of studies. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire.

Knowledge and Attitude of Dental Practitioners Related to Disinfection during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The world is currently facing a pandemic crisis due to a novel coronavirus. For this purpose, acquiring updated knowledge regarding prevention and disinfection during the current pandemic is necessary for every dental practitioner. In our study, we aimed to evaluate globally the level of knowledge and the attitude of dental practitioners related to disinfection.

"Clinical comparison of bond failure rate between two types of mandibular canine-canine bonded orthodontic retainers- a randomized clinical trial".

Background: Bonded retainers are widely used as they are esthetically pleasing, easily acceptable, provide greater stability, compliance free and causes no soft tissue irritation and speech problems. Though, fracture and bond failure are their shortcomings. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to evaluate the number of bond failures and type of failure pattern between two types of mandibular canine-canine bonded retainers.

Improving dimensional stability of dental amalgam by using Nano Zinc Oxide.

Objective: To investigate the dimensional stability of dental amalgam after the incorporation of zinc oxide nano powder.

Methods: The experimental study was conducted at the Hamdard University Dental Hospital and the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research laboratories, Karachi, from January to June, 2018. Direct precipitation method was used in which analytical grade sodium hydroxide and zinc nitrate hex hydrate were used without any further purification.

Effectiveness of Two Types of Fixed Lingual Retainers in Preventing Mandibular Incisor Relapse.

Objective: To compare and evaluate the relapse tendency of two types of fixed lingual retainers using Little's irregularity index for a follow-up of one year.

Study Design: Randomised clinical trial.

Place And Duration Of Study: Department of Orthodontics, Dr.

Audiovisual Distraction: A Pricking Pain Reduction Modality among Ladies Receiving Intraoral Injections.

Objective: To determine the effect of audiovisual distraction (AVD) using virtual reality device (bobo VRZ4-VRBOX) on intensity of pricking pain at the intraoral injection site among different age groups in ladies.

Study Design: Experimental study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Department of Operative Dentistry, Dr.

Morphological Analysis Of Cementoenamel Junction Types In Premolars And Molars Of A Sample Of Pakistani Population.

Background: Cementoenamel junction represents the demarcation between enamel covered crown and cementum covered root surface. There is paucity of population specific data of the morphological variability of cementoenamel junctions of permanent and primary teeth. The objective of this study was to investigate the morphological diversity and interrelationship of cementoenamel junction of premolar and molar teeth in permanent dentition of a sample of Pakistani population with potential forensic and anthropological implications.

Oral health-related quality of life in patients with upper gastrointestinal and hepatic disorders in Pakistan: validation of the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 in the Urdu language.

Introduction: The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) has been used extensively to measure the impact of oral disease on oral health-related quality of life (HRQoL) but has not been validated in the Urdu language or tested in gastroenterology.

Aims: To validate the OHIP-14 for use in Pakistan and its ability to assess oral health in patients with upper gastrointestinal (GI) and hepatic disorders.

Design: Multicentre, cross-sectional.

Evaluation of Impact of Pregnancy on Oral Health Status and Oral Health Related Quality of Life among Women of Kashmir Valley.

Introduction: Oral health is a key component of overall health and wellbeing of women throughout life; and particularly important prior to conception and during pregnancy. Pregnancy affects both general health as well as the oral health related quality of life.

Aim: To assess the difference in oral health status and related quality of life among pregnant, postpartum and non pregnant women of Kashmir valley.

An In-VitroEvaluation of Microleakage at the Cervical Margin Between two Different Class II Restorative Techniques Using Dye Penetration Method.

Objective: To evaluate the coronal microleakage of packable composite using conventional incremental and posterior bulk fill flowable composite using Smart Dentine Replacement Single Step technique in the cervical margins of class II cavities in dentine using the dye penetration method.

Study Design: In-vitroInterventional study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Department of Operative Dentistry, Dr.