BACKGROUND: The occurrence of periodontitis is rather infrequent in children and adolescence and increases with age. We conducted this study because there have been few epidemiological studies on prevalence of periodontitis in children in Saudi Arabia. OBJECTIVE: Determine the prevalence of periodontitis in high school children in Saudi Arabia. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, using cluster and multistage sampling. SETTING: High school children in Saudi Arabia. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Periodontal examinations were conducted on a randomized sample of high school children between the ages 15 to 19 in Saudi Arabia. The study spanned from September 2012 to January 2016. Clinical examinations included measurements of the probing depth (PD) percentage of PD ≥4 mm per patient. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The prevalence of periodontitis (PD ≥4 mm and CAL ≥1 mm), the mean percentage PD ≥4 mm, the mean percentage CAL ≥1 mm, plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI). SAMPLE SIZE: 2435 high school students. RESULTS: Of 2435 high school children in the sample, 209 students (8.6%) had periodontitis. The mean (standard deviation) for the PD was 0.59 (0.17) mm. Differences in percentage PD ≥4 mm and CAL ≥1 mm were greater in students with periodontitis ( P <.001). The prevalence of periodontitis was higher among non-Saudis, students who did not brush their teeth and did not visit their dentist regularly. In the bivariate analysis, periodontitis was positively associated with GI, PI, number of teeth extracted, mean percentage PD ≥4 mm, and mean PD. However, in the multivariate analysis, tooth brushing was the main factor protective against periodontitis (odds ratio: 0.62, 95% CI 0.42-0.92, P =.017). CONCLUSION: Periodontitis prevalence was high compared with Western countries in a nationally representative sample of high school students in Saudi Arabia. LIMITATIONS: Partial mouth study design, which may underestimate the disease prevalence. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

The variety in shape and type of dental implants in the present time is considered one of the most successful evolutions in dentistry. This facilitates dental treatment options to restore patient function and appearance. However, numerous significant factors influence the predictability of survival or the success rates of dental implants, some of which, such as vitamin D levels, have not been included in many studies. The main purpose of this systematic review was to investigate whether there is a relationship between low serum levels of vitamin D and early dental implant failures (EDIFs). Our literature search involved international databases including PubMed, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), and Web of Science. Initially, according to our search criteria, 1200 studies were found. After excluding duplicates, incomplete studies, and studies not meeting our inclusion criteria, only six human studies were included in this research and analyzed. Finally, upon meticulous analysis of included studies, this systematic review revealed inconsistent results in articles with respect to the association between vitamin D deficiency and implant failures. Largescale studies, especially clinically relevant studies, on this subject is recommended.

Interleukin‐34 (IL‐34) is a cytokine that supports the viability and differentiation of macrophages. An important cytokine for the development of epidermal immunity, IL‐34, is present and plays a role in the immunity of the oral environment. IL‐34 has been linked to inflammatory periodontal diseases, which involve innate phagocytes, including macrophages. Whether IL‐34 can alter the ability of macrophages to effectively interact with oral microbes is currently unclear. Using macrophages derived from human blood monocytes with either the canonical cytokine colony‐stimulating factor (CSF)1 or IL‐34, we compared the ability of the macrophages to phagocytose, kill, and respond through the production of cytokines to the periodontal keystone pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis. While macrophages derived from both cytokines were able to engulf the bacterium equally, IL‐34‐derived macrophages were much less capable of killing internalized P. gingivalis. Of the macrophage cell surface receptors known to interact with P. gingivalis, dendritic cell‐specific intercellular adhesion molecule‐grabbing nonintegrin was found to have the largest variation between IL‐34‐ and CSF1‐derived macrophages. We also found that upon interaction with P. gingivalis, IL‐34‐derived macrophages produced significantly less of the neutrophil chemotactic factor IL‐8 than macrophages derived in the presence of CSF1. Mechanistically, we identified that the levels of IL‐8 corresponded with P. gingivalis survival and dephosphorylation of the major transcription factor NF‐κB p65. Overall, we found that macrophages differentiated in the presence of IL‐34, a dominant cytokine in the oral gingiva, have a reduced ability to kill the keystone pathogen P. gingivalis and may be susceptible to specific bacteria‐mediated cytokine modification.

(1) Background: Guided tissue regeneration was an effective surgical procedure in the management of intrabony defects and has undergone a number of changes in terms of materials and techniques. The aim of this study is to compare AmnioGuard and BioMesh in combination with NovaBone putty in intrabony defects. (2) Methodology: Ten patients who needed regenerative periodontal therapy were randomly allocated into two groups based on the inclusion criteria. These patients were subjected to phase I therapy followed by which Group A patients were treated with AmnioGuard + NovaBone putty whereas Group B with BioMesh + NovaBone putty. The clinical indices were obtained at baseline, 3 months and 6 months post-operatively while radiographic parameters were obtained at 6 months post-op. (3) Results & Conclusion: At six months after surgery, Group B (33% bone gain) showed a statistically significant change from Group A (16% bone gain) in both the clinical and radiographic measures (p < 0.05).

BackgroundTooth loss is a major dental health concern that has adverse consequences on the remaining dentition and on the patient's general well-being. This present study aimed to assess predictors and causes of permanent tooth extraction among students. MethodsThis national cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia included a random sample of school students of both genders from grades 10 to 12 (15-18 years of age) and spanned the period of September 2012 to January 2016. Demographic, social, and medical history were recorded. Moreover, a list of possible reasons for tooth extraction was discussed with participants and their parents. The questionnaire was divided into two parts. They first asked for the patient's gender, age, marital status, education level, history of smoking, and the time of the last dental visit. Periodontal and dental examinations were performed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine predictors of tooth loss among the sample. ResultsA total of 2,435 school students were included in the study. Notably, 24% of the students had extractions of at least one permanent tooth. Nearly 27% of female students had a permanent tooth extraction compared with only 21.7% of male students, which was statistically significant. Students who visited dentists regularly had significantly more tooth extractions (39%) than students who did not (20.6%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the significant predictors for permanent tooth extraction were age, regular dental visits, and mean probing depth (PD). Caries (15%) followed by orthodontic treatment (6%) were the main reason for permanent tooth extraction among the sample. ConclusionCaries was responsible for most of the tooth loss among the study population. Significant predictors for permanent tooth extraction were age, regular dental visits, and mean probing depth. It follows that there is a need for intensified oral health education and awareness programs in the population with an emphasis on the prevention of dental caries.