Dental laboratories (LABs) are integral to the performance of a dentist in providing successful oral rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to compare the adaptation, contour, contacts, and shade matching of different government and commercial dental LABs in the fabrication of porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crowns. Thirty-two dental LABs were selected to fabricate PFM crowns (one PFM crown each). Marginal adaptation, contour, proximal contacts, and shade matching were evaluated. Evaluation of the crowns’ quality was performed following modified USPHS/FDI criteria. Visual and colorimeter assessments were employed to evaluate shade matching. Differences between groups were examined by Pearson’s Chi-square and Fisher’s exact test. The quality of marginal adaptation of crowns was good in 81.25%, however the quality of contours, contacts, and shade matching was compromised in 43.75%, 59.38%, and 39% of all LABs, respectively. Visual and colorimeter shade matching was acceptable in 62.5% and 80% of LABs in the cervical third and middle third regions of crowns, respectively, however in the incisal third the shade matching was unacceptable in nearly 60% of LABs. Commercial laboratories showed significantly better contours and shade matching, but not marginal adaptation. However, no significant differences were found in comparison of proximal contacts between the groups.

Introduction: The marginal seal and adaptation are important factors for successful restoration. An inadequate marginal seal can lead to bacterial microleakage, plaque accumulation, and eventually treatment failure This in vitro study aimed to compare the marginal gap of endocrowns fabricated from three different computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) ceramic materials. Methods: Thirty extracted mandibular molars were selected for the study. Endocrown preparations were completed after root canal treatment. Teeth were divided into three groups to receive endocrowns fabricated of lithium disilicate ceramic (IPS-e.max CAD, Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Schaan, Liechtenstein), zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate ceramic (VITA Suprinity®, VITA Zahnfabrik, Bad Säckingen, Germany), and polymer-infiltrated ceramic (VITA Enamic®, VITA Zahnfabrik). The digital impressions were transferred to the design software to construct the endocrowns. The endocrowns were milled and cemented. The marginal fit was examined using a digital camera stereomicroscope at a magnification of 80X. Images were transferred to Image-J software (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States) to measure the marginal gap. Results: One-way ANOVA showed a significant difference in the marginal gap between the different ceramic groups (P=0.006). Tukey’s Honest Significant Difference (HSD) post-hoc test showed that VITA Suprinity had significantly higher gap width values than VITA Enamic (P=0.005). No significant differences in gap width values were found between VITA Enamic and IPS e.max CAD or between VITA Suprinity and IPS e.max CAD (P>0.05). Conclusion: The marginal gap of endocrown restorations varies with different CAD/CAM materials (zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate glass-ceramic, polymer-infiltrated hybrid ceramic, and lithium disilicate glass-ceramic), but are all within clinically acceptable marginal gap width.

The aim was to evaluate the effect of ceramic lumineers on inflammatory periodontal parameters, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) flow rate and cytokine profile. Patients were provided with lumineers using standardized technique including minimal to no preparation. Ceramic lumineers were etched with hydrofluoric acid and teeth with phosphoric acid followed by adhesive cementation. Periodontal parameters (Plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), periodontal pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment loss (CAL)) were recorded at baseline and after 4, 12, and 24 weeks of lumineer cementation. Assessment of GCF flow rate and levels of IL-6 and TNF-α was made using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The statistical significance was determined by the t-test, analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey’s test. It was found that PI, BOP, PPD, and CAL at baseline and 24 weeks were comparable (p > 0.05). The GCF volume at baseline was comparable to the GCF at week 24 (p > 0.05). The IL-6 levels at baseline (5.4 ± 3.6) were similar to those at 24 week (7.4 ± 5.2) (p > 0.05). The TNF-α at week 4 (65.3 ± 16.2), 12 (25 ± 10.2), and 24 (21.3 ± 7.6) was higher than the baseline (13.7 ± 5.8) (p < 0.05). Clinical periodontal parameters and GCF volume among patients treated with ceramic lumineers at baseline and twenty-four week follow-up were comparable. The GCF TNF-α levels significantly increased after ceramic lumineer cementation at 24-week follow-up.

Introduction Post and core restorations for endodontically treated teeth must meet certain prosthetic criteria to ensure the success of the final restoration. The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of posts performed by dental students at King Abdulaziz University Dental Hospital (KAUDH), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, utilizing periapical radiographs and whether the prosthetic criteria were strictly met by students. Materials and Methods This cross-sectional study included 661 digital periapical radiographs of posts performed by 6th-year dental students from September 2018 to April 2019. The assessment included the following factors: patient’s age, patient’s gender, tooth type, and arch. Post-related factors including post type, shape, diameter, length, and status of the remaining gutta percha were also evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. Descriptive statistics were generated, and the association between different variables was determined using chi-square test at p <0.05. Results Posts were used to restore maxillary teeth (67%), and were particularly placed in premolars (44%). The majority of used posts were prefabricated tapered fiber posts (90%). The results were as follows: post diameter equal to one-third of root diameter, 50% met criterion; post length equal to two-thirds of root length, 33%; post length equal to or more than crown height, 93%; absence of space between gutta percha (GP) and post, 74%; and length of the remaining GP equal to 3–5 mm, 68%. Overall, 11% of the posts met all the ideal prosthetics criteria. Conclusion Most qualities of post and core restorations that were radiographically assessed were found to be acceptable and within the recommended prosthodontic criteria.

Introduction: Hypodontia or Dental agenesis; is defined as a developmental missing of any teeth, excluding the last molars. It may befall as a genetic syndrome or as a non-syndromic isolated trait. However, there is no prevalence available in our city. Aim and Objectives: The tenacity of this research is to assess the frequency of hypodontia among the population who received dental care at King Abdul Aziz University Dental Hospital in the city of Jeddah. Study Design:  Retrospective digital orthopantomographic: cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Oral & Maxillofacial Prosthodontic Department, King Abdulaziz University, between January 2019 and July 2020. Methodology: This research is a retrospective cross-sectional study based on the examination of an archival dental record and 2D panoramic radiographs of patients who are presented at King Abdulaziz University Dental Hospital, Jeddah. A total of 2045 records were reviewed and included in this study. Two general practitioners reviewed patient’s dental charts looking for congenital missing tooth/teeth in a dark room by the method that the practitioners use. Careful reviews of each patient’s record were done to ensure that the cause of the missing tooth/teeth were congenital and not surgical or traumatic. Data were gathered from dental records of patients’ age period 6-9 years since most of the dental follicle of the permanent teeth should be completed or the tooth just erupts, radiographic findings were always compared to the patients’ file and progress notes to ensure the causative factors of missing teeth. The data were recorded in an excel sheet which included gender, age, the type, area and counting of the missing teeth. Results: After collecting the data, the total number of patients after exclusion were 1984. The prevalence of hypodontia in our tested population was %5.39. Statistical analysis were done by using SPSS software to correlate between variables. Varices grades. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study our data shows that the most common congenitally tooth agenesis is the second premolar %47.6 and the second most common congenitally missing tooth is lateral incisor %18.6.