Aim and background: This systematic review aimed to investigate the efficacy of photobiomodulation (PBM) on the acceleration of orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). Review methods: An extensive electronic search for randomized control trials via Medline (via PubMed), The Cochrane Controlled Clinical Trials Register, and Science Direct up to October 15, 2023 was done. Hand searching was performed for relevant journals. Reference articles were retrieved and exported to Zotero software. The risk of bias was assessed using Version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2). Results: A total of 14 articles were considered for systematic review. Most of the studies arrived at the consensus that photobiomodulation (PBM) indeed accelerates the pace of tooth movement and significantly diminishes the time required for achieving proper tooth alignment. Conclusion: The synthesis of available evidence in our analysis reveals a substantial body of research suggesting a positive effect of PBM on accelerating tooth movement. However, the existing variations in PBM parameters, and outcome measurements emphasize the necessity for more standardized approaches in future investigations.

Aim: To evaluate the salivary pH and incidence of dental caries and periodontal status in Diabetes Mellitus and non-diabetic subjects. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted which included 40 subjects. 20 Type 2 Diabetic Mellitus subjects and 20 non diabetic subjects. The pH of saliva was determined using a digital pH meter. For dental and periodontal Status, clinical examination was performed and Modified WHO Oral Health Assessment Form for Adults, 2013 was measured. The data collected was statistically analyzed and interpreted. Results: There was a decrease in the mean salivary pH of (6.59±0.10) in diabetic group, compared to that of non diabetic group (7.49±0.24). The mean number of carious teeth in diabetics (7.2±3.61) was significantly higher than in non diabetic subjects (2.55±1.05). Likewise, periodontal health was worse in diabetic subjects, with a higher prevalence of gingival bleeding and pockets of 4-5 mm depth, emphasizing the association between diabetes and increased oral health risks. Conclusion: This study concluded that there was a significant relationship between diabetes mellitus and increased incidence of dental caries and periodontitis. The salivary pH was significantly lower, hence the evaluation of salivary parameters can be a cost effective and a non invasive alternative for screening, diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes.

Aim: To assess the dental treatment anxiety levels & oral health status among university students of different health occupations in Pune city, & to correlate it with their fields of study & between the genders. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 293 university students from Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, and Unani medicine colleges in Pune city. Data was collected using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) given by Humphries et al., the modified WHO ’s Oral Health Assessment form (2013) and Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified given by Greene and Vermillion (1964). Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the relationship between anxiety levels, oral health and Field of Study. Results: Pharmacy students had the highest anxiety (mean MDAS score of 15 ± 4.3), followed by Physiotherapy students (14 ± 4.4) and Unani medicine students (13 ± 3.4). Most of the participants had fair oral hygiene(p<0.0001) & majority of them required prompt dental treatment (p<0.001). A statistically significant correlation was found between higher dental treatment anxiety scores and poorer oral hygiene (p < 0.001). Females reported higher anxiety levels than males (p<0.01). Conclusion: Dental treatment anxiety is prevalent among students, with higher levels of dental treatment anxiety correlating to poorer oral health. Interventions targeting dental treatment anxiety reduction and dental health education are needed, particularly for students outside of healthcare fields to provide good dental care.

Orthodontic retention, the crucial post-treatment phase, helps maintain dental stability and prevents teeth from shifting back to their pre-treatment positions. Traditional retainers like fixed lingual wires and Hawley retainers have been the mainstay of retention protocols for decades. However, innovations in digital technology, material science, and personalized patient monitoring have opened up modern retention protocols that promise enhanced comfort, compliance, and longevity. This review examines both traditional and contemporary retention methods, detailing their benefits and limitations, and discusses potential future trends that could further improve orthodontic retention practices.

Early Childhood Caries (ECC) remains a global public health challenge, particularly in underserved populations where access to conventional dental care is limited. Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) has emerged as a transformative approach in the management of ECC, offering a minimally invasive, cost-effective solution to arrest caries progression and prevent new lesions. This review provides a comprehensive evaluation of SDF, focusing on its mechanism of action, clinical efficacy, advantages, and limitations in pediatric dentistry. Evidence from recent studies demonstrates that SDF is highly effective in halting caries progression, significantly reducing the need for more invasive treatments, particularly in young or uncooperative patients. However, aesthetic concerns, primarily the black staining of treated lesions, and the need for informed parental consent remain key barriers to its widespread adoption. The article also explores the integration of SDF into broader public health strategies for ECC prevention and treatment, emphasizing its role in resource-constrained settings. Ethical and legal considerations, along with future research directions, are discussed to address gaps in understanding its long-term safety and efficacy. By advancing the use of SDF, this review highlights its potential to revolutionize the management of ECC, aligning with global goals of equitable access to essential health care.

Objectives: To know the level of cotinine concentration in the saliva of children exposed to secondhand smoke and know the link between smoke exposure and gingivitis. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 100 children from Riyadh Colleges of Dentistry and Pharmacy between the ages of 6 - 12 years. A questionnaire was conducted on the parents of the children to find out their smoking behavior. The sample (children) was separated into two categories: category (A) children exposed to secondhand smoke as a test sample and numbered 50 children (23 boys and 27 girls), category (B) children not exposed to smoking as an ideal sample and numbering 50 children (24 boys and 26 girls). Index of dental plaque (calculus), gum index, presence of pigmentation and saliva sample collection were recorded from each child from the two groups. Furthermore, the level of cotinine in saliva samples was determined using the ELISA technique. Results: The concentration of cotinine in saliva is prominently present in samples of children category (A) compared to category (B). A positive correlation was observed between the number of cigarettes consumed and the concentration of cotinine in saliva. On the other hand, no relationship was found between gingivitis and the concentration ratio Cotinine. The likelihood of pigmentation in children exposed to secondhand smoking is 1.14 times higher than in other children. Conclusions: Secondhand smoke can raise the concentration of cotinine in saliva and stimulate the presence of pigmentation in children's gums.