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Introduction Methods Results Discussion Conclusion In endodontics, the number of umbrella reviews has increased significantly over the last few years, but there is no evidence that they were methodologically sound. The aim of the current study was to appraise the methodological quality of umbrella reviews in endodontics, and to identify possible predictive factors associated with methodological quality.Umbrella reviews published in the discipline of endodontics until December 2023 were included. The methodological quality of the reviews was evaluated using a checklist consisting of 11 items. Each item in the checklist was evaluated by two independent assessors who assigned a score of ‘1’ if it was fully addressed, ‘0.5’ if it was partially ddressed, and ‘0’ if it was not addressed. Bootstrapped multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the association between the total scores awarded and five predictor variables (a priori protocol registration, year of publication, number of authors, journal impact factor (IF) and continent of the corresponding author). The statistical significance level was set as 5%.A total of 27 reviews were included. Ninety‐six per cent of the reviews adequately reported: eligibility criteria for selecting the reviews, details of the reviews, techniques for assessing the risk of bias or methodological quality of the individual systematic reviews they included. Only 30% of the reviews adequately managed overlapping primary studies within individual systematic reviews. Among the five predictors analysed, a priori protocol registration and journals with IFs were associated with significantly greater total methodological quality scores.Several methodological shortcomings in the umbrella reviews published within the field of endodontics were revealed. Umbrella reviews published in journals with IFs and those with protocols registered a priori had significantly superior methodological quality scores.In endodontics, authors intending to publish umbrella reviews should consider the limitations revealed in this study and follow the appropriate rules to ensure their reviews comply with the highest standards and provide accurate and dependable information and conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Lipopolysaccharides (LPS)‐activated human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) and macrophage co‐cultures showed downregulated TNF‐α secretion that is modulated by hDPSCs through IDO axis, whereas the secretory levels of IL‐1β remained unchanged. Therefore, sustained production of IL‐1β could contribute to progressive dental pulp inflammation. However, the role of interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1RA) in downregulating the secretion of IL‐1β and TNF‐α in LPS‐activated M0/M1/M2 macrophage and hDPSCs co‐culture has not been studied yet. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the immunomodulatory role of blocking IL‐1 receptors in DPSCs macrophage co‐culture activated with LPS. Methodology: Human monocytic cell line THP‐1 was polarized to M0, M1 and M2 macrophages and co‐cultured with hDPSCs. The viability of the co‐cultured cells was assessed by apoptosis assay. Co‐cultures were activated with LPS followed by the assessment of gene expression and protein levels of IL‐1β and TNF‐α with and without IL‐1RA blocking via qRT‐PCR and cytokine flex assay by flow cytometry. Data from three separate experiments were analysed using one‐way anova followed by Tukey's post hoc test and a p‐value of <.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: THP‐1‐derived M0, M1 and M2 macrophages co‐cultured with hDPSCs showed spindle and round‐shaped cells, with >90% viability when assessed by apoptosis assay. Inflammatory TNF‐α and IL‐1β profiles in stimulated co‐cultures showed upregulated IL‐1β, whereas TNF‐α was downregulated (p <.05). Anti‐inflammatory gene expression levels of IL‐10 and TGF‐β were downregulated (p <.05). Blocking with IL‐1RA resulted in a remarkable decrease in IL‐1β at the gene expression and protein production levels whilst TNF‐α levels remained low (p <.05). Levels of anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10 showed no significant difference. Conclusion: Blocking the IL‐1 receptor in hDPSCs and macrophage (M0, M1, M2) co‐cultures activated with LPS resulted in downregulation of inflammatory cytokines IL‐1β and TNF‐α. These findings highlight the immunomodulatory effect of IL‐1RA in inflammatory conditions of dental pulp infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of the present study is to isolate stem cells from inflamed dental pulp tissues (I-DPSCs) and study the characteristic such as surface markers, osteo/odontogenic differentiation potential between the outgrowth (OG) and enzymatic digestion (COL) methods.Materials and methods: I-DPSCs harvested by both methods were analysed for Mesenchymal Stem Cell marker expression by flow cytometry. The metabolic activity of the isolated cells was assessed by MTT assay. The Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) and Alizarin red staining was done to analyse the osteogenic potential of isolated cells. The osteo/odontogenic differentiation was done by checking the expression of Dentine Matrix Protein 1 (DMP1), Dentine Sialophosphoprotein (DSPP), ALP and Bone Gamma-Carboxyglutamate Protein (BGLAP) by Real time PCR.Results: The isolated cells were positive for MSC markers such as CD-90, CD-105 and CD-73 and negative for CD-14, CD-45 and STRO-1. MTT assay indicated that the I-DPSCs from OG method showed higher metabolic activity than cells from COL. However, the osteo/odontogenic differentiation was in favour of cells isolated by COL method.Conclusion: Although the cell metabolic rate was more in OG, the osteo/odontogenic differentiation was higher in COL, suggesting that the isolation method and culture conditions do affect the differentiation capacity of isolated cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the microleakage of one high-viscosity conventional glass ionomer cement (GIC) and a bulk-fill composite resin, in comparison to a resin-modified GIC in Class II restorations in primary molars.Materials and Method: Standardized Class II slot cavity preparations were prepared in exfoliating primary molars. Teeth were restored using one of the three materials tested (n = 10): SonicFill bulk-fill composite resin (SF), EQUIA Fil conventional reinforced GIC (EQF), and Vitremer resin-reinforced GIC (VT). The restorations were then subjected to thermocycling procedure (×2000 5°C-55°C 10 s/min) and soaked in 1% neutralized fuchsin solution (pH: 7.4) for 24 h at 37°C. Teeth were sectioned longitudinally in a mesiodistal direction under continuous cooling into three slabs of 1 mm thickness and studied under a stereomicroscope for dye penetration.Statistical Analysis: Data were evaluated by one-way analysis of variance and the Tukey's multiple comparison test employing 95% (α = 0.05).Results: EQF and SF showed significantly lower microleakage scores and percentage of dye penetration (%RL) when compared to VT resin-reinforced GIC (P < 0.001).Conclusion: SF and EQF produced the minimum microleakage when compared to VT in Class II restorations on primary molars. Fewer application procedures and reduction in treatment time in SF and EQF systems proved advantageous in pediatric dentistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the proportion of completed treatments and to study the factors affecting the full mouth dental rehabilitation in pediatric patients treated by undergraduate students at the College of Dental Medicine Teaching Clinics, University of Sharjah. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 270 children aged less than 12 years (mean age 7.6, SD 2.04). Comprehensive dental rehabilitation reports of child patients that were completed by final year dental undergraduate students from the year 2009 to 2011 were reviewed. Data on complete history, oral examination, dental charting, and treatment plan were collected from pediatric dentistry case sheet. Dental caries was charted using WHO 1997 criteria. Dental treatment needs and completion of dental care delivered to children involved in this study were assessed using DMFT/deft scores. Results: Percentages of treatment provided included completed restorations (94%) and space management (84%) in primary dentition, whereas 98% of restoration and 94% of required sealants were completed in permanent dentition. The percentage of completed dental treatment including sealant placement was 61%. Age of the child and the number of decayed teeth present before the start of the treatment significantly correlated with the children in the incomplete treatment category (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Therefore, a worthy dental care was provided in a holistic approach to the children attending College of Dental Medicine training clinics. Age of the child and the number of decayed teeth were the factors affecting dental rehabilitation in children aged 3-12 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Managing dental caries in young children is demanding due to the elusions present on the right diagnostic criteria for treatment. The present study evaluated the histological status of pulp tissues extracted from primary second molar with caries involvement. Histological findings are correlated with clinical and radiographic assessment. Materials and Methods: Simple experimental study was conducted on upper or lower second primary molars with occlusal (22 teeth) or proximal (22 teeth) dental caries. Selected children were below 6 years of age. Percentage of caries involvement, residual dentin thickness (RDT), radiographic assessment of interradicular and periapical areas, clinical caries depth and signs and symptoms are the parameters considered for comparing with the histological findings. The specimens were grouped based on the nature of the inflammatory process as acute or chronic. The data were analyzed by Student t-test to compare histological types of inflammation with clinical parameters. P value < 0.05 was considered as significant. Results: Four cases revealed severe acute inflammation in coronal and relatively mild acute inflammation in radicular pulp. In the rest of the specimen coronal and radicular pulp had similar acute or chronic inflammatory changes. Histological evidence of pulpitis correlated with dental caries depth of ≥80%, RDT of ≤1 mm, radiographic rarefactions in the interradicular regions and symptoms of pain. Conclusion: Primary second molars with more than two-third caries involvement with symptoms of pain histologically showed inflammation of both coronal and radicular pulp tissues in all cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to compare the nutrient intake of children with cleft lip and palate (CLP) with that of normal children (without CLP) in the same age groups. The study was conducted at the School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia. A total of 139 children, of both sexes, from two to six years of age, either with CLP (40 children) or without CLP (99 children), were selected. The CLP and non-CLP children were grouped according to age, which is a key determinant of nutrient intake. Children in subgroup I were between the ages of 2 and 4 years, the group comprising 48 normal children of mean age 39.85 months (SD 7.1), and 20 CLP children of mean age 37.05 months (SD 5.9). Children in subgroup II were those over 4 years and up to 6 years old, and the group comprised 51 normal children, of mean age 64.16 months (SD 7.9), and 20 CLP children of mean age 56.75 months (SD 9.9). A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate nutrient intake in subgroups I and II, using a 24 hours diet recall method. The nutrient intake of CLP children was shown to have no significant differences from that of normal children. A comparison of intake per day with Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for Malaysian children showed that the consumption of nutrients was inadequate in both the normal and CLP children, in both age sub-groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]