Cardiac pacemakers are the implanted devices used to treat patients with damaged heart muscles. These electronic devices are sensitive to strong electromagnetic signals. The dental literature also included articles regarding electromagnetic interferences to pacemakers, due to dental devices such as ultrasonic scalers, electrosurgical unit, ultrasonic bath cleaners, and battery driven light cure composite unit. Although pacemakers of new generation have more protective features than those of past, but still precautionary measures should be taken in dental clinics for the safety of cardiac patients with pacemaker. The aim of this paper is to identify the possible sources from dental clinics which can adversely interfere with the pacemaker activity and to provide some guidelines for safe dental practice in this high-risk group.

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Introduction: Oral malodor or halitosis is a common problem in the general population throughout the world. Results of previous research findings suggest that there is a relationship between oral malodor and social anxiety disorder. Halitosis can be very damaging to someone psychologically due to the social stigma. In this study, we tried to assess the social stigma related to halitosis and compare that in Saudi and British population. Methodology: A pretested questionnaire was distributed among Saudi and British population. Responses were obtained from 308 (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and 304 (United Kingdom) participants. The purpose of this study was explained to the participants before distributing questionnaire form and the information was collected accordingly. Results: A total of 612 participants, 308 (Jeddah and Abha) and 304 (Cardiff, Edinburgh, and Glasgow) were selected and all the participants were aware of their halitosis. Selected Saudi population assessed their halitosis as mild (50.6%), moderate (30.12%) and severe (19.28%). Selected British population assessed their halitosis as mild (39.71%), moderate (36.76%), and severe (23.53%). 71.2% of the Saudi population selected and 56.6% of the United Kingdom population selected responded that they encountered individuals with halitosis. 76.9% of Saudi population selected and 55.8% of United Kingdom population selected encountered social embarrassment due to halitosis. Conclusion: Considerable amount of stigma associated with halitosis persists in both countries. Though there are no significant differences in the social stigma attached with halitosis between the United Kingdom and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, it is still a matter of concern.

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Background: Areca nut has been listed as a carcinogenic agent in humans and is linked to cancers of oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, and hepatobiliary system. Liver function tests (LFTs), the estimation of enzymes specific to the hepatic system, give an assessment of its cellular integrity, and functionality. Aim and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the state of the liver in patients consuming areca nut and its products over a period. Materials and Methods: LFTs were carried out on 10 nonareca nut chewers and thirty patients with a history of areca nut, quid or a combination of tobacco and areca nut chewing, extending from 6 months to 30 years. The LFTs included estimation of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), direct bilirubin, albumin, and total protein content. A comparative analysis was done for each biochemical marker with duration, form (betel nut alone, quid, and betel nut with tobacco), and frequency of chewing areca nut. Results: A mild increment in AST was seen in 33.3% cases. Statistically significant association (P < 0.05) was observed between the control and cases for AST, ALP, and total protein content. A significant positive Pearson's correlation (+0.417) was obtained for a form of areca nut chewing (areca nut and tobacco) and AST. A significant negative Pearson's correlation (−0.05) was observed between total protein content and form of chewing (areca nut and tobacco). Conclusion: The results of the study seem to indicate that even long-term chewing of areca nut is not hepatotoxic. Minor alterations in LFTs were well within limits.

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Background: A high rate of periodontal disease has been observed among Yemeni male qat chewers. This study was performed to evaluate clinically the effect of qat chewing habit on the volume of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) by (Periotron 8000)^®. Subjects and Methods: A total of 120 subjects (80 males) and (40 females) qat chewers patients were involved. They were divided into three groups according to the duration of qat chewing habits (5 years, 6–10 years and >10 years). The plaque index (PLI) and gingival index (GI) were recorded at baseline, 10 days, 15 days, and 20 days intervals. The GCF samples were collected by insertion of absorbent strips subgingivally without contact with gingival tissues 1 mm for 30 s. Periotron 8000^® was used for the evaluation of the volume of GCF at baseline, for 1 h, 24 h, 5 days, 10 days, 15 days, and 20 days intervals. The data were collected and analyzed by NOVA test. Results: There were significant differences in the mean of (PLI), GI and the volume of GCF in all patients groups at all intervals of this study. Conclusion: The GI and GCF were increased with duration of qat chewing habit due to increased severity of gingival inflammation whereas the PLI was decreased due to the effect of self-cleansing during qat chewing habit.

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Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is an infrequent neoplasm arising in minor salivary glands and contiguous tissues in the head and neck region. It is further communal in the minor salivary glands (>25%) fairly than in the major salivary glands (about 5%). ACC has distinctive histologic features, with cribriform and tubular growth patterns of basaloid cells revealing principally a myoepithelial cellular phenotype. The clinical and pathological findings emblematic of this tumor include slow growth, perineural invasion, and impending local recurrence. This report presents a solitary lesion of the left maxilla which mimicked a benign mucosal cyst of the maxillary sinus. Initial clinical presentation and investigations were misleading while the microscopic examination of the excised lesion revealed an ACC.

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Background: The aim of this clinical trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of systemic tinidazole as an adjunct to nonsurgical periodontal therapy in the treatment of chronic periodontitis in smokers. Materials and Methods: Sixty smoker participants with history of moderate to severe generalized chronic periodontitis were selected. Gingival index (GI) Leo and Silness, plaque index (PI) O'Leary, bleeding index (BI) Lenox, pocket depth (PD), recession, and clinical attachment level (CAL) were measured at the baseline and 6 weeks after initial periodontal treatment. Thirty participants were randomly assigned to full-mouth scaling and root planning (SRP) + placebo (control group) and 30 participants were assigned to full-mouth SRP + tinidazole (test group). Results: Both test and control groups showed significant improvement in clinical parameters. Comparison of reduction in PI, GI, BI, PD, and CAL, between two groups, was statistically significant 6 weeks after baseline visit (P < 0.001). The improvements in clinical periodontal parameters were significantly more in test group. Conclusion: Smokers with chronic periodontitis benefited from adjunctive therapy, consisted of systemic tinidazole and SRP.

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The odontomas constitute most common benign odontogenic tumors of the jaws. Majority of odontomas are nonsymptomatic and are detected on routine radiographic examination. They represent up to 22% of all odontogenic tumors of the jaws. This lesion is composed of more than one type of odontogenic tissues and for this reason, it is also known a composite odontoma. In a 32-year-old male, well-defined small teeth like structure were noticed distal to maxillary second molars bilaterally which were confirmed radiologically and histopathologically as eruption odontome. In the second case, multiple miniature tooth-like structures of varying densities were observed pericoronally to the impacted canine on the X-ray, which was confirmed as compound histologically.

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Various intraoral radiographic techniques have been utilized to study bone changes following periodontal therapy, for example, digital subtraction radiography, computer-assisted densitometric image analysis, computed tomography (CT), and cone bean CT. This short communication provides an insight about a novel yet simple technique which utilizes a user-friendly software (Adobe Photoshop CS3) and provides the clinician a quick, objective economical tool to assess periodontal regeneration (bone fill) radiographically. The use of this software is recommended in any clinical trial, wherein bone is target tissue to be assessed at different time intervals. It can find clinical applications include endodontic periapical cyst therapy, implant, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and orthopedics surgeries. This method is simple, reliable, and reproducible and helps in objective assessment of radiographic changes of the periodontal osseous defects following periodontal therapy.

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