AIM. This systematic review aims to systematically assess the efficacy of selective enamel etching compared to conventional etching methods in reducing the incidence and severity of white spot lesions during fixed orthodontic therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. A systematic literature search was performed following the PRISMA 2020 statement and was registered on PROSPERO (CRD420251026790). The databases PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar were searched for randomized controlled trials, split-mouth studies, and prospective cohorts up to 15 July 2025 that compared selective and conventional enamel etching in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. The primary outcomes included incidence, severity, and timing of white spot lesions during orthodontic treatment. The study quality was assessed using the JBI checklist.

RESULTS. Four studies, including 131 patients, fulfilled the inclusion criteria. All the included studies showed that selective etching decreased the early development of white spot lesions or delayed it for a period, especially in the first 3–6 months of orthodontic treatment. The long-term differences, however, were less pronounced at the end of the treatment. No adverse effects or an increased bond failure rate related to selective etching was reported.

CONCLUSIONS. Selective enamel etching offers an initial protective effect because it delays the development of white spot lesions in the early stages of orthodontic treatment. However, it is not known with certainty if selective enamel etching has a long-term benefit due to the limitation of evidence. Therefore, it must be considered an adjunctive preventive measure until confirmation is obtained from larger, standardized clinical trials.

AIM. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease known by immune response disturbance and imbalanced in oxidative stress status. one of the SLE features is an oral ulcer that is associated with oxidative stress, the present study aims to assess some oral ulcer types and features with GST (GSTT1, GSTM1 and GSTP1) null genotyping in SLE with and without oral ulcer in addition to its types and features.
MATERIALS AND METHODS. Null genotyping PCR was used to detect GSTT1, GSTM1 and GSTP1.
RESULTS. They show significant association of GSTM1 and GSTP1 with SLE (p = 0.0010, p = 0.0024) respectively, and non-significant changes of GSTT1 (p = 0.7426) when compared with the control group. a cross section comparison GST between SLE patients with and without oral ulcer shows a significant association of GSTT1 (p = 0.0367) and a non-significant association of GSTM1 (p = 0.1056) and GSTP1 (p = 0.218). The number of oral ulcers (single and multiple ulcers) shows a non-significant association in all GST genes (p = 0.882, 0.959, 0.552) respectively. The painful oral ulcers show non-significant association of GST genes (p = 0.803, 0.143, 0.585) respectively, the oral ulcer types included buccal, palatal, labial and tongue, were non-significantly (p = 0.608) correlated with GST.
CONCLUSIONS. There was a strong association of GSTM1 and GSTP1 with SLE, a non-significant association of the GST with oral ulcer types and features.

AIM. Enterococcus faecalis is a gram-positive facultative anaerobe commonly known as the primary pathogen implicated in persistent and secondary endodontic infections, due to its exceptional capacity to invade dentinal tubules, form resistant biofilms and survive in nutritionally adverse alkaline environments. Although effective, conventional chemical irrigants like sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine have been found to cause cytotoxicity and other unwanted effects. Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is a medicinal plant that has shown promise as a natural antimicrobial agent due to its richness in flavonoids, polyphenols, carotenoids and unsaturated fatty acids. The purpose of this review is to summarize and examine existing evidence on the antimicrobial efficacy, mechanisms of action, and clinical potential of sea buckthorn against E. faecalis in the context of root canal infections.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. The literature review was conducted thoroughly by using the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases. The review incorporated studies in English that involved phytochemical, microbiological, in vitro, and in vivo studies that were relevant to the study involving the use of sea buckthornderived agents when conducting dentistry and endodontics research.

RESULTS. Extracts of sea buckthorn exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity that can be ascribed to bioactive compounds, such as quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, palmitoleic acid and ascorbic acid. Disruption of bacterial cell membranes, inhibition of biofilm formation, suppression of acid production, and modulation of host inflammatory responses are all reported antibacterial mechanisms. Aqueous and hydroalcoholic leaf extracts have demonstrated growth-inhibitory action against E. faecalis, whilst, pulp oilbased preparations have demonstrated anti-biofilm activity against a variety of oral pathogens. Comparative studies indicate similar, and in certain cases better, efficacy compared with chlorhexidine, and much better biocompatibility.

 CONCLUSIONS. Sea buckthorn is a biocompatible, multifunctional adjunct that can be used as an endodontic irrigant or intracanal medicament. Nonetheless, before it can be adopted into routine clinical practice, standardization of extraction techniques, optimal concentrations, and optimally designed randomized clinical trials are required.

INTRODUCTION. Maxillary lateral incisor (MLI) hypodontia is a significant developmental dental anomaly with profound aesthetic and functional implications. While global prevalence typically ranges from 1.6% to 6.9%, data regarding its occurrence in specific Middle Eastern populations remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, distribution, and sex-specific patterns of MLI agenesis in an Iraqi adolescent cohort from Babylon City.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 2,196 high-quality orthopantomograms of patients aged 12–18 years, retrieved from academic and private clinical archives between 2017 and 2023. Cases with craniofacial syndromes, previous orthodontic extractions, or trauma were excluded. MLI agenesis was radiographically confirmed by the absence of the tooth germ. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square tests (p < 0.05).

RESULTS. The overall prevalence of MLI hypodontia was 13.8% (n = 304), notably exceeding reported global averages. No significant difference was found in overall occurrence between males (13.8%) and females (13.9%) (p = 0.98). Unilateral agenesis was significantly more frequent than bilateral involvement (70.1% vs. 29.9%, p < 0.001). Left-sided agenesis (52.6%) was the most common presentation. Distinct sex-dimorphic patterns were observed: males exhibited higher proportions of bilateral and right-sided agenesis, whereas females demonstrated a predilection for unilateral left-sided involvement (p = 0.016).

CONCLUSIONS. The prevalence of MLI hypodontia in Babylon City is remarkably high, characterized by a predominant unilateral, left-sided distribution. The identified sex-specific patterns suggest potential underlying genetic or epigenetic influences within this population. These findings underscore the necessity for early radiographic screening and a coordinated multidisciplinary approach to mitigate the long-term aesthetic, occlusal, and psychological sequelae associated with this condition.

AIM. The objective of this study is to understand the knowledge of periodontal medicine among third year, final year and dental interns.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among dental students in Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu – India, belonging to third year, final year and Interns. A total of 15 questions about the prevalence, etiology, signs, association, risk factors, and treatment of periodontal medicine were included in the questionnaire.

RESULTS. Based on our study findings, a Moderate level of overall periodontal medicine knowledge was found. Although there were differences between genders in years of study in regards to disease prevalence / reasons / associations – there were statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) regarding the clinical signs of periodontal disease (i.e., clinical signs of scurvy). A few associations were also identified as having a relationship between periodontal disease as well as two or more systemic diseases i.e., atherosclerotic heart disease. In each domain of knowledge there were identifiable risk factors associated with periodontal disease – while low-dose doxycycline was found by essentially all participants to be the best treatment of periodontitis for diabetic patients in comparison to other medications. There was no statistically significant difference found for either gender or the year of study.

CONCLUSIONS. Among the dental students, there is a good amount of knowledge regarding the relationship between periodontal disease and various systemic illnesses. Further, knowledge should be spread on anticipatory guidance to patients on periodontal disease and its association with systemic illnesses.