JOURNAL OF KHYBER COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY

2026-10-07T08:10:15+00:00

INVESTIGATING THE INFLUENCE OF FINISHING SYSTEMS ON SURFACE ROUGHNESS AND GLOSS OF FULL-BODY BULK-FILL RESIN COMPOSITES

2026-05-20T16:34:08+00:00

Objectives: This study assesses the impact of diﬀerent ﬁnishing systems on surface roughness and gloss of full body bulk ﬁll resin composites.

Materials and Methods: Four types of bulk ﬁlling material were was chosen and involved in the standard manufacturing and surface preparation procedures. Specimens were assigned to groups according to speciﬁc ﬁnishing and polishing methods and roughness and gloss were measured.

Results: The material type and ﬁnishing/polishing system signiﬁcantly inﬂuenced both the surface roughness and the gloss, with Astropol delivering the most smooth surfaces and SonicFill 2 presenting the maximum gloss values.

Conclusion: This study concluded that the proper selection of ﬁnishingsystems to get a suitable surface for clinical conditions is of critical importance for durability and longevity of restoration. The astropol showed most eﬀective polishing system for decreasing surface roughness and sonicFill 2 with most superior gloss. Both composite type and ﬁnishing system signiﬁcantly aﬀected the surface quality, highlighting the signiﬁcance of choosing suitable protocols for ideal clinical results

AWARENESS AND PREVALENCE OF ORAL PATHOLOGICAL LESIONS AMONG DENTAL PATIENTS ATTENDING A TERTIARY CARE DENTAL HOSPITAL

2026-07-26T10:05:54+00:00

Objectives: The aim of this study to experience a series of disease, including inflammation, infections, autoimmune, premalignant and malignant conditions.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried over six months from August 2024 till January 2025 amongst 300 adult patients aged 18 or above, visiting the outpatient department of a tertiary care dental hospital. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, oral hygiene practices, deleterious oral habits, and awareness of oral pathological lesions.
Results: The mean age of participants was 36.4 ± 12.8 years, with males comprising 58% of the total sample. Oral pathological lesions were detected in 38.7% of patients. Aphthous ulcers were the most frequently observed lesions, followed by leukoplakia and oral lichen planus. Awareness of oral pathological lesions was limited, and knowledge regarding their malignant potential was notably low. A significant association was found between tobacco use and the presence of oral pathological lesions (p <0.001).
Conclusion: Dental patients have several oral pathological abnormalities, although not many people know about them. Oral habits are closely associated to lesions.

RESTING UPPER LIP LENGTH AND UPPER LIP LENGTH DURING SMILE IN PATIENTS REPORTING TO PROSTHODONTICS KHYBER COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY

2026-04-01T04:23:00+00:00

Objectives: To determine the mean lip length at rest and during smile of the upper lip.
Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study that was conducted at department of Prosthodontics, Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar on 154 participants using a consecutive, non-probability sampling technique. Adult males and females aged 20 to 40 years with complete natural dentition and a Class I molar relationship, confirmed through clinical examination, were included. To measure the lip length at rest and during smiling a digital vernier calliper was used.The test applied to assess differences in lip length between both genders was independent samples t-test and ANOVA was used to evaluate differences across age groups.
Results: Out of 154 participants, 95 (61.69%) were males. The mean age was 29.54 ± 5.97 years. The mean lip length at rest was 19.06 ± 1.34 mm, and during smiling was 13.76 ± 1.30 mm. The mean lip elevation was 5.32 ± 0.28 mm, ranging from 5 to 7 mm. The mean lip length at rest was 19.32 ± 1.42 mm in males and 18.65 ± 1.08 mm in females, showing a difference that was statistically significant (P = 0.002). The mean lip length during smiling was 13.83 ± 1.42 mm in males and 13.66 ± 1.08 mm in females (P = 0.42).
Conclusion: Upper lip length is generally longer at rest and shortens during smiling. Males tend to have a slightly longer upper lip at rest compared to females, while lip length during smiling is similar between both genders.

PREVALENCE OF GINGIVAL RECESSION IN CLASS I MALOCCLUSION PATIENTS TREATED WITH NONEXTRACTION FIXED ORTHODONTIC THERAPY: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

2026-08-18T05:32:27+00:00

Objective: This research was performed to determine the prevalence of gingival recession in class I malocclusion patients treated with non-extraction fixed appliance therapy.

Materials and Methods: This study was conducted at the Department of Orthodontics, De’Montmorency College of Dentistry, Lahore from March 2022 to September 2022. Ninety patients were selected. After debonding, a WHO periodontal probe was used to measure gingival recession clinically on the mandibular incisors, maxillary premolars and molars. The chi-square test was applied, with a p value of ≤0.05 considered significant.

Results: Of the 90 subjects, 37 (41.11%) were male and 53 (58.89%) female. Gingival recession was present in 7 subjects (7.78%).

Conclusion: The prevalence of gingival recession following non-extraction fixed appliance treatment in class I subjects was low.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ANGULATION PATTERNS AND ASSOCIATED PATHOLOGIES OF BILATERALLY IMPACTED MANDIBULAR THIRD MOLARS USING CONE BEAM COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

2026-06-02T09:46:39+00:00

Objectives: To compare the angulation patterns of bilaterally impacted mandibular third molars using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to determine the frequency of associated pathological conditions.

Materials and Methods: Archived CBCT scans of 100 patients aged ≥17 years with bilaterally impacted mandibular third molars were reviewed retrospectively. Patients with previous mandibular surgery, associated pathology, single impaction, edentulism, or incomplete records were excluded. Impaction angulation was classified according to Winter's classification. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26.0. Frequencies and percentages were calculated, and bilateral differences were assessed using the Chi-square test with a significance level of p<0.05.

Results: Vertical impaction was the most common angulation on both the left (49.0%) and right (45.0%) sides, followed by mesioangular impaction (36.0% and 31.0%, respectively). Horizontal impaction was observed in 14.0% of left-sided and 22.0% of right-sided mandibular third molars. No statistically significant bilateral difference in impaction angulation patterns was observed (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Bilaterally impacted mandibular third molars demonstrated broadly symmetrical angulation patterns, with vertical impaction being the predominant type on both sides. CBCT provides valuable three-dimensional assessment for diagnosis and treatment planning of impacted mandibular third molars.

INFLUENCE OF VITAMIN D STATUS ON OSSEOINTEGRATION AND IMPLANT OUTCOMES

2026-08-19T09:39:26+00:00

Objectives: Lack of vitamin D can reduce the bone density around the implant which will increase the rate of early implant failure by 300%. Acceptable level of vit. D is very important for proper healing of the patient especially after placing the implant.

Materials and Methods: This clinical study was carried out in the department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Altamash Institute of Dental Medicine, Karachi on thirty healthy individuals with age between 25 to 45 years, who needed only one dental implant. The patients were classified into group I (>30ng/ml) and group II (<20 ng/ml) on the basis of serum vitamin D level. The implant stability (ISQ) was determined at the start than 3 months and 6 months intervals by resonance frequency analysis. Crestal bone level and peri-implant bone density was estimated by CBCT scanning.

Results: Both groups showed improvements in terms of implant stability during the course of the study period, but vitamin D-sufficient subjects showed higher ISQ values and better crestal bone support and bone density round implants compared to vitamin D-deficient subjects. The observed differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Sufficient levels of vit. D affect osteointegration & success rates of implants in a positive way.

THE ASSESSMENT OF SATISFACTION OF PATIENTS WITH REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURES

2026-09-23T09:10:37+00:00

Objectives: The aim of this study to evaluate the influence of demographic and prosthodontic variables on satisfaction outcomes over time.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study on a total of 197 patients rehabilitated with Removable Partial Dentures, through non-probability consecutive sampling technique, was conducted at department of Prosthodontics, Foundation University College of Dentistry & Hospital, Islamabad over a period of six months (Nov 2025-April 2026). Patient-reported outcomes were assessed using the using Oral-Health Impact Profile-14 questionnaire at one-month and three-month follow-up visits. Variables including age, gender, arch type, Kennedy classification, number of modification spaces, systemic health status, operator level, and previous denture experience were analyzed for their association with satisfaction outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23, with p≤0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: The mean age of participants was 43.42±12.70 years. using Oral-Health Impact Profile-14 scores
demonstrated a statistically significant improvement between one-month and three-month follow-up visits, indicating progressive enhancement in patient satisfaction and functional adaptation following prosthodontic rehabilitation (p<0.05). Functional limitation, particularly mastication, represented the most affected domain, followed by pain and psychological discomfort. Higher satisfaction trends were observed among female participants, maxillary Removable Partial Denture wearers, Kennedy Class III cases, and patients treated by postgraduate residents and consultants; however, these associations did not achieve statistical significance (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Removable Partial Dentures significantly improve oral health–related quality of life and patient satisfaction over time, emphasizing the role of functional adaptation in prosthodontic rehabilitation.

EFFECTIVENESS OF DRESSING OF TURMERIC VERSUS ZINC OXIDE EUGINOL (ZOE) DRESSING IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ALVEOLAR OSTEITIS

2026-07-26T09:49:25+00:00

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of turmeric dressing as compared with zinc oxide eugenol dressing in the management of alveolar osteitis.
Materials and Methods: Quasi-experimental study was conducted at the department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan Institute of Oral Health Sciences, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi where sixty patients clinically diagnosed with alveolar osteitis ranging from 18 to 45 years old were randomly divided into two groups. Patients belonging to Group A underwent turmeric dressing application, while patients in Group B underwent ZOE dressing. Both groups were evaluated alternately up to seven days. SPSS version 26 was used to analyze data where p-values of 0.05 or lower were accepted as significant.
Results: At the seventh day, effectiveness was observed among 26 of 30 (86.7%) patients of the turmeric group as opposed to 17 of 30 (56.7%) patients of the ZOE group. Turmeric patients experienced lower rates of persistent pain (13.3%) compared with those in the ZOE group (43.3%). Moreover, turmeric patients exhibited lower number of dressing changes and less rescue analgesics than the ZOE group.
Conclusion: Turmeric dressing proved to be more efficacious in the management of alveolar osteitis than ZOE dressing.

EFFECTIVENESS OF A FACULTY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ON THE QUALITY OF A-TYPE MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS IN UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL AND DENTAL EDUCATION: A QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

2026-08-28T05:25:44+00:00

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of structured FDP on the quality of A-type MCQs constructed by health educators for undergraduate examination.
Materials and Methods: A single-group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study was carried out in a public sector health professions institution. A one-day FDP was organized for 15 faculty members using NBME (National Board of Medical Examiners) item writing guidelines along with the Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy. Complete paired data were obtained from the participants, each submitted fi ve MCQs, both prior to and post the intervention. The MCQs were evaluated using a 15-criterion rubric with score ranging 15-75. The primary outcome measure was the difference in the mean total quality score at faculty level. Other outcome measures included changes in the proportion of cognitive levels and decrease in item writing flaws. Paired T test and Cohen’s d were applied for comparative and statistical analysis.
Results: Ten of the fifteen faculty members submitted complete sets of pre and post intervention MCQs, resulting in a total item count of 100 for analysis. There was an increase in the mean total quality score from 55.44 pre-intervention to 56.72 post-intervention, equating to a mean gain of 1.28 with a p-value of 0.003. There was also a corresponding increase in the percentage of higher-order MCQs from 34% to 50%, while flawed items decreased from 74% to 56%. Significant improvements were seen only in curriculum alignment (p=0.014) and single-concept focus (p=0.018) among other criteria. Significant gains were also recorded in both structural quality (p=0.040) and content validity (p=0.042) after the FDP.
Conclusion: Participation in a structured FDP resulted in notable improvements in MCQ quality, increased cognitive level of the questions, and decreased item writing flaws.

EFFECT OF SURGICAL FLAP DESIGNS ON POSTOPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS FOLLOWING MANDIBULAR THIRD MOLAR SURGERY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

2026-08-06T10:19:17+00:00

Objectives: To evaluate the results following various surgical flaps designs for mandibular third molar surgery to determine surgical flap designs are associated with better postoperative recovery.
Materials and Methods: In this systematic review, different flap designs were analyzed based on postoperative symptoms, following the PRISMA guidelines. We systematically reviewed comparative studies analyzing flap designs based on postoperative symptoms. Main flap designs included the envelope flap, triangular flap, modified envelope flap, modified triangular flap, Szmyd flap, triangular transposition flap and flapless design.
Results: Twenty-one studies comprising 1346 patients were analyzed, and the least satisfactory results were observed with conventional flaps (i.e., envelope and triangular flaps), whereas most studies reported more favorable postoperative outcomes with flapless designs. Apart from the flapless design, the Szmyd flap and the triangular transposition flap showed the best results among the flaps.
Conclusion: Minimally invasive and flap-preserving procedures have shown lower postoperative morbidity than conventional flaps, although there are significant clinical and methodological variability and design of a universally superior procedure is not recommended.

MOVING BEYOND SIMPLY MEASURING CARIES AND PERIODONTAL DISEASES

2026-10-01T08:43:54+00:00

The metrics conventionally used to measure oral disease may capture only half the story. Community dentistry has traditionally relied on clinical measures to quantify the prevalence and burden of oral diseases. Although these measures remain indispensable for surveillance and health planning, tallying disease is not the same as understanding health.
A more meaningful assessment needs to capture how oral conditions shape people’s everyday lives. Oral health-related quality of life measures, such as the Oral Health Impact Profile and the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index, complement clinical assessments by capturing pain, functional difficulties, psychological well-being, and social impacts that may not be apparent from clinical examination alone.
Community-level assessment should therefore integrate three complementary dimensions: clinical status, patient experience, and social determinants. For example, clinical indicators of oral health can be considered alongside measures of oral health-related quality of life and social and socioeconomic factors, including education, financial circumstances, access to dental care, affordability, and place of residence. Considering these dimensions together can reveal not only the burden of oral disease, but also who is most affected and the social factors that may contribute to these inequalities.
The path forward for community dentistry is not to abandon traditional clinical indices, but to move beyond them. Pairing objective disease measures with patient-reported outcomes and social determinants gives a richer view of population oral health, one that can shape interventions addressing both the disease itself and the conditions that contribute to it.
The goal should no longer be simply to count diseased teeth, but to understand the people behind those numbers.