European Journal of Dentistry最新文献

The current in vitro analysis was designed to compare the centering ability and transportation of MiniKUT and TruNatomy files on the curved mesiobuccal root of the mandibular first molars using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).Thirty extracted mandibular first molars were randomly divided into two groups. In the first group, root canal instrumentation was performed by MiniKUT, and in the second group, TruNatomy rotary files were used. CBCT analysis of pre- and post-instrumented teeth was performed to check the canal transportation and centering ability at distances of 3, 6, and 9 mm from the root apex with the help of a prevalidated formula.Descriptive statistics were performed to calculate the mean and standard deviation. One-way ANOVA followed by post hoc Bonferroni correction was used to check the association at different levels. Pearson's correlation analysis was performed to assess the relationship between the groups.A significant association was reported with centering ability at 3, 6, and 9 mm (p = 0.001) across the groups. However, no significant association was reported with canal transportation at 3, 6, and 9 mm (p = 0.16) among both groups. TruNatomy showed higher transportation as compared to MiniKUT at 3 mm from the apex. Overall, the result suggests both files are safer to use in curved mandibular canals.Both MiniKUT and TruNatomy files demonstrated minimal root canal transportation and maintained canal shape at 3, 6, and 9 mm from the apex. These characteristics suggest that both systems are safe and effective for the instrumentation of curved mandibular canals.

This study investigates the future career plans of senior dental students in Saudi Arabia and the factors influencing these plans.An online questionnaire-based survey, designed following STROBE guidelines, was conducted. Participants included final-year dental students and interns from dental institutions across Saudi Arabia. The survey collected demographic data, career preferences, and factors potentially impacting career choices.A total of 584 students from 12 dental schools participated. Most respondents (63.5%) reported receiving career guidance, with 87.5% expressing interest in postgraduate studies and 11.3% preferring to work as general dental practitioners. A significant proportion (63.2%) favored employment in the government sector, while 12.8% preferred the private sector. Endodontics was the most preferred specialty (15.4%), followed by orthodontics (13.2%), periodontics (12.5%), and prosthodontics (12%). Additionally, 28.4% planned to retire before the age of 50 years. Career plans were significantly associated with gender, grade point average (GPA), and receipt of career guidance (p < 0.05). Personal aspirations were the most influential factor in career decision-making, followed by the reputation of a postgraduate program and the demands of the national job market. Predictors of interest in postgraduate studies included a high GPA, graduation from a public university, and receiving career guidance from dental schools.Saudi dental students demonstrated diverse career aspirations, with a strong inclination toward postgraduate education and government sector employment. Given the importance of career guidance as a predictor of postgraduate interest, Saudi educational, health, and labor authorities should consider aligning students' career goals with the evolving demands of the national job market.

Socket sealing is a technique for alveolar ridge preservation following tooth extraction. Leukocyte and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF), an autologous platelet-derived material rich in growth factors, is used to support healing. However, its benefits for soft tissue healing compared with collagen sponge or spontaneous healing remain unclear. This study evaluated soft tissue healing outcomes, wound margin distance, inflammation, postoperative pain, and wound closure area, among sockets treated with L-PRF membrane, collagen sponge, or spontaneous healing.A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 45 extraction sites at the Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. Sockets were randomly assigned to L-PRF sealing, collagen sponge sealing, or spontaneous healing. Primary outcomes included wound margin distance reduction percentage, soft tissue healing index, and postoperative pain. The secondary outcome was wound closure area reduction percentage between the L-PRF and collagen sponge groups. Measurements were recorded postoperatively and on days 7, 14, and 21. Pain scores were recorded daily for 1 week. Age, sex, tooth position, and arch were evaluated as covariates.One-way ANOVA with least significant difference post-hoc test was used for primary outcomes, and an independent t-test was used for secondary outcomes (p < 0.05).Forty-five teeth were enrolled. Three teeth from the collagen sponge group were excluded due to infection and loss to follow-up; three additional teeth were recruited using the original allocation and randomization protocol. On day 7, L-PRF showed a significantly superior soft tissue healing index than collagen sponge (p = 0.002, 95% CI: [0.28, 1.18]) and spontaneous healing (p = 0.002, 95% CI: [0.28, 1.18]). On day 5, L-PRF reduced pain more than collagen sponge (p = 0.036, 95% CI: [0.04, 1.03]) and spontaneous healing (p = 0.026, 95% CI: [0.07, 1.06]). No significant differences in wound closure distance reduction percentage or wound area reduction percentage were observed among the groups.L-PRF improved soft tissue healing and reduced postoperative pain within the first week, but showed no added benefit in wound closure compared with collagen sponge or spontaneous healing. L-PRF may support short-term symptom relief but not enhanced post-extraction soft tissue regeneration at the clinical relevance level.

Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) are complex clinical conditions that require timely and accurate decision-making. With the rise of large language models (LLMs), there is growing interest in their potential to support dental management. This study evaluated the accuracy and consistency of DeepSeek R1's responses across all categories of TDIs and benchmarked its performance against other common LLMs.DeepSeek R1 and six other LLMs, ChatGPT-4o mini, ChatGPT-4o, Claude 3.5 Sonnet, Claude 3 Opus, Gemini 1.5 Flash, and Gemini 1.5 Advanced, were assessed using a validated question set (125 items) covering five subtopics: general introduction, fractures, luxations, avulsions of permanent teeth, and TDIs in the primary dentition (25 items per group) with a specific prompt. Each model was tested with five repetitions for all items.Accuracy was calculated as the percentage of correct responses, while consistency was measured using Fleiss' kappa analysis. Kruskal-Wallis H and Dunn's post-hoc test were applied for comparisons of three or more independent groups.DeepSeek R1 achieved the highest overall score of 86.4% ± 2.5%, despite the most inconsistent responses (κ = 0.694), statistically higher than those of ChatGPT-4o mini (74.7% ± 0.9%), Claude 3 Opus (75.2% ± 1.0%), and Gemini 1.5 Flash (73.85% ± 2.3%) (p < 0.0001). Across all models, accuracy was notably lower for luxation injury questions (68.3% ± 3.2%).LLMs achieved moderate to high accuracy, yet this was tempered by varying degrees of inconsistency, particularly in the top-performing DeepSeek model. Difficulty with complex scenarios like luxation highlights current limitations in artificial intelligence (AI)'s diagnostic reasoning. AI should be viewed as a valuable dental educational and clinical adjunctive tool for knowledge acquisition and analysis, not a replacement for clinical expertise.

This ex vivo study aimed to compare the physical and chemical properties of two all-in-one root canal irrigants-Dual Rinse HEDP (DR HEDP) and Triton-with respect to their soft tissue dissolution efficacy, effect on dentin surface roughness, and demineralization potential.Forty extracted human single-rooted teeth were used to evaluate soft tissue dissolution and demineralization, while 40 dentin slices from 20 teeth were used for surface roughness analysis. Irrigants tested included DR HEDP, Triton, NaOCl (positive control) alone, and distilled water (negative control). Soft tissue dissolution was assessed using standardized pulp tissue analogs. Calcium ion release was measured via atomic absorption spectrometry to assess demineralization. Surface roughness was analyzed using atomic force microscopy. Statistical analysis included analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc tests with significance set at p < 0.05.DR HEDP and NaOCl alone showed the highest tissue dissolution (36.49 and 35.57%, respectively, p > 0.05), significantly outperforming Triton (29.50%, p < 0.001). Triton exhibited the greatest dentin surface roughness (191.37 nm), significantly higher than DR HEDP (104.25 nm) and NaOCl (101.24 nm) (p < 0.001). Calcium ion release was highest in the Triton group (135.61 mg/L), followed by DR HEDP (49.66 mg/L) and NaOCl (26.06 mg/L), with all intergroup differences being significant (p < 0.001), except between DR HEDP and NaOCl (p > 0.05).DR HEDP exhibited superior soft tissue dissolution similar to NaOCl, while causing significantly less dentin surface roughness and demineralization than Triton.

Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) is widely recognized for its biocompatibility and mechanical stability, making it a promising coating material for dental implants. However, unmodified surfaces may lack optimal properties for osseointegration and antibacterial resistance. Direct laser interference patterning (DLIP) is an advanced technique for introducing controlled micro- and nanoscale surface features to enhance implant performance. This study aims to investigate the surface characteristics, antibacterial effect, and biocompatibility of DLIP-functionalized PEEK coatings electrophoretically deposited on 316L stainless steel (SS).PEEK was deposited onto 316L SS substrates via electrophoretic deposition and subsequently functionalized using DLIP to create periodic surface patterns with spatial periods of 1, 1.5, and 2 µm. The modified surfaces were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, contact angle (wettability), and surface roughness measurements. Antibacterial activity was assessed using the turbidity method against Escherichia coli. Biocompatibility was evaluated via MG-63 osteoblast-like cell viability analysis.The DLIP-functionalized PEEK surface with a 1.5-µm spatial period exhibited the most favorable surface features, with a contact angle of 92 ± 1° and surface roughness of 2.04 ± 0.03 µm. This configuration significantly inhibited E. coli growth and achieved 80% cell viability, indicating enhanced antibacterial properties and biocompatibility.DLIP is an effective technique for functionalizing PEEK coatings, improving key surface characteristics that support antibacterial activity and osteoblast cell compatibility. Among the tested configurations, a 1.5-µm spatial period yielded the most promising results.This study supports the application of DLIP-functionalized PEEK coatings for dental implants, offering a novel and translatable surface.

This study aims to investigate the relationship between dental age and the levels of albumin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in saliva among children aged 6 to 24 months. This study evaluates their potential as noninvasive biomarkers for monitoring dental development. Specifically, it sought to determine whether these salivary proteins increase proportionally with dental age, providing an objective method to assess tooth eruption patterns in early childhood.Ethical approval was granted by the Airlangga University Hospital ethics committee to conduct this cross-sectional study in 33 children aged 6 to 24 months to collect data on dental age, albumin, and ALP levels in saliva. Saliva was taken using an absorbent paper and tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The data obtained were then analyzed by statistical tests using SPSS. Correlation test was analyzed using the Pearson's correlation test. A significance level of p < 0.05 was used to determine statistical significance.The correlation test showed a significant relationship between dental age, albumin, and ALP levels in saliva (p < 0.05), albumin and ALP levels in saliva increase along the children's dental age.This significant relationship suggests albumin and ALP in saliva as potential biomarkers in detecting dental age and tooth eruption in children.

Dentists routinely adopt forward-lean postures that can lead to chronic spinal musculoskeletal disorders. Wearable real-time feedback may prompt microadjustments that preserve spinal health. This article aims to develop a wearable device for real-time detection of forwardleaning posture in dentistry, to assess its usability and alert rate during standardized student tasks, and to estimate cervical-disc fatigue lifetime from the measured headflexion profile using a simplified S-N model.An assistive device was constructed around an Arduino Uno interfaced with a three-axis FC-51 tilt-switch module, calibrated to trigger at > 30 degrees of head flexion. A piezo buzzer emitted pulsatile alerts when tilt exceeded the threshold. Twenty-four dental students (12 fourth year, 12 fifth year) wore the device during 30-minute simulated operative sessions. A research assistant logged each alert in real time. Postsession questionnaires (5-point Likert scale) assessed comfort, intrusiveness, distraction, workflow impact, and posture awareness. Qualitative feedback on power, alert modalities, and design refinements was collected. A fatigue model based on an S-N curve framework used measured angles to estimate years to cervical-disc fatigue under typical clinical exposure.Head flexion averaged 42.7 degrees (standard deviation 9.4). The device generated a mean of 7.9 alerts per session, with no significant difference between year levels. Likert ratings indicated high comfort, low intrusiveness and distraction, minimal workflow disruption, and enhanced posture awareness; 79% of participants expressed willingness to adopt the device. Common suggestions included rechargeable power, multimodal alerts, slimmer enclosures, and customizable thresholds. The S-N fatigue model predicted disc fatigue onset at approximately 20.6 years for pure flexion and 16.0 years when lateral tilt was also considered, aligning with clinical data from the literature. Simulated use of the device, limiting "bad posture" to 1 minute per day, extended the model's fatigue lifetime to over 900 years.The goggle-mounted tilt-sensor device effectively detected and interrupted excessive forward-lean postures, was well accepted by users, and provided insights for ergonomic design improvements. Coupled with an S-N fatigue model, this approach offers both a practical intervention and a quantitative framework for mitigating career-long spinal risk in dentistry. Future work should validate long-term musculoskeletal outcomes and explore integration into clinical training.

To assess and compare the trueness (dimensional discrepancy and degree of deviation) of various methods of impressions for All-on-4 implants.This investigation employed a single-piece artificial mandibular jaw with four implants arranged in an All-on-4 configuration. Three impression methods were compared: one open-tray conventional impression digitized after pouring, and two intraoral scanners, TRIOS 5 and Runyes 3DS 3.0. A reference scan (control) was conducted with a laboratory-based scanner. All scans were performed using scan bodies and exported as Standard Tessellation Language (STL) files. A total of 30 STL scans were produced (n = 10). The dimensional discrepancy (along the X, Y, and Z axes) and the overall degree of deviation in the position were assessed. Data analysis was conducted using Brown-Forsythe one-way analysis of variance and Tamhane's post hoc tests (p < 0.05).The mean degree of deviation for scan bodies was as follows: TRIOS 5 (1.11 ± 0.06 mm), Runyes 3DS (1.02 ± 0.05 mm), and conventional (0.82 ± 0.16 mm). Statistically significant differences were found among all impression methods (p < 0.05). While the conventional method showed the highest trueness, it had the greatest standard deviation (SD, 0.16), which was the least consistent among them. The Runyes 3DS scans displayed the highest precision with the degree of deviation of 0.05 (± SD). Dimensional discrepancies mainly occur on the Z-axis across all three impression methods. Conventional impressions showed statistically significant discrepancies in the Y- and Z-axes, while TRIOS 5 images had statistically significant discrepancies in the X- and Z-axes. Runyes 3DS readings were statistically significantly discrepant in the Z-axis.While both conventional methods and digital scans have their merits, traditional impression methods may offer improved trueness in full-arch implant cases. Utilizing the open-tray system with suitable materials and methods can enhance precision and lead to more reliable outcomes.

High-fat diet (HFD) consumption induces metabolic diseases, which lead to salivary gland alteration. However, the alteration in salivary gland remains inconclusive, and the potential protective effect of simvastatin is limited. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the effect of HFD consumption and the protective effect of simvastatin on submandibular and sublingual glands in rats.Eighteen male Wistar rats were divided into three groups (n = 6 per group): a control group (C) fed a standard diet, a HFD group (H), and a HFD with simvastatin group (S). After 12 weeks, blood was collected for lipid parameter analysis. Submandibular and sublingual glands were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Masson's trichrome, periodic acid-Schiff, and alcian blue to evaluate gland architecture, fibrosis, and mucin content. Image analysis was done using imageJ software.Parametric data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test. Nonparametric data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by Dunn's test. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level significantly increases in the H group compared with the C group (p = 0.004). Acinar cells in both submandibular and sublingual glands were significantly smaller in the H and S groups compared with the C group (p < 0.05). Vacuole-like clear structures were more frequent in the H group. Collagen deposition in the submandibular gland was significantly higher in the H and S groups compared with controls (p = 0.005 and p = 0.011, respectively). Slightly altered mucin staining is seen in both glands.HFD increased LDL-C levels and induced acinar atrophy and fibrosis in the submandibular and sublingual glands. Simvastatin did not protect against salivary gland damage from HFD consumption.