Minerva dental and oral science最新文献

Background: The term "odontophobia" refers to a phenomenon of extreme fear of dentists and dental treatment in patients, and during dental treatment can make it difficult for dentists to manage their behavior, creating an obstacle to the success of the treatment itself. This study reports a cognitive survey on odontophobia in an Italian pediatric population.

Methods: The survey was structured anonymously, the "Face version of the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale" (MCDASf) questionnaire was used. In the sample analyzed, 140 participants,75 female and 65 male subjects, were included. The subjects were recruited in two different dental pediatric units. Every cohort was composed of 70 subjects.

Results: The total mean score on the questionnaire was 22.43 in cohort 1, and 23.46 in cohort 2. Dental extraction emerged as the situation that generated the most concern, with an average score of 4.13 and 3.94. Similarly, local anesthetic injections showed a high degree of anxiety with a mean score of 3.8 and 3.91, respectively.

Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for an empathetic and targeted approach to address dental anxiety in all age groups to ensure positive experiences and promote optimal oral health. Ultimately, this research underscores the importance of addressing dental anxiety from an early age in order to provide as much support as possible to patients and promote a positive and comfortable dental environment.

Background: The aim of this paper was to assess the quality of a dental chart to record the oro-functional conditions in a pediatric population, if a systematic and well-structured questionnaire plays a fundamental role in the correct diagnosis and treatment planning process.

Methods: The project was performed by auditing a "guided" dental chart formulated for subjects from 6-to-14 years-old, proposed by the International Medical University in Rome "UniCamillus," in the period between March 2022 to June 2024. The subjects included were visited by five dental expert examiners during a project coordinated by the same University. The form was divided into three parts: 1) a questionnaire for the parents regarding remote and current habits; 2) parental consent; 3) a dental chart, filled out by the examiners. At the end of the project each examiners received an anonymous satisfaction questionnaire regarding the dental chart validation.

Results: A total of 1033 charts were examined. Each chart was edited and validated by each examiner. None of the charts was discarded for inconsistencies/inadequacy. According to the examiner's questionnaire, the results reported that they were partially (60%) aware of the topic covered and that almost everyone (80%) was interested in deepening them; all the examiners (100%) easily filled out the chart and understood the language, supporting the validity of the project.

Conclusions: Each expert examiner confirmed the chart validity during the clinical examination, supporting the importance that a complete and standardized method for data collection can be considered essential for a correct diagnosis and therapeutical effective plan, guarantees a proper maintenance of dental records for private/public clinical practice and facilitates data analysis in epidemiological investigations.

Bone adhesives have emerged as a promising adjunct in regenerative medicine due to their potential to enhance fixation, improve osteointegration, and reduce operative time. Their application is particularly relevant in scenarios where traditional mechanical fixation is challenging or invasive, such as in cranial, orthopedic, and maxillofacial procedures. This narrative review explores the current landscape of bone adhesives, with a focus on synthetic and bioadhesive composites. A literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, including both preclinical and clinical studies published in the last two decades. Key parameters analyzed include adhesive composition, mechanical strength, biocompatibility, degradation behavior, and clinical outcomes. The reviewed evidence highlights that bone adhesives exhibit promising properties for use in bone regeneration. Synthetic adhesives, such as cyanoacrylates and polyurethane-based glues, offer high initial bond strength, while bioadhesives - often based on fibrin, collagen, or dopamine-functionalized polymers - demonstrate superior biocompatibility and osteoconductive potential. Clinical studies suggest their utility in bone graft stabilization, cranial defect repair, and minimally invasive maxillofacial surgery. Additionally, adhesives have been shown to reduce the need for hardware fixation, lower infection risks, and promote faster recovery. Bone adhesives represent a valuable complementary tool in regenerative bone procedures. While their integration into clinical practice is still evolving, current data support their safety and efficacy in selected surgical contexts. Further large-scale, long-term trials are warranted to validate their performance and optimize material formulations for specific applications.

Background: The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of aging on the repair bond strength between old composite resin and repaired composite resin and to evaluate which type of repair composite material provides better bond strength in different time durations.

Methods: Eighty nano-hybrid composite specimens were randomly divided into four groups (N.=20) and exposed to accelerated aging from 0 to 2 years. Each group was further divided into two subgroups, A and B, repaired with packable and flowable composite respectively, after micro-abrasion treatment. Shear bond strength was assessed and statistically analyzed.

Results: It was observed that with an increase in aging time, the bond strength of both the composite materials used for repair decreased. The flowable composite's mean bond strength (22.09±0.65, 18.74±2.36, and 17.74±2.38 MPa) was more than the packable composite (21.97±0.84, 17.97±3.85, and 15.97±2.45 MPa) used for repair on aged specimens. In contrast, the bond strength of the packable was more than the flowable composite in control group specimens that were not aged (23.25±0.89 vs. 22.40±1.26).

Conclusions: As restored composites age, their bond strength decreases. Flowable composite displays better repair shear strength than packable composite as aging progresses. Micro abrasion followed by flowable composite bonding can repair aged composite restorations effectively.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly influencing dental practice, offering advancements in diagnostics, treatment planning, and patient management. This narrative review explores the current applications of AI in dentistry, addressing clinical, technological, and ethical dimensions. A non-systematic narrative approach was employed to synthesize recent literature on AI in dentistry. The focus was on diagnostic tools, treatment planning, decision support systems, teledentistry, ethical implications, and emerging technologies. AI demonstrates high performance in image analysis (e.g., caries detection, periodontal assessment, oral cancer screening), treatment optimization (e.g., orthodontics, implant planning), and patient-specific risk modeling. Clinical decision support systems (CDSS) assist in evidence-based care, while AI-driven chatbots and remote monitoring platforms enhance patient engagement and access. However, challenges persist regarding algorithm transparency, data bias, legal liability, and privacy. Future directions include multimodal data integration, digital twins, and AI-driven precision dentistry. AI represents a paradigm shift in dentistry, supporting clinicians and enabling more accurate, accessible, and personalized care. Successful implementation will depend on ethical deployment, robust regulation, and adequate training to harness its full potential without compromising professional standards.

Background: Oral health is crucial for overall well-being, as conditions like periodontitis are increasingly associated with systemic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders. Research in the UK and globally has revealed limited awareness among medical students about these connections, emphasizing the need for curriculum enhancements. This study assessed the awareness of year 3 and 4 medical students about oral-systemic disease connections.

Methods: Following approval from the University of Central Lancashire School of Medicine and Dentistry Ethics Committee, a cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted. The survey, consisting of multiple-choice questions with multiple answer options, was delivered anonymously via an internal Teams channel to a representative cohort of year 3 and 4 medical students. The questionnaire covered general awareness of oral-systemic health, specific oral disease knowledge, and a focused evaluation of the periodontitis-diabetes relationship. Statistics included descriptive analysis and Chi-square Tests to assess associations between responses. Measures of association, such as Phi and Cramér's V, were also calculated.

Results: A total of 122 students participated (65.67% year 3, 34.33% year 4). Most (91.04%) acknowledged the link between oral and general health. While 80.6% identified periodontitis as gum disease, 8.96% associated it with tooth decay, and 10.45% were unaware. Awareness of the bidirectional relationship with diabetes was limited; 60% recognized that diabetes increases periodontitis risk, but only 29.9% understood the reverse.

Conclusions: This study highlights gaps in medical students' knowledge of oral-systemic health, emphasizing the need for better integration of oral health education in the medical curriculum. Aligning with WHO strategies and European Federation of Periodontology initiatives, improved interprofessional education can enhance patient care through collaboration between medical and dental professionals.

Background: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits for BP180-NC16A use different cutoff levels established for cutaneous bullous pemphigoid (BP). However, in oral mucous membrane pemphigoid (OMMP), circulating antibodies are reported to be less readily detectable than cutaneous BP and there is little evidence that these cut-off levels are suitable for OMMP. This study was performed to explore whether the available cutoff values of anti-BP180-NC16A ELISA used for cutaneous BP are equally effective when applied to OMMP or should benefit from an optimized cut-off value.

Methods: Eighty-one patients with oral blistering diseases were divided into two groups based on the results of histological and direct immunofluorescence analyses: the OMMP group (N.=31) and the non-OMMP control group (N.=50). Antibodies against BP180-NC16A were evaluated using manufacturer's cutoff level (Euroimmun 20 U/mL). A preliminary cutoff specific for BP180 in OMMP was identified by receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results: A cutoff value of 20 U/mL showed low sensitivity (41.94%) but high specificity (94%). Using ROC curve analysis, a cutoff of 11 U/mL emerged as the optimal cutoff for BP180-OMMP (sensitivity: 70.97%; specificity: 88.7%). Using both cutoff values false-positives cases emerged (pemphigus vulgaris and oral lichen planus).

Conclusions: The BP180-NC16A ELISA cutoff values designed for cutaneous BP may not be equally accurate when applied for the diagnosis of OMMP. The use of cut-off values specific for OMMP and a panel of several antigens specific for OMMP may improve the clinical utility of ELISAs; however, problems deriving from low specificity should be acknowledged.

Background: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the use of a magnetodynamic instrument (Magnetic Mallet^®, Metaergonomica, Turbigo, Milan, Italy) to perform a horizontal bone expansion in edentulous sites that need to be rehabilitated with a dental implant.

Methods: A sample of 15 patients, 11 men and 4 women, age between 39 and 78 years, was analyzed. A total of 18 conical-shaped implants with a diameter of 3.80 mm and a length between 10 and 11.5 mm were inserted in the maxillary region in the area between the lateral incisor and the first upper molar. The patients were treated by two different surgeons. Bone thickness was measured through CBCT before treatment and at 3 months post-surgery.

Results: No implant failed and all of them achieved a correct osseointegration. The average pre-surgery bone thickness was 4.36±0.70 mm, it changed to 5.58±1.11 mm after using the Magnetic Mallet^®, finally stabilized at 6.72±1.24 mm with the insertion of the implant. CBCT examination revealed a statistically significant difference in mean bone thickness before treatment and at 3 months post-surgery with a mean bone thickness of respectively 4.39±0.60 mm and 6.97±1.25 mm. Significantly different outcomes were obtained by operators with a different learning curve.

Conclusions: At 3 months of follow-up, the Magnetic Mallet^® proved to be a useful tool in the horizontal expansion of the atrophic upper jaw bone crest, along with the preparation of the implant site. A learning curve is necessary to optimize the clinical outcomes. Further studies are needed with a larger patient cohort and a longer follow-up to confirm the present results.

Background: The precise measurement of the working length (WL) is pivotal for the success of endodontic treatments. Incorrect WL determination can lead to improper reaming and filling of the canal, posing risks of periradicular pathologies onset or failure to heal pre-existing conditions. Presently, apex locators are commonly used for WL determination, available in a variety of characteristics and costs. Alternatively, the traditional method using intraoral radiography remains prevalent.

Methods: This study, conducted partly in vivo and partly in vitro, on teeth designated for extraction, compares three WL measurement methods: 1) radiographic method (zero cost); 2) Apex Locator (inexpensive); and 3) Root ZX II (expensive). The correctness of measurements was verified through visual inspection under a stereomicroscope.

Results: Our data indicate that the precision of apex locators surpasses that of the radiographic method, which relies on visual inspection of the instrument inside the canal and is subject to personal interpretations of the images. No significant differences in precision were observed between the two locators examined, despite their differing price ranges and brand histories in the field of endodontics.

Conclusions: Among the multitude of parameters influencing a dentist's choice of electro-medical equipment, cost remains a significant consideration, particularly when equipment exhibits similar characteristics.