Oral diseases have been a persistent public health problem globally, with almost every individual experiencing pain in their teeth at least once in their lifetime, which is mostly related to poor oral hygiene practices. Despite being a key to avoiding many oral problems, oral health practice is not well studied in Ethiopia. Therefore, the current study aimed to assess oral health practice and associated factors among health science students in northwest Ethiopia. An institution-based observational cross-sectional study design was conducted among 241 health science students at Debre Tabor University using a simple random sampling technique. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between independent and outcome variables. Results were reported as adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). A total of 241 students participated in the study. Only one-fourth of the students (26.1%) had good oral hygienic practices. Being female, a medical student, increasing years of education and not drinking alcohol were independently associated with good oral hygienic practices. The present study found that the health science students' practice regarding oral hygiene was poor. The study also indicates that females, medical students, higher batch students and those who didn't consume alcohol in the last 30 days were associated with good oral hygiene practices. Providing health information in collaboration with corresponding stakeholders regarding proper oral hygiene practice is recommended for health science students. Further qualitative research is also needed to identify the behavioural risk factors regarding oral health among students.
Systematic review and meta-analysis represent the highest level of evidence guiding clinical decision-making and are essential in postgraduate dental training. However, lacunae in knowledge, along with barriers, compromise their quality and conduct. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, perception and barriers related to conducting a systematic review among postgraduate dental students across Indian dental institutions. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among 377 postgraduate dental students from December 2025 to March 2026. Data were collected via a validated online questionnaire assessing demographics, knowledge (19 items), attitude and perception (5 items) and barriers (5 items). Responses were analysed across different training years. Most participants were in the age range of 26-30 years (70.6%) and of female gender (64.2%). The highest proportions of correct responses were observed for questions related to evidence hierarchy (92.8%), inclusion criteria (86.0%), PROSPERO registration (80.6%), the purpose of systematic reviews (78.0%) and the PICO framework (74.3%). However, gaps were noted in minimum study requirements (28.9%), understanding scoping reviews (27.9%) and quality assessment tools (27.1%). Knowledge scores differed significantly across training years (p = 0.001), with third year students performing better than first and second years. Attitudes were largely positive (> 90%), while lack of time (95.2%) and limited critical appraisal skills were major barriers. Postgraduate dental students demonstrated positive attitudes toward systematic reviews, although areas requiring improvement were identified in specific methodological domains. Identifying these educational needs may guide structured training, mentorship and curriculum development to strengthen evidence-based research and clinical decision-making.
To analyse the prevalence of complete and partial edentulism in the European adult population and to evaluate demographic and geographical factors associated with tooth loss and prosthetic rehabilitation needs using national health survey data. A cross-sectional ecological study used aggregated secondary data from the European Health Interview Survey (EHIS), Eurobarometer, and national oral health surveys from Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Poland, Romania, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Surveys published between 2010 and 2023 were included, representing more than 250,000 adults. Prevalence of complete and partial edentulism was analyzed by age group, sex, and geographical region. Descriptive statistics were calculated as percentages and absolute numbers with 95% confidence intervals. A generalized linear model with binomial distribution estimated adjusted odds ratios for complete edentulism. Statistical significance was set at α = 0.05. Complete edentulism among adults aged 65-74 years ranged from less than 6% in Northern and Western Europe to more than 40% in Eastern Europe, corresponding to approximately 3,200 to over 4,500 individuals. Partial edentulism exceeded 65% in adults aged 45 years and older across all regions. Multivariable analysis identified advanced age as the strongest predictor of complete edentulism (aOR = 28.4 for ≥75 vs. 45-54; p < 0.001), followed by residence in Eastern Europe (aOR = 9.8; p < 0.001). Sex was not independently associated with complete edentulism. Edentulism prevalence in Europe varies by age and geographical region. These findings support region-specific planning of prosthetic rehabilitation services and public health strategies to reduce oral health inequalities.
Effective communication builds trust between the child, dentist, and parents, helping reduce fear and anxiety during dental treatment. Children with limited verbal communication often experience greater anxiety due to difficulty expressing themselves and understanding instructions. The study was conducted to assess and compare the dental anxiety levels of children with limited verbal communication skills to those with normal verbal communication skills using a Doll Placement Test in a miniature dental setup. The study also investigates correlating the measured anxiety levels with the children's behavior in the dental operatory. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 82 children were selected and divided into two groups. Group A (n = 41) children with normal verbal communication skills and group B (n = 41) with limited verbal communication skills. Demographic and medical details were collected using a standardized questionnaire. Anxiety was measured using a Doll Placement Test, where the doll's position reflected the child's perceived anxiety. Behavior during the dental visit was assessed with the Modified Frankl's Behavior Rating Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS v29.0. The chi-square test examined the association between anxiety and behavior. Relationships between variables were analyzed by Pearson's correlation. In Group B, 82.9% preferred a doll position, indicating a need for parental presence (p = 0.036). In Group A, 82.9% showed definitely positive behavior in the dental chair (p = 0.002). A definite positive correlation was observed between doll placement and actual behavior between the two groups (p < 0.001). The Doll Placement Test in a miniature dental setup is a simple, effective tool for predicting children's dental anxiety regardless of communication ability. Children with limited verbal skills showed higher anxiety and a stronger need for parental presence, significantly correlating with their observed behavior.
Musculoskeletal disorders may begin during dental training and adversely affect clinical performance and long-term professional health. This study compared neck-related disability and cervical posture in dental and engineering undergraduates and evaluated whether a brief exercise programme supported by digital reminders could improve these outcomes. In this quasi-experimental study with a pilot intervention component, 208 third-year undergraduates (104 dental and 104 engineering students) underwent baseline assessment of the Neck Disability Index (NDI), craniovertebral angle (CVA), and musculoskeletal discomfort. Forty-six participants with neck-related disability completed a standardised 5-min neck exercise programme three times daily for 4 weeks, reinforced by smartphone reminder notifications. Baseline NDI scores were similar between groups (6.73 ± 3.41 vs. 6.65 ± 4.62; p = 0.89). Engineering students demonstrated greater forward head posture, reflected by significantly lower CVA values than dental students (49.40° ± 8.62° vs. 52.73° ± 4.29°; p < 0.001). Following the intervention, NDI improved significantly in both groups (p < 0.001), whereas CVA improved significantly only among engineering students (p < 0.001). In this pilot evaluation, a brief, low-cost exercise programme with digital reminders improved neck-related disability over 4 weeks, although postural (CVA) change was limited and group differences in age and gender warrant cautious interpretation. Larger controlled trials with longer follow-up are needed before routine integration into dental curricula can be recommended. Clinical Trials Registry of India (CTRI/2025/11/097114).
Alhumoud T, Zankawi A, Li KY, Yu O, Pow E, Lam W. Performance of smartphone cameras for measuring and analyzing dental shade: A systematic review. J Dent. 2026; 166:106506. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2026.106506 . A systematic review evaluating the performance of digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) and smartphone-acquired photographs for dental shade assessment. The review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines, was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024580518), and searched five electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). Eligible studies comprised both in vivo and in vitro experimental designs evaluating dental shade assessment using smartphone cameras compared with DSLR cameras. Primary outcomes included colour difference (ΔE) relative to a reference standard (accuracy) and/or between devices (agreement). Studies evaluating three-dimensional imaging modalities, such as intraoral scanners, as well as teeth affected by bleaching, restoration discoloration, or carious lesions within the shade assessment area, were excluded. Only English-language full-text articles were eligible, while conference papers, case reports, and review articles were excluded. Risk of bias was assessed using a modified QUADAS-2 tool, and the certainty of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE framework. Due to extreme heterogeneity in study designs, imaging protocols, camera systems, and outcome assessment methods, meta-analysis was not considered appropriate. Findings were therefore synthesised narratively and presented using descriptive forest plots. Eight studies were included, comprising three in vivo, three in vitro, and two mixed-design studies. Findings regarding colour difference (ΔE) were highly inconsistent, with some studies favouring DSLR cameras and others favouring smartphones for dental shade assessment. Considerable clinical, methodological, and statistical heterogeneity (I2 = 100%) was observed across camera models, lighting conditions, calibration protocols, and reference standards. Overall, the evidence did not demonstrate a consistent superiority of either device, and the certainty of the evidence was judged to be very low. The available evidence comparing smartphone and DSLR photography for dental shade assessment is heterogeneous and inconclusive. Neither device has demonstrated consistent superiority, suggesting that standardised image acquisition, calibration, and image-processing protocols may be more important than the choice of camera system. Future research should adopt standardized methodologies and workflows to support evidence-based recommendations for device selection in dental shade matching.
Limpuangthip N, Hlaing NHMM, Lee SJ, Lee JH. Design quality and time efficiency of AI-based versus human-based design for tooth- and implant-supported fixed dental restorations: A systematic review. Journal of Dentistry, 170, 106644. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2026.106644 DESIGN: This systematic review compared fully automated AI-based and human-based digital workflows for the design of fixed dental restorations. The authors conducted electronic searches in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library as well as a manual screening of relevant references. The review followed PRISMA guidelines and was based on a registered protocol. To ensure inclusion of the most current evidence, the literature search was performed initially and updated before final data extraction and manuscript preparation. Comparative studies evaluating AI-generated designs for tooth- or implant-supported single or multiunit fixed dental restorations were included when a human-designed restoration served as the comparator. Fifteen studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The evaluated restorations included single-unit anterior and posterior crowns, inlays, implant-supported crowns, and three-unit fixed dental prostheses. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomised Studies (MINORS). Outcomes included restoration morphology, occlusal relationships, proximal contacts, finish-line detection, marginal adaptation, internal fit, design efficiency, and design success rates. Due to considerable heterogeneity in restoration types, AI software platforms, outcome measures, and assessment methods, a meta-analysis was not feasible, and findings were synthesised narratively. Across most studies, AI-generated single-unit crowns demonstrated morphology, marginal adaptation, finish-line accuracy, and internal fit that were generally comparable with human-designed restorations. However, AI systems frequently produced less favourable proximal and occlusal contacts and often required refinement by experienced operators to achieve optimal clinical acceptability. AI-designed inlays and three-unit fixed dental prostheses showed greater deviations from human-designed restorations, particularly in occlusal relationships, connector design, and contact formation. Evidence for implant-supported crowns was limited but suggested performance comparable to human designs. AI-based workflows consistently reduced design time compared with conventional human-based workflows and appeared particularly beneficial for less experienced operators. Current evidence suggests that AI-assisted restoration design can generate clinically acceptable single-unit crown restorations while substantially improving workflow efficiency. Nevertheless, expert human verification and refinement remain necessary, particularly for occlusal function, proximal contacts, aesthetics, and more complex prosthodontic restorations. Current AI models should be regarded as a supportive clinical tool rather than a replacement for professional expertise.
Incomplete clinical records can be a significant hurdle in implant dentistry, transforming routine maintenance or a restorative task into a complex search. When the primary documentation-such as the implant passport or surgical report-is missing, the clinician is forced to rely on radiographic identification and trial-and-error, which increases the risk of component mismatch and patient dissatisfaction. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm capable of detecting dental implants on panoramic radiographs and classifying them by implant brand and prosthetic platform size. A dataset of 387 panoramic radiographs with 1004 dental implant images was randomly divided into training, validation, and test sets using an 80/10/10 stratified split across 25 independent partitions. Convolutional neural network (CNN) architectures were developed and trained using manually annotated images. Ground truth labels for implant brand and prosthetic platform size were obtained from patient records. Among the evaluated architectures, a Faster region-based CNN (R-CNN) combined with an EfficientNet-B7 backbone demonstrated the highest diagnostic performance. Implant detection achieved a mean Intersection over Union (IoU) of 77.65% ±11.54% and an accuracy of 99.45% ±0.70% with an average of 0.60 ±0.76 false negatives per split (mean ±standard deviation across 25 partitions). Implant brand classification accuracy was 98.93% ±0.91% (Callus Pro), 97.81% ±1.43% (Denti Root Form), 98.85% ±1.19% (NobelReplace Conical Connection partially machined collar [PMC]), and 96.79% ±1.83% for implants of unknown brand, yielding an overall brand-classification accuracy of 95.66% ±2.02%. Platform-size classification accuracy was 87.62% ±2.94% for narrow, 87.78% ±3.15% for regular, and 96.79% ±1.83% for unknown sizes. Combined brand-and-platform classification achieved an overall accuracy of 85.60% ±3.27%. The 2-stage CNN pipeline demonstrated clinically acceptable accuracy for automated dental implant detection and classification tasks on panoramic radiographs, supporting its potential integration into clinical workflows to improve diagnostic efficiency and standardization.
To compare the effects of 5% sodium fluoride (NaF) varnish, tricalcium phosphate (TCP) varnish, NaF/TCP varnish, and 30% silver diamine fluoride (SDF) on artificial dentin caries lesions through the assessment of lesion depth, mineral redistribution, and superficial mineralization. Artificial dentin caries lesions were created in bovine root dentin blocks and randomly assigned to five groups (n = 12): Control, 5% NaF varnish, TCP varnish, NaF/TCP varnish, and 30% SDF. After treatment, specimens underwent 7 days of pH cycling. Mineral concentration profiles obtained by micro-CT were used to determine integrated mineral concentration (ΔIMC), lesion depth, mean lesion mineral concentration (Rvol%), and maximum mineral concentration in the surface zone (SZmax). Data were analyzed by two-way repeated-measures ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). All treatments promoted remineralization or reduced lesion progression compared with the Control group (p < 0.001). The 5% NaF varnish showed the highest ΔIMC and Rvol% values and the lowest lesion depth (p < 0.05). TCP varnish reduced lesion depth but produced limited mineral recovery. NaF/TCP varnish exhibited high SZmax values, indicating greater superficial mineral accumulation without proportional increases in ΔIMC or Rvol%. SDF reduced lesion depth and increased SZmax compared with the Control group but showed lower integrated mineral recovery than 5% NaF. The agents produced distinct remineralization patterns. The 5% NaF varnish promoted the most effective and homogeneous response, TCP mainly limited lesion progression in depth, NaF/TCP favored superficial mineralization, and SDF promoted lesion stabilization with moderate superficial mineral reinforcement. These findings indicate that professional remineralizing therapies may require repeated applications because agents do not act uniformly in dentin caries lesions. The 5% NaF varnish promoted the most homogeneous mineral recovery, whereas TCP, NaF/TCP, and SDF produced distinct effects on lesion depth, superficial mineralization, and stabilization, supporting treatment-specific clinical decision-making.
The human oral and gut microbiomes play critical roles in maintaining overall health. Although systemic antibiotics are frequently prescribed perioperatively in dental procedures, their impact on microbiota composition and diversity remains inadequately understood. The authors' objective was to characterize the evolution of the gut and oral microbiomes after a course of antibiotics administered for dental surgeries. The authors hypothesized that the microbiome would experience disruption but eventually recover to baseline levels and that patient-related factors would influence the extent of disruption and recovery. Saliva and stool samples were collected from patients undergoing dental surgeries and receiving prophylactic antibiotics (n = 64) at baseline and then at 3, 10, 30, and 90 days after surgery. Microbial diversity and composition were assessed using 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing. Shotgun metagenomics sequencing was applied to a subset of samples to evaluate changes in antimicrobial resistance genes. Significant (P < .01) declines in alpha diversity were observed in both oral and fecal microbiomes, most notably at days 3 and 10, with near recovery at day 90. The oral microbiome exhibited greater disruption than the gut microbiome, suggesting higher susceptibility to postoperative disturbance. Patient-level factors including sex, race, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and antibiotic type influenced baseline diversity, disruption, and recovery. Results of taxonomic analyses revealed that key health-associated genera were substantially altered postsurgery. Some antimicrobial resistance genes increased in relative abundance over time, consistent with potential long-term ecological consequences of antibiotic use. The findings highlight the dynamic response of the human microbiome to antibiotic exposure and oral surgery and underscore the importance of antibiotic stewardship in practice. Further research on functional outcomes and host-microbiome interactions is warranted to optimize perioperative care in dentistry. Consideration of patient factors is essential to minimize unnecessary disruption of the microbiome and mitigate the risk of developing resistance.
Physical restraint is necessary in pediatric dentistry to manage an uncooperative child. Although the Papoose Board is widely utilized, it has been implicated in causing psychological and physiological issues. The Comfy Wrap is a new option that aims to provide a more child-centered and comfortable environment. This study compared the two techniques based on parental perception and the physiological stress reaction assessed by oxygen saturation (SpO₂) levels. A randomized crossover trial was carried out among 40 patients aged 3-7 years needing protective stabilization for dental treatment. They were equally allocated to two groups: group A was given the Papoose Board first and then the Comfy Wrap; group B was given the interventions in reverse order. Parental views were obtained on a structured questionnaire following each intervention. Children's SpO₂ levels were measured before, during, and after every restraint application. Statistical methods included descriptive statistics, repeated measures ANOVA, and Tukey's post hoc tests. A greater percentage of parents in each group preferred the Comfy Wrap to the Papoose Board (41.1% in group A and 56.25% in group B). Parents rated the Comfy Wrap as less scary and acceptable. SpO₂ values changed significantly with time in group A (p < 0.001), although no significant difference was found between restraint methods (p = 0.074). The Comfy Wrap showed greater physiological stability for group B with a significant intervention effect (p = 0.023). Although both the Papoose Board and the Comfy Wrap enabled successful pediatric dental treatment, the Comfy Wrap was always more accepted by parents and was linked to improved physiological stability, as indicated by SpO₂. In pedodontics, the Comfy Wrap was found to be a more acceptable and physiologically superior restraint technique than the Papoose Board.
This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesised global prevalence, regimens, guideline adherence, and factors associated with antibiotic prescribing in dental implant surgery. MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science were systematically searched from January 2010 to October 2025. Dentist surveys, patient-record studies, and register-based studies were included. Prevalence was pooled using random-effects meta-analysis with Freeman-Tukey transformation; regimen and appropriateness were narratively synthesised. Risk of bias and evidence certainty were assessed using JBI and GRADE tools. Thirty-nine studies (7266 dentists; 137,207 patients) were included. Pooled prevalence of routine antibiotic prescribing was 61.3% (95% CI: 53.4-68.8%; I²=96.8%) with extreme heterogeneity (24.9-88.8%). Combined pre- and post-operative regimens predominated (52.6%), typically involving 5-7-day post-operative courses. Amoxicillin was the most frequent choice (50.9%). Prescribing increased with procedural complexity, reaching 97.3% for compromised cases. Guideline-concordant prescribing was low (1-28%), with a declining temporal trend. Overall evidence certainty was very low. Antibiotic prescribing for implant surgery varied widely but was often high, frequently exceeding evidence-based indications. Post-operative regimens predominated despite no demonstrated benefit over a single pre-operative dose. Reducing unnecessary antibiotic use in implant surgery may require procedure-specific international guidelines and targeted stewardship, though more robust evidence is needed to determine effective strategies.
This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) and binaural noise as distraction techniques for managing dental anxiety in pediatric patients. Forty-four healthy children aged 5-8 years, with mild-to-moderate anxiety (Frankle's rating 2 and 3), participated. Each child was exposed to three different distraction methods on separate visits: (1) control (no aid), (2) binaural noise, and (3) VR. Anxiety levels were measured using Venham's picture test and pulse oximetry before and after local anesthesia (LA). The values were recorded in Microsoft Excel sheets, and the data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27 software. Analysis of the data between groups was carried out using repeated measures analysis of variance (RANOVA) to analyze the effects of intervention, Chi-square test, and paired t-test for differences between groups. Both VR and binaural noise significantly reduced anxiety compared to the control group. The VR group showed the most pronounced reduction in pulse rate and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, indicating lower anxiety and stress. The binaural noise group showed moderate anxiety reduction, whereas the control group experienced a significant increase in anxiety post-LA. Statistical analysis confirmed VR's superior effectiveness in reducing anxiety. VR was the most effective in reducing dental anxiety, likely due to its immersive, multisensory experience. Binaural noise also reduced anxiety but to a lesser extent. The study suggests that nonpharmacological techniques, particularly VR, can significantly improve pediatric dental care by reducing anxiety and enhancing the treatment experience for young patients.
Ectodermal dysplasia (ED) is a heterogeneous group of inherited disorders affecting ectoderm-derived structures, with dental anomalies representing a major clinical concern. This case report describes three siblings from a Tunisian family presenting marked intrafamilial phenotypic variability of ED. Clinical and radiographic findings revealed variable patterns of oligodontia (ranging from two to eight missing teeth), peg-shaped teeth, taurodontism, and craniofacial skeletal discrepancies. Cephalometric analysis demonstrated altered dentoalveolar development, whereas the adolescent patient reported significant psychosocial distress. Management included minimally invasive composite reshaping in two patients and a removable partial denture in the youngest child to restore function and vertical dimension, combined with orthodontic referral and longitudinal growth monitoring over a 2-year follow-up period. Despite a shared genetic background, the severity and clinical expression varied considerably, requiring individualized therapeutic strategies. This report emphasizes that early, growth-adapted, multidisciplinary management is essential in ED and that conservative and interim prosthetic approaches can significantly improve functional, aesthetic, and psychosocial outcomes during childhood.
Cleaning dental interim crowns using chemical agents may affect chemical stability, solubility, and liquid sorption. Studies investigating the reaction of different interim materials with different cleaning solutions are lacking. The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of chemical cleaning solutions on the chemical stability, liquid sorption, and solubility of conventional and computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) fabricated dental interim materials. A total of 192 specimens were fabricated using the following materials and fabrication methods: conventional chemically activated polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) n=48, bis-acrylic composite n=48, milled PMMA n=48, and 3-dimensional (3D) printed resin n=48. Each group was treated with 4 solutions (water n=12, general purpose cleaner n=12, tartar and stain cleaner n=12, cement remover cleaner n=12). Each specimen was immersed in the assigned solution for 5 cycles of 10 minutes using an ultrasonic water bath. Chemical stability was assessed with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indices: residual monomer (RMI), hydrogen (HI), carbonyl (CaI), and carbon oxygen (COI). Sorption and solubility were measured at baseline, after 2 cleaning cycles, and after 5 cleaning cycles. Data were analyzed using generalized estimating equations (GEEs) to account for repeated measures and analyze the difference in chemical stability, sorption, and solubility between groups (α=.05). Significant differences in chemical stability, liquid sorption, and solubility were observed between materials and cleaning solutions after 2 and 5 cycles of chemical ultrasonic cleaning (P<.001). Milled PMMA specimens washed in the general purpose cleaner and the water group showed the most solubility (mean: 0.53 μg/mm³; 95% CI: 0.50, 0.55, mean: 0.51 μg/mm³; 95% CI: 0.48, 0.54, respectively). Printed resin in water showed marked desorption (-0.58 μg/mm³, 95% CI: -0.76, -0.40) at 5 cycles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed significant material effect and material-solution interactions in all indices (P<.001); milled PMMA in isopropanol showed the greatest hydrolytic degradation (+12.6% in CaI), bis-acryl resin in water showed the most water sorption (+163.5% in HI), while bis-acryl resin in cement cleaner exhibited the highest increase in residual monomer release (+7.7% in RMI) at cycle 5. Printed resin in isopropanol exhibited the highest increase in residual monomer release (+27.5% in RMI) at cycle 2. Ultrasonic chemical cleaning solutions affected the chemical properties of interim materials. Material-solution compatibility should be considered to avoid compromising restoration quality.
This study aimed to evaluate the influence of residues from three endodontic sealers on the adhesive interface of two universal adhesive systems: Scotchbond Universal (SU) and OptiBond All-in-One (OU). Forty bovine dentin surfaces were cleaned with 95% ethanol and divided into 4 groups: control, without endodontic sealer; AH, dentin impregnated with AH PLUS sealer; ES, EndoSequence BC Sealer; and MTA, MTA Fillapex. After cleaning, the persistence of residues and the number of open dentinal tubules were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Sixty bovine incisor crowns were divided into six groups (n=10): AH-SU, ES-SU, MTA-SU, AH-OU, ES-OU, and MTA-OU to evaluate the microshear bond strength in a universal testing machine and failure mode, in stereomicroscopy. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, ANOVA, and post hoc Tukey tests (α=0.05). AH Plus showed higher persistence of residues and fewer open tubules compared to other groups (P<0.05), whereas EndoSequence BC Sealer and MTA Fillapex did not differ from each other (P>0.05). Bond strength was lower in AH Plus groups, regardless of the adhesive system used (P<0.05). EndoSequence BC Sealer and MTA Fillapex exhibited similar and higher bond strength than AH Plus (P>0.05). Adhesive failure was the most frequent mode in all groups, except for MTA-SU, which showed a higher incidence of mixed failures. Residues of endodontic sealers affect dentinal penetrability and the adhesion of universal adhesives. In the present study, EndoSequence BC Sealer and MTA Fillapex had less impact on the adhesive interface than AH Plus, suggesting a lower impact on adhesion after cleaning with 95% ethanol.
Dental caries is common in children's occlusal pits and fissures. Pit and fissure sealants prevent caries by blocking biofilm formation. This study compares the effectiveness of two modern sealants, Embrace WetBond (Pulpdent) and DenteShield (Elevate OralCare), over 16 months. Embrace WetBond is moisture-tolerant, whereas DenteShield contains organoselenium that inhibits bacterial growth, particularly Streptococcus mutans. Clinical performance was evaluated using Modified Ryge-United States Public Health Service (USPHS) Criteria. A randomized, single-blinded, split-mouth design included 90 children with fully erupted mandibular first molars. Group I received DenteShield, and group II received Embrace WetBond. Evaluations were performed at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 16 months. At 6 months, both sealants showed minimal discoloration (88.90%). By 12 months, discoloration increased slightly (DenteShield: 85.60%, Embrace: 81.10%). Embrace exhibited better retention (98.90%) than DenteShield (92.20%). At 16 months, DenteShield showed superior margin adaptation. DenteShield showed poorer color match due to the yellowish tint from selenium, while Embrace had more marginal discoloration and adaptation issues. Embrace demonstrated superior surface texture in the first 6 months, with DenteShield outperforming thereafter. Retention rates were higher with Embrace, though DenteShield excelled in specific components. Organoselenium compounds in DenteShield provide antimicrobial effects, reducing bacterial colonization, particularly Streptococcus mutans, which could enhance long-term caries prevention under sealants.
Dental caries is a common oral health problem that affects people all over the world. To detect and treat it early on, it is important to have a thorough understanding of its genesis and potential biomarkers. The objective of this systematic review is to answer the question: "Is there any role of immune status in the development of dental caries among children and adults, and is there any potential in using immunological markers for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of this condition?" From 2016 to 2024, a thorough search approach adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria was used across several datasets (PROSPERO: CRD42024612045). To find pertinent publications, a total of 2,723 articles were searched using keywords associated with dental caries, immunity, and interventions. The inclusion criteria included papers that addressed the connection between immunity and the development of caries, interventions, and results, including alterations in basal metabolic rate (BMR), weight gain in patients, improvements in quality of life, and recurrence of carious lesions. Two reviewers independently extracted the data, assessed its quality, and assessed the risk of bias using validated instruments such as the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The evaluation encompassed 10 articles in all, demonstrating noteworthy correlations between immunological indicators and dental caries. Results point to a favorable correlation between salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels and the number of carious teeth, as well as an increase in proinflammatory cytokine concentrations in dental caries patients. Furthermore, the pulp tissue of dental caries patients has different bacterial communities and higher expression of proinflammatory cytokines, suggesting a possible connection between immune activation and dysbiosis. The findings highlight the significance of immune status/immunological indicators in the diagnosis and treatment of dental caries, emphasizing the necessity for additional study to corroborate these conclusions and improve treatment and preventative dental care practices. This work has got great relevance to pediatric dentists. The current work highlights a possible link between the immune status and the development of caries in pediatric and adult patients as well as the potential of immunological markers in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of dental caries in both pediatric and adult patients. CRD42024612045.
Oral health disparities remain a significant public health concern among migrant populations, often driven by socioeconomic barriers, limited access to dental care, and challenges in health information acquisition. This study aimed to assess oral health behaviors, access to dental care, and sources of oral health information among migrants residing in Italy and to examine their association with the presence of untreated dental caries. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 427 migrants living in Italy. Data were collected using a structured online questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, oral health behaviors, dental care utilization, and use of social media for oral health information. The primary outcome was the presence of at least one untreated dental caries (yes/no), assessed through self-reported data. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with untreated caries. A total of 63.5% of participants reported having at least one untreated dental caries. Most participants reported irregular dental attendance, with a high proportion seeking care only in emergency situations. Monthly income, nationality, and frequency of dental check-ups were significantly associated with untreated caries in univariate analysis. However, in multivariable analysis, only nationality remained significantly associated with the outcome (p < 0.0001). Additionally, limited use of preventive dental services and low perceived credibility of oral health information from social media were observed. Untreated dental caries were highly prevalent and were associated with socioeconomic and access-related factors within the study population. These findings highlight the importance of improving access to preventive dental services and strengthening reliable oral health communication strategies in migrant populations.
To investigate and compare the cutting efficiency (time taken) and efficacy based on visual criteria, tactile criteria, and assessment by caries detecting dye of smart bur and diamond point in primary molars of children between 3 and 9 years. Dental caries is a progressive breakdown of tooth structure, often due to poor dietary habits in children. Traditional treatments like high-speed drilling can remove healthy tissue. Innovations like polymer burs made from polyether ketone ketone (PEKK) selectively remove decayed dentin based on hardness, reducing discomfort and preserving tooth integrity. This in vivo double-blinded, parallel randomized clinical trial compared the cutting efficiency and efficacy of smart bur and diamond point in primary molar caries removal. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups using a computerized generated sequence. Efficiency was timed; efficacy was assessed visually, tactually, and with caries detector dye. Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Government College of Dentistry. A total of 60 patients following inclusion criteria. Occlusal caries in dentin was removed with two different caries excavation burs, followed by restoration with Type II glass ionomer cement. The diamond point was more efficient, with a mean time of 112.93 ± 27.56 seconds, compared to 128.40 ± 19.98 seconds for the smart bur. The diamond point revealed caries completely in 76.7% of cases, higher than 43.3% with the smart bur. The smart bur serves as an effective aid in minimally invasive dentistry by preserving healthy tooth structure, but it does not surpass the conventional diamond point. REF/2025/06/107330. Smart burs, as a part of minimally invasive dentistry, preserve healthy tooth structure during caries removal. They may serve as an alternative to conventional caries excavation methods in pediatric dentistry.