Computer-assisted navigation in oral and maxillofacial surgery: A systematic review.

Background: The term "navigation" describes a device that can pinpoint critical anatomical features, the most direct path to the target, and the optimal surgical orientation. This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive literature search on computer-assisted navigation for use in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, relevant studies were retrieved from five electronic databases: Medline, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Saudi Digital Library (SDL). The central question was, "Does the computer-assisted navigation system improve the outcome of surgical procedures in the oral and maxillofacial region?" The Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 was used to determine the various types of bias. Results: Post-traumatic midfacial reconstruction is one of the many fields that have benefited from the use of computer-assisted navigation because of its reliability. It can also be used to extricate difficult foreign entities from the operative zone. Locating critical anatomical components, communicating the surgical plan to the patient, and verifying surgical success can improve the function and appearance of patients with dentofacial abnormalities. In addition, it decreases the surgical error margin and duration. Conclusion: Computer-assisted navigation is promising in surgical practice. The accuracy of surgery can be significantly enhanced by first planning the process in a virtual environment and then performing it under close supervision in real time. In addition, the time required for preoperative planning and surgery can be reduced by creating and improving software programs.

Digital Impressions Versus Conventional Impressions in Prosthodontics: A Systematic Review.

The accuracy of definitive impressions has a significant impact on the quality of the final prosthesis. Elastic impression materials are commonly used in the traditional approach to replicate anatomical structures while indirectly fabricating prostheses. Digital impression has gained increasing popularity due to its various advantages, including three-dimensional previsualization, cost-effectiveness, and reduced time consumption. The objective of this study is to evaluate existing studies to provide an overview of the comparative advantages of digital impression techniques over conventional techniques. The review will focus on evaluating the accuracy, patient acceptability, operator preference, and time effectiveness of digital impression techniques in comparison to conventional techniques. The Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome framework served as the basis for this study's search strategy. We conducted a comprehensive literature review by electronically searching articles published between 2000 and 2023 in PubMed, Medline, Cochrane, and the Web of Science. Furthermore, additional manual searches were conducted. The study examined the differences between optical impressions and traditional impressions in terms of accuracy, patient outcomes, and operator outcomes. It included both clinical and preclinical studies as well as randomized controlled trials. In conclusion, this review provides a short summary indicating that digital impressions exhibit comparable accuracy to conventional impressions without any statistically significant difference. This conclusion is based on an evaluation of accuracy, patient preference, and operator preference.

Evidence of Effectiveness of Lingual Orthodontics as an Alternative to Conventional Labial Orthodontics. A Systematic Review.

In orthodontics, both the treatment goals and the impact of orthodontic equipment on patients' aesthetic appearance have contributed to a rise in patients' aesthetic demands over the years. Patients considering orthodontic treatment are significantly concerned about the potential compromise in facial appearance that conventional orthodontic therapy might cause. Clinical practice has integrated aesthetic materials and procedures to address these restrictions. This review will examine the present data and outcomes linked to lingual orthodontics. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase were the electronic databases searched. Research interests mainly included biomechanics, appliance design, bonding, laboratory settings, case reports, survey research, and treatment outcomes. The goal was to locate the most recent data regarding lingual orthodontics. A consistent and predictable pattern emerges from the available evidence on lingual orthodontics. Several areas have received a lot of attention over the past decade, including the ability to forecast outcomes and patients' preparedness to embrace these changes. The current state of knowledge on the biomechanical principles of lingual orthodontics is solid, as this review shows. Lingual orthodontic appliances can efficiently handle any orthodontic scenario that a labial appliance can handle. The reason is that the completely customized lingual appliance might bring about the desired result in terms of treatment.

Revolutionizing Dental Care: A Comprehensive Review of Artificial Intelligence Applications Among Various Dental Specialties.

Since the beginning of recorded history, the human brain has been one of the most intriguing structures for scientists and engineers. Over the centuries, newer technologies have been developed based on principles that seek to mimic their functioning, but the creation of a machine that can think and behave like a human remains an unattainable fantasy. This idea is now known as "artificial intelligence". Dentistry has begun to experience the effects of artificial intelligence (AI). These include image enhancement for radiology, which improves the visibility of dental structures and facilitates disease diagnosis. AI has also been utilized for the identification of periapical lesions and root anatomy in endodontics, as well as for the diagnosis of periodontitis. This review is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the use of AI in modern dentistry's numerous specialties. The relevant publications published between March 1987 and July 2023 were identified through an exhaustive search. Studies published in English were selected and included data regarding AI applications among various dental specialties. Dental practice involves more than just disease diagnosis, including correlation with clinical findings and administering treatment to patients. AI cannot replace dentists. However, a comprehensive understanding of AI concepts and techniques will be advantageous in the future. AI models for dental applications are currently being developed.

Quality of Life Postchronic Tonsillitis Treatments: An Original Research.

Introduction: The tonsillectomy is a common surgical procedure performed for the treatment of chronic tonsillitis (CT). In the present study, we aim to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) after CT. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study among 100 tonsillectomy patients whose data were collected from the department records. The QOL was evaluated using the "Glasgow Benefit Inventory." We assessed various parameters pre-and post-surgery. We deliberated P < 0.05 as significant when comparing the pre-and post-surgical QOL. Results: We observed that of the 100 subjected selected for the study, there was a significant improvement in the QOL and the disease severity variables. Conclusions: The tonsillectomy for the treatment of CT among adults has improved the QOL of the patients. Overall patients' health conditions and professional life improved after the procedure.

Oral Health and Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Case Control Study.

INTRODUCTION: Association between oral health and rheumatoid arthritis is well established. Oral health-related quality of life was determined in patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted among 45 patients (males 25 and female 20) (Group I) of RA and 45 healthy participants as control (Group II). Disease activity score 28 test, health assessment questionnaire (HAQ), and general oral health assessment index (GOHAI) questionnaire were applied. RESULTS: The mean HAQ score in Group I was 1.14 and in Group II was 0.36. The mean GOHAI score in Group I was 36.4 and in Group II was 52.8. The mean HAQ in males was 0.94 and in females was 34.6. The mean GOHAI in males was 12.6 and in females was 38.2. In Group I, there were 15 patients with HAQ level 1 and 30 with HAQ level 2 and in Group II was 40 with HAQ levels 1 and 5 with HAQ level 2. In Group I, 42 had Dt GOHAI = 0 and 3 had Dt GOHAI = 1 and in Group II, 10 had Dt GOHAI = 0 and 35 had Dt GOHAI = 1. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the mean value of HAQ and GOHAI in degree of disease activity (P < 0.05). There was an increase in HAQ and decreases GOHAI scores with the deterioration of disease. There was a correlation between age and involved joints with HAQ and inverse relationship between age and involved joints with GOHAI. CONCLUSION: Authors found that RA patients had poor oral health quality of life. It was found that aging and with the deterioration of disease, GOHAI, and the oral health quality of life of patients decreased.

Stumbling block for inferior alveolar nerve block in predoctoral students: An analytical observational study and review of literature of mandibular nerve block techniques.

INTRODUCTION: Dentists earnestly try to practice painless treatment. Conventional inferior alveolar nerve block technique is preferred by most of the dentists despite its various modifications.However its failure rate as per literature is quite high. Inexperienced dentists face difficulty in obtaining effective anesthesia. This may be due to limited access to inferior alveolar nerve,greater density of alveolar bone,bulky soft tissues,damage to nerve or due to risk of intravascular injection. AIM: The aim of this study is to review and clinically assess the factors causing difficulty or failure of inferior alveolar nerve block in predoctoral students and to review the mandibular nervve blocks. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Dental interns of riyadh elm university were monitored during administration of inferior alveolar nerve block for difficulty factors influencing inferior alveolar nerve block. Onset of anesthesia, efficacy anesthesia of inferior alveolar nerve, lingual nerve and long buccal nerve were ascertained. Difficulty index was used to assess the "item difficulty" with a score of 0.0 which indicates that none of the dental interns anesthetised correctly to 1.0 suggesting all the dental interns anesthetised correctly. RESULTS: Complete failure of inferior alveolar nerve block was noticed in 2.4% of predoctoral students. The most common cause for inferior alveolar nerve block failure was attributed to the difficulty in palpating the landmarks (77%), 22% of the patients refused multiple needle penetrations,and 19% of inferior alveolar nerve block failure was due to the fear of potential complications by the predoctoral students. CONCLUSION: Clinical skill of predoctoral students need adequate training in nerve blocks. Revising the current literature on alternative inferior alveolar nerve block techniques or use of evidence based dentistry to update and practice alternative nerve block techniques would aid in improving the clinical skills and treatment outcome which would therefore enable to remove the stumbling blocks in successful anesthesia.

Evaluation of Reduction Protocols in Managing Aerosol Generation in Caries Management in COVID 19 in Riyadh: An Original Research.

INTRODUCTION: External high-volume extraction (HVE) devices may offer a way to reduce any aerosol particulate generated. The aim of this study was to measure the particle count during dental aerosol-generating procedures and compare the results with when a HVE device is used. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Design A comparative clinical study measuring the amount of PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 aerosol particulate with and without the use of an external HVE device was undertaken. Materials and methods in total, ten restorative procedures were monitored with an industrial Trotec PC220 particle counter. The intervention was an external HVE device. Main outcome methods the air sampler was placed at the average working distance of the clinicians involved in the study - 420 mm. RESULTS: In the present study, aerosol particulate was recorded at statistically significantly increased levels during dental procedures without an external HVE device versus with the device. Discussion The null hypothesis was rejected, in that significant differences were found between the results of the amount of aerosol particle count with and without a HVE device. CONCLUSION: If the results of the present study are repeated in an in vivo setting, an external high-volume suction device may potentially show a lower risk of transmission of viral particulate.

Lingual schwannoma in an adolescent girl- A diagnostic challenge.

Shwannoma, a benign neurogenic neoplasm consisting of schwann cells is a slow growing solitarily found pathology. We present a case of shwannoma in a 14 year old girl and its identifying features which can be a diagnostic challenge owing to its similarity with many lesions. The patient visited our center with a nodular growth on her tongue. Transoral excision was performed and pathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of schwannoma.