Application of 3D-printed teeth models in teaching dentistry students: A scoping review.

INTRODUCTION: Both regular teaching of dentistry students and various training schemes for dentists primarily make use of the series teeth models, resin blocks or extracted teeth, whereas the 3D teeth models may well offer an alternative in this respect. METHODS: PubMed and EMBASE were searched in September 2020. Eligibility of the studies was determined on whether they had made use of the 3D-printed teeth models in both pre- and post-graduate education in dentistry. RESULTS: The final review embraced 15 studies. There were 659 (89.54%) student participants, and 77 (10.46%) dentists involved in those studies. Five studies addressed the prosthetic and surgical procedures, two-endodontics, one-paediatric dentistry and one-trauma management. The 3D-printed models were also used in the study focused on enhancing the students' manual dexterity, whilst making use of the PhantHome tool. DISCUSSION: The 3D-printed teeth models developed for teaching purposes are used in various areas of dentistry. Their overall usefulness in acquiring the necessary hands-on skills for clinical work was acknowledged in all the studies under review, regardless of a specific procedure at issue. The 3D models effectively eliminate the hazard of cross-infection. Overall effectiveness of the soft tissue reproduction appears to be their weakest point indicated to date, especially in the surgical models. CONCLUSIONS: The 3D-printed teeth models provide an alternative to the extracted ones, and the series teeth models in regular teaching practice. Participants of the studies under review thoroughly recommend introducing 3D models into any hands-on practice.

The 3D printed teeth models intended for hands-on practice in conservative dentistry.

OBJECTIVES: Designing and printing out a 3D model of a mandible, including the teeth with replicated carious lesions, to be fitted into the Dental Patient Simulator. Students assessed the 3D teeth models against the extracted teeth and the standard models, identifying specific restorative dentistry procedures where they might be applied as the teaching aids. METHODS: A 3D tooth model was printed out against a patient's Cone Beam Computed Tomography scan. The study was attended by 22, 5th-year students, who, having prior removed the caries, filled in the cavities of different classes and trepanned the pulp chamber in the 3D models, subsequently rating them against a questionnaire. RESULTS: Over 95% of students recommended introducing the 3D models into teaching conservative dentistry with endodontics at the pre-clinical stage to enhance manual skills in cavity preparation and filling. The replication of tissue hardness and anatomical characteristics in the 3D models was rated significantly higher, as compared to the standard ones (p <0.05). Over 90% of students also asserted that working on the 3D models would enhance their pulp chamber trepanation skills, and rated overall replication of the anatomical characteristics significantly higher, in comparison with the standard teeth models (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In pre-clinical education, the 3D teeth models offer a viable alternative, as there is an appreciable potential for different types of teeth to be printed out, in full consideration of their anatomical diversity. Further design refinements in the 3D teeth models are required, though, particularly the ones regarding true-to-life replication of the soft tissues.

Application of holography and augmented reality based technology to visualize the internal structure of the dental root - a proof of concept.

BACKGROUND: The Augmented Reality (AR) blends digital information with the real world. Thanks to cameras, sensors, and displays it can supplement the physical world with holographic images. Nowadays, the applications of AR range from navigated surgery to vehicle navigation. DEVELOPMENT: The purpose of this feasibility study was to develop an AR holographic system implementing Vertucci's classification of dental root morphology to facilitate the study of tooth anatomy. It was tailored to run on the AR HoloLens 2 (Microsoft) glasses. The 3D tooth models were created in Autodesk Maya and exported to Unity software. The holograms of dental roots can be projected in a natural setting of the dental office. The application allowed to display 3D objects in such a way that they could be rotated, zoomed in/out, and penetrated. The advantage of the proposed approach was that students could learn a 3D internal anatomy of the teeth without environmental visual restrictions. CONCLUSIONS: It is feasible to visualize internal dental root anatomy with AR holographic system. AR holograms seem to be attractive adjunct for learning of root anatomy.

Fractures of the Craniofacial Skeleton in the Elderly: Retrospective Studies.

The aim of the retrospective analysis of the medical documentation of 101 patients was to assess the incidence, etiology, and type of craniofacial fractures in the elderly population of southern Poland, who required specialist treatment at the Department of Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland, in the period 2010-2019. Patients were divided into 3 age groups: 65-74, 75-84, and 85 and older. The following was noted: age, sex, place of residence, education, cause and location of fracture, treatment, injuries and comorbidities, complications, alcohol and other drugs at the time of injury, and the period of hospitalization. The dominant group were patients aged 65-74 (72.28%), mainly males (56.44%). The main cause was fall (47.52%). The fractures involved mainly the mandible and the zygomaticomaxillary complex. Over half of patients (50.50%) lived in the countryside or small towns. Work tool-related accidents prevailed among geriatric patients living in small towns and rural areas. Craniofacial fractures were additionally accompanied by common complications regarding the organ of vision. Further studies analyzing factors leading to increased risk of craniofacial injuries in the elderly of the rural population will enable proper support programs, prophylaxis, and principles concerning agricultural activities.

Practical Guidelines for Physicians in Promoting Oral Health in Frail Older Adults.

Good oral health in old age is particularly important for maintaining adequate oral function, preventing pain and discomfort, controlling localized or systemic inflammation, sustaining social interaction, and preserving quality of life. Given that oral health is an integral part of general health and well-being, and that major chronic systemic and oral diseases share common risk factors, oral health prevention and promotion should be embedded within routine medical assessment and care provision. The role of medical physicians, particularly primary care physicians, geriatricians, and elderly care physicians, in community and long-term care facilities in assessing and promoting oral health in frail older adults is critical and has been emphasized in recent European recommendations. All physicians should appreciate the importance of oral health and incorporate an initial oral health screening into routine medical assessment and care. A short interview with patients and carers on current oral health practices may help to assess the risk for rapid oral health deterioration. The interview should be followed by an oral health assessment, using validated tools, for nondental health care providers. Based on these findings, the physician should decide on necessary follow-up procedures, which may include oral health counseling and/or dental referral. Oral health counseling should include advice on daily oral, mucosal, and denture hygiene; denture maintenance; dietary advice; smoking cessation; limitation of harmful alcohol consumption; management of xerostomia; and frequent dental review. To enable physicians to perform the tasks recommended in this publication, appropriate teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels must be delivered in addition to provision of appropriate continuing education courses.

An Expert Opinion from the European College of Gerodontology and the European Geriatric Medicine Society: European Policy Recommendations on Oral Health in Older Adults.

This is an expert opinion paper on oral health policy recommendations for older adults in Europe, with particular focus on frail and care-dependent persons, that the European College of Gerodontology (ECG) and the European Geriatric Medicine Society (EUGMS) Task and Finish Group on Gerodontology has developed. Oral health in older adults is often poor. Common oral diseases such as caries, periodontal disease, denture-related conditions, hyposalivation, and oral pre- and cancerous conditions may lead to tooth loss, pain, local and systemic infection, impaired oral function, and poor quality of life. Although the majority of oral diseases can be prevented or treated, oral problems in older adults remain prevalent and largely underdiagnosed, because frail persons often do not receive routine dental care, due to a number of barriers and misconceptions. These hindrances include person-related issues, lack of professional support, and lack of effective oral health policies. Three major areas for action are identified: education for healthcare providers, health policy action plans, and citizen empowerment and involvement. A list of defined competencies in geriatric oral health for non-dental healthcare providers is suggested, as well as an oral health promotion and disease prevention protocol for residents in institutional settings. Oral health assessment should be incorporated into general health assessments, oral health care should be integrated into public healthcare coverage, and access to dental care should be ensured.

Radiation-induced caries as the late effect of radiation therapy in the head and neck region.

Overall improvement in the nationwide system of medical services has consequently boosted the number of successfully treated patients who suffer from head and neck cancer. It is essential to effectively prevent development of radiation-induced caries as the late effect of radiation therapy. Incidence and severity of radiationinduced changes within the teeth individually vary depending on the patient's age, actual radiation dose, size of radiation exposure field, patient's general condition and additional risk factors. Inadequately managed treatment of caries may lead to loss of teeth, as well as prove instrumental in tangibly diminishing individual quality of life in patients. Furthermore, the need to have the teeth deemed unyielding or unsuitable for the application of conservative methods of treatment duly extracted is fraught for a patient with an extra hazard of developing osteoradionecrosis (ORN), while also increasing all attendant therapeutic expenditures. The present paper aims to offer some practical insights into currently available methods of preventing likely development of radiation-induced caries.

The level of dental anxiety and dental status in adult patients.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to assess potential correlation between dental anxiety and overall dental status in adult patients, in consideration of the frequency of dental appointments and individual dental hygiene practices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Individual dental anxiety levels were assessed with the aid of the Corah's dental anxiety scale (DAS). The study embraced 112 patients of the University Dental Clinic, Kraków. Following clinical and X-ray exams, respectively, decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index and dental treatment index (DTI) were computed for each study subject. RESULTS: Mean DAS among the 112 subjects under study was 9.41 standard deviation (SD = 3.36). Mean DMFT value was 15.86 (SD = 7.00), whereas DTI value was 0.76 (SD = 0.27). The number of decayed teeth and an individual dental anxiety level were found to be correlated (r = 0.26). Higher dental anxiety correlated with lower DTI value (r = -0.22) and lesser frequency of dental appointments (r = 0.22). CONCLUSIONS: Individual dental anxiety level appears to impact overall dental status, frequency of dental appointments and everyday oral health practices. Every conceivable effort should therefore be undertaken with a view to effectively diminishing dental anxiety levels in the patients. How to cite the article: Dobros K, Hajto-Bryk J, Wnek A, Zarzecka J, Rzepka D. The level of dental anxiety and dental status in adult patients. J Int Oral Health 2014;6(3):11-4.