Attitudes, knowledge, and perceptions of dentists and dental students toward artificial intelligence: a systematic review.

Objectives: This research was aimed at assessing comprehension, attitudes, and perspectives regarding artificial intelligence (AI) in dentistry. The null hypothesis was a lack of foundational understanding of AI in dentistry. Methods: This systematic review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was conducted in May 2023. The eligibility criteria included cross-sectional studies published in English until July 2023, focusing solely on dentists or dental students. Data on AI knowledge, use, and perceptions were extracted and assessed for bias risk with the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. Results: Of 408 publications, 22 relevant articles were identified, and 13 studies were included in the review. The average basic AI knowledge score was 58.62 % among dental students and 71.75 % among dentists. More dental students (72.01 %) than dentists (62.60 %) believed in AI's potential for advancing dentistry. Conclusions: Thorough AI instruction in dental schools and continuing education programs for practitioners are urgently needed to maximize AI's potential benefits in dentistry. An integrated PhD program could drive revolutionary discoveries and improve patient care globally. Embracing AI with informed understanding and training will position dental professionals at the forefront of technological advancements in the field.

A Successful Non-surgical Management of a Type II Dens Invaginatus with Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy: A Case Report.

Endodontic therapy of dens invaginatus (DI) anomalies is challenging due to difficult access, inadequate cleaning and shaping, and incomplete disinfection of its complicated root canal system. The present case report describes the treatment of tooth #10 with tooth discomfort, intermittent pus discharge, and localized swelling. Sinus tract, mobility, and probing grade 1 were observed. The tooth was tender on palpation and percussion with negative responses to pulp sensibility tests. Radiographic assessments revealed an atypical structure of pulpal anatomy, probably dens invaginatus, associated with a large periapical lesion and severe root curvature. Cone-beam computed tomography confirmed the presence of DI type II. Finally, the diagnosis of pulp necrosis with chronic apical abscess of tooth #10 was made. Combining antimicrobial photodynamic therapy as an adjunctive treatment with different irrigation techniques were effective in nonsurgical endodontic management of the complicated DI type II in a maxillary lateral incisor with a large periradicular lesion and severe root curvature. Six-month and one-year recall radiographic images revealed asymptomatic tooth and progressive osseous healing.

A Submandibular Fibromatosis; A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Background: Fibromatosis is a group of benign tumors originating from connective tissues of muscle, overlying fascia, periosteum, or aponeurosis. However, they might need several excisional resections, owing to compressive effects on adjacent vital structures. Case Report: Here, we discussed a case of submandibular fibromatosis in a 3-year-old girl. She underwent a conservative surgical procedure without a wide mandible bone resection. She received no adjuvant therapy. The postoperative period was uneventful with an appropriate cosmetic and functional outcome. A 1-year follow-up revealed no recurrence. Conclusion: Fibromatosis of the head and neck in children is a rare condition, which needs a multidisciplinary agreement for its appropriate management. A complete surgical removal often leads to a proper outcome. Adjuvant therapy should also be kept in mind for recurrent lesions not candidate for surgical removal or in case of remnant tumors.

Push-out bond strength of two calcium silicate-based cements used for repair of artificial furcal perforation following different power outputs of Nd:YAG laser.

Proper bond strength of endodontic materials is an essential factor in the final success of root canal treatments, including perforation repairs. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of two power outputs of Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm) on push-out bond strength (PBS) of ProRoot mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and calcium-enriched mixture cement (CEM Cement) in the repair of artificial furcal perforations. This ex vivo study enrolled 66 extracted human molars. After preparing the access cavity, perforations were created on the floor of the pulp chamber with a diameter of 1.4 mm. The teeth were randomly distributed into the following six groups according to the repair material (MTA and CEM) and power output of laser irradiation (1 W and 1.5 W); A: MTA (case), B: CEM (case), C: Nd:YAG (1 W)/MTA, D: Nd:YAG (1 W)/CEM, E: Nd:YAG (1.5 W)/MTA, and F: Nd:YAG (1.5 W)/CEM. Then, a universal testing machine was utilized to assess the PBS. Data analysis was performed using ANOVA and T tests. Significant level was considered at P < 0.05. The highest mean ± SD of PBS was noted in Group Nd:YAG (1 W)/MTA (58.92 ± 36.13), followed by Nd:YAG (1.5 W)/MTA > Nd:YAG (1.5 W)/CEM > Nd:YAG (1 W)/CEM > MTA > and CEM. A significant difference was noted between laser and non-laser applications (P < 0.05). However, the increase of power output from 1 to 1.5 W had no significant influence on PBS (P > 0.05). The PBS of MTA groups was always significantly greater than that of CEM groups (P < 0.05). Although Nd:YAG laser irradiation positively influenced on PBS values in both material studied, increasing power output was not effective.

The effect of low-level laser radiation and doxycycline on the levels of osteoprotegerin and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand.

The present in vitro study was conducted to investigate the effect of low-level laser (LLL) radiation and doxycycline on the levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) derived from MG-63 osteosarcoma cell line. MG-63 cells were divided into four groups. In the first group, 2 mg/mL of doxycycline was injected into the cell culture medium. Diode laser (810 nm, 100 mw, 75 s) was radiated to the culture medium of the second group. The third group received both doxycycline and laser radiation. In the fourth group (control), the culture medium was replaced daily, similar to the above three groups. Mentioned interventions were performed once a day for 4 consecutive days. Then, on the sixth day, the levels of OPG and RANKL mediators were measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction by isolating the cells from the samples. OPG expression had the highest to lowest levels in the laser + doxycycline, doxycycline, laser, and control groups, respectively. The level of OPG was significantly different between all the study groups (p < 0.05) except in the doxycycline + laser and doxycycline groups (p = 0.061). The highest to lowest levels of RANKL was observed in the doxycycline, laser + doxycycline, control, and laser groups, respectively. The RANKL expression was not significantly different between all the study groups (p > 0.05). The results of this study revealed that LLL and doxycycline reduced the RANKL/OPG ratio derived from the MG-63 osteosarcoma cell line, which may result in the diminished activity of osteoclasts and osteoclastogenesis.

Therapeutic effect of laser on pediatric oral soft tissue problems: a systematic literature review.

In recent years, extensive evidence has been published about usage of laser in oral lesions. The aim of the present study was to review the effectiveness of laser radiation in the treatment of pediatric oral soft tissue problems. The relevant keywords were searched in EBSCO, Medline (via Ovid), PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (WOS) databases. Then, eligible case series and controlled clinical trial studies, which published up to the end of 2018, were extracted and scrutinized. In this study, the age range of ≤ 21 years or the average age of ≤ 21 years was considered as the pediatric group. After limiting the search results, removing duplicate titles and eligibility evaluation, 17 papers were enrolled to the study (seven controlled clinical trials and ten case series). Er:YAG (2940 nm), CO2 (10,600 nm), Er,Cr:YSGG (2780 nm), and diode (650, 660, and 975 nm) lasers indicated successful clinical results on mucocele excision, frenectomy, gingival incision and re-contouring, and treatment of vascular malformations. In addition, 660-nm diode laser radiation was an effective adjuvant treatment for halitosis and gingivitis induced by multi-bracket appliances. Reduction or absence of pain and bleeding, suitable homeostasis, reduction of operation time, less analgesic consumption, and antibacterial effect were among the advantages of the laser radiation in the studies. Laser as a main or adjuvant tool can have an effective role in surgical and non-surgical treatments of pediatric oral soft tissue problems. Conducting further randomized controlled trial studies on different soft tissue lesions can contribute to drawing better conclusions.