Evaluating the accuracy of Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer version 4 (ChatGPT-4) responses to United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) frequently asked questions about dental amalgam.

BACKGROUND: The use of artificial intelligence in the field of health sciences is becoming widespread. It is known that patients benefit from artificial intelligence applications on various health issues, especially after the pandemic period. One of the most important issues in this regard is the accuracy of the information provided by artificial intelligence applications. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to the frequently asked questions about dental amalgam, as determined by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is one of these information resources, to Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer version 4 (ChatGPT-4) and to compare the content of the answers given by the application with the answers of the FDA. METHODS: The questions were directed to ChatGPT-4 on May 8th and May 16th, 2023, and the responses were recorded and compared at the word and meaning levels using ChatGPT. The answers from the FDA webpage were also recorded. The responses were compared for content similarity in "Main Idea", "Quality Analysis", "Common Ideas", and "Inconsistent Ideas" between ChatGPT-4's responses and FDA's responses. RESULTS: ChatGPT-4 provided similar responses at one-week intervals. In comparison with FDA guidance, it provided answers with similar information content to frequently asked questions. However, although there were some similarities in the general aspects of the recommendation regarding amalgam removal in the question, the two texts are not the same, and they offered different perspectives on the replacement of fillings. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicate that ChatGPT-4, an artificial intelligence based application, encompasses current and accurate information regarding dental amalgam and its removal, providing it to individuals seeking access to such information. Nevertheless, we believe that numerous studies are required to assess the validity and reliability of ChatGPT-4 across diverse subjects.

In-vivo evaluation of the effects of short-term dehydration and rehydration on the color differences of immature permanent incisor teeth.

OBJECTIVE: It is aimed to evaluate the color changes of upper central incisor teeth with different root maturation levels after 15 min of dehydration and rehydration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the Cvek classification, 60 participants were divided into five groups. A spectrophotometer, equipped with a specially designed jig, was utilized for color measurements. Following isolation, color measurements were conducted at the dehydration process intervals of baseline, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, and 15th minutes. After mouth rinsing, measurements were repeated at the same time intervals during the rehydration process. CIEDE2000 (ΔE00) values and the Whiteness Index (WID) were obtained to compare the color changes between the initial readings and each interval. Friedman and Repeated Measures ANOVA were applied to compare classes by time during the dehydration and rehydration periods, as well as ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests to compare by classes for each time (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Significant differences emerged in the mean ΔE00 values during dehydration and rehydration periods across all Cvek Classes (p < 0.05). While no statistically significant differences were observed among Classes at different minutes during the rehydration period (p > 0.05), it was particularly noted that the mean ΔE00 values of Classes 2, 3, and 5 at the 2nd minute of dehydration were statistically significantly higher than the mean of Class 1 (p < 0.05). However, when evaluating the starting and ending measurements of both dehydration and rehydration processes, and the overall change in ΔE00 and ΔWID, no significant variations were detected across the Classes (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In teeth that have just erupted and are still undergoing root development, dehydration in the initial minutes results in noticeable color changes. However, the change in ΔE00 and ΔWID of the teeth was found to be similar after the dehydration and rehydration processes. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: According to the Cvek classification, the lower color change in Class 1 teeth within the first 2 min of dehydration and the need for more than 15 min of rehydration for immature teeth with an open apex to return to their initial state after a 15-min dehydration are crucial for clinicians in terms of color assessment timing.

Microhardness of glass carbomer and high-viscous glass Ionomer cement in different thickness and thermo-light curing durations after thermocycling aging.

BACKGROUND: The objective of our study was to compare the upper and lower surface microhardness and surface changes of Glass Carbomer Cement (GCP) and EQUIA Forte (EF) in different thickness after thermo-light curing durations and aging. METHODS: A total of 504 samples (5 mm-diameter) were prepared by using GCP-252 (GCP Dental, and Vianen, Netherlands) and EF-252 (EQUIA Forte, GC, Tokyo, Japan). Three different thickness samples (2, 4, and 6 mm) were prepared with 84 samples in each subgroup. The samples were prepared by three curing procedures (Non-exposed, 60s, 90s). Their varnishes were applied to the upper surfaces of half of each subgroup (n = 7). The upper microhardness measurements were evaluated before and after aging. To compare the effect of different thicknesses, the bottom surfaces of the samples were evaluated before aging in terms of microhardness measurements. Also, the upper surfaces were analyzed in the SEM before and after aging. RESULTS: The upper surface values of all the samples were higher than the bottom values (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the varnished and non-varnished samples in both materials (p > 0.05). Although this increase was not significant in some groups, temperature variations increased the surface microhardness values of both materials except for the non-exposed-varnished EF samples. The highest microhardnesses values were recorded in the non-exposed-varnished EF (125.6 ± 6.79) and unvarnished GCP (88.1 ± 7.59) samples which were thermo-light cured for 90 s before aging. The bottom hardness values were affected by thickness variations in both GCP and EF materials (p < 0.05). The sample deformations and microcracks after aging were greater than before in all the materials. Thermo-light curing in 90 s to the samples reduced the cracks in both the materials before and after aging. CONCLUSIONS: Thermal aging adversely affected the microhardness of the materials, which is important for clinical success. The thermo-light curing process improved the microhardness of the GCP group without varnish application. Varnish application increased the microhardness of the EF group without applying thermo-light curing. The microhardness of the bottom surfaces decreased with increasing thickness. The thermo-light curing did not increase the bottom surface microhardness of all the samples.

Effects of Novel Finishing and Polishing Systems on Surface Roughness and Morphology of Nanocomposites.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effects of different finishing/polishing techniques on the surface roughness of nanocomposites after thermocycling aging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five contemporary resin-based composites (Clearfil Majesty ES-2, Filtek Z550, Estelite∑Quick, Zenit, Filtek Z250) were tested. For each resin-based composite, 50 disc-shaped specimens were prepared and groups were divided into five subgroups according to the finishing/polishing methods (n = 10): control, finishing/polishing brush, finishing/polishing disc, and two different finishing/polishing wheels. Before and after aging, the surface roughness of specimens was measured. For each treatment method two samples were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope. Two-way analysis of variance and paired samples t-tests were used to evaluate the data and the means were compared by Bonferroni tests (p ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: Before aging, the Filtek Z250 resin with the Mylar strip group showed the lowest surface roughness (Ra) value (0.13 ± 0.03 µm, p < 0.05) and the Clearfil Majesty ES 2 resin with Occlubrush finishing/polishing system showed the highest (0.7 ± 0.13 µm, p < 0.05). After aging, the Clearfil Majesty ES 2 resin with the Mylar strip group showed the highest surface roughness (Ra) value (0.96 ± 0.4 µm) and the Clearfil Majesty ES 2 resin with the Sof-Lex aluminum oxide disc finishing/polishing system showed the lowest surface roughness (Ra) value (0.25 ± 0.06 µm, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Composite type and finishing/polishing method significantly affected the surface roughness of composites before and after thermocycling aging. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: There were significant interactions between finishing/polishing methods and composite types for surface roughness. The results give clinicians some flexibility in choosing appropriate finishing/polishing techniques for each resin composite material. (J Esthet Restor Dent 28:247-261, 2016).