Assessing the determinants of influenza and COVID-19 vaccine co-administration decisions in the elderly.

This research examines the low rate of co-administration of influenza and COVID-19 vaccines among seniors aged 65 and older in Korea, despite recommendations from authorities and academia worldwide. The study aimed to understand the influence of general characteristics and health beliefs on the vaccination choices of seniors, who were categorized into four groups based on their vaccination status: influenza only, COVID-19 only, both, or neither. A total of 400 participants, aged 65 and above, were selected through proportional stratified random sampling from five major Korean regions for a survey conducted between November 24th and December 15th, 2023. The results indicated no significant differences in general characteristics across these groups. However, regarding the health beliefs showed significant differences in perceived susceptibility and self-efficacy between the influenza-only and co-administration groups. Higher levels of perceived susceptibility and self-efficacy were associated with choosing co-administration. Contrary to previous studies focusing on safety concerns as a primary factor in vaccine hesitancy, this study highlights the role of individual health-related beliefs, particularly perceived susceptibility and self-efficacy, as critical in influencing the decision for co-administration among the elderly in Korea.

Multiscale Control of Nanofiber-Composite Hydrogel for Complex 3D Cell Culture by Extracellular Matrix Composition and Nanofiber Alignment.

In order to manipulate the complex behavior of cells in a 3-dimensional (3D) environment, it is important to provide the microenvironment that can accurately portray the complexity of highly anisotropic tissue structures. However, it is technically challenging to generate a complex microenvironment using conventional biomaterials that are mostly isotropic with limited bioactivity. In this study, the gelatin-hyaluronic acid hydrogel incorporated with aqueous-dispersible, short nanofibers capable of in situ alignment is developed to emulate the native heterogeneous extracellular matrix consisting of fibrous and non-fibrous components. The gelatin nanofibers containing magnetic nanoparticles, which could be aligned by external magnetic field, are dispersed and embedded in gelatin-hyaluronic acid hydrogel encapsulated with dermal fibroblasts. The aligned nanofibers via magnetic field could be safely integrated into the hydrogel, and the process could be repeated to generate larger 3D hydrogels with variable nanofiber alignments. The aligned nanofibers in the hydrogel can more effectively guide the anisotropic morphology (e.g., elongation) of dermal fibroblasts than random nanofibers, whereas myofibroblastic differentiation is more prominent in random nanofibers. At a given nanofiber configuration, the hydrogel composition having intermediate hyaluronic acid content induces myofibroblastic differentiation. These results indicate that modulating the degree of nanofiber alignment and the hyaluronic acid content of the hydrogel are crucial factors that critically influence the fibroblast phenotypes. The nanofiber-composite hydrogel capable of directional nanofiber alignment and tunable material composition can effectively induce a wide array of phenotypic plasticity in 3D cell culture.

Twenty Years of Progress and the Way Forward: Immunization Registry Information System in Korea.

The National Immunization Program in The Republic of Korea offers mandatory and free vaccinations to children under 12, regulated by the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act. Tracking vaccination coverage is crucial for population protection and public health strategies. Since 2002, the Immunization Registry Information System (IRIS) has been used nationwide to capture vaccination data. This study reviewed documents related to IRIS's establishment and development. The Republic of Korea legally supports IRIS's construction and data collection, integrating vaccination data with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's resident registration to minimize errors. This collaboration also facilitates cost reimbursement and digital registration, promoting wider vaccination coverage. IRIS manages expense claims once vaccination details are logged, and authorized medical institutions can access these records in real-time. Since 2015, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has been compiling annual data on national vaccination coverage. IRIS also sends automated reminders in 12 languages, reports adverse effects, and issues vaccination certificates. However, IRIS lacks integration between vaccine and disease registries, unlike countries such as England, Denmark, and the Netherlands. Improving integration capabilities could enhance IRIS's support for public health through an integrated information system.

3D microprinting of inorganic porous materials by chemical linking-induced solidification of nanocrystals.

Three-dimensional (3D) microprinting is considered a next-generation manufacturing process for the production of microscale components; however, the narrow range of suitable materials, which include mainly polymers, is a critical issue that limits the application of this process to functional inorganic materials. Herein, we develop a generalised microscale 3D printing method for the production of purely inorganic nanocrystal-based porous materials. Our process is designed to solidify all-inorganic nanocrystals via immediate dispersibility control and surface linking-induced interconnection in the nonsolvent linker bath and thereby creates multibranched gel networks. The process works with various inorganic materials, including metals, semiconductors, magnets, oxides, and multi-materials, not requiring organic binders or stereolithographic equipment. Filaments with a diameter of sub-10 µm are printed into designed complex 3D microarchitectures, which exhibit full nanocrystal functionality and high specific surface areas as well as hierarchical porous structures. This approach provides the platform technology for designing functional inorganics-based porous materials.

How to lead on carbon neutrality through sustainable development: A perspective on renewable energy, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and logistics networks.

In the face of intensifying climate change-induced environmental problems, understanding the causal relationship between carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and socioeconomic factors is crucial for achieving sustainable development. This study investigates how the causal relationships between renewable energy, information and communication technology (ICT), logistics networks, economic growth, industrialization, and energy intensity impact sustainable development using a panel dataset drawn from 104 countries and covering 2006 to 2019. Methodologically, panel unit root, panel co-integration, and Granger causality tests are employed as robust econometric techniques. The results of the panel unit root and co-integration tests confirm the stationarity of the variables and reveal significant long-term relationships among them throughout the empirical analysis period. Notably, the panel FMOLS and DOLS estimates indicate a positive effect of RE and ICT on reducing CO2 emissions, whereas GDP and energy intensity have a negative impact on CO2 emissions reduction. Moreover, the pairwise Granger causality test findings indicate bidirectional causal relationships between RE and CO2, IND and CO2, ICT and RE, IND and RE, GDP and ICT, as well as IND and ICT. The study recommends providing policy support, including for technological development and innovation, towards establishing a system that fosters sustainable development.

Chemomechanical Properties and Biocompatibility of Various Premixed Putty-type Bioactive Ceramic Cements.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the chemomechanical properties and biocompatibility of recently introduced premixed putty-type bioactive ceramic cements (PPBCs). METHODS: Including ProRoot MTA (PMTA) as a control, BC RRM fast-set putty (BCPT), Well-Root PT (WRPT), One-Fil PT (OFPT), and Endocem MTA premixed (ECPM) were compared to evaluate setting time, radiopacity, pH change, and microhardness. Biocompatibility on human dental pulp cells was compared using CCK-8 assay. Mineralization potential was evaluated using alkaline phosphatase activity, Alizarin Red S (ARS) staining, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction with odontogenic gene marker. For data analysis, 1-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test were used at the significance level of 95%. RESULTS: Among the PPBCs, BCPT presented the longest (552 ± 27) setting time (minutes) and others showed significantly shorter time than PMTA (334 ± 22) (P < .05). WRPT (6.20 ± 0.54) and OFPT (5.82 ± 0.50) showed significantly higher radiopacity values (mmAl) and others showed similar value compared with PMTA (P > .05). All PPBCs showed high alkaline pH from fresh materials and tended to increase according to time periods from 30 minutes to 12 hours. ECPM showed the highest value of microhardness (81.62 ± 5.90), WRPT showed similar, and others showed lower than PMTA (P < .05). All PPBCs showed biocompatibility in CCK-8 assay. All PPBCs showed similar or better value compared with PMTA in ALP and ARS staining, and ALP and DSPP marker expression (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The PPBCs showed clinically acceptable chemomechanical properties and favorable mineralization potential.

Physicochemical Properties and Biocompatibility of Various Bioceramic Root Canal Sealers: In Vitro Study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare the physicochemical properties and biocompatibility of various calcium silicate-based bioceramic sealers (CSBSs). METHODS: Four recently developed CSBSs, including AH Plus Bioceramic Sealer (AHB), EndoSequence BC Sealer (ESB), TotalFill BC Sealer (TTB), and Bio-C Sealer (BIC), were compared with the epoxy resin-based sealer AH Plus (AHP). Their physical properties, including flow, setting time, radiopacity, dimensional stability, and pH, were evaluated according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 6876. Their cytotoxicity in human periodontal ligament fibroblast (hPDLF) was assessed through the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and compared. Additionally, cell attachment to the sealer surface was analyzed using green fluorescent protein and confocal laser scanning microscopy to evaluate cell viability. Data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance to determine the difference between groups for categorical variables, followed by Tukey's post hoc test at the significance level of 95%. RESULTS: The flow, setting time, and radiopacity of all tested CSBSs satisfied the ISO 6876/2012 standards. Further, these CSBSs showed shrinkage after immersion in distilled water for 30 days and complied with the ISO 6876/2001 requirements. The pH values of AHB, ESB, TTB, and BIC were greater than 11, whereas AHP had a pH of 6.69 after 4 weeks. CSBS showed excellent biocompatibility compared with that of AHP (P < .05). Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that alive hPDLFs were attached well to all the tested CSBSs but not to AHP. CONCLUSIONS: CSBSs have similar physical characteristics within the ISO standards and higher biocompatibility than epoxy resin-based sealers.

In Situ Spontaneous Fabrication of Tough and Stretchable Polyurethane-Polyethyleneimine Hydrogels Selectively Triggered by CO2.

CO2 -triggered in situ hydrogels is developed from waterborne poly(ε-caprolactone)-based polyurethane (PU) dispersion and aqueous polyethyleneimine (PEI) solution without any other chemicals and apparatus (e.g., UV light). In the approach, nontoxic CO2 in air is used as a selective trigger for the hydrogel formation. CO2 adsorption onto PEI results in the formation of ammonium cations in PEI and the subsequent multiple ionic crosslinking between PU and PEI chains. Besides the amount of CO2 in air, the rate of hydrogel formation can be controlled by NaHCO3 in the PU-PEI mixture, which serves as a CO2 supplier. The PU hydrogels exhibit tough and stretchable properties with high tensile strength (2.05 MPa) and elongation at break (438.24%), as well as biocompatibility and biodegradability. In addition, the PU hydrogels exhibit high adhesion strength on skin and injectability due to the in situ formation. It is believed that these PU hydrogels have the ideal features for various future applications, such as tissue adhesion barriers, wound dressing, artificial skin, and injectable fillers.

The dynamic relationship between industrialization, urbanization, CO2 emissions, and transportation modes in Korea: empirical evidence from maritime and air transport.

This study investigates the causal relationship between logistics efficiency and factors affecting the logistics environment, such as industrialization, urbanization, and CO2 emissions. With the expectation that logistics efficiency will contribute to economic growth and enhance country competitiveness in the near future, it is necessary to confirm the impact of each factor on different transportation modes, such as maritime and air transport. To this end, this study identifies causal relationships between the factors affecting the logistics environment and specific modes of transportation using data from 2010 to 2018. We employed the panel unit root test, panel co-integration test, fully modified OLS (FMOLS), panel dynamic OLS (DOLS), and panel VECM Granger causality tests for the estimations. The results revealed that factors affecting the logistics environment have different effects depending on the modes of transportation. For maritime transportation, long-run bidirectional causal associations were found between port volume, total exports, industrialization, and urbanization. This implies that export promotion and the resulting economic and social environment changes can increase port throughput; this increase can, in turn, develop and improve economic growth and factors affecting the logistics environment. In contrast, for air transport, we detected a long-run, unidirectional causal relationship among these variables and air volume changes with growing exports, urbanization, and industrialization. Thus, this study suggests a theoretical framework for analyzing the causal relationship between the factors affecting the logistics environment and each mode of transportation, providing insights for policymakers to promote logistics efficiency.

Pilot Evaluation of Sealer-Based Root Canal Obturation Using Epoxy-Resin-Based and Calcium-Silicate-Based Sealers: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

The purpose of this randomized controlled clinical trial was to assess the short-term clinical effectiveness of sealer-based root canal obturation using calcium-silicate-based sealer (CSBS) and epoxy-resin-based sealer (ERBS). A total of eighty patients (eighty teeth) were enrolled and seventy-two patients (seventy-two teeth) were randomly assigned into four different sealer groups: AH Plus (AH, Dentsply Sirona), ADseal (AD, Meta Biomed), CeraSeal (CS, Meta Biomed), or EndoSeal TCS (ES, Maruchi). At the first visit, root canal treatment was performed using ProTaper. Next, the NiTi file system and passive ultrasonic irritation was applied with 2.5% NaOCl. At the second visit, the teeth were obturated with a sealer-based obturation technique using the assigned sealer. The quality of filling obturation was evaluated with postoperative radiographs in terms of the presence of voids and sealer extrusion. The patients were recalled at 1-week, 1-month, and 3-month intervals, and pain levels were measured using visual analog scales (VAS), and clinical examination performed with percussion and palpation. Radiographs were also taken. The results were statistically compared by using the χ2 test or Fisher exact test. Among the 80 teeth included, 72 teeth received allocated intervention and 71 teeth were included in the analysis (98.6% recall). There was no significant difference among the sealers in void and sealer extrusion (p > 0.05). Postoperative pain was not indicated prominently regardless of the type of sealer. For a 3-month follow-up period, all cases were maintained successfully except for one case from AD. According to the findings, there was no significant difference between CSBS and ERBS in terms of postoperative pain or the healing process, and the variation in filling quality appears to be linked to the properties of each product.

The Effect of the Amnion-Chorion or Collagen Membrane as a Matrix on the Microenvironment During a Regenerative Endodontic Procedure.

INTRODUCTION: During regenerative endodontic procedures, the microenvironment of the canal is formed by the degree of disinfection and release of ions from the applied materials onto the top surface. This study aimed to characterize the effects of amnion-chorion membrane and collagen membrane on pulp-dentin regeneration compared to calcium silicate cements (CSCs), focusing on cell migration, mineralization potential, anti-inflammation, and angiogenesis. METHODS: Two CSCs and 2 membranes were used: ProRoot MTA (Dentsply, Tulsa, OK, USA), RetroMTA (BioMTA, Seoul, Korea), Collagen Membrane (Genoss, Suwon, Korea), and BioXclude (amnion-chorion membrane; Snoasis Medical, Colorado, USA). Transwell and scratch assays were used to evaluate cell migration and wound healing. Mineralization potential was evaluated using alkaline phosphatase activity, Alizarin red S staining, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for the expression of marker genes. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to measure the levels of angiogenic genes and inflammatory mediators. An endothelial tube formation assay was used to assess angiogenesis. RESULTS: The membranes showed superior migration and wound healing compared with CSCs. Except for RetroMTA, ProRoot MTA and the 2 membranes showed high alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralization nodule formation and upregulated mRNA expression of markers for mineralization. Membranes upregulated the mRNA of angiogenesis genes and increased the capillary tube formation of endothelial cells compared to CSCs. Furthermore, the membrane matrix decreased the expression of inflammatory genes. CONCLUSIONS: Collagen membrane and Amnion-chorion membrane showed prominent cell migration, angiogenesis, and healing effects against inflammation, as well as comparable mineralization potential compared to CSCs, recommending the use of membrane as a matrix.

Failure of Regenerative Endodontic Procedures: Case Analysis and Subsequent Treatment Options.

INTRODUCTION: Regenerative endodontic procedures (REPs) are considered effective treatments for immature necrotic permanent teeth, with favorable outcomes. However, failed cases require subsequent treatment. This study aimed to review and analyze failed cases after REPs and suggest a treatment algorithm to aid clinical decision-making. METHODS: A total of 111 REP cases were selected that were conducted between 2015 and 2020. Clinical outcomes were assessed based on clinical and radiographic evaluations. The criteria for failure included persistence of clinical signs or symptoms and/or periapical radiolucency showing persistent apical periodontitis. Cases requiring any treatment intervention, including extraction, were also considered failures. RESULTS: Sixteen cases were included as failures. The etiology of pulpal disease was stratified into dental trauma (56%), dens evaginatus (25%), and dental caries (12.5%), with the remaining one case having an undocumented cause. The primary reasons for treatment failure were persistent infection (81.3%) and root resorption (18.7%). The identification time of failure varied, with 6 cases (37.5%) detected in less than 6 months and 10 cases (62.5%) later than 6 months after REPs. Sixteen failed cases received 5 different interventions: second REPs, apexification, conventional root canal treatment, surgical approach, and extraction. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions for failed REPs are challenging. Consideration of the treatability of the tooth, accessibility to the canal, and the presence of an apical seat might be key factors in clinical decision-making to obtain a successful outcome.

Fabrication of Microfiber-Templated Microfluidic Chips with Microfibrous Channels for High Throughput and Continuous Production of Nanoscale Droplets.

A polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic chip with well-interconnected microfibrous channels was fabricated by using an electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) microfibrous matrix and 3D-printed pattern as templates. The microfiber-templated microfluidic chip (MTMC) was used to produce nanoscale emulsions and spheres through multiple emulsification at many small micro-orifice junctions among microfibrous channels. The emulsion formation mechanisms in the MTMC were the cross-junction dripping or Y-junction splitting at the micro-orifice junctions. We demonstrated the high throughput and continuous production of water-in-oil emulsions and polyethylene glycol-diacrylate (PEG-DA) spheres with controlled size ranges from 2.84 µm to 83.6 nm and 1.03 µm to 45.7 nm, respectively. The average size of the water droplets was tuned by changing the micro-orifice diameter of the MTMC and the flow rate of the continuous phase. The MTMC theoretically produced 58 trillion PEG-DA nanospheres per hour without high shear force. In addition, we demonstrated the higher encapsulation efficiency of the PEG-DA microspheres in the MTMC than that of the microspheres fabricated by ultrasonication. The MTMC can be used as a powerful platform for the large-scale and continuous productions of emulsions and spheres.

The biocompatibility and mineralization potential of mineral trioxide aggregate containing calcium fluoride-An in vitro study.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: MTA is used to induce hard tissue regeneration in various procedures. This study evaluated the biocompatibility and mineralization potential of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) containing calcium fluoride (CaF2). To verify if the change of components affected physical properties, the setting time, solubility, and surface roughness were measured. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) were treated with powder and set MTA containing CaF2 (0, 1, 5, and 10 wt %). The proliferation of HDPCs was investigated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The mineralization potential of HDPCs was investigated with the relative gene expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), collagen type I (ColI), osteocalcin (OCN), and runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). For investigating the physical properties, setting time and solubility were tested. Surface profiles of material were analyzed by a non-contact surface profiler and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). RESULTS: MTA-5% CaF2 mixtures increased the proliferation and the mineralization-related gene expression of HDPCs to a greater degree than pure MTA. The addition of CaF2 to MTA delayed the setting, but the difference was only significant in the MTA-10% CaF2. Solubility and surface roughness was not altered. CONCLUSION: The addition of more than 5% CaF2 can be considered to increase the regeneration potential of pulp cells without adverse effects on physical property.

Comparison of Obturation Quality after MTA Orthograde Filling with Various Obturation Techniques.

This study aimed to quantify and compare the obturation quality after mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) orthograde fillings with three different obturation techniques. Thirty-three extracted human maxillary molars were collected. Distobuccal and palatal canals were prepared to an apical size of #40/06 with a Profile Ni-Ti system. All 66 canals were divided into two groups according to the material (EZ-seal or OrthoMTA) and then obturated using three different techniques: manual compaction using S-kondenser (group H), compactor activation (group C), or reverse rotary motion of Ni-Ti file (group R). The obturated roots were scanned using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). The percentage of voids located in the apical 5 mm was measured separately, that is, closed, open, and total porosity. There was no relation between the filling material and obturation technique (p > 0.05). The percentage volume of open and total porosity was higher in EZ-seal than in OrthoMTA (open: p = 0.002, total: p = 0.001). Group H showed higher open and total porosity than groups C and R. Micro-CT analysis showed that the void volume after orthograde MTA fillings significantly decreased when the additional activation was accompanied by hand condensation. Obturation with a Ni-Ti file using reverse motion could be recommended as an MTA orthograde filling technique.

Long-Term Retention of Avulsed Maxillary Incisors with Replacement Root Resorption: A 9-Year Follow-Up.

The purpose of this case report is to present a case of long-term retention of avulsed upper maxillary incisors with external replacement root resorption in a 15-year-old boy. The avulsed teeth, #11, 21, and 22, were stored under dry conditions for 40 min and replanted. Endodontic treatment was initiated after two weeks, and the nonrigid splint was removed after 3.5 months. A year after replantation of the teeth, replacement root resorption was detected radiographically. For the following 9 years, the resorption progressed slowly, but the teeth were maintained without any adverse effects on esthetic appearance. Under dry storage conditions, replacement root resorption was expected. In this case, the patient was a growing 15-year-old boy; thus, replantation was performed despite a possible poor prognosis. Consequently, root resorption progressed. Nevertheless, maintenance of the tooth crowns led to satisfying results for the patient both esthetically and psychologically. Ankylosis or replacement root resorption is a complication occurring after replantation of avulsed teeth, which could require additional treatment. However, in young patients, replantation could be considered to maintain the teeth until growth is complete.

Physical Properties and Biofunctionalities of Bioactive Root Canal Sealers In Vitro.

Calcium silicate-based bioactive glass has received significant attention for use in various biomedical applications due to its excellent bioactivity and biocompatibility. However, the bioactivity of calcium silicate nanoparticle-incorporated bioactive dental sealer is not much explored. Herein, three commercially available bioactive root canal sealers (Endoseal MTA (EDS), Well-Root ST (WST), and Nishika Canal Sealer BG (NBG)) were compared with a resin-based control sealer (AH Plus (AHP)) in terms of physical, chemical, and biological properties. EDS and NBG showed 200 to 400 nm and 100 to 200 nm nanoparticle incorporation in the SEM image, respectively, and WST and NBG showed mineral deposition in Hank's balanced salt solution after 28 days. The flowability and film thickness of all products met the ISO 3107 standard. Water contact angle, linear dimensional changes, and calcium and silicate ion release were significantly different among groups. All bioactive root canal sealers released calcium ions, while NBG released ~10 times more silicon ions than the other bioactive root canal sealers. Under the cytocompatible extraction range, NBG showed prominent cytocompatibility, osteogenecity, and angiogenecity compared to other sealers in vitro. These results indicate that calcium silicate nanoparticle incorporation in dental sealers could be a potential strategy for dental periapical tissue regeneration.

Calcium silicate-based root canal sealers: a literature review.

Epoxy resin-based sealers are currently widely used, and several studies have considered AH Plus to be the gold-standard sealer. However, it still has limitations, including possible mutagenicity, cytotoxicity, inflammatory response, and hydrophobicity. Drawing upon the advantages of mineral trioxide aggregate, calcium silicate-based sealers were introduced with high levels of biocompatibility and hydrophilicity. Because of the hydrophilic environment in root canals, water resorption and solubility of root canal sealers are important factors contributing to their stability. Sealers displaying lower microleakage and stronger push-out bond strength are also needed to endure the dynamic tooth environment. Although the physical properties of calcium silicate-based sealers meet International Organization for Standardization recommendations, and they have consistently reported to be biocompatible, they have not overcome conventional resin-based sealers in actual practice. Therefore, further studies aiming to improve the physical properties of calcium silicate-based sealers are needed.

Effects of fast- and slow-setting calcium silicate-based root-end filling materials on the outcome of endodontic microsurgery: a retrospective study up to 6 years.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate and compare the effects of fast- and slow-setting calcium silicate-based materials (CSMs) used for root-end filling on the outcome of endodontic microsurgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched a clinical database for patients who had received endodontic microsurgery between 2001 and 2016. Included cases were divided into two groups according to the type of CSM used for root-end filling: slow-setting CSM (SCSM) and fast-setting CSM (FCSM). The cases in two groups were subjected to 1:1 nearest neighbor propensity score matching for the following variables: age, sex, tooth type, quality of canal filling, lesion type, and postoperative restoration. For each matched case, the outcome was determined as success or failure according to clinical and radiographic evaluations performed at least 1 year after surgery. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify prognostic factors and estimate their effects. RESULTS: In total, 304 cases of endodontic microsurgery (179 SCSM and 125 FCSM) were identified, and 1:1 propensity score matching finally included 122 cases from each group. After matching, all covariates were associated with an absolute standardized difference of < 0.1. The overall success rates were 85.2% and 93.4% for the SCSM and FCSM groups, respectively (p = 0.062). Age, tooth type, lesion type, and CSM type were significantly associated with the outcome of endodontic microsurgery (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations, the outcome of endodontic microsurgery using FCSMs was comparable with that of SCSMs. The findings suggest that the type of CSM used for root-end filling, particularly in terms of the initial setting time, could affect the outcome of endodontic microsurgery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: FCSMs could be considered for use as root-end filling materials in endodontic microsurgery, particularly in complicated clinical situations which require rapid initial setting of the materials.

Dental care for patients taking antiresorptive drugs: a literature review.

Antiresorptive drugs (ARDs), such as bisphosphonates or denosumab, that prevent bone resorption are widely used in patients with osteoporosis or with cancer that has metastasized to the bones. Although osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is a well-documented complication of ARD use, the benefits ARDs outweigh the complication. Thus, research has focused on finding ways to prevent or reduce the risk of developing ONJ. Dentists, as part of a multi-professional team, have a critical role in preventing ONJ. However, many dentists tend to hesitate to provide dental care to patients with ONJ, or tend to think that it is a problem to be dealt with by oral surgeons. This review gives an overview of ARD-related ONJ and provides the guidelines for dental care in patients taking ARDs to lower the risk of developing ONJ.