Enhancing the student learning experience: Co-teaching biochemistry and clinical sciences within the dental curriculum.

Basic knowledge of biochemistry underpins oral and dental care. Undergraduate dental students do not always engage well with basic science teaching due to not appreciating its clinical relevance. Co-teaching provides one approach to overcome students' disengagement and involves two lecturers, with complementary expertise, presenting the curriculum together. This study investigated student experiences and engagement using co-teaching to integrate biochemistry with clinical sciences in the students' second-year dental curriculum. Two successive second year dental student cohorts were co-taught. Content was delivered by a biochemist and an oral biologist, either online (during the 2020 COVID lockdown) or in-person (2021). Each cohort was surveyed at the end of the teaching module using an online questionnaire containing both interval scale and free-text questions. Responses were received from 39 (42%) and 64 (85%) of students in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Students from both cohorts preferred the co-teaching approach with a mean of 8.74 on a 10-point interval scale. In 2020 and 2021, 77% and 76% of participants, respectively, preferred a combined biochemistry and clinical dentistry delivery, either in-person (37%), via Zoom (19%) or via video recording (14%). Thematic analysis of responses revealed students experienced enhanced engagement when co-taught and they attributed this to integration of the curriculum making the content more relevant and stimulating. Students preferred co-teaching to individual subjects being taught by a single teacher. Co-teaching established the relevance of theoretical biochemistry to clinical dental sciences and enhanced the students' learning experience.

Cone-beam computed tomographic evaluation of dimensional hard tissue changes following alveolar ridge preservation with leucocyte and platelet-rich fibrin techniques: a pilot study / Avaliação tomográfica computadorizada de feixe cônico das alterações dimensionais de tecido duro após preservação de crista alveolar com técnicas de fibrina rica em leucócitos e plaquetas: um estudo piloto

Objective: This study evaluated the effect of leucocyte and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) techniques used in alveolar ridge preservation on dimensional hard tissue changes of the alveolar ridge assessed using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. Material and Methods: Elective alveolar ridge preservation surgeries were performed on seven systemically healthy patients who underwent single posterior tooth extraction. Patients were randomly treated with PRF mixed with a commercial bone xenograft (n = 3) or PRF plug (n = 4). CBCT scans were taken immediately after tooth extraction and then four months later, just before implant surgery. Dimensional alterations in socket height (SH), socket area (SA) and socket volume (SV) were evaluated on CBCT scans by percentage differences before and after treatments. Results: Sockets treated with PRF plus bone xenograft had a tendency to maintain alveolar bone dimensions over time (SH= 11.22% to 82.74%, SA= 1.84% to 48.91% and SV= 9.11% to 203.62%), while sockets treated only with PRF plug technique presented only a modest increase in height (SH= 1.47% to 11.11%) but greater alveolar ridge resorption confirmed by a decrease in socket area and volume dimensions (SA= 0.21% to -24.09% SV= 8.53% to -54.12%). Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, the maintenance of alveolar socket dimensions was observed when PRF was associated with a xenograft. However, the loss of alveolar ridge dimensions was not entirely prevented by PRF treatment alone.(AU)

Objetivo: Este estudo avaliou o efeito das técnicas de fibrina rica em leucócitos e plaquetas (L-PRF) usadas na preservação da crista alveolar em alterações dimensionais de tecido duro da crista alveolar avaliadas por tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico (CBCT). Material e Métodos: Foram realizadas cirurgias eletivas de preservação da crista alveolar em sete pacientes sistemicamente saudáveis que foram submetidos a uma única extração dentária posterior. Os doentes foram tratados aleatoriamente com PRF misturado com um xenoenxerto ósseo comercial (n = 3) ou com PRF plug (n = 4). CBCT foi realizada imediatamente após a extração dentária e quatro meses depois, imediatamente antes da cirurgia de implante. Alterações dimensionais na altura do alvéolo (SH), área do alvéolo (SA) e volume do alvéolo (SV) foram avaliadas em exames CBCT por diferenças percentuais antes e depois dos tratamentos. Resultados: Os alvéolos tratados com PRF mais xenoenxerto ósseo apresentaram tendência a manter as dimensões ósseas alveolares ao longo do tempo (SH= 11.22% a 82.74%, SA= 1.84% a 48.91% e SV= 9.11% a 203.62%), enquanto alvéolos tratados apenas com a técnica de PRF plug apresentaram apenas um aumento modesto na altura (SH= 1.47% a 11.11%), mas uma maior reabsorção alveolar confirmada pela redução das dimensões de área e volume do alvéolo (SA= 0.21% a -24.09% SV= 8.53% a -54.12%). Conclusão: Dentro das limitações deste estudo, a manutenção das dimensões alveolares foi observada quando o PRF foi associado ao xenoenxerto. No entanto, a perda das dimensões alveolares não foi totalmente evitada pelo tratamento apenas com PRF. (AU)

Bone Grafts and Substitutes in Dentistry: A Review of Current Trends and Developments.

After tooth loss, bone resorption is irreversible, leaving the area without adequate bone volume for successful implant treatment. Bone grafting is the only solution to reverse dental bone loss and is a well-accepted procedure required in one in every four dental implants. Research and development in materials, design and fabrication technologies have expanded over the years to achieve successful and long-lasting dental implants for tooth substitution. This review will critically present the various dental bone graft and substitute materials that have been used to achieve a successful dental implant. The article also reviews the properties of dental bone grafts and various dental bone substitutes that have been studied or are currently available commercially. The various classifications of bone grafts and substitutes, including natural and synthetic materials, are critically presented, and available commercial products in each category are discussed. Different bone substitute materials, including metals, ceramics, polymers, or their combinations, and their chemical, physical, and biocompatibility properties are explored. Limitations of the available materials are presented, and areas which require further research and development are highlighted. Tissue engineering hybrid constructions with enhanced bone regeneration ability, such as cell-based or growth factor-based bone substitutes, are discussed as an emerging area of development.

Changes to Zonular Tension Alters the Subcellular Distribution of AQP5 in Regions of Influx and Efflux of Water in the Rat Lens.

Purpose: The lens uses circulating fluxes of ions and water that enter the lens at both poles and exit at the equator to maintain its optical properties. We have mapped the subcellular distribution of the lens aquaporins (AQP0, AQP1, and AQP5) in these water influx and efflux zones and investigated how their membrane location is affected by changes in tension applied to the lens by the zonules. Methods: Immunohistochemistry using AQP antibodies was performed on axial sections obtained from rat lenses that had been removed from the eye and then fixed or were fixed in situ to maintain zonular tension. Zonular tension was pharmacologically modulated by applying either tropicamide (increased) or pilocarpine (decreased). AQP labeling was visualized using confocal microscopy. Results: Modulation of zonular tension had no effect on AQP1 or AQP0 labeling in either the water efflux or influx zones. In contrast, AQP5 labeling changed from membranous to cytoplasmic in response to both mechanical and pharmacologically induced reductions in zonular tension in both the efflux zone and anterior (but not posterior) influx zone associated with the lens sutures. Conclusions: Altering zonular tension dynamically regulates the membrane trafficking of AQP5 in the efflux and anterior influx zones to potentially change the magnitude of circulating water fluxes in the lens.