A time slice analysis of dentistry students' visual search strategies and pupil dilation during diagnosing radiographs.

Diagnosing orthopantomograms (OPTs: panoramic radiographs) is an essential skill dentistry students acquire during university training. While prior research described experts' visual search behavior in radiology as global-to-focal for chest radiographs and mammography, generalizability to a hybrid search task in OPTs (i.e., searching for multiple, diverse anomalies) remains unclear. Addressing this gap, this study investigated visual search of N = 107 dentistry students while they were diagnosing anomalies in OPTs. Following a global-to-focal expert model, we hypothesized that students would use many, short fixations representing global search in earlier stages, and few, long fixations representing focal search in later stages. Furthermore, pupil dilation and mean fixation duration served as cognitive load measures. We hypothesized that later stages would be characterized by elaboration and a reflective search strategy, leading to higher cognitive load being associated with higher diagnostic performance in late compared to earlier stages. In line with the first hypothesis, students' visual search comprised of a three-stage process that grew increasingly focal in terms of the number of fixations and anomalies fixated. Contrary to the second hypothesis, mean fixation duration during anomaly fixations was positively associated with diagnostic performance across all stages. As OPTs greatly varied in how difficult it was to identify the anomalies contained therein, OPTs with above-average difficulty were sampled for exploratory analysis. Pupil dilation predicted diagnostic performance for difficult OPTs, possibly capturing elaborative cognitive processes and cognitive load compared to mean fixation duration. A visual analysis of fine-grained time slices indicated large cognitive load differences towards the end of trials, showcasing a richness-resolution-trade-off in data sampling crucial for future studies using time-slicing of eye tracking data.

Accuracy of capturing nasal, orbital, and auricular defects with extra- and intraoral optical scanners and smartphone: An in vitro study.

OBJECTIVES: This in vitro study compares the scanning accuracy of various stationary and portable as well as extra- and intraoral devices for capturing oncological defects. METHODS: A 3D-printed model of a nasal, orbital, and auricular defect, as well as one of an intact auricle, were digitalized (n = 7 per device) with a stationary optical scanner (Pritiface), a portable extraoral optical scanner (Artec Space Spider), two intraoral scanners (Trios 4 and Primescan), and a smartphone (iPhone 11 Pro). For the reference data, the defect models were digitalized using a laboratory scanner (D2000). For quantitative analysis, the root mean square error value for trueness and precision and mean deviations in millimeters were obtained for each defect type. The data were statistically analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey multiple comparison test. For qualitative analysis, a colorimetric map was generated to display the deviation within the defect area and adjacent tissue. RESULTS: Statistically significant interactions were found in the trueness and precision for defect and scanner type. CONCLUSION: The Primescan and Artec Space Spider scanners showed the highest accuracy for most defect types. Primescan and Trios 4 failed to capture the orbital defect. The iPhone 11 Pro showed clinically acceptable trueness but inferior precision. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The scanning devices may demonstrate varying accuracy, depending on the defect type. A portable extraoral optical scanner is an universal tool for the digitization of oncological defects. Alternatively, an intraoral scanner may be employed in maxillofacial prosthetics with some restrictions. Utilizing a smartphone in maxillofacial rehabilitation should be considered with caution, because it provides inconsistent accuracy.

Rehabilitation of a maxillary partial edentulous patient using an implant-supported overdenture retained with two bilateral milled bars.

The use of implants has enabled more treatment options for prosthetic rehabilitation of partially and completely edentulous patients. This clinical report describes a treatment approach for an 80-year-old patient taking advantage of the remaining natural teeth for prosthetic rehabilitation. The final treatment plan included natural tooth-supported and implant-supported crowns combined with a milled bar partial overdenture retained by tilted dental implants. The overdentures supported by the milled bar implants provide the advantages of both fixed and removable restorations. In addition to patient satisfaction, the overdentures also minimise alveolar bone resorption, increase longevity and stability and improve masticatory efficiency.

Direct 3D printing of silicone facial prostheses: A preliminary experience in digital workflow.

Direct silicone printing may be applied to the fabrication of maxillofacial prostheses, although its clinical feasibility is unknown. The present clinical report shows an early application of a directly printed silicone prosthesis for the rehabilitation of a nasal defect. Two extraoral scanning systems were used to capture the face and the defect. The virtual construction of the nasal prosthesis was performed with free-form software. Two prostheses were printed in silicone and post-processed by manual sealing and coloring. The clinical outcome was acceptable for an interim prosthesis; however, the marginal adaptation and color match were not satisfactory without further individualization.

Chronic Periodontitis Does Not Impact Serum Levels of Prostate-specific Antigen.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Chronic periodontitis (CP) has already been associated with altered PSA values in men undergoing biopsy. This study addressed the impact of CP treatment on PSA screening. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-two asymptomatic men presenting for CP treatment were prospectively enrolled. Total (t)PSA, free (f)PSA and %PSA were determined (n=47) before and after therapy. Pre- and post-therapy values were correlated pairwise regarding patients and dental characteristics. RESULTS: Median age was 54 years (SD=±7.7 years) and mean tPSA was 1.3 ng/ml (±1.9 ng/ml). tPSA and fPSA correlated linearly and positively with age (p<0.002). After stratification by age, tPSA/fPSA remained significantly lower in smokers (p<0.05). No other patient or dental factor was associated with tPSA, fPSA, %PSA. CP therapy had no effect on PSA reduction and did not affect indication for biopsy. CONCLUSION: The potential influence of CP on PSA testing seems to be excludable in asymptomatic men.