ABSTRACT
Introduction: The requirement to adapt dentistry education to the growing knowledge and big data is evident. Future dentists will participate in AI studies as both researchers and users. The main aim was to evaluate the attitudes of undergraduate dental students on artificial intelligence (AI) applications. Secondarily, it was aimed to discuss possible solutions for the integration of AI into education in particular to dentomaxillofacial radiology. Material and Method: A written survey included 16 questions with a 5-point Likert-scale was designed. The content of the survey included basic knowledge about AI terminology, applications on dentomaxillofacial radiology, and future estimations. One hundred seventy-six students attending the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades were included. The attitudes of the students were assessed with the total score. The responses were scored as: Strongly disagree: 1, Disagree: 2, Neutral: 3, Agree: 4, Strongly agree: 5. The minimum and maximum possible points were 16 and 80, and 48 was the middle score. The scores were classified as 16-31 (group 1), 32-47 (group 2), 48-63 (group 3), and 64-80 (group 4). Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient was used to test the internal consistency of the questions. One-way analysis of variance and Chi-square test were used to compare normally distributed data. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the that did not show normal distribution. Statistical significance was evaluated with a 5% Type-I error level. Results: The Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient was 0.849. The response rate of the participants was 83.41% (n=176). The mean total scale score was 57.68 ± 0.651. Group 3 had the largest cluster (67.61%; n=119), whereas the group 1 had the smallest (0.56%; n=1). The total scale score showed no statistically significant difference between the academic years. Conclusion: The attitudes of undergraduate dental students on AI were positive and students are aware of the potential of applications in the field. The conventional dentomaxillofacial radiology curriculum requires an update.
ABSTRACT
Aim: To evaluate the limits of the shaping ability of MaxWire® alloy file in the treatment of pre-created large and curved root canals with different apical sizes by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and methods: Forty-five permanent maxillary first molars with moderately curved palatal roots (20°-30°) were divided into three groups, and large root canals were created with apical diameter #35 (Group 1), #40 (Group 2) or #50 (Group 3) by using BioRace NiTi System. Then, they were reshaped with the MaxWire alloy file, XP-endo Shaper®. Canals were scanned before and after instrumentation by using the CBCT scanner. Canal transportation (CT), centering ratio (CR), % increased prepared area (PA), and % increased prepared outline (PO) at 2, 3, and 4 mm from the apex were calculated. Data were statistically analyzed at P < 0.05. Results: There was a significant difference in the mean increase in PO in all apical sizes and all three levels. At both 3 mm and 4 mm levels the maximum PA and PO were achieved in apical size 35, while at 2 mm level the maximum values were obtained in apical size 40. There was no statistically significant difference in CT and CR within groups at 2 mm distance from the apex. Conclusion: Max Wire alloy technology of this novel instrument makes it possible to clean and touch the dentin walls of large and curved root canals. Small FOV and small voxel size of CBCT could also be used in shaping ability studies in endodontics.
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of the BMC phenomenon in a Turkish patient population. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 2634 consecutive patients were retrospectively reviewed. The Chi-squared test was used to determine potential differences in the distribution of BMCs when stratified by sex and side. Among the 2634 patients, 42 (1.7%) patients were found to have BMC. Of these 42 patients, 22 were female (0.8%) and 20 were male (0.7%) with age ranging from 29 to 68 years (mean age 47.47). Among the 42 patients, 39 (92.8%) of the BMCs were unilateral and three (7.1%) were bilateral. Approximately 24 cases (53.3%) were on the right side, and 21 cases (46.6%) were on the left side. All of the BMCs showed a mediolateral orientation. The mean depth of the BMC was 2.55 mm in males and 2.68 mm in females. 2 patients have symptoms whereas the other patients were atraumatic and asymptomatic. BMC is a rare condition that might be more prevalent in the Turkish population. Greater detailed information regarding BMC could be obtained by the widespread use of CBCT in epidemiological studies.
El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la frecuencia del fenómeno CMB en una población de pacientes de Turquía. Se revisaron imágenes consecutivas de tomografía computarizada (CBCT) de 2.634 pacientes retrospectivamente. Se utilizó la prueba de Chi-cuadrado para determinar las posibles diferencias en la distribución de CMB estratificado por sexo y lado. Entre los 2.634 pacientes, se encontró que 42 (1,7%) pacientes tenían CMB. De estos 42 pacientes, 22 eran mujeres (0,8%) y 20 eran varones (0,7%), con edades entre 29 a 68 años (promedio edad 47,47). Entre los 42 pacientes, 39 (92,8%) del CMB fueron unilaterales y tres (7,1%) fueron bilaterales. Aproximadamente 24 casos (53,3%) estaban en el lado derecho, y 21 casos (46,6%) estaban en el lado izquierdo. Todas las CMB mostraron una orientación mediolateral. La profundidad media de la CMB era 2,55 mm en los hombres y 2,68 mm en las mujeres. Dos de los pacientes presentaron síntomas, mientras que en el resto de los pacientes no presentó trauma ni síntomas. CMB es una afección poco común que podría ser más frecuente en la población turca. Mayor información y detalle sobre CMB se podría obtener en estudios epidemiológicos con el uso generalizado de CBCT.