Distinguishing skill levels with haptic simulation in restorative dentistry: Myth or reality?

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to validate that haptic simulator assistance could distinguish skill levels with haptic simulation in restorative dentistry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This work was carried out with 93 first-year, 87 third-year and 44 fifth-year dental students. The promotions of first- and fifth-year dental students made one session to represent the negative and the positive controls, respectively. The third-year dental students were the studied population. Whatever the group, the maximum time for each reparation was restricted to 3 min. All students have to perform the same three exercises. The third-year dental students performed four sessions spread over the whole university year. For each test, the total score provided by the simulator was recorded and analysed. RESULTS: The exercises are not discriminating in direct vision while the exercise in indirect vision is very interesting to distinguish the levels of the learners. CONCLUSION: The results underline that the exercises in indirect vision could distinguish different profiles of student having different preclinical and clinical levels, while making it possible to follow the acquisition of clinical competence.

Study of the use in autonomy of intraoral scanning systems to optimise dental students' performances in fixed prosthodontics practical learning in second year.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate if the use of intraoral scanner analysis could help students to optimise their performance and their self-assessment abilities in prosthetic preparation without the teacher's assistance in the preclinical course. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-five second-year dental students were randomly divided into three groups: Control group (C), CeRec group (CR) and PrepCheck group (PC). Group C only use silicon keys to control the preparation thickness. The students in Group CR analysed their work with Cerec™ software. The Group PC use a pedagogic software (PrepCheck™) which allowed comparison with the "master" preparation. They used control tools preparations for three consecutive training sessions. Then a final assessment session without control tool to evaluate their performance was organised. All preparations were objectively evaluated thanks to stl. analysis software (Geomagic® Control X). Each preparation was compared with the master preparation by defining tolerance ranges. An objective overall score out of 20 was assigned to each preparation according to their degree of correspondence. In addition, a questionnaire was performed to analyse the students' perceptions regarding the use of intraoral camera. RESULTS: During the assessment session, no significant difference was revealed between the different groups with respect to the students' performance. The comparative analysis between the self-assessment scores and the objective scores using Geomagic® software showed that digital control tools did not help the student to improve their self-assessment abilities without the teacher's assistance. CONCLUSIONS: The intraoral cameras and specific pedagogic software in autonomy could not improve students' performance for teeth preparation and self-assessment abilities in second year. These digital tools facilitate objective feedback on preparation defects, but constructive criticism needs human reflection. The teacher's opinions and advice remain essential to develop their students' performance and self-assessment skills. The use of digital tools must be integrated in dentistry course to develop the interpret of the results and optimise feedback.

Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome secondary the intake of Senecio brasiliensis: A case report.

Hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (HSOS) is a hepatic vascular disease histologically characterized by edema, necrosis, detachment of endothelial cells in small sinusoidal hepatic and interlobular veins and intrahepatic congestion, which leads to portal hypertension and liver dysfunction. In the Western world, most HSOS cases are associated with myeloablative pretreatment in a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation setting. Here we report a case of a 54 years old female patient, otherwise healthy, with no history of alcoholic ingestion, who presented with jaundice and signs of portal hypertension, including ascites and bilateral pleural effusion. She had no history of liver disease and denied any other risk factor for liver injury, except Senecio brasiliensis ingestion as a tea, prescribed as a therapy for menopause. Acute viral hepatitis and thrombosis of the portal system were excluded in complementary investigation, as well as sepsis, metastatic malignancy and other liver diseases, setting a RUCAM score of 6. Computed tomography demonstrated a diffuse liver parenchymal heterogeneity (in mosaic) and an extensive portosystemic collateral venous circulation, in the absence of any noticeable venous obstruction. HSOS diagnosis was confirmed through a liver biopsy. During the following-up period, patient developed refractory pleural effusion, requiring hemodialysis. Right before starting anticoagulation, she presented with abdominal pain and distention, with findings compatible of mesenteric ischemia by computed tomography. A laparotomy was performed, showing an 80cm segment of small bowel ischemia, and resection was done. She died one day after as a result from a septic shock refractory to treatment. The presented case was related to oral intake of S. brasiliensis, a plant containing pyrrolidine alkaloids, which are one of the main causes of HSOS in the East, highlighting the risk of liver injury with herbs intake.

Methodological Approach to the Endodontic Treatment of First Premolars with Three Root Canals: Two Case Reports.

AIM: The aim of this article was to promote a methodology in the endodontic management of complex premolars with multiple root canals Background: The success of endodontic treatment depends on a meticulous clinical and radiographic analysis, the creation of a suitable access cavity and chemical and mechanical preparation, followed by three-dimensional filling of the entire root canal system. Consequently, it is essential to look for the presence of additional root canals to prevent endodontic treatment failure Case description: Two cases are presented. The first case concerned a 50-year-old male patient of North African origin who consulted in the context of a global prosthetic restoration including endodontic treatment of the maxillary left first premolar (tooth no. 24). The second case concerned a 29-year-old male patient of North African origin who was referred to us by his primary care practitioner in an urgent context of pain and infection present for two weeks (tooth no. 44). In both cases, it was the in-depth radiographic analysis, combined with manual exploration under the surgical micro- scope, that led to the relatively rare identification of a third root canal. Shaping, disinfection and three-dimensional filling of the entire root canal system were then performed in accordance with widely validated protocols. CONCLUSION: The maxillary and mandibular premolars, due to their highly variable root canal system configuration and a number of root canals and roots, appear to be teeth for which treatment is potentially complex. The acuteness of digital-tactile sense and the advent of 3D imaging and optical aids optimize the treatment of all the root canals of a tooth Clinical significance: These case reports demonstrate the importance of clinical and radiographic inspections to guide practitioners in the search for additional root canals in premolars and promote a methodological approach.

Experimental Analysis of the Influence of Heat Treatments on the Flexibility of NiTi Alloy for Endodontic Instruments Manufacturing.

The flexibility of NiTi based endodontic files is improved by heat treatment, leading to lower risk of failure, ledges, and canal transportation during the preparation of curved root canals. The aim of this study is to investigate and clearly highlight the influence of every parameter of heat treatment on the flexibility of NiTi wires and thus of endodontic instruments. A full factorial Design of Experiment (DoE) and a designed bending-torsion bench following the ISO 3630-1 standard were used for this investigation. Temperature, holding time, and cooling method were selected as contributing factors, while maximum bending moment, hysteresis size, and stiffness during martensitic transformation were selected as outputs. Regression analysis was performed to estimate the relationship between contributing and output variables to assess how the experimentation fits with the model. The experimental results showed that wires heated at 425 °C for 30 min are more flexible. Moreover, heat treatment temperature is the most critical factor influencing the flexibility and hysteresis size of the NiTi wire followed by the holding time, while the cooling method has a negligible effect. The regression analysis showed that the model is effective at predicting the relationship between contributing factors, bending moment response, and hysteresis size.

Influence of endodontic motors on the behaviour of root canal shaping instruments: an in vitro comparative study.

AIMS: The endodontic literature reports a lot of comparative study on endodontic instruments, concerning as well their geometry, instrumental dynamics, material, mechanical behavior or heat treatment. However, to our knowledge, no study has focused on the influence of endodontic motors on the shaping abilities of endodontic instruments. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the influence of the endodontic motors on root canal shaping instruments. METHOD: Dual Move (MICRO-MEGA, Besançon, France), Canal Pro CL2i (COLTENE, Alstätten, Suisse), Canal Pro Jeni Motor (COLTENE, Alstätten, Suisse), Ai Motor (WOODPECKER, Guilin, China), Wave One motor (VDW, Postfach, Munich) and Smart A (WOODPECKER, Guilin, China) were pre-clinically compared in continuous rotation and reciprocating motion on a traction/compression bench using resin blocks. Canal shaping in continuous rotation and reciprocating motion were performed with One Curve and One RECI instruments (MICRO-MEGA, Besançon, France), respectively. The penetration/removal forces, making it possible to objectify the cutting effect and screwing effect of the instruments during root canal shaping, were analyzed. RESULTS: The results showed (i) that endodontic motors influence the mechanical behavior of endodontic instruments, (ii) that the influence of the motors is essentially felt during reciprocating motion and (iii) that the reciprocating angles influence the mechanical behavior of endodontic instruments. CONCLUSION: Only endodontic instruments are widely studied in literature while endodontic motors have a direct influence on root canal treatment. This study analyzes the influence of the endodontic motors on root canal shaping instruments. This study tends to demonstrate that Jeni Motor could optimize the mechanical behavior of endodontic instruments.

Virtual aids and students' performance with haptic simulation in implantology.

OBJETIVES: This study aims to validate that haptic simulator assistance could improve drilling ability in implantology and that the repetition of training session could highlight a learning curve. METHODS: This work was carried out with 88 first-year dental students. After randomization, students were divided into two groups. Group 1 was assigned to prepare an implant site for a left first mandibular molar (36) on haptic simulator with assistance provided by simulator. Group 2 had to perform the same exercise without assistance. Whatever the group, the maximum time for each reparation was restricted to 5 min. An interval of 1 week was done between each session. For each test, different objective parameters provided by the simulator were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: This study showed that the presence of virtual aids led to quickly obtain better results, and the training led to gradually acquire sufficient competence to do without virtual aids. CONCLUSION: By associating virtual assistance and repetition, the student will acquire more quickly the skills allowing to carry out his clinical gestures in real conditions.

Contribution of Haptic Simulation to Analogic Training Environment in Restorative Dentistry.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of virtual reality to the conventional analogic training environment and show the complementarity of conventional techniques and virtual reality in the learning of dental students. All 88 first-year dental students at a dental school in France in early 2019 were randomly assigned to one of two groups: group 1 (n = 45) was assigned to cavity preparations on a haptic simulator (Virteasy) and group 2 (n = 43) was assigned to conventional practical work on plastic analogue teeth (Kavo). Following three training sessions, the students in group 1 took a final exam on the same plastic analogue teeth exercise. The results showed improvement in the drilling skill of both groups. The simulator-trained group (group 1) had similar results to the plastic analogue-trained group (group 2) in the final test on a plastic analogue tooth. In this study, virtual reality allowed an assessment based on objective criteria and reduced the subjectivity of evaluations conducted on plastic analogue teeth. Considering the saving of supervision and teaching time as well as the material gain offered by virtual reality, the learning methods of haptic simulators are educational options that should be considered by dental educators.

Epidemiological profile of inflammatory bowel disease in Caxias do Sul, Brazil: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel diseases affect mostly young patients and have a huge impact on their quality of life and growing treatment costs. Currently, there are few Brazilian studies concerning their epidemiological profile. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the regional clinical and epidemiological profile of these pathological conditions in Caxias do Sul, Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study in Caxias do Sul (RS), Brazil. METHODS: A search for patients was conducted in the municipality's special medications pharmacy using the International Classification of Diseases, and medical records were manually reviewed for data collection. Sixty-seven patients were included. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 46.5 years and females predominated (71.6%). Ulcerative colitis was the most prevalent disease (70%) and Montreal E3 was the most prevalent presentation. The mean age at diagnosis was 39 years. Most patients had recently undergone colonoscopy (67%). Only five patients (7.4%) had records of hospital admission due to the disease, while 12 (18%) underwent a surgical procedure during follow-up. Sixty patients (89.5%) were using aminosalicylates, while less than one fifth were using immunosuppressants or immunobiological drugs: 19.4% and 14.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The profile of inflammatory bowel disease patients in this region of Brazil is similar in some characteristics to other published Brazilian data, although it differs in others such as higher frequency of pancolitis. A prospective study on these patients is planned in this region, in order to improve the data quality.

Antimicrobial applications of copper.

Copper has long been known to have antimicrobial activity and is used in drinking water treatment and transportation. It has been recognized by the American Environmental Protection Agency as the first metallic antimicrobial agent in 2008. With ongoing waterborne hospital-acquired infections and antibiotic resistance, research on copper as an antimicrobial agent is again very attractive. Many studies have shown that the use of copper surface and copper particles could significantly reduce the environmental bioburden. This review highlights in its first part all the conditions described in the literature to enhance copper antimicrobial activity. Secondly, the different antimicrobial applications of copper in water treatment, hospital care units and public applications are presented. Finally, the future research needs on copper as an antimicrobial agent are discussed.

Dynamic thermo-mechanical properties of various flowable resin composites.

BACKGROUND: This study compared the storage modulus (E'), the loss modulus (E'') and the loss tangent (tan δ) of various flowable resin composites. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Grandio Flow (GRF), GrandioSo Heavy Flow (GHF), Filtek Supreme XTE (XTE) and Filtek Bulk Fill (BUL) flowable resins and Clinpro Sealant (CLI) ultra-flowable pit and fissure sealant resin were used. 25 samples were tested using a dynamical mechanical thermal analysis system in bending mode. Measurements were taken within a temperature range of 10 to 55°C. The results were statistically analyzed using mixed-effect and repeated-measure analysis of variance followed by paired multiple comparisons. RESULTS: For all the materials, the E' values decrease with temperature, whereas the tan δ values increase. Irrespective of the temperature, GHF and GRF present E' and E'' values significantly higher than all the other materials and CLI presents values significantly lower than all the other materials. Observation of the values for all the materials reveals a linear progression of the tan δ values with temperature. CONCLUSIONS: A variation in temperature within a physiological range generates modifications in mechanical properties without damaging the material, however. Filler content in volume terms appears to be the crucial parameter in the mechanical behavior of tested materials. Key words:Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, elastic modulus, filler content, flowable resin composites, loss modulus, loss tangent.

Epidemiological profile of inflammatory bowel disease in Caxias do Sul, Brazil: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel diseases affect mostly young patients and have a huge impact on their quality of life and growing treatment costs. Currently, there are few Brazilian studies concerning their epidemiological profile. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the regional clinical and epidemiological profile of these pathological conditions in Caxias do Sul, Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study in Caxias do Sul (RS), Brazil. METHODS: A search for patients was conducted in the municipality's special medications pharmacy using the International Classification of Diseases, and medical records were manually reviewed for data collection. Sixty-seven patients were included. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 46.5 years and females predominated (71.6%). Ulcerative colitis was the most prevalent disease (70%) and Montreal E3 was the most prevalent presentation. The mean age at diagnosis was 39 years. Most patients had recently undergone colonoscopy (67%). Only five patients (7.4%) had records of hospital admission due to the disease, while 12 (18%) underwent a surgical procedure during follow-up. Sixty patients (89.5%) were using aminosalicylates, while less than one fifth were using immunosuppressants or immunobiological drugs: 19.4% and 14.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The profile of inflammatory bowel disease patients in this region of Brazil is similar in some characteristics to other published Brazilian data, although it differs in others such as higher frequency of pancolitis. A prospective study on these patients is planned in this region, in order to improve the data quality.