Evaluation of an artificial intelligence system for the diagnosis of apical periodontitis on digital panoramic images.

Aims: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an artificial intelligence (AI) system in the detection of roots with apical periodontitis (AP) on digital panoramic radiographs. Materials and Methods: Three hundred and six panoramic radiographs containing 400 roots with AP (an equal number for both jaws) were used to test the diagnostic performance of an AI system. Panoramic radiographs of the patients were selected with the terms 'apical lesion' and 'apical periodontitis' from the archive and then with the agreement of two oral and maxillofacial radiologists. The radiologists also carried out the grouping and determination of the lesion borders. A deep learning (DL) model was built and the diagnostic performance of the model was evaluated by using recall, precision, and F measure. Results: The recall, precision, and F-measure scores were 0.98, 0.56, and 0.71, respectively. While the number of roots with AP detected correctly in the mandible was 169 of 200 roots, it was only 56 of 200 roots in the maxilla. Only four roots without AP were incorrectly identified as those with AP. Conclusions: The DL method developed for the automatic detection of AP on digital panoramic radiographs showed high recall, precision, and F measure values for the mandible, but low values for the maxilla, especially for the widened periodontal ligament (PL)/uncertain AP.

Effect of laser application on microtensile bond strength of an orthodontic adhesive to water-aged composite.

AIM: This study evaluated the microtensile bond strength (MTBS) of an orthodontic adhesive to water-aged composite surfaces using different surface treatments. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twelve composite blocks (10 mm × 10 mm × 5 mm) were fabricated and randomly divided into two groups. Half of the specimens were stored in distilled water for 1 day, and the other specimens were stored for 30 days. The specimens were randomly assigned to six groups according to surface treatments (n = 15): Group 1, control (no treatment); Group 2, phosphoric acid; Group 3, diamond bur; Group 4, diamond bur + phosphoric acid; Group 5, laser; and Group 6, laser + phosphoric acid. One coat of orthodontic adhesive was bonded to one surface of composite blocks, and a microhybrid composite resin was bonded to the surfaces via a Teflon mold. Bond strength was evaluated using an MTBS test. Surface topography was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance, Tamhane post-hoc test, and independent sample t-tests (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Bond strength values tended to decrease in all groups (with the exception of Group 2) after storage in water for 30 days (P < 0.05). Laser and diamond bur application (with or without phosphoric acid) enhanced the bond strength. CONCLUSIONS: An Er,Cr:YSGG laser application may be a feasible alternative to diamond bur for enhancing the bond strength of orthodontic adhesive to composite resin.

Antimicrobial activity and volatile constituent analysis of three commercial herbal toothpastes containing Aloe vera L. and Fragaria vesca L. extracts.

AIMS: This work was designed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of three different commercial herbal (Aloe vera L. and Fragaria vesca L. extracts) toothpastes [LR Aloe vera (HTP1), ESI Aloe fresh (HTP2) and ROCS Teens (HTP3)] against two microorganisms that cause tooth infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An agar disk diffusion method was used to test the antimicrobial activity of three herbal gel toothpastes in the amount of 100 µL against Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus. In the second part of the work, the volatile organic compounds of three different commercial herbal toothpastes (HTP1-3) were determined by solid-phase microextraction/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-flame ionization detection (SPME/GC-MS-FID). RESULTS: The sensitivity of the tested herbal toothpastes toward each microorganism was expressed as the mean of the clear zone within the range of 6-16 mm diameters. HTP1 and HTP2 were found to be more effective against both bacteria compared with HTP3. Oxygenated monoterpenes (99.34%, 91.44%, and 83.48%) were the most abundant groups in the SPME of HTP1-3, respectively. Menthol (25.41%, 35.82%, and 31.15%) and anethole (52.01%, 23.62%, and 38.79%) were the major compounds identified in the SPME analysis of HTP1-3, respectively. Carvone was found only in HTP3 (0.49%) in a small quantity. CONCLUSION: The commercial herbal toothpastes could have advantages in decreasing bacterial accumulation on teeth with protection of the oral cavity.

Evaluation of patient satisfaction with pharyngeal airway changes after orthognathic surgery in patients with Class III skeletal anomalies.

Purpose: The aims of our study were to determine the changes in the pharyngeal airway after treating patients with Class III malocclusion who received double jaw surgery, to determine the hard tissue and soft tissue parameters and the hyoid bone and tongue positions after surgery, to determine the changes to compare the pretreatment and post-treatment measurements of the patients in the double jaw group with the measurements of the control group patients, and to evaluate postoperative patient satisfaction. Materials and methods: The study included thirty-two Class III adult patients that received double jaw surgery and twenty-five Class I patients. Cephalometric records were taken before treatment (T1) and after treatment (T2). Results: After double jaw orthognathic surgery, there were statistically significant changes in all pharyngeal airway linear and areal parameters (p<0.001). There were significant superior and posterior movements of the tongue and hyoid bone post-surgery. The post-treatment analysis of the double jaw surgery group and control group were compared, with statistically significant differences in the mandibular dental parameters and pharyngeal airway measurements in patients in the double jaw surgery group. Conclusion: Despite the narrowings detected, high satisfaction scores were observed in the patient satisfaction questionnaire and the patients did not experience respiratory problems.

The restoration of a maxillary central incisor fracture with the original crown fragment using a glass fiber-reinforced post: a clinical report.

This report describes an esthetic, conservative, and economical alternative restoration technique for a fractured central incisor using the patient's own tooth crown piece and a bondable reinforcement glass fiber. Although the long-term durability of this adhesive post core restoration remains unknown, it remains successful after 1 year.

Effect of autoclave postpolymerization treatments on the fracture toughness of autopolymerizing dental acrylic resins.

INTRODUCTION: Microwave and water bath postpolymerization have been suggested as methods to improve the mechanical properties of heat and autopolymerizing acrylic resins. However, the effects of autoclave heating on the fracture properties of autopolymerizing acrylic resins have not been investigated. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of various autoclave postpolymerization methods on the fracture properties of 3 different autopolymerizing acrylic resins. METHODS: Forty-two specimens of 3 different autopolymerizing acrylic resins (Orthocryl, Paladent RR and Futurajet) were fabricated (40x8x4mm), and each group was further divided into 6 subgroups (n=7). Control group specimens remained as processed (Group 1). The first test group was postpolymerized in a cassette autoclave at 135°C for 6 minutes and the other groups were postpolymerized in a conventional autoclave at 130°C using different time settings (5, 10, 20 or 30 minutes). Fracture toughness was then measured with a three-point bending test. Data were analyzed by ANOVA followed by the Duncan test (α=0.05). RESULTS: The fracture toughness of Orthocryl and Paladent-RR acrylic resins significantly increased following conventional autoclave postpolymerization at 130°C for 10 minutes (P<.05). However, the fracture toughness of autoclave postpolymerized Futurajet was not significantly different than its control specimens (P<.05). The fracture toughness of Futurajet was significantly less than Paladent RR and Orthocryl specimens when autoclaved at 130°C for 10 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, it can be suggested that autoclave postpolymerization is an effective method for increasing the fracture toughness of tested autoploymerized acrylic resins.

Epithelial uptake and transport of cell-free human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and gp120-coated microparticles.

Cell-free human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) can be taken up and released by a monolayer of primary human gingival cells and remain infectious for CD4+ cells. Virus-sized latex particles covalently coated with purified native HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 are also transported through the primary epithelial cells. This process is significantly stimulated by increasing the intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) concentration. Inhibition experiments with mannan and alpha-methyl-mannopyranoside indicated that mannosyl groups are involved in the interaction between gp120 and gingival cells. An increase of cellular oligomannosyl receptors by incubation with the mannosidase inhibitor deoxymannojirimycin augmented transcellular transport of the gp120-coated particles. The results suggest that infectious HIV can penetrate gingival epithelia by a cAMP-dependent transport mechanism involving interaction of the lectin-like domain of gp120 and mannosyl residues on glycoproteins on the mucosal surface. Penetration of HIV could be inhibited by soluble glycoconjugates present in oral mucins.