Mapping out the bibliometric characteristics of classic articles published in a Taiwanese academic journal in dentistry: A scopus-based analysis.

Background/purpose: Since its inception, the Journal of Dental Sciences (JDS) has aimed to publish quality articles relevant to all fields in dentistry. The purpose of this study was to analyze the bibliometric characteristics and dissected associated factors correlated with citation counts of classic articles published in the JDS. Materials and method: Scopus® database was used to search the qualified articles published in JDS from 2009 to 2021. The bibliometric parameters, including journal impact factor (JIF), self-citation, study design, research field, geographic, country and institute of origin, inter-institute, inter-nation collaboration, keywords hotness and associated factors correlated with citation counts of classic articles were analyzed. Results: One hundred and eight articles from Scopus® database were eligible for analysis. The citation counts of classic articles ranged from 12 to 192, the average citation was 22.02. The most common study design was the in vitro/in vivo, followed by the cross-sectional study, and the major research field were Dental Materials. The most productive country and institute is Taiwan, and Chung Shan Medical University, respectively. The trend of inter-institute (71.03%) and inter-nation (11.22%) collaboration steadily increased since 2009. By using the multivariable linear regression model, Preventive and Community Dentistry in the research field significantly increased the citation counts. Conclusion: Despite its limitations, the escalating trends in JIFs, and JIFs without self-citations, and inter-nation and inter-institute collaboration of classic articles were noticed. Of all the dissected associated factors, Preventive and Community Dentistry in the research field significantly increased the citation counts of classic article.

A novel 3D-printed computer-assisted piezocision guide for surgically facilitated orthodontics.

Surgical interventions on the alveolar ridges aimed at facilitating orthodontic tooth movement have been extensively reported. However, unexpected events or complications still occur in daily practice. The purpose of this report was to present a novel 3-dimensional (3D) computer-assisted piezocision guide (CAPG) designed to be translucent for increased visibility, rigid for enhanced support during guidance, and porous for profuse irrigation during procedure. Such a design can function to minimize the risk of surgical complications. In this case, we present a novel 3D-printed CAPG to facilitate a minimally invasive periodontal accelerated osteogenic orthodontics (PAOO) procedure with a guide that provides accuracy, adequate visibility, and greater access for the coolant to reach the surgery site. By navigating the cone-beam computed tomography data, we precisely know the cortical bone thickness, root direction, and interrelations between anatomic structures in an individual situation, which allows us to design our cutting slot for the required length and depth according to the operator's knowledge. Finally, 3D printing was applied, transferring our surgical plan to fabricate the CAPG. Moreover, the well designed pores on the CAPG allow effective irrigation during the piezocision procedure. This minimally invasive procedure was uneventful, and no devitalized tooth or alveolar bone was found.

Detection and location of second mesiobuccal canal in permanent maxillary teeth: A cone-beam computed tomography analysis in a Taiwanese population.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence, symmetry, concurrence of second mesiobuccal canal (MB2) and determine geometric relationships between each orifice of maxillary first and second molars by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) analysis. METHODS: A total of 216 qualified individuals' (503 teeth) CBCT image were enrolled in the present study. The consistency of bilateral symmetry and concurrent appearance of MB2 canals were analyzed among individuals with contralateral and adjacent molar teeth. The inter-orifice distances and angulations of first and second molars were also measured. RESULTS: The overall incidence of MB2 canal of maxillary molars was 39.2%, in which 45.9% and 32.3% in the first and second molars, respectively. The distribution of MB2 canal in contralateral molar teeth has significant gender difference in second molars (p = 0.024) while analyzing the frequency of MB2 canal appearing in contralateral molar pairs. The simultaneous occurrence of MB2 canal was 22.4% for contralateral molars, and the prevalence of concurrent appearance of MB2 canal in the adjacent molars was 43.4%. After adjusting for gender, age, and tooth type, the inter-orifice distances of mesiobuccal to palatal (odds ratios = 1.891) and to distobuccal (odds ratios = 1.448) canals, demonstrated significant differences between molars with and without MB2 canals. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical significance of the results presents critical information on the geometric features, including inter-orifice distances and angulations between each orifice in maxillary molar teeth. Further studies should be conducted to investigate the exact anatomic coordination between each orifice and its impact on access preparation and external crown morphology.

Relationship of the Incidence of C-shaped Root Canal Configurations of Mandibular First Premolars with Distolingual Roots in Mandibular First Molars in a Taiwanese Population: A Cone-beam Computed Tomographic Study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of C-shaped canal configurations (CSs) and radicular grooves (RGs) in permanent mandibular first premolars (MPs) and to investigate the relevance of such complexities with the presence of distolingual roots (DLRs) in permanent mandibular first molars (MMs). METHODS: A total of 800 pairs of MPs and MMs were investigated using a cone-beam computed tomographic system (NewTom 5G; QR srl, Verona, Italy). The frequency and symmetry of DLRs in MMs along with the occurrence of RGs and CSs in examined MPs were evaluated. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to examine the correlation between the CSs of MPs with the appearance of DLRs in MMs. RESULTS: In the examined teeth, 23.0% of MMs had a DLR, whereas 16.6% of MPs had RGs and 12.5% of MPs had C-shaped canals. Although the most common canal configuration in MPs is the single canal (74.1%), the other 25.9% still possess complicated root canals. Of these MPs that have different canal configurations, 54.6% had 2 canals, whereas 44.4% had CSs. Specifically, the CS showed a high prevalence of C3 morphologies at 98.9% followed by C1 at 1.1%. A corresponding and increasing frequency was noted in CSs and RGs of MPs and MMs with DLRs (P < .001). After adjusting for related categoric variables, the adjusted odds ratios for CSs of MPs in the bilateral DLR group compared with the non-DLR group was 3.294 (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed an increased appearance of CSs in MPs when DLRs were present in MMs in the Taiwanese population.

Complicated Root Canal Morphology of Mandibular Lateral Incisors Is Associated with the Presence of Distolingual Root in Mandibular First Molars: A Cone-beam Computed Tomographic Study in a Taiwanese Population.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess the root canal configurations in permanent mandibular lateral incisors (PMLIs) and the correlation between the root canal configurations of PMLIs with the appearance of a distolingual root (DLR) in permanent mandibular first molars (PMFMs) using cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) imaging. METHODS: A total of 1200 CBCT images (300 patients) of PMFMs and PMLIs were investigated. The frequency and distribution of DLRs in PMFMs along with root canal configurations of PMLIs were assessed ipsilaterally and contralaterally. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between the root canal configurations of PMLIs with the appearance of a DLR in PMFMs. RESULTS: The prevalence of PMFMs with a DLR was 24.3%, and the incidence of complicated root canal configurations in PMLIs was 25.0%. The most prevalent root canal systems of PMLIs were Vertucci types I (75%) and III (23.0%). The incidence of complicated root canal configurations in PMLIs was 19.5% in the non-DLR group (ie, no DLR was found on either side of the PMFMs), 33.3% in the unilateral DLR (Uni-DLR) group (ie, a DLR was found in 1 of the PMFMs [the left or right side] and a DLR was not found on the other PMFM), and 39.8% in the bilateral DLR (Bil-DLR) group (ie, a DLR was found in both the right and left PMFMs). After adjusting for categoric variables including sex, age, and side, the odds ratios for the frequency of complicated root canal configurations of PMLIs in the Uni-DLR and Bil-DLR groups compared with the non-DLR group were 2.12 (P = .003) and 2.707 (P < .001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The simultaneous appearance of DLRs in PMFMs and complicated root canal configurations in PMLIs is prominent in Taiwanese individuals. Clinicians should be aware of the correlation between the anatomic variants of PMFMs and PMLIs, which are important before endodontic treatment.

Geometric features of second mesiobuccal canal in permanent maxillary first molars: a cone-beam computed tomography study.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Inadequacy to locate the second mesiobuccal canal (MB2) canal leads to the highest probability of endodontic failure in permanent maxillary first molars (PMFMs) and still remains a constant challenge for many clinicians. The aim of this study was to characterize the geometrical features between MB2 and other orifices of examined PMFMs using cone-beam computed tomography images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 108 teeth qualified in the cone-beam computed tomography image archives were enrolled in the present study. The intersecting point (T) was determined as the perpendicular line (h, altitude of triangle) projected from the vertex of the MB2 canal orifice to mesiobuccal canal orifice-palatal canal orifice line (MB1-P). We measured the geometric features of PMFMs with the MB2 canal, including the interorifice distances, area, altitude, and the ratio between the canal orifices. RESULTS: The average interorifice distance was found to be 1.91 ± 0.59 mm for MB1-MB2, 5.73 ± 0.66 mm for MB1-P, and 4.11 ± 0.79 mm for MB2-P, with significant gender difference for MB1-MB2 distance. For the MB1-T distance, a significant difference was found between genders (P = 0.02), with males averaging 1.78 ± 0.07 mm, and females 1.48 ± 0.11 mm. For the MB1-P distance, the majorities of both genders were found in the 20-40% cut-off. A portion of the males exhibited a tendency towards the 40-80% cut-off, while females shifted in the reverse direction towards the 0-20% cut-off. CONCLUSION: In clinical scenarios, these anatomical characteristics of the root canals system could be beneficial to locating the MB2 canal.