Dental Cavity Grading: Comparing Algorithm Reliability and Agreement with Expert Evaluation.

Aim: The current study introduces a novel, algorithm-based software developed to objectively evaluate dental cavity preparations. The software aims to provide an alternative or complement to traditional, subjective assessment methods used in operative dentistry education. Materials and Methods: The software was tested on cavity preparations carried out by 70 participants on artificial molar teeth. These cavities were also independently assessed by an experienced academic panel. The software, using 3D imaging, calculated cavity dimensions and assigned an error score based on deviation from ideal measurements. Statistical analyses included sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, Cohen's kappa, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC3k), Spearman's rho, Kendall's tau correlation coefficients, and a confusion matrix. Result: The software demonstrated a high degree of accuracy and agreement with the panel assessments. The average software and panel scores were 64.1 and 60.91, respectively. Sensitivity (0.98) was high, specificity (0.55) was moderate, and the ICC3k value (0.857) indicated a strong agreement between the software and the panel. Further, Spearman's rho (0.73) and Kendall's tau (0.56) suggested a strong correlation between the two grading methods. Conclusion: The results support the algorithm-based software as a valid and reliable tool for dental cavity preparation assessments. The software's potential use in dental education is promising, though future research is necessary to validate and optimize this technology for wider application.

Comparative analysis of diagnostic accuracy in endodontic assessments: dental students vs. artificial intelligence.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluates the comparative diagnostic accuracy of dental students and artificial intelligence (AI), specifically a modified ChatGPT 4, in endodontic assessments related to pulpal and apical conditions. The findings are intended to offer insights into the potential role of AI in augmenting dental education. METHODS: Involving 109 dental students divided into junior (54) and senior (55) groups, the study compared their diagnostic accuracy against ChatGPT's across seven clinical scenarios. Juniors had the American Association of Endodontists (AEE) terminology assistance, while seniors relied on prior knowledge. Accuracy was measured against a gold standard by experienced endodontists, using statistical analysis including Kruskal-Wallis and Dwass-Steel-Critchlow-Fligner tests. RESULTS: ChatGPT achieved significantly higher accuracy (99.0 %) compared to seniors (79.7 %) and juniors (77.0 %). Median accuracy was 100.0 % for ChatGPT, 85.7 % for seniors, and 82.1 % for juniors. Statistical tests indicated significant differences between ChatGPT and both student groups (p<0.001), with no notable difference between the student cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: The study reveals AI's capability to outperform dental students in diagnostic accuracy regarding endodontic assessments. This underscores AIs potential as a reference tool that students could utilize to enhance their understanding and diagnostic skills. Nevertheless, the potential for overreliance on AI, which may affect the development of critical analytical and decision-making abilities, necessitates a balanced integration of AI with human expertise and clinical judgement in dental education. Future research is essential to navigate the ethical and legal frameworks for incorporating AI tools such as ChatGPT into dental education and clinical practices effectively.

Perspective and practice of root caries management: a multicountry study - Part I.

BACKGROUND: Every effort needs to be made to better understand the current state of practice and trends relating to root caries management which will be of benefit to dentists universally in the practice of dentistry. AIM: This article presents a multicountry questionnaire survey of the current state of practice in the management of root caries among dentists in nine different countries to get a wider range of opinions and perspectives. METHODOLOGY: A questionnaire related to root surface caries was distributed among practicing dentists in nine different countries, namely the United Kingdom, Libya, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Brazil, India, Malaysia, and Iraq. Questionnaire responses were analyzed, and the results were compared among groups. RESULTS: The results showed statistically significant differences among dentists in most questionnaire aspects. Bleeding is the greatest obstacle facing dentists when restoring root surface lesions. Reported survival rates reflect uncertainty about the material and/or approach of choice in the management of root surface caries. CONCLUSION: This questionnaire survey revealed the current status of management of root surface caries in clinical practice in various countries. Substantial attention is required to bridge the knowledge gap and address the current void of uncertainty as relates to root caries management by providing a common ground for communication between dentists from all around the globe. In all, this work found a degree of consensus at the international level on what appears to work well among the dental practices surveyed and identified several issues with existing approaches that need to be addressed in future studies.

Perspective and practice of root caries management: A multicountry study - Part II: A deeper dive into risk factors.

BACKGROUND: The potential of an improved understanding to prevent and treat a complex oral condition such as root caries is important, given its correlation with multiple factors and the uncertainty surrounding the approach/material of choice. Deeper insights into risk factors may improve the quality of treatment and reduce the formation of root surface caries. AIM: The present work aims to gain knowledge about dentists' opinions and experiences on assessing the risk factor related to the development of root caries and to help identify any overlooked factors that may contribute to less efficacious clinical outcomes. METHODOLOGY: A questionnaire related to root surface caries was distributed among practicing dentists in nine different countries, namely the United Kingdom, Libya, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Brazil, India, Malaysia, and Iraq. Questionnaire responses were analyzed, and the results were compared among the groups. RESULTS: Dentists around the world ranked the oral hygiene status of patients as the most important factor in the development of root surface caries. Patients with poor oral hygiene, active periodontal disease, reduced salivary flow, and gingival recession are perceived to have a higher risk of developing new root surface caries. There is a greater focus on prevention in the UK and greater levels of untreated dental disease in other countries, especially those recovering from civil wars. CONCLUSION: This work identified some overlooked factors that may have contributed to the less efficacious clinical outcomes reported in the literature. It is hoped that this deep dive into risk factors coupled with the findings presented in Part I of this study will be used as a basis for a more comprehensive investigation into the management of patients with root surface caries.

Personality, learning styles and handedness: The use of the non-dominant hand in pre-clinical operative dentistry training.

AIM: This research was undertaken with the aim of using personality traits, learning styles and handedness to develop and evaluate a scale to measure a new concept in operative dentistry, symmetrisation. An initial hypothesis was proposed, stating that handedness, personality trait and learning style could be used to predict symmetrisation potential in the domain of operative dentistry. METHODS: Participants completed three questionnaires: the Edinburgh handedness inventory assessment; the Keirsey Temperament Sorter-II (KTS-II); and the learning style assessment (VARK). Then, participants prepared a cavity on an artificial third molar tooth in the traditional phantom head using their non-dominant hand. For evaluation and comparison purposes, Standard Tessellation Language images were obtained from prepared teeth using a CAD/CAM scanner and then aligned against a reference "unprepared" tooth image using a custom software developed by the authors based on the Iterative Closest Point algorithm. RESULTS: Extroverts, intuitive and participants characterised as relying on their feelings were more accurate compared to introverts, sensory and toughminded participants, respectively. Extroverts were faster to complete the task compared to introverts. Participants with a preference for read/writing learning style produced more errors than any of the other groups. Handedness, however, did not show any significant association with performance. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that both the KTS-II and the learning style assessment (VARK) questionnaires possess potential as useful measures of symmetrisation potential and the ability to use the non-dominant hand in operative dentistry, as well as platform for continuing research.