Taxonomic discordance of immersive realities in dentistry: A systematic scoping review.: Taxonomic discordance of immersive realities.

OBJECTIVES: This review aimed to map taxonomy frameworks, descriptions, and applications of immersive technologies in the dental literature. DATA: The Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines was followed, and the protocol was registered at open science framework platform (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/H6N8M). SOURCES: Systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE (via PubMed), Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases, and complemented by manual search. STUDY SELECTION: A total of 84 articles were included, with 81% between 2019 and 2023. Most studies were experimental (62%), including education (25%), protocol feasibility (20%), in vitro (11%), and cadaver (6%). Other study types included clinical report/technique article (24%), clinical study (9%), technical note/tip to reader (4%), and randomized controlled trial (1%). Three-quarters of the included studies were published in oral and maxillofacial surgery (38%), dental education (26%), and implant (12%) disciplines. Methods of display included head mounted display device (HMD) (55%), see through screen (32%), 2D screen display (11%), and projector display (2%). Descriptions of immersive realities were fragmented and inconsistent with lack of clear taxonomy framework for the umbrella and the subset terms including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), augmented virtuality (AV), extended reality, and X reality. CONCLUSIONS: Immersive reality applications in dentistry are gaining popularity with a notable surge in the number of publications in the last 5 years. Ambiguities are apparent in the descriptions of immersive realities. A taxonomy framework based on method of display (full or partial) and reality class (VR, AR, or MR) is proposed. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Understanding different reality classes can be perplexing due to their blurred boundaries and conceptual overlapping. Immersive technologies offer novel educational and clinical applications. This domain is fast developing. With the current fragmented and inconsistent terminologies, a comprehensive taxonomy framework is necessary.

Association of periodontal therapy, with inflammatory biomarkers and complications in COVID-19 patients: a case control study.

BACKGROUND: In previous studies, COVID-19 complications were reported to be associated with periodontitis. Accordingly, this study was designed to test the hypothesis that a history of periodontal therapy could be associated with lower risk of COVID-19 complications. METHODS: A case-control study was performed using the medical health records of COVID-19 patients in the State of Qatar between March 2020 and February 2021 and dental records between January 2017 and December 2021. Cases were defined as COVID-19 patients who suffered complications (death, ICU admissions and/or mechanical ventilation); controls were COVID-19 patients who recovered without major complications. Associations between a history of periodontal therapy and COVID-19 complications were analysed using logistic regression models adjusted for demographic and medical factors. Blood parameters were compared using Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: In total, 1,325 patients were included. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) analysis revealed that non-treated periodontitis was associated with significant risk of need for mechanical ventilation (AOR = 3.91, 95% CI 1.21-12.57, p = 0.022) compared to periodontally healthy patients, while treated periodontitis was not (AOR = 1.28, 95% CI 0.25-6.58, p = 0.768). Blood analyses revealed that periodontitis patients with a history of periodontal therapy had significantly lower levels of D-dimer and Ferritin than non-treated periodontitis patients. CONCLUSION: Among COVID-19 patients with periodontal bone loss, only those that have not received periodontal therapy had higher risk of need for assisted ventilation. COVID-19 patients with a history of periodontal therapy were associated with significantly lower D-dimer levels than those without recent records of periodontal therapy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The fact that patients with treated periodontitis were less likely to suffer COVID-19 complications than non-treated ones further strengthen the hypothesis linking periodontitis to COVID-19 complications and suggests that managing periodontitis could help reduce the risk for COVID-19 complications, although future research is needed to verify this.

Periodontitis and Intra-Oral Plasmacytosis in a Noonan's Syndrome Patient.

A 13-year-old female patient with Noonan's syndrome, intra-oral periodontitis, and associated periodontal lesions is presented in this case report. The patient suffered early onset severe molar pattern periodontitis and recurrent intra-oral inflammatory lesions, pyogenic granuloma, and plasmacytosis, which were excised and controlled using a strict oral hygiene protocol based on long-term use of chlorhexidine-based products as auxiliary aid to regular home care and brushing.

Association between periodontitis and severity of COVID-19 infection: A case-control study.

AIM: COVID-19 is associated with an exacerbated inflammatory response that can result in fatal outcomes. Systemic inflammation is also a main characteristic of periodontitis. Therefore, we investigated the association of periodontitis with COVID-19 complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case-control study was performed using the national electronic health records of the State of Qatar between February and July 2020. Cases were defined as patients who suffered COVID-19 complications (death, ICU admissions or assisted ventilation), and controls were COVID-19 patients discharged without major complications. Periodontal conditions were assessed using dental radiographs from the same database. Associations between periodontitis and COVID 19 complications were analysed using logistic regression models adjusted for demographic, medical and behaviour factors. RESULTS: In total, 568 patients were included. After adjusting for potential confounders, periodontitis was associated with COVID-19 complication including death (OR = 8.81, 95% CI 1.00-77.7), ICU admission (OR = 3.54, 95% CI 1.39-9.05) and need for assisted ventilation (OR = 4.57, 95% CI 1.19-17.4). Similarly, blood levels of white blood cells, D-dimer and C Reactive Protein were significantly higher in COVID-19 patients with periodontitis. CONCLUSION: Periodontitis was associated with higher risk of ICU admission, need for assisted ventilation and death of COVID-19 patients, and with increased blood levels of biomarkers linked to worse disease outcomes.

Anatomic factors influencing dimensions of soft tissue graft from the hard palate. A clinical study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to measure the thickness of the palatal mucosa in a Jordanian (Middle Eastern) population as well as identify possible factors that may influence the thickness of palatal mucosa. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty period on tally healthy subjects (29 males and 31 females) were selected. Fifteen measurement points were defined on the palate. The mucosal thickness in the hard palate was determined by "bone sounding" with a Hu-Friedy® round periodontal probe. RESULTS: The overall mean thickness of the palatal masticatory mucosa was 3.23 ± 0.47 mm.The mean thickness increased from the gingival margin to a more apical position irrespective of the tooth measured or side of the mouth in the following sequence: canine, second molar, first premolar, second premolar and lastly, the first molar. No significant difference between gender, smoking status, gingival phenotype andsides of the mouth with the thickness of palatal masticatory mucosa was determined. A significant difference between palatal shape and palatal gingival thickness was found. CONCLUSIONS: The most appropriate site for graft harvesting is the canine-premolar area 8-13 mm from the mid-palatal aspect of each respective tooth in a Jordanian population. Except for the palatal shape, the side of the mouth, smoking, gender or gingival phenotype does not affect the graft harvest. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: SCIENTIFIC RATIONALE FOR STUDY: Knowledge on the thickness of the masticatory mucosa is crucialin making decisions for surgical treatment modality and may affect surgical outcome. We measured the thickness of the palatal mucosa in a Jordanian population and identified possible influencing factors. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The thickness varied according to the teeth and the canine to premolar region was found to be the appropriate donor site. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: This information on safe zone for graft harvest can guide the periodontist to make appropriate incisions and choose the appropriate location to obtain a graft of adequate thickness and dimensions.

A clinical study on the effects of cordless and conventional retraction techniques on the gingival and periodontal health.

AIM: To investigate the influence of two cordless techniques on the periodontium in comparison with conventional cords. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Dental students (n=60) with healthy gingival conditions were recruited - an expanding poly vinyl siloxane material (Magic Foam Cord), a paste-like material (Expasyl), and a conventional retraction cord (Ultrapak) were applied on the buccal aspects of three premolars of each subject. Probing depth, clinical attachment level, gingival index (GI), plaque index, mobility, bleeding, and sensitivity were assessed at baseline, and at 1 and 7 days after application. Data were analysed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whittney tests (alpha=0.05). RESULTS: The periodontal parameters were not statistically significant among the groups at all time intervals except for the GI, which was increased for all groups after 1 day. The highest was in Expasyl (p=0.011). After 7 days, the GI returned to a non-significant level compared with baseline except for Expasyl, which was still significant (p=0.044). Expasyl induced sensitivity in four subjects. Bleeding was only induced by Ultrapak in 28.3% and 26.7% during and after retraction, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: All techniques caused a temporary gingival inflammation; the greatest was in Expasyl, which also showed slower recovery. Cordless techniques did not induce bleeding during or after retraction.