Long-Term Predictive Modelling of the Craniofacial Complex Using Machine Learning on 2D Cephalometric Radiographs.

Objective: This study aimed to predict long-term growth-related changes in skeletal and dental relationships within the craniofacial complex using machine learning (ML) models.

Materials And Methods: Cephalometric radiographs from 301 subjects, taken at pre-pubertal (T1, age 11) and post-pubertal stages (T2, age 18), were analysed. Three ML models-Lasso regression, Random Forest, and Support Vector Regression (SVR)-were trained on a subset of 240 subjects, while 61 subjects were used for testing.

Comparison of clinical and abdominal CT imaging findings in children evaluated for abusive and accidental abdominal trauma.

Background: Diagnosis of child abuse in children evaluated for a blunt abdominal trauma can be challenging due to overlapping types of injuries.

Objective: Identify clinical characteristics and CT findings that differentiate children evaluated for accidental abdominal trauma (AcAT) and abusive abdominal trauma (AbAT).

Materials And Methods: Retrospective (1/2010 to 6/2024) study on children < 3 years-old who had an abdominal CT scan for AcAT or AbAT.

In Vitro Comparison of the Effectiveness of Different Attachment Shapes and Locations on Extrusion of the Upper Left Lateral Incisor Using Thermoplastic Aligners.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of different attachment shapes and locations on the extrusion of the upper left lateral incisor (UL2) using thermoplastic aligners.

Materials And Methods: Seven typodonts were digitally printed with hemi-ellipsoid or rectangular attachments in the incisal, middle or cervical third of the UL2. Five clear aligners were fabricated for each typodont; each was tested twice.

Tissue-Safe Low-Temperature Plasma Treatment for Effective Management of Mature Peri-Implantitis Biofilms on Titanium Surfaces.

The unique screw-shape design and microstructure of implants pose a challenge for mechanical debridement in removing biofilms. Biofilms exhibit increased resistance to antimicrobials relative to single planktonic cells, emphasizing the need for effective biofilm removal during periodontal therapy for peri-implantitis treatment. To tackle this issue, our team evaluated the effectiveness of low-temperature plasma (LTP) for disinfecting titanium discs contaminated with multispecies biofilms associated with peri-implantitis, specifically focusing on biofilms matured for 14 and 21 days as well as biofilms that had formed on Straumann Ti-SLA implants for 21 days.

The effect of water filter pitchers on the mineral concentration of tap water.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of water filter pitchers on the concentration of different minerals in tap water.

Methods: Nine water filter pitchers (A-I) were chosen based on consumer preferences and Amazon reviews. Each filter was tested for its ability to modify the concentrations of fluoride, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium in tap water.

In Vitro Comparison of Direct Attachment Shape and Size on the Orthodontic Forces and Moments Generated by Thermoplastic Aligners During Expansion.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of varying direct attachment shape and size on the forces and moments generated by thermoplastic aligners during simulated expansion.

Materials And Methods: An in vitro orthodontic force tester (OFT) was used to measure the forces and moments from a typodont where the buccal teeth were translated lingually 0.2 mm to simulate expansion.

Using Multi-Layer Perceptron Driven Diagnosis to Compare Biomarkers for Primary Open Angle Glaucoma.

Purpose: To use neural network machine learning (ML) models to identify the most relevant ocular biomarkers for the diagnosis of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

Methods: Neural network models, also known as multi-layer perceptrons (MLPs), were trained on a prospectively collected observational dataset comprised of 93 glaucoma patients confirmed by a glaucoma specialist and 113 control subjects. The base model used only intraocular pressure, blood pressure, heart rate, and visual field (VF) parameters to diagnose glaucoma.

Predicting the impact of retinal vessel density on retinal vessel and tissue oxygenation using a theoretical model.

Vascular impairments, including compromised flow regulation, have been identified as significant contributors to glaucomatous disease. Recent studies have shown glaucoma patients with significantly reduced peripapillary, macular, and optic nerve head vessel densities occurring with early glaucomatous structural changes prior to detectable visual field loss. This study aims to quantify the potential impact of decreased vessel densities on retinal perfusion and oxygen metabolism.

Diagnostic Capability of OCTA-Derived Macular Biomarkers for Early to Moderate Primary Open Angle Glaucoma.

: To investigate macular vascular biomarkers for the detection of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). : A total of 56 POAG patients and 94 non-glaucomatous controls underwent optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) assessment of macular vessel density (VD) in the superficial (SCP), and deep (DCP) capillary plexus, foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, perimeter, VD, choriocapillaris and outer retina flow area. POAG patients were classified for severity based on the Glaucoma Staging System 2 of Brusini.

[Nutrition, metabolism, brain and mental health].

This review article explores the intricate relationship between nutrition, metabolism, brain function and mental health. It highlights two key complementary models: the energy balance model and the more comprehensive carbohydrate-insulin model, to understand the development of obesity and metabolic dysfunctions. It particularly focuses on the role of dopamine in dietary regulation and insulin in the brain, both of which are crucial in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative and stress-associated mental disorders.

Longitudinal Follow-up Comparing Future Care of Primary Teeth Treated with Silver Diammine Fluoride: A Private Dental Claims Review.

The purpose of this study was to longitudinally evaluate follow-up treatment on primary teeth initially treated with silver diammine fluoride (SDF). This retrospective cohort evaluated private insurance (not Medicaid) claims data from 2018 to 2019 for children no older than 12 years with at least one primary tooth initially treated with SDF. Additional treatment per tooth was recorded over a follow-up of at least 24 months.

Effect of Different Isolation Methods on Bioaerosol Distribution: An In Vitro Study.

The purposes of this in vitro study were to evaluate the effect of three isolation methods to mitigate bioaerosols during stainless steel crown (SSC) preparations and assess the distribution of Streptococcus mutans by aerosolization in closed-room operatories. Melamine teeth coated in laboratory-grown S. mutans biofilm were prepared for SSCs using three different isolation methods.

Interplay Between Minerals in Bottled Water and Fluoride Toothpaste and Caries Lesion Remineralization.

Objectives: he aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effects of some bottled waters on fluoride toothpaste efficacy in enhancing caries lesion remineralization.

Methods: Early caries lesions were created in bovine enamel specimens and stratified into treatment groups based on Vickers surface microhardness (VHN). The present study followed a two (fluoride and fluoride-free toothpaste) by five (four bottled waters and tap water) factorial design.

Occupational Noise Exposure in the Pediatric Dental Setting.

To evaluate the noise levels recorded in a hospital-based pediatric dental clinic and evaluate the occupational exposure personnel have to potentially hazardous levels of noise. A SoundAdvisor™ Sound Level Meter Model 831C was used to gather 19 days of background sound data (equivalent continuous sound levels, measured as LAeq) in the open bay, quiet room, sedation suite, and operating room settings. A Spartan™ Wireless Noise Dosimeter Model 730 (Larson Davis) was utilized to capture data about personal noise exposure of pediatric dental residents over 81 clinic sessions.

A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Population-Level Dental Caries Prevention Strategies in US Children.

Objective: To improve oral health disparities and outcomes among US children impacted by dental caries, there is a need to understand the cost-effectiveness of a targeted, risk-based versus universal-based approach for caries prevention.

Methods: Health and economic outcomes were simulated in a cohort of 50,000 US children aged 1-18 years, comparing current practice (CP) to risk-based-prevention (RBP) and prevention-for-all (PFA) strategies using health care sector and limited societal perspectives. Prevention included biannual oral health exams and fluoride varnish application, and one-time dental sealant placement.

Supplemental Oxygen Concentrations and the Use of Suction to Mitigate Risk of Oral Surgical Fires Using a Laboratory Model.

Intraoral oxygen pooling during dental sedation, especially using supplemental oxygen, is associated with an increased risk of spontaneous perioperative fire. The purpose of this in vitro study was to examine the effectiveness of intraoral suctioning for reducing oxygen pooling to safe levels during a simulated dental procedure. Phase one: Twenty trials were completed for each of the three suctioning devices: high-volume evacuation (HVE), fixed tip saliva ejector (SE), and Yankauer suction (YS).

A Randomized Clinical Trial to Assess Caries Arrest by Using Silver Diamine Fluoride in U.S. Children: Interim Findings.

To assess the effectiveness of 38 percent silver diamine fluoride (SDF) in arresting cavitated caries lesions in young U.S. children.

The Short-term Effects of Artificial Tears on the Tear Film Assessed by a Novel High-Resolution Tear Film Imager: A Pilot Study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of artificial tears (AT) on the sublayers of the tear film assessed by a novel tear film imaging (TFI) device.

Methods: The mucoaqueous layer thickness (MALT) and lipid layer thickness (LLT) of 198 images from 11 healthy participants, 9 of whom had meibomian gland disease, were prospectively measured before and after exposure to 3 different AT preparations (Refresh Plus; Retaine [RTA]; Systane Complete PF [SYS]), using a novel nanometer resolution TFI device (AdOM, Israel). Participants were assessed at baseline and at 1, 5, 10, 30, and 60 minutes after instilling 1 drop of AT during 3 sessions on separate days.

Longevity of dental restorations in Sjogren's disease patients using electronic dental and health record data.

Background: Decreased salivary secretion is not only a risk factor for carious lesions in Sjögren's disease (SD) but also an indicator of deterioration of teeth with every restorative replacement. This study determined the longevity of direct dental restorations placed in patients with SD using matched electronic dental record (EDR) and electronic health record (EHR) data.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using EDR and EHR data of Indiana University School of Dentistry patients who have a SD diagnosis in their EHR.

Survival analysis of posterior composite restorations in National Dental PBRN general dentistry practices.

Objective: Quantify the survival of posterior composite restorations (PCR) placed during the study period in permanent teeth in United States (US) general dental community practices and factors predictive of that survival.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted utilizing de-identified electronic dental record (EDR) data of patients who received a PCR in 99 general dentistry practices in the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network (Network). The final analyzed data set included 700,885 PCRs from 200,988 patients.

Effects of silver diamine fluoride on demineralization protection after a secondary acid challenge.

Objective: This investigation describes the effects of 5% sodium fluoride varnish and 38% silver diamine fluoride on demineralization protection of human enamel lesions of three different severities after a secondary acid challenge.

Study Design: Specimens underwent color and enamel surface microhardness change measurements after demineralization and treatment events. Transverse microradiography was conducted following the secondary demineralization.