Nutritional Status, Frailty, Oral Health, and Oral Motor Functions in Long-Term Care Residents with Swallowing Dysfunction.

: Swallowing dysfunction is a prevalent but often overlooked problem in long-term care facilities. This study investigated the relationships between nutritional deficits, frailty, oral health, and swallowing dysfunction. Additionally, we explored the associations between oral muscle weakness, frailty markers, and swallowing dysfunction.

Convolutional-neural-network-based radiographs evaluation assisting in early diagnosis of the periodontal bone loss via periapical radiograph.

Background/purpose: The preciseness of detecting periodontal bone loss is examiners dependent, and this leads to low reliability. The need for automated assistance systems on dental radiographic images has been increased. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have quantitatively and automatically staged periodontitis using dental periapical radiographs.

Water temperature for fabrication of autopolymerizing polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) interim fixed restoration affects cytotoxicity and residual methyl methacrylate (MMA).

Background/purpose: Clinically, dentists are suggested to immerse autopolymerizing interim fixed restorations in hot water during fabrication. However, this suggestion, without including the best temperature, mostly comes from clinical experience instead of scientific evidence. This in vitro study evaluated the effect of water temperature on the cytotoxicity of interim partial fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) and examined its correlation with residual MMA.

Patient perception of service quality to preanesthetic oral examination: a cross-sectional study using the SERVQUAL model.

Background: A phase-III interdisciplinary quality improvement program, the preanesthetic oral examination (PAOE), was implemented as a new program in an academic medical center to prevent perioperative dental injuries. This study was aimed at surveying the perceived service quality and satisfaction of patients who had undergone PAOE based on the SERVQUAL model.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted at the Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital using convenience sampling.

IL17RB expression is associated with malignant cancer behaviors and poor prognosis in oral cancer.

Objectives: Previously, we demonstrated that IL17RB plays an essential role in lung cancer progression. This study aimed to determine whether IL17RB correlates with oral cancer and promotes oral cancer progression.

Subjects And Methods: IL17RB expression in oral cancer tissues and normal tissues was determined by immunohistochemistry staining, while the association of IL17RB expression with the clinicopathological characteristics of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients was analyzed and its correlation with progression-free survival and response to radiotherapy and chemotherapy in OSCC patients was also explored.

Accuracy of intraoral scanning methods for maxillary Kennedy class I arch.

Background/purpose: The optimal strategy for scanning removable partial dentures remains unknown. This study investigated scanning strategies for patients with a maxillary Kennedy Class I arch as well as the measurement deviations of three scanning strategies.

Materials And Methods: A standard maxilla model was positioned with a holder in a dental chair to simulate a natural patient position and posture.

Comparison of the plaque-removal efficacy of ultra-soft single-headed, triple-headed, and T-shaped toothbrushes and the subjective perceptions of users.

Purpose: To compare the plaque-removal efficacy of ultra-soft single-headed, triple-headed, and T-shaped toothbrushes and the subjective perceptions of users.

Methods: In this randomized, single-blind, crossover study, 30 healthy adult participants were randomly divided into three groups of 10, who tested the three types of toothbrushes in differing order, with a 1-week washout period between the tests. Dental plaque scores were recorded before and after toothbrushing, and questionnaires on subjective perceptions after toothbrushing were collected.

Analysis of adult dental emergencies at a medical center in southern Taiwan.

Background/purpose: The need for dental emergency (DE) services has increased in recent years. This study therefore investigated the characteristics of patients presenting with DEs in a medical center in southern Taiwan.

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective study of 1964 adult patients who presented with a DE at the Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital in 2018.

Effects of artificial intelligence-assisted dental monitoring intervention in patients with periodontitis: A randomized controlled trial.

Aim: To evaluate the effects of an at-home artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted dental monitoring application on treatment outcomes in patients with periodontitis.

Materials And Methods: Participants with periodontitis were recruited and randomly assigned to an AI (n = 16), AI and human counselling (AIHC; n = 17), or control (CG; n = 20) group. All participants received non-surgical periodontal treatment.

Assessment of dental personal protective equipment (PPE) and the relationship between manual dexterity and dissemination of aerosol and splatter during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background/purpose: Asymptomatic COVID-19 patients visit the dental clinic for routine treatment, during which, high-speed handpieces, and third-use sprayers can produce aerosols. We focused on the effect and possible inadequacy of personal protective equipment (PPE) while cleaning teeth and assessed whether doctors' proficiency was related to the range of spraying droplets.

Materials And Methods: Doctors were divided into three different groups: attending physicians, residents, and intern respectively.

Development and questionnaire-based evaluation of virtual dental clinic: a serious game for training dental students.

Background: The volume of literature about serious gaming in dental education has increased, however, none of the previous studies have developed a serious game for closing the gap between preclinical and clinical training.

Objective: Virtual Dental Clinic (VDC) is a serious game that was created to help develop clinical reasoning skills in dental students. This study aimed to evaluate VDC as an educational tool and its effectiveness on clinical skill and knowledge gain among clerkship dental students.

Reduced tissue and serum resistin expression as a clinical marker for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Esophageal cancer is one of the most common malignancies and leading cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying esophageal cancer progression and the development of clinical tools for effective diagnosis remain unclear. Resistin, which was originally identified as an adipose tissue-secretory factor, has been associated with obesity-related diseases, including certain types of cancer.

Comparison of optical and crystal properties of three translucent yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals with those of lithium disilicate glass-ceramic material.

Background/purpose: Among the ceramic materials used for all-ceramic crowns, zirconia has high biocompatibility and favorable mechanical properties, but its main drawbacks include low translucency and stress-induced phase transformation. To stabilize high-strength tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (TZP), 3-5 mol% yttria is usually added to prepare yttria-stabilized TZP (Y-TZP). In this study, the optical properties of three commercial Y-TZP ceramics were compared with those of the clinically available glass-ceramic material of lithium disilicate, and the relationship between translucency and crystal properties was analyzed in vitro.

Influence of commercial adhesive with/without silane on the bond strength of resin-based composite repaired within twenty-four hours.

Background/purpose: It is not clear whether the ground surface of resin-based composite (RBC) polymerized requires the application of an adhesive with/without a silane to improve bond strength. This study investigated the bond strength of RBC repaired within 24 h via the application of adhesive with/without a silane.

Materials And Methods: Seventy RBC blocks were prepared and assigned to either 0 or 24 h repair stage.

Association between the dental occlusion and perceived ability to eat foods of Taiwanese older adults.

Tooth loss is a common problem among older adults that affects masticatory function (MF) and food selection. Financial burden is a reason that some older adults in Taiwan with this condition forgo dental restoration. To identify the number of posterior occlusal support areas (POSAs) associated with MF.

The impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the utilization of dental services and attitudes of dental residents at the emergency department of a medical center in Taiwan.

Background/purpose: Dental visits are a high risk activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated the utilization of emergency dental services and clinical practical attitudes of dental residents in this period.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective chart data from 13th November 2019 to 31st March 2020 in Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Taiwan were used.

A Study of Low Young's Modulus Ti-15Ta-15Nb Alloy Using TEM Analysis.

The microstructural characteristics and Young's modulus of the as-cast Ti-15Ta-15Nb alloy are reported in this study. On the basis of the examined XRD and TEM results, the microstructure of the current alloy is essentially a mixture (α + β+ α' + α″ + ω + H) phase. The new H phase has not previously been identified as a known phase in the Ti-Ta-Nb alloy system.

Dysphagia and masticatory performance as a mediator of the xerostomia to quality of life relation in the older population.

Background: The impact of poor oral health on older adults' quality of life is a public health problem. In this study, the mediating effects of dental status, occlusal condition, dysphagia, and masticatory performance on the association between xerostomia and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) were assessed in the older adult population.

Methods: Stratified cluster sampling was used to recruit 1076 community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and older from Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Effect of toothbrush/dentifrice abrasion on weight variation, surface roughness, surface morphology and hardness of conventional and CAD/CAM denture base materials.

We evaluated the effect of toothbrush/dentifrice brushing on the weight variation and surface properties of different denture bases. Four denture base materials (conventional heat cure, high impact, CAD/CAM, and polyamide resins) were subjected to toothbrushing abrasion (50,000 strokes). The weight value, surface roughness, and topography of each group were determined before and after toothbrushing.

Mg-Zn-Ca Alloys for Hemostasis Clips for Vessel Ligation: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies of Their Degradation and Response.

To control the degradation rate of magnesium (Mg) alloys, chitosan (CHI) and L-glutamic acid (LGA) were used as coatings on Mg-Zn-Ca alloys via dip coating. In this study, either two or seven CHI/LGA layers were applied as a coating on Mg-2.8Zn-0.

Effects of anxiety on dental students' noncognitive performance in their first objective structured clinical examination.

Patient-dentist discourse is a core nonoperational competency in dental education. The skills of querying patients and responding to questions are noncognitive attributes, and their evaluation by the standardized patient objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) is particularly necessary. However, it is not clear whether students' test anxiety affects these attributes.

Influence of cavity depth and restoration of non-carious cervical root lesions on strain distribution from various loading sites.

Background: We aimed to investigate the load-induced strain variation in teeth with unrestored and resin-based composite restored non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs).

Methods: Twelve extracted premolars were provided for measuring buccal-side root NCCLs. Strain gauges were fixed at four measuring sites of each tooth, two at the buccal surface and two at the lingual surface.

Effect of TiCu precipitation on antibacterial property of Ti-5Cu alloy.

To instill pure Ti with an antibacterial effect, Cu was added by metallurgical alloying to produce Ti-5 wt% Cu alloy (Ti-5Cu alloy). The precipitation of the likes of TiCu in a Ti-Cu alloy is one of the factors that influences its antibacterial property. However, in the present study, Ti-5Cu alloy precipitates with different microstructures were obtained by applying heat treatment at different temperatures and for different durations.