Benefits and challenges of the integration of haptics-enhanced virtual reality training within dental curricula.

Background: Haptics-enhanced virtual reality (VR-haptic) simulation in dental education has evolved considerably during the past decade, representing a promising resource of simulation-based training opportunities to support conventional practice. We aim to summarize current literature on the applications of VR-haptics in learning, practicing, and teaching dental education.

Methods: A literature search was performed using PubMed, focusing on research articles published between January 2010 and January 2024.

Evaluating the Effects of Cigarette Smoking and Heated Tobacco Products on Hard Dental Tissues: A Comparative Histological and Colorimetric Analysis.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the impact of cigarette smoking (CS) and heated tobacco (HT) on the alteration of color and ultrastructural characteristics of human enamel and cementum.

Background: According to tobacco companies, a less harmful substitute for CS is HT products. Nevertheless, comprehensive research on the effects of HT on tooth structures has been lacking.

The Accuracy of Digital Impressions versus Conventional Impressions in Neonates with Cleft Lip and/or Palate: A Laboratory-Based Study.

Cleft lip and palate (CL/P) are a common congenital craniofacial anomaly requiring precise impressions for effective treatment. Conventional impressions (CIs) pose challenges in neonates with CL/P due to their delicate oral anatomy. While digital impressions (DIs) are increasingly recognised for their potential benefits over conventional methods in dentistry, their accuracy and application in neonates with cleft lip and palate (CL/P) remain underexplored.

Considerations for oral and dental tissues in holistic care during long-haul space flights.

The health of astronauts during and after the return from long-haul space missions is paramount. There is plethora of research in the literature about the medical side of astronauts' health, however, the dental and oral health of the space crew seem to be overlooked with limited information in the literature about the effects of the space environment and microgravity on the oral and dental tissues. In this article, we shed some light on the latest available research related to space dentistry and provide some hypotheses that could guide the directions of future research and help maintain the oral health of space crews.

Balancing Risks versus Benefits: Vitamin C Therapy versus Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Toxicity in Albino Rats' Submandibular Salivary Gland.

Objectives:  This study aimed to examine the suppressive effect of the natural antioxidant vitamin C (VC) against submandibular gland toxicity induced by copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs).

Materials And Methods:  Three groups of 30 mature male albino rats (4 weeks old) weighing between 150 and 200 g were selected. The rats were randomly assigned for 6 weeks to receive: intraperitoneal injection (IP) of vehicle (control group); IP of 2.

Effect of Acidic Media on Surface Topography and Color Stability of Two Different Glass Ceramics.

Objective:  The aim of this study was to determine the effect of two acidic beverages (orange juice and HPO-containing fizzy drink) on the surface topography and color stability of two commonly used computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) ceramic materials.

Materials And Methods:  Sixty samples of two CAD/CAM ceramic materials, lithium disilicate (IPS e-max CAD) and zirconia reinforced lithium silicate (Vita Suprinity), were prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions. The samples were immersed in one of three media (artificial saliva, orange juice and HPO-containing fizzy drink) and then stored in an incubator at 37 °C for 24 hours).

Effect of Two Different Intraoral Polishing Systems on Surface Roughness, Color Stability, and Bacterial Accumulation of Zirconia-Reinforced Lithium Silicate Ceramic.

Objective:  The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of two intraoral polishing methods on zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate ceramic after ultrasonic scaling.

Materials And Methods:  Thirty disc-shaped samples of zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate were constructed. Freshly extracted bovine teeth were collected and cleaned then the discs were cemented into a cavity prepared onto their labial surface.

Clinician- and Patient-Centred Outcomes of Digital Impressions in Infants with Cleft Lip and Palate: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review examines the effectiveness of digital impressions in infants with cleft lip and palate (CLP), focusing on accuracy, operator preferences, and parents' perceptions. The PICO-formulated focused questions assessed the accuracy and operator preference of digital impressions compared to conventional impressions in infants with cleft lip and palate, while also exploring parents' perceptions as patient-centred outcomes. Electronic and manual searches were conducted in five databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library; to acquire grey literature, Google Scholar was also consulted.

Cellulose de-polymerization is selective for bioethanol refinery and multi-functional biochar assembly using brittle stalk of corn mutant.

As lignocellulose recalcitrance principally restricts for a cost-effective conversion into biofuels and bioproducts, this study re-selected the brittle stalk of corn mutant by MuDR-transposon insertion, and detected much reduced cellulose polymerization and crystallinity. Using recyclable CaO chemical for biomass pretreatment, we determined a consistently enhanced enzymatic saccharification of pretreated corn brittle stalk for higher-yield bioethanol conversion. Furthermore, the enzyme-undigestible lignocellulose was treated with two-step thermal-chemical processes via FeCl catalysis and KOH activation to generate the biochar with significantly raised adsorption capacities with two industry dyes (methylene blue and Congo red).

Efficacy of an impression disinfectant solution after repeated use: An study.

Statement Of Problem: There are very few studies using Benzalkonium Chloride (BAC) as an active disinfection agent for immersion techniques and there are no studies investigating the efficacy of repeated use of a disinfectant solution.

Purpose: This study evaluated an impression disinfectant by testing bacterial contamination of disinfectant batches used in a clinical setting after repeated use.

Materials And Methods: Liquid samples were collected from impression disinfectant solutions used to disinfect dental impressions taken at a university dental clinic.

Effect of pulp capping materials on odontogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells: An in vitro study.

Objectives: Migration and differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) is a vital and key factor in the success of reparative dentin formation for maintenance of pulp vitality. Pulp capping materials are used to stimulate DPSCs to induce new dentin formation. Thus, the aim of the present study was to compare the response of DPSCs to four commercially available pulp capping materials: a bioactive bioceramic (Material 1), a nonresinous ready-to-use bioceramic cement (Material 2), a bioactive composite (Material 3), and a biocompatible, dual-cured, resin-modified calcium silicate (Material 4).

The Impact of Different Irrigation Regimens on the Chemical Structure and Cleanliness of Root Canal Dentin.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different irrigation regimens on the chemical composition and cleanliness of root canal dentin.

Materials And Methods: Forty-eight extracted single-rooted permanent human teeth were collected. Root canals were instrumented using step-back technique up to master apical file size 60.

Management of hormonal induced recurrent ulcerative fibrous epulis with osseous metaplasia: A case report.

Key Clinical Message: Understanding the role of hormones in periodontitis is important. Periodontal microscopic surgery approach in the treatment of fibrous epulis is not indicated. Wider flap access with root planning is indicated to control the lesion in one phase.

Assessment of Five Concrete Types as Candidate Shielding Materials for a Compact Radiation Source Based on the IECF.

A radiation source based on the inertial electrostatic confinement fusion (IECF) system is being developed for multidisciplinary research applications. The radiation outputs from the IECF system are 2.45 MeV fast neutrons and the associated co-generated X-rays with an energy less than 3 MeV.

Morphological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical study on the ameliorative effect of gallic acid against bisphenol A-induced nephrotoxicity in male albino rats.

This study aimed to determine the effect of gallic acid (GA) on ameliorating bisphenol A (BPA) nephrotoxicity in male rat kidneys. Forty rats were assigned randomly into two groups: control (ten animals) and BPA (40 mg/kg bwt) (thirty animals), the second group was divided into three subgroups: BPA alone, BPA + G50 (50 mg/kg bwt), and BPA + G200 (200 mg/kg bwt). The biochemical analysis included measurements of the contents of nitric oxide, lipid peroxidation, reactive oxygen species, and cytokines (interleukin-1α and interleukin-6) in the kidney.

Microbial Analysis of Obturators During Maxillofacial Prosthodontic Treatment Over an 8-Year Period.

The aim of the study was to investigate the microbial colonization (by species, anaerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria) of maxillary obturators used for the restoration of maxillary defects, including during radiotherapy. Retrospective cohort study. Fifteen patients requiring a maxillary obturator prosthesis had swabs of their obturators and adjacent tissues taken at different stages of their treatment over a period of 8 years.

Accuracy evaluation of 3D-printed guide-assisted flapless micro-osteoperforations in the anterior mandible.

Aim: To evaluate the accuracy of tridimensional (3D)-printed guide-assisted flapless cortical bone micro-osteoperforations (MOPs) in the anterior mandible on a cadaver model.

Materials And Methods: Five human cadaver heads with complete dentition in the anterior mandible were used in the present study. Preplanning CBCT and intraoral surface scans were obtained.

Attenuating Effect of Vitamin E against Silver Nano Particles Toxicity in Submandibular Salivary Glands.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are extensively used in many industries due to their superior antimicrobial properties. However, it is evident from many studies that AgNPs has cytotoxic potential through its effect on excessive formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The aim of this study was to examine the toxic effect of AgNPs on the submandibular salivary glands and the attenuating effect of vitamin E, as a natural antioxidant, against this toxicity.

A simplified CAD/CAM extraoral surgical guide for therapeutic injections.

Therapeutic injections into the craniofacial region can be a complex procedure because of the nature of its anatomical structure. This technical note demonstrates a process for creating an extra-oral template to inject therapeutic substances into the temporomandibular joint and the lateral pterygoid muscle. The described process involves merging cone-beam computed tomography data and extra-oral facial scans obtained using a mobile device to establish a correlated data set for virtual planning.

Intermittent Parathyroid Hormone Accelerates Stress Fracture Healing More Effectively Following Cessation of Bisphosphonate Treatment.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and bisphosphonates (BPs), including alendronate (ALN), have opposing effects on bone dynamics. The extent to which PTH remains effective in the treatment of stress fracture (SFx) in the presence of an ongoing BP treatment has not been tested. SFx was induced in 150 female Wistar rats, divided into five equal groups ( = 30).

Effects of Lasers and Their Delivery Characteristics on Machined and Micro-Roughened Titanium Dental Implant Surfaces.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of neodymium: yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) (1064 nm) and erbium: yttrium aluminium garnet (Er:YAG) (2940 nm) laser energy on titanium when delivered with conventional optics (focusing handpieces or plain ended optical fibres) or with a conical tip. Machined and micro-roughened implant discs were subjected to laser irradiation under a variety of energy settings either dry (without water) or wet (with water). Samples were scanned using a 3D non-contact laser profilometer and analysed for surface roughness, volume of peaks and the maximum diameter of the ablated area.

Positioning accuracy assessment of minimally invasive percutaneous injection techniques for the treatment of temporomandibular disorders.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy of an extraoral CBCT-planned 3D-printed surgical guide aimed to percutaneous injection of substances into the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the lateral pterygoid muscle (LPM).

Methods: Nine human cadaver heads were used. Pre-planning CBCT and facial scans were obtained and three percutaneous injection sites were planned: one for the lower compartment of the TMJ and two for the LPM.

Emerging therapies with potential risks of medicine-related osteonecrosis of the jaw: a review of the literature.

In the past, osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) was generally reported with bisphosphonate drugs; hence, the term BRONJ (bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw) was initially proposed. This was followed by the term ARONJ (antiresorptive osteonecrosis of the jaw). More recently, other novel medications such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors, tyrosine kinase inhibitors and humanised antibodies that affect osteoclastic action have been reported to initiate ONJ in several cases.

Determination of Thermoluminescence Kinetic Parameters of LaO Doped with Dy and Eu.

Thermoluminescence (TL) properties of LaO: Dy, Li, and LaO: Eu, Li, exposed to 5.12 Gy of beta radiation, and recorded at different heating rates 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 °C s (from Molefe et al.