Performance of large language artificial intelligence models on solving restorative dentistry and endodontics student assessments.

Objectives: The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) and large language model (LLM)-based AI applications (LLMAs) has tremendous implications for our society. This study analyzed the performance of LLMAs on solving restorative dentistry and endodontics (RDE) student assessment questions.

Materials And Methods: 151 questions from a RDE question pool were prepared for prompting using LLMAs from OpenAI (ChatGPT-3.

Biomimetic Remineralization of Artificial Caries Lesions with a Calcium Coacervate, Its Components and Self-Assembling Peptide P-4 In Vitro.

The application of calcium coacervates (CCs) may hold promise for dental hard tissue remineralization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the infiltration of artificial enamel lesions with a CC and its single components including polyacrylic acid (PAA) compared to that of the self-assembling peptide P-4 in a pH-cycling (pHC) model. Enamel specimens were prepared from bovine incisors, partly varnished, and stored in demineralizing solution (DS; pH 4.

Effect of calcium-coacervate infiltration of artificial enamel caries lesions in de- and remineralizing conditions.

Objectives: Calcium-coacervate emulsions (CC) might be considered as mineral precursors to foster remineralization of carious dental hard tissues. This study analyzed the instant effect of repeated infiltration of artificial caries lesions with a CC emulsion as well as the effects of subsequent exposure of CC-infiltrated lesions to demineralizing and remineralizing environments.

Methods: Bovine enamel specimens were partly covered with varnish to leave three exposed windows.

Resin Infiltration of Non-Cavitated Proximal Caries Lesions in Primary and Permanent Teeth: A Systematic Review and Scenario Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

The present study aimed to meta-analyze and evaluate the certainty of evidence for resin infiltration of proximal carious lesions in primary and permanent teeth. While resin infiltration has been shown efficacious for caries management, the certainty of evidence remains unclear. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42018080895), and PRISMA guidelines have been followed.

Accuracy of different approaches for detecting proximal root caries lesions in vitro.

Objectives: The objective was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of radiographic evaluation (XR), visual-tactile assessment (VT), laser-fluorescence (LF) (DIAGNOdent Pen/KaVo), and near-infrared-light transillumination (NILT) (DIAGNOcam/KaVo) on proximal root caries lesions in vitro.

Methods: Two-hundred extracted permanent premolars and molars with and without proximal root caries lesions were allocated to 50 diagnostic models simulating the proximal contacts between teeth and mounted in a phantom dummy head. Two independent examiners used the diagnostic approaches to detect any or advanced root caries lesions, with histologic evaluation of the lesions serving as reference.

Aerosol exposure of staff during dental treatments: a model study.

Background: Due to exposure to potentially infectious aerosols during treatments, the dental personnel is considered being at high risk for aerosol transmitted diseases like COVID-19. The aim of this study was to evaluate aerosol exposure during different dental treatments as well as the efficacy of dental suction to reduce aerosol spreading.

Methods: Dental powder-jet (PJ; Air-Flow), a water-cooled dental handpiece with a diamond bur (HP) and water-cooled ultrasonic scaling (US) were used in a simulation head, mounted on a dental unit in various treatment settings.

Glass Hybrid Versus Nanocomposite for Restoration of Sclerotic Non-carious Cervical Lesions: 18-Month Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: To compare the clinical performance and treatment times between glass hybrid (GH; EQUIA Forte Fil/EQUIA Forte Coat, GC) and adhesive/nanofilled resin composite restorations (RC; OptiBond FL, Kerr/Filtek Supreme XTE, 3M Oral Care) of sclerotic non-carious cervical lesions (sNCCL).

Materials And Methods: This is an 18-month interim analysis of a 36-month cluster-randomized trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02631161).

The impact of glass ionomer cement and composite resin on microscale pH in cariogenic biofilms and demineralization of dental tissues.

Objective: Secondary caries is among the most frequent reasons for the failure of dental restorations. Glass ionomer cement (GIC) restorations have been proposed to protect the surrounding dental tissues from demineralization through the release of fluoride and by buffering the acid attack from dental biofilms. In contrast, the lack of buffering by composite resin (CR) restorations has been suggested as a promoting factor for the development of secondary caries.

Implementation of COVID-19 Infection Control Measures by German Dentists: A Qualitative Study to Identify Enablers and Barriers.

Objectives: COVID-19 infection control measures have been recommended for dental practices worldwide. This qualitative study explored barriers and enablers for the implementation of these measures in German dental practices.

Methods: Semi-structured phone interviews were conducted in November/December 2020 (purposive/snowball sampling).

Glass hybrid versus composite for non-carious cervical lesions: Survival, restoration quality and costs in randomized controlled trial after 3 years.

Objective: This study compared survival, restoration quality and costs of glass hybrid (GH; EQUIA Forte Fil/EQUIA Forte Coat) and resin composite restorations (RC; OptiBond FL/Filtek Supreme XTE) of sclerotic non-carious cervical lesions.

Methods: This is a cluster-randomized trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02631161).

Root Caries Preventive Effect of Varnishes Containing Fluoride or Fluoride + Chlorhexidine/Cetylpyridinium Chloride In Vitro.

Caries preventive varnishes containing only fluoride might differ from those containing a combination of fluoride and antimicrobial components in terms of mineralization properties and their impact on the cariogenic biofilm. We compared a fluoride and a fluoride + chlorhexidine (CHX)/cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) varnish on root caries formation in vitro. One hundred bovine root dentin samples were allocated to five groups ( = 20/group): (1) 7700 ppm fluoride varnish (Fluorprotector S (F)), (2) experimental placebo varnish for F (F-P), (3) 1400 ppm fluoride + 0.

Generalizability of Deep Learning Models for Caries Detection in Near-Infrared Light Transillumination Images.

Objectives: The present study aimed to train deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to detect caries lesions on Near-Infrared Light Transillumination (NILT) imagery obtained either in vitro or in vivo and to assess the models' generalizability.

Methods: In vitro, 226 extracted posterior permanent human teeth were mounted in a diagnostic model in a dummy head. Then, NILT images were generated (DIAGNOcam, KaVo, Biberach), and images were segmented tooth-wise.

Secondary Caries Adjacent to Bulk or Incrementally Filled Composites Placed after Selective Excavation In Vitro.

Objectives: selective caries excavation (SE) is recommended for deep carious lesions. Bulk fill composites (BF) may be considered to restore SE-cavities. We compared the susceptibility for secondary caries adjacent to BF versus incrementally filled composites (IF) in SE and non-selectively excavated teeth (NS) in vitro.

Detecting white spot lesions on dental photography using deep learning: A pilot study.

Objectives: We aimed to apply deep learning to detect white spot lesions in dental photographs.

Methods: Using 434 photographic images of 51 patients, a dataset of 2781 cropped tooth segments was generated. Pixelwise annotations of sound enamel as well as fluorotic, carious or other types of hypomineralized lesions were generated by experts and assessed by an independent second reviewer.

Hard X-ray phase-contrast-enhanced micro-CT for quantifying interfaces within brittle dense root-filling-restored human teeth.

Bonding of resin composite fillings, for example following root-canal treatment, is a challenge because remaining gaps grow and lead to failure. Here, phase-contrast-enhanced micro-computed tomography (PCE-CT) is used to explore methods of non-destructive quantification of the problem, so that countermeasures can be devised. Five human central incisors with damaged crowns were root-filled followed by restoration with a dental post.

How to Intervene in the Caries Process in Older Adults: A Joint ORCA and EFCD Expert Delphi Consensus Statement.

Aim: To provide recommendations for dental clinicians for the management of dental caries in older adults with special emphasis on root caries lesions.

Methods: A consensus workshop followed by a Delphi consensus process were conducted with an expert panel nominated by ORCA, EFCD, and DGZ boards. Based on a systematic review of the literature, as well as non-systematic literature search, recommendations for clinicians were developed and consented in a two-stage Delphi process.

Underscreening and undertreatment? Periodontal service provision in very old Germans.

Objectives: We aimed to assess periodontal services utilization in very old Germans.

Methods: A comprehensive sample of very old (≥ 75 years), insured at a large Northeastern statutory insurer was followed over 6 years (2012-2017). We assessed periodontal service provision, entailing (1) periodontal screening index (PSI), (2) periodontal status/treatment planning, (3) periodontal therapy (scaling and root planning with or without access surgery), (4) postoperative reevaluation, and (5) any of these four services groups.

When to intervene in the caries process? A Delphi consensus statement.

Objectives To define an expert Delphi consensus on when to intervene in the caries process and existing carious lesions.Methods Non-systematic literature synthesis, expert Delphi consensus process and expert panel conference.Results Lesion activity, cavitation and cleansability determine intervention thresholds.

Dental service utilization in the very old: an insurance database analysis from northeast Germany.

Objectives: We assessed dental service utilization in very old Germans.

Methods: A comprehensive sample of 404,610 very old (≥ 75 years), insured at a large statutory insurer (Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse Nordost, active in the federal states Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania), was followed over 6 years (2012-2017). Our outcome was the utilization of dental services, in total (any utilization) and in five subgroups: (1) examinations and associated assessment or advice, (2) restorations, (3) surgery, (4) prevention, (5) outreach care.

Selective vs stepwise removal of deep carious lesions in primary molars: 24 months follow-up from a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: For well-defined deep (> 2/3 dentin extension) carious lesions, selective (SE) or stepwise (SW) carious tissue removals have been recommended, while there is limited comparative evidence for both. We compared SE and SW over 24 months in a randomized controlled trial.

Methods: A two-arm superiority trial was conducted comparing SW/SE in primary molars without pulpal symptoms but well-defined deep lesions.

Improving the Bond Strength of Radiographically Tagged Caries Lesions In Vitro.

After selective carious tissue removal, residual carious lesions remain radiographically detectable. Radiopaque tagging resolves the resulting diagnostic uncertainty but impedes bond strengths of adhesives to tagged dentin. We developed a protocol mitigating these detrimental effects.

How to intervene in the caries process in adults: proximal and secondary caries? An EFCD-ORCA-DGZ expert Delphi consensus statement.

Objectives: To provide consensus recommendations on how to intervene in the caries process in adults, specifically proximal and secondary carious lesions.

Methods: Based on two systematic reviews, a consensus conference and followed by an e-Delphi consensus process were held with EFCD/ORCA/DGZ delegates.

Results: Managing an individual's caries risk using non-invasive means (oral hygiene measures including flossing/interdental brushes, fluoride application) is recommended, as both proximal and secondary carious lesions may be prevented or their activity reduced.