Applicability of tooth cementum thickness as an age marker: systematic review and meta-analysis.

The age estimation by tooth cementum thickness is a method that has been discussed regarding its applicability. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review on the use of tooth cementum thickness as a biomarker for age estimation in adults, as well as a meta-analysis to assess the method's reliability. The search was conducted on Embase, LILACS, PubMed/MEDLINE, SciELO, Scopus, and Web of Science databases.

Understanding the PrEP Care Continuum for Adults: Health Care Providers' Perspectives on Barriers, Facilitators, and Missed Opportunities.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective strategy in reducing HIV transmission, yet its uptake remains suboptimal. Health care providers play a vital role in facilitating PrEP access and care. This qualitative study explores health care providers' perspectives on the oral PrEP care continuum for adults, emphasizing barriers, facilitators, and missed opportunities in PrEP implementation.

Implant stability quotient and osteogenic process in dental implant sites prepared using piezoelectric technique: A study in minipigs.

Purpose: Few studies have explored the bone response in dental implant sites prepared using a piezoelectric device, indicating moderate effectiveness in enhancing secondary stability and osteogenesis. This study seeks to expand our understanding of the changes in biological, clinical, and radiographic parameters, during the initial phases of osseointegration in sites prepared with piezoelectric surgery.

Materials And Methods: Two implant sites were prepared in the tibia of four minipigs.

Ablation of LRP6 in alpha-smooth muscle actin-expressing cells abrogates lung inflammation and fibrosis upon bleomycin-induced lung injury.

Tissue fibrosis is a progressive pathological process with excessive deposition of extracellular matrix proteins (ECM). Myofibroblasts, identified by alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) expression, play an important role in tissue fibrosis by producing ECM. Here, we found that the Wnt antagonist Dickkopf1 (DKK1) induced gene expressions associated with inflammation and fibrosis in lung fibroblasts.

A novel artificial intelligence-powered tool for automated root canal segmentation in single-rooted teeth on cone-beam computed tomography.

Aim: To develop and validate an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tool based on convolutional neural network (CNN) for automatic segmentation of root canals in single-rooted teeth using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Methodology: A total of 69 CBCT scans were retrospectively recruited from a hospital database and acquired from two devices with varying protocols. These scans were randomly assigned to the training (n = 31, 88 teeth), validation (n = 8, 15 teeth) and testing (n = 30, 120 teeth) sets.

Prevalence and Etiology of Maxillary Midline Diastema among University Students, Hodeidah Governorate, Yemen: A Cross-sectional Study.

Aim: This study assessed the prevalence and etiological factors of maxillary midline diastema (MMD) in students attending different colleges and universities in Al-Hodeidah governorate, Yemen.

Participants And Methods: A total of 1,661 participants from different universities in Al-Hodeidah governorate were assessed, analyzed, and screened for the presence or absence of MMD. Only 246 had positive MMD and were divided five age-groups.

A Scientometric Exploration of the Socket-shield Technique in Oral Implantology: Trends and Spatiotemporal Dynamics.

Aim: The socket-shield technique arises from the efforts to stop the dimensional changes of the bone crest and gingival tissues. This technique consists of leaving a vestibular fragment of a naturally attached root with the purpose of keeping the crestal bone nourished through the periodontium. The aim of this research was to perform a scientometric analysis of the scientific production on the socket-shield technique in oral implantology.

Navigating the Interconnected World of Tooth Wear, Bruxism, and Temporomandibular Disorders.

Ronsivalle V, Russo D, Cicciù M, et al. Navigating the Interconnected World of Tooth Wear, Bruxism, and Temporomandibular Disorders. J Contemp Dent Pract 2024;25(10): 911-913.

Multidimensional characterization of craniofacial skeletal phenotype of obstructive sleep apnea in adults.

Objectives: We aimed to characterize a craniofacial skeletal phenotype (CSP) of adult obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients from a multidimensional perspective, exploring the impact of transverse skeletal discrepancy (TSD) on multivariable polysomnographic profiles.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study included 102 adult OSA patients. Sagittal, vertical, and transverse skeletal patterns were categorized on the cone beam computed tomography images.

PrP Glycoprotein Is Indispensable for Maintenance of Skeletal Muscle Homeostasis During Aging.

Background: The cellular prion protein (PrP), a glycoprotein encoded by the PRNP gene, is known to modulate muscle mass and exercise capacity. However, the role of PrP in the maintenance and regeneration of skeletal muscle during ageing remains unclear.

Methods: This study investigated the change in PrP expression during muscle formation using C2C12 cells and evaluated muscle function in Prnp wild-type (WT) and knock-out (KO) mice at different ages (1, 9 and 15 months).

Influence of dual-cure resin-cement curing modes on gingival cytotoxicity and inflammatory responses.

Background/purpose: Dual-cure resin-cements are used for various dental restorations. However, whether the curing modes of these resin-cements influence gingival inflammation remains unclear. Hence, herein, we evaluated the effects of dual-cure resin-cement curing modes on gingival cytotoxicity and inflammatory responses.

Oleanolic acid inhibits aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10-induced cancer stemness and avoids cisplatin-based chemotherapy resistance via the Snail signaling pathway in oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines.

Background/purpose: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common malignancy often associated with poor prognosis due to chemoresistance. In this study, we investigated whether arecoline, a major alkaloid in betel nuts, can stimulate aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) levels in OSCC, promoting cancer stemness and leading to resistance to cisplatin (CDDP)-based chemotherapy.

Materials And Methods: Gain- and Loss- of AKR1B10 functions were analyzed using WB and q-PCR of OSCC cells.

NCK1 antisense RNA 1 (NCK1-AS1) exerts pro-fibrosis property in oral mucosa through modulation of miR-137/NCK1 axis.

Background/purpose: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a premalignant condition of the oral cavity, and its pathogenesis remains largely unknown. A multitude of non-coding RNAs are aberrantly expressed in OSF, and their implication for the development of OSF is a matter meriting investigation.

Materials And Methods: The functional role of long non-coding RNA NCK1-AS1 in myofibroblast activation of fibrotic buccal mucosal fibroblasts (fBMFs) derived from OSF tissues was assessed.

Preserving pulp vitality for teeth with post-vital pulp therapy symptoms by retrying pulp-preserving procedures: A retrospective clinical study.

Background/purpose: The occurrence of post-vital pulp therapy (VPT) symptoms is perplexing for dentists, and root canal treatment (RCT) is preferred for such conditions. Furthermore, managing post-VPT symptoms, rather than performing RCT, would preserve pulp vitality and enhance VPT outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of VPT retrials in preserving pulp vitality and substituting RCT in teeth with post-VPT symptoms.

Soft coral Lobophytum crassum extract inhibits migration and induces apoptosis capabilities in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.

Background/purpose: The extract of the soft coral has shown an anti-cancer activity in various cancer cells. However, its effect on the oral squamous cell carcinoma cell (OSCC) lines remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to investigate the anti-cancer effects of the extract of (C127) on the OSCC cells.

Significant association of oral health-related quality of life with mental depression in middle-aged and older Taiwanese adults.

Background/purpose: With the gradual aging of the population, oral health has emerged as a critical concern alongside mental well-being. This study endeavored to investigate the relationship between oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and mental depression in middle-aged and older population.

Materials And Methods: Based on the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging in 2015, 7631 participants were enrolled.

Integrating digital technologies in dental technician education: A comparative study of national examination in Asian countries.

Background/purpose: The integration of digital technologies in dental technician education revolutionized the profession in Asian countries. Despite the growing adoption of digital methods, national examinations predominantly relied on traditional techniques. This study aimed to conduct a comparative analysis of national examination standards and digital course integration in dental technician education among 5 countries including Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, the Philippines, and China.

Effect of a modified methyl methacrylate-p-styrene sulfonic acid copolymer-based gel desensitizer on dentin permeability and tubule occlusion in human dentin .

Background/purpose: Tubular occlusion is an effective method to treat dentin hypersensitivity. This study aimed to determine the effect of a modified methyl methacrylate-p-styrene sulfonic acid copolymer-based gel desensitizer on dentin permeability and tubule occlusion in extracted human premolars.

Materials And Methods: Hydraulic conductance (HC) measurement (n = 50) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM; n = 64) were performed.

Titanium particle-induced inflammasome in human gingival epithelial cells.

Background/purpose: Peri-implantitis remains a substantial challenge. This study investigated the effect of titanium particles on human oral epithelial cells, focusing on the nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat protein (NLRP) 3 inflammasome.

Materials And Methods: The Ca9-22 human gingival epithelial cell line was subjected to incubation with titanium particles.

High-precision and non-invasive measurement of crestal bone level by optical coherence tomography.

Background/purpose: Identifying crestal bone level (CBL) on the buccal and lingual aspects poses challenges in conventional dental radiographs. Given that optical coherence tomography (OCT) has the capability to non-invasively provide in-depth information about the periodontium, this in vitro study aimed to assess whether OCT can effectively identify periodontal landmarks and measure CBL in the presence of gingiva.

Materials And Methods: An in-house handheld scanning probe connected to a 1310-nm swept-source OCT (SS-OCT) system, along with self-developed algorithms were employed to measure the CBL in dental models with artificial gingiva.

Enhancement of titanium surfaces using different acid solutions at room temperature to improve bone cell responses.

Background/purpose: Early osseointegration of titanium (Ti) dental implants relies on the surface topography. Surface modification of Ti seeks to enhance bone regeneration around implants. Acid etching is the simple, less technique sensitive and cost-effective technique for surface treatment.

Riboflavin-ultraviolet-A collagen crosslinking treatments in improving dentin bonding and resistance to enzymatic digestion.

Background/purpose: The efficacy of riboflavin-ultraviolet-A (RF-UVA) treatment in crosslinking collagen and improving dentin bonding has been proven. However, biodegradation of the hybrid layer may compromise the bonding. The purpose of this study was to evaluate different RF-UVA treatments regarding their ability to preserve dentin bonding from enzymatic digestion.

Distinctive salivary oral microbiome in patients with burning mouth syndrome depending on pain intensity compared to healthy subjects.

Background/purpose: Burning moouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic pain condition similar to neuropathic pain. It is characterized by a persistent burning sensation in the oral cavity. Despite the lack of clarity regarding the etiology of BMS, recent studies have reported an association between the gut microbiome and neuropathic pain.