Aim: With the help of developments in artificial intelligence (AI), picture archiving systems, and computer-aided diagnostic systems, dentists have been able to augment the quality of treatment and ensure a favorable outcome, by improving and facilitating the delivery of appropriate dental care. There has been a breakthrough in designing the diagnosis, treatment plans, and predicting prognoses recently, which has helped to explore newer options for better treatment. Materials and Methods: A literature search was conducted using MeSH terms in a variety of databases, including PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science, to gather information on “Artificial intelligence (AI) in endodontics.” Unpublished data, literature written in other languages, and articles with only abstracts were discarded. Forty-one relevant articles were included. Results: Since there were not many papers referring to AI in endodontics, papers published relating to AI in dentistry were also referred. The search showed that the use of AI in dentistry, specifically in endodontics, has enormous promise. Although useful, AI has its disadvantages as well as the need for long-term studies. Conclusion: AI, consisting of a sequence of algorithms, work on a concept that mimics the human brain and thinking. AI in endodontics has been used widely in locating apical foramina, identifying periapical pathologies, diagnosis of vertical root fractures, evaluating the outcome of regenerative procedures and retreatments, and assessment of root morphologies and difficulties associated with canal preparations. Being a potential game changer and beginning something called a “fourth industrial revolution,” AI has what it takes to revolutionize endodontics with time.

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Aim: Ameloblastoma is a benign but locally aggressive epithelial odontogenic tumor. The present review aimed to identify the most commonly expressed signaling molecule in ameloblastoma detected using cDNA microarray. Materials and Methods: It is a systematic review. In this review, articles were searched using databases—PubMed and Google Scholar and were also searched using Hand Search. All the studies which used cDNA microarray to detect the expression of signaling molecules were included. All the variants of ameloblastoma were included for the review. A total of 22 ameloblastoma cases were included in this systematic review. Out of three studies, 67% of the cases demonstrated upregulation of smoothened (SMO) and sonic hedgehog (SHH). Results: Out of three studies, 33% of the cases showed upregulation of toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), fos proto-oncogene (FOS), Wnt family member 10a (Wnt10a), and patched and down-regulation of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2). Of the 67% of the studies which described SMO and SHH, significant expression of SMO (73 times fold change) was noted. SHH expression was noted to have 0.88 times fold change. Of the 33% of the studies included, the highest average fold change was noted to be associated with FOS (14-fold change time) followed by Wnt10a (5.1-fold change times) and TLR2 (3.29-fold change times). However, downregulation of IGF2 by 0.09-fold change times was observed in 33% of the studies. Conclusion: The SMO gene from the SHH pathway was the highest expressed signaling molecule in ameloblastoma.

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Aim: Grape seed extract (GSE) is considered a herbal alternative and has been noted for its remineralization potential. Thus, this systematic review is to analyze the in-vitro remineralization effectiveness of the natural remineralizing agent, GSE, helping to reinstate new investigative possibilities in the field of restorative dentistry. Materials and Methods: This systematic review was undertaken using objectives and transparent methods as per the PRISMA guideline and was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021269585). Studies that had assessed the remineralizing efficacy of GSE on human primary teeth for the past 20 years published in English language were included. Electronic and manual searches were conducted to identify suitable citations, and electronic search was performed using various databases such as PubMed, Trip Database, Google Scholar, EBSCOhost Database, Scopus, and Web of Science. Those articles that were written in English and those that had full text available were considered because of its use in dentistry, whereas unpublished data and literature written in other languages and articles with only abstracts were excluded. The search was focussed on the effect of GSEs on primary teeth. Results: The search identified 446 citations, and 12 articles were chosen and reviewed in full texts, among which 2 relevant citations met the eligibility criteria for the final inclusion in the systematic review. The studies were of good quality and meta-analyses showed inconsistent evidence on the remineralization potential of GSE when compared with fluoride [mean difference: 16.63 (95% confidence interval: -62.48, 95.73); P = 0.004]. Conclusion: Within the limitations of the present study, the findings of this systematic review suggest that GSE has a remineralizing effect on primary teeth but strong literature-based clinical evidence in favor of GSE is lacking and also the remineralizing effectiveness is lesser when compared with fluoride. This reinforces the need for further in-vivo, in-vitro, and comparative clinical studies.

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Aim: Indonesia is the most disaster-prone country in the world, which can cause many dead victims, therefore, the identification process becomes essential, but the difficulties increase when only the skulls, partial jaws, and teeth remain found in the body. Some researchers began to pay attention to estimating stature through teeth dimensions because teeth have high individual characteristics and are the most muscular body structures. This study aims to describe several studies and methods that have been used by researchers from outside Indonesia in estimating stature using odontometric parameters. Materials and Methods: This narrative literature review was conducted by reviewing several studies of stature estimation using odontometric parameters based on PubMed Central and indexed articles and documents published by authorities and boards. Some of the methods found and included in this study include parameters of maxillary permanent dentition, mandibular permanent dentition, all maxillary and mandibular permanent dentition except third molars, and also deciduous dentition. Result: From all parameters above, the easiest method and most applicable in Indonesia is the method using permanent mandibular dentition because it uses the Carrea’s index formula, so the measurement becomes easier and faster to get the desired result. Conclusion: The odontometric parameters used to estimate height vary greatly, although some still showed a low-moderate relationship to height. Carrea’s index is one of the easiest, cheapest, and most reliable and straightforward methods to estimate the height.

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This case report designates a combined perio restorative technique in the management of peri-implant 3-dimensional soft tissue defects in an esthetic zone. A staged approach was implemented to treat this case; the first stage was planned to treat the horizontal defect around the implant, in which crown was removed, and coronally advanced flap with connective tissue graft were used to treat the soft tissue defect. At the second stage, a modified coronally advanced flap with connective tissue graft was used to augment the vertical defect, and no vertical releasing incision was made in this stage to maximize the blood supply to the advanced flap. De-epithelized free gingival graft was harvested from the palate to obtain better fibrous connective tissue graft . Graft was placed over the site to compensate for the vertical defect and flap was advanced to ensure primary closure without tension. Resin-bonded bridge was used as a provision after modification to avoid any soft tissue contact. Healing by primary intention was attained providing a clinically healthy soft tissue surrounding a well-functioning restoration, and periapical radiographs showed a stable crestal bone level without presence of mucositis or peri-implantitis. Within the limitations of this clinical case report, it revealed the possibility of fully restoring severe horizontal and vertical peri-implant soft tissue defects and at the same time attaining high level of patient satisfaction via a combined mucogingival and prosthetic approach; nevertheless, the long-term preservation of this successful outcome needs to be monitored.

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Aim: In certain situations, other forensic aids fail to provide proper personal identification such as changes after death, tissue injury trauma, burns, and insufficiency of fingerprint evidence. Dental identification plays a crucial role in this aspect. However, in edentulous patients, who do not possess teeth and the alveolar bone resorbs very fast, denture marking is a reliable aid for easy identification. This review was carried out to investigate how many methods of denture marking are listed in the literature for personal identification to date and which method is the most reliable?Materials and Methods: Following PRISMA principles, a search of the published literature was conducted electronically in PubMed/Medline, ResearchGate, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases, without the publication year limitation using keywords such as (“Denture marking,” OR “Denture labelling”) AND (“Prosthesis”), AND (“Personal identification”), AND (“Forensic science” OR “Forensic odontology”). A manual search of all related journals and reference lists of the relevant articles was also performed. Results: The database search yielded a total of 140 articles; out of which 45 relevant articles were selected describing 10 surface denture marking methods and 20 inclusion denture marking methods. Each method is enclosed with a few of its advantages and disadvantages. Conclusion: From this research, it can be concluded that at present, 30 denture marking methods for personal identification have been reported in the literature, but it cannot be stated definitely which method is the most reliable, as the strengths and weaknesses of each method supersede each other. Robust research and a number of population-based studies are required in this context.

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Aim: To investigate the prevalence, attitude, and pattern of self-medication practice for dental problems among adults in Kuantan, the state capital of Pahang, Malaysia. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among adults over 18 years of age who live in Kuantan via self-administered online- and paper-based bilingual questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis were run using IBM SPSS^® Version 26 software. Results: From 275 respondents, one-fifth of respondents (21.8%) practised self-medication for dental problems and most of them obtained a mean attitude score of 21.7 ± 2.5% out of 25. Most self-medicating respondents were from the age group of 18–27 years (78.3%), females (55%), singles (78.3%), resides urban area (75.0%), and students (71.7%), with a household income of <MYR 3860 (46.7%), have no dental insurance (66.7 %), and did not have any family relationship with dental personnel (90.0%). Only gender has significant association with self-medication practice, X² (1, N = 275) = 4.916, P < 0.05. Most of self-medicating respondents gained information related to self-medication from internet (62.0%) and obtained medication from pharmacy (78.0%). The major dental problem that triggered them to self-medicate was toothache (76.0%), and the majority used paracetamol for pain relief (62.0%). Their main reason for self-medication was the perceived mildness of the dental problems (60.0%). Conclusion: Adult populations in Kuantan, Pahang have moderate prevalence (21.8%) in self-medicating practice for dental problems which was mainly caused by toothache and was primarily treated with over-the-counter pain-relief medication. They also have good attitude toward appropriate self-medication.

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Aim: To assess the effect of multiple layers application of different adhesive systems on the microshear bond strength (μSBS) of dentin with and without thermocycling. Materials and Methods: Two hundred forty sound human premolars had their enamel surfaces removed to expose even surfaces of dentin. The teeth were mounted in acrylic resin blocks and then assigned arbitrarily into four main groups (n = 60) representing the investigated adhesives (a self-etch [SE] adhesive, a total-etch [TE] adhesive, and a multimode [MM] adhesive used in TE and SE modes). Individually, the main groups were equally alienated into three subgroups (n = 20), each representing the number of the applied adhesive layers (one layer [1L], two layers [2L], and three layers [3L]). Then, each respective subgroup was divided subsequently into two equal divisions with n = 10 each according to thermocycling (with and without thermocycling). Each occlusal surface received three composite microrods. Prepared specimens were reserved in distilled water at temperature of 37°C until the μSBS test was performed after 24 h or after thermocycling for 3000 cycles at 5°C–55°C water bath. Results: A three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) disclosed that multilayer application, adhesive type, and thermocycling showed a significant statistical impact on μSBS. The 1L, 2L, and 3L groups showed a statistically significant difference between the groups. The 3L groups showed the highest μSBS, whereas 1L groups recorded the least μSBS. Within the adhesive groups, a statistically significant difference was evident. The highest μSBS was recorded for TE, whereas SE recorded the least μSBS. Thermocycling (TC) has a statistically significant effect on μSBS and “no-thermocycling” (T0) groups recorded higher μSBS than thermocycled groups. Conclusion: Multilayer application of the tested adhesives had the potential to increase dentin μSBS.

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Aim: To assess the association of sociodemographic factors on parental perception of Saudi parents on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of their children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 Saudi parents whose children with ASD were enrolled in special schools in Riyadh. Parents were asked to fill out two questionnaires consisting of their sociodemographic information and parental caregiver perception questionnaire. The results were then statistically analyzed by applying mean standard deviation with 95% of confidence interval, Pearson’s Chi-square test, and multinomial regression model with level of significance P < 0.05. Results: Sociodemographic factors, like age, education, and family income, affected various domains of parental perception of OHRQoL of their children with ASD. Age and education of the father are significantly associated with the oral symptom domain (P value = 0.002) and emotional well-being (EW) (P value = 0.032), respectively. Age and education of the mother are significantly associated with the oral symptom domain (P value 0.035) and EW (P value 0.040), respectively. Family income is significantly associated with the oral symptom domain (P value 0.000). Conclusion: There is a definite role of sociodemographic factors on parental perceptions of Saudi parents regarding OHRQoL of ASD children.

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Aim: Bixa orellana and Camellia sinensis are plant species cultivated in several South American countries such as Peru and used to combat diseases due to their antimicrobial properties. The aim of this study was to assess the antibacterial activity of the methanolic extract of B. orellana compared with the ethanolic extract of C. sinensis against Streptococcus mutans at 24, 48, and 72 h. Materials and Methods: This in vitro and longitudinal experimental study had a sample of 12 wells per group. The antibacterial activity was assessed at concentrations of 1000 mg/mL (100%), 750 mg/mL (75%), and 500 mg/mL (50%), by the well diffusion method on Müller Hinton Agar in two stages. In first stage, antibacterial activity of ethanolic extract of C. sinensis and methanolic extract of B. orellana was determined. In second stage, concentrations of both extracts with higher antibacterial activity were compared using 0.12% chlorhexidine as a control. In addition, antibacterial sensitivity was assessed according to Duraffourd’s scale and the minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentration (MIC and MBC) was determined. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskall Wallis test and ANOVA test of one factor inter-group and intra-group with Tukey and Bonferroni post hoc, considering a significance level of 5%. Results: In first stage, ethanolic extract of C. sinensis (100% and 75%) and methanolic extract of B. orellana (100% and 75%) showed higher antibacterial activity against S. mutans at 48 h (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). In second stage, at 48 h, highly sensitive activity was observed against C. sinensis (100% and 75%) and B. orellana at 100%. In addition, C. sinensis at 100% and 75% showed significantly higher antibacterial activity against S. mutans compared with B. orellana (P < 0.05) and chlorhexidine (P < 0.05). Likewise, a significant increase in antibacterial activity could be observed in all concentrations at 48 h (P < 0.001), decreasing significantly in all groups at 72 h (P < 0.001). The MIC of the ethanolic extract of C. sinensis was 250 mg/mL and the MBC was 500 mg/mL. In the methanolic extract of B. orellana the MIC was 125 mg/mL and the MBC was 500 mg/mL. Conclusion: Ethanolic extract of C. sinensis and methanolic extract of B. orellana, both at 100% concentration, presented their highest antibacterial activity against S. mutans at 48 h, with C. sinensis more effective compared with B. orellana. However, this antibacterial effect decreased in both extracts at 72 h. The MBC of C. sinensis and B. orellana against S. mutans was 500 mg/mL for both extracts, whereas the MIC was 250 mg/mL and 125 mg/mL, respectively, for both extracts.

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Aim: The styloid process (SP) is often considered elongated when it is longer than 33 mm. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of the elongated styloid process (ESP) among dental patients and the role of dental pathology as a possible etiological factor. Materials and Methods: In total, 2000 consecutive panoramic radiographs of normal people were retrieved from the College of Dentistry, Ajman University, Ajman, UAE, during the 2-year study period. Two calibrated observers evaluated the radiographs to minimize interobserver bias and error. A caliper was used to measure the length (in millimeters of the ESPs directly on the radiographs from the caudal margin of the tympanic plate to the tip of the SP). The ESP was considered present when the measurements were ≥30 mm. Results: This study indicates that the prevalence of the ESP was about 6.9% among the patients who attended the dental school clinic. Of the 2000 panoramic radiographs reviewed, ESP could be measured in 100 cases at least on one side. There was a significant difference between distributions on the left and right sides. The distribution also depends significantly on age and gender. The incidence of related symptoms was higher than that reported in previous studies. Conclusions: The incidence of ESP among dental patients was estimated to be 6.9%, more prevalent among the elderly compared to the young people and bilateral. Odds ratio (OR) in favor of developing ESP in males is 2.378 times more than that in females. In contrast, the OR in favor of having unilateral ESP in males is less than that in females by 0.284.

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Aim: This study aimed to examine the correlation between serum vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]) and the transmembrane Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 expression on CD11b+ cells in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) saliva. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 30 SLE patients who regularly visited to rheumatology clinic and met the following criteria: no systemic diseases, no smoking, no drinking and use of oral contraceptives, no steroid and immunosuppressant medications, no pregnancy, no wearing of dentures, and orthodontic appliances. The subject’s blood samples were taken for electrochemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer methods of examining 25(OH)D level. Full unstimulated whole saliva collection for the measurement of TLR4 expression. The descriptive demographic data, the chi-square, t test, and linear regression (95% confidence level) were used to analyze the association between blood 25(OH)D concentrations and immune cells expressing TLR4 in saliva CD11b+ cells. Results: SLE subjects had an average blood concentration of 25(OH)D of 9.9 ± 4.6 ng/mL. in saliva CD11b+ cells, TLR4 expression was 26.0 ± 20.9%. r = 0.473 and P < 0.05 indicated a correlation between the saliva CD11b+ cells expressing TLR4 and the serum level of 25(OH)D. Only 25(OH)D predicted TLR4 expression of the saliva CD11b+ cells. Conclusions: TLR4 expression of Saliva CD11b+ cells correlated with the concentrations of serum 25(OH)D in SLE. Hence, vitamin D/25(OH)D may control the immune response of SLE patients’ oral cavity.

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Aim: To estimate glutathione (GSH) and total antioxidant (AO) levels in the saliva of smokers and nonsmokers and to establish a correlation with periodontal status. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 males (30 smokers and 30 nonsmokers) were part of the study. Salivary samples were collected by unstimulated method and were stored at 20°C. Salivary GSH concentration was assessed using the enzymatic recycling method and AO levels by phosphomolybdate method spectrophotometrically. Periodontal status was assessed based on the CPITN index. Kruskal–Wallis H test, unpaired “t”-test, and Spearman’s correlation coefficient were used to analyze the statistical significance. Results: The salivary GSH levels in smokers were lower than in nonsmokers. The mean salivary GSH levels of smokers were 10.22 µM, whereas among nonsmokers was 12.99 µM. The mean total AO level of smokers and nonsmokers was 181.18 and 162.58 µgm/mL, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P = 0.02). Kruskal–Wallis H test showed to be statistically significant between the periodontal status of smokers and nonsmokers (P < 0.05). Conclusion: AO levels were significantly lower in smokers than in nonsmokers. The periodontal status showed a higher prevalence of calculus and shallow pockets among the smokers. The correlation of all three parameters showed statistical significance between salivary GSH and AO and periodontal status.

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