Artificial intelligence (AI) is a commonly used term in daily life, and there are now two subconcepts that divide the entire range of meanings currently encompassed by the term. The coexistence of the concepts of strong and weak AI can be seen as a result of the recognition of the limits of mathematical and engineering concepts that have dominated the definition. This presentation reviewed the concept, history, and the current application of AI in daily life. Applications of AI are becoming a reality that is commonplace in all areas of modern human life. Efforts to develop robots controlled by AI have been continuously carried out to maximize human convenience. AI has also been applied in the medical decision-making process, and these AI systems can help nonspecialists to obtain expert-level information. Artificial neural networks are highly interconnected networks of computer processors inspired by biological nervous systems. These systems may help connect dental professionals all over the world. Currently, the use of AI is rapidly advancing beyond text-based, image-based dental practice. This presentation reviewed the history of artificial neural networks in the medical and dental fields, as well as current application in dentistry. As the use of AI in the entire medical field increases, the role of AI in dentistry will be greatly expanded. Currently, the use of AI is rapidly advancing beyond text-based, image-based dental practice. In addition to diagnosis of visually confirmed dental caries and impacted teeth, studies applying machine learning based on artificial neural networks to dental treatment through analysis of dental magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and cephalometric radiography are actively underway, and some visible results are emerging at a rapid pace for commercialization.

Objective: To analyze the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on perception of pain after separator placement and compare it with perceptions of control and placebo groups using a frequent irradiation protocol. Materials and Methods: Eighty-eight patients were randomly allocated to a laser group, a light-emitting diode (LED) placebo group, or a control group. Elastomeric separators were placed on the first molars. In the laser and LED groups, first molars were irradiated for 30 seconds every 12 hours for 1 week using a portable device. Pain was marked on a visual analog scale at predetermined intervals. Repeated measure analysis of variance was performed for statistical analysis. Results: The pain scores of the laser group were significantly lower than those of the control group up to 1 day. The pain scores in the LED group were not significantly different from those of the laser group during the first 6 hours. After that point, the pain scores of the LED group were not significantly different from those of the control. Conclusions: Frequent LLLT decreased the perception of pain to a nonsignificant level throughout the week after separator placement, compared with pain perception in the placebo and control groups. Therefore, LLLT might be an effective method of reducing orthodontic pain.

To: (1) investigate the clinical efficacy of acellular dermal matrix allograft to achieve increased peri-implant keratinized mucosa around implants, and (2) evaluate the effect as to whether the increase of keratinized mucosa has a positive effect on oral hygiene. There were 10 male patients, ranging from 43 to 53 years of age, with attached gingiva < or = 2 mm on the buccal aspect included in this study. Acellular dermal matrix allograft was used to increase the keratinized mucosa on the buccal side. The change of peri-implant pocket depth showed statistical differences among 3 measurements. The modified plaque index at 3 and 6 months showed statistical differences compared with the baseline measurements. The modified gingival index did not show any significant differences among all measurements. The width of peri-implant keratinized mucosa increased from a mean of 0.8 +/- 0.6 to 3.2 +/- 0.9 mm at 3 months and 2.2 +/- 0.6 mm at 6 months. It is concluded that the acellular dermal matrix allograft could be applied as a grafting material to increase the width of peri-implant keratinized mucosa. Its procedure appears to have some benefits for oral hygiene. Further randomized controlled trials over long periods of time are necessary to establish whether this procedure offers long-tem benefits to patients.

Tetracyclines, including tetracycline (TC), minocycline (MINO), and doxycycline (DOXY), were widely used as topical therapy in treating periodontitis, which is an infectious disease of the gingival crevice caused by periodontopathic bacteria. In addition, TC is used during bone grafting procedures because of its anticollagenase activity, antibacterial effect, and fibroblast-stimulatory properties. In this study, the effects of TC on osteoprecursor cells were evaluated. The cytotoxic effect was determined by testing cell viability. Differentiation and mineralization were evaluated using an alkaline phosphatase activity test and alizarin red S staining. In addition, protein expressions related to bone formation, such as bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2), estrogen receptor α (ER-α), and estrogen receptor β (ER-β), were evaluated by using Western blot analysis. The morphology of the cells seemed normal, and their viability was not significantly affected when they were treated with 10 μM MINO and 10 μM DOXY. Cells treated with 10 μM DOXY showed alkaline phosphatase activity that was comparable to the control. Results from the Western blot analysis showed that TC, MINO, and DOXY reduced the expression of BMP-2 and ER-β. Normalization of the protein expressions showed that 10 μM DOXY retained 87% in BMP-2 and 85% in ER-β. Higher levels of these agents led to a dose-dependent decrease of cellular differentiation and protein expression. There are several commercially available agents for TC, which has to be considered when applying the TC in local delivery applications.