Rameters in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. Materials and Methods: Saliva samples were collected from 60 patients before and 2 months after commencing fixed orthodontic treatment. The salivary flow rate, pH, buffering capacity, and levels of amylase, total protein, and glucose were determined. Parametric and nonparametric tests for paired samples were used for comparing the mean differences before and after commencing treatment. Results: Significant reductions in the salivary flow rate, pH, and buffering capacity were noted 2 months after commencing treatment (P < 0.05). Total protein concentrations and calcium levels decreased significantly and amylase and glucose levels increased after commencing treatment (P < 0.05). Significant correlations were observed between salivary total protein concentrations and buffering capacity as well as calcium levels (P < 0.05). Conclusion: These findings indicate that the biochemical properties of saliva are altered after introducing fixed orthodontic appliances into the oral cavity, thereby promoting plaque retention and increasing the susceptibility to tooth demineralization and gingival inflammation....

Background. Osteoblastoma is a rare benign tumor. This tumor is characterized by osteoid and bone formation with the presence of numerous osteoblasts. The lesion is more frequently seen in long bones and rarely involves maxilla and mandible. Due to its clinical and histological similarity with other bone tumors such as osteoid osteoma and fibro-osseous lesions, osteoblastoma presents a diagnostic dilemma.Case Report. Very few cases of osteoblastomas involving maxillofacial region have been reported in the literature. This case report involves osteoblastoma involving right maxilla in an 18-year-old male patient. Following detailed clinical examination, radiological interpretation, and histopathological diagnosis, surgical excision was performed. The patient was followed up for a period of 3 years and was disease free.Summary and Conclusion. Benign osteoblastoma involving jaw bones is a rare tumor. There is a close resemblance of this tumor with other lesions such as fibro-osseous lesions and odontogenic tumors and thus faces a diagnostic challenge. Surgical excision with a long-term follow-up gives good prognosis to this lesion—Benign Osteoblastoma.

Objective: This systematic review aims to summarize the evidence on the use and applicability of AI in impacted mandibular third molars. Methods: Searches were performed in the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The study protocol is registered at the International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols (INPLASY202460081). The retrieved articles were subjected to an exhaustive review based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the study. Articles on the use of AI for diagnosis, treatment, and treatment planning in patients with impacted mandibular third molars were included. Results: Twenty-one articles were selected and evaluated using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) evidence quality scale. Most of the analyzed studies dealt with using AI to determine the relationship between the mandibular canal and the impacted mandibular third molar. The average quality of the articles included in this review was 2+, which indicated that the level of evidence, according to the SIGN protocol, was B. Conclusions: Compared to human observers, AI models have demonstrated decent performance in determining the morphology, anatomy, and relationship of the impaction with the inferior alveolar nerve canal. However, the prediction of eruptions and future horizons of AI models are still in the early developmental stages. Additional studies estimating the eruption in mixed and permanent dentition are warranted to establish a comprehensive model for identifying, diagnosing, and predicting third molar eruptions and determining the treatment outcomes in the case of impacted teeth. This will help clinicians make better decisions and achieve better treatment outcomes.

Background: The purpose of the research was to evaluate the content and delivery of the undergraduate endodontic curriculum. Methods: A needs assessment survey was distributed among the Deans of all the dental colleges in Saudi Arabia. Results: The response rate was 72%. All the colleges include foundational and advanced topics in their curriculum. Didactic lectures, clinical cases, self-directed learning assignments and projects, and videos are the most common teaching methods, whereas virtual learning and reading list are the least popular methods. The average staff-to-student ratio for preclinical and clinical training is 1:6 and 1:7, respectively. Eighty-six percent of colleges utilize dedicated endodontic clinics supervised by specialized endodontists. Eighty percent of colleges use simple cases for canal preparation and obturation. Most colleges do not use magnification and ultrasonic instruments. Saline and sodium hypochlorite are preferred irrigation solutions, whereas calcium hydroxide is the preferred inter-visit medicament. Many use MTA as an advanced material, calcium hydroxide as an inter-visit medicament, and provisional restoration after RCT. Conclusion: The content and delivery of the endodontic undergraduate curriculum are primarily uniform. The use of specialist endodontists dedicated endodontic clinics, rotary instruments, and advanced materials have emerged as curricular strengths. However, diversification of teaching strategies, use of magnification instruments, and an increase in the minimum number of endodontically treated teeth are leading areas demanding curricular improvement.

Background: The mandibular third molar is the most frequently impacted tooth. An impacted mandibular third molar (IMTM) can have negative consequences on the adjacent mandibular second molar (MSM), such as bone loss. An IMTM can be identified using orthopantomography (OPG). Our objective is to compare changes in bone level distal to the mandibular second molar (MSM) in patients with an extracted IMTM versus non-extracted IMTM using OPG. Methods: In this retrospective case–control study, 160 orthopantomograms (OPGs) of 80 patients who attended Dental Hospital of the University of Barcelona (HOUB) were randomly selected. Participants were stratified into a study group and control group. Results: Males and females experienced bone gain in the study group and bone loss in the control group. However, the difference in bone-level change was not statistically significant regarding gender in the study group. Within the study group, the age group of 29–39 years demonstrated significant (p-value = 0.042) bone gain after extraction compared to other age groups. However, the control group demonstrated bone loss in all age groups in which the difference is not statistically significant (p-value 0.794). Conclusions: Bone improvements distal to the MSM were observed after the extraction of an IMTM compared to when an IMTM was not extracted.