Objective: This cross-sectional online questionnaire-based study evaluated the knowledge, awareness, and behaviors of dentists and senior dental students regarding oral cancer (OC). Materials and methods: This study included 168 dentists and senior dental students who had completed all theoretical educations and clinical practices. An online survey was administered to all participants to assess their awareness of the risk factors for OC, clinical knowledge, and behaviors. The participants’ demographic characteristics and knowledge of OC were analyzed. Results: Of the participants, 48.8% were female and 51.2% were male. Their mean age was 27.04 ± 5.56 years (range: 21–51). In addition, 59.5% were dentists, and 40.5% were senior dental students. The dentists’ mean time since graduation was 6.38 ± 5.64 years (range: 1–27). Routine oral mucosa examination for OC was significantly more frequent among the dentists than the senior dental students (p < 0.05). Among all participants, 33% of dentists and 51.5% of senior dental students had poor knowledge of OC-related or possibly predisposing factors. Routine evaluation of OC-related and predisposing risk factors, including human papillomavirus infection, smoking, alcohol use, trauma-related non-healing oral lesions caused by long-term incompatible prostheses, and poor oral hygiene, was significantly more frequent among the dentists than the senior dental students (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Educating dental students about a more comprehensive oral examination and early diagnosis of OC would help overcome the current lack of adequate knowledge and attitudes in OC prevention and early detection. A core curriculum compatible with the global standards on OC should be provided to dental students.

Background: This study aimed to compare extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) with the use of stabilization splint in nonsurgical temporomandibular disorders treatments, and to evaluate the effects. Methods: In this study, individuals, who are diagnosed with disc displacements with reduction according to the diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorder examination criteria. The patients in the first control group (n = 36) were applied a medical treatment + stabilization splint. The second group (n = 25) was applied the ESWT (2 days a week for 4 weeks) + medical treatment + stabilization splint. Visual Analog Scale scores, painless maximum painless mouth opening, and passive-forced mouth opening measurements were recorded for the first and second weeks. Results: The ESWT application significantly contributed to pain-reducing (Visual Analog Scale) in patients at short notice (P = .030) in the second group. There were statistically significant differences between the groups in painless maximum active mouth opening (P = .009) and passive forced measurements (P = .004) in the second week. Conclusion: This pilot study showed that short-term ESWT addition to stabilization splint and medical treatment may yield satisfactory outcomes.

Aim: In the treatment of edentulous resorbed mandibles using All-on-4 concept, the distal part of posteriorly tilted implants with a conventional flat neck design is usually embedded in the bone, which may lead to improper installation or positioning of angled multiunit abutments. Bone trimming from the distal area, where the implant neck is embedded in the bone, is typically necessary to avoid this complication. This study aimed to evaluate the biomechanical behavior of a sloped marginal neck configuration of implant posteriorly tilted at 30° in edentulous mandibles using a three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA). Methodology: The sloped neck implants were posteriorly tilted at 30° without any further operation in the edentulous mandibular model designed using the FEA. The tilted conventional flat neck implants were placed at the same length, diameter, and angle, and 2 mm² of bone was trimmed from the distal area. Similar multiunit abutments, two conventional flat neck implants axially placed on the anterior side, titanium frameworks, and acrylic resin prosthetic dentures were created for both models. The biomechanical behaviors of the models were evaluated by applying a foodstuff force of 50 N to the incisors, 100 N to the premolars, and 150 N to the molar cantilever. Results: The von Mises stress value of the sloped neck implants (158.489 MPa) was lower than that of the conventional flat neck implants (177.208 MPa). Both the maximum and minimum principal stress values ​​in the surrounding cortical and cancellous bones were within the acceptable physiological limits. Conclusion: Sloped neck implants can be placed easily and are less invasive than conventional flat neck implants; thus, they can be a treatment alternative that can facilitate the All-on-4 concept. How to cite this article: Toprak ME. Does a sloped neck implant design facilitate All-on-4 surgeries? A three-dimensional finite element analysis. J Med Dent Invest 2023;4:e230310. https://doi.org/10.5577/jomdi.e230310 Linguistic Revision: The English in this manuscript has been checked by at least two professional editors, both native speakers of English.

Aim: The temporomandibular joint (TMJ), also known as the mandibular joint; is a nearby the synovial joint that connects the mandible to the temporal bone the external auditory canal. Although TMJ disorders are frequently seen; they can be caused by many reasons such as disorders caused by masticatory muscles, condyle and articular disc incompatibility, inflammatory joint diseases, chronic mandibular hypomobility, and congenital or acquired muscle and bone disorders. Case reports: In our study, the diagnosis and treatment process of 4 patients who applied to the Gazi University Faculty of Dentistry Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery clinic with complaints of TMJ pain were presented. All of the cases had masseter hypertrophy due to bruxism. Botulinum toxin-A (BTA) was injected to the masseter muscles bilateraly after written informed consents were obtained from each patients before the procedure. In the control examinations an unexpected paradoxical masseteric bulging was detected. A more superficial BTA injection was applied to the superficial lobe of the masseter muscles that was not affected by BTA in presented patients and the complaints were dissolved in ten days. Conclusions: The cases presented in our article have a rare complication of BTA injections and can be treated easily after a correct diagnosis by the physician. Physicians who perform BTA injections for bruxism and masseter hypertrophy should be aware of the possible complications and should have sufficient knowledge and experience to overcome it.

Aim: Dental implant operations often require bone grafting due to bone resorption in the buccal area, which make the treatment more complicated, increase the risk of complications, and results in extra costs and prolongation of treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the biomechanical behavior of the implants with a sloped marginal configuration design in the alveolar ridge with a level difference between the buccal and lingual bone levels using three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) method. Material and Method: Two implant models with different marginal configuration designs were used in this study. Implants were placed in the posterior edentulous mandible models in which the buccal region had a 2 mm more resorption according to lingual region which were created by imitating natural bone resorption with FEA. Bone grafting was performed on the exposed buccal surface in the conventional flat marginal configuration implant model (Model 1). In contrast, the sloped marginal configuration implants were compatible with the difference in bone level and placed directly without any additional surgical procedures (Model 2). Than three unit fixed partial dentures were designed. The design of cortical and cancellous bones, prosthetic components, implants, abutment screws and abutments covering those in the edentulous mandible models were transferred to digital three-dimensional models that were created to mimicking the real structures. The models were fixed below and behind of the mandible with zero movement. Load transfer characteristics of both models under these essential limitations were evaluated under 200N foodstuff force. Results: The highest von Mises stress value was observed as 69.300 MPa in Model 1 and 126.870 MPa in Model 2. The maximum principal stress values were 28.236 N/mm2 and 63.449 N/mm2; the minimum principal stress values were 38.346 N/mm2 and 43.643 N/mm2 in Model 1 and Model 2, respectively. The highest von Mises stress value, maximum principal stress and minimum principal stress values were found higher in Model 2 which was created with sloped marginal configuration design of implants but all values were observed within acceptable physiological limits. Conclusion: The sloped marginal configuration design of implants can be a non-invasive and more economical treatment alternative modality compared to conventional flat marginal configuration implants with advanced surgeries during implant placement.