Introduction. A radiological evaluation is essential in endodontics, for diagnostic purposes, planning and execution of the treatment, and evaluation of the success of therapy. The periapical radiography is nowadays the main radiographic investigations used but presents some limits as 3D anatomic alteration, geometric compression, and possible anatomical structures overlapping that can obscure the area of interest. CBCT (cone beam computed tomography) in endodontics allows a detailed assessment of the teeth and surrounding alveolar anatomy for endodontic diagnosis, treatment planning, and follow-up. Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of CBCT in comparison with conventional intraoral radiographs used in endodontic procedures. Materials and Methods. Statistical analysis was performed on 101 patients with previous endodontic treatments with the relative radiographic documentation (preoperative, postoperative, and follow-up intraoral X-ray) that had underwent at CBCT screening for surgical reasons. The CBCT scans were evaluated independently by two operators and compared with the corresponding periapical images. Results. Our analysis shows that the two radiological investigations statistically agree in 100% of cases in the group of patients without any endodontic sign. In the group of patients with an endodontic pathology, detected with CBCT, endodontic under extended treatments (30.6%), MB2 canals in nontreated maxillary molars (20.7%), second canals in nontreated mandibular incisors (9%), root fractures (2.7%), and root resorption (2.7%) were not always visible in intraoral X-ray. Otherwise, positivity in the intraoral X-ray was always confirmed in CBCT. A radiolucent area was detected in CBCT exam in 46%, while the intraoral X-ray exam was positive only in 18%. Conclusions. Our study shows that some important radiological signs acquired using CBCT are not always visible in periapical X-ray. Furthermore, CBCT is considered as a II level exam and could be used to solve diagnostic questions, essential to a proper management of the endodontic problems.

The difference in refractive index between the healthy enamel and the demineralized area generates a lesion with a milky white opaque appearance, clearly distinguishable from the surrounding healthy enamel. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate if the infiltration technique is the most efficient treatment to resolve a white spot lesion when compared with remineralization and microabrasion techniques. The Population/Intervention/Comparison/Outcome question investigated: “in enamel WS lesion, the infiltration treatment compared to remineralization or microabrasion treatments is more or less effective in the camouflage effect?.” The research was performed on electronic databases, including Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, and web of science. The search was conducted up to April 1, 2020. The scientific search engines produced 324 results. Only 14 were screened after screening. Based on the articles analyzed in this systematic review, the resin infiltration technique seems to be the most effective and predictable treatment for the aesthetic resolution of WSLs.

Artificial intelligence (AI), specifically Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) technology, has revolutionized various fields, including medicine and dentistry. The AI model ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, mimics human language on a large scale, generating coherent and contextually appropriate responses. ChatGPT serves as an auxiliary resource for diagnosis and decision-making across various medical disciplines. This comprehensive narrative review aims to explore how ChatGPT can assist the dental sector, highlighting its potential to enhance various aspects of the discipline. This review includes a literature search on the application of ChatGPT in dentistry, with a focus on the differences between the free version, ChatGPT 3.5, and the more advanced subscription-based version, ChatGPT 4. Specifically, ChatGPT has proven to be effective in enhancing user interaction, providing fast and accurate information and improving the accessibility of knowledge. However, despite these advantages, several limitations are identified, including concerns regarding the accuracy of responses in complex scenarios, ethical considerations surrounding its use, and the need for improved training to handle highly specialized queries. In conclusion, while ChatGPT offers numerous benefits in terms of efficiency and scalability, further research and development are needed to address these limitations, particularly in areas requiring greater precision, ethical oversight, and specialized expertise.

The Horizontal Root Fractures. Diagnosis, Clinical Management and Three-Year Follow-Up

Background: Bone regeneration is a reliable technique when the bone volume is insufficient to provide a functional and aesthetic outcome in surgery and implantoprosthesis procedures. When bone blocks are used but do not match the shape of the defect, the block must be adapted. The aim of our research was to evaluate, by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) morphological observation, how different cutting devices modify the bone surface. Method: Four equine bone blocks were divided into 15 cubic shape samples with ultrasonic and sonic tips, as well as diamond, tungsten carbide, and Lindemann burs. The uncut surface of the obtained bone block was used as a control. Two observers independently analyzed the SEM observation recording, including cut precision, depth of incision, thermal damages, and presence of bone debris. For each group, sharpness, depth, carbonization, and bone debris were expressed as mean values. Results: The osteotomy performed with an ultrasonic tip shows the best results, preserving the bone morphology in both quantitative and qualitative analyses. The bone surface appeared sufficiently clean from debris and showed a reduced presence of carbonization. Conclusion: The shaping of the bone block as in vivo osteotomy respects the bone morphology and allows it to achieve the relevant biological and clinical outcome.

Background: Augmented reality (AR) enhances sensory perception by adding extra information, improving anatomical localization and simplifying treatment views. In dentistry, digital planning on bidimensional screens lacks real-time feedback, leading to potential errors. However, it is not clear if AR can improve the clinical treatment precision. The aim of this research is to evaluate if the use of AR-based instruments could improve dental procedure precision. Methods: This review covered studies from January 2018 to June 2023, focusing on AR in dentistry. The PICO question was “Does AR increase the precision of dental interventions compared to non-AR techniques?”. The systematic review was carried out on electronic databases, including Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, and the Web of Science, with the following inclusion criteria: studies comparing the variation in the precision of interventions carried out with AR instruments and non-AR techniques. Results: Thirteen studies were included. Conclusions: The results of this systematic review demonstrate that AR enhances the precision of various dental procedures. The authors advise clinicians to use AR-based tools in order to improve the precision of their therapies.