Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the pattern of third molar impaction and associated symptoms in a Central Anatolian Turkish population. Material and Methods: A total of 2,133 impacted third molar teeth of 705 panoramic radiographs were reviewed. The positions of impacted third molar teeth on the panoramic radiographs were documented according to the classifications of Pell and Gregory and of Winter. The presence of related symptoms including pain, pericoronitis, lymphadenopathy and trismus was noted for every patient. Distributions of obtained values were compared using the Pearson χ² test. Nonparametric values were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 30.58 ± 11.98 years (range: 19-73); in a review of the 2,133 impacted third molar teeth, the most common angulation of impaction in both maxillaries was vertical (1,177; 55%). Level B impaction was the most common in the maxilla (425/1,037; 39%), while level C impaction was the most common in the mandible (635/1,096; 61%). Pain (272/705; 39%) and pericoronitis (188/705; 27%) were found to be the most common complications of impaction. Among 705 patients (335 males, 370 females), pericoronitis was more prevalent in males (101; 30%) and usually related to lower third molars (236; 22%). The retromolar space was significantly smaller in females (p < 0.05). Moreover, there was a significant difference in retromolar space for the area of jaw (maxillary: 11.3 mm; mandibular: 14.2 mm) and impaction level (A: 14.7 mm; B: 11.1 mm; C: 10.3 mm; p < 0.05). Conclusion: The pattern of third molar impaction in a Central Anatolian Turkish population was characterized by a high prevalence rate of level C impaction with vertical position. Pain and pericoronitis were the most common symptoms usually associated with level A impaction and vertical position.

Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) are poised to catalyze a transformative shift across diverse dental disciplines including endodontics, oral radiology, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontology, prosthodontics, and restorative dentistry. This narrative review delineates the burgeoning role of AI in enhancing diagnostic precision, streamlining treatment planning, and potentially unveiling innovative therapeutic modalities, thereby elevating patient care standards. Recent analyses corroborate the superiority of AI-assisted methodologies over conventional techniques, affirming their capacity for personalization, accuracy, and efficiency in dental care. Central to these AI applications are convolutional neural networks and deep learning models, which have demonstrated efficacy in diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic decision making, in some instances surpassing traditional methods in complex cases. Despite these advancements, the integration of AI into clinical practice is accompanied by challenges, such as data security concerns, the demand for transparency in AI-generated outcomes, and the imperative for ongoing validation to establish the reliability and applicability of AI tools. This review underscores the prospective benefits of AI in dental practice, envisioning AI not as a replacement for dental professionals but as an adjunctive tool that fortifies the dental profession. While AI heralds improvements in diagnostics, treatment planning, and personalized care, ethical and practical considerations must be meticulously navigated to ensure responsible development of AI in dentistry.

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of 3 T magnetic field on microleakage of amalgam restorations containing three different types of silver (Ag). Methods: 60 extracted teeth were restored with three different types of amalgam filling materials. Restored teeth were sectioned mesiodistally and divided into experimental and control groups. Experimental groups were exposed to a magnetic field of 3 T for 20 min. All samples were plunged into 2% basic fuchsin solution and examined under a digital microscope by three different observers with regard to microleakage. Results: Statistical analysis showed significant differences in microleakage between the groups exposed to MRI and controls, whereas differences in microleakage between amalgam types were insignificant. Conclusions: The primary risk of MRI systems arises from the effects of its strong magnetic field on objects containing ferromagnetic materials. An MRI of 1.5 T is known to be safe for amalgam restorations. However, our research indicates that MRI is not completely devoid of any effects on amalgam restorations.

The present study was designed to test the applicability of Kvaal’s method on digital orthopantomographs and to develop a new formula measuring pulp/tooth area ratio from periapical X-rays in a group of individuals living in Central Anatolia. Orthopantomographs and periapical X-rays of 114 patients aged between 17–72 years were selected. According to reported technique, three mandibular teeth were evaluated in each orthopantomogram with Kvaal’s method. Additionally, the pulp/tooth area ratio was measured on periapical X-rays of maxillary canine. Correlations between real age and morphological variables were calculated for all teeth using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Kvaal’s method on digital panoramic radiographs gave acceptable results (standard deviation, SD = 5.9 to 7.9 years) that were close to the original. In addition, regression equations were developed to estimate age from morphological variables and the best results were achieved using the regression equation for the maxillary canine with a pulp/tooth area ratio (standard error of estimate, SEE = ±6.75; coefficient of determination R² = 0.67). There was no significant difference between observed and estimated age for age groups and gender based on the established regression equations. With this particular study group, the equations presented in the study gave more accurate results than Kvaal’s original equations and may be considered more suitable for a Turkish population.

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy of CBCT in volume measuring using Stafne Bone Cavities (SBC) as an example. The study was conducted with 14 subjects with SBC detected on panoramic radiographs. In order to evaluate lesions volumetric dimensions, CBCT images for each patient were captured. Files in Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) format were transferred into a medical image processing program (ITK-SNAP 2.4.0) and volume in mm3 of the cavities were measured using semi-automatic segmentation procedure by 2 observers blinded to each other over a one-month period. Inter-reliability of volumetric measurements between observers was compared. SBCs relation to mandibular canal was also examined and three types of relation were observed; type 1: mandibular canal is separated from the SBC, type 2: mandibular canal is in contact with SBC, type 3: mandibular canal goes through the SBC. There were 12 males and 2 females who had SBC in this study (age range: 37-73, mean age: 55.3 years). The total volume of SBC in patients ranged from 160 mm3 to 520 mm3 (mean: 361.7 mm3). There was no significant difference between observers for volume measurements (p>0.05). According to relationship of SBC with mandibular canal, most SBCs were Type 1 (64.3 %) followed by type 3 (21.4 %) and type 2 (14.3 %). Pearson correlation coefficient shows a positive correlation between lesions volumetric size and relation with mandibular canal (pearson correlation = 0.54, sig < 0.05). Based on the results of this preliminary study, CBCT was considered to be an effective radiographic technic for measuring volumetric sizes of SBCs. However further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to prove the usefulness of CBCT in volume measurements.