Background: AI has been adopted in dentistry for diagnosis, decision making, and therapy prognosis prediction. This systematic review aimed to identify AI models in dentistry, assess their performance, identify their shortcomings, and discuss their potential for adoption and integration in dental practice in the future. Methodology: The sources of the papers were the following electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library. A total of 20 out of 947 needed further studies, and this was encompassed in the present meta-analysis. It identified diagnostic accuracy, predictive performance, and potential biases. Results: AI models demonstrated an overall diagnostic accuracy of 82%, primarily leveraging artificial neural networks (ANNs) and convolutional neural networks (CNNs). These models have significantly improved the diagnostic precision for dental caries compared with traditional methods. Moreover, they have shown potential in detecting and managing conditions such as bone loss, malignant lesions, vertical root fractures, apical lesions, salivary gland disorders, and maxillofacial cysts, as well as in performing orthodontic assessments. However, the integration of AI systems into dentistry poses challenges, including potential data biases, cost implications, technical requirements, and ethical concerns such as patient data security and informed consent. AI models may also underperform when faced with limited or skewed datasets, thus underscoring the importance of robust training and validation procedures. Conclusions: AI has the potential to revolutionize dentistry by significantly improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning. However, before integrating this tool into clinical practice, a critical assessment of its advantages, disadvantages, and utility or ethical issues must be established. Future studies should aim to eradicate existing barriers and enhance the model’s ease of understanding and challenges regarding expense and data protection, to ensure the effective utilization of AI in dental healthcare.

BACKGROUND: Wnt activation promotes bone formation and prevents bone loss. The Wnt pathway antagonist sclerostin and additional anti-sclerostin antibodies were discovered as a result of the development of the monoclonal antibody romosozumab. These monoclonal antibodies greatly increase the risk of cardiac arrest. Three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationships (3D-QSAR) predicts biological activities of ligands based on their three-dimensional features by employing powerful chemometric investigations such as artificial neural networks (ANNs) and partial least squares (PLS). OBJECTIVE: In this study, ligand-receptor interactions were investigated using 3D-QSAR Comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA). Estimates of steric and electrostatic characteristics in CoMFA are made using Lennard-Jones and Coulomb potentials. METHODS: To identify the conditions necessary for the activity of these molecules, fifty Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications were chosen for 3D-QSAR investigations and done by CoMFA. For QSAR analysis, there are numerous tools available. This study employed Open 3D-QSAR for analysis due to its simplicity of use and capacity to produce trustworthy results. Four tools were used for the analysis on this platform: Py-MolEdit, Py-ConfSearch, and Py-CoMFA. RESULTS: Maps that were generated were used to determine the screen’s r2 (Coefficient of Multiple Determinations) value and q2 (correlation coefficient). These numbers must be fewer than 1, suggesting a good, trustworthy model. Cross-validated (q2) 0.532 and conventional (r2) correlation values of 0.969 made the CoMFA model statistically significant. The model showed that hydroxamic acid inhibitors are significantly more sensitive to the steric field than the electrostatic field (70%) (30%). This hypothesis states that steric (43.1%), electrostatic (26.4%), and hydrophobic (20.3%) qualities were important in the design of sclerostin inhibitors. CONCLUSION: With 3D-QSAR and CoMFA, statistically meaningful models were constructed to predict ligand inhibitory effects. The test set demonstrated the model’s robustness. This research may aid in the development of more effective sclerostin inhibitors that are synthesised using FDA-approved medications.

Introduction: Tooth decay is a bacterial infection influenced by a multifactorial interplay of risk factors. This review aimed to examine both established and emerging determinants of dental caries in children and adolescents, with an emphasis on dietary and behavioral influences. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines and PICOS criteria, a systematic search was performed across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google Scholar for studies published between January 2015 and December 2024. Eligible studies included cross-sectional, cohort, and case-control designs reporting on caries risk factors. Results: A total of 18 studies met the inclusion criteria. Established risk factors included poor socioeconomic status, high sugar intake, infrequent toothbrushing, younger maternal age, and higher maternal DMFT scores. Emerging risk factors were nighttime feeding, prolonged breastfeeding beyond 18 months, lack of parental supervision during toothbrushing, maternal unemployment, and single motherhood. Additional associations included low birth weight, poor dietary diversity, and inadequate fluoride exposure. Discussion: The findings highlight the multifactorial and context-specific nature of caries development in young populations. While traditional risk factors remain highly relevant, newer determinants such as feeding practices and parental factors require further validation through longitudinal and interventional research. Variability in diagnostic tools and methodological heterogeneity across studies limits direct comparability. Conclusion: This review underscores both established and emerging risk factors for childhood caries. Identifying these determinants may guide preventive strategies, particularly for vulnerable populations, and may inform policy and clinical interventions.

One of the most commonly used local anesthetic (LA) agents in dentistry is lidocaine. Hypersensitivity reactions to lidocaine have been reported. In such cases, it is crucial to record a detailed clinical history and perform allergy testing to select a suitable alternative LA agent. This report presents the experience of observing a case of lidocaine allergy, supported by a review of the literature on the condition. A rare case of delayed hypersensitivity reaction to lidocaine is reported, where the patient exhibited swelling and erythema of the upper labial mucosa. Intradermal testing confirmed an allergic reaction to lidocaine. The patient was successfully treated with an alternative LA agent, allowing for the completion of dental procedures without complications. This highlights the importance of careful diagnostic measures to manage such rare but significant allergic reactions effectively. This case highlights the importance of recording a proper clinical history and performing allergy testing before the administration of LA to prevent severe allergic reactions. Additionally, patients identified as allergic to LA agents should be thoroughly counseled, informed about their condition, and provided with a clear explanation of all available treatment options

Childhood dental caries is a common and significant oral health issue globally, resulting in pain, infection, and difficulties in eating and speaking. This study aimed to investigate the impact of food-based reward behaviors on the oral health of Saudi children. An observational cross-sectional study was conducted at Jouf University Hospital, Saudi Arabia. The study included 316 medically healthy children aged 4 to 10 years and their Arabic or English-speaking guardians. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire based on the Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire (CFPQ), gathering information on socio-demographic characteristics, dietary habits, oral hygiene practices, and the use of food as a reward. Clinical examinations by specialist pediatric dentists assessed the plaque index and decayed-missing-filled tooth (dmft/DMFT) scores. Statistical analyses included descriptive analysis, the Mann-Whitney test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, Spearman’s correlation, and linear regression analysis. Significant correlations were found between food rewards and poor oral health outcomes. Food rewards were positively associated with higher dmft/DMFT scores (r = 0.43, P < 0.001) and plaque index scores (r = 0.17, P = 0.002). Socio-demographic factors, such as parental education level and the amount of time spent with the child, were significant predictors of both food reward behaviors and oral health outcomes. Female and younger parents reported higher food reward scores, which correlated with poorer oral health in their children. The study underscores the significant impact of food-based reward behaviors on the oral health of Saudi children. These findings highlight the need for targeted educational and intervention strategies that address cultural practices and promote healthier reward systems. By reducing sugary food rewards and encouraging non-food-based incentives, improvements in children’s oral health can be achieved.

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual surgical planning (VSP) in enhancing precision and outcomes in maxillofacial reconstruction procedures. Methodology: A prospective study was conducted on 30 patients undergoing maxillofacial reconstruction. Twenty patients were treated using VSP with 3D imaging and patient-specific surgical guides, while 10 underwent conventional planning. Outcomes were evaluated based on operative time, reconstruction accuracy, and patient satisfaction. Results: The VSP group showed significantly reduced operative time (180 vs. 240 min), improved accuracy (1.2 mm vs. 3.6 mm deviation), and higher patient satisfaction scores (8.9 vs. 7.1) compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: VSP enhances surgical precision, reduces operating time, and improves patient satisfaction in maxillofacial reconstruction, demonstrating its value as an effective preoperative planning tool.