Nicolas Nassar

Dr. Nicolas Nassar

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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2 July 2025 in Prosthesis
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
OHOmar Hasbini
Omar Hasbini
Rim BourgiRim Bourgi
Rim Bourgi
Naji KharoufNaji Kharouf
Naji Kharouf
Carlos Cuevas-SuárezCarlos Cuevas-Suárez
Carlos Cuevas-Suárez
KKKhalil Kharma
Khalil Kharma
Louis Saba HardanLouis Saba Hardan
Louis Saba Hardan
Background: Digital dental photography is increasingly essential for documentation and smile design. This study aimed to compare the linear measurement accuracy of various smartphones and a Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) camera against digital models obtained by intraoral and desktop scanners. Methods: Tooth height and width from six different casts were measured and compared using images acquired with a Canon EOS 250D DSLR, six smartphone models (iPhone 13, iPhone 15, Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy S24, and Vivo T2), and digital scans obtained from the Helios 500 intraoral scanner and the Ceramill Map 600 desktop scanner. All image measurements were performed using ImageJ software (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA), and statistical analysis was conducted using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey’s post hoc test (α = 0.05). Results: The results showed no significant differences in measurements across most imaging methods (p > 0.05), except for the Vivo T2, which showed a significant deviation (p < 0.05). The other smartphones produced measurements comparable to those of the DSLR, even at distances as close as 16 cm. Conclusions: These findings preliminary support the clinical use of smartphones for accurate dental documentation and two-dimensional smile design, including the posterior areas, and challenge the previously recommended 24 cm minimum distance for mobile dental photography (MDP). This provides clinicians with a simplified and accessible alternative for high-accuracy dental imaging, advancing the everyday use of MDP in clinical practice.

5 August 2025 in Dentistry Journal
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ESErika Pérez Soto
Erika Pérez Soto
Rim BourgiRim Bourgi
Rim Bourgi
Louis Saba HardanLouis Saba Hardan
Louis Saba Hardan
Carlos Cuevas-SuárezCarlos Cuevas-Suárez
Carlos Cuevas-Suárez
AÁAna Josefina Monjarás Ávila
Ana Josefina Monjarás Ávila
Youssef HaikelYoussef Haikel
Youssef Haikel
Background/Objectives: Immediate dentin sealing (IDS) has been widely investigated in sound dentin; however, its efficacy on demineralized dentin remains insufficiently explored. This in vitro experimental study aimed to evaluate the shear bond strength (SBS) of indirect composite resin restorations bonded to demineralized dentin using IDS, assessed at 24 h and after 6 months of aging. Methods: Twenty-five extracted premolars were randomly divided into five groups: (1) control (no sealing), (2) IDS applied to sound dentin (sound-IDS), (3) IDS applied to demineralized dentin (carious-IDS), (4) delayed dentin sealing (DDS) on sound dentin (sound-DDS), and (5) DDS on demineralized dentin (carious-DDS). SBS values were analyzed using a three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with dentin condition (sound vs. demineralized), aging time (24 h vs. 6 months), and sealing strategy (control, IDS, DDS) as independent variables. Statistical analyses were performed using SigmaPlot 12.0, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The results showed that IDS led to significantly higher SBS than DDS (p < 0.05). Bond strength was significantly influenced by dentin condition (p < 0.05), and all interactions between variables—particularly between dentin condition and sealing strategy, and between aging time and treatment—were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Overall, bond strength was higher at 24 h than after 6 months. IDS showed optimal performance in sound dentin, while DDS resulted in better long-term outcomes in demineralized dentin. Conclusions: These findings suggest that DDS may be the more effective approach in cases of carious or demineralized dentin.

23 July 2025 in Prosthesis
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
PHPerla Hokayem
Perla Hokayem
Rim BourgiRim Bourgi
Rim Bourgi
Carlos Cuevas-SuárezCarlos Cuevas-Suárez
Carlos Cuevas-Suárez
MFMiguel Angel Fernández-Barrera
Miguel Angel Fernández-Barrera
EZEliezer Zamarripa-Calderón
Eliezer Zamarripa-Calderón
Louis Saba HardanLouis Saba Hardan
Louis Saba Hardan
Background: Accuracy of optical impressions—defined by the intraoral scanner (IOS)’s trueness and precision per International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards—is influenced by both operator- and patient-related factors. Thus, this in vitro study aimed to (1) evaluate how scanning distance affects the accuracy of three different intraoral scanners (IOSs), and (2) identify the optimal scanning distance for each scanner. Methods: A maxillary arch model was obtained using polyvinyl siloxane impression material and poured with Type IV stone (Octa-rock royal®, Kulzer, Germany). Using three different types of IOSs—the trios 3 shape (TRIOS ® cart, 3Shape, Copenhagen, Denmark); the Helios 500 (Eighteeth ®, Changzhou, China); and the Heron (3Disc ®, Herndon, VA 20170, USA)—ten scans were performed with each of the IOSs with five predetermined distances: 0 mm, 2.5 mm, 5 mm, 7.5 mm, and 10 mm. Spacers of varying heights were designed using Meshmixer version 3.5 (Autodesk, Inc., Mill Valley, CA, USA) and three-dimensional printed with the Form 2 printer (Formlabs, Somerville, MA, USA). The scanned data was processed using Geomagic Control X (Version 16.0.2.16496, 3D Systems, Wilsonville, OR, USA). Statistical analyses were performed using R Statistical Software (version 4.2.2), with significance set at α = 0.05. Results: Scanning distance significantly influenced scan accuracy for all three scanners. The 3Disc scanner (3Disc, Herndon, VA, USA) demonstrated the highest accuracy at a 7.5 mm distance, while both the Helios 500 (Eighteeth, Changzhou, China) and Trios 3 (3Shape, Copenhagen, Denmark) scanners achieved their best accuracy at a 5 mm distance, as indicated by the lowest root mean square (RMS) values (p < 0.05). Conclusions: To conclude, each IOS has an optimal scanning distance for best accuracy. Trios 3 (3Shape, Copenhagen, Denmark) outperformed the others in both trueness and precision. Future studies should examine these effects under full-arch and clinical conditions.

21 March 2025 in The Korean Journal of Orthodontics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Nicolas NassarNicolas Nassar
Nicolas Nassar
AGAllahyar Geramy
Allahyar Geramy
KKKmeid Kmeid
Kmeid Kmeid
NNNayla Bassil Nassif
Nayla Bassil Nassif
LMLina Medawar
Lina Medawar
JBJoseph Bouserhal
Joseph Bouserhal
Nicolas Nassar, Allahyar Geramy, Roland Kmeid, Nayla Bassil Nassif, Lina Medawar, Patrick Sayegh, Joseph Bouserhal. Korean J Orthod -0001;0:. https://doi.org/10.4041/kjod24.201

6 January 2026 in Journal of Composites Science
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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SHSandy Hazko
Sandy Hazko
Ahmed A HolielAhmed A Holiel
Ahmed A Holiel
Rim BourgiRim Bourgi
Rim Bourgi
Carlos Cuevas-SuárezCarlos Cuevas-Suárez
Carlos Cuevas-Suárez
KKKmeid Kmeid
Kmeid Kmeid
Nicolas NassarNicolas Nassar
Nicolas Nassar
Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate microbial adhesion and biofilm formation on additively manufactured composite-based orthodontic clear aligners compared with thermoformed aligners and other conventional polymeric materials. The influence of material composition, surface roughness, post-processing parameters, and cleaning protocols on microbial colonization was also assessed. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library was conducted up to September 2025. Only in vitro studies investigating microbial adhesion, biofilm biomass, or microbiome changes on three-dimensional (3D)-printed aligner composites were included. Primary outcomes consisted of colony-forming units (CFU), optical density (OD) from crystal violet assays, viable microbial counts, and surface roughness. Risk of bias was assessed using the RoBDEMAT tool. Data were narratively synthesized, and a random-effects meta-analysis was performed for comparable datasets. Results: Five studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria, of which two in vitro studies were eligible for meta-analysis. Microbial adhesion and biofilm accumulation were influenced by the manufacturing technique, composite resin formulation, and surface characteristics. Certain additively manufactured aligners exhibited smoother surfaces and reduced bacterial adhesion compared with thermoformed controls, whereas others with increased surface roughness showed higher biofilm accumulation. Incorporating bioactive additives such as chitosan nanoparticles reduced Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation without compromising material properties. The meta-analysis, based on two in vitro studies, demonstrated higher OD values for bacterial biofilm on 3D-printed aligners compared with thermoformed aligners, indicating increased biofilm biomass (p < 0.05), but not necessarily viable bacterial load. Conclusions: Microbial adhesion and biofilm formation on 3D-printed composite clear aligners are governed by resin composition, additive manufacturing parameters, post-curing processes, and surface finishing. Although certain 3D-printed materials display antibacterial potential, the limited number of studies restricts the generalizability of these findings. Clinical Significance: Optimizing composite formulations for 3D printing, alongside careful post-curing and surface finishing, may help reduce microbial colonization. Further research is required before translating these findings into definitive clinical recommendations for clear aligner therapy.

25 August 2025 in Prosthesis
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
OHOmar Hasbini
Omar Hasbini
Rim BourgiRim Bourgi
Rim Bourgi
Naji KharoufNaji Kharouf
Naji Kharouf
Carlos Cuevas-SuárezCarlos Cuevas-Suárez
Carlos Cuevas-Suárez
KKKhalil Kharma
Khalil Kharma
Louis Saba HardanLouis Saba Hardan
Louis Saba Hardan
The authors would like to make the following corrections to the published paper
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