This study evaluated the physicochemical properties and the effect of solubility on the surface morphology and composition of the root canal sealers MTA-Bioseal, MTA-Fillapex, and Adseal. Discs (n = 10) of freshly mixed sealer were prepared and then analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX). The discs were immersed for 1, 7, 14, and 28 days in deionized water. The solubility %; pH change of the solution; and released calcium, phosphate, and silicon were measured for each period. The flowability and film thickness were also evaluated. Changes in the surface morphology and composition after 28 days of immersion were evaluated by SEM/EDX. The data were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA at p < 0.05. The FTIR and EDX results revealed similar compositions of MTA-Bioseal and MTA-Fillapex, but with different concentrations. The two MTA-based sealers had higher solution alkalinity (pH > 10) than Adseal (pH ≈ 8.5). MTA-Fillapex exhibited the highest solubility % and the largest calcium and silicon ion release. MTA-Bioseal had the highest phosphate ion release. After 28 days, the sealer surfaces showed large micropores, with larger pores in MTA-Fillapex. Adseal had an intermediate flowability but exhibited the greatest film thickness. Finally, the highest solubility and largest amount of silicon release was exhibited by MTA-Fillapex, which might predispose it to the development of large micropores, compromising the apical seal of obturation.

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: Successful endodontic treatment needs accurate determination of working length (WL). Electronic apex locators (EALs) were presented as an alternative to radiographic methods; and since then, they have evolved and gained popularity in the determination of WL. However, there is insufficient evidence on the post-operative pain, adequacy, and accuracy of EALs in determining WL. Objective: The systematic review and meta-analysis aims to gather evidence regarding the effectiveness of EALs for WL determination when compared to different imaging techniques along with postoperative pain associated with WL determination, the number of radiographs taken during the procedure, the time taken, and the adverse effects. Methods: For the review, clinical studies with cross-over and parallel-arm randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched in seven electronic databases, followed by cross-referencing of the selected studies and related research synthesis. Risk of bias (RoB) assessment was carried out with Cochrane's RoB tool and a random-effects model was used. The meta-analysis was performed with the RevMan software 5.4.1. Results: Eleven eligible RCTs were incorporated into the review and eight RCTs into the meta-analysis, of which five had high RoB and the remaining six had unclear RoB. Following meta-analysis, no significant difference in postoperative pain was found among the EAL and radiograph groups (SMD 0.00, CI .29 to .28, 354 participants; P value = 0.98). Radiograph group showed better WL accuracy (SMD 0.55, CI .11 to .99, 254 participants; P value = 0.02), while the EAL group had 10% better WL adequacy (RR 1.10, CI 1.03–1.18, 573 participants; P value = 0.006). Conclusion: We found very low-certainty evidence to support the efficacy of different types of EAL compared to radiography for the outcomes tested. We were unable to reach any conclusions about the superiority of any type of EAL. Well-planned RCTs need to be conducted by standardizing the outcomes and outcome measurement methods.

For the management of necrotic immature teeth, regenerative endodontics offers the advantage of further root lengthening, thickening of dentin wall, and apical closure. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the long-term outcome of regenerative endodontics in immature necrotic permanent teeth. A total of 23 immature roots were medicated by triple antibiotic paste. After 21 days, bleeding was induced by over-instrumentation, and then mineral trioxide aggregate and coronal restoration were applied. Patients were scheduled for clinical and radiographic follow-up for 8 years. The radiographic changes of root dimensions were assessed using the ImageJ Plugin and statistically analyzed by Kruskal–Wallis test at a 95% confidence level. For qualitative evaluation, images were overlapped and analyzed using Photoshop software. All teeth were asymptomatic one month after the treatment. All teeth (n = 18) with preoperative periapical radiolucency showed complete resolution within 6–9 months. Recall rate at two, three, and eight years was 69.6%, 56.5%, and 34.8%, respectively. Continuous root development with a significant increase in root length and thickening of dentin wall accompanied by a significant decrease in apical canal diameter was seen at the end of the observation period (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the long-term outcome of regenerative endodontics revealed successful clinical and radiographic results with appropriate case selection.

Background. As people live longer, there is an increasing need for hard tissue regeneration and whole-tooth regeneration. Despite the advancements in the field of medicine, the field of regenerative dentistry is still challenging due to the complexity of dental hard tissues. Cross-disciplinary collaboration among material scientists, cellular biologists, and odontologists aimed at developing strategies and uncovering solutions related to dental tissue regeneration. Methodology. A search of the literature was done for pertinent research. Consistent with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) 2020 Statement, the electronic databases looked at were PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar, with the keyword search hard dental tissue regeneration. Results. Database analysis yielded a total of 476 articles. 222 duplicate articles have been removed in total. Articles that have no connection to the directed regeneration of hard dental tissue were disregarded. The review concluded with the inclusion of four studies that were relevant to our research objective. Conclusion. Current molecular signaling network investigations and novel viewpoints on cellular heterogeneity have made advancements in understanding of the kinetics of dental hard tissue regeneration possible. Here, we outline the fundamentals of stem hard dental tissue maintenance, regeneration, and repair, as well as recent advancements in the field of hard tissue regeneration. These intriguing findings help establish a framework that will eventually enable basic research findings to be utilized towards oral health-improving medicines.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and potential association between intimate partner violence (IPV) with traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) and the subsequent need for root canal treatment (RCT). Methods: A total of 100 subjects with TDIs presented at emergency or postgraduate restorative clinics at University Dental Hospital, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia post-TDI. All study subjects completed the Hurt-Insult-Threaten-Scream (HITS) domestic violence screening tool and were clinically and radiographically examined to determine the type of TDI they suffered along with the pulp and periapical status of affected teeth. Demographic data were also recorded. Based on the findings, management included regular follow-up, splinting, reattachment of broken tooth part, vital pulp therapy and/or RCT as seen appropriate. Results: Mean age of participants was 28.4± 5.7 years. Prevalence of IPV among subjects presented with TDIs was 18%. Most of the IPV victims held a bachelor’s degree (67%) and were unemployed (61%). Most of TDI cases were crown fracture (84%) followed by luxation and avulsion (10% and 6%, respectively). Among all TDI cases, 73% required RCT. Crown fracture was the most prevalent TDI among IPV victims followed by luxation and avulsion with prevalence of 56%, 33%, and 11%, respectively. Out of a total of 73 patients requiring RCT, nine were IPV victims (12.3%) which indicated that one of each eight TDI cases requiring RCT might be a potential IPV victim. Half of the IPV victims required RCT to manage their TDIs. Conclusion: Prevalence of IPV among TDIs was 18%. IPV screening should be included as routine assessment part for TDIs. Identification of IPV victims could be difficult, however, employment status, type of TDI, and RCT needs were suggested as potential predictors of positive IPV cases.