Introduction: Investigators have different ideas about whether or not the third molars should be extracted as a preventive measure. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship of impacted third molar with the frequency of caries on the distal surface of the second molar. Material and Methods: In this prospectively designed study, oral examination and panoramic radiographic images of 438 patients were performed. All of the second and third molars on the mandible are classificated by the eruption levels and angulation degrees. The presence of caries on the distal surface of the second molars was determined with the help of ICDAS-II criteria. Pearson Chi-Square and McNemar test was used to compare categorical variables and both segments. Results: The participants in the study ranged in age from 18 to 62, with a mean age of 28.33± 9.2 years. While a total of 1752 teeth were examined and both segments were evaluated for angulation type and level of eruption. The most frequent angulation type was vertical, and the most frequent eruption level was A. Mesioangulation was the most common type of angulation associated with caries in adjacent teeth.There was a statistically significant variation in the prevalence of caries between the two segments (p<0.001; χ2=0.241). More caries was seen in adjacent teeth with vertical on the right segment and mesioangulation on the left. Conclusion: Prophylactic extraction of third molars should be considered comprehensively. The fact that different types of angulation increase caries susceptibility in both segments highlights the need to evaluate all caries development factors concurrently.

Background: This in vitro study evaluated the effect of hydroxyapatite nanoparticle (nano-HAp) incorporation on surface roughness and Vickers hardness of a 3D-printed crown resin after thermocycling. Methods: Disk-shaped specimens (N = 84) were modified and fabricated with 0%, 1%, 2%, and 3% nano-HAp. Surface roughness (Ra) and Vickers hardness (VHN) were measured before and after thermocycling (5000 cycles). Surface morphology was qualitatively assessed using FE-SEM. Data were analyzed using two-way mixed-design ANOVA (α = 0.05). Results: Thermocycling increased surface roughness and reduced hardness in all groups. Ra values were highest in the 3% nano-HAp group after thermocycling (1.16 ± 0.47 µm). Baseline Vickers hardness differed significantly among nano-HAp concentrations, and hardness decreased after thermocycling in all groups; however, the 3% nano-HAp group exhibited the highest post-thermocycling hardness values (24.66 ± 1.51 VHN), which should be interpreted in the context of its higher baseline hardness. FE-SEM observations suggested increased surface irregularities with higher nano-HAp concentrations after thermocycling. Conclusions: Nano-HAp incorporation influenced both surface and mechanical properties, with 3% concentration showing higher hardness after aging but increased roughness.

Aim This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of dental students regarding digital dentistry including CAD/CAM systems, 3D-printing technologies, and intraoral scanning. Material and method A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among undergraduate dental students at Biruni University Faculty of Dentistry. The questionnaire consisted of three main sections: demographics, knowledge and awareness of digital dentistry applications. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to determine associations between student’s study level and their level of digital dentistry awareness. Results Of the 307 respondents, 63.8% were female and 36.2% male, mostly aged 20–24 years. Preclinical students represented 74.9% and clinical students 25.1% of participants. General awareness of digital technology in dentistry was 58.5%, while knowledge of CAD/CAM applications (32.7%) and virtual articulators (30.7%) remained limited. Over 70% of students could not identify materials or file formats used in 3D printing or CAD/CAM workflows. A significant relationship was observed between the year of study and digital awareness (χ² = 29.651, p < 0.001), indicating that clinical students were significantly more familiar with digital systems than preclinical students. Conclusion Dental students demonstrated moderate awareness but limited practical knowledge of digital dentistry. Clinical exposure enhanced familiarity with CAD/CAM and 3D-printing technologies. These findings highlight the need for integrating structured digital dentistry education earlier in the dental curriculum to improve technological competence and readiness for modern clinical practice.

The anterior loop (AnL) of the mental nerve is anatomically defined as the segment where the neurovascular bundle courses anteriorly and inferiorly to the

Aim This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in managing pain during restorative dental treatments. Material and method A total of 45 patients aged 18 to 41 were selected for the study. Patients were divided into two groups: 30 patients received active TENS treatment, while 15 received a placebo TENS treatment. TENS was applied for 30 minutes during cavity preparations without the use of local anesthesia. Pain levels were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) immediately after the procedure. Results Among the active TENS group, 28 patients reported no pain during the procedure, while 2 patients experienced moderate pain. In the placebo group, pain levels ranged from 4 to 9 on the VAS. The results were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, revealing a statistically significant difference in pain perception between the active TENS and placebo groups. Conclusion The findings suggest that TENS is effective in reducing pain during restorative dental treatments. The application of TENS could serve as a viable alternative or adjunct to traditional analgesic methods, providing a non-invasive and cost-effective option for pain management in dental procedures. Further research is recommended to explore the broader applications of TENS in dentistry and its long-term efficacy.