This study aims to evaluate the potential of AI-based chatbots in assisting with clinical decision-making in the management of medically complex patients in oral surgery. A team of oral and maxillofacial surgeons developed a pool of open-ended questions de novo. The validity of the questions was assessed using Lawshe’s Content Validity Index. The questions, which focused on systemic diseases and common conditions that may raise concerns during oral surgery, were presented to ChatGPT 3.5 and Claude-instant in two separate sessions, spaced one week apart. Two experienced maxillofacial surgeons, blinded to the chatbots, assessed the responses for quality, accuracy, and completeness using a modified DISCERN tool and Likert scale. Intraclass correlation, Mann-Whitney U test, skewness, and kurtosis coefficients were employed to compare the performances of the chatbots. Most responses were high quality: 86% and 79.6% for ChatGPT, and 81.25% and 89% for Claude-instant in sessions 1 and 2, respectively. In terms of accuracy, ChatGPT had 92% and 93.4% of its responses rated as completely correct in sessions 1 and 2, respectively, while Claude-instant had 95.2% and 89%. For completeness, ChatGPT had 88.5% and 86.8% of its responses rated as adequate or comprehensive in sessions 1 and 2, respectively, while Claude-instant had 95.2% and 86%. Ongoing software developments and the increasing acceptance of chatbots among healthcare professionals hold promise that these tools can provide rapid solutions to the high demand for medical care, ease professionals’ workload, reduce costs, and save time.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term bone formation around functioning dental implants with prosthetic loading using the fractal analysis (FA) method. Methodology: The bone around four different brands of dental implants placed on maxillary and mandibular bone was evaluated by fractal analysis using panoramic radiographs taken before the dental implant was placed and after it had been functioning for at least 12 months. Fractal analysis was performed using the box-counting method. According to the conformity of the data to the normal distribution, the significance of the difference between the groups was interpreted by independent samples t-test and the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: No significant difference was observed in the fractal dimension of the bone surrounding the dental implant in the pre- and post-treatment radiographs (p>0.05). No significant difference was observed when comparing patient gender and implant brands (p>0.05). Conclusion: Regardless of the implant brand, patient gender, and the jaw in which the treatment was performed, there may be no significant difference between radiographs in the trabecular bone around the dental implants before implant treatment and after at least 12 months of function. Further and large-scale clinical studies on the subject are needed. How to cite this article: Güzelce Sultanoğlu E, Çitfçi Şişman A, Ünallı KE, Kan BM, Öke M. Evaluation of long-term trabecular changes around dental implants using fractal analysis. Int Dent Res 2024;14(2):68-75. https://doi.org/10.5577/intdentres.580

Wound healing (WH) is a complex and dynamic biological process influenced by both physiological and psychological factors. Psychological stress can negatively impact WH in both healthy individuals and those with clinical conditions. Sense of coherence (SOC) is a well-established concept used as a reliable indicator of psychosocial factors that influence overall health. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between SOC and WH following oral surgery. A total of 160 healthy, nonsmoking patients (101 females, 59 males) scheduled for oral surgery were included in the study. All procedures involved mucosal incision, mucoperiosteal flap elevation, minor bone intervention, and primary closure of the wound. SOC was measured preoperatively using the 13-item SOC questionnaire (SOC-13). WH was evaluated with the Inflammatory Proliferative Remodeling (IPR) scale at 4 days, 14 days, and 6 weeks post-surgery. Postoperative pain was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS). Data collection and analysis were conducted by two independent, blinded researchers. No significant relationship was found between age, sex, SOC or IPR score (p > 0.05). However, a statistically significant negative correlation was observed between SOC and postoperative VAS score (p < 0.05). Higher SOC scores were found to be associated with lower pain. Although SOC, a measure of psychological resilience, was not directly linked to biological wound healing, higher SOC scores were statistically associated with lower postoperative pain levels. This suggests SOC may be useful in predicting patient-reported outcomes like pain perception. Further research is needed to clarify these relationships. Retrospectively registered on 10/10/2024, Trial number NCT06635031.

Objectives: Various types of fixation systems have been developed to stabilize the fractured fragments in their original position. The purpose of this ex vitro study was to compare the biomechanical properties of 2 fixation units provided by different types of second-generation headless cannulated compression screws (SG-HCCS) using a servo-hydraulic testing unit (STU) and finite element analysis (FEA). Materials and Methods: 14 fresh frozen sheep cadaveric mandibles were divided into 2 groups randomly(n=7). 3.0 milimeters (mm) diameter, 20mm length partially threaded Herbert screws were used in Group 1 and 2.8mm diameter, 20mm length fully threaded HCCS were used in Group 2 for the fixation of the fragments that was made by a vertical osteotomy at the midline. 2 screws were placed in each model, parallel to each other but in opposite directions. All models were examined biomechanically for the stability of fixation by using STU and FEA. Results: Both FEA and STU analysis revealed that the forces required to fail the fixation system provided by HCCS were significantly higher than Herbert screws. Conclusions: Within the limits of this experimental study, the findings suggest that the biomechanical adequacy provided by second-generation compression screws may be a promising alternative in the treatment of mandibular symphysis fractures, aided by the favorable anatomy of the region. The study may also be useful for further studies in terms of evaluating and comparing different fixation systems in virtual environments using FEA.

To evaluate the association between the Magnesium Depletion Score (MDS) and post-extraction soft tissue healing (STH) following lower impacted third molar

To compare phase-specific soft tissue healing (STH) and periodontal changes after mandibular impacted third molar (MITM) extraction with and without iPRF. This single-blind, single-center, split-mouth, randomized controlled trial included patients with bilateral MITMs. Extraction sites were randomly assigned using simple randomization to either the iPRF group (test; irrigation with iPRF) or the control group (irrigation with saline). The primary outcome was STH, using Inflammatory Proliferative Remodeling (IPR) scale on days 3 and 14 and at week 6. Secondary outcomes included complete wound epithelialization (CWE), (days 7 and 14); postoperative average pain (PAP) during the first 3 days; and periodontal parameters-gingival recession (GR), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level (CAL)- measured at baseline and 6 weeks at the distal aspect of the second molar. A total of 32 patients (mean age: 25.09 ± 5.16 years) were included. iPRF group showed significantly higher STH scores in the inflammatory and proliferative phases and lower PAP. No significant intergroup differences were observed in CWE. Both groups showed significant reductions in PPD and significant increases in GR at 6 weeks, while CAL improved significantly only in iPRF group. Intergroup comparisons revealed significantly higher baseline PPD and CAL values in iPRF group; however, no differences were observed between groups at 6 weeks. Change analysis demonstrated a significantly greater CAL gain in iPRF group. The application of iPRF appears to enhance early STH, reduce PAP, and promote favorable changes in CAL following MITM extraction. NCT07257328, registered retrospectively on November 20, 2025.