Erosive tooth wear is defined as irreversible loss of dental tissues due to intrinsic or extrinsic acids, exacerbated by mechanical forces. Recent studies have suggested a higher prevalence of erosive tooth wear in males, as well as a genetic contribution to susceptibility to erosive tooth wear. Our aim was to examine erosive tooth wear by performing a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in a sample of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (n = 1,962). Erosive tooth wear was assessed clinically using the basic erosive wear examination. A GWAS was performed for the whole sample as well as separately for males and females. We identified one genome-wide significant signal (rs11681214) in the GWAS of the whole sample near the genes PXDN and MYT1L. When the sample was stratified by sex, the strongest genome-wide significant signals were observed in or near the genes FGFR1, C8orf86, CDH4, SCD5, F2R, and ING1. Additionally, multiple suggestive association signals were detected in all GWASs performed. Many of the signals were in or near the genes putatively related to oral environment or tooth development, and some were near the regions considered to be associated with dental caries, such as 2p24, 4q21, and 13q33. Replications of these associations in other samples, as well as experimental studies to determine the biological functions of associated genetic variants, are needed.

The aims of this randomised controlled laboratory trial were to determine the procedure time and immediate quality (surface porosity and marginal gaps) of fillings placed using the bulk-fill base technique and the conventional incremental technique in simulated clinical settings. Forty-two dentists and dental students were randomly allocated to use either the bulk-fill base technique or the conventional incremental technique to fill an identical class II disto-occlusal cavity in a maxillary left first molar typodont tooth. We recorded the time the participants used to fill the cavity and evaluated the surface porosity and marginal gaps on the approximal surfaces of the fillings using a stereomicroscope and specific probes according to the FDI criteria for restoration evaluation. Data were analysed using the Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and chi-square tests. The median time ± interquartile range was 186 ± 80 s for the bulk-fill base technique and 463 ± 156 s for the conventional incremental technique (p < 0.001). The quality of the fillings was better for the bulk-fill base technique than for the conventional incremental technique (X² = 9.5, p = 0.002). Neither operator experience nor the usual technique of choice were associated with the procedure time or the quality of the fillings. Compared to the conventional incremental technique, the use of the bulk-fill base technique shortened the time to fill a cavity by 59.8 % or 4 min and 36 s, and it improved the immediate surface and marginal quality of the fillings, regardless of the operator's experience or technique preference. The use of the bulk-fill base technique instead of the conventional incremental technique leads to significant time-savings when placing large class II composite fillings. Additionally, the use of the bulk-fill base technique instead of the conventional incremental technique improves the immediate quality of large class II composite fillings.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the survival of class II composite restorations in premolars and molars with and without base bulk-fill composite in general dental practice. Materials and methods: We collected data from the electronic patient files of the Public Dental Services in the City of Oulu, Finland. The timespan of data collection was from August 15th, 2002, to August 9th, 2018. The data consisted of class II composite restorations both with and without base bulk-fill composite. We compared the survival of these restorations using Kaplan–Meier survival curves, the log-rank test, survival rates, and the Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Results: We observed 297 restorations in 96 patients. The five-year survival rates for restorations with and without base bulk-fill composite were comparable in premolars (77.5% and 77.4%, respectively) but different in molars (69.9% and 57.8%, respectively, p = 0.069). In molars, the restorations with base bulk-fill composite exhibited a higher survival rate in 14 patients, whereas in 11 patients the restorations without base bulk-fill composites exhibited a higher survival rate. In 24 patients the survival rates were similar for restorations with and without the base bulk-fill composite (p = 0.246). Conclusions: The restorations with and without base bulk-fill composite had similar longevity. Clinical relevance: Base bulk-fill composites are safe to use in general practice due to their similar survival rates compared to conventional composites.

This nationwide register‐based study aimed to investigate trends and regional variation in the number of antibiotic prescriptions issued by dentists in Finland from 2012 to 2025. Data on reimbursed outpatient antibiotic prescriptions dispensed by Finnish pharmacies were used. Prescriptions were identified using Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical codes and categorized by prescriber, antibiotic type and county. Annual prescription rates per 100,000 inhabitants were calculated. County‐level variation was analysed for 2019–2025 using negative binomial regression, adjusting for population size. The overall antibiotic prescribing rate by Finnish dentists increased by 9% from 2012 to 2015 but then declined so that the rate in 2019 was 15% lower than in 2012. Phenoxymethylpenicillin was the most frequently prescribed antibiotic, and its prescribing decreased by 28% in 2012–2019. Excluding phenoxymethylpenicillin, for which data were unavailable after 2019, the overall antibiotic prescribing rate decreased by 16% in 2012–2025. Prescribing of amoxicillin increased by 41%, whereas prescribing of clindamycin decreased by 74% and that of doxycycline by 79%. There were up to 3‐ to 4‐fold differences between counties in antibiotic prescription rates by dentists. Overall, there was a modest decline in the overall antibiotic prescribing rate by Finnish dentists, but regional variation in antibiotic prescribing was substantial.

Objectives: To examine whether domain-specific confidence is associated with filling quality and self-reported arousal under time pressure, and whether self-assessed and externally assessed filling quality agree. Methods: In a randomised controlled laboratory experiment, 42 dentists and dental students were assigned to use either the conventional incremental technique or the bulk-fill base technique to fill three cavities. Participants completed practice, timing, and time pressure trials. The baseline skill confidence of the participants was assessed and categorised as high or low. Self-assessed filling quality and self-reported arousal were assessed, and filling quality was also evaluated externally. Results: Under time pressure, there was no significant difference in the overall filling quality, incorporating occlusal underfilling and approximal surface quality, between the bulk-fill base and the conventional incremental techniques; however, time pressure increased the proportion of teeth with ≥1 mm occlusal underfilling. Dentists reported higher skill confidence than students for both techniques. The only significant difference in externally assessed filling quality between high- and low-confidence participants occurred under time pressure with the conventional technique: low-confidence participants had more fillings with good quality than high-confidence participants. Regardless of confidence level, arousal increased significantly under time pressure, especially within the conventional incremental group. Low-skill-confidence participants reported higher overall arousal than those with high-skill confidence. Self-assessed and externally assessed quality of the fillings were not associated. Conclusions: Neither skill confidence nor self-assessed filling quality reliably reflected externally assessed filling quality. Although neither skill confidence nor the use of the bulk-fill base technique affected quality, both appeared to reduce time-pressure-related arousal.