Nowadays, computer technology has grown immensely and is commonly presented as a conditio sine qua non in human society. Artificial intelligence is probably the most sophisticated field in computer science today, the application of which can help in selecting the best out of all available solutions or in the discovery of new facts. The paper reviews contemporary achievements in the field of artificial intelligence use in clinical medicine and dentistry, presenting a critical insight and recommendations for future research.

Introduction/Aim. The first written evidence of telemedicine dates back to the times of Sava Nemanjic (the end of 12th and the beginning of 13th century). Nowadays, the use of telemedicine in Serbia gains momentum, and the cause of this lies in the creation of a central telemedicine system XPA3 Online and the establishment of the Center for Telemedicine at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Pristina/Kosovska Mitrovica, Kosovska Mitrovica, Serbia. Dentogenous infections are among the most urgent conditions in dentistry, which may have even a fatal outcome. The aim of this study was to assess the possibility of using telemedicine methods in the pathology of dentogenous infections. Methods. This experimental randomized study incl uded 414 patients with suspected dentogenous infection. The patients were enrolled at 7 sites, with systematic photograph-taking, collection, and digitalization of the available anamnestic and laboratory data, tests, and x-rays. Together with clinical findings, the data were uploaded on the XPA3 Online central telemedicine system; after that, 10 teleconsultants reviewed the material, set the diagnosis, and gave their opinion about the treatment. The agreement was determined using the Cohen?s kappa (k) coefficient, as well as diagnostic sensitivity (SE), specificity (SP), and efficacy (EFF). Statistical significance and comparisons were done using the z-test, and testing nonparametric properties using the McNemar?s ?2-test for the significance threshold of p = 0.05. Results. The results describing agreement of telemedicine diagnosis of the areas primarily involved with infection compared to clinical inspection, indicate an almost complete diagnostic agreement (k = 0.971). Diagnostic agreement as to the type of infection was also almost complete (k = 0.951), and a similar value was obtained also for the treatment agreement (k > =0.892). Conclusion. The method of telemedicine provides us with a tool to make a correct clinical diagnosis of dentogenous infections equally well as in real time, as well as to get a deeper and wider insight into their nature and to suggest adequate treatments.

Background/Aim. The studies of hydroxyapatite (HAp) and growth factors as the materials used for direct pulp capping have produced conflicting results for both the issue of inflammmatory response and the issue of calcified bridge formation. Calcium hydroxyapatite/poly(lactide-co-glycolide) is a bioresorbable polymer with demonstrated good characteristics as the carrier for bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) necessary in bone tissue regeneration. The role of growth factors in dental tissue reparation (in both reactionary and reparative dentinogenesis) represents the new foundation and provides a different approach to dental pulp treatment. Growth factors - TGF-beta 1 - directly induce morphological and functional differentiation of neodontoblasts. The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the effect of calcium hydroxyapatite/poly(lactide-co-glycolide) HAp/PLGA and growth factors (TGF-β1) in the formation of a calcified tissue - dentine bridge - on the teeth of our experimental model. Methods. Rodent (rabbit) teeth were used as the animal model. After the trepanation of pulp space with sterile steel drills, the pulp was capped with calcium hydroxyapatite/poly(lactide-co-glycolide) HAp/PLGA (experimental group I; n=60); calcium hydroxyapatite/poly(lactide-co-glycolide) HAp/PLGA combined with TGF-β1 growth factor (experimental group II; n=60), and there was a control group of intact teeth (n=20). The experiment was performed in general anesthesia. The animals were kept alive for 1, 3 and 6 months. The extracted teeth were adequately prepared for scanning electron microscopy.Results. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated that the number of teeth with calcified tissue in the form of dental bridges in the HAp/PLGA+TGF-β1 group was statistically significantly greater 6 months (66.67%) than 3 months after the treatment (26.67%), at the statistical significance level of p<0.05. Conclusion. Direct pulp capping covers the artificially exposed dental pulp and makes possible the formation of a dentine bridge (a tubular structure composed of reparative dentine) in the period of 3 months.

Dignostic, therapeutic and follow-up advantages afforded by teledentistry have markedly expanded in recent year, and it has been increasingly used in various areas of dentistry. Benefits related to pediatric oral and dental health maintenance and improvement are numerous, presenting an attractive challenge to both clinicians and researchers. The basis of success of teledentistry lies in the effective distant diagnosis of dental diseases and in the provision of a comprehensive insight into therapeutic options. This paper presents a review of teledentistry applications that could be used in pediatric dental. Furthermore, the paper presents critical reviews and recommendations concerning future research in the field.

Background/Aim. Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is one of the most commonly used calcium phosphate bioceramics with osteoconductive properties. Growth factors are capable of directly inducing morphological and functional differentiation of neodontoblasts. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of HAp-based biomaterial in combination with transforming growth factor-?1 (TGF-?1) in the creation of new dentine and obturation of the root canal apex in the teeth of an experimental animal model. Methods. Rodent (rabbit) teeth were used as the experimental animal model. After pulp removal with a pulp extirpator in vital pulpectomy, the biomaterial was applied using a Lentulo spiral in the apex portion at the level of the physiological foramen apicale. The experiment was performed in general anesthesia. Animals were kept alive for 3, 6, and 12 months after the treatment. The extracted teeth were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results. Using SEM, it was found that the number of teeth with newly created dentine and apex canal obturation was greater 12 months after the treatment. Conclusion. Apex obturation of the dental root canal with newly created dentine took place in our experimental groups treated by biomaterial with or without TGF-?1.