This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a 3-dimensional (3D) planned surgical guide technique designed for impacted supernumerary teeth (STs) extraction using 3D printed simulation models. In total, 17 participants from two university hospitals were recruited. Each participant performed surgery with both the conventional and surgical guide techniques. The following parameters were evaluated: (1) The time required for ST extraction, (2) the area of the window opening, and (3) the volume of the material removed. Time required for ST extraction was 213.65 ± 167.45 sec and 114.76 ± 42.87 sec in the conventional and surgical guide techniques, respectively, with significant differences (p = 0.028). The required area of the window opening was 48.10 ± 9.44 mm² and 45.90 ± 8.17 mm², respectively, in the conventional and surgical guide techniques, with no significant differences (p > 0.05). The required volume of the material removed was 121.65 ± 43.69 mm³ and 99.12 ± 17.88 mm³ in the conventional and surgical guide techniques, respectively, with significant differences (p = 0.031). The 3D planned surgical guide technique was effective for impacted ST extraction. Within the limits of this study, the surgical guide technique allows us to accomplish minimally invasive surgery within a shorter duration.

This study evaluated the feasibility of a tooth preparation guide for prefabricated zirconia crowns (PZCs). Three-dimensional surface data for PZCs of the left maxillary primary first molar and left mandibular primary second molar were obtained using a model scanner. The tooth preparation data were digitally designed to harmonize with the adjacent teeth on the mixed dentition model and visualized using a color-coded map, which presents the required amount of tooth reduction. Twenty participants were recruited for preparing teeth with and without using the tooth preparation guide. The following three parameters were evaluated: tooth preparation time, harmony score, and amount of tooth reduction. The preparation time when using the guide was significantly reduced (p < 0.05), and a significant difference was observed in the harmony scores for the maxillary primary first molar preparation. Furthermore, the amount of tooth reduction was significantly different for both maxillary and mandibular primary molars (p < 0.05) in terms of the occlusal distal surface and buccal line angle in the maxillary primary first molars, and the smooth surfaces, proximal surfaces, and mesial line angles in the mandibular primary second molars. Thus, the results suggest that a tooth preparation guide could facilitate better tooth preparation for PZCs.

This study aimed to investigate the salivary characteristics and individual daily living patterns in Korean children aged 12 years and evaluate their relationships according to the significant caries (SiC) index. The study sample consisted of 52 healthy Korean children. The subjects were allocated into a low caries-affected (low CA) group and a high caries-affected (high CA) group, according to the SiC index. Children underwent a standardized oral examination, and parents completed the questionnaires. Stimulated salivary samples were collected to evaluate the salivary pH, salivary flow rate, and salivary levels of Mutans streptococci (MS) and Lactobacilli (LB). The low CA group did not significantly differ from the high CA group for salivary flow rate and salivary pH. However, there were significant differences in salivary MS levels between the two groups (p < 0.05). Among the individual casual parameters, the prevalence of a sugar-associated primary energy source between meals was significantly higher in the high CA group than in the low CA group (p < 0.05). Within the limitations of this study, different levels of salivary MS and the consumption of different foods were observed in the low CA and high CA groups. The implications of these findings should be considered for caries susceptibility.

Background and Objectives: Acute kidney injury (AKI) affects the survival rate of kidney transplant organs and patients. Acute rejection (AR) due to AKI may lead to kidney transplantation failure. It is known that there is a relationship between human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G), which is involved in immune regulation, and AR in transplant patients. Moreover, 14-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism in the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) region of the HLA-G gene is known to affect HLA-G expression. However, its relationship to AR is still controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate whether HLA-G 14-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism contributed to the development of AR in kidney transplant patients using a meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: To perform our meta-analysis, eligible studies about HLA-G 14-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism and AR were searched in electronic databases until 1 June 2021. Finally, a total of 336 patients with AR and 952 patients without AR in relation to kidney transplantation were analyzed from a total of nine studies. Results: In our results, the Del allele and Ins/Del+Del/Del and Del/Del genotypes significantly increased susceptibility of AR in Asian populations [odds ratio (OR) = 2.359, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.568–3.550, p = 3.8 × 10⁻⁵; OR = 3.357, 95% CI = 1.769–6.370, p = 0.002; OR = 2.750, 95% CI = 1.354–5.587, p = 0.0052 in each model, respectively]. Conclusions: Evidence of the present results indicate that HLA-G 14-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to AR in the Asian population.

This study aimed to analyze the effects of pulp capping materials on gene expression changes in primary tooth-derived dental pulp cells using next-generation sequencing. Dental pulp cells were extracted and treated with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), Biodentine (BD), or TheraCal LC (TC). Cell viability assays were performed. Total RNA was extracted and analyzed through mRNA sequencing. Bioinformatic analysis of differential gene expression in dental pulp cells exposed to BD or TC versus MTA was performed. MTA, BD, and TC exposure had no significant effect on pulp cell viability (p > 0.05). Gene sets associated with inflammatory response (p = 2.94 × 10⁻⁵) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) signaling via the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) pathway (p = 2.94 × 10⁻⁵) were enriched in all materials. In BD-treated cells, Wnt/β-catenin signaling (p = 3.15 × 10⁻⁴) gene sets were enriched, whereas enrichment of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) response (p = 3 × 10⁻³) was observed in TC-treated cells. In gene plot analysis, marked increases in receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL) expression were seen in TC-treated cells over time. Despite the similar cell viabilities exhibited among MTA-, BD-, and TC-treated cells, patterns of gene networks differed, suggesting that diverse functional gene differences may be associated with treatment using these materials.