Search Results (206)

Background: Dental veneers have gained growing interest recently as an aesthetic dental treatment. However, the public’s understanding of veneers’ benefits and risks is unclear. Aim: To assess the awareness and knowledge of the public about dental veneers in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study employed an Arabic questionnaire, which consisted of three sections: demographic information, awareness about oral hygiene, and awareness about dental veneers. Correct responses to knowledge questions were assigned one point, and all points were summed to calculate the total knowledge score. Results: The study included 340 eligible respondents, out of whom 51 (15%) used veneers. Most responses to knowledge questions were correct. However, more than half of the participants wrongly thought that dental veneers are indicated for the correction of severely crowded teeth or to replace missing teeth, and 40.3% did not know that they require the removal of tooth structure. A low knowledge score about dental veneers was significantly related to male gender (p < 0.001), non-Saudi nationality (p = 0.005), attending medium/high schools only (0.014), and working in jobs outside the dental field (p = 0.036). Conclusions: The public’s knowledge regarding dental veneers in Saudi Arabia is fair but requires improvement to correct some misconceptions regarding the benefits and risks associated with the installation of veneers. The defects in knowledge identified by the present study should be addressed in patient education initiatives to improve patients’ understanding, align patients’ expectations, and help informed decision-making. Full article

(1) Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and edentulism are major public health challenges with shared risk factors and overlapping inflammatory pathways. This study investigates the association between complete tooth loss and CVD. (2) Methods: Data were analyzed from the 2015–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) dataset using Poisson regression analysis to examine the relationship between CVD and complete edentulism, adjusting for age, sex, education, family income-to-poverty ratio, race/ethnicity, diabetes status, and BMI. Of the 11,287 participants, 1763 individuals (15.62%) were completely edentulous, and 9524 (84.38%) retained some or all of their dentition. (3) Results: Individuals with cardiovascular conditions, including myocardial infarction (PR = 1.55; 95% CI: 1.23–1.98), coronary heart disease (PR = 1.44; 95% CI: 1.13–1.85), congestive heart failure (PR = 1.58; 95% CI: 1.22–2.07), and stroke (PR = 1.46; 95% CI: 1.13–1.90), demonstrated a higher prevalence of complete edentulism compared to those without these conditions, after adjusting for key demographic and health-related confounders (p < 0.01). (4) Conclusions: These findings suggest a statistical association between CVD and complete edentulism in U.S. adults. However, due to the cross-sectional nature of this study, causal relationships cannot be inferred, and further longitudinal studies are needed to understand the bidirectional mechanisms between CVD and complete edentulism. Full article

Background: Incarcerated individuals often experience poor oral health due to limited access to care and socioeconomic disadvantages. Objective: This study assessed the dental health status of incarcerated individuals in Silesia over a five-year period using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index and compared their outcomes to a matched control group from the general population. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational case-control study at the University Centre for Dentistry in Bytom, reviewing records of 136 incarcerated patients (mean age 36.8 ± 7.9 years; 9.4% women) and a matched control group between 2019 and 2024. Results: Incarcerated individuals had a higher mean DMFT score (14.4 ± 5.7) compared to controls (11.5 ± 6.5; mean difference = 2.95, 95% CI: 1.53 to 4.37; Cohen’s d = 0.49), with more decayed (4.9 ± 3.2 vs. 3.4 ± 2.4) and missing teeth (4.3 ± 3.2 vs. 3.5 ± 2.6). Most incarcerated patients (65.5%) required oral surgical treatment, most commonly for retained roots (25.9%) and impacted teeth (24.5%). No significant DMFT differences were observed based on age or sex, although disparities were most pronounced in older female prisoners (mean DMFT 17.8 vs. 9.8 in controls aged 40+). Conclusions: Incarcerated individuals in Silesia demonstrated a significantly higher burden of untreated dental disease and greater tooth loss compared to non-incarcerated controls over the five-year period. The predominance of advanced dental conditions requiring surgical intervention highlights missed opportunities for early and preventive care in this vulnerable population. Full article

Immigrants represent 20.8% of Norway’s population, with 22.2% aged 50+. This study aimed to assess oral health-related behaviors and perceived oral health in relation to sociodemographic factors among elderly immigrants aged 50+. Methods: 174 participants (94% response rate). Data on sociodemographic, oral hygiene, diet, snus use, xerostomia, and halitosis were collected using the self-reported questionnaire. p-value < 0.05 indicates statistical significance. Results: Participants’ mean age was 60.7, with 60% reporting poor self-perceived oral health, and over 64% had missing teeth. Participants reported poor oral hygiene habits (35.1%, n = 61), frequent sugar consumption (51.1%, n = 89), and smoking (16.1%, n = 28). Poor oral health was more common in those aged 60 and over (OR = 2.5, CI: 1.1–5.8) and with a narrow social network (OR = 3.8, CI: 1.7–8.5). Women had lower odds of sugar consumption (OR = 0.38, CI: 0.18–0.8) and smoking (OR = 0.27, CI: 0.09–0.7), but living in Norway for less than 3 years increased smoking odds (OR = 4.5, CI: 1.2–15.8). Moreover, being unmarried (OR = 5.5, p = 0.008), recent immigration (OR = 24.3, p < 001), and a narrow social network (OR = 4.7, p = 0.004) were associated with higher odds of missing teeth. Conclusions: Elderly immigrants in Norway reported poor oral health, tooth loss, and unhealthy dietary and hygiene habits, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Oral diseases are highly prevalent in Hungary and driven in part by unhealthy beverage consumption, smoking, and other behaviors. No prior study has examined the impact of beverage consumption patterns on oral health in a representative Hungarian population. This study investigated the association between beverage intake, lifestyle factors, and oral health outcomes among Hungarian adults. Methods: Data were drawn from the 2019 Hungarian European Health Interview Survey, a nationally representative cross-sectional study. Oral health outcomes and key exposures, including beverage consumption, smoking, alcohol use, and sociodemographic variables, were self-reported. Associations were assessed using multiple logistic regression models. Results: Among 5425 adults, higher dairy intake was linked to less gum bleeding (odds ratio = 0.76; 95% confidence intervals [0.59–0.96]) and lower odds of teeth missing (0.63 [0.47–0.86]). Weekly juice intake reduced gum bleeding (0.62 [0.51–0.76]) and missing teeth (0.83 [0.71–0.96]). Daily soda was associated with more gum bleeding (1.94 [1.53–2.47]), caries (1.57 [1.27–1.94]), and poor self-perceived oral health (1.32 [1.10–1.59]). Alcohol (1–4 times/week) increased gum bleeding (1.38 [1.07–1.77]) and tooth mobility (1.47 [1.02–2.11]). Smoking raised odds for caries (1.42 [1.21–1.66]) and missing teeth (1.81 [1.55–2.10]). Conclusions: Increasing dairy and fresh juice intake while reducing sugar-sweetened and acidic beverages, alongside tobacco and alcohol control and routine oral health screening, are effective strategies for improving population oral health across all sociodemographic groups. Full article

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate caries experience in correlation with self-reported oral health-related habits in a sample of blind and low-vision individuals in Croatia. Methods: The study is a part of the research in the “Project for Oral Health Promotion in Blind and Visually Impaired Persons” conducted at the Zagreb University School of Dental Medicine from 2014 to 2018. The final sample consisted of 85 adults: 42 females and 43 males; 50 blind and 35 low-vision individuals, age range 18–98. The assessment included dental examination and a questionnaire. Results: The median DMFT (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth) index score was 17.0 (IQR = 12.5–22.0), with no significant difference between sexes or between blind and low-vision individuals. The occurrence of untreated caries was low (median D-component = 1.0), while the median F-component was 6.0. There was a significant increase in M-component and DMFT in older age groups. The number of untreated caries (D-component) was significantly correlated with consummation of soft drinks and smoking. Total DMFT did not correlate with frequency of tooth brushing, time since last dental visit, smoking, or level of education. Conclusions: This study revealed high caries experience among blind and visually impaired individuals that did not correlate with factors that normally influence oral health. Similar results were found in the control group, reflecting a 30-year post-war period without organized preventive care. The low number of decayed teeth reflects the availability of public dental care in Croatia; however, preventive care should be provided for both this vulnerable group and the general population. Full article

In precision cotton seeding, the toothed-disk precision seeder often experiences issues with missed seeding and multiple seeding. To promptly detect and address these abnormal seeding conditions, this study develops a modular photoelectric sensing monitoring system. Initially, the monitoring time window is divided using the capacitance sensing signal between two seed drop ports. Concurrently, a photoelectric monitoring circuit is designed to convert the time when seeds block the sensor into a level signal. Subsequently, threshold segmentation is performed on the time when seeds block the photoelectric path under different seeding states. The proposed spatiotemporal joint counting algorithm identifies, in real time, the threshold type of the photoelectric sensor’s output signal within the current monitoring time window, enabling the differentiation of seeding states and the recording of data. Additionally, an STM32 micro-controller serves as the core of the signal acquisition circuit, sending collected data to the PC terminal via serial port communication. The graphical display interface, designed with LVGL (Light and Versatile Graphics Library), updates the seeding monitoring information in real time. Compared to photoelectric monitoring algorithms that detect seed pickup at the seed metering disc, the monitoring node in this study is positioned posteriorly within the seed guide chamber. Consequently, the differentiation between single seeding and multiple seeding is achieved with greater accuracy by the spatiotemporal joint counting algorithm, thereby enhancing the monitoring precision of the system. Field test results indicate that the system’s average accuracy for single-seeding monitoring is 97.30%, for missed-seeding monitoring is 96.48%, and for multiple-seeding monitoring is 96.47%. The average probability of system misjudgment is 3.25%. These outcomes suggest that the proposed modular photoelectric sensing monitoring system can meet the monitoring requirements of precision cotton seeding at various seeding speeds. Full article

Background and Objectives: Evaluating jaw augmentation procedures usually necessitates pre- and postoperative tomographic imaging. Ethical considerations emphasize minimizing radiation exposure. Given that panoramic radiographs (PR, 2D) offer a lower radiation dose compared to cone-beam CT (CBCT, 3D), this study explores the feasibility of estimating tooth root volume from PR, potentially allowing safer clinical assessments with reduced radiation exposure. Materials and Methods: To develop a mathematical approximation method, the 2D tooth root surface in PR was defined as an elliptical model and a cuboid (3D). The true root volume (mm³) was gathered from CBCTs. The missing link for tooth root volume assessment in 2D radiographs is the depth of the root (vestibulo-oral dimension). It was hypothesized that the tooth root surface and its volume are related. A correlation factor “r” corresponding to the tooth roots’ depths was then calculated. Descriptive and inferential statistics were computed (p < 0.05). Results: The mathematical model was performed on 27 molars with an average volume of 472.83 mm³ (±130.25–CBCT). The factor “r” (obtained by dividing the true root volume from CBCT by the total root surface from PR) was computed as 8.04 (±1.90). Using “r” for the volume calculation in the cuboid model, an average volume of 472.37 (±152.92) for the 27 molars was computed. These volumes did not differ significantly. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that a mathematical model using elliptical projections from panoramic radiographs reliably estimates molar root volume, yielding comparable results to CBCT while reducing radiation exposure. Full article

Background/Objectives: In dental medicine, the integration of various types of X-ray images, such as periapical (PA), bitewing (BW), and panoramic (PANO) radiographs, is crucial for comprehensive oral health assessment. These complementary imaging modalities provide diverse diagnostic perspectives and support the early detection of oral diseases, thereby enhancing treatment outcomes. However, there is currently no existing system that integrates multiple types of dental X-rays for both adults and children to perform tooth localization and numbering. Methods: Therefore, this study aimed to propose a system based on YOLOv8 that integrates multiple dental X-ray images and automatically detects and numbers both permanent and deciduous teeth. Through image preprocessing, various types of dental X-ray images were standardized and enhanced to improve the recognition accuracy of individual teeth. Results: With the implementation of a novel image preprocessing method, the system achieved a detection precision of 98.16% for permanent and deciduous teeth, representing a 3% improvement over models without image enhancement. In addition, the system attained an average tooth numbering accuracy of 98.5% for permanent teeth and 96.3% for deciduous teeth, surpassing existing methods by 5.6%. Conclusions: These results might highlight the innovation of the proposed image processing method and show its practical value in assisting clinicians with accurate diagnosis of tooth loss and the identification of missing teeth, ultimately contributing to improved diagnosis and treatment in dental care. Full article

Background/Objectives: Dental implants represent a viable solution for replacing missing teeth; however, multiple disconnections and reconnections of intermediate abutments contribute to the apical displacement of the peri-implant connective tissue barrier, resulting in additional marginal bone loss. To the best of our knowledge, no definitive customized abutments currently exist that are specifically designed according to the morphology of the tooth to be replaced and its position within the dental arch, allowing for digital planning within the prosthetic implant design and insertion during the surgical procedure without subsequent disconnection. Methods: The First Biological Respect (FR) technique, described in this case report, enables the digital planning not only of the implant but also of the patented FR customized-shaped, definitive abutment and associated FR prosthetic components. The FR technique was applied to a case involving an immediate post-extraction implant in position 12. Results: With the limitations of a case report, the application of the FR protocol demonstrated stable crestal bone levels at the 1-year follow-up. Additionally, soft tissue volume was maintained at 6 months, reflecting the accuracy of the customized prosthetic components in supporting, guiding, and protecting peri-implant soft tissues. At the 1-year follow-up, an increase in soft tissue volume was observed, likely attributable to tissue maturation and the further customization of the definitive prosthetic elements. Conclusions: The FR technique represents a viable therapeutic alternative that, through its patented, fully customized components, allows for the digital planning of the implant, as well as the customized definitive abutment, coping, provisional, and final prosthetic framework. This facilitates a single-stage surgical and prosthetic approach. By eliminating the need for repeated abutment disconnections, this method supports the long-term stability of both hard and soft peri-implant tissues while also reducing overall treatment time for both clinician and patient. Further studies involving larger patient cohorts are necessary to validate this protocol. Full article

Precise and modular reconstruction of 3D tooth structures is crucial for creating interpretable, adaptable models for digital dental applications. To address the limitations of conventional segmentation approaches under conditions such as missing teeth, misalignment, or incomplete anatomical structures, we propose a process-oriented reconstruction pipeline composed of discrete yet integrated modules. The pipeline begins by decomposing 3D dental meshes into a series of 2D projections, allowing multi-view capture of morphological features. A fine-tuned Segment Anything Model (SAM), enhanced with task-specific bounding box prompts, performs segmentation on each view. T-Rex2, a general object detection module, enables automated prompt generation for high-throughput processing. Segmented 2D components are subsequently reassembled and mapped back onto the original 3D mesh to produce complete and anatomically faithful tooth models. This modular approach enables clear separation of tasks—view projection, segmentation, and reconstruction—enhancing flexibility and robustness. Evaluations on the MICCAI 3DTeethSeg’22 dataset show comparable or superior performance to existing methods, particularly in challenging clinical scenarios. Our method establishes a scalable, interpretable framework for 3D dental modeling, supporting downstream applications in simulation, treatment planning, and morphological analysis. Full article

Background: Early childhood dental decay remains a pervasive chronic condition, and environmental toxicants—particularly lead—may exacerbate its development. This systematic review was designed to synthesize evidence on how lead exposure correlates with both the occurrence of carious lesions and aesthetic alterations in children’s primary teeth. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science through April 2025, selecting observational investigations that assessed the link between lead levels and primary-tooth decay in pediatric cohorts. Thirteen eligible studies, encompassing 44,846 participants aged 2–19 years, were included for qualitative synthesis. Aesthetics were screened using author-defined enamel-defect or discoloration endpoints; however, only three studies reported compatible metrics, precluding quantitative pooling. Heterogeneity in exposure matrices likewise ruled out meta-analysis. Results: Most studies reported a statistically significant association between higher lead burden and greater prevalence or severity of caries in primary teeth. Blood lead concentrations across studies ranged from means of 1.53 μg/dL to geometric means of 7.2 μg/dL. Notably, elevated lead was linked to increased decayed, missing, or filled surfaces—with an adjusted risk ratio of 1.14 (95% CI: 1.02–1.27) at levels below 5 μg/dL—and adjusted mean ratios of up to 2.14 for decayed or filled teeth when blood lead reached 5–10 μg/dL. Conclusions: Current evidence suggests that children’s exposure to lead may heighten the risk of caries and detract from the aesthetic quality of primary teeth. However, variability in study design, lead quantification methods, and confounder adjustment limit the consistency of findings. Mitigating lead exposure in early life could represent a valuable preventive strategy against dental decay in susceptible pediatric populations. Full article

Background: The segmentation of individual teeth in three-dimensional (3D) dental models is a key step in orthodontic computer-aided design systems. Traditional methods lack robustness when handling challenging cases such as missing or misaligned teeth. Objectives: to semantically segment maxillary teeth and palatal rugae in 3D textured scans using Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and assess tooth movement after orthodontic treatment using stable rugae references. Methods: Building on the robustness of two-dimensional image semantic segmentation, we developed a method to convert 3D textured palate scans into two-dimensional images for segmentation, then back projected them onto the original 3D meshes. A dataset of 100 textured scans from 100 patients seeking orthodontic treatment was manually segmented by orthodontic experts. The proposed 3D segmentation method was applied to these scans. Finally, each pair of segmented 3D scans from the same patient, before and after treatment, was aligned by superimposing them on the stable rugae region. Results: The 3D segmentation method achieved an accuracy of 98.69% and an average Intersection over Union (IoU) of 84.5%. The common stable coordinate frame for both scans using the rugae area as a stable reference enabled the computation of the 3D translational and rotational motions of each maxillary tooth. Neither pre- nor post-processing of the data was required to enhance segmentation. Conclusions: The proposed method enabled successful motion measurement of teeth using the rugal area as a stable reference and providing rotation and translational measurements of the maxillary teeth. Full article

This study aimed to assess dental caries status of 3- to 6-year-old preschool children in the Republic of Serbia. Stratified cluster sampling was implemented. Children were examined in four administrative regions of Serbia. Dental caries indices (decayed, missing, and filled) for deciduous teeth and the first permanent molar were recorded at the tooth level (dmft, DMFT) and surface level (dfs, DFS). In addition to cavitated caries lesions (ICDAS 3-6), visual changes in enamel (ICDAS 1-2) were recorded. This study included 1060 3-year-old and 1820 6-year-old children in Serbia. Fifty-six percent of 3-year-olds and 21% of 6-year-olds were caries-free. The mean dmft was 2.11 ± 3.45 for 3-year-olds and 4.46 ± 3.69 for 6-year-olds. The mean dfs was 2.62 ± 5.56 for 3-year-olds and 6.06 ± 6.33 for 6-year-olds. The decayed component was dominant in dmft/dfs. The prevalence of surfaces with initial lesion was 8% for 3-year-olds and 13% for 6-year-olds. Among children diagnosed with early childhood caries, 54% of 3-year-olds and 37% of 6-year-olds had a severe form. The mean DMFT was 0.15 ± 0.55, with only the first permanent molars being affected. Dental caries remains a significant public dental health issue among preschool children in Serbia. There is a noticeable trend of increasing numbers of decayed teeth as children progress through their preschool years. It is imperative to take corrective action enhance the existing oral health prevention program in Serbia with the aim of achieving better dental health among preschool children. Full article

Background: The rapidly growing elderly population in Sri Lanka faces multiple challenges, including the ill effects of tooth loss. Tooth loss and denture wear could both affect the amount and variety of food intake of the elders, leading to a state of compromised health. Therefore, it is essential to identify whether both tooth loss and denture wear affect the nutritional status of the elderly. This study evaluated the associations between tooth loss, denture-wearing status, and nutritional levels among a sample of the elderly population attending the Dental Teaching Hospital in Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out at the Dental Teaching Hospital in Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Using the G*Power v3.1 statistics software, a sample size of 61 patients aged 60 years and above was determined as the minimum sample size. Data were gathered by means of a self-administered questionnaire, patients’ files, and an examination to identify height and weight for assessing body mass index (BMI). Minitab v18.0 statistical software was used for analysis of data, and a p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: One hundred patients were recruited for this study, and the majority (sixty-seven) were female. The majority (71%) were between the ages of 60 to 69 years. The majority (60%) were denture wearers and 8% had nine or more occluding pairs (of natural teeth), 25% had five to eight, and 67% had four or fewer occluding pairs. Fifty-two percent (52%) were of normal weight, while 40% were over-weight and 8% were underweight, respectively. No statistically significant associations were identified between BMI and the denture status or number of missing teeth (p-values > 0.05). There were no statistically significant associations between the underweight or overweight status and denture wearing or occluding pairs (p-values > 0.05). However, the frequency of grain intake and the number of occluding pairs were significantly associated with each other (p-value = 0.024). Also, the frequency of taking snacks was associated with denture wearing (p-value = 0.006). Conclusions: The nutritional status (BMI) of the elderly does not necessarily correlate with their denture-wearing status or the number of existing occluding pairs/number of missing natural teeth. There is no significant association noted between the denture-wearing status and the food avoidance (soft, hard food, fruits, and grains, except snacks). There is no significant association between the number of occluding pairs available in natural dentition and the avoidance of soft foods or snacks, except for grains. Given the limitations of this study, it can be suggested that nutritional strategies for the elderly population could be designed universally, irrespective of their dentate or denture status. However, further research with a larger cohort is needed to validate these findings. Full article