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Background: Haptic technologies have opened a new avenue in preclinical dental education, with evidence that they can be used to improve student performance. The aim of this systematic review was to (1) determine the effect of haptic simulators on motor skill acquisition during preclinical dental training, (2) explore students' perception, and (3) explore the ability of haptic systems to distinguish users based on their initial level of manual dexterity. Methods: A comprehensive search of articles published up to February 2023 was performed using five databases (i.e., PubMed/Medline, ScienceDirect, Web of Sciences, Scopus, and Cochrane Library) and specialized journals. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis 2020 guidelines were followed, and the risk of bias was assessed. Only studies on the application of haptic simulators in dentistry preclinical training were included. Qualitative synthesis of data was performed, and the protocol was registered in PROSPERO (ID = CRD42022337177). Results: Twenty‐three clinical studies, including 1303 participants, were included. The authors observed a statistically significant improvement in dental students' motor skills in various dental specialties, such as restorative dentistry, pediatric, prosthodontics, periodontics, implantology, and dental surgery, after haptic training. Haptic technologies were perceived well by all participants, with encouraging data regarding their ability to differentiate users according to their initial level of manual dexterity. Conclusions: Our work suggests that haptic simulators can significantly improve motor skill acquisition in preclinical dental training. This new digital technology, which was well perceived by the participants, also showed encouraging results in discriminating users according to their level of experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the marginal and internal fit of five‐unit zirconia‐based fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) fabricated using digital scans and conventional impressions. Materials and methods: Nine master models with three zirconia abutments were scanned with an intraoral scanner (test group), and nine conventional impressions (control group) of these same models were also made. The stone casts from these impressions were scanned with a laboratory extraoral scanner (D700, 3Shape, Copenhagen, Denmark). A total of 18 five‐unit zirconia‐based FDP frameworks (test group, n = 9; control group, n = 9) were manufactured. Marginal and internal fit (in μm) were evaluated using the replica method under micro‐computed tomography. Analysis of variance (one‐way ANOVA) and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to compare continuous variables across two groups. A level of p < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. Results: The mean ± standard deviation of the marginal fit was 95.03 ± 12.74 μm in the test group and 106.02 ± 14.51 μm in the control group. The lowest marginal mean value was observed in the test group, with a statistically significant difference compared to the control group (F = 14.56, p < 0.05). The mean ± standard deviation of the internal fit was 103.61 ± 9.32 and 106.38 ± 7.64 μm, respectively, in the test and control groups, with no statistically significant difference (F = 1.56, p > 0.05). The mean values of both groups were clinically acceptable. Conclusions: The five‐unit zirconia‐based FDPs fabricated with digital scans showed better fit than those in the conventional impression group. Within the limitations of this study, these results are encouraging, and continued progress in the digital field should allow for more accurate long‐span restorations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to compare implant‐supported removable partial dentures (ISRPDs) with distal extension removable partial dentures (DERPDs) in terms of patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs: patients' quality of life and satisfaction) and to determine mechanical and biological complications associated with ISRPDs. Material and Methods: An electronic search was performed on four databases to identify studies treating Kennedy class I or II edentulous patients and which compared ISRPDs with DERPDs in terms of PROMS and studies, which evaluated mechanical and biological complications associated ISRPDs. Two authors independently extracted data on quality of life, patient satisfaction, and biomechanical complications from these studies. The risk of bias was assessed for each study, and for PROMs, the authors performed a meta‐analysis by using a random‐effects model. Results: Thirteen articles were included based on the selection criteria. The difference in mean scores for quality of life (30.5 ± 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 24.9–36.1) and patient satisfaction (−20.8 ± 0.2; 95% CI, −23.7 to −17.8) between treatments with conventional and implant‐supported removable dentures was statistically significant (p <.05). Implant‐supported removable dentures improved patients' overall quality of life and satisfaction. Some mechanical and biological complications, such as clasp adjustment, abutment or implant loosening, marginal bone resorption, and peri‐implant mucositis, were noted in ISRPDs during patient follow‐up. Studies assessing PROMs were very heterogeneous (I2 = 65%, p =.85; I2 = 75%, p =.88). Conclusions: ISRPDs significantly improved quality of life and patient satisfaction. Some mechanical and biological complications have been associated with ISRPDs treatment, requiring regular monitoring of patients to avoid the occurrence of these complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is increasing evidence that periodontitis may affect male sexual health (MSH) (erectile function, production of sex hormones, and semen quality). However, a limited number of clinical studies demonstrate the association between MSH and periodontitis. Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between periodontitis and MSF. Materials and methods: A comprehensive systematic review of the published literature in MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases from the earliest available online indexing year until October 2020 was performed, in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Keywords related to periodontitis were combined with words describing MSH. Result: A total of 19 studies were included and discussed in the systematic review. The number of study participants ranged from 53 to 197,136 individuals, aged between 18 and 95 years (mean age, 41.2 years). Six studies did not report the age of the participants. Out of nine studies, eight found a significant association between erectile dysfunction (ED) and periodontitis. Only three studies evaluated the association between sex hormone levels and periodontitis, and two of these studies showed that patients with periodontitis are expected to exhibit higher levels of testosterone. Finally, out of five studies, two demonstrated a significant association between semen quality and periodontitis. Discussion: The findings in this review were limited by the quality and the few available studies. Results from the observational studies might have been affected by recall bias and confounded by cofactors. Conclusion: The results of this systematic review revealed a significant association between periodontitis and ED, although the responsible mechanisms remain unclear. The potential associations between sex hormone levels, semen quality, and periodontitis are yet to be demonstrated. In order to improve patient management, dentists and physicians need to be aware of the association between male sexual health problems and periodontitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This prospective observational study aimed to evaluate discomfort after extraction of deciduous teeth under local anesthesia. The primary objective was to describe the prevalence of post‐extraction pain (PEP), post‐extraction bleeding (PEB), post‐extraction biting injury (PEBI), and analgesic usage in children. The secondary objective was to define whether it is possible to determine a profile of patients or a type of extraction procedure predictive to PEP, administration of analgesics, PEB, or PEBI. Methods: One hundred and twenty‐five children, aged 3–13 years, with indications of at least one deciduous tooth extraction, were included. Immediately after extraction, information concerning the patient and the extraction were collected. Eighteen to 32 hr after extraction, parents were called by phone to request reports concerning the onset and intensity of PEP assessed using the Wong‐Baker Faces (WBF) scale, the administration of paracetamol (acetaminophen) to their children, and the appearance of PEB and/or PEBI. Results: Of the children, 37.3% reported PEP (WBF ≥2), but 23.3% of these children did not receive any analgesic drugs to help relieve pain. Pain appeared before 3 hr after extraction in 69% of the children. Higher incidences of PEP and usage of analgesics were found both in the group of children with unfavorable socioeconomic level compared to favorable level and in the group with pre‐operative pain compared to no pre‐operative pain (p <.05). Conclusions: About a third of the children reported pain after extraction, but the instructions for pain relief were not followed by all parents. The socioeconomic level of the young patient and the pain felt during the extraction were important predictors of discomfort. Therefore, our study could help the dentist to provide information on predicted post‐operative discomfort and to allow suitable care depending on the patient's profile or procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Histopathological alterations can arise when the denture-supporting mucosa experiences microbial and mechanical stress through the denture base and diagnosis of these diseases usually follows microvascular changes. Microcirculation measurement could allow for detection of such dysfunction and aid in the early diagnosis of palatal mucosa pathologies. Materials and Methods. We tested the sensitivity of laser Doppler for measuring the microcirculation of the palatal mucosa, assessing the median raphe (MR), Schroeder area (SA), and retroincisive papilla (RP). A Doppler PeriFlux 5000 System, containing a laser diode, was used. 54 healthy participants were recruited. We compare the measurements of PU (perfusion unit) using ANOVA test. Results. The numerical values for palatal mucosa blood flow differed significantly among the anatomical areas (p=0.0167). The mean value of Schroeder area was 92.6 (SD: 38.4) and was significantly higher than the retroincisive papilla (51.9) (SD: 20.2) (p<0.05), which in turn was higher than that of median raphe (31.9) (SD: 24.2) (p<0.0001). Conclusion. Schroeder area appeared to have the greatest sensitivity, and vascular flow variability among individuals was also greatest in this region. We suggest that analysis of blood stream modification with laser Doppler of the palatal mucosa can help to detect onset signs of pathological alterations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increased generation and up-regulated activity of bone resorbing cells (osteoclasts) play a part in the impairment of bone remodeling in many bone diseases. Numerous drugs (bisphosphonates, calcitonin, selective estrogen receptor modulators) have been proposed to inhibit this increased osteoclastic activity. In this report, we describe a pit resorption assay quantified by scanning electron microscopy coupled with image analysis. Total rabbit bone cells with large numbers of osteoclasts were cultured on dentin slices. The whole surface of the dentin slice was scanned and both the number of resorption pits and the total resorbed surface area were measured. Resorption pits appeared at 48 h and increased gradually up to 96 h. Despite the observation of a strong correlation between the total resorption area and the number of pits, we suggest that area measurement is the most relevant marker for osteoclastic activity. Osteotropic factors stimulating or inhibiting osteoclastic activity were used to test the variations in resorption activity as measured with our method. This reproducible and sensitive quantitative method is a valuable tool for screening for osteoclastic inhibitors and, more generally, for investigating bone modulators. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]