Artificial intelligence has been applied in various fields throughout history, but its integration into daily life is more recent. The first applications of AI were primarily in academia and ...government research institutions, but as technology has advanced, AI has also been applied in industry, commerce, medicine and dentistry.
Considering that the possibilities of applying artificial intelligence are developing rapidly and that this field is one of the areas with the greatest increase in the number of newly published articles, the aim of this paper was to provide an overview of the literature and to give an insight into the possibilities of applying artificial intelligence in medicine and dentistry. In addition, the aim was to discuss its advantages and disadvantages.
The possibilities of applying artificial intelligence to medicine and dentistry are just being discovered. Artificial intelligence will greatly contribute to developments in medicine and dentistry, as it is a tool that enables development and progress, especially in terms of personalized healthcare that will lead to much better treatment outcomes.
The aim of this study was to assess the quality of mandibular bone using CBCT images in archeological populations that inhabited Croatia from the medieval to the Early Modern Period. A total of 88 ...human skulls (45 male and 43 female) from three samples (pre-Ottoman (N = 27), Ottoman (N = 32), and Vlach (N = 29)) were analyzed by using CBCT. The mental index, gonion index, antegonion index, panoramic mandibular index, degree of resorption of the alveolar ridge, and cortical index of the mandible were evaluated using the OnDemand3DApp. The results showed an expected higher value of cortex thickness in males when compared to females. Females in the younger groups had higher values of cortical thickness than those in the older age group. The Ottoman sample had significantly lower values of mandibular indices than the other two samples. There were no age-related differences in bone thickness in males, suggesting that hormonal changes have a stronger influence in females. Lower values of mandibular indices in the Ottoman sample may be an indicator of specific factors that influenced this population. Our study of bone changes in archeological populations with different living conditions may contribute to a better understanding of impact of biocultural factors on physiological and pathological processes, which are extremely complex in bone tissue.
The purpose of the study was to find differences in the parameters of the response to the blink reflex (BR) between patients with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and health volunteers. A ...prospective cohort study was conducted over 2 years. The TN-subgroup included 15 patients (mean age / SD 62.3 ± 10.7 years). Pain-free and healthy volunteers as a HV-subgroup (mean age / SD: 30.8 ± 8.1 years) were recruited from asymptomatic students of dental medicine. Diagnostic parameters were determined by measuring latency to the onset of the BR components from electric stimulation. The following branches of the trigeminal nerve were affected: maxillary branch only (26.7%), mandibular branch only (20%), combined: ophthalmic branch with maxillary branch (6.7%), and ophthalmic branch with mandibular branch (6.7%) respectively, combined maxillary and mandibular branch (26.7%) and affected all three branches (13.4%). The latencies of the BR, left and right side together, between subgroups were significantly higher for values R1 (homolateral early response), R2 (homolateral late response), R2c latency (contralaterally expressed response) in the TN-subgroup (p < 0.05). On the basis of the presence of R1c and R3 latencies and upon considering the abnormal findings of the BR, no statistically significant differences were found between the examined subgroups (p > 0.05). Blink-reflex parameters (R1, R2 and R2c) were significantly abnormal comparing TN-patients with healthy volunteers. The R3 component of the BR was related to noxious stimuli, likewise by innocuous stimuli.
Sex assessment is a key part of forensic analysis to establish the identity of unknown deceased individuals. Previous studies have shown that canines are the most dimorphic teeth, but ...population-specific data are necessary for forensic methods. This study explores sex dimorphism in canine crown dimensions and morphology in a contemporary Croatian population. The material consisted of 302 dental casts (147 females, 155 males) of orthodontic patients and dental students (11-25 years). The distal accessory ridge (DAR) of the upper and lower canines was evaluated using the Arizona State University Dental Anthropology System. Mesiodistal (MD) and buccolingual (BL) crown dimensions were measured on 120 casts. Sex differences in MD and BL dimensions were significant (
< 0.05) for all the canines (upper and lower, left and right), while in DAR only for lower canines (
< 0.000001). When all variables were put into the model, backward stepwise discriminant function analysis isolated lower canine DAR and lower left canine MD as the two independent variables differentiating sex. Using these two variables, a discriminant function formula allowed for sex determination with an accuracy of 73.5%. This study shows that both canine crown morphology and dimensions are useful for sex determination, especially for lower canines. These methods can be applied to children, as lower canines erupt at about 9 years of age.
The study aimed to determine the relationship between the mandibular asymmetry index according to Kjellberg between patients with painful unilateral anterior disc displacement (DD) and asymptomatic ...volunteers without disc displacement. Vertical measurements were performed on a panoramic single-image radiograph, and the disc status was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Two groups of subjects were retrospectively selected, 40 patients (the overall mean age was 35.5 years; 75% female) with temporomandibular disorder symptoms confirmed by RDC/TMD axis I and manual functional analysis. Unilateral DD was determined by MRI. A comparative group of asymptomatic volunteers (20 dental students with a mean age of 23.4 years; 72% female) had the physiological position of the disc determined by MRI. The vertical asymmetry of the condyle was determined by the method of Kjellberg et al. The symmetry of the gonial angle of the mandible was also measured.
A comparison of the mean of the asymmetry index between patients (average 90.89±7.08%) and asymptomatic volunteers (mean 95.86±4.44%) showed a statistically significant difference (p=0.0029). There was no difference (p=0.088) in gonial angle symmetry between the patients (mean 96.48±2.96°) and the asymptomatic volunteers (mean 97.52±2.31°). The distribution of the presence of individual DD diagnoses (partial and total displacement with reduction, displacement without reduction) in patients diagnosed with asymmetry of the mandible was without statistical significance (p>0.05).
This study actually points to the asymmetry of the mandible as a potential morphological risk of anterior DD.
Dental profession is characterized by a high risk of injuries at work due to exposure to specific working conditions. The operating area in a patient's mouth is small, and it is handled by a large ...number of sharp instruments and drills that rotate at high speed, which creates an aerosol contaminated with particles of saliva and blood. This poses a risk of transmitting infections from patients to the dentist through stabbing incidents and cuts, which are some of the most common occupational injuries that are reported in the scientific literature.
The aim of this study was to examine the frequency of occupational injuries among dentists in Croatia, to establish most common injuries, and to determine the main risk factors. The aim of this research was also to determine the dentists' opinion on causes that are responsible for the occupational diseases and injuries.
The survey was conducted based on a sample of 406 dentists from Croatia as respondents to an electronic survey.
63.05% of the respondents suffered injuries caused by dental practitioners. The most common injuries were needle puncture incidents (57.75%) and cuts (20.86%), followed by eye injuries (13.37%), patient bite (4.81%) and punches (1.60%). The largest number of respondents stated the improper posture as the most important cause of occupational diseases and injuries, followed by stress, infection and noise.
Knowledge of risk factors is the first step of injury prevention. Our respondents were largely aware of the dangers surrounding them. Nevertheless, the frequency of injuries was high and there is still a need for preventive measures to minimize the frequency of injuries in dentistry.
Forensic odontology is the application of dentistry within the criminal justice system. Forensic expertise, including dental identification, mostly relies on dental records. We explored the practice ...of maintaining dental records among Croatian dentists, as well as their knowledge of legal regulations and the application of dental records in forensic odontology. In all, 145 dentists participated in an online survey. Questions covered general information on dentists, maintenance of dental records, and knowledge of legal requirements and forensic odontology. Overall, 70% of dentists obtain and archive written informed consents, while 87% record dental status. Generally, non-carious dental lesions and developmental dental anomalies were not recorded. About 72% of dentists record filling material and surfaces. Only 32% of dentists know the legal requirements for keeping records, whereas 21% have no knowledge of forensic odontology and its purpose. The survey revealed different practices in the maintenance of dental records, including significant flaws and lack of awareness of its forensic importance. This obvious need for additional education on proper maintenance of dental records could be met by including forensic odontology in compulsory undergraduate courses and postgraduate dental education. Establishing national and international standards in dental charting would comply with contemporary trends in health care and the requirements of forensic expertise.
Aim
Osteoporosis and periodontitis are both chronic diseases characterised by bone loss. Potential association is of great clinical importance because of multifactorial aetiology and common risk ...factors. The aim of this study was to determine relationship between bone mineral density (BMD), tooth loss and periodontal status taking into account age, number of years since onset of menopause and educational level. With increasing age, number of years since onset of menopause and lower educational level, decreased BMD, deteriorating periodontal status and greater tooth loss are expected.
Materials and methods
Cross‐sectional study included 112 women aged 45‐80 years (mean 58.3 years). BMD was determined for lumbar spine region and proximal femur by DEXA technology. Dental status and periodontal status were evaluated clinically and on panoramic radiographs. For the analysis of tooth loss frequency, participants were divided into four age groups.
Results
Significant inverse correlation was found between number of lost teeth and BMD at hip region (r = −.227; P = .028) but not at the lumbar spine (r = −.05; P = .669). Several indicators of the periodontal condition were significantly correlated with BMD, but not with postmenopausal period length. Important result is that participants missing one or more incisors or canines had significantly lower mean value of BMD comparing to those who had all the incisors and canines remained.
Conclusion
Although osteoporosis is not the main cause of periodontitis, it may be a factor that leads to enhanced periodontal pocket depth and greater risk of tooth loss in ageing women.
Variations in the timing of emergence of primary teeth are under strong genetic control, but there is also a significant contribution from external factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ...influence of preterm birth, birth weight and length, and feeding practices during the first 6 months of life on the timing of emergence of the first primary tooth.
Data on pregnancy duration, birth weight and length, feeding practice, time of emergence and first emerged primary tooth were collected by electronic questionnaires. The study included 409 parents and 592 children of both genders. The sample was divided into two groups according to pregnancy duration (<37 weeks and ≥37 weeks), three groups according to feeding practice (exclusively breastfed, exclusively bottle fed, and a combination of breast feeding and bottle feeding), three groups by birth length (<50, 50–53, >53cm), and four groups by birth weight (<1500, 1500–2500, 2501–3500, >3500g). Data were analyzed considering chronological and postmenstrual age—which is the gestational age plus the infant's chronological age at the month of emergence of the first primary tooth.
The mean time of first primary tooth emergence was 7.55±2.67 months when chronological age was considered. The first emerged tooth in most cases was a lower incisor (82.33%). There was a statistically significant difference in the timing of the first tooth emergence between preterm and full-term groups when chronological age was considered (p<0.005). However, no difference was found when age was adjusted. The age of emergence of the first tooth differed significantly when feeding, weight, and length groups (p<0. 05) were taken into account.
In conclusion, the study indicates that shortened gestational age and very low birth weight are predictors for later ages of emergence of the first primary tooth.
- The purpose was to evaluate dental caries experience in different male subpopulations of Croatian Army recruits and dental students, and subsequently, smoking habits related to the level of ...education and place of residence. Croatian army recruits (n=248; mean age 20.2) and male dental students (n=56; mean age 21.5) were evaluated according to DMFT and FST indices, divided according to age and place of residence, and interviewed about their dietary habits and smoking of tobacco. In the subpopulation of recruits, the median value of DMFT was 6 and of FST index 25. A statistically significant difference was recorded between DT and FST index (p<0.05) according to dietary role of carbohydrates reflected in caries development. The number of recruits with finished elementary school coming from a rural area who smoked (in total 57.66% of smokers) was significantly larger (p=0.0041). In dental students, the median value of DMFT was 5, with statistical significance in comparison with recruits (p=0.03). There was a difference in FST index (median 28) (p<0.0001). Students were mostly nonsmokers (71.43%) and had urban residence (p<0.0001). FST index was a more specific indicator in the socioeconomically heterogeneous sample of recruits (more subjects coming from rural areas and with a lower level of education) than in the sample of dental students (more subjects coming from urban areas).
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