Contemporary Dental Practice Research Articles

Interdisciplinary approaches in modern dentistry: A comprehensive review

Interdisciplinary collaboration in modern dentistry has become increasingly essential for providing comprehensive and effective patient care. This comprehensive review explores the diverse range of interdisciplinary approaches employed in contemporary dental practice. Drawing upon a synthesis of literature and clinical examples, this paper examines the integration of various dental specialties, including periodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics, oral surgery, orthodontics, and others, to address complex dental issues. Key aspects such as treatment planning, communication strategies, and collaborative techniques among dental specialists and general practitioners are analyzed. Additionally, emerging technologies and innovations that facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration are discussed. Through the exploration of case studies and evidence-based practices, this review highlights the benefits of interdisciplinary approaches in improving treatment outcomes, enhancing patient satisfaction, and optimizing oral health. By embracing interdisciplinary approaches, dental professionals can better address the multifaceted needs of patients and achieve superior clinical results.

Occlusal splint therapy- myth or fact? -A case report

The term Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMD) refers to a group of intricate disorders with a variety of etiologies that frequently call for multimodal therapy strategies. Treatment of TMDs requires careful diagnosis and treatment planning to resolve occlusal and functional problems. In contemporary dental practice, splint therapy can be used as an effective and conservative means of treatment of TMDs. In this case report occlusal splint therapy was used to treat a male patient of 27yrs age who had symptoms of TMD, including pain in the head, neck, and shoulder. After 8 months of splint therapy, a clinical examination and radiographic interpretation showed considerable changes, including decreased pain frequency, better jaw function, and radiographic evidence of altered joint spaces. This case report shows the effectiveness of occlusal splint therapy in treating temporomandibular joint disorders.

Root resorption of maxillary lateral incisors associated with maxillary impacted canines: Cone-beam computed tomography and panoramic radiography study

: The position of maxillary impacted canine (MIC) and the presence of lateral incisor root resorption (RR) remains a challenge for interceptive orthodontics and surgical treatment planning. The use of panoramic radiographs will be compared with CBCT in the diagnosis of RR and emphasize the importance of accurate diagnostic imaging.: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of Cone Beam Computed Tomography and Panoramic Radiography in detecting lateral incisor RR associated with MIC. To evaluate, with respect to sector position of impacted canines, the agreement between panoramic radiographs and CBCT in detecting lateral incisor RR.: A cross-sectional retrospective descriptive study on panoramic and CBCT radiographic records between January 2014 and December 2020. The study setting was Section of Diagnostic Imaging at a University Oral Health Centre. All patients requiring radiographs are referred to this section by all dental departments of the dental hospital. The study sample consisted of CBCT and panoramic images of impacted maxillary canines of patients older than 9yrs. Patients with odontogenic and non-odontogenic pathology in the canine and incisor area, those with previous diagnosis of external root resorption verified from the patient’s treatment records, and patients who have had any form of orthodontic treatment; removable or fixed appliances were excluded. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. Pearson's chi-squared test was used to analyse the agreement between panoramic radiographs and CBCT in locating canine sector position. All tests were conducted at 5% significance level. Fifty patients records were analysed in our study. The median age of the sample was 15 years and the IQR was 12.5-19. Our sample consisted predominantly of females (n=40) compared to males(n=10). A total of 65 MIC were assessed with 16 bilateral impactions (n=32) and the unilateral impactions (n=33). Of the 65 MICs, 46% were located on the right side and 54% were located on the left side. The CBCT examination showed that 58% (n = 38) of MIC were located palatally, 34% (n=22) labially and 8% (n=5) in the mid-alveolus (between the teeth). The majority of MIC occurred in sector 4 in 2-D pan (26%, n=17) and 3-D pan at (32%, n=21). Pearson's chi-squared test results showed a statistically significant difference in the agreement between 2-D pan and 3-D pan in locating canine sector position (p=0.001).: The detection of root resorption in our study underscores the importance for clinicians to examine panoramic radiographs thoroughly beyond the counting of teeth. Although panoramic radiographs are the routine diagnostic tool in contemporary dental practice, their limitation in definitive diagnosis of root resorption should be augmented with the use of CBCT.

Reflections on Clinical Decision-Making in Contemporary Dental Practice

Reflections on Clinical Decision-Making in Contemporary Dental Practice

The Role of Silver Diamine Fluoride in Contemporary Dental Practice: A Comprehensive Review.

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) has garnered increasing attention in contemporary dental practice due to its unique properties and clinical applications. The minimally invasive nature, antimicrobial efficacy, and desensitization capabilities of SDF position it as a valuable tool in preventive and restorative dentistry. However, esthetic concerns associated with tooth discoloration and the need for further research to understand long-term outcomes underscore the importance of ongoing investigation and clinical integration. This article underscores the transformative potential of SDF in modern dental care and emphasizes the necessity of continued research and education to maximize its benefits.

Revolutionising conservative dentistry: Exploring the impact and evolution of digital impression techniques in contemporary dental practice

Digital dental impression technology has emerged as a transformative innovation in conservative dentistry, revolutionizing the process of obtaining accurate replicas of dental structures. This review explores the evolution, advantages, and implications of digital impression techniques in contemporary dental practice. From intraoral scanners to CAD/CAM technology and 3D printing, digital systems offer enhanced accuracy, efficiency, and patient comfort compared to conventional methods. Studies demonstrate the clinical acceptability and superiority of digital impressions for fabricating dental restorations and prosthetics, with reduced operation time and improved patient experience. The widespread adoption of digital technology heralds a new era in dentistry, promising streamlined workflows, superior restoration quality, and enhanced patient satisfaction. Embracing digital impression technology is essential for dental practitioners to remain at the forefront of modern dentistry and deliver optimal patient care.

Investigating contemporary dental practice in restorative dentistry and Dentists-related factors in placing and replacing restorations in Kurdistan, Iraq

Investigating contemporary dental practice in restorative dentistry and Dentists-related factors in placing and replacing restorations in Kurdistan, Iraq

Silver nanoparticles: Harnessing nanotechnology for enhanced antimicrobial efficacy in contemporary dental practice

Silver nanoparticles: Harnessing nanotechnology for enhanced antimicrobial efficacy in contemporary dental practice

Publication Trends and Collaborative Patterns in Periodontics Research from Saudi Arabia: A Bibliometric Analysis.

To perform a comprehensive bibliometric analysis encompassing all articles published on periodontics from Saudi Arabia. Using the Scopus database on June 8, 2023, the search term "Periodontic*" was entered in the primary search bar to extract all documents published on periodontics. Following, the year filter was applied to include articles published from the earliest available date until the date of data collection, excluding 2023. Next, we used the country/region filter to limit our documents to Saudi Arabia (n = 1929). We used Microsoft Excel (v.16) to examine periodical growth, collaboration patterns, influential institutions, frequently used sources, international research collaboration, and most-cited papers. Saudi Arabia ranked 11th in periodontics research, contributing 3.43% to the global research output, reaching a peak of 7.63% in 2022. Notably, there was significant growth observed during the last 5 years of the study, with an average of 232.8 documents per year. The analysis of citations revealed that the selected documents received an average of 13.39 citations per document. Indigenous literature received less citation on average compared to internationally collaborated documents. King Saud University ranked first among the most productive institutions in Saudi Arabia, accounting 40.74% of the total output. The Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice published the highest number of documents, followed by the Saudi Dental Journal and the Journal of Periodontology. In terms of citation impact, the Journal of Periodontology emerged as the most influential, with an average of 32.83 citations per document. Research collaboration was most prevalent with researchers from the United States (22.03%), although Germany ranked first in terms of citation impact. Saudi Arabia's contribution to periodontics research has shown significant growth in recent years. The collaborative efforts with international researchers, particularly those from the United States, have played a crucial role in fostering advancements within the field.

Management of specific medical emergencies in dental practice.

In this paper, the actions needed to manage specific medical emergencies are discussed. Each emergency requires a correct diagnosis to be made for effective and safe management. The basis of management in contemporary dental practice avoids the intravenous route where drugs are required to treat the emergency.

Indirect restorations: an update

Indirect restorative procedures are integral to clinical dentistry. Over the past 50 years however, minimally invasive, direct adhesive restorative techniques have gradually replaced many of the indications for traditional indirect restorations. While numerous indirect procedures are still carried out every year, multiple studies have demonstrated that these restorations have limited longevity and are subject to a wide range of clinical complications, including the reduction in lifespan of the restored teeth and an increased risk of dento-legal problems. This article provides an update on the current status of indirect restorations and presents a comprehensive step-by-step guide to optimising all clinical stages, including case selection, patient assessment, diagnosis, aesthetic considerations, treatment planning, tooth preparation design, impression techniques, temporization, cementation and maintenance. CPD/Clinical Relevance: In contemporary dental practice there is a reduced need for indirect restorations. When indicated however, all clinical stages must be optimised to maximize longevity and minimise complications.

Digital Smile Makeover: A Multidisciplinary Team Approach.

Aesthetics is a fundamental part of contemporary dental practice. A pleasant smile depends on the gingival tissue architecture and dental characteristics. Excessive gingival display (gummy smile) is considered an unattractive smile and can affect a person's confidence. There are many etiological factors related to a gummy smile. Aesthetic rehabilitation of these cases often requires an interdisciplinary approach and close collaboration between dental specialties. This article describes an approach to excessive gingival display management caused by short teeth and hyperactive lips using a digital workflow for crown lengthening. A digital approach enables predictable planning and decreases the need for postsurgical modifications, thus shortening the treatment duration. Computer software is used for planning and 3D-printed guide for crown lengthening and implant placement. Two months later, lip repositioning was performed to reduce the hyperactive lip. After 4 months, prosthetic treatment and Botox injections were done to restore an aesthetic smile.

How Well Prepared Are Dental Students and New Graduates in Pakistan-A Cross-Sectional National Study.

The transition of an undergraduate dental student to an actual practicing dentist is a crucial phase and ensuring the preparedness of graduates for the complexity and demands of contemporary dental practice is a challenging task. This study aimed to evaluate the self-perceived preparedness of undergraduate dental students and house officers in the dental colleges of Pakistan. A cross-sectional national study was planned to collect information from dental students and new graduates in Pakistan. The pre-validated Dental Undergraduates Preparedness Assessment Scale (DU-PAS) was used. A purposive sampling technique was utilized to recruit house officers and undergraduate dental students from 27 dental schools in Pakistan. The data analysis was carried out using the R statistical environment for Windows (R Core Team, 2015). A total of 862 responses with 642 females and 219 males were analyzed in the study. Overall, the clinical skills score was 30.56 ± 9.08 and the score for soft skills was 30.54 ± 10.6. The mean age of the participants was 23.42 ± 1.28. Deficiencies were reported in various soft skills and clinical skills attributes. The results highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of dental students and new graduates in Pakistani dental institutions. The findings may be used to further develop and strengthen the teaching and training of dental students in Pakistan.

Whistleblowing

In a great scene during the 1944 classic film To Have and Have Not, Lauren Bacall turns to Humphrey Bogart and says, “You know how to whistle, don’t you, Steve? You just put your lips together and blow.” Although whistleblowing in the general workplace may not have been big back in the day, given the current state of the world as well as the nature of the contemporary dental practice, it seems we are seeing more and more of it being reported, and unfortunately, we see it occurring with greater frequency.

Potential of Lasers in the Realm of Aesthetic Dentistry: A Narrative Review

AbstractIn contemporary dental practice, patients' interests are taken into account in terms of function and appearance. The importance in everyday circumstances, current advertising, and the media in general highlight their effect on an attractive appearance. Many academics in the field of dental aesthetics have stated equivocally that when examining the impact of tooth appearance necessitates a multidisciplinary approach. Laser technology in cosmetic dentistry is in its early stages of development and has a lot of potential in the future. Also, with expanding use of lasers in clinical dentistry, treatment planning and prognosis will see a significant improvement in the future. The introduction of this technology has turned dentistry into a painless, bloodless field with increased predictability and instant outcomes. Furthermore, these techniques can help a cosmetic dentist regulate gingiva and osseous outlines with greater creativity in the pursuit of aesthetic dental principles with more efficient use of patient time. Even from the patient standpoint, the reduced requirement for suturing and faster healing times improves case acceptance and enables the increased demand for aesthetic dentistry. The resolution of this paper is to deliver an overview of various laser applications in aesthetic dentistry and its pros and cons over the conventional approaches.

Risk factors for periodontitis & peri-implantitis.

Risk is part of all health professions and generally indicates the chance of getting some form of illness. For dental practitioners this includes periodontitis or peri-implantitis, the focus of this issue. Many risk factors are involved in the development of disease and most likely interact or overlap. Most patients will probably have multiple risk factors, some of which will be the same for both periodontitis and peri-implantitis. The most recent classification of periodontal disease recognises the importance of risk factors and contemporary dental practice requires that clinicians be aware of and manage them. Broadly speaking risk factors can be patient, environment or practitioner related. Patient risk factors would include socio-economic status, smoking, substance use disorders, diabetes, diet and dietary supplements, mental health disorders, old age, poor home dental care or understanding of the need for good home care and use of medications. Environmental modification of the host response through gene function is an emerging risk factor. Lastly, practitioner-related factors in implant dentistry are now known to affect risk. These would include the use of digital technology, but patient related factors such implant location and the body's reaction to an implant itself add to the risk of developing disease. This edition of Periodontology provides an uptodate review of many of these risk factors and their impact summarising current knowledge.

Is apicectomy with retrograde filling still relevant in contemporary dental practice? A 25‐year retrospective review

AbstractBackgroundApicectomy with retrograde filling has always been a viable treatment option for a tooth when conventional endodontic therapy is not indicated, impossible or unsuccessful.ObjectiveTo determine reasons for apicectomy with retrograde filling, dentitions affected, age and gender of the patients, including complication(s) 4 years after the procedures.Materials and MethodsThis is a 25‐year retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients treated in the study centre. Clinical symptoms and signs of morbidity and mortality of tooth‐like pain, tenderness to percussion and evidence of discharging sinus or fistula formation, swelling, tooth mobility and loss were recorded 4 weeks after the procedures. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were computed.ResultsA total of 567 procedures were done in 567 patients, 34 (6.0%) failed to meet the inclusion criteria. Consequently, of the 533 patients used for analysis, 58.4% were males whilst 41.6% are females with a male to female ratio of 1.4:1 (p = 0.04). A majority (94.2%) of the patients are in the age group of 17–46 years (p = 0.000). The indications for the procedures showed that failed root canal therapy (78.2%) was significant (p = 0.001). More cases were done in the maxillary anterior dentition (82.7%, p = 0.001), and 97.8% (p = 0.000) was treated successfully.ConclusionThis study shows that a significant majority of the patients were successfully managed, which suggests that the procedure is still an indication for the management of the conditions diagnosed.

Accuracy comparison of intraoral versus laboratory scanners used in the contemporary dental practice

The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the quality of the data obtained by intraoral and by laboratory 3D scanners. An artificial jaw with an acrylic tooth prepared for a full metal ceramic crown was used as a master model of the prosthetic field. A reference model was created by scanning this field by a coordinate measuring machine (CCM). The acrylic master model was scanned by four scanners using three different methods and six digital models were obtained. They were divided in three groups - direct intraoral scanning (DIS), laboratory stone scanning (LSS) and laboratory conventional impression scanning (LCIS). Each scan was saved in the STL file format. Using a computer program, each of the six digital models were compared with the reference model created by the CCM and the results were displayed as color maps. The minimal acceptable deviation was defined as the deviation from the digital standard within the ± 0.02 mm limits. Thus, the LSS group exhibited an average of 13.5% points within these limits, followed by the LCIS group with 17.25%. The result for the DIS group was 44.75%.

Assessment of oral and overall health parameters using the SillHa Oral Wellness System

The study evaluated use of a multipoint saliva analyzer to assess patient wellness in a contemporary dental practice setting. Unstimulated saliva from a diverse 104 patient cohort was analyzed using the SillHa Oral Wellness System. The device measures the following 7 analytes present in the patient's oral rinse: cariogenic bacteria, acidity, buffer capacity, blood, leukocytes, protein, and ammonia. Data obtained were compared with validated clinical assessment data independently provided by credentialed dental professionals. Measured leukocyte and protein levels were higher in patients with periodontal disease and/or deep gingival pockets. Patients with a history of cancer and/or diabetes presented with higher ammonia and lower leukocyte levels. Acidity levels were higher in patients using multiple xerogenic medications and lower in patients with a history of sleep apnea. Sex differences showed female patients exhibiting higher acidity, lower buffer capacity, and lower ammonia than male patients. Increasing age is associated with elevated buffer capacity. Multipoint saliva analyzers such as the one used in this study, along with clinical practice examination and medical history, can provide rapid salivary component analysis that augments treatment planning. A follow-up multisite study would provide the opportunity to test this analyzer in clinical sites with different practice workflows.

The Role of Laser in Modern Dentistry: Literature Review

Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation is referred to as "LASER." The laser has been applied to a wide variety of hard and soft tissue procedures since Miaman used it for the first time in dentistry in 1960. The use of lasers in contemporary dental practice, where they can be used as an addition to or substitute for traditional techniques, is becoming better understood. Lasers were once thought to be an advanced technology with few practical uses in clinical dentistry.