Trends In Dentistry Research Articles

Antibiotic Prescribing Trends in Dentistry during Ten Years' Period-Croatian National Study.

Prescribing antibiotics is a regular part of daily dental practice. Antibiotics have a significant but a limited role in general dental practice due to the threat of emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). As such, the aim of this study was to assess prescribing trends in dental antibiotics use from 2014-2023 in Croatia. Data on antibiotic prescribing practices for this study were provided by the Croatian Health Insurance Fund. The analysis included the number of prescriptions, packages, cost, and the World Health Organization's defined daily dose per 1000 inhabitants (DID) per day as an objective utilization for comparison. Over the 10-year period, dentists in Croatia prescribed an annual average of 357,875 antibiotic prescriptions, representing an annual average of 78.7% of all dental prescriptions. The most commonly prescribed antibiotic was the combination of amoxicillin and the beta-lactamase inhibitor clavulanic acid, which made up 58.54% of antibiotics and 46.1% of all dental prescriptions. This was followed by amoxicillin (12.61%), clindamycin (12.58%), and metronidazole (9.96%). The trend showed two discontinuations, the first for the pandemic years, and the second caused by disruption in amoxicillin production. The rise in the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics needs to be addressed and regulated to ensure patients and dentists understand that antibiotics are not a substitute for dental treatment. Dentists should always begin treatment with narrow-spectrum antibiotics regardless of possible exceptional circumstances.

Effectiveness of Chlorhexidine and Aloe Vera Mouthwash in Patients With Periodontal Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Aloe vera has gained significant attention in clinical research, and promoting natural substances is a prevailing trend in dentistry. This study compares the effectiveness of aloe vera mouthwash and 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash in reducing plaque accumulation and gingivitis. A single-masked trial included 270 volunteers who were systemically healthy and aged between 18 and 45 years. The participants were randomly assigned to three groups: Group A (the test group) received aloe vera mouth rinse, Group B (the positive control group) received a placebo (distilled water), and Group C (the negative control group) received 0.2% chlorhexidine. Clinical indicators, which include the plaque index (PI) by Sillness and Loe in 1964 and the gingival index (GI) by Loe and Sillness in 1963, were evaluated at baseline, day 15, and day 30 for all three groups. Participants were directed to rinse their mouths with the specified mouthwash twice daily for 30 days. Significant reductions in the GI and PI were observed in both aloe vera and chlorhexidine mouthwashes, with a statistical significance of p<0.001. The placebo mouthwash also showed reductions in both the GI and PI, with a significance level of p<0.001. Post hoc analysis revealed no significant differences between the aloe vera and chlorhexidine groups for the GI and PI, with p-values of 0.6 and 0.8, respectively. Aloe vera has proven equally effective as chlorhexidine in reducing plaque and gingivitis. This makes it a viable alternative for treating and preventing gingivitis, appealing to those preferring natural, holistic oral care. Incorporating aloe vera mouthwash into daily routines offers an effective, natural solution for maintaining gum health.

ИЗУЧЕНИЕ МАКРО- И МИКРОЭЛЕМЕНТНОГО СОСТАВА РОТОВОЙ ЖИДКОСТИ ПРИ ПРОВЕДЕНИИ ПРОФЕССИОНАЛЬНОГО ОТБЕЛИВАНИЯ ЗУБОВ

Aesthetic dentistry is one of the up-to-date trends in dentistry. There are a lot of methods targeted at eliminating discoloration, including teeth whitening. The dentist’s task is to choose the optimal whitening system. Patients, especially those who work in hazardous industries, are also interested in getting a snowwhite smile. The authors have conducted a comparative assessment of the effectiveness of a chemical activation system with a 37% concentration of hydrogen peroxide (USA) with a chemical activation system with a 35% concentration of carbamide peroxide (Russia). Changes in the chemical composition of oral fluid were revealed after the professional whitening procedure. The subject of the study is the chemical composition of oral fluid. The goal is to study the chemical composition of oral fluid during teeth whitening procedures. Methodology. The studies were carried out on the basis of the Department of Therapeutic Dentistry of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “Privolzhsky Research Medical University” of the Ministry of Health of Russia, Autonomous Non-Profit Organization “Center for Biotic Medicine” of Dr. A.V. Skalny, State budgetary institution of the Ryazan region “Dental Clinic No. 1” (Ryazan). The study involved 50 patients of both sexes from 23 to 45 years old, who were employees of an aircraft repair plant in Ryazan. Patients were divided into two groups. A chemical study of oral fluid was performed for 50 people before teeth whitening and for 15 people, in the control group, after teeth whitening. Results. Determined macro- and micro elements differed in quantitative content between the studied groups. Comparing the obtained data of the concentration of elements in saliva with the results of the work of other researchers, we can conclude that there is a scattering in the results according to the literature, possibly due to the different “microelement” status of the regions in which the sample donors live. Conclusions. The results of the study demonstrate that both whitening systems have a pronounced effect on the chemical composition of the oral fluid, while the system based on 37% hydrogen peroxide led to a greater degree of normalization of the level of chemical elements in the oral fluid.

Effectiveness of Calcium Hydroxide and Gingerols Mixture as a Novel Obturation Material for Infected Root in Primary Teeth: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

The tendency to use dental materials of plant origin is one of the prevailing trends in dentistry to reduce exposure to materials that could have some toxic impact in the long term. To evaluate the efficacy of calcium hydroxide combined with gingerols (Ginge-Cal) as a novel obturation material for treating infected primary teeth and decreasing the recurrence of infection. The study was conducted on 30 lower primary molars with infected pulp for children aged 4-8 years. The sample was randomly divided into two groups depending on the tested obturation material: Ginge-Cal group and the Metapex group. The evaluation was done by different parameters clinically and radiographically at various intervals up to 12 months. Based on chi-squared and McNamara's test with a 5% significance level, the clinical results indicated that Ginge-Cal group was more effective than the Metapex group in reducing or eliminating pain (P=0.467) after 1 week, sensitivity to percussion (P=0.090) at 3 months of follow-up, purulent swelling (P=0.444) at 6 and 9 months of follow-up, fistula, and tooth mobility. The radiographic results, based on the periapical and furcation area radiolucency at 12 months of follow-up, favored Ginge-Cal group over the Metapex group (P=0.683), (P=0.456), respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in pathological root resorption and periodontal space. The differences within the Ginge-Cal group were directly influenced by the time intervals in a statistically significant manner, ranging from (P=0.004) to (P < 0.001). The success percentage was 87.5% for Ginge-Cal group and 64.3% for Metapex group. Ginge-Cal can be considered a promising material for treating the infected root canal when used as an obturation material for the infected root canal. This trial is registered with NCT05181813.

Gender trends in dentistry: Dental faculty and academic leadership.

Gender equality in the healthcare workforce has been a topic of discourse for many decades. In dental academia, women's representation of enrolled students and faculty has risen consistently since the 1980s. However, women in faculty leadership positions may still be lagging when compared to men. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the number of women who occupy the upper echelons of academic rank and title by analyzing cross-referenced data from the American Dental Association and the American Dental Education Association on women dental school graduates in relation to academic appointments. Gender distribution in rank, title, and appointments in the decade from 2011 to 2019, as well as percentage of women graduates over the same period, were collected for descriptive statistics. Multiple linear regression analysis, Cochran Armitage, and chi-square tests were conducted to examine trends over the years and to determine significant differences in overall percentages (p<0.05). The total women faculty percentages ranged from 36% to 40%. While the lower-level rank of instructor retained a higher representation of women (56%-65%), the higher rank of professor had disproportionately lower women percentages (18%-26%). Graduates, full-time faculty, lower-level academic ranks, and higher-level academic ranks for women followed similar upward trends that were statistically significant (p<0.05). When comparing the different groups against each other, the annual increase in women DMD/DDS graduate percentage was higher than women full-time faculty (0.28%), instructor rank (0.92%), professor rank (0.50%), and department chair appointments (0.49%). Our data show that women are still underrepresented at higher academic ranks. However, the upward trends for professors, assistant deans, and program chairs suggest that in recent years, more women faculty may have been encouraged, mentored, or offered higher administrative positions in academic institutions.

Research Progress and Clinical Application of All-Ceramic Micro-Veneer.

Anterior teeth problems affect the patient's daily eating, communication, social activities, self-confidence, and mental health. The trend in dentistry is to address anterior tooth problems with minimally invasive and aesthetic treatments. With the development of adhesive materials and ceramics, micro-veneers have been proposed as an alternative treatment for enhancing the aesthetic appearance and avoiding unnecessary tooth reduction. A micro-veneer is a veneer that can be cemented to the surface without or with minimal tooth preparation. These benefits include no need for anesthesia, postoperative insensitivity, good adhesion to enamel, reversibility of treatment, and higher patient acceptance. However, the micro-veneer repair is suitable only for specific cases and must be strictly controlled regarding indication. Treatment planning is a crucial step to achieving functional and aesthetic rehabilitation, and following the clinical protocol is helpful for the longevity and success of micro-veneer restorations. However, more precise and predictable tooth preparation methods, such as minimally invasive microscopic tooth preparation and digitally guided veneer preparation, are recommended rather than the traditional free-hand method. Therefore, this paper clarifies micro-veneers and compares them with other restorations to gain a deeper and more comprehensive understanding. The authors also review indications, materials, cementation, and effect evaluation of micro-veneers to provide clinicians with valuable information. In conclusion, micro-veneers are minimally invasive treatments that provide good restoration results when used appropriately and are worthy of promotion for the aesthetic restoration of anterior teeth.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Platelet-Rich Fibrin in Dentistry.

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), a second-generation platelet concentrate, has been widely recognized in numerous studies for its performance of wound healing and regeneration in dentistry. However, bibliometric analysis of PRF in dentistry is still scarce. Thus, this study aimed to conduct and delineate a bibliometric analysis of the application of PRF and its changing trend in dentistry. All papers concerning PRF up to 30 June 2022 were included in the literature search from the Web of Science Core Collection database. These data were then entered into Microsoft Excel, analyzed by the SAS statistical software, and visualized by the VOSviewer software. A total of 562 articles were retrieved following the exclusive criteria. The results demonstrated that the trend of annual publication increased continually (p for trend < 0.01), more notably in the last five years. The majority of the articles were original (58.01%), followed by reviews (17.08%), and case reports (10.14%). The three major study designs were clinical studies (20.11%), randomized controlled trials (17.62%), and review/meta-analysis (17.08%). PRF was most frequently employed in oral surgery (31.14%), periodontal regeneration (22.42%), and implant therapy (18.68%). Turkey (16.19%), India (12.28%) and China (7.12%) were the top 3 countries publishing PRF studies. By comparing the total number of publications, total citation counts and varying counting methods, a combination of numerous counting methods was suggested for use since each counting method yields different results. Taken together, we hope with these informative findings, researchers could focus on the future direction or advancement in PRF, laying a foundation for evidence-based dentistry.

Latest trends in dentistry and disparities in oral health

Latest trends in dentistry and disparities in oral health

Comparison of two Intranasal Sedatives, Midazolam versus Dexmedetomidine, in Children with High Dental Fear: a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Statement of the Problem: Pharmacologic management of uncooperative behavior is a growing trend in dentistry. Determining the most appropriate drug, route of administration, and proper candidate for sedation have been the goal of several investigations.Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the sedative effect of intranasal (IN) sedation of midazolam (MDZ) in compare to dexmedetomidine (DEX) while taking into consideration the effect of dental fear, and psychological status on sedation success.Materials and Method: This double-blind randomized clinical trial included 92 uncooperative dental patients aged 4-6. Study participants were randomly assigned to receive either 0.2mg/kg IN MDZ or 1µg/kg DEX. Sedation was evaluated using the Houpt sedation rating scale. Vital signs were recorded before and during sedation. Prior to sedation, the level of dental fear was determined through children's fear survey schedule-dental subscale (CFSS-DS). Psychological characteristics were screened using the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ). Data were analyzed using T-test, Mann-Whitney, Chi-square, and repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA).Results: Overall ratings of sedation and subscales of sleep, crying, and movement were comparable between groups (p> 0.05); however, more acceptable behavior (overall scores (4+5+6) was observed in MDZ group compared to DEX group (64% vs. 47.7%) (p= 0.007). All participants were found to have abnormal levels of dental fear (CFSS-DS≥38). However, according to SDQ, the study participants have mainly shown normal behavioral status. A significant association was found between dental fear and sedation success (MDZ, p= 0.001, DEX, p= 0.03), while similar findings were not observed for psychological characteristics (MDZ, p= 0.09 and p= 0.41; DEX, p= 0.71 and p= 0.53). Physiological parameters remained within normal limits in both groups.Conclusion: Sedation with IN MDZ resulted in overall behaviors, which were more satisfactory in highly fearful pediatric dental patients. Despite baseline uncooperative behaviors, the psychological status of study participants were close to average and were not associated with sedation failure.

Exploring the Depth- Influence by Female Sex Hormones Seen in the Periodontium

Growth is a gradual process and continuously brings about changes in human body and so do the hormones. There are two hormones produced by the gland in females which govern all the functions and regulate the entire process in all stages of life. Inspite of being just two in number i.e. estrogen and progesterone carry out numerous functions and these functions are of varying complexity. The changes brought about by female sex hormones also are of varying nature in different stages of life, be it early teenage or early fifties. Of these vast changes taking place in a female body in a life time several of them remain unnoticed.Because of rising awareness with changing trends in dentistry, we as Periodontists are trying to highlight phases of female reproductive cycle from puberty through menopause and some of the changes brought about by female sex hormones and their effect on the periodontium and management in different stages of life through our review article.

REHABILITATION OF PATIENTS WITH PARTIAL SECONDARY EDENTULOUSNESS WITH ORTHOPEDIC CONSTRUCTIONS ON DENTAL IMPLANTS USING CODIAGNOSTIX SURGICAL GUIDES

In dental practice, the most common outpatient operation is tooth extraction. As a result, dentition defects are formed with a corresponding violation of the chewing function [1]. Traditionally, chewing function has been restored by removable or non-removable dentures. In the modern world, due to the availability of medical dental services and the development of voluntary medical insurance, an increasing number of people choose dental intraosseous implantation as a method of secondary adentia rehabilitation. It is now generally accepted that dental implants represent the most physiological design for replacing dentition defects, in contrast to traditional removable and fixed dentures. The key to a successful treatment is a high-quality preliminary joint planning of surgeon and prostodontist, choice of the position and number of implants, and design of the final restorative structure. Today, the global trend in dentistry tends to be minimally invasive, atraumatic, accurate and solving the assigned medical problems in the shortest possible time. In recent years, digital dentistry and navigational surgery techniques have been successfully introduced into everyday dental practice. When choosing a treatment with the use of digital technologies, specialists use a surgical template and a digital prototype of the future orthopedic construction for strict adherence to the preliminary treatment plan.

The Top 100 Most Cited Articles Published in Dentistry: 2020 Update.

This bibliometric review is aimed to analyze the top 100 most-cited publications in dentistry and to compare its outcomes. A literature search was performed using Elsevier’s Scopus, without any restriction of language, publication year, or study design. Of 336,381 articles, the top 100 were included based on their citation count, which ranged from 638 to 4728 citations (Feijoo et al., 326 to 2050). The most productive decade was the 2000s, with 40 articles on the list (Feijoo et al., 1980s: 26). Marx RE (7%) was the major contributor in this study (Feijoo et al., Socransky SS: 9%), and almost half (48%) of articles were from the USA. Of the top 100 articles, 26% focused on periodontology (Feijoo et al., periodontology: 43%), while 17% of the total were published in the Journal of Dental Research (Feijoo et al., Journal of Clinical Periodontology: 20%). Most of the publications were narrative reviews/expert opinion (36%), (Feijoo et al., case series: 22%), and were within the evidence level V (64%) (Feijoo et al., 54%). The citation count that a paper secures is not necessarily a reflection of research’s quality, however, the current analysis provides the latest citation trends in dentistry.

Instagram Dentistry.

Instagram, a photo and video social networking site, is gaining popularity in the dental world and it is easy to see why this is so. Instagram's potential to share information in an engaging way allows dental professionals to share clinical work and provides a unique way of learning.Advertising on Instagram has blossomed. Some of this is for self-promotional reasons, for practice building, or for marketing of new techniques and products by manufacturers. One ought to be cautious about the implications of some patients' quest for 'dental perfection'. That is especially the case when destructive dentistry is being undertaken by dentists trying to replicate what they have seen on Instagram in potentially much more challenging patients. Some of those demanding patients request very ambitious treatments with sometimes hugely unrealistic expectations. Arguably, Instagram could be the new major trend in dentistry.

Understanding surface and interface properties of modified Ti50Zr with nanotubes

The present work is a presentation of new results about the properties of nanostructures fabricated on Ti50Zr alloy surface in the context of the new trend in dentistry to extend Zr use as an alternative for Ti restorative works in the oral cavity. As a novelty, the present manuscript promotes a nanotubular Ti50Zr surface as a better choice than other TixZr alloys with and without modified nanostructured surfaces. The discussed modified nanostructured surfaces on Ti50Zr are mixtures of Ti and Zr nanotubes oxides fabricated via two steps anodizing and an ultrasonication stage between them leading to a nano cavities structure. The final surface nanotubes texture is able to improve mechanical properties and antibacterial effect. The surface characteristics were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), contact angle and atomic force microscopy (AFM) roughness determinations. Besides SEM and XRD characterization, the AFM extended investigation, developing more knowledge about adhesive and nano-mechanical properties, is a new approach, involving also the inverse Hall-Petch effect, in understanding surface and interface, able to introduce more performance in bio-applications.

The digital factory in both the modern dental lab and clinic

ObjectiveSignificant technological advances are occurring in the dental industry that are complementary to the introduction of monolithic restorative materials. Glidewell Laboratories has been at the forefront of innovation of these developments and these internal developments may be instructive of future trends in dentistry. MethodsThis paper examines internal Glidewell data from 2010 to 2019 about zirconia-related technology and provides context for some technological advancements at Glidewell Laboratories. ResultsThe trend towards increased use of monolithic zirconia in both, posterior and anterior regions continues to grow. With the advent of intraoral scanners and chairside CAD/CAM technologies, more and more dentists are able to provide same day dentistry. Despite the many clinicians that have made the leap to digital dentistry the low rate of growth in ownership and utilization means PVS impression will be common place long into the future. Glidewell Laboratories has an advanced, automated impression scanning, AI crown design, automated milling and glazing system extending the advantages of digital dentistry to all dentists and pushing the bounds of the technology further. SignificanceThis paper describes the first use of AI GAN to design dental crowns and also shows the strong path monolithic zirconia restorations are paving into the future. Supporting technologies will continue to evolve around zirconia and this paper provides a snapshot of those that exist and a few that are in development.

Next generation of dentists moving to amalgam-free dentistry: Survey of posterior restorations teaching in North America.

The dental field is gradually reducing the use of amalgam and moving towards adhesive restoration. This change is in accordance with the advancement and improvement of composite resin materials and adhesion systems. Consequently, posterior cavity preparations teaching should be re-examined to determine whether dental schools are adapting their curriculum to fit the current trends in dentistry and what rationale supports their decisions. An online questionnaire was constructed to assess the time dedicated to teaching composite materials and amalgam, in addition to the principles of posterior preparations, for composite restorations in North American dental schools. A total 33 schools responded to the questionnaire. A large variation was found in teaching methods and techniques of posterior restorations. The reasoning for teaching amalgam restorations was diverse as were the principles of composite resin preparation taught. No agreed principles of cavity preparation for resin composite restorations were found, as opposed to explicit agreement on amalgam cavity preparations. The results demonstrate a lack of clear guidelines for cavity preparation of resin composite restorations. Dental schools may benefit when a consensus on this topic is achieved.

Efficiency and Prospects of Diagnosis of the Functional State of the Dental System.

This paper presents the results of studying the effectiveness of the developed method for diagnosing the functional state of the dental system. The results indicate that the accuracy of the method is about 80%. The results of previous studies are reviewed and the prospects for diagnosis of the functional state of the dental system as a research and practical trend in dentistry are outlined. The physiological regularities of the dental system functioning and relationship between its functional status and the autonomic nervous and postural systems prompt a new trend of research, functional diagnosis in dentistry and interpretation of the findings of functional studies. The prospects of functional diagnosis in dentistry are discussed.

THE PERCENTAGE AND STRUCTURE OF PERODONT TISSUE DISEASES IN PATIENTS OF LVIV REGIONAL STATIONARY CLINICAL HOSPITAL DEPENDING ON AGE

Epidemiological studies of recent years have shown a high prevalence of periodontal tissue diseases in the world and in particular in Ukraine. Significant influence on the prevalence of periodontal tissue diseases in the population is caused by many factors: this is the climatic conditions of the area and the general level of health of the population and the ecological situation in Ukraine and social conditions of life. One of the main common factors in the development of periodontal tissue diseases is the presence of concomitant pathology. Despite the current trends in dentistry to improve diagnostic and treatment methods, the introduction of advanced medical technologies, a significant reduction in periodontal disease among adult Ukrainian population is not observed.&#x0D; The aim of the study. To study the prevalence and structure of periodontal tissue lesions in patients with general - somatic diseases in order to develop a therapeutic algorithm in a hospital setting.&#x0D; Materials and methods. A common clinical dental examination of 512 patients from different departments of LRCH was carried out. Generalized periodontitis was diagnosed according to generally accepted clinical and pair clinical methods with the definition of periodontal index (PI) by Russel (1956); index of PMA for Parma (1960); functional stability of capillaries (FSK) for V. Kulazhenko in the dynamics of treatment. The state of oral hygiene was assessed before and after treatment with the Green-Vermillon Hygiene Index (GI) (1964). To establish the diagnosis, the classification of diseases of periodontal tissues by M.F. Danilevsky (1994) was used. About the state of the bone of the alveolar sprout were judged by the results of the X-ray examination, which was conducted according to indications and standardization of X-ray studies in dentistry NA Rabukhina (1991). It was mandatory to analyze a general clinical examination of blood. The degree of validity of the difference between the two averages was determined using the unilateral criterion (t) of the Student. The difference in the rates was considered reliable at t≤1.96, which corresponds to the required level of reliability for clinical studies with a reliability of the findings - 95.0% and a high level of their non-falsity (р˂0.05).&#x0D; Research results and their discussion. As a result of our research, we have established the following laws: in individuals of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, neurological and gastroenterological departments, the prevalence of nosological units of periodontal tissue was the same and did not differ with the probability of the data obtained among themselves; in patients with rheumatologic department, a significant prevalence of inflammatory diseases of periodontal tissues and initial forms of GP was determined by the decrease of the prevalence data of developed forms of GP in relation to the corresponding values in patients of other departments.&#x0D; Conclusions Consequently, as a result of our research, we found that the prevalence of periodontal tissue diseases in patients from different branches of LOCН was 75 %, which according to WHO criteria was characterized as high. With the increase in the age of those surveyed with various somatic diseases, the prevalence of lesions of tooth-retaining tissues increased: from 46.13% in patients ≤ 20 years old, to 88.15% in patients aged ≥ 50 years. More often in patients with concomitant somatic pathology, chronic generalized periodontitis were diagnosed in 65,63% of the examined patients. The inflammatory (6.25%) and dystrophic (7.62% of patients) periodontal tissues were significantly less likely to be detected. In patients with cardiovascular and rheumatologic diseases, the frequency of lesions of periodontal tissues was higher than in patients with neurological and gastroenterological diseases, which may be a significant factor in the development and course of periodontal pathology.

Regenerative Endodontics Overview - A New Emerging Trend in Dentistry

Regenerative Endodontics Overview - A New Emerging Trend in Dentistry

Virtual Reality-Based Technologies in Dental Medicine: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice Among Students and Practitioners

Virtual reality-based technologies have been used in dentistry for almost two decades. Dental simulators, planning software and CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing) systems have significantly developed over the years and changed both dental education and clinical practice. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practice of VRBT among dental students and educators in one European dental school using a paper-based questionnaire and the KAP among students and dental practitioners from 35 countries using an online survey. Dental students, educators and practitioners have overall positive attitudes towards VRBT but very few have used VRBT in education and practice. The majority of respondents plan to use VRBT in their future clinical practice and believe that those technologies will be widely adopted by dental practices within 22 years. Learning about VRBT and using them as part of undergraduate and continued education programmes could affect dental practitioners’ willingness to implement new technologies and enhance critical assessment of new trends in dentistry.