bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of COVID-19 on Dental Surgeons in Kerala: A Cross-sectional Online Survey
Authors: Mohanan Moopil Midhun , Jayasree S. , Nishad N. T. , Palottil Abdu Semeer , Mohanan T. V. Soumya 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background:
This cross-sectional study among dentists in Kerala assessed the COVID-19 prevalence and severity, vaccination status, and medication usage in August 2022.

Materials and Methods:
A questionnaire was created to assess the impact of COVID-19 on dental surgeons in Kerala. This questionnaire had 19 questions with multiple choices which were converted into Google Forms and distributed among the dentists residing in Kerala.

Results:
A total of 650 dentists responded to the questionnaire, yielding a response rate of 76.4%. As of August 2022, the prevalence of COVID-19 among Kerala dentists was found to be 33.23%. 60.7% of positive dentists were either asymptomatic or had only mild symptoms. 99% had received at least one vaccine dose, mainly Covishield. The prevalence of COVID-19 positivity was higher among dentists with postgraduate degrees (47.4%) in comparison with participants holding only BDS degrees.

Conclusion:
The prevalence of COVID-19 among practicing dentists was 33.23%. All dentists were vaccinated and used good preventive measures.
Reason for Preference of Toothpaste among Buyers – A Cross-sectional Survey
Authors: Vijayakumar Priyadharshini , Mahesh J. , Prasad S. Vishnu , Indrapriyadharshni G. , Karthikeyan R. , Revanth M. P. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background:
The most efficient method to prevent dental disease is by maintaining proper oral hygiene. The most commonly and widely used oral hygiene aids are toothbrush and toothpaste. This questionnaire aims to assess, analyze, and associate the reason for preference of toothpaste among buyers.

Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1022 participants. A combined 12 questionnaire (open and close ended) was framed along with demographic data and distributed through Google Forms. It was validated for content validity and reliability. The data were compiled and subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analyses.

Results:
Among 1022 participants, 48.6% participants choose their toothpaste by themselves and they were not using toothpaste according to their oral problems. Only 6% use dentist-recommended toothpaste and 57.7% choose low-cost toothpastes. There was a poor significant association between the preference of toothpaste and their purpose or oral problem with P < 0.05.

Conclusion:
Even though there are different kinds of toothpaste available in the market according to oral health problem people still does not consider it important still choose toothpaste based on interest and choice. Less consumers use dentist-recommended toothpaste.
Artificial Intelligence Assistive Tool for Radiotherapy Plan Evaluation Based on Analysis of Integral Dose
Authors: Rajurkar Shriram , Verma Teerthraj , Bhatt MLB , Mishra S P , Deshmukh P , Sargar D 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT

Aim:
The aim of the present study is to propose an in-house developed artificial intelligence (AI) tool based on Python programming for the purpose of integral doses (IDs) calculation useful in plan evaluation in modern radiotherapy techniques.

Materials and Methods:
Retrospectively, curative radiotherapy plans of cancer head and neck planned with intensity-modulated radiation therapy techniques employing seven and nine photon beams of 6 MV, were included in this study. The derived dose-volume histogram data were analyzed for the calculation of ID for each of the contoured structures including high-risk planning target volume (HR-PTV) and surrounding normal structures using an in-house developed Python program.

Results:
In this study, variation of ID between nine-beam and seven-beam plans was calculated. It was found that the ID for HR-PTV volume was almost equal in both nine and seven beam plans with the percentage variation range 0.4%–1.4%, however, significant variation up to 14.4% in the ID of organ at risk was found. Furthermore, we utilized the standard deviation (SD) as a metric to assess the variability of the ID within the PTV and the surrounding normal tissues. The HR-PTV exhibited a low SD of 0.71, suggesting consistent ID patterns. In contrast, the organs at risk (OAR) exhibited noteworthy variations in SD values, with some reaching as high as 16.75. The SD was relatively elevated in the OAR in comparison to the HR-PTV. These elevated SD values within the OAR indicate significant dose variability across different patients.

Conclusion:
It is found that ID increases as the number of beams increases. The Python program used in this study for the calculation of ID, as an AI assistive tool for plan evaluation, can be run on the TPS or on a side-by-side computer which may be helpful in finalizing radiotherapy plans.
Comparison of single absorbable tacker vs. conventional method in fixating the mesh in bilateral inguinal hernia undergoing laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP): A randomized control trial study
Authors: Mir Mohammad Sadeghi Pouya , Naseri Amir Hosein , Shishegar Azita , Melali Hamid , Ashjaei Ali 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background:
The current study aims to investigate the superior mesh fixation method, single absorbable tacker versus conventional method, in patients undergoing bilateral inguinal hernia repair through the laparoscopic total abdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) approach.

Materials and Methods:
The current randomized clinical trial has been conducted on 81 patients undergoing bilateral hernia repair through TAPP. The patients were randomly assigned into one of the mesh fixation groups including single absorbable tacker (Group S) (n = 41) and conventional method (Group C) (n = 40). All patients were assessed during the hospital stay and 1 month postoperatively to assess the surgery-associated complications and days for return to daily activity. Eura-Hs questionnaire was applied to assess the quality of life (QOL) after hernia surgery during 12-month follow-up.

Results:
The duration of bilateral inguinal hernia operation (P = 0.067), postoperative urinary catheterization (P = 0.813), and hospital stay duration (P = 0.779) did not differ between the groups; whereas Group C significantly required a longer time for returning to daily activity (P < 0.001). Only a patient in Group C represented hematoma (P = 0.494). Seroma incidence was not statistically different between the two groups (P = 0.712). Postoperative pain was statistically less in Group S (P < 0.001 for all the assessments). Postoperative QOL within a year after hernia repair revealed an insignificant difference between the groups in general (P > 0.05); however, a pain subscale was significantly less in Group S (P = 0.002).

Conclusion:
Based on the findings of this study, a single absorbable tacker was generally superior to the conventional method considering its less pre- and postoperative complications. However, the two methods did not differ regarding 1-year follow-up QOL.
Computer-guided versus conventional arthrocentesis in treatment of anterior disc displacement of temporomandibular joint
Authors: Galhoum Mohamed A.I. , Saad Khalid A.E.-H. , Beder Rafic R. , Breshah Maram N. 
Published: July 2024

Objectives
This study aimed to compare computer-guided arthrocentesis with conventional double puncture technique in the treatment of anterior disc displacement with reduction of the temporomandibular joint.

Patient and methods
16 adult patients were included in the study and were divided into two equal groups: group I: treated with guided arthrocentesis using ringer’s lactate solution and injection of hyaluronic acid, group II: treated with conventional double puncture technique of arthrocentesis using ringer’s lactate solution and injection of hyaluronic acid. Patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically preoperatively and postoperatively: clinically for evaluation of pain intensity, maximal mouth opening, and clicking at 1 week and 2 weeks and 1, 2, 3, and 6 months. Radiographically by MRI imaging at 3 and 6 months to determine any changes in the disc position and inflammatory changes within the joint.

Results
16 patients (13 females and 3 males), their ages ranged from 17 to 35 years the results of the clinical data including pain intensity, maximal mouth opening, and clicking presented with significant improvements of all outcomes from preoperative to 6 months postoperatively for group I when compared with group II. Radiographically MRI after 3 and 6 months presented with no changes in the disc condyle relationship.

Conclusion
Arthrocentesis is a useful minimally invasive technique in the treatment of anterior disc displacement with reduction. It plays a role in decreasing joint pain and improving its function and by making arthrocentesis computer-guided this makes the procedures more accurate, safe, less painful, and time-saving and preventing postoperative complications.
Repair of bulk-fill composite after different surface treatments
Authors: Fathelbab Yosra N. A. , Hasan Mostafa M. A. , Abdalla Ali I. 
Published: July 2024

Purpose
To evaluate the effect of different surface treatments on the shear bond strength of repaired aged bulk-fill composites.

Materials and method
60 cylindrical specimens of bulk-fill composite (X-tra fil) were prepared and stored in artificial saliva for 3 months. They were divided randomly into 2 groups according to the different repair material (n = 30), (I) X-tra fil and (II) Grandio. Then, they were further divided into 3 subgroups according to surface treatments (n = 10), (A) no surface treatment (B) diamond bur abrasion, and (C) air abrasion. Futurabond U adhesive was applied to all specimens, and then the repair composites were added. All specimens were subjected to thermo-cycling. They were tested for shear bond strength using a universal testing machine. Fractured samples were examined under a stereomicroscope to determine the mode of failure. An additional 30 specimens were made to evaluate the surface roughness. Representative SEM micrographs for each surface treatment were taken to assess the surface topography. All data was collected, tabulated and statistically analyzed.

Results
Group I: The highest mean shear bond strength was recorded in the group (IB) followed by (IC) and then (IA). Group (IA) was significantly different from groups (IB) and (IC) (P < 0.05). Group II: The highest mean shear bond strength was recorded in the group (IIB) followed by (IIC) then (IIA). Group (IIB) was significantly different from group (IIA) (P < 0.05). All surface treatments demonstrated significantly greater shear bond strength than not having any physical surface treatment. Repairing X-tra fil can be performed by either X-tra fil or Grandio with no statistically significant difference. Most of the specimens in all groups showed mixed and cohesive failures. Diamond bur abrasion showed the highest surface roughness values followed by air abrasion then control group.

Conclusion
The shear bond strength of repaired bulk-fill composite with bur or air abrasion was comparable and greater than no surface treatment. There was no significant difference between the two repair materials used.
Accuracy of digital lower complete implant assisted overdenture fabricated by two different pick up techniques
Authors: Hewidic Noha M. W. , Abutaleb Faten A. S. , El-Gendy Mohamed N. M. 
Published: July 2024

Background
Digital technology and its application in the design and fabrication of a single tooth to a complete prosthesis is advancing rapidly. The aim of this work was to evaluate the accuracy of digital implant assisted lower complete overdenture using two different pick-up techniques.

Methods
This experimental study was carried out on a mandibular completely edentulous model from epoxy resin material. Fourteen digital Implant Assisted Complete overdenture (IACOs) were fabricated and divided into two equal groups, seven digital complete denture before the two implant placement (group I), and seven digital implant assisted overdenture after two implant placement (group II).

Results
There was high significant difference between both groups as regards trueness and precision, with less mean deviation value of group II. For tissue surface adaptation at selected areas, there was no significant difference between both groups except at implant area. For group I, the left implant showed more pressure than the right implant, while both implants in group II showed no significant difference. The average surface adaptation values at right and left implant area showed significant difference with less average values in group II compared to group I.

Conclusions
IAOs (group II) showed better trueness, precision, and surface tissue adaptation than Group I digital complete denture where implant position in fitting surface added manually. The overall fit in group II was better than group I.
Effect of artificial aging on the stability of color match of Omnichroma composite resin
Authors: Sroor Aml Y.M. , El-Saied Hussein Y. , Genaid Thuraia M. 
Published: July 2024

Purpose
To evaluate the effect of artificial aging on the stability of color match between the teeth and Omnichroma composite resin compared to that in the teeth restored with Tetric EvoCeram nanohybrid composite resin.

Materials and methods
Twenty sound, freshly extracted human maxillary premolars were mounted in acrylic blocks. The baseline shade of the selected teeth was A2 as measured from the middle third of the buccal surface by spectrophotometer (Vita Easyshade Advance). Trapezoidal Class V cavity was prepared on the buccal surface of each tooth 0.5 mm coronal to CEJ. Cavity dimensions were width of 4 mm occlusally and 3 mm gingivally, 2 mm occluso-gingival length and 1.5 mm depth. A 45-degree bevel was placed on the occlusal cavity margin.

Results
Specimens were randomly divided into two equal groups (n = 10) representing the materials used to restore the cavities. Group I: Tetric EvoCeram while Group II: Omnichroma. Specimens were artificially aged by storage for 6 months in artificial neutral saliva in an incubator at 37 ± 5°C during which the saliva was replaced daily. Color measurements and ΔE values were recorded before cavity preparation representing the baseline tooth color to be used for detection of the initial color match between the tooth and restoration where their color was measured after storage in saline for 24 h.

Conclusion
At the end of the storage period, the color of both the teeth and the restorations was remeasured to detect the stability of color match between the restoration and the tooth due to storage.
The impact of artificial aging using chewing simulator on micro-shear bond strength and micro-leakage of alkasite and bioactive resin based composites: an in-vitro comparative study
Authors: ElBahrawy Eman M. Sobhi , Shebl Eman , Attia Reham 
Published: July 2024

Objective
The current study was conducted to assess and compare the impact of artificial aging using chewing simulator on the novel bulk fill restorative materials (Cention N) and Bioactive Resin Based Composites (ACTIVA) regarding, micro-shear bond strength and micro-leakage. Tetric N ceram bulk fill composite was used as control.

Patients and methods
For micro-shear bond strength testing, thirty recently extracted molars were collected, then their occlusal surfaces were cut horizontally using low-speed diamond saw under coolant exposing flat dentin surfaces. Tetric N-Bond adhesive was applied to the dentin surface, then Tygon tubes (three for each tooth) with height 1 mm and internal diameter 1 mm were placed on the flat surfaces, followed by light curing, then the restorative material (10 specimens for each material) was condensed inside the tubes. Half of the specimens is subjected to artificial aging (thermal and dynamic loading using Chewing Simulator). The specimens were mounted in blocks of stones, then placed horizontally in the universal testing machine. The load was applied using a knife-edge chisel till debonding of the composite cylinders from dentin surface. Fifteen extracted human molars were utilized for the purpose of evaluating micro-leakage. A total of thirty class II cavities were meticulously constructed on the mesial and distal surfaces of the teeth. The evaluation of micro-leakage was conducted using a dye penetration test, employing a scoring system ranging from 0 to 4.

Results
The nonaged specimens of the tested materials did not show significant differences regarding micro-shear bond strength, and micro-leakage. Aging had no significant effect on all of the tested properties in the three tested materials.

Conclusion
Short-term thermomechaical aging used in this study did not deteriorate micro-shear bond strength and micro-leakage of the tested materials. Alkasite (Cention N) and ACTIVA Bioactive Resin Based Composites are promising materials with physico-mechanical properties comparable to conventional bulk-fill composites. However, further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed to assess the properties of these recently introduced materials.
Comparative study of the adaptation of alkasite versus self-adhesive flowable restorations
Authors: Nassar Ahlam A. El-Galil , El-Sayed Emad M. 
Published: July 2024

Aim
To compare the adaptation of self-adhesive flowable composite versus alkasite restorations with or without the use of an adhesive system.

Materials and Methods
A total of 30 noncarious maxillary premolars were selected and mounted 2 mm below the cemento–enamel junction in acrylic blocks. Trapezoidal class V cavities were prepared on the buccal surface of each tooth. The gingival margins of the prepared cavities were located 1 mm above cemento–enamel junction. All cavity margins were not bevelled. During the experiment time, all samples were kept in artificial saliva renewed daily at 37°C in an incubator to prevent dehydration. These were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10). Alkasite restorative material was applied in a bulk fill technique using a universal adhesive in samples of group I, while those of group II did not have any adhesive using the same restorative material and those of group III were restored using self-adhesive flowable composite (vertise flow). Specimens of the three tested groups were subjected to 500 thermal cycles from 5 to 55°C with 30 s. Dwell time and 15 s transfer time. They were all immersed in methylene blue dye 2% for 24 h in an incubator. Then all samples were examined under stereomicroscopy at ×40 to determine the percentage of gap free length along the entire margins. All specimens were then sectioned buccolingually to detect the percentage of internal gap length along the restoration/tooth interface.

Results
Regarding the marginal adaptation, the highest % of marginal free gap was recorded for group I, while the lowest was recorded for group II. Concerning the internal adaptation, it was found that the highest % of free gap was related to group I and III while the lowest was related to group II. Comparing the marginal versus internal % of gap free margins it was found that group I versus II showed a statistically significant difference. Also, group III versus II showed a significant difference. While group I versus III recorded no statistically significant difference. This was true at both marginal and internal % of free gaps. These findings indicated the responsibility of group II for the recorded differences since group II showed the least % of free gap margins and the highest percentage of total dye penetration values.

Conclusions
Within the limitations of this in vitro study, the adhesive system was effective in increasing the percentage of free gaps of tested groups whether marginal or internal.

Recommendations
The use of any composite material is not recommended without an adhesive system. Further in vitro studies providing more precise gap measurement are required.
Evaluation of different approaches for sagittal skeletal discrepancy assessment
Authors: Awadallah Yamen M. , El-Mehy Ghada A.-F. , El Laithy Mohammed M. 
Published: July 2024

Introduction
The accurate assessment of the sagittal jaw relationship between the maxilla and mandible plays a pivotal role in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. Researchers have introduced both linear and angular measurements to establish a precise method for evaluating sagittal base discrepancies.

Aim
The aim was to assess the different approaches for sagittal skeletal discrepancy assessment.

Material and methods
The study included 180 pretreated lateral cephalometric radiographs of Egyptian orthodontic patients of both sexes with varying skeletal malocclusion patterns from the Orthodontic Department clinic at Tanta University. These radiographs were meticulously traced onto lead acetate paper using a 0.5 mm lead pencil and an LED tracing screen for adequate illumination. A total of 60 cephalometric radiographs were grouped based on the ANB angle into three skeletal categories: group 1 (class I, ANB° 2°–4°), group 2 (class II, ANB° >4°), and group 3 (class III, ANB° <2°). To analyze the data, each linear and angular parameter (including ANB°, Wits appraisal, AF-BF distance, APDI angle, Beta angle, Yen angle, and W angle) was compared among these three skeletal groups using the F test (analysis of variance), to compare between more than two groups, for normally distributed quantitative variable. Additionally, the Spearman coefficient test was employed to examine the correlations between various linear and angular measurements studied.

Results
All the performed parameters ANB, Yen, W, Beta, Wits appraisal, and AF-BF distance showed significantly differences for skeletal classes I, II, III. APDI angle differed significantly between both classes I and III and also classes II and III, but did not differ significantly between classes I and II. Strong correlations were found among the studied parameters except between Wits appraisal and AF-BF distance which showed nonsignificant correlation.

Conclusion
The previous parameters are equally important in terms of diagnosis and reliability, allowing them to serve as alternative analyses under challenging circumstances.