Vol 28, No 6 (2024)

BACKGROUND: Periimplantitis causes implant loss, which reduces the quality of dental treatment. The effect of periimplantitis treatment on the immune response, particularly the chemiluminescent activity of neutrophilic granulocytes, is unclear. The paper addresses this issue, as well as improvements in periimplantitis treatment approaches.

AIM: To assess the biocompatibility of implants removed from the inflammation site and treated with Air Flow and laser.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three types of implant surface were assessed: anodized titanium dioxide (TiO₂); sand-blasted, large grit, acid-etched (SLA); and resorbable blast media (RBM). Implants were removed in patients with confirmed periimplantitis, followed by an air-powder abrasive surface treatment with Air Flow and chlorhexidine, using a YSGG laser with a wave length of 2,780 nm. New (out of the box) implants were used as a control. Biocompatibility was assessed by the synthesis of primary and secondary reactive oxygen species (ROS) by neutrophils; the intensity and kinetics of synthesis were examined using chemiluminescence analysis.

RESULTS: Lucigenin- and luminol-dependent chemiluminescence of neutrophils was assessed following in vitro incubation with SLA, RMB, and TiO₂ implants removed in patients with confirmed periimplantitis and treated with Air Flow and chlorhexidine. The study found a decrease in the time to maximum and an increase in the maximum intensity and area under the curve of spontaneous and zymosan-induced chemiluminescence of neutrophils, regardless of the studied implant type. Changes in the zymosan-induced chemiluminescence of neutrophils following incubation with implants were greater than changes in spontaneous chemiluminescence, resulting in a higher activation index. No significant changes in neutrophil chemiluminescence were observed after in vitro incubation with laser-treated SLA, RMB, and TiO₂ implants.

CONCLUSION: SLA, RMB, and TiO₂ implants removed in periimplantitis patients and treated with Air Flow and chlorhexidine have low biocompatibility. However, Air Flow-treated RBM implants show relatively superior biocompatibility than SLA and TiO₂ implants, which is attributed to the decreased synthesis of primary and secondary ROS by neutrophils during in vitro incubation. The degree of ROS synthesis by neutrophils during incubation with laser-treated implants corresponds to that of the control, indicating increased biocompatibility of laser-treated implants. Laser-treated TiO₂ implants had the lowest neutrophil activation during incubation, determining their maximum biocompatibility among the studied implants.

BACKGROUND: Preventive treatment is essential in modern dentistry, resulting in increased attention to the causes and potential predictability of dental pathologies, including tooth cracks and fractures. Currently, there is a lack of comprehensive, detailed studies on this subject.

AIM: To assess the detectability of risk factors for tooth cracks and fractures (based on a survey of dentists).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey of 52 dentists of various specialties was performed using a special questionnaire on the incidence and causes of tooth cracks and fractures.

RESULTS: According to the survey of dentists, the incidence of confirmed tooth cracks and fractures was 6.7% and 4.4% for extracted and treated teeth, respectively. Maxillary premolar roots were the most common site (59.1%), with longitudinal cracks/fractures predominating (68.2%). Of all reported cracks and fractures, 15.6% were only detected during an X-ray or CT examination. Overall, 87.7% of cracks and fractures were detected in devitalized teeth, 79.3% in patients with unreplaced missing teeth, dental cavities, or restoration of more than 50% of the occlusal surface (76.3% and 49.3%, respectively), and 30.6% in patients with root wall thinning. At least 65.0% of tooth destruction cases occurred within 5 years of devitalization, filling, or replacement.

CONCLUSION: The study found that the main risk factors for tooth cracks and fractures (more than 10% of extracted and treated teeth) are devitalization and excessive load caused by incomplete dental restoration, as well as significant destruction of the crown, root wall thinning, and a long period following devitalization, filling, or replacement. More than half of all tooth cracks are longitudinal. Maxillary premolars are more prone to cracks and fractures. These factors can be used to predict long-term complications such as tooth cracks and fractures after dental tissue treatment.

BACKGROUND: Complete dentures are a valid treatment option in edentulous patients. However, the average service life of complete dentures is 4–5 years, which is frequently due to microbial contamination.

AIM: To perform quantitative and qualitative assessment of microbiota on the surface of complete dentures after 1 and 4 years of use.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 40 fully edentulous patients (К08.1) who used acrylic complete dentures for no more than 5 years. There were two groups (n=20 each) based on the duration of use of complete dentures: 1 year in Group 1 and 4 years in Group 2. The microbiota composition was examined by mass spectrometry. The Statistiсa 13 package was used for statistical processing of the study findings. For multiple comparisons, the parametric t-test with Bonferroni correction was used to assess intergroup differences, with p=0.05 as the critical significance level.

RESULTS: Microbial contamination increased in all examined patients after using complete dentures for 1 to 4 years. Cocci and bacilli counts increased from 56±5 (10⁵ cells/g) (р=0.03) to 107±8 (10⁵ cells/g) (р=0.04). Anaerobe counts increased from 68±6 (10⁵ cells/g) (р=0.0002) to 102±9 (10⁵ cells/g) (р=0.0002). Actinobacteria counts increased from 30±3 (10⁵ cells/g) to 143±12 (10⁵ cells/g) (р=0.003). Gram-negative rod counts increased from 4±1 (10⁵ cells/g) (р=0.0005) to 24±2 (10⁵ cells/g) (р=0.0006). Yeast and mold counts increased from 977±90 (10⁵ cells/g) (р=0.0003) to 1,587±136 (10⁵ cells/g) (р=0.003).

CONCLUSION: Within 4 years, yeast and mold counts increased by 91%, actinobacteria counts by 61%, gram-negative rod counts by 500%, and anaerobe counts by 50% in all patients. The study findings indicate that microbial contamination of dentures is directly related to the duration of their use.

BACKGROUND: Dentists’ work is associated with significant emotional stress, specific physical exertion, including prolonged static positions, and exposure to noise and vibration. These occupational factors are linked to hypertension.

AIM: To assess the functional status of a dentist under outpatient visit conditions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included dentists of varying ages. A functional and psychoemotional status assessment protocol was developed, which was used by study subjects to enter self-measured blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) before and after work (8:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 8:00 PM). To ensure objective assessment, the study included a control group of dentists of varying ages, where functional parameters were measured and monitored by healthcare professionals.

RESULTS: BP and HR measurements before and after work were received in both groups. In young dentists, the measurements before work were as follows: systolic BP (SBP) 117.6 mm Hg [115; 121], diastolic BP (DBP) 74.3 mm Hg [71; 78], and HR 75.4 bpm [70; 81]. In middle-aged dentists, the measurements before work were as follows: SBP 120.5 mm Hg [117; 123], DBP 78.2 mm Hg [74; 83], and HR 75.2 bpm [73; 78]. In older dentists, the measurements before work were as follows: SBP 130.6 mm Hg [128; 132], DBP 80.8 mm Hg [77; 84], and HR 79.2 bpm [77; 85].

After work, there was an expected increase in all parameters in all age groups. In young dentists of the control group, the measurements before and after work were as follows: SBP 119.6 mm Hg [117; 122] and 130.2 mm Hg [128; 133], respectively; DBP 82.4 mm Hg [78; 84] and 85.4 mm Hg [72; 87], respectively; and HR 77.2 bpm [75; 79] and 83.3 bpm [80; 83], respectively. In middle-aged dentists of the control group, the measurements before and after work were as follows: SBP 125.3 mm Hg [123; 127] and 137.4 mm Hg [134; 139], respectively; DBP 85.4 mm Hg [82; 87] and 86.2 mm Hg [84; 88], respectively; and HR 75.4 bpm [73; 79] and 83.2 bpm [80; 85], respectively. In older dentists of the control group, the measurements before and after work were as follows: SBP 140.2 mm Hg [138; 141] and 149.5 mm Hg [147; 151], respectively; DBP 88.3 mm Hg [86; 90] and 92.3 mm Hg [89; 94], respectively; and HR 80.3 bpm [78; 83] and 81.2 bpm [79; 83], respectively.

CONCLUSION: There were significant changes in functional parameters (BP and HR) during the day in dentists of varying ages, depending on the time of day and age, which may indicate potential cardiovascular risks. The control group showed a significant increase in the assessed functional parameters in the same age groups. These findings necessitate additional informing of dentists on occupational risks in order to encourage preventive measures, which may have a significant impact on quality of life and life expectancy in the future.

This paper presents data on the incidence of malocclusion. It discusses the advantages of digital impressions over analog impressions in dental practice. The literature on software, digital planning methods, and the features of modern orthodontic treatment devices used in dentistry is reviewed. Comparative characteristics of each proposed method are provided. Furthermore, the potential applications of combination planning approaches, such as cone beam computed tomography and intraoral scanning, are discussed.

The review describes in detail the most common digital solutions used by dentists during orthodontic treatment planning, as well as their advantages and disadvantages.

The paper provides a review of relevant studies on the use of digital technology for personal identification in dentistry, as well as the main challenges of their implementation and use in real-world dental practice. Modern aspects of diagnosis and comprehensive planning of identification studies are aimed at improving the efficacy of solving complex medical and legal problems. The use of digital technology in dentistry has improved the accuracy of personal identification, as well as the reliability of forensic evidence. Significant advantages of digital photo and X-ray examinations over conventional techniques, as well as the benefits of digital 3D face reconstruction and dental identification, have been demonstrated. These findings indicate that artificial intelligence technology has the potential to improve identification methods.

At the same time, professional literature demonstrates shortcomings of artificial intelligence-based solutions in terms of discrimination, transparency, accountability, personal privacy, data safety, ethical norms, and other critical aspects. Thus, some authors suggest that the use of intellectual computer systems should be limited or even prohibited when drawing final conclusions and making judgments based on expert examination results. However, leading industry experts are increasingly convinced that the virtual evolution of self-developing artificial intelligence systems designed for independent existence is unavoidable.

According to recent research, the scientific community is increasingly interested in the implementation of innovative digital technology for effective solving of everyday research and practice challenges. Thus, digital technology has the potential to be a valuable tool for solving personal identification tasks and improving the quality of forensic evidence.

BACKGROUND: Robotics is a rapidly evolving area, especially in medical education, where robots improve the results of training and professional qualification of physicians. Dental anthropomorphic robot (DARs) are valuable tools that assist dentistry students in acquiring practical skills, expanding theoretical knowledge, and improving nonverbal communication skills. Given the current practical training issues, the use of such robots becomes increasingly relevant. However, high production and implementation costs require a detailed economic evaluation to assess the practicality of such devices.

AIM: To perform a socioeconomic assessment of investments in DARs for practical training of dentistry students.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A socioeconomic assessment of the use of DARs for practical training of dentistry students at a medical college was performed. The assessment focused on the cost-benefit analysis of implementing DARs for practical training. Cost-effectiveness was assessed using the net present value (NPV), profitability index (PI), internal rate of return (IRR), and payoff period. The data were acquired from the Dentistry training program of the Russian University of Medicine. The data included training costs, robot purchase and maintenance costs, and organization of studies.

RESULTS: The use of one robot per 10 students results in a positive NPV of 54,279,963 rubles, with a PI of 5.52, an IRR of 70.79%, and a payoff period of approximately one and two years, respectively. These findings confirm the economic efficiency of the project. When using one robot per one student, the values are negative, indicating the economic inefficiency of this scenario.

CONCLUSION: The study showed that the use of DARs for practical training of dentistry students results in a high economic efficiency. High NPV, PI, and IRR values confirm the profitability of the project. Moreover, the robot improves practical skills by increasing the accuracy and speed of dental procedures.