Frontiers in dental medicine最新文献

{"title":"Efficacy of ethyl chloride topical anesthesia application on pain perception during intra-oral injections in children compared to benzocaine gel-a single-blind randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Nagah Abdelrahman, Manal Al Halabi, Mawlood Kowash, Iyad Hussein, Anas Salami","doi":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1925109","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1925109","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Pain management during local anesthesia administration is a critical factor in pediatric dentistry. This assessor-blind, parallel-group, superiority randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06011005) aimed to determine whether ethyl chloride (EC) spray applied via a cotton pellet provides superior pain reduction compared to 20% benzocaine (BC) gel during intra-oral local anesthetic injections in children.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Fifty-seven healthy children aged 7-10 years requiring routine dental local anesthesia were randomized to Group A (20% BC gel, <i>n</i> = 29) or Group B (EC spray via cotton pellet, <i>n</i> = 28). The primary outcome was physiological stress measured by change in heart rate (HR). Secondary outcomes included self-reported pain (Faces Pain Scale, FPS) and observed behavioral response (Sound-Eye-Motor scale, SEM). The outcomes assessor was blinded to the topical agent used. Between-group differences in change scores were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney <i>U</i> test with Hodges-Lehmann median differences and bootstrap 95% confidence intervals.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Both groups demonstrated slight increases in HR following the injection; however, the magnitude of change was not significantly different between the groups (BC: +4.03 bpm vs. EC: +2.14 bpm; Mann-Whitney <i>U p</i> = 0.310; 95% CI of mean difference: -1.53 to 5.35). Additionally, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding self-reported pain levels (FPS change: BC +1.31 vs. EC +1.25; <i>p</i> = 0.546; 95% CI: -1.03 to 1.08) or behavioral responses (SEM change: BC +0.10 vs. EC +0.11; <i>p</i> = 0.971; 95% CI: -0.22 to 0.21).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The superiority trial did not reveal a statistically significant difference between the use of ethyl chloride spray and 20% benzocaine gel across any of the measured outcomes. Both anesthetic agents produced comparable physiological responses, self-reported experiences, and behavioral reactions during intra-oral local anesthetic injections in cooperative children aged 7-10 years.</p>","PeriodicalId":73077,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in dental medicine","volume":"7 ","pages":"1925109"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13533958/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148882661","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular cytokine-dependent mechanisms of periodontitis pathogenesis and the potential for pharmacological IL-1 modulation in disease treatment.","authors":"Igor Belenichev, Olena Popazova, Oksana Dmytriieva, Sergiy Chertov, Nina Bukhtiyarova, Victor Ryzhenko, Sergiy Oliynyk, Suyeon Lee, Kyu-Ho Yi","doi":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1849807","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1849807","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Periodontitis (P) is one of the most common human dental diseases, with significant medical and social implications. According to the World Health Organization, more than 45% of the adult population worldwide exhibits clinical signs of periodontitis, with 10%-15% of cases becoming generalized with destruction of the alveolar bone. This review presents the results of modern research demonstrating that the etiopathogenesis of periodontitis is not limited to local microbial factors; systemic, social, and behavioral factors can play a significant role, determining the body's susceptibility to chronic inflammation. In this study, we focus on the role of cytokines in the athogenesis of periodontitis. Based on modern research, we demonstratethe general biological significance of cytokines and their role in initiating periodontal inflammation and systemic diseases associated with periodontitis. The molecular and biochemical cytokine-dependent mechanisms of initiation and progression of oxidative stress in periodontitis are covered in detail. The role of individual cytokines in the pathogenesis of periodontitis is shown: interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interferon-gamma, IL-10, IL-23, IL-17, and Th17 cells. The review presents a modern approach to complex drug therapy of periodontitis. The arsenal of antiseptics, antibiotics, and synthetic antimicrobial agents available to dentists is presented. A new approach is demonstrated in the use of probiotics-live microorganisms (probiotics, symbiotics, and bacteriophages) that maintain the balance of the oral microbiome. Beyond standard antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory therapies, host modulators, antioxidants, and bioregulatory agents play a vital role in treating P. They effectively suppress proinflammatory cytokines, mitigate oxidative stress, and improve metabolic activity in affected tissues. We present data on the development of individual regenerative structures using bioactive polymers and 3D printing for the future treatment of chronic periodontitis, as well as the potential use of biomaterials with nanostructured components, collagen matrices with nanoparticles, hydrogels with functional peptides, synthetic polymers with a modest antibacterial effect, and transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells, as well as bioactive scaffolds with stem cells. The most important section of the review is devoted to the clinical and pharmacological properties of cytokine modulators-TNF-α blockers, IL-6 blockers, and IL-1 blockers. Using current research results, including our own, we demonstrate the potential of using an IL-1 receptor antagonist and its new dosage form, such as a dental gel.</p>","PeriodicalId":73077,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in dental medicine","volume":"7 ","pages":"1849807"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13535533/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148882666","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Efficacy of silver modified atraumatic restorative treatment (SMART) versus atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) for caries control in primary teeth: a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Katia Noemi Rubio-Membrillo, María Victoria Espinoza-Salcedo, Heber Isac Arbildo-Vega, Omar Edmundo Rojas-Rojas, Edith Esther Delgado-Asmat, Jhair Alexander León-Rodríguez, Franz Tito Coronel-Zubiate","doi":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1914881","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1914881","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Early childhood caries represents a severe global public health problem. Faced with this, Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) and Silver Modified Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (SMART) have positioned themselves as minimally invasive approaches. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy of SMART versus conventional ART for caries control in primary teeth.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, searching for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) across seven databases up to March 2026. Studies with a minimum follow-up period of 6 months were included. The risk of bias was assessed using the RoB 2 tool, and the certainty of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE approach.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Seven reports derived from six randomized clinical trials with an overall low risk of bias were included in the qualitative synthesis, representing 398 unique pediatric participants. One trial generated two complementary publications reporting different outcomes; therefore, only the publication reporting clinical success contributed to the quantitative synthesis. A total of six randomized clinical trials were included in the meta-analysis, which showed no statistically significant differences in overall clinical success between SMART and ART (OR = 1.28; 95% CI: 0.91-1.80; <i>p</i> = 0.16). Furthermore, Trial Sequential Analysis (TSA) demonstrated that the cumulative evidence remains inconclusive.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>There is no statistically significant difference in overall clinical success between SMART and ART for the primary dentition. Both are viable and effective strategies; however, the certainty of the available evidence is low, and therefore future large-scale RCTs are required to establish definitive clinical guidelines.</p><p><strong>Systematic review registration: </strong>https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420261325936, PROSPERO CRD420261325936.</p>","PeriodicalId":73077,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in dental medicine","volume":"7 ","pages":"1914881"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13534126/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148882568","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of surface integrity, longevity of posterior tooth-colored crowns fabricated by conventional, CAD/CAM, and 3D printing techniques.","authors":"Tanner Hunt, Jacob Nichols, Preston Harmon, Neamat Hassan Abubakr","doi":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1900498","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1900498","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>This <i>in vitro</i> study evaluated internal and marginal surface roughness and simulated thermocycling survival of posterior tooth-colored crowns fabricated using conventional laboratory, CAD/CAM milling, and digital light processing 3D printing workflows.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The roughness analysis included 46 crowns allocated to six groups: lab-made crowns (<i>n</i> = 6), IPS e.max CAD (<i>n</i> = 8), IPS Empress CAD (<i>n</i> = 8), Lava Ultimate (<i>n</i> = 8), IPS e.max ZirCAD (<i>n</i> = 8), and 3 D SprintRay Ceramic (<i>n</i> = 8). Internal and marginal arithmetic mean roughness (Ra, µm) were measured with a 3D non-contact profilometer. Because residual normality and variance homogeneity assumptions were not satisfied, group differences were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis tests followed by Holm-adjusted pairwise Mann-Whitney <i>U</i> tests.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Internal Ra differed significantly among groups (<i>H</i> = 25.76, df = 5, <i>p</i> < 0.001). 3D printed SprintRay Ceramic showed the highest internal Ra (29.27 ± 5.45 µm) and was significantly rougher internally than every other group after Holm correction. Marginal Ra also differed significantly among groups (<i>H</i> = 41.86, df = 5, <i>p</i> < 0.001). IPS e.max CAD showed the highest marginal Ra (26.81 ± 1.73 µm), followed by lab-made crowns (19.31 ± 6.40 µm), whereas IPS e.max ZirCAD showed the lowest marginal Ra (4.82 ± 1.03 µm).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Within the limitation of the present study material type and fabrication workflow significantly influenced internal and marginal surface roughness of posterior tooth-colored crowns. The crowns survival rates were more closely associated with material type than fabrication method.</p>","PeriodicalId":73077,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in dental medicine","volume":"7 ","pages":"1900498"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13529506/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148875783","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Editorial: Data driven analytics in orofacial pain.","authors":"Linda Sangalli, Akhilanand Chaurasia, Maria Bankvall","doi":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1959814","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1959814","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":73077,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in dental medicine","volume":"7 ","pages":"1959814"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13530725/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148876024","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"3D Evaluation of material-dependent volumetric and interfacial changes in CAD/CAM partial crowns: a semi-automated micro-CT approach.","authors":"Ellen Schulz-Kornas, Olivia Giesa, Tobias Meißner, Nadia Oberück, Philipp D Lösel, Stephan Handschuh, Dirk Ziebolz, Rainer Haak","doi":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1843676","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1843676","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Changes in the 3D volumes, interfaces, and interfacial gap formation were examined of adhesively luted lithium disilicate (LS2) and resin-based composite (RBC) partial crowns during artificial aging and imaged by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Sixteen human mandibular molars were restored using either 8 CAD/CAM partial crowns made of LS2 (IPS e.max® CAD) or RBC (Tetric® CAD). After adhesive luting (Variolink® Esthetic DC, adhesive luting composite), artificial aging [water storage for 90 days (t1) and thermo-mechanical loading (t2)], the partial crowns were analyzed by micro-CT (Avizo, Biomedisa). Paired <i>t</i>-test, ANOVA and Tukey HSD test (<i>α</i> = 0.05) were used to analyze area and volume parameters; e.g., luting space volume (VLS), luting space thickness (TLS), and partial crown contact area to the cavity and tooth tissues (CPT).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Across artificial aging, most area parameters and all four volume parameters remained stable in both materials. Yet, there were changing values in areas of direct contact between the partial crown material and the tooth tissues: CPE, CPT were generally smaller at t1 for LS2 (2.2 ± 1.2%) compared to RBC (4.5 ± 1.3%), especially at the inflection and saddle points of the round preparation form. Across both time points, LS2 showed consistently higher mean luting space thickness than RBC. It remained without gap progression.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The semi-automated 3D micro-CT analysis enables a comprehensive evaluation of adhesive interfaces and may help to develop new ideas to enhance long-term restoration outcomes. RBC partial crowns had more surfaces in direct contact with the cavity floor than LS2 partial crowns.</p><p><strong>Clinical significance: </strong>The approach with Biomedisa has potential translational value and may enable individualized quality control and long-term monitoring of adhesive restorations in clinical practice. Both materials achieve comparable survival rates, wear resistance, and interface stability under simulated conditions and when minimum material thickness is respected.</p>","PeriodicalId":73077,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in dental medicine","volume":"7 ","pages":"1843676"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13529759/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148875773","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Accuracy and response repeatability of three large language models on undergraduate operative dentistry multiple-choice questions.","authors":"Jasmine Mary Antony, Nikhil Harikrishnan, Nishi Jayasheelan","doi":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1934573","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1934573","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a valuable tool in the field of dentistry to assist healthcare providers in diagnosis, optimize treatment outcomes, support research, and improve education. Furthermore, the generative aspects of AI have emerged as a powerful tool for dental professionals to tackle clinical and academic challenges. However, the reliability of AI in domains such as undergraduate training remains unverified.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy and consistency of three large language models (LLMs) in answering multiple-choice questions on the undergraduate operative dentistry curriculum to determine their reliability as a supplementary learning resource.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Sixty multiple-choice questions were formulated from the undergraduate operative dentistry curriculum. Each LLM (Claude, Gemini, and ChatGPT) was queried individually nine times over three days. The results were evaluated using a predetermined answer key. The accuracy of the LLMs was compared using a generalized estimating equation (GEE) with question-level clustering analysis. Consistency was assessed at the question level using response consistency, correctness consistency, and Fleiss' kappa. Statistical significance was set at <i>P</i> < 0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Gemini demonstrated the highest overall accuracy (98.89%), followed by ChatGPT (98.33%) and Claude (97.78%). No statistically significant difference in accuracy was observed among the three LLMs (GEE, overall Wald <i>χ</i> ²(2) = 1.46, <i>p</i> = 0.481). All three models showed almost perfect intersession agreement (Fleiss' <i>κ</i> = 0.93-0.95), with response and correctness consistency ranging from 88.3% to 91.7% across models.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>All three LLMs demonstrated high accuracy on operative dentistry MCQs, suggesting their potential utility as a supplementary educational tool. However, the residual error rates in the answers warrant the cautious integration of LLMs into dental education.</p>","PeriodicalId":73077,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in dental medicine","volume":"7 ","pages":"1934573"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13526938/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148868203","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of the efficacy of placental extract gel vs. curcumin gel in the treatment of oral aphthous ulcer: a randomized clinical trial.","authors":"Seemadevi Thangeswaran, Naganandini S, Alexander Maniangat Luke, Mohamed Saleh Hamad Ingafou","doi":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1783623","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1783623","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Context: </strong>Canker sores are among the most common oral mucosal lesions with an unclear etiology. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) causes considerable pain and discomfort, affecting quality of life.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To compare the efficacy of placental extract gel (PEG) and curcumin gel in the management of recurrent aphthous stomatitis.</p><p><strong>Settings and design: </strong>A randomized clinical trial conducted in the Department of Public Health Dentistry.</p><p><strong>Methods and material: </strong>Thirty participants diagnosed with RAS were randomly allocated into two groups: Group I (PEG, <i>n</i> = 15) and Group II (Curcumin gel, <i>n</i> = 15). Ulcer size and pain intensity were evaluated at baseline, day 3, and day 7 using standardized clinical measurements and a visual analog scale. Recurrence rates were assessed at 1, 2, 3, and 6 months. Acceptability of the intervention was evaluated using a structured questionnaire.</p><p><strong>Statistical analysis: </strong>An independent <i>t-</i>test, a Chi-square test, and repeated measures ANOVA were used for the analysis, with significance set at <i>p</i> ≤ 0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Both groups showed significant reductions in ulcer size and pain scores by day 3 and day 7 (<i>p</i> < 0.05), with improvements observed in both interventions. However, the recurrence rate was higher in the curcumin group than in the other group. No adverse effects were reported in either group, although 40% of participants in the curcumin group reported an unpleasant taste.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Both placental extract gel and curcumin gel were effective in reducing pain and ulcer size in recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Placental extract gel demonstrated lower recurrence rates compared with curcumin gel. No adverse effects were observed in either group; however, this study was not powered to detect differences in safety outcomes.</p><p><strong>Clinical trial registration: </strong>https://trialsearch.who.int/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=CTRI/2023/11/059637, Identifier: CTRI/2023/11/059637.</p>","PeriodicalId":73077,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in dental medicine","volume":"7 ","pages":"1783623"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13527776/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148868211","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Four years of free orthodontic care for vulnerable children: a community case study from the Caritas Dental Clinic in Rome.","authors":"Cristina Grippaudo, Ilaria Tucci, Elena Gimondo, Elisa Russo, Iole Vozza","doi":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1863855","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1863855","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Access to orthodontic treatment remains limited for many socially vulnerable children and adolescents due to financial, administrative, and social barriers. Despite the high prevalence of malocclusion and its potential impact on oral health and quality of life, few reports have described practical models aimed at improving access to orthodontic care for underserved populations. This study describes a community-based model developed at the Caritas Dental Clinic in Rome to provide free orthodontic treatment to vulnerable minors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This Community Case Study reports the implementation of a free orthodontic care pathway between January 2022 and December 2025. Patients were referred through Caritas social services, family homes, and therapeutic communities. Orthodontic treatment was provided free of charge through collaboration between volunteer orthodontists, postgraduate students, Caritas staff, and partner dental laboratories. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize patient characteristics and treatment activity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 133 patients were assessed for eligibility, and 93 initiated orthodontic treatment. The mean age of treated patients was 12.5 years; 55.9% were male and 44.1% female. Most patients were foreign-born (74.2%), while 25.8% were Italian. Forty patients (30.1%) did not proceed to treatment, mainly because of missed appointments and difficulties in maintaining regular follow-up. Fixed appliances represented the most frequently used treatment modality, often combined with interceptive and orthopedic approaches.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The experience of the Caritas Dental Clinic demonstrates the feasibility of a community-based model for delivering free orthodontic care to socially vulnerable children and adolescents. Collaboration among healthcare professionals, volunteers, educational institutions, and social services may help reduce barriers to orthodontic treatment and improve access to care for underserved populations. Further studies are needed to evaluate long-term clinical outcomes and the broader impact of similar programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":73077,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in dental medicine","volume":"7 ","pages":"1863855"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13518508/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148842323","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative evaluation of obturation techniques for C-shaped canals: a network meta-analysis.","authors":"Yaojia Lu, Lingjiao Lu","doi":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1903167","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1903167","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To compare the filling quality of different root canal filling methods in C-shaped canals using a network meta-analysis.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>This PROSPERO-registered study [CRD420251044833] included <i>in vitro</i> investigations on C-shaped canals. After screening 1139 records, 9 studies were eligible. A Bayesian model network meta-analysis was performed using R software, with interventions ranked by SUCRA values. Risk of bias was assessed using the RoBDEMAT tool, and subgroup analyses were conducted for different canal configurations and imaging methods.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>No statistically significant differences were found between LC and any of the other filling method, with the exception that UC exhibited significantly lower porosity than LC at the middle region(MD = -1.7,95% Crl:-3.3, -0.062). Subgroup analyses revealed that the overall results were modified to some extent by differences in C-shaped canal anatomy and the method used to detect obturation porosity.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Current obturation techniques remain unable to achieve completely void-free filling in C-shaped root canals. However, the obturation performance of the same technique varied across different root levels, suggesting a site-dependent pattern of filling quality.</p><p><strong>Clinical relevance: </strong>The present findings do not support a definitive recommendation for any particular obturation technique in clinical practice. Rather, they may be viewed as an evidence map that provides a reference framework for the design of future studies.</p><p><strong>Systematic review registration: </strong>https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero, CRD420251044833.</p>","PeriodicalId":73077,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in dental medicine","volume":"7 ","pages":"1903167"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13508814/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148835401","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}