Frontiers in dental medicine最新文献

{"title":"Influence of crystallization and adhesive cementation on the fracture resistance of CAD/CAM advanced lithium disilicate and zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate ceramics after thermocycling.","authors":"Andrea Ordóñez Balladares, Luis Chauca-Bajaña, Marcela Alejandra Ordoñez Balladares, Rolando Fabricio Dau Villafuerte, Carlos Carpio-Cevallos, César Humberto Palacios Jurado, Elizabeth Cecilia Ortíz Matías, Gina Vasquez Armas, Juan Suarez-Palacios, Byron Velásquez Ron","doi":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1715080","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fdmed.2026.1715080","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Advancements in CAD/CAM glass-ceramics have expanded their use in esthetic dentistry; however, the combined influence of thermal processing and adhesive cementation on their mechanical performance after oral aging remains unclear.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To assess the effect of crystallization and adhesive cementation on the fracture resistance of CAD/CAM advanced lithium disilicate and zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate ceramics following thermocycling.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Eighty monolithic crowns (<i>n</i> = 10/group) were milled from advanced lithium disilicate (CEREC Tessera™), lithium disilicate (e.max CAD), and zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (Vita Suprinity®). Specimens were assigned to eight groups based on crystallization and cementation protocols. All crowns underwent 5,000 thermocycles (5 °C-55 °C). Fracture resistance was measured under static compressive loading. Non-parametric tests (Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney <i>U</i> with Bonferroni correction) were applied (<i>α</i> = 0.05).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Both crystallization and adhesive cementation significantly increased fracture resistance (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Crystallized-cemented specimens exhibited the highest values across all materials. Tessera™ crystallized-cemented crowns reached the highest mean fracture resistance (1,918.9 ± 246.3 N), outperforming e.max CAD and Vita Suprinity®.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Crystallization and adhesive cementation exert synergistic benefits on the fracture resistance of CAD/CAM glass-ceramic crowns after thermocycling. Adhering to recommended thermal cycles and adhesive protocols is essential to optimize mechanical reliability and long-term performance.</p>","PeriodicalId":73077,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in dental medicine","volume":"7 ","pages":"1715080"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12913558/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146229899","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":"Fenestration after orthodontic traction of an impacted dilacerated maxillary central incisor: a case report and 4-year follow-up.","authors":"Shuhao Xu, Xiaolong Li, Yu Zhang, Wei Li","doi":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1764953","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fdmed.2026.1764953","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Dilacerated impacted maxillary central incisors require early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment. Early orthodontic traction can allow the root, which is confined by the buccal or palatal cortical bone, to rotate along with the crown and enter the cancellous bone, thereby gaining an opportunity for continued development. We reported a case of an 11-year-old boy with an impacted dilacerated maxillary central incisor. Following surgical exposure combined with orthodontic traction, fenestration occurred. However, after four years of follow-up, the affected tooth exhibited normal pulp vitality and no abnormal mobility. This case might offer an indication that even for dilacerated maxillary central incisors with short roots, or those that develop fenestration after traction, the long-term outcomes of traction treatment could be quite favorable.</p>","PeriodicalId":73077,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in dental medicine","volume":"7 ","pages":"1764953"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12913564/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146229908","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":"Effectiveness of hyaluronic acid vs. surgical and non-surgical methods for Papilla Reconstruction: a systematic review.","authors":"Amal Ghazi Jamjoom, Maha Ali Bakhshwain","doi":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1757417","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fdmed.2026.1757417","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims: </strong>Interdental papilla loss produces unaesthetic \"black triangles\" that impair function and patient satisfaction. While surgical and non-surgical techniques exist, hyaluronic acid (HA) injections have emerged as a minimally invasive option, but their comparative effectiveness and certainty of evidence remain unclear. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of injectable HA for interdental papilla reconstruction.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>MEDLINE/PubMed and EMBASE were searched from inception through May 2025 for peer-reviewed randomized and non-randomized trials, cohort studies, or split-mouth designs in adults aged 18 years or older. Eligible studies compared injectable HA to surgical (e.g., connective tissue grafts) or non-surgical approaches (e.g., platelet-rich fibrin, saline placebo). The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane RoB 2.0 and the ROBINS-I tool. Where appropriate, meta-analyses were performed, and heterogeneity was evaluated using the <i>I</i> ² statistic.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Three trials (<i>n</i> = 39; 138 papillae) were included. Compared with saline, HA reduced the surface area of black triangles (SABT) (MD: -43.0 mm²), increased papilla height (MD 0.22 mm), and improved patient satisfaction (MD: 17 VAS points). However, comparisons with active regenerative comparators showed no statistically significant differences. Quantitative synthesis was limited by very high heterogeneity (<i>I</i> ² up to 97%), small sample sizes, and methodological concerns; all included trials were judged to have <i>some concerns</i> regarding risk of bias.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Hyaluronic acid offers short-term esthetic improvements over placebo, but evidence certainty is low to moderate, and no clear superiority over other regenerative approaches was demonstrated. Substantial heterogeneity and limited methodological robustness limit the confidence in quantitative conclusions.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Injectable HA may improve interdental papilla esthetics in the short term compared with placebo; however, its clinical advantage over other regenerative materials remains uncertain. Given the high heterogeneity, small sample sizes, and risk of bias, larger, well-designed randomized trials with standardized protocols and longer follow-up are required before firm clinical recommendations can be made.</p><p><strong>Systematic review registration: </strong>https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251051629, identifier CRD420251051629.</p>","PeriodicalId":73077,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in dental medicine","volume":"7 ","pages":"1757417"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-02-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12907298/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146215055","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 of 3D-printed surgical guides compared with freehand technique for temporary anchorage device placement in the mandibular buccal shelf.","authors":"Yasmin Youssef, Bayan Alyammahi, Amar Hassan Khamis, Abdel Rahman Tawfik, Ahmed Ghoneima","doi":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1691232","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fdmed.2026.1691232","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This <i>in vitro</i> study evaluated the accuracy of 3D-printed surgical guides for the placement of temporary anchorage devices (TADs) in the mandibular buccal shelf.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Fifty CBCT scans from the Dubai Dental Hospital database were used to create 100 3D-printed mandibular models. A total of 100 TADs (BENEfit \"R\" screw, 11 mm length, 2 mm diameter) were inserted in the buccal shelf region between the first and second molars. Each mandible was duplicated to form two groups: (1) a guided group, where TADs were placed using a custom-designed surgical guide, and a (2) manual group, where placement was performed freehand.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The guided group showed significantly higher TAD placement accuracy than the manual group, with improved parallelism to roots, closer proximity to the buccal cortical bone, greater distance from the lingual cortical bone and root apices, more upright angulation, and increased safety from the inferior alveolar nerve (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Placement success was 98% vs. 70% for guided and manual groups, respectively (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Bone measurements showed greater width at the second molar and greater length at the first molar. Correlation analyses indicated that TAD angulation and proximity to cortical bone, root apices, and the inferior alveolar nerve were positively associated with local bone width, particularly at the second molar region (<i>p</i> < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The use of 3D-printed surgical guides significantly enhanced the accuracy, safety, and clinical reliability of TAD placement in the mandibular buccal shelf, offering a valuable adjunct to orthodontic practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":73077,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in dental medicine","volume":"7 ","pages":"1691232"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-02-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12907315/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146215033","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":"The role of artificial intelligence in diagnosing pediatric dental disorders-a narrative review.","authors":"Prathibha Prasad","doi":"10.3389/fdmed.2025.1685359","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fdmed.2025.1685359","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing healthcare, and its application in pediatric dentistry is showing significant promise in improving diagnostic accuracy, efficiency, and early detection of dental conditions in children. This review explores the current landscape of AI-driven technologies employed in the identification of pediatric dental diseases, including dental caries, malocclusion, developmental anomalies, and periodontal conditions. Various AI techniques, such as machine learning, deep learning, and convolutional neural networks (CNNs), are examined for their diagnostic potential and performance relative to traditional methods. The review also examines the integration of AI with radiographic imaging, intraoral scanners, and other diagnostic tools commonly used in pediatric dental practice. While AI presents considerable advantages such as speed, objectivity, and the potential to reduce human error, limitations, including data privacy, lack of standardized datasets, and ethical considerations, are also highlighted. Overall, this review underscores the ground-breaking potential of AI in pediatric dentistry and emphasizes the need for further research, validation, and clinical integration to realize its benefits fully.</p>","PeriodicalId":73077,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in dental medicine","volume":"6 ","pages":"1685359"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-02-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12907376/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146215061","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":"Performance evaluation of AI-based caries detection technology and its educational training module: a dual-phase investigation.","authors":"Jennie Caldwell, Krunal Parekh, Brandon Crowther, Chiraag Gohel, Roberta Pileggi, A Isabel Garcia, Mina Ghorbanifarajzadeh, Teresa A Dolan, Anita Gohel","doi":"10.3389/fdmed.2025.1741855","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fdmed.2025.1741855","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This objective of the study was to assess the accuracy of an AI-based caries detection system, Overjet Caries Assist, or OCA, (Overjet Inc. Claymont, DE, USA) and to analyze the efficacy of the AI-based caries detection training module in teaching dental students radiographic diagnosis of dental caries.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Two independent calibrated observers evaluated 1604 proximal surfaces of teeth on intraoral bitewing radiographs and compared the findings to the OCA caries detection module. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and diagnostic accuracy of the AI system were calculated. For the second part of the study, 82 first- and third-year dental students interpreted 10 intraoral bitewings for caries diagnosis before and after undergoing training with the OCA AI-caries detection training module. Non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to assess the difference between the students' learning before and after the Overjet module training.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The average sensitivity for enamel lesions was found to be 0.69, while the average sensitivity for dentinal lesions was found to be 0.91. The average specificity for enamel lesions was found to be 0.99, while the average specificity for dentinal lesions was found to be 0.98. There was a 43%-46% increase in students' ability to detect radiographic caries following the completion of the Overjet training module.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The OCA module can be used as an effective tool for assisting diagnosis of caries among dental students. The Overjet training module is effective in training dental students' radiographic diagnosis of caries.</p>","PeriodicalId":73077,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in dental medicine","volume":"6 ","pages":"1741855"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12894254/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146204138","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 the shaping performance of three NiTi rotary systems in distolingual canals of 3D-printed three-rooted mandibular first molars.","authors":"Bingbing Bai, Panpan Zhang, Tao Yang, Fan Pei, Nan Geng, Yongchun Gu","doi":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1742809","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1742809","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>This <i>ex vivo</i> study compared the shaping ability of three nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary systems in distolingual (DL) canals using 3D-printed three-rooted mandibular first molar (3RM1) replicas.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Two extracted 3RM1s with DL roots (curvatures: 21.9 ° and 37.5 °) were selected and replicated via 3D printing. Eighteen resin replicas per specimen were equally divided into three groups for instrumentation with OneShape (OS), WaveOne Gold (WOG), or ProTaper Universal (PTU), following manufacturers' protocols. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scans were performed before and after DL canal instrumentation. Canal straightening, volume/surface area changes, maximum cutting thickness (MCT), and residual wall thickness (RWT) at cervical and furcation regions were analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>PTU cause the most canal straightening (Specimen 1 replicas: 5.4 ± 0.4 °; Specimen 2 replicas: 11.0 ± 1.5 °), largest increases in canal volume (Specimen 1 replicas: 106.9 ± 41.0%; Specimen 2 replicas: 174.6 ± 26.8%) and surface area (Specimen 1 replicas: 40.3 ± 17.5%; Specimen 2 replicas: 60.0 ± 16.7%), thinnest RWT and highest MCT (Specimen 1 replicas: 0.28 ± 0.04 mm; Specimen 2 replicas: 0.39 ± 0.04 mm). Conversely, WOG showed minimal canal straightening (Specimen 1 replicas: 2.5 ± 0.40 °; Specimen 2 replicas: 4.8 ± 1.5 °), the least canal enlargement (Volume: 30.8 ± 13.1% and 78.6 ± 35.3%; Area: 10.1 ± 8.8% and 23.6 ± 15.3%), greatest RWT, and lowest MCT (Specimen 1 replicas: 0.20 ± 0.04 mm; Specimen 2 replicas: 0.30 ± 0.07 mm). OS performed intermediately. MCT consistently occurred at 2-3 mm below the furcation.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Both single-file systems (WOG and OS) effectively shaped DL canals while maintaining proper geometry. However, OS requires caution in severe curvatures. PTU's aggressive cutting caused excessive resin removal, limiting its DL canal suitability.</p>","PeriodicalId":73077,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in dental medicine","volume":"7 ","pages":"1742809"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12886434/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146168175","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":"Student perspectives on integrating basic and clinical dental sciences: insights from three dental schools in Norway.","authors":"Anna Tostrup Kristensen, Noora Helene Thune, Qalbi Khan, Tor Paaske Utheim, Hugo Lewi Hammer, Amer Sehic","doi":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1746468","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1746468","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>A strong foundation in basic medical sciences is essential for dental education, yet their integration with clinical training remains debated. Traditional curricula often front-load biomedical content in the early years, separated from clinical practice, which may affect student motivation and perceptions of relevance. Norway's three dental schools differ in curricular design, providing an opportunity to explore how structure shapes student experiences.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A cross-sectional survey study was conducted by inviting 157 final-year dental students from the University of Oslo (UiO), the University of Bergen (UiB), and UiT The Arctic University of Norway to complete an anonymous online questionnaire. Ninety-eight students responded (57% in Oslo, 59% in Bergen, 75% in Tromsø), of which 94 were included in the final analysis. The questionnaire addressed expectations before admission, timing and integration of biomedical sciences, clinical relevance, and motivational impact. Data were analyzed using ordinal logistic regression and Fisher's exact test, with significance set at <i>p</i> < 0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Over 80% of students across institutions reported being aware of the importance of biomedical sciences before admission. All three schools concentrated teaching in the first two years, but significant institutional differences emerged regarding integration in later years (<i>p</i> < 0.001). At UiO, 70% reported that extensive early teaching negatively affected their motivation, compared with fewer than 20% at UiB and UiT (<i>p</i> < 0.0001). Similarly, 65% of UiO students disagreed that clinical supervisors reinforced biomedical relevance, while students at UiB and UiT were more likely to report neutral or positive experiences (<i>p</i> < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Curriculum structure plays an important role in shaping students' motivation and perceptions of biomedical relevance. Programs with limited linkage between preclinical and clinical teaching may hinder students' ability to apply foundational knowledge, whereas earlier integration appears to support stronger engagement. Strengthening vertical integration may therefore enhance both clinical competence and perceived relevance.</p>","PeriodicalId":73077,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in dental medicine","volume":"7 ","pages":"1746468"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12883767/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146159474","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":"Oral hygiene and caries experience in children with down syndrome and autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Nurzhamal Bainazarova, Kuralay Zhumabayeva, Gulzhan Yermukhanova, Yagut H Hajiyeva, Kulmira Abdykerimova, Lyazat Orakbay, Farida Zhumageldiyeva, Indira Karibayeva, Nurlan Jainakbayev","doi":"10.3389/fdmed.2025.1726952","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fdmed.2025.1726952","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Children with Down syndrome (DS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at increased risk for oral health problems due to anatomical, behavioral, and socioeconomic factors. However, evidence on their caries experience and oral hygiene remains inconsistent. This study systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed case-control and cross-sectional studies comparing oral health indices in children with DS or ASD to neurotypical peers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar using a standardized strategy. Eligible studies included children aged 0-18 years. Pooled mean differences (MD) in Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), DMFT (decayed, missing, and filled permanent teeth), dmft (primary teeth), and Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated in R using meta and metafor packages.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twenty-four studies were included (527 children with DS, 1,221 with ASD, 1,875 controls). For PI, children with DS had MD = 0.53 (95% CI: -0.13-1.18; <i>I</i> ² = 90%) and children with ASD 0.28 (95% CI: -0.05-0.61; <i>I</i> ² = 93.3%) compared to controls. GI was MD = 12.10 (95% CI: -0.14-162.92; <i>I</i> ² = 99.7%) for DS and 0.33 (95% CI: -0.13-0.78; <i>I</i> ² = 93.1%) for ASD. DMFT showed MD = -0.29 (95% CI: -0.97-0.39; <i>I</i> ² = 54.7%) for DS and 0.29 (95% CI: -0.53-1.11; <i>I</i> ² = 97.6%) for ASD. dmft was MD = -0.14 (95% CI: -0.61-0.33; <i>I</i> ² = 0%) for DS and -0.33 (95% CI: -1.49-0.82; <i>I</i> ² = 94.6%) for ASD. OHI-S was MD = 0.28 (95% CI: -0.92-1.47; <i>I</i> ² = 92.2%) for DS and 0.31 (95% CI: -1.37-1.98; <i>I</i> ² = 65.7%) for ASD. Most differences were not significant due to high heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis identified one influential study affecting PI; excluding it strengthened the effect (MD = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.17-0.70; <i>p</i> = 0.0047). No publication bias was detected for DMFT and dmft indices. Overall certainty of evidence was low.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Children with DS and ASD showed no consistent differences in PI, GI, DMFT, dmft, or OHI-S scores compared to neurotypical peers. Public health strategies should focus on inclusive oral health education, provider training, and equitable access to dental services to improve outcomes for children with neurodevelopmental disorders.</p><p><strong>Systematic review registration: </strong>https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD420251155866, identifier: CRD420251155866.</p>","PeriodicalId":73077,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in dental medicine","volume":"6 ","pages":"1726952"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12876141/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146144825","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 of artificial intelligence applications in periodontics: a thematic narrative review.","authors":"Ady Azhari","doi":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1729825","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1729825","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Artificial intelligence (AI) has been increasingly applied to periodontal diagnostics across periapical, bitewing, panoramic radiographs, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and intraoral photographs. Recent multicenter, external validation, and explainability-focused studies have advanced the field, yet variability in datasets, anatomical sites, reference standards, model architectures, and reporting practices introduces significant heterogeneity. A structured synthesis of current evidence is therefore warranted.</p><p><strong>Main text: </strong>This review synthesizes 35 studies published between 2019 and 2025, evaluating AI applications in four diagnostic domains: detection of periodontal bone loss, measurement of alveolar bone levels, identification of furcation involvement, and detection of periapical lesions. Convolutional neural network (CNN)-based models using periapical radiographs achieved moderate-to-high diagnostic accuracy (0.82-0.85) and AUCs above 0.88, comparable to clinician performance. Panoramic radiographs yielded lower sensitivity and specificity than CBCT, where deep learning systems reached higher accuracy (up to 0.91) and superior volumetric assessment. Intraoral photographic analyses showed variable performance (0.46-1.00), largely due to inconsistent imaging and reference standards. Emerging trends include hybrid segmentation-classification architectures, transformer-based networks, and clinician-in-the-loop approaches. Determinants of performance encompass reference standard quality, dataset diversity, anatomical complexity, and adherence to STARD-AI and TRIPOD-AI reporting frameworks.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>AI demonstrates clinically relevant diagnostic accuracy in periodontal imaging, especially for measurement standardization and decision support. Although autonomous diagnosis remains premature, integrating explainable, externally validated AI systems within clinician-guided workflows supported by standardized reporting offers a practical route toward clinical translation.</p>","PeriodicalId":73077,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in dental medicine","volume":"7 ","pages":"1729825"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12872754/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146144802","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}