Optical Properties Of Conventional And High-Translucency Zirconia Ceramics And Their Effects On Resin Cement Polymerization, Chia-Ling Li, Ping-Ju Chen, Jui-Che Lin, Shu-Fen Chuang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Adequate polymerization of resin luting cements is essential for durable bonding in zirconia restorations. However, variations in zirconia microstructure and composition may influence translucency and light transmittance, thereby affecting resin cement polymerization. This study aimed to investigate the optical properties of conventional and high-translucency zirconia ceramics and their effects on resin cement polymerization.

Materials and methods: Six zirconia ceramics were evaluated: CerconBase, CerconHT, and VitaHT (3Y-TZP); VitaST (4Y-PSZ); and CerconXT and VitaXT (5Y-PSZ). Disk specimens (0.5 and 1.0 mm thick) were fabricated and sintered. Grain size and elemental compositions were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray …

Performance Of Chatgpt-4, Gemini, And Deepseek-V3 In Answering The Prompt-Engineered Questions From The Taiwan National Dental Technician Licensing Examination Over A Three-Week Period, Yi-Pang Lee, Ching-Yi Huang, Andy Sun, Chun-Pin Chiang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Large language models (LLMs) have shown promise in answering professional examination questions. This study evaluated the performance of ChatGPT-4, Gemini, and DeepSeek-V3 in answering prompt-engineered questions selected from the 2023 Taiwan National Dental Technician Licensing Examination (TNDTLE) over a three-week period.

Materials and methods: A total of 194 Chinese-language text-based multiple-choice questions were selected from the 2023 TNDTLE. The three LLMs answered these questions using a standardized prompt referring to 17 dental technology textbooks. Accuracy rates (ARs) were recorded at baseline and after one, two, and three weeks. Comparisons of ARs over time, among three LLMs, between basic and …

Role Of Three-Phase Bone Scintigraphy And Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography In Monitoring Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Combined With Conservative Surgery For Refractory Osteomyelitis, Yu Nakai, Ken-Ichiro Sakata, Masayuki Shinohara, Yusuke Nakamura, Keisuke Nakamura, Tougo Tanabe, Taku Kimura, Takuya Asaka, Jun Sato, Yoshimasa Kitagawa

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: The anti-inflammatory effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on osteomyelitis of the jaw has not been sufficiently quantified. In this study, we aimed to quantitatively evaluate the effects of HBOT and postoperative disease status in patients with jaw osteomyelitis treated with minimally invasive surgery combined with HBOT using nuclear medicine imaging.

Materials and methods: The study included 11 patients who underwent sequestrectomy or saucerization and preoperative HBOT in our department between 2008 and 2015. The underlying etiologies were dental infection-related osteomyelitis (four cases; hereinafter ODONT group), osteoradionecrosis (four cases; hereinafter ORN group), or medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (three …

Pathogenic Oral Microbiota Abundance Is Associated With Reduced Bite Force In Patients With Periodontitis, Chih-Chieh Wen, Thu Ya Linn, Ting-Yi Renn, Hui Yin Nam, Chia-Chen Hsu, Yi-Jen Lin, Yi-Fan Wu, Wei-Jen Chang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Periodontitis leads to tissue destruction and functional impairment, but the interplay between microbiota, clinical parameters, and biomechanics remains unclear. This study aimed to quantitatively correlate specific oral microbial signatures and clinical inflammatory indicators with bite force in patients with periodontitis.

Materials and methods: Fifteen patients with stage III-IV periodontitis and 15 periodontally healthy controls were recruited. Clinical parameters (Probing Depth, Clinical Attachment Loss, Bleeding on Probing, Plaque Index) and MBF (pressure-sensitive film) were recorded. Supragingival plaque was analyzed through 16S rRNA gene sequencing (PacBio SMRT) to determine microbial composition. Correlation analyses were performed.   

Results: The periodontitis …

Influence Of All-On-4 Implant Angles On Stability And Crestal Bone - A Finite Element Optimization Analysis,, Jing-Jie Chen, Chen-Sheng Chen

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

Optogenetic Control Of Odontoblastic Differentiation In Dental Pulp Stem Cells (Dpsc), Francesco Torelli

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

Integrating Image Processing And Deep Learning Framework For Automatic Supernumerary Tooth Detection On Occlusal Radiographs, Jui-An Fu, Chia-Lin Hsu

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

Deciphering Novel Targets In Salivary Gland Pleomorphic Adenoma By Integrating Plasma Proteomics And Parotid Transcriptomics Analyses, Yuchen Fan, Suning Mao

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

Comparative In Vivo Study Of 3d-Printed Composite Bioceramic Scaffolds Fabricated By Distinct Pre-Processing Methods, Yu-Ting Li, Ju-Hsuan Yang

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

Fluvastatin Enhances Healing Of Medication−Related Osteonecrosis Of The Jaw (Mronj) Via Macrophage Polarization In A Rat Mronj−Like Model, Moa Tazaki, Koma Sanda

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

The Utility Of 3d Nanostructured Polyglycolic Acid Fibers For Novel Bone Regenerative Medicine, Itsuki Hayashi, Sayaka Nakamura-Yamada

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

Performance Of Large Language Models In Answering Orthodontic Questions: A Scoping Review, Tu Manh Nguyen, Fang-Yu Fan, Ying-Sui Sun, Yang-Che Wu, Sheng-Wei Feng, Hao-Ting Chen, I-Ta Lee, Pao-Chang Chiang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Large language models (LLMs) are increasingly explored as novel platforms for delivering orthodontic information. Although their capacity to generate rapid, structured, and accessible responses has been widely recognized, concerns persist regarding performance variability and the risk of generating inaccurate outputs. Given the heterogeneity of existing evidence, this scoping review aimed to systematically map the current research landscape and synthesize findings on the application of LLMs in addressing orthodontic queries. This review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Studies were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library up to November 30, 2025. Twenty-six studies met the eligibility criteria …

The Ph-Pi3k/Akt/Mtorc1 Axis In The Survival Of Stem Cells From The Apical Papilla: A Critical Target For Rescue By Microenvironment-Engineered Hydrogels In Pulp Regeneration, Chunlei Zhang, Haisheng Cao, Jie Li, Changqing Yan, Yang Liu, Shuguo Zheng, Xiaozhe Wang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: The pH within infected root canals fluctuates dynamically under pathological conditions, yet its impact on stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAPs) in dental pulp regeneration remains unclear. This study investigated how potential of hydrogen (pH) variations govern SCAPs survival and the associated signaling to identify therapeutic targets for enhancing tissue regeneration.

Materials and methods: SCAPs were cultured at pH 5.4-10.4. Proliferation and apoptosis were assessed using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, real-time live-cell analysis, and flow cytometry. RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) identified differentially expressed genes, which were validated through reverse transcription-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), Western blotting, and mechanistic …

Deep Learning-Based Automated Per-Tooth Detection And Segmentation From Unretracted Smile Photographs, Hsuan Chen, Khoa Dang Nguyen, Hong Thi-Phuong Doan, Mu-Chen Yang, Ya-Chu Chang, Anand Marya, Guang Hong, Ding-Han Wang, Ming-Lun Hsu

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Natural smile photographs are universally accessible yet no automated method achieves clinically acceptable per-tooth detection from these images. Existing frameworks require lip-retracted intraoral views, and prior work on smile images achieved insufficient accuracy. This study developed a per-tooth detection and segmentation pipeline for natural smile photographs and assessed its applicability to digital smile design.

Materials and methods: A total of 1,471 smile photographs were annotated via model-assisted labeling. Fifteen You Only Look Once (YOLO) models across three architecture families and five size tiers were compared. A two-stage pipeline combined the best-performing detector with high-quality Segment Anything Model (HQ-SAM) for …

Developing An Automated Cytology-Based Dna Ploidy Test For Detecting Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma In Taiwan: A Feasibility Study, Pei Hsuan Lu, Kelly Yi Ping Liu, Julia Yu Fong Chang, Long‐Wei Lin, Hao-Hung Chang, Chen-Han Chang, Shang Hsuan Peng, Catherine F. Poh

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains a global health issue, particularly in underserved settings such Taiwan where access to early diagnosis is limited. DNA ploidy-based oral cytology has shown strong diagnostic performance, but its applicability across populations require evaluation.

Materials and methods: In this prospective feasibility study, brush and oral rinse samples were collected from patients with OSCC, low-grade dysplasia, reactive lesions, and normal mucosa. DNA cytometry was performed to quantify ploidy profiles. Diagnostic performance was evaluated using published algorithm and cohort-specific thresholds derived from stratified 10-fold cross-validation.

Results: A total of 118 patients were included (50 OSCC, 41 …

A Bibliometric Evolution Of Molecular Mechanisms And Emerging Research Trends Of Therapeutic Resistance In Oral Cancer, Chu-Yen Chien, Ying-Chen Chen, Jia-Rong Wu, Hsu-Hua Chu, Yi-Jen Hung, Yi-Shing Shieh

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Drug resistance has served as a primary determinant of treatment failure and disease recurrence in oral cancer. The present study aimed to evaluate the global research landscape of drug resistance mechanisms in oral cancer by integrating bibliometric mapping with bioinformatic validation.

Materials and methods: A comprehensive dataset of 1660 publications was retrieved from the Scopus database. Bibliometric analyses were performed using Biblioshiny and VOSviewer to evaluate publication trends, collaborative networks, and thematic evolution. To bridge research trends with biological mechanisms, 1469 genes associated with oral cancer and drug resistance were extracted from the GeneCards database and subjected to functional …

Adhesion Performance Of Conventional And High-Translucency Zirconia: Effects Of Airborne-Particle Abrasion And 10-Methacryloyloxydecyl Dihydrogen Phosphate Treatments, Chia-Ling Li, Li-Li Kang, Jui-Che Lin, Shu-Fen Chuang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: High-translucency zirconia exhibits different microstructure and composition, which may influence their responses to mechanical and chemical treatments, affecting resin–zirconia adhesion. This study aimed to evaluate the adhesive behaviors of conventional and high-translucency zirconia, focusing on surface modifications induced by airborne-particle abrasion (AA) and 10-methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (MDP).

Materials and methods: Disk-shaped specimens were fabricated from six zirconia materials: CerconBase, CerconHT, and VitaHT (3Y-TZP); VitaST (4Y-PSZ); and CerconXT and VitaXT (5Y-PSZ). Specimens were air-abraded with alumina particles at 0.25 MPa. Micromorphology and roughness were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), profilometry, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Surface chemical composition …

Interaction Between Removable Partial Denture Use And Number Of Natural Teeth On Health-Related Quality Of Life In Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study, Pai-Shien Liao, Chia-Hsuan Chou, Ya-Xin Zheng, Jiiang-Huei Jeng, Wan-Chuen Liao, Ying-Fang Chen

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: The compensatory benefit of removable partial dentures (RPDs) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) depends on the number of natural teeth. This study aimed to evaluate the interaction between RPD use and number of natural teeth on HRQoL, measured by EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study included 410 older adults. Dental status, including the number of natural teeth and the decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index, and RPD use were assessed. Participants were categorized into three groups (0-9, 10-19, and ≥ 20 natural teeth). HRQoL was measured using the …

Artificial Intelligence Assisted Multitask Framework For Dental Detection And Root Canal Filling Assessment On Periapical Radiographs, Chia-Lin Hsu, Li Wei Ou-Yang, Chih-Hao Chang, Yuan-Jin Lin, Po-Lin Huang, Kai-Syun Chiu, Heng-Chia Chen, Tsung-Yi Chen, Jia-Ching Wang, Wei-Chen Tu, Patricia Angela R. Abu

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Accurate evaluation of root canal filling (RCF) quality is paramount for successful endodontic outcomes. However, conventional radiographic interpretation is often subject to subjective variability. This study developed an automated, multitask artificial intelligence (AI) framework using YOLO11 and advanced image pre-processing to identify multiple dental structures and provide quantitative assessments of RCF quality on periapical radiographs.

Materials and methods: We proposed an image enhancement pipeline, which integrate intensity normalization, white top-hat transform, and linear contrast stretching to refine dental contours for training the YOLO11 multitask model. The framework simultaneously detected primary, permanent, dental crowns, and RCFs. Quantitative metrics, including …

Evaluation Of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (Rag) With Gpt-4o For Maxillofacial Prosthodontics Clinical Questions, Vinsensia Launardo, Merve Koseoglu, Lucky Susanto, Michael Kase, Amanda Colebeck, Heidi Huber, Maribeth Krzesinski, Derry Wijaya, Muhammad Ruslin, Alvin Gerard Wee, Heng-Li Huang, Lih-Jyh Fuh, Cortino Sukotjo

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Large language models (LLMs) offer promising education and clinical decision support to help address the global shortage of maxillofacial prosthodontists. To overcome the lack of source traceability in base LLMs, this study evaluated a retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) architecture for answering complex clinical questions.

Materials and methods: An expert panel consisting of five maxillofacial prosthodontists selected 15 high-complexity clinical questions. Responses were generated using base GPT-4o and a naive RAG-GPT-4o model built with domain-specific literatures. Outputs were evaluated across five parameters using a 5-point Likert scale and analyzed via Mann-Whitney U tests.

Results: No statistically significant differences …

Prediction Of Adequate Alveolar Ridge Contours For Dental Implant Placement Using An Artificial Intelligence-Based Algorithm, Hao-Chieh Chang, Shan-Pin Pan, Cheng-Liang Wu, Wei-Chan Hsu, Yi-Chun Weng, Po-Chun Chang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Accurate prediction of ridge contour following ridge augmentation is an integral part of planning dental implant therapy. This study aimed to develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-based algorithm to predict adequate alveolar ridge contours for accommodating implants based on preoperative cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images using a deep learning (DL) approach.

Materials and methods: A total of 96 mandibular CBCT images with minor and major defects were used, virtual implants with adequate ridge contours were added, and a U-Net 2.5D model was used for DL training.

Results: The results revealed that the predicted ridge contours achieved Dice Similarity Coefficients of …

Formulation Modification Of Silver Diamine Fluoride To Improve Clinical Handling And Dentin Tubule Occlusion, Liangyu Chang, Yutzu Wu, Powen Lu, Iwen Chen, Weifang Lee, Chunche Lin, Renjei Chung, Poonam Negi, Naichia Teng, Jenchang Yang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is clinically effective for treating dentinal hypersensitivity and arresting caries, but its poor clinical handling due to low viscosity remain concerns. This study aimed to enhance the rheological properties of SDF by incorporating sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) to improve its clinical manageability. Materials and methods: A 39.34 wt% SDF solution (TMU-SDF) was prepared via wet processing. Its matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibition was evaluated using a fluorogenic MMP-1 assay, and antibacterial activity was tested via an inhibition zone assay. Biocompatibility was assessed using a modified cytotoxicity-agar diffusion test and a skin sensitization test. Rheological properties, including flow …

Exosomes Derived From Bone Substitute-Induced Gingival Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Angiogenesis, Chongyu Shen, Zheng Guan, Rui Chu, Zhengyin Li, Jiangting Lu, Liangkun Xie

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: In certain clinical bone grafting scenarios, bone substitutes frequently interface with the adjacent soft tissues. This study aimed to investigate whether deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) and coralline hydroxyapatite (CHA) induce paracrine responses in human gingival mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs), thereby altering the pro-angiogenic capacity of their derived exosomes, and to profile specific cargo alterations.

Materials and methods: Exosomes were isolated from GMSCs co-cultured with DBBM (DBBM-G-EXO) or CHA (CHA-G-EXO), while native GMSCs-derived exosomes (G-EXO) were collected as controls. The angiogenic effects of these exosomes on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were evaluated via cell proliferation, scratch wound …

Silencing The Mir-132/Sirt1 Axis Suppresses Nlrp3 Inflammasome Activation And Myofibroblast Differentiation In Oral Submucous Fibrosis, Ming-Yung Chou, Min Yee Ng, Yi-Wen Liao, Chuan-Hang Yu, Cheng-Chia Yu, Sin-Jia Tseng

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a chronic oral potentially malignant disorder characterized by progressive extracellular matrix deposition, myofibroblast activation, oxidative stress, and inflammatory signaling. However, the upstream microRNA-mediated mechanisms linking fibrogenesis and NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation remain unclear. This study investigated the role of the miR-132/sirtuin 1  (SIRT1) axis in OSF-associated fibrotic and inflammatory responses.

Materials and methods

miR-132 expression was examined in OSF tissues, normal tissues, primary buccal mucosal fibroblasts (BMFs), and fibrotic buccal mucosal fibroblasts (fBMFs) using RNA sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR. Patient-derived fBMFs were transfected with a miR-132 inhibitor …

A Scientometric Study On Research Trends And Characteristics Of Kimura Disease, Zhongjing Lv, Yiming Luo, Wei Liu, Jian Yuan

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Kimura disease (KD) is an idiopathic condition that presents as a chronic, benign inflammatory disorder, typically affecting the head and neck region. The purpose of this study was to analyze the scientometric characteristics and research trends of KD.

Materials and methods: All the papers on KD were comprehensively retrieved from the Scopus database. The years of publication were divided into before 2012 and after 2012 in the analysis of research trends.

Results: There were 925 papers on KD, with total citations of 10,821 and the h index of 47. Eosinophilia, lymphadenopathy, nephrotic syndrome, angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia, …

Corrigendum To "Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Secretome And Nanoemulsion Propolis Combination Ameliorate Osteoclastogenesis In Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Osteolysis In Hyperglycemia Rats"

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

Integrated Incubators: A Novel Framework For Technology-Based Creative Arts Education, Brad Phelps Nisbet

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This thesis investigates the development and impact of an educational framework designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry within the media and entertainment sector. It addresses the prevalent "skills mismatch" where graduates often lack the specific technical competencies, foundational knowledge, practical experience, or soft skills required for entry-level positions in a rapidly evolving landscape influenced by advancements like virtual production, real-time VFX, immersive media, and Al. Grounded in both theoretical and practical insights, the framework aims to foster student creativity, technical proficiency, industry readiness, transferable skills, and adaptability, prioritising a transformative, student-centric learning experience.

The research employed a …

Equal Justice & Generative Ai, Milan R. Markovic

Faculty Scholarship

The United States has long suffered from unequal access to justice, with countless low-and middle-income Americans forced to navigate the legal system alone. Recently, prominent judges, lawyers, and scholars have seized on generative AI as a potential corrective. These techno-optimists maintain that ChatGPT and other large language models can demystify the law and address unmet legal needs. Chief Justice John Roberts has proclaimed that AI-based tools "have the welcome potential to smooth out any mismatch between available resources and urgent needs in our court system."

Although AI will be an increasingly important source of legal assistance for underserved populations, the …

Harnessing Mono-2-(Methacryloyloxy) Ethyl Succinate Grafting For Robust Micro/Nanoplastic-Resistant Ultrafiltration Membranes, Mohadeseh Najafi, Javad Farahbakhsh, Mitra Golgoli, Michael Johns, Masoumeh Zargar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The growing presence of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in water systems poses a serious threat to conventional treatment processes, particularly membrane filtration. This study focuses on a surface modification strategy for commercial ultrafiltration (UF) membranes via plasma-induced grafting of mono-2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl succinate (MMES) to enhance resistance against MP/NPs fouling. The membranes were characterised using advanced analytical techniques, including high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM), confirming successful grafting, increased hydrophilicity, and a more negative surface charge. At optimal conditions of grafting (2 min pretreatment, 0.5 M monomer concentration, and 3 h grafting …

Women In The Australian Mining Industry, Michelle Gander, Fleur Sharafizad, Aglae Hernandez Grande, Heidi Vivian, Mahan Poorhosseinzadeh, Kate Blackwood

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This report synthesises existing research on women’s participation in the Australian mining industry to identify the structural and cultural factors shaping gender inequality across the sector.

Drawing on research conducted over the past four decades, the report brings together what is currently known about how mining workplaces operate and how organisational practices, work arrangements, and site cultures shape the experiences of women across the sector. While many companies have introduced diversity and inclusion initiatives aimed at improving gender balance, the evidence suggests that challenges persist in areas such as operational roles, leadership pathways, and workplace culture.

Specifically, the report examines …