Dentistry Commons^™

Effects Of Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy On Dental Plaque Microbiome, Qingguo Wang, Bing-Yan Wang, Derek Wilus, Hua Xie

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease affecting approximately 40% of U.S. adults aged 30 years and older, is characterized by dysbiosis of the dental plaque microbiome. However, although scaling and root planing (SRP) is the cornerstone of periodontal treatment, its effects on the taxonomic composition and functional potential of the dental plaque microbiome remain incompletely understood. In this study, we used whole-metagenome shotgun sequencing to characterize taxonomic composition and functional potential in dental plaque microbiomes collected from 39 patients with Stage II or III generalized periodontitis before and 3–4 months after SRP. Consistent with clinical improvement, periodontal therapy significantly reduced probing …

Deep Learning Single-Cell Analysis For Cytologic Evaluation Of Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders, Michael P Mcrae, Kritika S Rajsri, Nadarajah Vigneswaran, A Ross Kerr, Spencer W Redding, Martin H Thornhill, Craig Murdoch, Paul M Speight, Nancy Ruel, Rachelle Wolk, Ryan R Ruff, John T Mcdevitt

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) such as leukoplakia and erythroplakia may harbor dysplasia or progress to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), yet visual inspection alone is unreliable for risk assessment. Cytology offers a minimally invasive adjunct, but conventional approaches depend on manual feature extraction and subjective review. Herein we report a deep learning (DL) object detection model that directly classifies four cell phenotypes: differentiated squamous epithelial (DSE) cells, small round (SR) cells, leukocytes, and lone nuclei. The DL model produced cytology-derived parameters that correlated strongly with histopathologic diagnoses across 692 subjects with OPMDs, OSCC, and healthy controls, including declining DSE …

Current Adoption Of The Prosthodontic Diagnostic Index For Clinical Care-A Cross-Sectional Survey Study, Esther O Kuyinu, Joseph B Breitman, Arthur Nimmo, Jay S Patel

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: To assess current utilization of the Prosthodontic Diagnostic Index (PDI), identify perceived benefits and limitations, and evaluate support for future updates.

Materials and methods: A survey regarding the use of the PDI was made available through email invitations to 68 US dental school prosthodontic/restorative department chairs (PD), 48 graduate prosthodontic program directors (GP), and 1834 private practice prosthodontists (PP) from the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) member database. The results of this initial survey were inconclusive due to low response rates. The survey was also administered during the 2024 ACP Annual Session with an improved response rate for educators. …

Kras G12c And Kras G12d Respond To Lipid Metabolism In An Allele-Specific Manner, Neha Arora, Hong Liang, Walaa Kattan, Wantong Yao, Haoqiang Ying, Junchen Liu, Yong Zhou

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

KRAS mutated at hotspots G12, G13, and Q61 possess profound allele-specific oncogenesis. Signaling of KRAS mutants is mostly compartmentalized to the proteolipid nanoclusters on the plasma membrane (PM), illustrating critical roles of spatiotemporal organization in KRAS cancer signaling. The activated GTP-bound KRAS molecules, including the wild type and mutants, have been traditionally thought to favor similar lipids. We recently reported distinct lipid sensing capabilities of different KRAS mutants, especially with KRASG12D favoring unsaturated lipids and KRASG12C gaining additional enrichment of saturated lipids. As such, KRAS mutants may respond to lipid acyl chain remodeling in an allele-specific manner. Lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 1 …

Quantitative Analysis Of Peri-Implant Collagen Fiber Orientation Around External Hexagon And Morse Taper Implant Connections: A Dog Model Study, Daniel Sartorelli Marques De Castro, Jefferson David Melo De Matos, Jozely Francisca Mello Lima, Maria Angelica Rehder De Araujo, Mário Alexandre Coelho Sinhoreti, Daher Antonio Queiroz, Adriano Piattelli, Carlos Dos Reis Pereira De Araújo

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Peri-implant soft tissue stability depends on the implant-abutment interface and collagen fiber organization. Unlike natural teeth, peri-implant fibers exhibit a less favorable orientation, potentially weakening the biological seal. Implant connection design may influence this collagen arrangement and tissue integrity.

Materials and methods: Eighteen immediately loaded implants (n = 9 per group) were placed in nine mongrel dogs. Group I received external hexagon implants, while Group II received Morse taper implants. After a 4-month healing period, animals were euthanized and specimens were processed for histological evaluation. Collagen fiber orientation was analyzed using polarized light microscopy and quantified with ImageJ software. …

Erk-Mediated Phosphorylation Of Yap Defines A Noncanonical Fgf Signaling Mechanism In Stem Cells, Xiaolei Zhao, Shannon Erhardt, Li Tang, Xiaotong Chen, Stephen M Farmer, Zixiu Cheng, Wen Chen, Ella Ziyuan Lu, Kihan Sung, Chang-Ru Tsai, Mingjie Zheng, Sheng Zhang, Yang Liu, Jianxin Wang, Min Li, James F Martin, Jun Wang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

While Fgf and Hippo-Yap signaling are fundamental for proper development, homeostasis, and disease, their crosstalk remains largely unknown. Here, we identified that Yap and Taz, canonical Hippo effectors, function as noncanonical effectors of Fgf signaling to maintain the proper function of neural crest (NC) lineages. NC cells are a multipotent stem cell population during vertebrate embryogenesis that contribute to numerous structures and diverse cell lineages, including craniofacial and cardiac tissues, neurons, and suture mesenchymal cells (SMCs), a specified cell population required for cranial bone growth and repair. We observed that activation of Fgf signaling in NC cells and NC-derived SMCs …

Oral Cancer Numerical Index (Ocni): Development And Validation Of A Cytology-Based Risk Assessment For Oral Lesions, Michael P Mcrae, Nadarajah Vigneswaran, Alexander Ross Kerr, Spencer W Redding, Martin H Thornhill, Craig Murdoch, Paul M Speight, Rachelle Wolk, Kritika S Rajsri, Pooja Gaikwad, Nancy Ruel, Nicolaos J Christodoulides, John T Mcdevitt

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background/Objectives: Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) require accurate risk stratification to identify patients at the highest risk for severe oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) or oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We developed and internally validated the oral cancer numerical index (OCNI), a quantitative risk score derived from clinical features and deep learning-based brush cytology measurements.

Methods: This retrospective model development and internal validation study was conducted using data from the multicenter Grand Opportunity study. Prospectively recruited subjects with OPMD with complete data were divided at the subject level into a training set (n = 384) and a holdout test set …

Otologic Manifestations Of Temporomandibular Disorders, Fatemeh Ebrahimi, Ali Akbar, Vivian Jin, Vivian F Kaul, Craig B Pearl

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background/Objectives: Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) affects a third of the adult population and has been associated with otologic symptoms. These symptoms are frequently misattributed to primary otologic diseases, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment. This review aims to summarize the reported prevalence, proposed pathophysiologic mechanisms, and management strategies of otologic manifestations in patients with TMD.

Methods: A literature review was conducted using the MeSH terms "temporomandibular joint disease" and "otologic symptoms." Five additional searches were performed using "temporomandibular disease/dysfunction" combined with each of the five most common otologic symptoms. Meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, reviews, and systematic reviews were …

Decoding Growth Hormone Actions On Human Growth Plate Stem Cells, Shion Orikasa, Noriaki Ono

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The epiphyseal growth plate is the key target of growth hormone (GH) therapy. Although growth plate stem cells are well defined in mice, their presence in humans was unclear. Using rare surgical specimens, the study by Chu et al. reveals conserved, GH-responsive stem cells in the human pubertal growth plate.

Age And Sex Affect The Prevalence And Severity Of Periodontal Conditions In An Academic Setting, Karo Parsegian, Nikolaos Soldatos, Tonia C Carter, Nikola Angelov, Neel Shimpi, Krishna Kumar Kookal, David K Okano, Effie Ioannidou

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: The aim of the present study was to examine whether age and sex affected the prevalence and severity of periodontal conditions in patients attending an academic dental clinic.

Methods: Electronic health record (EHR) data on the demographic characteristics and periodontal conditions of patients presented for a comprehensive periodontal evaluation were extracted from the institutional dental EHR database. Retrospective analysis of independent associations of age, sex, and other subject characteristics with periodontal conditions was determined using multinomial logistic regression. The null hypothesis stating that age and sex were not associated with the increased prevalence and/or severity of periodontal conditions was …

Cytosignal Detects Locations And Dynamics Of Ligand-Receptor Signaling At Cellular Resolution From Spatial Transcriptomic Data, Jialin Liu, Hiroaki Manabe, Weizhou Qian, Shion Orikasa, Javid Ghaemmaghami, Yichen Wang, Yichen Gu, Angel Ka Yan Chu, Gaurav Gadhvi, Yuxuan Song, Patrick Mcclinden, Vibha N Lama, Noriaki Ono, Joshua D Welch

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Cells communicate through ligand-receptor (LR) signaling interactions, but identifying when and where these interactions are active remains challenging. We developed CytoSignal to infer the locations and dynamics of cell-cell communication at cellular resolution from spatial transcriptomic data. Here we show that our cellular resolution, spatially resolved signaling scores enable several important analyses-identifying spatial gradients in signaling strength, quantifying the locations of contact-dependent and diffusible interactions, detecting signaling-associated genes and identifying differential signaling across multisample data. Additionally, we can predict the temporal dynamics of a signaling interaction at each spatial location. We experimentally validate our results in situ by proximity ligation …

A Soft Diet Attenuates Exercise-Induced Increases In Cortical Bone Density And Formation In Long Bones In Growing Mice, Yasuhiro Shimizu, Fatma Rashed, Huan Cao, Yuki Arai, Takashi Ono, Kazuhiro Aoki

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Bone and muscle are closely linked through functional interdependence. Training and regular exercise can improve and maintain optimal bone mass and strength. Here, we investigated the effects of exercise combined with soft versus hard diet (pellet) on long bones in mice. Four groups of male C57BL/6J mice (n = 5 per group) were studied: hard diet (pellet) with exercise, soft diet (powdered) with exercise, hard diet (pellet) without exercise, and soft diet (powdered) without exercise. Femur and tibia were analyzed using radiographic, micro-CT, and histomorphometric techniques. Exercise combined with a hard diet significantly increased cortical bone density, mineral apposition rate, …

Temporomandibular Joint Ganglion Cyst Causing Dynamic External Auditory Canal Obstruction And Position-Dependent Hearing Loss: A Case Report And Literature Review, Ali Akbar, Abdulrahman Meerza, Craig Pearl

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: Ganglion cysts of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are uncommon periarticular lesions and may be diagnostically challenging because symptoms are often nonspecific. When these lesions arise posterior to the joint, they can produce otologic complaints through dynamic narrowing of the external auditory canal (EAC). Herein, we report on a histologically confirmed TMJ ganglion cyst causing position-dependent hearing loss and review the relevant literature.

Case description: A 72-year-old woman presented with a 3-year history of bilateral preauricular pain, left-sided tinnitus, left aural fullness, and near-complete hearing loss in the left ear when the mandible was closed in occlusion. Clinical examination showed …

Tumor Implantation Site Of Syngeneic Oral Cancer Models Differentially Induces Site-Dependent Local And Systemic Immunosuppression, Andrea H Molina, Gemalene M Sunga, Shawn Nguyen, Neeraja Dharmaraj, Ratna Veeramachaneni, Roberto Rangel, Jeffrey N Myers, Jeffrey D Hartgerink, Andrew G Sikora, Simon Young

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background/objectives: Preclinical studies of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) commonly use subcutaneous heterotopic (flank) tumor models for simplicity; however, orthotopic models may better reflect the native tumor environment. Direct comparisons of the tumor immune microenvironments (TIME) and tumor-draining lymph nodes (tdLNs) between these models remain limited. Better understanding of site-specific immune differences could improve model selection and interpretation of translational HNSCC studies.

Methods: ROC1 tumors were established in murine heterotopic and orthotopic sites, followed by assessment of tumor growth kinetics, survival, and the tumor microenvironment. Immune composition of tumors, blood, tdLNs, and spleen was evaluated at three tumor …

Exploring Spike-Dependent And Ace2-Independent Sars-Cov-2 Interactions With Salivary Epithelial Cells In The Absence Of Ace2, Caitlynn M L Barrows, Thaise C Geremias, Simon Young, Mary C Farach-Carson

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Salivary gland infection by SARS-CoV-2 requires viral entry via routes and mechanisms that remain unresolved. This study examined the expression of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor in salivary tissues and basal cell-derived human salivary progenitor cells (hS/PCs), an unstudied potential entry point for SARS-CoV-2. Multiple detection modalities, including immunocytochemistry, Western blotting, flow cytometry and RT-PCR, demonstrated a consistent lack of ACE2 protein and transcript in both tissue specimens and primary salivary epithelial cells. Antigen retrieval at pH 9 was determined to be optimal for immunodetection protocols, yet ACE2 remained undetectable. Small intestine tissue served as a positive control, confirming …

Wnt-Dependent Ontogeny Of Acellular Cementum-Forming Cementoblasts On The Tooth Root Surface, Taishi Komori, Mizuki Nagata, Natnicha Praneetpong, Hanwen Fan, Yuxiao Zhou, Noriaki Ono, Wanida Ono

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Cementum is a specialized mineralized tissue that covers the tooth root surface and anchors the tooth to the surrounding periodontal ligament. The cervical acellular cementum (AC) is indispensable for periodontal attachment and represents a key target for periodontal regenerative therapies. However, the developmental origin and molecular identity of AC-forming cementoblasts remain poorly understood. Here, through an integrated spatial and single-cell transcriptomic analysis, we identify AC-forming cementoblasts as a distinct population of noncanonical mineralizing cells enriched for cell-matrix organization and Wnt signaling signatures, distinguishing them from cellular cementum-forming cementoblasts localized in the apical portion. Lineage tracing using a Wnt inhibitory factor …

Improving Dimensional Stability Of Irreversible Hydrocolloid By Condensation Silicone Incorporation, Jefferson David Melo De Matos, João Pedro Oliveira De Batista, Jozely Francisca Mello Lima, Mário Alexandre Coelho Sinhoreti, Umberto Demoner Ramos, Daher Antonio Queiroz, Daniel Sartorelli Marques De Castro

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Irreversible hydrocolloid (alginate) is widely used for dental impressions, but its poor dimensional stability over time limits accuracy when delays in pouring occur. Enhancing its stability through material modification, such as incorporating condensation silicone, may improve clinical outcomes.

Materials and methods: Three groups (n = 10) were evaluated: Group I (conventional alginate, Avagel), Group II (extended-pour alginate, Hydrogum 5), and Group III (alginate modified with condensation silicone). Specimens were fabricated using standardized molds and stored under controlled humidity. Dimensional stability was assessed at five time points (immediate, 24, 48, 72, and 120 h) by measuring mass and linear dimensions. …

Ultrasonic Cavity Preparation With Cvd Diamond Tips: A Scanning Electron Microscopy Study Of Dentin Surface Morphology And Smear Layer Formation, Mauricio Schneider, Jefferson David Melo De Matos, Mário Alexandre Coelho Sinhoreti, Diego Telomaro Peiter, José Eduardo Bastian, Daher Antonio Queiroz

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Minimally invasive dentistry has driven the development of alternative cavity preparation techniques aimed at preserving tooth structure and improving biological outcomes. Ultrasonic systems associated with chemical vapor deposition (CVD) diamond tips have emerged as a potential alternative to conventional rotary instruments; however, evidence regarding their effects on dentin surface morphology and smear layer characteristics under SEM remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the morphological characteristics of dentin surfaces after cavity preparation using ultrasonic and conventional rotary techniques.

Materials and methods: Twenty extracted human teeth were sectioned longitudinally to obtain standardized specimens. Samples were assigned to ultrasonic preparation using …

The Current Status Of Infant Oral Health Instruction Within Predoctoral Dental Education, Beau D Meyer, Priyanshi Ritwik, Jean Star, Timothy Followell, Mikhail Jones, Leola Royston, Brenda Bohaty, Martina Majstorovic, Adriana Modesto Gomes Da Silva, Katherine Chin, James R Boynton, Chelsea Fosse

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

A pediatric dental home is a patient-provider relationship that establishes compassionate, comprehensive care that is continually accessible. For more than two decades, professional organizations have recommended children establish a dental home by their first birthday. In 2024, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) Council on Pre-Doctoral Education had a governance charge approved by the AAPD Board of Trustees to evaluate the status of infant oral health (IOH) instruction in pre-doctoral dental education. This study was designed to describe the current state of didactic and clinical clock hours dedicated to IOH in U.S. pre-doctoral curricula. Following IRB approval, a 25-item …

Translationally-Relevant Tumor Resection Model For Murine Preclinical Models Of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Gemalene M Sunga, Alejandra Cobos Perez, Andrea H Molina, Nourhan Hussein, Neeraja Dharmaraj, Andrew Sikora, Simon Young

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Currently, the first-line treatment for the most common form of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), is surgical resection, followed by risk-adapted treatments, such as chemoradiotherapy. However, with the current standard of care and even the emergence of new treatments, such as checkpoint blockade, the overall survival for advanced, recurrent disease remains high, and the prevalence of head and neck cancer is projected to continue to increase in the coming years. Thus, deeper investigation into current standard-of-care modalities, in addition to novel therapeutics, is necessary to translate potential and promising treatment options to …

Fatigue Survival And Biomechanical Behavior Of Two-Piece Titanium And Zirconia Dental Implants, Jefferson David Melo De Matos, Guilherme Da Rocha Scalzer Lopes, Nathália De Carvalho Ramos, Mário Alexandre Coelho Sinhoreti, Alexandre Luiz Souto Borges, Daher Antonio Queiroz, Marco Antonio Bottino

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Titanium implants are considered the gold standard for oral rehabilitation; however, zirconia implants have emerged as a metal-free alternative with promising esthetic and biological properties. Despite these advantages, limited evidence is available regarding their long-term fatigue behavior and fracture resistance.

Material and methods: In this in vitro experimental study conducted at São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil, forty implants were divided into two groups (n = 20): zirconia implants (ZZ) and titanium implants (TZ) (4.1 × 10 mm). Implants were embedded in polyurethane blocks according to ISO 14801:2016 specifications. Monolithic zirconia crowns were fabricated using CAD/CAM technology and cemented …

Artificial Accelerated Aging And Red Wine Staining On Color Stability In Dental Composites, Zeynep Hale Keleş, Marilia Mattos Sly, Rosa Llisel Ocampo Escobedo, Nuray Kösem, Yonca Korkmaz-Ceyhan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background

The resistance of composite resins to discoloration, staining, and aging is essential for preserving both the aesthetic quality and long-term durability of dental restorations.

Objective

The study aims to evaluate the effects of artificial accelerated aging (AAA) and red wine staining on the color stability of resin composites.

Methods

A2 color disc-shaped specimens (10-mm in diameter, 2-mm thick, n = 5) of 3 resin composites: G-aenial Universal Injectable (GC Corp, Japan), G-aenial A’CHORD (GC Corp, Japan), G-aenial Anterior (GC Corp, Japan), were polymerized using a curing light through a Mylar strip and a 1-mm glass slide for 40 s. …

Histologic Analysis Of Peri-Implant Soft Tissue Around External Hexagon And Morse Taper Implant Connections, Daniel Sartorelli Marques De Castro, Jefferson David Melo De Matos, Jozely Francisca Mello Lima, Guilherme Da Rocha Scalzer Lopes, Mário Alexandre Coelho Sinhoreti, Daher Antonio Queiroz, Carlos Do Reis Pereira De Araújo

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Twenty patients rehabilitated with screw-retained full-arch implant-supported prostheses functioning for at least one year were included.

Material and methods: This clinical study included 20 patients rehabilitated with screw-retained full-arch implant-supported prostheses in function for at least 1 year. Participants were allocated into two groups according to the implant-abutment connection design: external hexagon (EH; n = 10) and Morse taper (MT; n = 10). One peri-implant soft tissue biopsy specimen was obtained from each patient and processed for hematoxylin-eosin staining. Histological evaluation assessed epithelial hyperplasia, epithelial organization, inflammatory infiltrate intensity, and connective tissue fibrosis. Data normality was assessed using the …

Living Evidence-Informed Guideline On The Early Detection Of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma And Potentially Malignant Disorders: Cytology Adjuncts To Determine The Need For Biopsy, Version 2026 1.0, Olivia Urquhart, Ankita Shashikant Bhosale, Carolina Martins-Pfeifer, Francisca Verdugo-Paiva, Alonso Carrasco-Labra, Julia Pimentel, Natalie Sadek, Nishant Agrawal, Anil K Chaturvedi, Joann Gurenlian, Eva Grayzel, A Ross Kerr, Marco Magalhaes, Carol Anne Murdoch-Kinch, Alexander T Pearson, James C Melville, Anita S H Patel, Alessandro Villa, Michael Glick, Mark W Lingen

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Early detection of oral potentially malignant disorders and oral cavity cancer can improve patient prognosis. The guideline panel addressed the use of cytology adjuncts to screen adults without mucosal abnormalities and determine the need for biopsy among adults with mucosal abnormalities.

Types of studies reviewed: The guideline panel used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation Evidence to Decision framework to formulate recommendations. The authors conducted reviews to assess the benefits and harms of cytology adjuncts and people and clinician values and preferences as they relate to adjunct tests and biopsy of mucosal abnormalities. As part of the …

Common Serum Biomarkers And Combination Ratios In The Diagnosis Of Periprosthetic Joint Infection Following Total Hip Arthroplasty, Jason M Dayan, Don H Le, Anzar Sarfraz, Theodor Di Pauli Von Treuheim, Farouk Khury, Sallie Yassin, Vinay K Aggarwal, Ran Schwarzkopf, Alan J Dayan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Accurate preoperative diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is difficult, complicating distinction between septic and aseptic failures. This study assessed the value of common serum biomarkers and three calculated ratios-albumin-globulin ratio (AGR), C-reactive protein-albumin ratio (CAR), and C-reactive protein-AGR ratio (CAGR)-in diagnosing PJI after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). We retrospectively reviewed patients undergoing revision THA for PJI or aseptic failure from 2011 to 2021 at a single institution. Inclusion required reported serum white blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), albumin (Alb), and total protein (TP). Diagnostic performance was evaluated using areas under the curve …

Volumetric Buccal Bone Alterations At Immediate Implant Sites With Or Without Soft Tissue Augmentation: A 6-Month Assessment, Mary Jung, Duong Tran, Chi-Ching Chang, Sung K Kim, Yosuke Tsukiboshi, Seiko Min, Srinivas Ayilavarapu, Chun-Teh Lee

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: This study is part of a randomized controlled trial investigating the impact of soft tissue augmentation (STA) using subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) (immediate implant with subepithelial connective tissue graft [ICT] group) or acellular dermal matrix (ADM) (immediate implant with acellular dermal matrix [IAD] group) versus no STA (control) on the clinical outcomes following immediate implant placement (IIP). This study aimed to investigate volumetric buccal bone dimensional changes at immediate implant sites 6 months after the surgery.

Methods: Forty-five patients requiring extraction of a maxillary anterior tooth or premolar and randomly assigned to one of the three groups were …

Ex Vivo Comparative Analysis Of Retrievability Among Four Calcium Silicate-Based Sealers For Regaining Apical Patency, Darian Shomali, Timothy Kirkpatrick, Sang Won Kwak, Hyeon-Cheol Kim, Ji Wook Jeong

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: : Efficient retrievability is a key requirement for endodontic sealers. This study evaluated the retrievability of four different calcium silicate-based sealers (CSS).

Methods: A total of 153 single-rooted human teeth with straight canals were decoronated to a standardized working length of 12 mm. The canals were negotiated to working length using K files up to size 15/.02, followed by rotary instrumentation up to 35/.04, 2 mm short of working length. The teeth were randomly assigned to five groups: NeoSEALER Flo (NEO; Avalon Biomed), Ceraseal (CS; Meta Biomed), Endosequence BC Sealer (BC; Brasseler USA), AH Plus Bioceramic Sealer (AHB; Dentsply …

A Programmable Genetic Platform For Engineering Noninvasive Biosensors, Asish N Chacko, Kaamini M Dhanabalan, Jinyang Wan, Roy Chien, Nolan T Anderson, Binzhi Xu, Katie Pham, Ritu Tiwari, Arnab Mukherjee

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Creating genetic sensors for noninvasive visualization of biological activities in optically opaque tissues holds immense potential for basic research and the development of genetic and cell-based therapies. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) stands out among deep tissue imaging methods for its ability to generate high-resolution images without ionizing radiation. However, the adoption of MRI as a mainstream biomolecular technology has been hindered by the lack of adaptable methods to link molecular events with genetically encodable contrast. Here, we introduce modular aquaporin-based protease-activatable probes for enhanced reporting (MAPPER), a platform for the systematic creation of genetic sensors for MRI. To develop MAPPER, …

Cone Beam Computed Tomography For Endodontics: Incidental Findings And Respective Significance, Erin J Key, Nina K Anderson, Dan Colosi, Mina Mahdian

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence, distribution, and follow-up recommendations of incidental findings in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans acquired for endodontic treatment.

Methods: This was a retrospective review of limited field-of-view (FOV) CBCT images for endodontic evaluation obtained at the Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine between 2018 and 2022. All scans were reviewed by 1 oral and maxillofacial radiology (OMR) resident and all incidental findings were corroborated with the radiology report approved by 1 of 2 board-certified OMRs. Data extracted for each case included age, gender, and reason for scan; and …

Evaluating Artificial Intelligence Large Language Mocdels In Dental Education: A Cross-Sectional Survey On Usage, Perceptions, And Integration At A U.S. Dental Scho, Celine Sheng, Camie Mcfarland, Nikola Angelov, Sridhar V K Eswaran, Richard Halpin, Jennifer Chang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education presents opportunities and challenges for dental education. This study explores the use of Large Language Model (LLM) based AI tools, including ChatGPT and Grammarly AI, among faculty and students at the UTHealth School of Dentistry in Houston (UTSDH). This research assessed usage patterns, perceived benefits and concerns, and AI training demand.

Methods: A piloted, cross-sectional survey was administered via email. The survey included Likert-scale, multiple-choice, and open-ended questions. Respondents provided demographics and rated their LLM-based AI tools for use and perceptions in educational, clinical, and research contexts. Data was analyzed …