Dentistry Commons^™

Evaluation Of A No-Code Ai Model For Detecting Periapical Radiolucencies: Impact Of Anatomical Region On Diagnostic Performance, Manal Hamdan, Kevin W. Yu, Marguerite Miller, Stephanie J. Sidow, Zaid Badr, Sergio E. Uribe

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

Background

To develop a no-code artificial intelligence (AI) model for the detection of apical radiolucent lesions and to assess how lesion location influences the model’s diagnostic performance.

Methods

312 periapical radiographs were retrospectively collected, each accompanied by a corresponding cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan obtained within six months and a radiology report authored by board-certified oral and maxillofacial radiologists. These reports served as the reference standard, and all findings were cross-verified by the primary investigator through CBCT review. The dataset included 181 images with at least one apical radiolucent lesion and 131 lesion-free controls. Using the no-code AI platform LandingLens …

Multiclass Diagnostic Performance And Error Patterns Of A Multimodal Large Language Model In Oral Histopathology: A Who-Aligned Study, Mai Hafez, Fatma E.A Hassanein, Muhammad Talha Hassan, , Mariya Javed, Mai Hamouda, Mohamed Amer, Fatma Saad, Gihan Madkhour, Asmaa Bakr

Dentistry

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic performance, feature-level agreement, and error patterns of a multimodal large language model (MLLM) across the oral dysplasia–malignancy continuum. Methods: In this retrospective diagnostic accuracy study, 300 histopathology images representing normal oral mucosa (n = 100), oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) (n = 100), and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) (n = 100) were evaluated using a standardized two-stage prompting framework consisting of morphological feature extraction followed by structured diagnostic classification. Reference diagnoses were established by three experienced oral pathologists. Interobserver agreement among pathologists was assessed using Fleiss' κ statistics. Primary outcomes included overall accuracy, macro-F1 …

Effects Of Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy On Dental Plaque Microbiome

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

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 …

Orthopedic Correction Of Palatally Inclined Premaxilla In Children With Bilateral Cleft Lip And Palate: A Randomized Clinical Trial, Noha Ibrahim Abdelrahman Professor, The British University In Egypt, Ain Shams University

Dentistry

OBJECTIVES: Bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) presents a significant clinical challenge characterized by severe premaxillary malalignment, which frequently necessitates intensive orthopedic or surgical intervention. This randomized clinical trial aimed to compare the efficacy of two orthodontic appliances, the modified fan expander and a three‑way palatal expander, in achieving orthopedic anteroposterior repositioning of the premaxilla. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty‑eight patients (8–15 years) were randomized to either a modified fan expander (n = 14) or a three‑way palatal expander (n = 14). Four participants were lost to follow‑up, leaving 24 patients (12/group) for analysis. Cephalometric radiographs were obtained before (T0) and …

Current Adoption Of The Prosthodontic Diagnostic Index For Clinical Care-A Cross-Sectional Survey Study

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. …

Quantitative Analysis Of Peri-Implant Collagen Fiber Orientation Around External Hexagon And Morse Taper Implant Connections: A Dog Model Study

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. …

Kras G12c And Kras G12d Respond To Lipid Metabolism In An Allele-Specific Manner

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 …

Erk-Mediated Phosphorylation Of Yap Defines A Noncanonical Fgf Signaling Mechanism In Stem Cells, 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 …

Does Adjunctive Low-Level Laser Therapy Provide Additional Benefit Following Temporomandibular Joint Arthrocentesis With Hyaluronic Acid? A Randomized Clinical Trial, Moataz Bahaa, Abdelrahman Fahmy Dr., Hesham Morsi, Mahmoud Elfaramawy

Dentistry

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate whether adjunctive low-level laser therapy (LLLT) provides additional clinical benefit over an optimized arthrocentesis protocol with hyaluronic acid in patients with ADDwoR. Materials and methods From December 2022 to December 2023, a single-blinded prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted at The British University in Egypt’s Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. The study involved 40 female participants diagnosed with Anterior Disc Displacement without Reduction (ADDwoR). Following TMJ arthrocentesis, subjects were assigned to one of two parallel cohorts: Group A received ten subsequent sessions of low-level laser therapy (LLLT), while Group B served as the …

Tumor Implantation Site Of Syngeneic Oral Cancer Models Differentially Induces Site-Dependent Local And Systemic Immunosuppression

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

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

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 …

Discrepancies In Pediatric Oral Health, Tyler B. Truong

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

In 2024, data was collected by the CDC on untreated tooth decay. From that data, children living in low-income households had an estimated 18.8% of tooth decay untreated, almost triple the amount when compared to children from middle to high income households (6.6%). As the income disparity continues to grow in the US, it is critical that we implement strategies to aid lower income communities in providing their children with proper oral hygiene tactics. In order to understand how communities can help promote healthy oral hygiene for their children, a survey of dentists from various areas was conducted to see …

Development Of A Unique Surgical Implant To Address The Development Of Iatrogenic Trigeminal Neuralgia Following Maxillomandibular Advancement Surgery For Osa, Erika L. Manning, Kun Yoon, Robert Diecidue, Joseph Harrington

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Faculty Papers

A 58 y/o male with no significant past medical history presented in 2021 with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), including trouble breathing through his nose due to hypoplastic maxilla, retrognathic mandible and chin, and microgenia. He underwent a LeFort 1 maxillary osteotomy, bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO), and genioplasty with fat graft on 2/10/2022. Postoperatively, the patient developed moderate pain and facial edema, which progressed into hypoesthesia with pain in the face with a sensation of fullness in the left ear and left masseter tightness. He also developed a positive Tinel sign in the left mandibular area and was diagnosed with …

Exploring Stem Cell-Based Approaches To Ameloblast-Like Cell Development: Progress And Limitations In Enamel Formation, Ava L. Abruzzese

Honors Scholar Theses

Enamel is one of the most critical structural components of the tooth. As the outermost layer, it serves as a protective barrier, shielding the underlying dentin and dental pulp from physical trauma and mechanical forces. The formation and mineralization of enamel are regulated by specialized cells known as ameloblasts. Once enamel maturation is complete, these cells undergo apoptosis. Consequently, enamel lacks the capacity for natural regeneration after damage or erosion, which can result from various environmental factors. When enamel is compromised, current clinical interventions focus on preventing further deterioration rather than true regeneration. These approaches include the use of remineralizing …

The Effect Of Two Desensitizing Agents In Treatment Of Dentin Hypersensitivity In Cervical Lesions (A Randomized Clinical Trial), Hend Sayed Ahmed, Mohamed Fouad Haridy, Hoda Fouda, Sara Katarya, Youssef M. Haridy

Dentistry

No abstract provided.

Improving Dimensional Stability Of Irreversible Hydrocolloid By Condensation Silicone Incorporation

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

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

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 …

Changes In The Dental & Oral Health Information Landscape, Alisun Dekock, Melissa Ernst, Jimmy Gonzalez Vicker, Kelly O'Brien

Individual Scholarship

As we navigate rapid changes to information access and utilization, dental and oral health care professionals are finding new ways to meet the needs of their users. Practitioners locating, evaluating, and applying research continues to encounter new obstacles, including significant changes to institutions that share health data and make recommendations. This poster discusses effective strategies dentistry librarians have used for information retrieval, method analysis, and patient education.

Background  

This poster provides an overview of how four dentistry librarians are responding to trends and changes in the dental and oral health information landscape at their various institutions and organizations.

Description   

Within …

Digital Assessment Of Subtractive And Additive Cad/Cam Fabrication Methods On The Fit And Accuracy Of Lithium Disilicate Veneers, Basma Refaat Fayad, Islam Heiba Dr, Sara Fikry Dr, Maha Nagy

Dentistry

Objectives: This study compared subtractive and additive fabrication methods regarding their impact on the marginal/internal fit, trueness, and precision of lithium disilicate ceramic veneers. Methods: Laminate veneer preparations on an acrylic tooth were duplicated into twenty-four additively manufactured resin dies. Veneers were digitally designed and fabricated via milling (subtractive) or 3D-printing (additive) (n=12/group). All veneers were scanned. For trueness, the final design served as the reference; for precision, pairwise comparisons were made within each group. For adaptation, the scanned die was the reference. Post-cementation and thermal cycling (10,000 cycles, 5–55°C), marginal adaptation was measured using a digital microscope (×100). Data …

Dens Invaginatus Prevalence In Maxillary Lateral Incisors In Egyptian Population: Cone Beam Computed Tomography 3-Dimensional Analysis, Marwa Ezz, Sherif Heidar, Mahinaz Reda Abdelhamed

Dentistry

Introduction: Dens invaginatus also called dens in dente is frequent developmental anomaly, most commonly affect maxillary lateral incisors. It can create an inflammatory and microbial pathway that may compromise pulp vitality. Once detected, intervention must be planned. Aim of the study : This study investigated Dens invaginatus prevalence in maxillary lateral incisors in Egyptian population and its categorization according to Oehlers classification using CBCT. Materials and Methods This study assessed 296 cone beam computed tomography scans including a total number of 592 maxillary lateral incisor. Two experienced examiners: an oral and maxillofacial radiologist and an endodontist, inspected Dens invaginatus in …