Dentistry Commons^™

The Back Page: A Toast To The Future: From Boomers To Gen Z Zoomers, George T. Goodis Dds, Gerald J. Halk Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This article highlights a leadership brunch that brought together multiple generations of dental leaders to encourage engagement in organized dentistry. The gathering emphasized mentorship, leadership development, and the transfer of institutional knowledge to younger dentists. Participants celebrated the future of the profession while discussing the importance of community involvement, leadership participation, and professional growth.

Mission Of Mercy: Restoring Smiles With Dignity, Anne Berquist

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This feature chronicles Michigan’s 2026 Mission of Mercy clinic, where more than 1,200 volunteers provided 5,656 procedures to 771 patients. The article describes patient experiences, volunteer contributions, and the extensive planning required to transform a sports arena into a temporary dental clinic. Beyond oral healthcare delivery, the program restored confidence, relieved pain, and highlighted the dental profession’s commitment to serving underserved populations.

The Dental Hygienist Perspective On Laser Use For Nonsurgical Periodontal Therapy, Tammie A. Nyce Mrs.

Dental Hygiene ETDs

The purpose of this study was to assess the perceptions, attitudes, and experiences of dental hygienists regarding the use of lasers in the non-surgical treatment of periodontal disease.  A descriptive survey was distributed via email to current active and inactive members of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association. The sample consisted of practicing dental hygienists who had received training in laser use and lived in states that allowed laser use by dental hygienists.   Those dental hygienists who are not practicing clinically, who are not trained in the use of lasers, and who do not have experience using lasers in the treatment …

Revising A Clinical Assessment Tool: A Community College Dental Hygiene Program Case Study, Kristen Portner-Lauerman Dhsc, Mha, Rdh

Oral Health

This article examines how one community college dental hygiene program implemented revisions to a clinical assessment tool to better support novice learners. A review of the literature explores the characteristics of early learners, psychomotor skill acquisition, the Dreyfus model, and assessment tools. The method used was a descriptive case study designed to address the research question: What processes did a dental hygiene program use to implement revisions to a clinical assessment tool to support students’ development of essential clinical skills? The findings highlight the importance of aligning assessment tools with learners’ developmental stages to enhance clinical education and offer a …

Clinical Corner: Pearls From Local Dentists

West Michigan District Dental Society Bulletin

"Clinical Corner: Pearls from Local Dentists" is a section of the WMDDS Bulletin where local dentists share clinical wisdom for fellow practitioners. This edition discusses Caring for Patients with Cleft Lip and Palate.

Wmdds Bulletin Spring 2026

West Michigan District Dental Society Bulletin

In the Spring 2026 issue, the reader will find introductions to the 2026-2027 WMDDS Board, recognition of WMDDS members for recent Michigan Dental Association awards, and "Pearls from Local Dentists" on the subject of Caring for Patients with Cleft Lip and Palate. Also included are your monthly tripartite updates, news from West Michigan counties, the President's Message, and the Editor's Letter.

Clinical Corner: Pearls From Local Dentists

West Michigan District Dental Society Bulletin

"Clinical Corner: Pearls from Local Dentists" is a section of the WMDDS Bulletin where local dentists share clinical wisdom for fellow practitioners. This edition's topics include Behavior Guidance in Pediatric Dentistry, occupational pain, and occupational hearing loss

Wmdds Bulletin Winter 2026

West Michigan District Dental Society Bulletin

In the Winter 2026 issue, the reader will find articles detailing West Michigan District Dental Society's delegation notice and election results, an Ionia/Montcalm County spotlight, and "Pearls from Local Dentists" on the subjects of Behavior Guidance in Pediatric Dentistry, occupational pain, and preventing hearing loss. Also included are your monthly tripartite updates, news from West Michigan counties, the President's Message, and the Editor's Letter.

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 …

Management Of Skeletal Class Iii Malocclusion With Deep Bite And Moderate Overjet Using Improved Super-Elastic Ti-Ni Alloy Wire (Isw), Wen-Hsuan Lin, Ching-Yu Yang, Yuan-Hou Chen, Jian-Hong Yu

Taiwanese Journal of Orthodontics

A 20-year-old female presented with concerns about poor dental alignment and a tendency to bite on her lip easily. Clinical examination revealed a concave and brachy facial profile, accompanied by a deep overbite and a moderate overjet. Radiographic examination showed skeletal Class III with a low mandibular plane angle. Correction of the deep bite was achieved by using the Improved Super-elastic Ti-Ni alloy Wire (ISW) and Intermaxillary elastics (IMEs). To correct the moderate overjet, interproximal reduction (IPR), the Multi-bend Edgewise Archwire (MEAW) technique, and arch lengthening of the lower arch were applied. The active treatment duration took approximately 54 months, …

Improved Super-Elastic Ti-Ni Alloy Wire For The Treatment Of Skeletal Class Iii Malocclusion With Anterior Crossbite And Missing Lower Molar, De-Lun Zhuang, Yuan-Hou Chen, Jian-Hong Yu

Taiwanese Journal of Orthodontics

This case report describes the use of Improved Super-elastic Ti-Ni alloy wire (ISW), developed by Tokyo Medical and Dental University, in managing a skeletal Class III malocclusion with anterior crossbite and a missing lower molar. A 26-year-old female presented with a chief complaint of poor dental alignment. Clinical and radiographic evaluation revealed Angle Class III malocclusion, anterior crossbite, a missing mandibular first molar (36), and a centric occlusion–centric relation (CO–CR) functional shift, consistent with a skeletal Class III pattern. Treatment involved the use of ISW for leveling and alignment of both arches and correction of the anterior crossbite, while maintaining …

Inferior Alveolar Nerve Proximity In Mandibular Molar Distalization: Implications For Orthodontic Treatment Planning, Samantha Hsien-Chu Mao, Chia-Hsuan Chan, Yu-Jen Chang, Shiu-Shiung Lin, Chen-Feng Cheng, Te-Ju Wu

Taiwanese Journal of Orthodontics

Purpose: This study aimed to clarify the anatomical boundaries of mandibular molar distalization, emphasizing the risk of inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) contact. Patients and Methods: In total, 30 skeletal Class III patients undergoing orthognathic surgery (59 mandibular hemi-arches) were analyzed using pretreatment three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography scans. The shortest horizontal distance between the mandibular second molar and the inferior alveolar canal (M2-IAC) was measured at multiple depths below the cementoenamel junction, along with the distance to the lingual cortical plate (M2-MLC). Samples were categorized by vertical facial pattern (low-, normal-, and high-angle case). Simulated distalization cases predicting IAN contact were …

Comparative Evaluation Of Selected Properties Of Tetrahedral Amorphous Carbon (Ta-C) Coated And Uncoated Beta Titanium (Β-Ti) Archwires - An In Vitro Study, Abhinaya Jotheswaran, Kurunji Kumaran Navaneethakrishnan

Taiwanese Journal of Orthodontics

Objective: The development of newer archwires can be achieved either by discovering novel materials or by modifying existing ones. The objective of the present study was to coat beta-titanium (β-Ti) archwires with tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C)/hard carbon and to evaluate selected physical and mechanical properties. Methods: Hard carbon–coated (n = 5) and uncoated (n = 5) β-Ti wires were assessed for surface roughness, wear resistance, load-deflection characteristics, and friction using appropriate testing apparatus under dry in vitro conditions. Results: Compared to uncoated β-Ti wires, ta-C–coated β-Ti wires demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in surface roughness, increased wear resistance, and lower …

Palatal Expansion Using The Invisalign Palatal Expander, Hassan Chihab

ETDs from 2020-2029

Palatal expansion has been used in orthodontics to treat a narrow maxilla and to primarily correct posterior dental crossbites. In younger patients, palatal expansion can readily be achieved through opening of the mid-palatal suture, as it is not fused at that age. As the mid-palatal suture matures, expansion will gradually be difficult to achieve, and more dental expansion is obtained rather than skeletal. In addition, there is a tendency to get more dental tipping. Palatal expansion has been recommended not only to correct crossbites but also to improve breathing in patients with sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). …

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 …

Comparison Of Three Intraoral Scanners For Digital Impressions Of Biologically Oriented Preparation: An In-Vivo Study, Lara Habli, Pascale Habre-Hallage, Hani Tohme, Dany Noujaim, Maryse Nassif, Camille Haddad

International Arab Journal of Dentistry

Introduction: The accuracy of intraoral scanners (IOSs) in capturing a Biologically Oriented Preparation Technique (BOPT) remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of digital impressions obtained with three intraoral scanners for recording BOPT preparations.

Methods: A maxillary central incisor was prepared following BOPT. After temporization, a conventional polyvinyl siloxane impression was scanned with a desktop scanner to obtain a reference model. Forty-two scans (n D 14 per scanner) were recorded with three IOSs—Trios 3, Sirios, and Helios 680—by a single operator under standardized conditions. Accuracy was assessed using Geomagic Control X by calculating 3D surface …

Evaluation Of Optimal Force For Intrusion Of A Periodontally Compromised Maxillary Anterior Dentition Treated With Fixed Orthodontics – A Finite Element Analysis, Tanzim Ahmed, Amrita Puri, Aatira Nair, Anshul Singla, Mathew Koshy Vaidyan, Shruti Sharma, Chhavi Singh

International Arab Journal of Dentistry

Introduction: Adult orthodontic treatment is increasingly sought due to aesthetic and functional concerns, often involving periodontally compromised patients with altered biomechanics. Reduced bone support shifts the center of resistance and necessitates lower, carefully controlled forces, while finite element modeling has become a key tool to analyze tissue response under such conditions.

Objectives: The study aimed to determine the optimal intrusive force for periodontally compromised maxillary anterior teeth using Finite Element Analysis (FEA).

Methods: A 3D finite element model of the maxillary anterior dentition was created and divided into healthy and compromised halves, the latter with one-third alveolar bone loss. A …

Hypo-Responsiveness Of The Dental Pulp In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes And Hypertension: A Cross-Sectional Study, Kavitha M, Mallolu Anthony Sanjana Vijay, Niveditha B, Fathima A.I, Pavithra D, Vigneshwaran J

International Arab Journal of Dentistry

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus and hypertension, two of the most prevalent metabolic disorders worldwide, exert profound and progressive effects on multiple physiological systems. While their systemic complications are well documented, their subtle yet clinically significant impact on oral structures, particularly the dental pulp, remains underexplored.

Objectives: This study aims to assess the functional responsiveness of dental pulp nerves in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus and systemic hypertension, and to compare the findings with responses from healthy individuals, using an Electric pulp tester (EPT) as a diagnostic tool.

Methods: A total of 600 teeth from 75 adult patients (25 diabetic, 25 …

The Efficacy Of Mini-Screw Rapid Palatal Expansion (Marpe) In Late Adolescents And Young Adults: A Systematic Review, Afaf El Merouani Drissi, Hajar Ben Mohimd, Hicham Benyahia, Fatima Zaoui

International Arab Journal of Dentistry

Introduction: Mini-screw assisted rapid maxillary expansion (MARPE) emerged as a less invasive alternative treatment for transverse maxillary expansion, and designed to overcome the limitations of conventional rapid maxillary expansion for patients from post-pubertal growth spurt period onwards, often presenting with an interdigitated suture. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the efficacy of this treatment on skeletal, dento-alveolar and periodontal levels based on CBCT studies, by comparing it to the conventional rapid maxillary expansion (RPE).

Methods: a literature search of five databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect and the Cochrane library) was conducted from 2010 until July …

Employing Artificial Intelligence For Non-Invasive Diagnosis Of Craniofacial Deformities: A Systematic Review Of Non-Ionizing Radiation Methods, Nurul Mutmainnah, Harun Achmad, Lusy Damayanti

International Arab Journal of Dentistry

Introduction: Craniofacial deformities, like craniosynostosis and plagiocephaly, require early diagnosis, but traditional methods like CT scans use harmful ionizing radiation. Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers a non-invasive, radiation-free alternative, using 2D and 3D imaging for accurate diagnosis, improving safety and accessibility, especially in remote areas.

Objective: This review evaluates the use of AI in diagnosing craniofacial deformities without ionizing radiation, focusing on its strengths, limitations, and challenges in clinical implementation.

Methods: The literature was searched across five databases—PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Wiley, and Cochrane—over the last decade, following PRISMA guidelines. Inclusion criteria were AI-based, non-invasive imaging techniques for craniofacial deformities. The …