Journal of Osseointegration

Accuracy of artificial intelligence in the prediction of cervical vertebrae maturation stages in orthodontics: a systematic review

2024-12-23T13:01:32+00:00

Objective To assess the ability of artificial intelligence in evaluating cervical vertebrae maturation stages to enhance orthodontic diagnosis considering as main outcome the accuracy of the AI software.

Materials and methods A search was conducted of 3 databases (Cochrane Library, PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE) to identify studies focusing on the ability of atificial intelligence in correctly evaluating the cervical vertebrae maturation stages. Databases were searched including articles until March 2024 only published in English. The Preferred Reporting Items for Reporting Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses (PRISMA) protocol was adopted, two independent reviewers screened the articles and the agreement was defined by Kappa statistic. The quality of the studies was assessed through the New Castle-Ottawa scale. Due to heterogeneity of data a meta-analysis could not be performed.

Results The search initially returned 2.953 results and after removing duplicated the number dropped to 1.104. At the end, a total of 7 studies were included in this review. It was evident that AI systems are very good in performing the screening among big amount of data, capable of differentiating what the operator often can not evaluate.

Conclusion AI can be considered a powerful tool in helping the orthodontic diagnosis since these softwares can manage a big amount of data and perform always the same but on the other hand training of both clinicians and devices is of detrimental importance to overcome the phenomenon of overfitting and instrumental mistakes by the clinicians.

Evaluation of Bone Graft Need in Edentulous Posterior Sites: A CBCT Retrospective Study

2024-10-30T11:39:20+00:00

Aim This retrospective study investigates the necessity for bone graft augmentation in edentulous posterior sites, focusing on the lower premolar and molar regions.

Materials and Methods Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) imaging from patients treated at Umm Al-Qura University between 2019 and 2022, to evaluates bone conditions that influence dental implant placement. Digital software was employed to plan implant placement with a prosthetically driven approach. Measurement of buccal and lingual bone thickness at the coronal and middle aspect of the implant was done. Measurement less than 1mm was considered an indication for the need of bone augmentation.

Results A total of 74 CBCT scans were evaluated, representing 100 missing teeth. Premolars constitute 23% (n=23), and molars constitute 77% (n=77) of the teeth site evaluated. A significant number of sites required bone grafting due to insufficient buccal bone thickness, with 80% of implants having <1mm bone thickness. 91% of premolar implants and 89.6% of molar implants lacked adequate buccal bone. More premolars needed guided bone regeneration (GBR) than molars (p<0.0001). Overall, 80% of implants needed bone grafts, with females showing a slightly higher need (p>0.05). Lingual bone thickness was adequate.

Conclusion Number of edentulous posterior sites, specifically in the lower premolar and molar regions, necessitate bone graft augmentation for successful implant placement. Pre-surgical planning using digital software and CBCT imaging is crucial to assess bone accurately and determine the need for bone augmentation.

Statistical evaluation of the learning curve in digital impression in different types of operators

2024-10-02T14:56:34+00:00

Aim The objective of this study was to evaluate the learning curve associated with intraoral scanning using the CEREC system, comparing two groups: dental students and experienced clinicians. The study aimed to assess improvements in time, surface area acquired, and surface-time ratio (X) to determine the efficiency of repeated scanning.

Materials and Methods A total of 50 participants were recruited for the study, divided into two groups: 25 dental students from the San Raffaele Faculty of Dentistry and 25 clinicians with at least 5 years of experience. Each participant performed four intraoral scans on a plaster model using the CEREC intraoral scanner. The scans were evaluated for time (T1-T4) in minutes, surface area (SUP) in pixel units, and surface-time ratio (X) as an efficiency metric. Statistical analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics (version 25) and MeshLab 2016 to assess the learning curve and compare the two groups.

Results Both groups demonstrated a clear learning curve with significant improvements in time and surface-time ratio (X) over the four trials. For clinicians, the average time decreased from 1.399 minutes in T1 to 1.015 minutes in T4, while the surface-time ratio improved from 347.91 mm²/min to 447.77 mm²/min. Students showed a similar reduction in time, from 1.292 minutes in T1 to 1.001 minutes in T4, and an improvement in surface-time ratio from 343.96 mm²/min to 433.12 mm²/min. Clinicians consistently acquired more surface area than students, despite similar scan times, indicating that clinical experience plays a crucial role in scan accuracy.

Conclusion The study highlights the importance of clinical experience in achieving more efficient and complete scans using intraoral scanners. Both groups improved with repetition, but clinicians demonstrated superior performance in terms of surface area acquired. The learning curve plateaued after the third trial, suggesting that sustained practice is necessary for mastery. Future training programs should focus on enhancing both technical proficiency and clinical judgment to optimize the use of digital scanning technology in dentistry.

Exploring The Hidden Anatomy: Cone-Beam Ct Insights Into Mental And Median Lingual Foramen Variations In South Indian Population

2024-09-25T10:28:53+00:00

Background: The mental foramen (MF) and median lingual foramen (MLF) are key anatomical landmarks in the mandible, crucial for dental implants, extractions, and other mandibular surgeries. Despite their importance, variations in these foramina within specific populations, such as the South Indian demographic, are not well understood. This study aimed to assess these variations among the South Indian population.

Materials and Methods: Cone-beam computed tomography scans of 892 patients (452 men and 440 women), aged 25 to 65, were analyzed. MF characteristics measured included distance from crest to upper border (MF1), distance from lower border to mandibular border (MF2), and emerging angle (EA), on both sides. MLF characteristics included distance from upper border of buccal (BD) and lingual terminals (LD) to the alveolar crest, canal length (LC), and diameters of the buccal (DB) and lingual terminals (DL), with assessments for supraspinous and infraspinous MLF. The data was collected and statistically analyzed.

Results: MF parameters were significantly larger on the right side compared to the left (p<0.05). Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed between males and females for all MF measurements. Supraspinous and infraspinous MLF measurements also showed significant differences (p<0.05), but no significant gender differences were found in MLF measurements (p>0.05).

Conclusion: MF dimensions were greater on the right side, and males had higher mean values. Also, infraspinous MLF showed greater distances from the alveolar crest, with no significant gender differences.