ISSN : 0376-4672
This study aimed to investigate the perceptions of dental students in a dental school where the ubiquitous-based test (UBT) system has been implemented for several years. The research explored differences in perceptions based on respon dents' characteristics and identified possibilities for improving the UBT system. This study surveyed fourth-year dental students who had taken the UBT exams for two years. A questionnaire covered respondent characteristics, UBT system perceptions, convenience, reliability, and comparison of UBT and paper-based test (PBT). The responses were measured on a 5-point Likert scale for all items except for some respondent characteristics. Analysis employed descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, independent t-tests, and Spearman's correlation at a significance level of p<0.05. A total of 157 responses were analyzed, including 86 respondents in 2021 and 71 in 2022. The respondents' general characteristics were similar across both years. Students exhibited positive perceptions towards the introduction of the UBT system and its convenience. However, their preference for UBT over PBT was less pronounced. Female students had higher tablet ownership rates than males. Gender-based and tablet ownership-based differences were observed in several items, such as tablet usage frequency and interest in new technologies. The strong correlations were identified between PBT and UBT assessment results. With user-centered interface enhancements and the incorporation of multimedia items, the UBT system will be effectively utilized in dental education as a valuable tool for both instruction and assessment.
The recent increase in dental implant placement and advances in maxillary sinus bone grafting have improved the oral envi ronment and greatly benefited patients, but there has also been an increase in dental implant-related maxillary sinusitis. Implant related maxillary sinusitis is a form of odontogenic maxillary sinusitis, which usually presents as a chronic form of maxillary sinusitis. While acute (4 weeks or less) maxillary sinusitis is treated with removal of the associated implant, decontamination of the contaminated bone graft materials, and antibiotics. However, implant-related maxillary sinusitis is most often diagnosed as a chronic maxillary sinusitis condition that has been present for more than 12 weeks and should be treated similarly to chronic maxillary sinusitis. Treatment for chronic implant-related maxillary sinusitis is accompanied by endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) to open the obstructed maxillary ostium. ESS is usually performed by referral to an ENT specialist and can be a burdensome treatment for patients due to the discomfort of surgery and the risk of orbital and cranial complications. In this case series, we aim to help dentists treating chronic implant-related maxillary sinusitis by reporting the complete cure of implant-related maxillary sinusitis without performing ESS by creating an intentional oroantral fistula after removing the caus ative implant. We also report important pathologies that should be differentiated from typical implant-related maxillary sinusitis.
Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) refers to a condition characterized by pain sensations such as burning or tingling, or sensory disturbances in the tongue or oral mucosa without any specific local or systemic cause for more than 3 months. This study retrospectively investigated the clinical characteristics of 248 BMS patients (217 women, 31 men, mean age 64.7±11.2 years). Treatment outcomes were assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Parafunctional habit control education, saliva substitute, and counselling for psychological stability were implemented at the first visit, resulting in a significant reduction in NRS scores at the second visit. Medication such as clonazepam or zinc supplements were administered from the second to fourth visit, leading to a significant reduction in NRS scores compared to the initial visit. The various treatment options can be applied to alleviate the symptoms of BMS. Forty-eight patients (19.35%) exhibited serum zinc concentration of 70μg/dL or lower. A well-designed clinical study with a large number of patients is needed to compare the therapeutic effects between underlying conditions, medications, and nutritional supplementation including zinc.
With the development of new materials related to clear aligners, the physical properties are improving, and the clinical performance of the devices is expected to improve. Clear aligners require constant, controlled force on the teeth to achieve the desired tooth movement. However, unlike superelastic wires for orthodontic treat ment, clear aligner materials are characterized by significant short-term or long-term stress relaxation after installation of the device. In addition, clear aligners are a complex manufacturing process that requires creating a tooth model and trimming the aligners, and various degrees of shrinkage and expansion may occur during the thermoforming process or direct printing of device. These changes can affect the thickness or fit of each tooth area and make it difficult to achieve the clinical treatment goals of clear aligner. Recently, multi-layered clear orthodontic products with improved physical properties have been introduced to increase the predictability of aligner treatment, and with the recent introduction of direct printing materials, innovative manufacturing methods for clear orthodontic devices have become possible. As shape memory prop erties have been reported among direct printing materials, interest in related materials is increasing. In this issue, we will introduce the latest materials related to clear aligners and explain the physical and biological properties that clinicians need to know for proper use.
The digital clear aligner is widely used due to the convenience and efficiency of simultaneously manufactur ing the entire aligner used in treatment with a single setup. However, due to the characteristics of clear aligners, which make it difficult to effectively transmit orthodontic force to the teeth compared to traditional brackets, the teeth do not move as planned, resulting in repeated refinements and increased treatment periods. The following measures have been proposed to solve these problems: 1. Partial production of Clear aligner: Manufacturing the entire aligner not all at once but in stages, typically 8-10 at a time, allows for more precise management of the individual tooth movement. Additionally, adjust ments can be made promptly if treatment does not go as planned. 2. Direct 3D printing of clear aligners: Direct 3D printing offers the possibility of creating more efficient aligners that adhere more closely to the teeth than vacuum-formed ones. Moreover, effective tooth movement can be achieved by adjusting the aligner's thickness or designing structures to apply orthodontic forces as required. 3. Digital hybrid treatment: Using 3D-printed brackets with two strands of NiTi wire allows for rapid and accu rate tooth movement with gentle force. In particular, the ability to manufacture clear aligners and 3D-printed brackets together in a single digital setup enables various clinical applications. This not only shortens the treatment period but also allows for better treatment results.
With the development of digital technology, in-house manufacturing of clear aligners is increasing. As a result, it has become possible to create more elaborate and precise aligners compared to the manual manufactur ing method. In addition, along with the technology to print clear aligners directly from a 3D printer, a material with completely different properties were also created. Since this new material with shape memory properties is created through a chemical reaction into the aligners with properties appropriate for tooth movement, only through the right processes and procedures can a safe aligner without harmful effects and excellent properties be completed. Thanks to the unique properties of this aligners, there is a possibility of overcoming the limita tions of existing clear aligners. The author explained the process of manufacturing a clear aligners using digital technology in your clinic, and summarized the things you need to know when manufacturing a new aligners using shape memory polymer.
