In vitro performance of the DIAGNOcam for detecting proximal carious lesions adjacent to composite restorations

Objectives: To assess the accuracy of near-infrared-light transillumination (DIAGNO) compared to visual-tactile (VT) and radiographic (RA) evaluation of proximal carious lesions adjacent to composite restorations in vitro. Methods: Two hundred extracted posterior permanent human teeth with occluso-proximal composite restorations were allocated to 50 groups of four posterior teeth, and mounted in a pilot-tested diagnostic model in a dummy head. The teeth were independently assessed by two examiners. Transverse microradiography and visual assessment served as reference tests to detect any lesions (prevalence 24%) and cavitated lesions (18%), respectively, adjacent to restorations. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and the area under the receiver-operating-characteristics curve (AUC) were calculated. Results: To detect any proximal carious lesions adjacent to composite, the mean sensitivity/specificity were 0.63/0.95 for DIAGNO, 0.70/0.88 for RA when lesions radiographically extending into enamel and dentin were considered, 0.26/0.98 for RA when only lesions extending into dentin were considered, and 0.31/0.96 for VT. For cavitated lesions adjacent to proximal composite restorations, these values were RA (enamel and dentin) 0.84/0.88, RA (dentin) 0.34/0.99, DIAGNO 0.69/0.94 and VT 0.40/0.97. AUC did not differ significantly between RA and DIAGNO, while VT showed significantly lower values (p<0.05). Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, DIAGNO seems useful for detecting proximal carious lesions adjacent to composite restorations. Clinical relevance: Near-infrared-light transillumination could be used as a radiation-free adjunct or alternative to RA for detecting carious lesions adjacent to composite restorations.In-vitro-Beurteilung der diagnostischen Validität der Nahinfrarotlicht-Transillumination (DIAGNO) im Vergleich zu visuell-taktilen (VT) und radiologischen (RA) Verfahren zur Detektion von approximalen kariösen Läsionen neben Kompositrestaurationen. Methoden: Zweihundert extrahierte menschliche Seitenzähne mit okklusal-approximalen Kompositrestaurationen wurden in 50 Gruppen (pro Gruppe vier Seitenzähnen) aufgeteilt und in einem pilotgetesteten diagnostischen Modell in einem Phantomkopf montiert. Die Zähne wurden unabhängig von zwei Untersuchern (erfahrene Zahnärzte) beurteilt. Transversale Mikroradiographie (TMR) und visuelle Bewertung dienten als Referenztest, um jegliche (nicht-kavitierte und kavitierte) kariöse Läsionen (Prävalenz 24 %) und kavitierte Läsionen (18 %) neben Kompositrestaurationen zu detektieren. Sensitivität, Spezifität, positive und negative prädiktive Werte und die Fläche unter der Receiver-Operating-Characteristics-Kurve (AUC) wurden berechnet. Ergebnisse: Zur Detektion jeglicher Läsionen betrug die mittlere Sensitivität/Spezifität 0,63/0,95 für DIAGNO, 0,70/0,88 für RA (für Läsionen, die röntgenologisch in Schmelz oder Dentin ausgedehnt waren) 0,26/0,98 für RA (für Läsionen, die bis ins Dentin ausgedehnt waren) und 0,31/0,96 für VT. Zur Detektion kavitierter Läsionen betrug die Sensitivität/Spezifität 0,69/0,94 für DIAGNO, 0,84/0,88 für RA (Schmelz und / oder Dentin), 0,34/0,99 RA (nur Dentin) und VT 0,40/0,97. Die AUC unterschied sich nicht signifikant zwischen RA und DIAGNO, während VT signifikant niedrigere Werte zeigte (p<0,05). Schlussfolgerung: Innerhalb der Limitationen dieser Studie scheint DIAGNO zur Detektion von approximalen kariösen Läsionen neben Kompositrestaurationen nützlich zu sein. Klinische Relevanz: Die Nahinfrarotlicht-Transillumination könnte als strahlungsfreie Ergänzung oder Alternative zu RA zur Detektion kariöser Läsionen neben Kompositrestaurationen verwendet werden

Outcome and comparator choice in molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) intervention studies: a systematic review and social network analysis

OBJECTIVES: Outcome and comparator choice strongly determine the validity and implementation of clinical trial results. We aimed to assess outcome and comparator choice in intervention studies on molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) using systematic review and social network analysis (SNA). DESIGN AND DATA SOURCES: Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central, Google Scholar, opengrey.eu as well as DRKS.de and Clinicaltrials.gov were searched for MIH intervention studies. The search covered the period from 1980 to 2019. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Clinical single-arm/multiarm, controlled/uncontrolled studies reporting on the management of MIH were included. Reported outcomes and comparators were extracted and categorised. SNA was used to evaluate comparator choice and the resulting trial networks. DATA EXTRACTION: Of the 7979 identified records, 100 were evaluated in full text and 35 studies (17 randomised controlled trials, 14 prospective and 4 retrospective cohort studies) were included. RESULTS: In total, 2124 patients with a mean age of 11 years (min/max 6/70 years) were included. Outcomes fell in one of 11 different outcome categories: restoration success, aesthetic improvement, pain/hypersensitivity/discomfort, mineral gain, space management, anaesthesia effectiveness, preventive success, efficiency, quality of life, gingival and periodontal health and patient satisfaction. Comparators were mainly restorative interventions (17 studies), remineralisation (3), treatment of hypersensitivity (10), aesthetic interventions (5) and orthodontic interventions (3). Two highly clustered comparator networks emerged; many interventions were not robustly linked to these networks. CONCLUSIONS: MIH intervention studies recorded both clinically centred and patient-centred outcomes. Core outcome set development should consider these and supplement them with outcomes on, for example, applicability. The high number of compared interventions tested in only few studies and our SNA results implicate that the current evidence may not be robust

Knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding molar incisor hypomineralisation amongst Swiss dental students

BACKGROUND: Knowledge obtained at the undergraduate level regarding molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) has an impact on future practice of dentists and paediatric dentists. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess final-year dental students' knowledge, attitudes and beliefs towards MIH in all Swiss universities. METHODS: A previously utilised survey (in both English and German) was distributed among final-year dental students in all Swiss dental schools (Basel, Bern, Geneva and Zurich). It probed students' knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding the diagnosis, prevalence, aetiology, and management of MIH, and was structured in two parts: knowledge/perception and clinical application. The students' responses were analysed statistically with descriptive statistics. RESULTS: 113 out of 133 final-year Swiss dental students took part in the study (85%). Nearly all students were familiar with MIH (99%), but only 12% of them felt confident when diagnosing MIH clinically. Direct composite fillings (66%), indirect restorations (28%) and preformed stainless-steel crowns (26%) were chosen as most suitable treatment options for MIH-affected teeth. CONCLUSION: Final-year Swiss dental students are well informed about MIH. However, they report low level of confidence when clinically confronted with MIH-affected teeth regarding its diagnosis and treatment. Swiss Universities curricula should be revisited accordingly

Deep learning for cephalometric landmark detection: systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives: Deep learning (DL) has been increasingly employed for automated landmark detection, e.g., for cephalometric purposes. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the accuracy and underlying evidence for DL for cephalometric landmark detection on 2-D and 3-D radiographs. Methods: Diagnostic accuracy studies published in 2015-2020 in Medline/Embase/IEEE/arXiv and employing DL for cephalometric landmark detection were identified and extracted by two independent reviewers. Random-effects meta-analysis, subgroup, and meta-regression were performed, and study quality was assessed using QUADAS-2. The review was registered (PROSPERO no. 227498). Data: From 321 identified records, 19 studies (published 2017-2020), all employing convolutional neural networks, mainly on 2-D lateral radiographs (n=15), using data from publicly available datasets (n=12) and testing the detection of a mean of 30 (SD: 25; range.: 7-93) landmarks, were included. The reference test was established by two experts (n=11), 1 expert (n=4), 3 experts (n=3), and a set of annotators (n=1). Risk of bias was high, and applicability concerns were detected for most studies, mainly regarding the data selection and reference test conduct. Landmark prediction error centered around a 2-mm error threshold (mean; 95% confidence interval: (-0.581; 95 CI: -1.264 to 0.102 mm)). The proportion of landmarks detected within this 2-mm threshold was 0.799 (0.770 to 0.824). Conclusions: DL shows relatively high accuracy for detecting landmarks on cephalometric imagery. The overall body of evidence is consistent but suffers from high risk of bias. Demonstrating robustness and generalizability of DL for landmark detection is needed. Clinical significance: Existing DL models show consistent and largely high accuracy for automated detection of cephalometric landmarks. The majority of studies so far focused on 2-D imagery; data on 3-D imagery are sparse, but promising. Future studies should focus on demonstrating generalizability, robustness, and clinical usefulness of DL for this objective

Knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) amongst German dental students

Background: Knowledge of molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) has relevance for paediatric dentists. Aim: To assess final-year German dental students’ knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding MIH. Materials and methods: A previously validated questionnaire was posted to the 31 German dental schools. Demographic covariates as well as knowledge regarding diagnosis and prevalence, and attitudes and beliefs around aetiology and management were collected. Results: Twenty-two (71%) dental schools responded and a total of 877 students participated. Most (97%) were familiar with MIH and 88% were aware of the diagnostic criteria for MIH; however, only 42% knew how to implement them. One-third were able to identify MIH and 16% reported diagnostic confidence when doing so; 90% assumed the MIH prevalence to be <10%. Two-thirds of the respondents implicated genetic components as the main aetiological factor of MIH. Resin composite (60%) and preformed metal crowns (46%) were the dental materials most often suggested for restorative management. Almost all (98%) respondents were interested in receiving more clinical training

Visual and radiographic caries detection:a tailored meta-analysis for two different settings, Egypt and Germany

Abstract\ud \ud Background\ud Diagnostic meta-analyses on caries detection methods should assist practitioners in their daily practice. However, conventional meta-analysis estimates may be inapplicable due to differences in test conduct, applied thresholds and assessed population between settings. Our aim was to demonstrate the impact of tailored meta-analysis of visual and radiographic caries detection to different settings using setting-specific routine data.\ud \ud \ud Methods\ud Published systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the accuracy of visual and radiographic caries detection were used. In two settings (a private practice in Germany and a public health clinic in Egypt), routine data of a total of 100 (n = 50/practice) consecutive 12–14 year-olds were collected. Test-positive rates of visual and radiographic detection for initial and advanced carious lesions on occlusal or proximal surfaces of molars were used to tailor meta-analyses. If prevalence data were available, these were also used for tailoring.\ud \ud \ud Results\ud From the original reviews, 210 and 100 heterogeneous studies on visual and radiographic caries detection were included in our meta-analyses. For radiographic detection, sensitivity and specificity estimates derived from conventional and tailored meta-analysis were similar. For visual detection of advanced occlusal carious lesions, the conventional meta-analysis yielded a sensitivity and specificity (95% CI) of 64.6% (57–71) and 90.9% (88–93), whereas the tailored estimates for Egypt were 75.1% (70–81) and 84.9% (82–89), respectively, and 43.7% (37–51) and 96.5% (95–97) for Germany, respectively.\ud \ud \ud Conclusion\ud Conventional test accuracy meta-analyses may yield aggregate estimates which are inapplicable to specific settings. Routine data may be used to produce a meta-analysis estimate which is tailored to the setting and thereby improving its applicability.BHW is in receipt of an Medical Research Council Clinician Scientist’s award\ud (MR/N007999/1). The funding body had no role in the design of the study and\ud collection, analysis, and interpretation of data and in writing the manuscript

The forgotten merits of GIC restorations: a systematic review

Objective: To reevaluate proven strengths and weakness of glass ionomer cements (GICs) and to identify agreement versus conflicting evidence in previous reports regarding the transition between GIC and the tooth, and the existence of an "interphase". Materials and methods: Relevant electronic databases (PubMed, Embase via Ovid and Medline via Web of science) were searched for publications of evidence relating to the transition zone at the GIC-tooth interphase. Studies were examined and grouped according to characteristics of GIC-tooth attachment area quantified by X-ray and optical microscopy techniques in 2D and 3D. Results: Inclusion criteria comprised of in vitro studies that showed images of the conventional GIC-tooth substrate attachments using at least one of the following techniques: SEM, CLSM, or μCT. The search identified 419 studies, from which 33 were included. Ten studies demonstrated the existence of an interphase layer and five studies quantified the layer thickness (1-15 μ). Twenty-nine publications studied different failure modes of the GIC-tooth interphase. Eleven studies described discontinuities inside the GIC bulk. Conclusion: The GIC-tooth interphase attributes evolve with time. Good attachment is evident even under compromised surface preparation. The GIC-tooth attachment area is resistant to acidic dissolution as compared to both tooth and GIC bulk. In general, studies revealed mostly intact GIC-tooth interphases with only some cracked interphases. Clinical significance: GIC bonds to the tooth structure and forms an acid resistant attachment zone that might enhance caries inhibition. Due to fluoride release and ease of use, GIC provides a cost effective treatment, ideal for low income or high caries populations

Selective vs stepwise removal of deep carious lesions in primary molars: 24 months follow-up from a randomized controlled trial

Objectives: For well-defined deep (> 2/3 dentin extension) carious lesions, selective (SE) or stepwise (SW) carious tissue removals have been recommended, while there is limited comparative evidence for both. We compared SE and SW over 24 months in a randomized controlled trial. Methods: A two-arm superiority trial was conducted comparing SW/SE in primary molars without pulpal symptoms but well-defined deep lesions. Seventy-four children (1 molar/child) aged 3-9 years were recruited. In a first step, peripheral carious tissue was removed until hard dentin remained, while in proximity to the pulp, leathery dentin was left. An adhesive compomer restoration was placed and restorations re-examined after 6 months. In SW, re-entry and removal to firm dentin was conducted pulpo-proximally, followed by re-restoration. Molars were re-evaluated for a total of 24 months. Our primary outcome was success (absence of restorative/endodontic complications or pulp exposures). Secondary outcomes included total treatment and opportunity costs and restoration quality, assessed using modified USPHS criteria. Results: After 24 months, 63 molars (31 SE, 32 SW) were re-assessed. Four failures occurred (2 exposures in SW; 2 pulpal complications in SE, 1 of them leading to extraction, p > 0.05). Restoration integrity was satisfying in both groups (USPHS A/B/C in 21/8/0 SE and 23/7/0 SW, p > 0.05). Treatment and opportunity costs were significantly higher in SW than SE (mean 171 ± 51 vs. 106 ± 90; p < 0.001). Conclusions: After 2 years, SE and SW showed similar efficacy for managing deep carious lesions in primary molars. The higher costs for SW should be considered during decision-making. Clinical significance: In primary molars with well-defined deep carious lesions SE was less costly and similarly efficacious like SW. From a cost and applicability perspective, SW may need to be indicated restrictively, e.g., for very deep (> 3/4 dentin extension) lesions only

Oral manifestations, dental management, and a rare homozygous mutation of the PRDM12 gene in a boy with hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type VIII: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract Background Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type VIII is a rare autosomal recessive inherited disorder. Chen et al. recently identified the causative gene and characterized biallelic mutations in the PR domain-containing protein 12 gene, which plays a role in the development of pain-sensing nerve cells. Our patient’s family was included in Chen and colleagues’ study. We performed a literature review of the PubMed library (January 1985 to December 2016) on hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type I to VIII genetic disorders and their orofacial manifestations. This case report is the first to describe the oral manifestations, and their treatment, of the recently discovered hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type VIII in the medical and dental literature. Case presentation We report on the oral manifestations and dental management of an 8-month-old white boy with hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy-VIII over a period of 16 years. Our patient was homozygous for a mutation of PR domain-containing protein 12 gene and was characterized by insensitivity to pain and thermal stimuli, self-mutilation behavior, reduced sweat and tear production, absence of corneal reflexes, and multiple skin and bone infections. Oral manifestations included premature loss of teeth, associated with dental traumata and self-mutilation, severe soft tissue injuries, dental caries and submucosal abscesses, hypomineralization of primary teeth, and mandibular osteomyelitis. Conclusions The lack of scientific knowledge on hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy due to the rarity of the disease often results in a delay in diagnosis, which is of substantial importance for the prevention of many complications and symptoms. Interdisciplinary work of specialized medical and dental teams and development of a standardized treatment protocols are essential for the management of the disease. There are many knowledge gaps concerning the management of patients with hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy-VIII, therefore more research on an international basis is needed

Generalizability of Deep Learning Models for Caries Detection in Near-Infrared Light Transillumination Images

Objectives: The present study aimed to train deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to detect caries lesions on Near-Infrared Light Transillumination (NILT) imagery obtained either in vitro or in vivo and to assess the models' generalizability. Methods: In vitro, 226 extracted posterior permanent human teeth were mounted in a diagnostic model in a dummy head. Then, NILT images were generated (DIAGNOcam, KaVo, Biberach), and images were segmented tooth-wise. In vivo, 1319 teeth from 56 patients were obtained and segmented similarly. Proximal caries lesions were annotated pixel-wise by three experienced dentists, reviewed by a fourth dentist, and then transformed into binary labels. We trained ResNet classification models on both in vivo and in vitro datasets and used 10-fold cross-validation for estimating the performance and generalizability of the models. We used GradCAM to increase explainability. Results: The tooth-level prevalence of caries lesions was 41% in vitro and 49% in vivo, respectively. Models trained and tested on in vivo data performed significantly better (mean ± SD accuracy: 0.78 ± 0.04) than those trained and tested on in vitro data (accuracy: 0.64 ± 0.15; p < 0.05). When tested in vitro, the models trained in vivo showed significantly lower accuracy (0.70 ± 0.01; p < 0.01). Similarly, when tested in vivo, models trained in vitro showed significantly lower accuracy (0.61 ± 0.04; p < 0.05). In both cases, this was due to decreases in sensitivity (by -27% for models trained in vivo and -10% for models trained in vitro). Conclusions: Using in vitro setups for generating NILT imagery and training CNNs comes with low accuracy and generalizability. Clinical significance: Studies employing in vitro imagery for developing deep learning models should be critically appraised for their generalizability. Applicable deep learning models for assessing NILT imagery should be trained on in vivo data