Efficacy of CAD/CAM technology in dental procedures performed by students: A systematic scoping review of randomized clinical trials

Job Demands and Resources Perceived by Dentists in a Digital Dental Workplace and Perceived Effects on Job Satisfaction and Stress: A Qualitative Study

Background: Digitalisation is becoming increasingly integrated into the field of dentistry; therefore, it is crucial to understand both the challenges it introduces and the opportunities it provides. By doing so, the research will offer insights into how digital tools can affect the work environment and contribute to the overall well-being and performance of dental professionals. Objectives: The present study aims to explore how dentists perceive the demands and resources within a digitalised dental practice. Methods: The present study adopted a qualitative design, incorporating guideline-based interviews. A total of 30 interviews were conducted with dentists from various German dental practices, with a focus on key topics such as job demands, job resources, digital stress factors, job satisfaction, and support needs in the context of digital dentistry. The interview data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The findings highlight that digital systems in dental practices offer benefits such as reduced errors and time savings, but also pose challenges, especially for less experienced users. While they improve efficiency, precision, and professional development, they can also lead to negative effects like dependence on technology, loss of manual skills, technical failures, and increased stress, particularly during the adaptation phase. These results suggest that successful integration of digital technologies requires adequate support to overcome initial learning curves and ensure long-term benefits. Conclusions: The results of the study underline the importance of effective implementation, comprehensive staff training, and technological reliability to maximise the benefits of digital tools and minimise their drawbacks. Maintaining a balance between digital stressors and resources is crucial to promoting a healthy work environment. Future research should focus on the long-term effects of training programmes and the integration of digital technologies into dental practices to increase their effectiveness in terms of job satisfaction and reduce potential risks.

Current Trends and Innovations in Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstruction

This review examines the latest advancements in maxillofacial reconstruction, focusing on transformative innovations in dentistry. Traditional surgical techniques, although effective, are accompanied by challenges such as inherent risks, complications, and inconsistent outcomes that can be influenced by variations in surgeon skill. To address these drawbacks, cutting-edge technologies have emerged, emphasizing enhanced precision, safety, and efficiency in treatment modalities. Key innovations in this field include 3-dimensional printing (additive manufacturing), virtual surgical planning, computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology, and tissue engineering. These advancements not only revolutionize diagnostics but also streamline workflow processes, offering sustainable, timely treatments while improving therapeutic results and aesthetic outcomes. The integration of CAD/CAM technology enhances workflow efficiency by simplifying complex processes in dental prosthetic design. Simultaneously, additive manufacturing facilitates the creation of intricate dental implants with superior accuracy. Virtual surgical planning provides clinicians with valuable preoperative insights, enabling tailored surgical interventions, while tissue engineering presents regenerative solutions to complex reconstructive challenges. Despite these technological breakthroughs, the adoption of these innovations requires significant initial investments and extensive training for healthcare professionals. While logistical and financial obstacles can arise, the long-term benefits, such as enhanced patient care and superior aesthetic results, are considerable. In conclusion, this article aims to evaluate the transformative impact of digital and additive manufacturing technologies on maxillofacial reconstruction and to underscore their crucial role in advancing modern dentistry.

Addressing mucosal ulcers during orthodontic treatment: An urgent call for preventive strategies

Mucosal ulcers are a common yet often overlooked complication during orthodontic treatment, significantly impacting patient comfort and compliance. This letter aims to highlight the prevalence, potential causes, and management strategies for mucosal ulcers in orthodontic patients. By reviewing recent literature and clinical observations, we underscore the necessity for proactive measures and tailored interventions to mitigate the incidence and severity of these lesions. Emphasizing the role of patient education and the use of protective devices, we call for a multidisciplinary approach to enhance patient care and treatment outcomes. This discussion is particularly relevant in the context of evolving orthodontic techniques and materials, which necessitate continuous adaptation of clinical practices to ensure patient safety and well-being.

Dental Cavity Grading: Comparing Algorithm Reliability and Agreement with Expert Evaluation

Aim

The current study introduces a novel, algorithm-based software developed to objectively evaluate dental cavity preparations. The software aims to provide an alternative or complement to traditional, subjective assessment methods used in operative dentistry education.

Materials and Methods

The software was tested on cavity preparations carried out by 70 participants on artificial molar teeth. These cavities were also independently assessed by an experienced academic panel. The software, using 3D imaging, calculated cavity dimensions and assigned an error score based on deviation from ideal measurements. Statistical analyses included sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, Cohen's kappa, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC3k), Spearman's rho, Kendall's tau correlation coefficients, and a confusion matrix.

Result

The software demonstrated a high degree of accuracy and agreement with the panel assessments. The average software and panel scores were 64.1 and 60.91, respectively. Sensitivity (0.98) was high, specificity (0.55) was moderate, and the ICC3k value (0.857) indicated a strong agreement between the software and the panel. Further, Spearman's rho (0.73) and Kendall's tau (0.56) suggested a strong correlation between the two grading methods.

Conclusion

The results support the algorithm-based software as a valid and reliable tool for dental cavity preparation assessments. The software's potential use in dental education is promising, though future research is necessary to validate and optimize this technology for wider application.

Accuracy assessment of implant placement with versus without a CAD/CAM surgical guide by novices versus specialists via the digital registration method: an in vitro randomized crossover study

BACKGROUND

Many studies demonstrated that surgical guides might reduce discrepancies compared with freehand implant placement. This randomized crossover study aimed to assess the effects of approaches, practitioners' experience and learning sequences on the accuracy of single tooth implantation via digital registration method. No similar study was found.

METHODS

This in vitro randomized crossover study enrolled 60 novice students (Group S) and 10 experienced instructors (Group I). Sixty students were randomly and evenly assigned to two groups (Group SA and SB). In Group SA, 30 students first performed single molar implant on a simulation model freehand (Group SAFH), and then with a CAD/CAM surgical guide (Group SASG). In Group SB, another 30 students first performed guided (Group SBSG) and then freehand (Group SBFH). Ten instructors were also divided into Group IAFH/IASG (n = 5) and IBSG/IBFH (n = 5) following the same rules. The accuracy of implant placement was assessed by the coronal and apical distance (mm) and angular (°) deviations using the digital registration method. T tests and nonparametric tests were used to compare the results among different groups of approaches, experience and sequences.

RESULTS

For students, the coronal and apical distance and the angular deviations were significantly lower in surgical guide group than freehand group in total and in learning freehand first subgroup, but for learning surgical guide first subgroup the apical distance deviation showed no significant difference between two approaches. For students, the angular deviation of freehand group was significantly lower in learning surgical guide first group than learning freehand first group. For instructors, the coronal and apical distance and angular deviations showed no significant difference between two approaches and two sequences. For freehand approach, the coronal and apical distance and the angular deviations were significantly higher in student group than instructor group, while not significantly different between two groups for surgical guide approach.

CONCLUSIONS

For novices, using a surgical guide for the first implant placement may reduce the potential deviations compared with freehand surgery, and may reach a comparable accuracy with that of specialists. For simple single molar implantation, the surgical guide may not be significantly helpful for experienced specialists.