Optimizing Preclinical Skill Assessment for Handpiece-Naïve Students: A Strategic Approach.

: Preclinical dental training requires simulation-based tools to develop fine motor skills, but traditional models like plastic teeth often lack realistic tactile feedback, and systematic evaluations of multi-layered drilling plates are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the educational utility and perceived realism of a novel multi-layered drilling plate designed to simulate enamel, dentin, and pulp, with null hypotheses that it would not differ in realism from natural dental tissues or in educational utility from existing tools. : Seventy dental educators (mean preclinical teaching experience: 112.

Shaping the Future of Dentistry: How Digital VR-Haptic Thinkers Are Revolutionizing Education by Thinking Big for Better Future in Oral Care.

Integrating digital, virtual reality (VR), and haptic technologies into dental education transforms training by fostering immersive, student-centered environments. These tools bridge theoretical knowledge and clinical practice, enhancing psychomotor skills, reducing anxiety, and enabling standardized assessments in risk-free settings. The Digital, VR, and Haptic Thinkers Network drives global collaboration and innovation.

Student Self-Assessment Skills and Gender in the United States, Egypt and Japan: An Observational Study in Preclinical Dentistry.

Introduction: This observational study seeks to investigate student self-assessment skills in the United States, Egypt and Japan and to elucidate gender's impact on the self-assessment abilities of students from various cultural backgrounds.

Methods: Dental students from the United States (n = 350), Egypt (n = 335) and Japan (n = 301) completed various preclinical exercises. In the United States, students took preclinical practical exams in Class II amalgam preparation and restoration and Class III resin-composite preparation and restoration.

Proximal aortic aneurysms in mice underexpressing transforming growth factor-β1.

In humans, loss-of-function mutations in multiple component genes of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling have been demonstrated to cause proximal aortic aneurysms. However, association of human variants in the prototype ligand TGFB1 with thoracic aortic aneurysms have not been reported to date. To delineate the consequences of genetically altered Tgfb1 expression on aortic phenotype in mammals, we studied aortic phenotype in mice with loss-of-functions or gain-of-function mutations in Tgfb1 (Tgfb1 and Tgfb1).

Insights from the global education survey on the use of VR-haptics in dental education.

Background: Haptics-enhanced virtual reality (VR-haptics), a supplementary tool for traditional oral health training, shows promise in enhancing knowledge acquisition, manual dexterity, performance, and student well-being.

Aim: The aim of this study was to understand dental educators' perceptions and needs regarding the acceptability and application of VR-haptics in dental education, as well as to gather suggestions for system improvements.

Methods: In this global cross-sectional study, the VR-Haptic Thinkers Consortium used a 28-item online questionnaire distributed to 1,023 participants by August 1, 2024.

Benefits and challenges of the integration of haptics-enhanced virtual reality training within dental curricula.

Background: Haptics-enhanced virtual reality (VR-haptic) simulation in dental education has evolved considerably during the past decade, representing a promising resource of simulation-based training opportunities to support conventional practice. We aim to summarize current literature on the applications of VR-haptics in learning, practicing, and teaching dental education.

Methods: A literature search was performed using PubMed, focusing on research articles published between January 2010 and January 2024.

Association between gender and self-assessment skills amongst Japanese dental students.

Background/purpose: Self-assessment in dental education is considered a fundamental skill for proficient oral healthcare providers. While previous studies looked at self-assessment in education, few have done so at Japanese institutions. This study aimed to assess potential associations between gender and self-assessment skills in Japanese dental students.

The effects of collagen cross-link deficiency on osseointegration process of pure titanium implants.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of collagen cross-link deficiency on collagen fiber formation around an implant and its effect on the osseointegration process.

Methods: Wistar rats were fed 0.1% beta-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) dissolved in water to induce collagen cross-link deficiency.

The relationship between dental metal allergy, periodontitis, and palmoplantar pustulosis: An observational study.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between dental metal allergy, periodontitis, and palmoplantar pustulosis among patients from a dental metal allergy clinic over a period of 8 years.

Methods: This study included 436 patients who visited our dental metal allergy clinic between April 1, 2009 and March 31, 2016. Diagnoses of skin diseases, periodontal records, dental metal series patch test results, and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) data were obtained from medical records.

Technical skill training and assessment in dental education.

Highly competent clinical practice requires cognitive, psychomotor and affective skills. Therefore, the ultimate goal of dental education is for practitioners to be competent in all of these domains. While many methods have been introduced to assess knowledge and non-technical skills, it is still very difficult for educators to assess technical skill.

Comparing dental student preclinical self-assessment in the United States and Japan.

Purpose/objectives: Self-assessment is an essential skill for dental professionals. Understanding global trends in self-assessment can highlight the learning needs of students across a diversity of cultural backgrounds. The aim of this study is to compare the self-assessment ability of dental students in the United States and Japan, where cultural backgrounds may differ.

Bone heating and implant removal using a high-frequency electrosurgical device: An in vivo experimental study.

Objectives: Failed implant removal using a high-frequency electrosurgical device (HFED) has been reported to be less invasive than other surgical techniques. We sought to clarify the mechanism of removal torque reduction in an implant by heating with HFED.

Materials And Methods: Sixty-eight Wistar rats received titanium implants on the maxillary bone 4 weeks after extraction of the first and second molars.

Peri-implant bone alterations under the influence of abutment screw preload stress. A preclinical vivo study.

Objectives: The study purpose was to examine peri-implant bone alternations around osseointegrated implants caused solely by abutment screw preload stress using different tightening torque values.

Materials And Methods: Twenty 20- to 22-week-old Japanese white rabbits received two implants each in right and left femurs. Implants were randomly assigned to one of three tightening torque groups or the control (Cont) group.

Biological reaction control using topography regulation of nanostructured titanium.

The micro- and nanosize surface topography of dental implants has been shown to affect the growth of surrounding cells. In this study, standardized and controlled periodic nanopatterns were fabricated with nanosized surface roughness on titanium substrates, and their influence on bone marrow stromal cells investigated. Cell proliferation assays revealed that the bare substrate with a 1.

Cyclophilin B control of lysine post-translational modifications of skin type I collagen.

Covalent intermolecular cross-linking of collagen is essential for tissue stability. Recent studies have demonstrated that cyclophilin B (CypB), an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase, modulates lysine (Lys) hydroxylation of type I collagen impacting cross-linking chemistry. However, the extent of modulation, the molecular mechanism and the functional outcome in tissues are not well understood.

Effect of Collagen Cross-Link Deficiency on Incorporation of Grafted Bone.

Bone matrix collagen, is one of the major contributors to bone quality. No studies have examined how bone quality affects the results of bone transplantation. Collagen cross-links (CCL) are the key factor in collagen properties.

Clinical guidelines for dental cone-beam computed tomography.

Dental cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) received regulatory approval in Japan in 2000 and has been widely used since being approved for coverage by the National Health Insurance system in 2012. This imaging technique allows dental practitioners to observe and diagnose lesions in the dental hard tissue in three dimensions (3D). When performing routine radiography, the examination must be justified, and optimal protection should be provided according to the ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) principles laid down by the International Commission on Radiological Protection.

Insulin-like growth factor binding Protein-3 suppresses osteoblast differentiation via bone morphogenetic protein-2.

Bone augmentation therapy is used in dental implantation. While techniques to induce bone formation are generally successful, the maintenance of bone mass is more difficult. Therefore, it is important to understand the mechanisms that regulate this process.

Extracellular matrix with defective collagen cross-linking affects the differentiation of bone cells.

Fibrillar type I collagen, the predominant organic component in bone, is stabilized by lysyl oxidase (LOX)-initiated covalent intermolecular cross-linking, an important determinant of bone quality. However, the impact of collagen cross-linking on the activity of bone cells and subsequent tissue remodeling is not well understood. In this study, we investigated the effect of collagen cross-linking on bone cellular activities employing a loss-of-function approach, using a potent LOX inhibitor, β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN).

Cyclophilin B Deficiency Causes Abnormal Dentin Collagen Matrix.

Cyclophilin B (CypB) is an endoplasmic reticulum-resident protein that regulates collagen folding, and also contributes to prolyl 3-hydroxylation (P3H) and lysine (Lys) hydroxylation of collagen. In this study, we characterized dentin type I collagen in CypB null (KO) mice, a model of recessive osteogenesis imperfecta type IX, and compared to those of wild-type (WT) and heterozygous (Het) mice. Mass spectrometric analysis demonstrated that the extent of P3H in KO collagen was significantly diminished compared to WT/Het.

Cyclophilin-B Modulates Collagen Cross-linking by Differentially Affecting Lysine Hydroxylation in the Helical and Telopeptidyl Domains of Tendon Type I Collagen.

Covalent intermolecular cross-linking provides collagen fibrils with stability. The cross-linking chemistry is tissue-specific and determined primarily by the state of lysine hydroxylation at specific sites. A recent study on cyclophilin B (CypB) null mice, a model of recessive osteogenesis imperfecta, demonstrated that lysine hydroxylation at the helical cross-linking site of bone type I collagen was diminished in these animals (Cabral, W.

Correlation Between Stress Distributions and Biological Reactions in Bone Surrounding Implants That Support Cantilevers in Supraocclusal Contact in Rats.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between stress distributions and peri-implant bone reactions around maxillary implants that support cantilevers in supraocclusal contact.

Materials And Methods: After molar extraction, 16 Wistar rats received a titanium implant unilaterally. After healing, 8 rats (control group) were killed and the others received implant-supported cantilever superstructures in supraocclusion (loaded group).

RhoA-Mediated Functions in C3H10T1/2 Osteoprogenitors Are Substrate Topography Dependent.

Surface topography broadly influences cellular responses. Adherent cell activities are regulated, in part, by RhoA, a member of the Rho-family of GTPases. In this study, we evaluated the influence of surface topography on RhoA activity and associated cellular functions.

Proliferation of preosteoblasts on TiO nanotubes is FAK/RhoA related.

Topographies promote surface-dependent behaviors which may positively influence peri-implant bone healing. In this study the topological effects of TiO nanotubes (TNTs) on aspects of preosteoblast behavior was investigated. Specifically, we hypothesize that TNTs can influence cell proliferation of preosteoblasts through cell adhesion and related modulation of FAK and RhoA.

Observation of the bone surrounding an overloaded implant in a novel rat model.

Purpose: Although the recent success rates of dental implants are quite high, it is still true that loading during the bone healing period may be more likely to discourage osseointegration and that occlusal overloading might result in implant failure, even after osseointegration is established. The purposes of this study were to establish an appropriate experimental animal model and to histologically assess degenerative changes in established osseointegration under early and excessive occlusal loading.

Materials And Methods: Forty rats were divided into control and experimental groups.