Kamineni Institute of Dental Sciences

Digital dentistry has rapidly evolved through the integration of advanced imaging, computer-aided design (CAD) and manufacturing (CAM), and data-driven workflows, creating opportunities for artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled clinical support across multiple dental domains. Although numerous studies have explored AI in isolated diagnostic or restorative applications, a comprehensive synthesis spanning diagnosis, treatment planning, and prosthodontics remains limited, leaving uncertainty regarding the overall scope and maturity of current evidence. This systematic review aimed to consolidate and evaluate published research on AI applications within digital dentistry, with emphasis on data modalities, algorithmic tasks, and reported clinical outcomes. A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)-compliant search was conducted across PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, and Google Scholar for studies published between 2015 and 2025. Eligible peer-reviewed studies reporting quantitative outcomes were systematically screened, extracted, and synthesized descriptively. The review identified a predominance of image-based diagnostic applications, particularly for caries detection and anatomical segmentation, with fewer studies addressing treatment planning and prosthodontic workflows. Deep learning models were most frequently employed, and reported outcomes commonly focused on accuracy, segmentation performance, and spatial agreement. The findings indicate that AI is increasingly embedded within digital dental workflows, primarily as a decision support tool rather than a standalone system. This synthesis clarifies current research trends, highlights the relative maturity of diagnostic applications, and underscores the expanding but uneven integration of artificial intelligence across interconnected stages of digital dentistry, providing a consolidated evidence base to inform clinicians and researchers.

BACKGROUND:Reinforced glass ionomer cements (GICs) have gained attention as potential durable alternatives to resin composites for posterior restorations, owing to their improved mechanical properties and fluoride release. However, limited standardized protocols exist to assess their long-term wear resistance and clinical performance, particularly in comparison with bulk-fill resin composites under variable patient-related factors. AIM:This study aimed to develop a standardized protocol to evaluate the suitability of reinforced GIC as a durable permanent direct restorative material in Class I and Class II cavities compared with bulk-fill resin composites and to correlate in vitro findings with clinical wear behavior. MATERIALS AND METHODS:The study consisted of two phases: an in vitro experimental phase followed by a correlational clinical trial. In the in vitro phase, 40 extracted human molar teeth were collected and divided according to cavity type: Group 1 (Class I cavities; n = 20), Group 2 (Class II cavities; n = 20), and subgroups a (reinforced GIC; n = 10) and b (bulk-fill composite; n = 10). The restored samples were stored in distilled water for 24 hours and subjected to simulated mastication cycles equivalent to six and 12 months of clinical function using a chewing simulator. Volumetric wear was determined using the Geomagic software (3D Systems, Rock Hill, SC, USA). In the clinical phase, restorations made of the same materials and with the same cavity configurations were placed in patients and monitored periodically for three-dimensional wear and volumetric changes. RESULTS:The wear was assessed using the Geomagic Control X (3D Systems, Rock Hill, SC, USA) and WearCompare software on replica models, and restorations were analyzed using the revised Fédération Dentaire Internationale (FDI) criteria. CONCLUSION:The standardized in vitro-in vivo protocol provides a reliable framework to assess the durability and clinical relevance of reinforced GICs compared with bulk-fill composites in posterior restorations, offering insight into their long-term functional behavior under patient-related influences.

Introduction: Periodontal intrabony defects (IBDs) respond favourably to regenerative periodontal therapy. Various graft and non-graft materials have been used, with non-allogenic bone substitutes offering the potential to enhance clinical outcomes and radiographic defect resolution. Angio-Osseo Inductive Bone Ceramic (ABC), a novel ion-doped biphasic calcium phosphate graft, has shown promise due to its osteogenic and angiogenic potential. Aim: The study aimed to compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes of ABC and demineralised freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA) in the surgical management of periodontal IBDs. Materials & methods: A parallel-group, examiner- and statistician-blinded, randomised controlled clinical trial was conducted on 30 IBDs (one per patient), randomly assigned to ABC (test, n = 15) or DFDBA (control, n = 15). Clinical parameters, including Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level (CAL), were recorded at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Radiographic bone fill was assessed at 3 and 6 months using standardised digital radiovisiography. Results: In both groups, mean IBD scores were significantly different at all time intervals (p < 0.05). Intergroup differences in PPD reduction and CAL gain were not statistically significant. Radiographic analysis demonstrated significantly greater bone fill in the test group (68.63%) compared with the control group (45.48%) at 6 months (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Both ABC and DFDBA were effective in the treatment of periodontal IBDs. However, ABC demonstrated statistically significant improvement in defect fill, supporting its potential as a novel alloplastic alternative to conventional allograft.

Platelet concentrates, widely used as adjuncts to regenerative procedures, are available with varying specifications. The use of titanium tubes for low-speed centrifugation has previously been attempted for the preparation of titanium platelet-rich fibrin (T-PRF). Therefore, the present in vitro investigation aimed to prepare an injectable titanium platelet-rich fibrin (i-TPRF) and to compare growth factor release with that of known platelet concentrates. About 40 mL of blood was collected from six donors each for preparing plateletrich fibrin (PRF), T-PRF, injectable platelet-rich fibrin (i-PRF) and i-TPRF. A volume of 5 mL of Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) was added to the platelet concentrates, and the platelet concentrates were incubated at 37 °C in a Shaker plate. An Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay was used to assess growth factor release on days 1 and 7. The results showed an increase in platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) release from day 1 to day 7 in all the groups. At 24 hours, i-PRF showed the highest growth factor release, followed by T-PRF, i-TPRF and PRF. On day 7, T-PRF showed the highest PDGF levels, followed by i-TPRF, i-PRF, and PRF. The study demonstrated the potential of a new platelet concentrate preparation, i-T-PRF, with PDGF release comparable to that of known PRF preparations. In addition, platelet concentrates prepared in titanium tubes showed enhanced release of PDGF-AA.

Aim:To compare and evaluate the sealing ability and depth of penetration for resin-modified light-cured calcium silicate, that is, TheraCal LC, used as a pit-and-fissure sealant, to that of GC Fuji VII glass ionomer-based sealant. Materials and methods:A probability sampling of 28 freshly extracted maxillary and mandibular premolar teeth was chosen and divided into two groups, each containing 14 teeth, and the study was conducted using the following materials in the respective groups: group I-TheraCal LC and group II-GC Fuji VII. Firstly, the samples were subjected to thermocycling up to 500 cycles at 5 and 55°C. Then the apices of the teeth were sealed with acrylic resin, followed by two coats of nail polish, and the samples were immersed in 5 % methylene blue dye for 24 hours. Longitudinal sections were obtained from each tooth for evaluating the sealing ability and penetration depth using a stereomicroscope at 2.5× magnification. The sectioned samples' sealing ability was evaluated based on Ovrebo and Raadal's criteria. Results:The procured data were analyzed using the Chi-squared test and independent t-test. The comparability between the two groups for sealing ability and penetration depth showed a statistically insignificant difference (p = 0.13, p = 0.49, respectively). Conclusion:TheraCal LC as a pit-and-fissure sealant demonstrates favorable results concerning both sealing ability and penetration depth. How to cite this article:Eddula RR, Choudhary S, Merum K, et al. Evaluation of the Sealing Ability and Penetration Depth of the TheraCal LC as a Sealant for Pit and Fissures: An In Vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2026;19(3):303-307.