Abstract Background Accurate age estimation is a cornerstone of forensic odontology and pediatric dental care, essential for identifying unknown individuals, resolving legal disputes, and planning treatments. Dental methods are considered superior to skeletal assessment as they are less susceptible to variations caused by ethnicity, nutrition, and endocrine pathologies. This study aimed to develop and validate a novel regression formula to provide a reliable and accurate method for dental age estimation in children. Result A total of 1,111 orthopantomographs of children aged 4–15 years were analyzed to create the regression model. The differences between predicted dental age and chronological age were categorized as less than 6 months (LT6), between 6 months and 1 year (MT6M), and more than 1 year (MT1yr). Model agreement was assessed with Pearson’s Chi-square and Cohen’s Kappa. The model was subsequently validated on an independent sample of 147 orthopantomographs, with sex-based comparisons performed. From the total dataset, 42.8% of the predicted ages were within 6 months of the chronological age (LT6), 24.9% were MT6M, and 32.3% exceeded 1 year. Pearson’s Chi-square test demonstrated a highly significant association across the three categories indicating the distribution was not due to chance. However, Cohen’s Kappa value (κ = − 0.063, p = 0.002) reflected poor agreement beyond chance between predicted and actual age categories. In the validation dataset of 147 orthopantomographs, 70.1% of cases showed differences of less than one year between the predicted and actual chronological age, while 29.9% had differences exceeding one year. There was no significant difference between males and females (χ2 = 0.914, p = 0.339). Conclusion The newly developed regression formula provides a clinically useful tool for dental age estimation, majority of estimates falling within a one-year range. Its demonstrated independence from sex-based variations enhances its practical utility. To solidify its value for forensic and pediatric applications, future research should focus on multi-center validation across diverse geographical and ethnic populations.
Glass ionomer cement (GIC) is widely used in dentistry because of its chemical adhesion to tooth structure, fluoride release, biocompatibility, and stability in an aqueous environment. However, its relatively low compressive strength restricts its use in stress-bearing areas. Hydroxyapatite [Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂], a bioceramic material structurally similar to natural tooth mineral, has demonstrated potential to enhance the mechanical properties of dental materials, particularly in nanoscopic form. This study evaluated the effect of incorporating naturally synthesized nano-hydroxyapatite into glass ionomer luting cement on compressive strength. Nano-hydroxyapatite was added at 4% by weight to Fuji I commercial GIC, and the compressive strength of the modified cement was compared with that of conventional GIC. Within the limitations of the study, incorporation of nano-hydroxyapatite resulted in a 42% increase in compressive strength, exceeding improvements reported with synthetic nano-hydroxyapatite. These findings suggest that naturally synthesized nano-hydroxyapatite is a promising additive for glass ionomer luting cements, warranting further biocompatibility and clinical investigations..
Regenerative endodontics is based on the three factors of stem cells, scaffolds and growth factors where dentin matrix acts as a source of bioactive molecules. The mechanism by which irrigants can release these growth factors out of dentin without damaging the scaffold structures is an insufficiently investigated mechanism. Therefore, it is of interest to assess the effectiveness of both the mixtures of tetracycline isomer, acid and detergent (MTAD) and Tetraclean in releasing growth factors within root canal dentin and how these factors impacted triple antibiotic paste scaffolds. Sixty human premolars extracted were incubated with MTAD, Tetraclean or saline and the release of growth factor (TGF- 1, VEGF, BMP-2) measured by ELISA. MTAD showed a greater mobilization of growth factors (p<0.001) and superior stability of the scaffold than that of Tetraclean. Thus, data shows the both experimental irrigants increased the levels of growth factors as compared to the controls and these findings support their role in regenerative endodontic procedures.
BackgroundTo develop and internally validate a clinically applicable risk-prediction model for estimating the progression of mandibular anterior crowding in mixed dentition.Materials and methodsThis prospective longitudinal study included 450 children aged 7-9 years, followed by approximately four years. Mandibular anterior crowding progression was defined as an increase of >= 2 mm in the Little's Irregularity Index. Twelve dental, cephalometric, and soft tissue variables were evaluated. Penalized logistic regression (LASSO) was used for model development, and a simplified clinical scoring system was derived. Model performance was assessed using discrimination, calibration, and internal bootstrap validations.ResultsCrowding progression was observed in 36% of the participants. Six predictors are retained in the final model. The model demonstrated a good discriminative ability (AUC = 0.87) and satisfactory calibration. The derived scoring system showed a reliable diagnostic performance with minimal optimism after internal validation.ConclusionMandibular anterior crowding progression is influenced by a combination of spatial, dentofacial, and soft tissue factors. The proposed scoring system provides a practical tool for early risk stratification; however, external validation is required before its routine clinical application.
Niosomes are vesicular nanocarriers, biodegradable, relatively non-toxic, stable, and inexpensive, that provide an alternative for lipid-solid carriers (e.g., liposomes). Niosomes may resolve issues related to the instability, fast degradation, bioavailability, and insolubility of different drugs or natural compounds. Niosomes can be very efficient potential systems for the specific delivery of anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antibacterial molecules. This review aims to present an overview of their composition, the most common formulation techniques, as well as of recent utilizations as delivery systems in cancer therapy. As drug carriers, nano-sized niosomes expand the horizons of pharmacokinetics, decreasing toxicity, enhancing drug solvability and bioavailability. In this review, we review the components and fabrication methods of niosomes, as well as their functionalization, characterization, administration routes, and applications in cancer gene delivery, and natural product delivery. We also discuss the limitations and challenges in the development of niosomes, and provide the future perspective of niosomes.
