Objective: This study compared the ability of composite resin and feldspathic porcelain to mask tooth discoloration at different thicknesses, with and without opaquer application.Methods: In this in vitro study, composite resin (VOCO Grandio) and feldspathic porcelain (Noritake Super Porcelain EX-3) specimens (n=20 per material) were prepared in shade A2 at thicknesses of 0.5 and 1.0 mm (n=10 per thickness) and placed over a C4-shade porcelain substrate that simulated a severely discolored tooth. Each specimen was evaluated with and without opaquer application (composite resin opaquer or opaque resin cement, depending on the material). Color was measured according to the CIE Lab* system, and the color difference (ΔE) was calculated between each specimen under the test condition and the intrinsic reference color of the material. Data were analyzed using three-way ANOVA, with the significance set at P<0.05.Results: The porcelain group showed lower ΔE values than the composite resin group at both thicknesses, with and without opaquer application. The three-way ANOVA revealed that thickness, opaquer application, and material type each had a significant effect on ΔE (P<0.001). The thickness–opaquer interaction was also significant (P=0.04). At 0.5 mm thickness, both opaquer application and material type significantly influenced ΔE (P<0.001), whereas at 1.0 mm, the effect of neither factor was significant (P=0.78 and P=0.83, respectively). Conclusions: At a conservative restoration thickness of 0.5 mm, enhanced masking performance was achieved by using feldspathic porcelain instead of composite resin and by applying an opaquer. However, clinically acceptable masking of severe discoloration was not achieved.
Objective: As the Journal of Endodontics (JOE) marks its fiftieth anniversary, a valuable opportunity arises to evaluate and modernize its author guidelines in alignment with contemporary standards for transparency, reproducibility, and editorial integrity.Methods: This study built on previous bibliometric and scientometric analyses of the JOE and provided a structured assessment of its 2024–2025 author guidelines. Comparative benchmarking was performed against three leading journals, including The Lancet, Periodontology 2000, and International Endodontic Journal. The guidelines were assessed for alignment with nine internationally recognized editorial frameworks: EQUATOR Network, COPE, ICMJE, CRediT, FAIR Principles, the AMA Manual of Style, Vancouver/NLM Standards, ORCID, and TOP Guidelines.Results: The JOE demonstrates several editorial strengths, including detailed formatting instructions, a clearly structured manuscript framework, and explicit policies regarding the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI). It also offers optional support for CRediT. Nevertheless, the author guidelines should be regularly reviewed and updated to remain current, clear, and concise. Consideration is also suggested for adopting the report of ethical standards (as outlined by COPE or the ICMJE), the application of EQUATOR Network guidelines, the mandatory requirements for ORCID iDs, data availability statements, and standardized contributor role disclosures.Conclusions: JOE would benefit from a review and revision of author guidelines based on evidence-based recommendations informed by global standards and frameworks to strengthen editorial integrity, improve submission quality, and support compliance with indexing requirements.
Objective: This study compared the effects of 5% sodium fluoride varnish (NaF) with those of 5% NaF varnish containing casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) on Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) counts in dental plaque and salivary calcium and phosphate levels in preschool children.Methods: This randomized single-blind clinical trial included 33 caries-free children aged 3–6 years who were classified as having a moderate-to-high risk of future caries development according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) caries risk assessment guidelines. The participants were randomly allocated (1:1) to receive either sodium fluoride (NaF) varnish alone (n = 16) or NaF varnish containing CPP-ACP (n = 17). S. mutans counts in dental plaque and salivary calcium and phosphate concentrations were assessed at baseline and follow-up intervals. Data were analysed using repeated-measures ANOVA at the significance level of P < 0.05.Results: Plaque S. mutans counts changed significantly over time (P < 0.001), but did not differ significantly between the two groups (P > 0.05). Salivary calcium and phosphate concentrations showed no significant changes over time or differences between groups (P > 0.05).Conclusions: The addition of CPP-ACP to NaF varnish did not provide a statistically significant additional benefit in reducing plaque S. mutans counts or changing salivary calcium and phosphate levels compared with NaF varnish alone.
Objective: The present study compared the fracture resistance of mandibular premolars instrumented using ProTaper NEXT, TruNatomy, and Neohybrid nickel-titanium (NiTi) file systems.Methods: In this in vitro study, 56 extracted mandibular premolars were decoronated to obtain standardized root lengths of 16 mm. The samples were divided into four groups (n=14): Group I, no instrumentation (control); Group II, instrumentation with ProTaper NEXT files (Dentsply Maillefer); Group III, instrumentation with TruNatomy files (Dentsply Sirona); and Group IV, instrumentation with Neohybrid files (Orikam Healthcare). Following instrumentation, the samples were obturated using the cold lateral compaction technique with gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer. After one week, a vertical load was applied using a universal testing machine. The maximum load required to cause a root fracture was recorded in Newtons (N). Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc test at the significance level of P<0.05.Results: The control group exhibited the highest mean fracture resistance (774.31 ± 140.82 N), followed by TruNatomy (732.78 ± 128.24 N), Neohybrid (679.65 ± 185.78 N), and ProTaper NEXT (606.77 ± 144.85 N) groups. ANOVA revealed a statistically significant difference among the groups (P=0.031). ProTaper NEXT showed significantly lower fracture resistance than the control group (P<0.05). The TruNatomy and Neohybrid groups showed no statistically significant differences compared with either the control group or the ProTaper NEXT group (P>0.05).Conclusions: Within the limitations of this in vitro study, all file systems reduced root fracture resistance; however, only ProTaper NEXT caused a significant reduction compared with the control group.
Objective: This study aimed to develop and evaluate a two-stage deep learning framework for automated localization and severity classification of proximal caries on bitewing radiographs according to the radiographic criteria of the International Caries Classification and Management System (ICCMS). Methods: In this retrospective single-center model-development study, 400 bitewing radiographs were retrieved from the picture archiving and communication system of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. After quality screening, 350 radiographs were included. Interproximal lesions were labeled by two restorative dentistry specialists, with disagreements resolved by an oral and maxillofacial radiologist. Lesion localization was performed using Faster R-CNN, and severity classification was performed using ResNet-50 V1 and V2. The dataset was divided into training, validation, and test sets containing 278, 36, and 36 radiographs, respectively. Models were evaluated in six-class ICCMS-based severity grading and three-class grouped severity classification. Performance was assessed using accuracy, precision, recall, specificity, F1-score, and mean average precision (mAP).Results: In the three-class task, ResNet-50 V1 achieved the highest accuracy (0.92), while both models showed comparable F1-scores and mAP values. In the six-class task, ResNet-50 V2 outperformed V1, achieving accuracy, precision, recall, specificity, F1-score, and mAP values of 0.84, 0.60, 0.55, 0.93, 0.57, and 0.44, respectively. Performance was strongest for early lesions and lower for advanced classes with fewer annotated examples.Conclusions: The Faster R-CNN and ResNet-50 framework showed preliminary feasibility for automated caries localization and ICCMS-based severity classification on bitewing radiographs. Larger, balanced, multi-center datasets with external validation are required before clinical implementation.
