Journal of Oral Research

Significant challenges to conducting research on people with special needs in chile

2025-07-15T12:37:41+00:00

Clinical practice and research play a key role in ensuring high-quality university-level instruction in dentistry. Research, in particular, enables continuous assessment of whether the content delivered to both undergraduate and graduate students remains up-to-date and relevant.

Breaking through barriers: the potential of dental students in multicenter studies

2025-05-06T13:07:46+00:00

Is it possible for dental students to carry out multicenter studies? Before the formation of the Sociedades Científicas de Estudiantes de Odontología (SCEO) and their integration into the Asociación Nacional Científica de Estudiantes de Odontología del Perú (ANACEOP), the viability of such a feat could be considered unlikely.¹....

Envisioning dentistry's future: highlighting self-care and hygiene amid the challenges of the WHO global oral health action plan

2025-05-06T13:24:40+00:00

The global burden of oral diseases, despite decades of advances in dentistry, has remained persistently high, with little change in incidence or prevalence over the past 30 years

Factors related to oral health knowledge, attitude, and practice among adolescent in Jember, Indonesia: a cross-sectional study

2025-06-12T15:01:18+00:00

Aim: The study aimed to analyze the factors related to oral health knowledge, attitude, and practice among adolescents in Jember, Indonesia.
Material and Methods: The population of this study was junior secondary school students in Jember, Indonesia. Sampling was generated using cluster random sampling with a total of 398 students from eight different schools. A questionnaire on oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices was given to the students. Data on the family's socioeconomic characteristics were collected from the school database of parents. The correlation of socioeconomic status (gender, school, mother and father education, father and mother occupation, monthly income, number of children) and oral health knowledge, attitude, and practice were first analyzed statistically using the univariate Spearman test (p<0.05). Significant correlation variables from univariate analysis were then entered into a multi-regression model to find the strongest predictor of oral health knowledge, attitude, and practice (p<0.05).
Results: The age of adolescents in this study was 12-16. Multi regression analysis showed a significant relation between gender, ethnicity, school, and oral health knowledge. Females were more likely to have higher knowledge than males (p=0.003). Students from public schools were more likely to have a higher knowledge than students from private schools (p=0.000). Javanese adolescents have significantly higher knowledge than Maduranese (p=0.028) or other ethics (p=0.022). Mother education and gender were significantly associated with the attitude. Adolescents with higher mother education were more likely to have higher attitude scores (p=0.000). Females were significantly related to higher attitude scores (p=0.016).
Conclusions: This study highlights the need for an oral health promotion program among adolescents in Jember, Indonesia, that addresses socioeconomic backgrounds, predominantly male, students from private schools and uneducated mothers.
Keywords: Oral health; Adolescent health; Health knowledge, attitudes, practice; Social determinants of health; Health inequities; Gender inequity.

Health literacy, self-reported oral health, and oral health–related quality of life among adolescents in San Fabián, Chile, 2023

2025-06-25T16:17:49+00:00

Introduction: Health literacy, the ability to access, understand, evaluate, and apply relevant information, plays a key role in making informed decisions about health. Promoting health literacy from early childhood may help reduce disparities in oral health. This study aimed to examine the relationship between health literacy, perceived oral health, and oral health-related quality of life among adolescents in San Fabián, Chile.
Material and Methods: A cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted involving 122 adolescents aged 15 to 19 years, selected through stratified sampling. Health literacy and oral health–related quality of life were assessed using the HLS-EU-Q16 and OHIP-14 questionnaires, respectively. Perceived oral health was measured using a single validated question. The strength of the relationships between variables was evaluated through correlation analysis.
Results: A total of 62.3% of adolescents showed inadequate and problematic levels of health literacy. Despite reporting good brushing habits, gaps were identified in flossing and regular dental visits. Health literacy was positively associated with perceived oral health and oral health-related quality of life.
Conclusions: This study highlighted the importance of improving health literacy among adolescents in a rural area. It is suggested that health promotion efforts and dental services be tailored to the health literacy levels of Chilean youth to enhance their oral health and overall quality of life.

Oral health information and access to dental care in peruvian children: a study of a national health survey database

2025-06-26T14:45:59+00:00

Introduction: Certain diseases of the oral cavity are associated with adopting inadequate health behaviors, where oral health information plays an essential role in preventing these conditions.
Objectives: To analyze the association between access to dental care and oral health information in Peruvian children.
Material and Methods: This research employed a cross-sectional design utilizing data from the 2021 Demographic and Family Health Survey database. The study focused on records of children under 12 who provided information regarding their access to oral health information. Independent variables encompassed access to dental care, time since the last care, and the place of care, with additional inclusion of covariates. Descriptive evaluations of the variables were conducted, followed by bivariate and multivariate analyses using Poisson regression. The statistical significance was established at a 95% confidence level, with p-value <0.05.
Results: Access to oral health information was oral health was 44.66% (n=11262); on the other hand, access to dental care reached 55.77% (n=13007), 12.37% (n=1507) expressed that their care was within the last two years and the main place of care was the Peruvian Ministry of Health with 45.51% (n=7396). Natural region, area of residence, place of residence, altitude, wealth index, health insurance coverage, and age were associated with access to oral health information. Access to oral health information showed a significant association with access to dental care (aPR: 1.72; 95%CI:1.59-1.86; p<0.001).
Conclusions: Peruvian children's access to dental care services and the time elapsed since the last dental care are associated with receiving information on oral health. Receiving care at the Social Health Insurance system was negatively associated.

Comparison in the estimation of the age of majority according to the demirjian indices and the third molar of cameriere using cone beam tomography in a peruvian population

2025-06-25T23:33:35+00:00

Objetive: To compare majority age estimation according to Demirjian's method and Cameriere's third molar maturity index using cone-beam computed tomography in patients who attended the Maxillofacial Diagnostic Institute during 2014-2018, Lima- Peru.
Material and Methods: A cross-sectional and analytical analysis was performed evaluating 492 lower third molars corresponding to 38 and 48 teeth. Patients included were between 12 and 23 years-old and were of both sexes. Data obtained were analyzed with a double entry frequencies distribution table. Sensitivity, specificity tests, and plotting on a ROC curve were selected to assess the methods capacity to estimate the majority age.
Results: Sensitivity values for Demirjian's and Cameriere's indexes were 0.80 and 0.70. Specificity values were 0.87 and 0.93, respectively. The AUC for Demirjian's and Cameriere's indexes were 0.84 (0.79-0.88) and 0.81 (0.77-0.86) respectively and the Delong test p-value was > 0.05.
Conclusions: There was no difference on majority age estimation accuracy according to Demirjian's method and Cameriere's third molar maturity index using cone-beam computed tomography.

Perception of students and teachers on the use of simulation in imaging

2025-07-21T14:11:25+00:00

Introduction: Simulation is used to teach and practice radiographic image acquisition through the use of an ideal model or phantom that reproduces the ideal intraoral characteristics of a patient. It utilizes real X-ray equipment, allowing for standardized and repeatable practice. This study aims to understand the perception of learning periapical radiographic image acquisition with a phantom among teachers and students who took imaging courses between 2020 and 2022 at the Universidad Andrés Bello, Viña del Mar campus, Chile.
Material and Methods: An observational, descriptive, quantitative study with a convenience sample of 201 students and 3 teachers. The Barsuk questionnaire was applied to measure learning perception, with 7 questions rated on a 5-point Likert scale, plus a dichotomous question leading to an open-ended question. Data were analyzed with SPSS statistical software, and measures of central tendency, Chi-square, and Z-test (p<0.05) were observed.
Results: Students had a positive perception (p<0.05) regarding useful feedback, the mandatory nature of the phantom practice, and that this experience improves their preparation. The realism of the phantom obtained the lowest mean (2= Disagree). Teachers expressed a positive perception (median= 5) in all statements except for the realism of the phantom (median= 2).
Conclusions: Both students and teachers perceive the use of phantoms for radiographic image acquisition practice positively; therefore, its use is suggested for teaching imaging in dentistry.

Volumetric assessment of internal voids and shear bond strength of primer based and non-primer based orthodontic adhesives - an in vitro study

2025-07-21T16:33:51+00:00

Aim: The aim of this study was volumetric evaluation and comparison of internal voids and shear bond strength (SBS) between primer-based adhesives (PB) and non-primer-based adhesives (NPB).
Material and Methods: Extracted 40 human maxillary premolar teeth were bonded with four different adhesives - group 1: Ormco enlight, group 2: Transbond XT, group 3: Aqualine LC, group 4: Orthofix SPA, followed by three-dimensional microscopic tomographic valuation of the adhesive - tooth bracket interface. The images were reconstructed and 3D volumetric visualisation for mean void volume was performed. Shear bond strength (SBS) assessment was also performed.After shear mode testing, each tooth's enamel surface was examined to determine the Adhesive Remnant Index (ARI), which assesses the amount of adhesive remaining after debonding. Data was tabulated and SPSS software was used for statistical analysis with level of significance set at 0.05.
Results: A statistically significant difference (p-value-0.000) in mean void volume and void percentage was observed. SBS showed a statistically significant difference between the groups. (p-value-0.000). ARI scores with the Kruskal-Wallis test revealed statistically significant differences (p-value= 0.000)
Conclusions: Teeth bonded with NPB adhesive (Aqualine LC) had the highest void volume. Teeth bonded with PB adhesive (Transbond XT) had the highest SBS. Minimal adhesive remnants on enamel were noted for teeth bonded with PB adhesives (Transbond XT & Ormco enlight). Ormco Enlight and Transbond XT left little to no adhesive (Scores 0 and 1), while Aqualine LC and Orthofix SPA had higher adhesive retention (Scores 2 and 3).

Self-perception of smile aesthetics and oral health-related quality of life in Peruvian adolescents

2025-09-24T12:21:43+00:00

Objetive: To assess how adolescents’ self-perception of smile aesthetics (SSA) is related to their oral health–related quality of life (OHRQoL).
Material and Methods: Cross-sectional analytical study carried out in a sample of 270 adolescents from 12 to 18 years old (mean age: 14.91 ± 1.98) attending a public school in Lima, Peru. Two questionnaires on the Smile Perception Impact-related Quality of Life (SPIRQoL) and the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) were translated and adapted demonstrating their validity (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin ≥ 0.9; Bartlett Test p< 0.001) and reliability (α ≥ 0.893) before being applied in person. The Mann-Whitney U, Chi square and Spearman correlation statistical tests were used to examine variable relationships at p<0.05.
Results: The majority of adolescents had a positive SSA (88.9%) and a low OHIP-14 score (58.5%). The SPIRQoL score was 13 [IQR = 14] and the OHIP-14 score was 5 [IQR = 12]. The SPIRQoL score was not associated with age (p≥ 0.05) but was higher in women than in men (p= 0.025). The OHIP-14 score was similar by sex and age. A high positive correlation was found between the total and the partial scores adjusted for sex and age between the SPIRQoL and the OHIP-14 (rho = 0.665 - 0.666; p< 0.01).
Conclusions: SSA and OHRQoL in adolescents were found to be highly related, regardless of sex and age.

Optimizing correction of class II malocclusion with miniplate-assisted en-masse maxillary arch distalization: A Case Report

2025-07-21T13:01:00+00:00

Objetive: In the management of Class II malocclusion, distalization of maxillary teeth has proven to be an effective and established method, offering an alternative to extraction-based treatment modalities. Traditional en-masse maxillary arch distalization approaches have evolved, giving way to more sophisticated and aesthetically pleasing methods that prioritize patient comfort. Temporary Skeletal Anchorage Devices (TSADs) have become instrumental in this paradigm shift, with miniplates emerging as a particularly advantageous choice.
Material and Methods: This case report outlines the successful treatment of a Class II malocclusion in an adult female patient, wherein bilateral miniplates were strategically employed for total maxillary arch distalization.
Results: The utilization of miniplates demonstrated superiority over other TSADs, showcasing enhanced stability, effectiveness, and predictability in achieving optimal treatment outcomes. In the pursuit of not only correcting the malocclusion but also preserving facial profiles, the described method proved to be adept at achieving functional and aesthetic goals.
Conclusions: This contemporary approach to orthodontic intervention underscores the continual refinement and advancement in orthodontic techniques, ultimately contributing to a more patient-centric and esthetically conscious field of practice.

Large Resorptive Lesions: Endodontist’s Dilemma to Treat or Extract?

2025-09-24T15:08:17+00:00

Case Report: 38-year-old male complained of discolored upper front teeth. Cone Beam CT scan confirmed the clinical diagnosis of invasive cervical resorption (ICR) teeth 11, 21. The treatment plan was a stepwise process, involving extraction of 21, immediate denture placement, followed by restoration of resorption defect tooth 11 and prosthetic replacement tooth 21. The patient was asymptomatic clinically and radiographically at 3-, 6- and 18-months intervals.

Discussion: Due to enigmatic etiology, ICR is often misdiagnosed and mistreated. Thus, proper diagnosis and treatment planning is vital for a successful outcome. This report helps in establishing standardized protocol in diagnosis and treatment of ICR.

Evaluation of the Stability of Achieved Vertical Tooth Movement with Skeletal Anchorage: A Systematic Review

2025-09-23T15:50:35+00:00

Introduction: Skeletal anchorage is an effective and predictable complement during fixed orthodontic treatment since it allows tooth movements on the three dimensions. This study aims to evaluate the stability of vertical tooth movements using skeletal anchorage after six months of the retention stage.
Material and Methods: A systematic search was performed in the PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Lilacs databases from January 2012 to May 2023. All the articles were selected by applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The methodological quality of the randomized clinical trials was evaluated using the Cochrane ROBINS-I tool.
Results: Five articles were obtained, all studies with a prospective design. A total of 114 patients was obtained, ranging in age between 21 and 41 years. The minimum follow-up time was 5 months, and the maximum 24 months. All studies showed significant changes when performing vertical tooth movements using skeletal anchorage during orthodontic treatment. Millimetric recurrences were observed between 6 and 36 months in the retention stage with no clinically significant differences. Four studies were classified as moderate in the overall risk of bias assessment, while one was classified as serious. In conclusion, the movements of tooth intrusion with skeletal anchorage in the maxilla cause significant changes during treatment. Meanwhile, when evaluating the stability of the intrusion movements, millimetric changes are observed with no statistical differences.
Conclusions: Studies with greater methodological rigor are needed, which follow up with three-dimensional imaging of tooth movement and which, in addition, assess the amount of force and its association with the amount of recurrence in the vertical movement.

Geographical variations in root canal anatomy of permanent molars: a systematic review

2025-09-24T14:20:50+00:00

Introduction: The anatomical variability in root canal systems of permanent molars presents significant challenges for endodontic treatment, which still need to be explored. Objective: To synthesize scientific evidence on geographical variations in the number of root canals in permanent molars.
Material and Methods: A systematic review was conducted at the University of Medical Sciences of Havana, analyzing the number of root canals in permanent molars. Primary studies in English, Spanish, and Portuguese were included, focusing on the anatomical details of root canals. Clinical case studies, editorials, and studies without specific root canal information were excluded. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for relevant studies published from 1971 to 2023. Sensitivity analysis assessed the impact of methodological quality on the results. Findings were synthesized by geographical region, describing the prevalence of different root canal configurations.
Results: Data from 93 studies encompassing 60,402 molars were analyzed. Significant geographical variations in root canal anatomy were observed. In Africa, first and second upper molars typically had three root canals (45.62% and 41.31%), as did first and second lower molars (59.79% and 67.55%). In America, upper first molars predominantly had four root canals (56.66%). In Asia, most molars had three root canals, except for lower third molars which commonly had two or three canals (42.88% and 57.12%). In Europe, molars generally had three root canals, except for lower third molars which lacked specific data. In Oceania, upper first molars frequently had six root canals (65%).
Conclusions: Significant geographical variations in root canal anatomy of permanent molars were observed, with distinct patterns among different continents. These findings call for standardized, comprehensive research, particularly in underrepresented areas and on third molars, to better inform clinical practice and add to global understanding of molar anatomy.
Clinical significance: Understanding regional root canal variations improves endodontic treatment planning and accuracy. Thus, this knowledge is fundamental for adapting techniques and should inform dental education.