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Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed healthcare, particularly in robot-assisted surgery, rehabilitation, medical imaging and diagnostics, virtual patient care, medical research and drug discovery, patient engagement and adherence, and administrative applications. AI enhances pre-operative planning, intraoperative guidance, and post-operative outcomes in robotic surgery. In rehabilitation, AI enables personalized programs, physical therapy using robotics, and in real time monitoring and feedback mechanisms. The integration of AI with emerging technologies like augmented reality, virtual reality, and the Internet of Things holds promise for broader healthcare applications. However, AI adoption faces technical challenges related to data quality and bias, ethical and privacy concerns, regulatory and legal considerations, and issues of cost and accessibility. Future trends include advances in AI algorithms and robotics, integration with emerging technologies, and the potential for wider applications in healthcare and rehabilitation. Addressing ethical and security considerations is crucial for the successful integration of AI in healthcare while upholding patient safety and legal standards. Overcoming regulatory, ethical, and trust-based challenges with effective governance will be critical to the full realization of AI potential in healthcare artificial intelligence (AI)-driven healthcare solutions powered by IoT can enable in real time patient monitoring, enhancing early diagnosis and chronic illness management. AI applications in AR/VR can transform medical education by allowing healthcare professionals to practice intricate procedures in a safe environment. Wearable technology with AI-driven analytics can offer personalized health insights, facilitating proactive interventions and improved patient outcomes. Adopting these innovations can foster progress, enhance patient care, and boost overall healthcare efficiency. Future studies should refine these cross-disciplinary applications, ensure their smooth incorporation into current healthcare systems, and tackle potential ethical and security issues.

Access cavity preparation is an important part of endodontic therapy, affecting the effectiveness of canal instrumentation and the durability of the tooth over time. Currently, most access preparation protocols are based on information from a Western population and do not address the anatomical differences of different ethnic groups. This retrospective CBCT study assessed specific odontometric measurements in maxillary anterior teeth—central incisors, lateral incisors and canines—using an Indian population to help identify a clinically relevant and conservative access cavity preparation. A total of six hundred cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of maxillary central incisors, lateral incisors, and canines ( n  = 200 per tooth) were evaluated. Three measurements were made in sagittal view: the distance from the central fossa to the pulp chamber roof (CF–PC), the incisal edge to pulp chamber (IE–PC), and the central fossa to cingulum (CF–C). These images were obtained from Indian individuals aged 18 to 25 years. Differences attributable to sex-based variation, and between teeth, were statistically significant ( p  < 0.05). The lateral incisors had the largest amount of anatomical variability, while the canines had the steepest trajectory of access. These findings provide the first population-based CBCT base-line morphometric values for maxillary anterior teeth in India, and a practical guide to help achieve safe access design that is mindful of tooth anatomy and minimizes the invasiveness of the access.

Calcified canals pose substantial challenges in endodontic treatment because of narrowing of pulp chambers and canal lumens, reducing accessibility and biomechanical preparation. Nevertheless, with advanced techniques and well-devised strategies, successful management of calcified canals is achievable. This comprehensive analysis aims to rigorously assess extant literature concerning the clinical management of teeth affected by pulp canal obliteration that necessitates root canal therapy and to formulate a comprehensive, updated algorithm for clinical decision-making strategies. The study adhered to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, the Cochrane Handbook (version 5.1.0), and Fourth Edition of the JBI Reviewer's Manual, and was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023460967). Electronic data sources consulted included Central, Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, Scopus, ERIC, and ScienceDirect, using standardized keywords and open-text phrases. The JBI checklist was used to evaluate the quality of case reports and case series. Thirty-four case reports involving 41 patients were selected. For calcified canals, non-surgical endodontic treatment utilizing chelating agents and flexible rotary instruments has proven highly effective. Furthermore, the employment of a dental operating microscope in conjunction with ultrasonic tips has been reported to improve clinical outcomes in several cases. Also, the use of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) along with 3D print guides considerably increased success rates in managing these cases. This review highlights techniques like ultrasonic instruments, flexible nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) files, and newer methods such as advanced imaging (CBCT) and 3D printed guides. Many case reports show that these approaches lead to higher success rates. Dentists should get familiar with these methods to improve patient outcomes and monitor for any complications. Future research should focus on creating standard protocols and exploring new tools and imaging to advance endodontics.

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 mutants, waning immunity, and breakthrough infections prompted the use of booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to fight against the pandemic. India started booster doses in January 2022 and it is critical to determine the intention of booster dose uptake and its correlates. Therefore, the current cross-sectional study aimed to investigate booster dose acceptability and associated predictors among the Indian population. A convenience sampling technique was utilized to recruit a sample of 687 Indian residents. A 55-item psychometric validated survey tool was used to assess booster dose acceptability, vaccine literacy and vaccine confidence. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate statistical methods were used to analyze the data. Over 50% of participants reported their willingness to take the booster dose. Among the group not willing to take the booster dose (n = 303, 44.1%), a significantly larger proportion of respondents were unvaccinated with the primary series (12.2% vs. 5.2%, p < 0.001), had an annual income below 2.96 lacs/annum (52.8% vs. 33.1, p < 0.001), were residents of rural areas (38.0% vs. 23.2%, p < 0.001), were not living with vulnerable individuals (78.5% vs. 65.2%, p < 0.001) and did not have family/friends who had tested positive for COVID-19 (54.6% vs. 35.1%, p = 0.001). Demographic, vaccine variables and multi-theory model subscales to predict the initiation of booster dose among hesitant participants were statistically significant, R2 = 0.561, F (26, 244) = 11.978, p < 0.001; adjusted R2 = 0.514. Findings of this study highlight the need to develop evidence-based interventions to promote vaccine uptake, particularly among hard-to-reach communities living in developing countries.

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to furnish evidence-based recommendations for the utilization of bioceramic-based and resin-based sealers in clinical endodontics, with a focus on reducing postoperative discomfort. The investigation's methodology was registered on the International Prospective Database of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO: CRD42022355506) and executed using the 2020 PRISMA protocol. Articles were selected utilizing the PICO technique and applying specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Articles published between January 2000 and August 2022, PubMed, MEDLINE, and DOAJ were utilized as primary data sources. After the identification of studies, two autonomous reviewers evaluated the titles and abstracts, and data from qualifying studies were extracted. Nine published studies were included in this analysis. The findings indicate that there were no significant differences in the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores between resin-based and bioceramic root canal sealers at intervals of 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours after treatment. The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that after the utilization of bioceramic sealers during root canal therapy, the pain and discomfort levels were not significantly different from those experienced pain after the use of resin-based sealers.

Differences in tooth size across populations can significantly influence dental diagnosis, treatment planning, and forensic identification. Despite its relevance, comprehensive region-specific odontometric data-particularly for the Indian population-remain limited. This study aimed to obtain odontometric measurements of permanent mandibular first and second premolars in the Indian population using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), and to compare these measurements with Wheeler's dental morphology standards, focusing on crown length, root length, and total tooth length. In this retrospective study, 300 high-quality CBCT scans were analyzed. Measurements of crown, root, and overall tooth lengths for mandibular first and second premolars were obtained using CS 3D Imaging (Version 3.9.3). A one-sample -test was performed to compare the mean values with Wheeler's reference standards. Statistically significant differences were observed in all measured dimensions (  < 0.001). For first premolars, crown, root, and total lengths were shorter by 2.3 mm, 1.1 mm, and 3.4 mm, respectively. Second premolars showed reductions of 1.9 mm, 1.2 mm, and 3.0 mm, respectively. This odontometric analysis highlights distinct dental morphological characteristics in the Indian population. These findings offer valuable insights for applications in anthropology, evolutionary biology, forensic science, and clinical dentistry.

Background and Objectives: The elicitation of a host’s immune–inflammatory responses to overcome oral bacterial biofilm challenges is mediated by numerous cytokines. We explored the role of three such cytokines, viz. interleukin (IL)-17, 18 and 21, by measuring their levels in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of Indian individuals with healthy gingiva, chronic gingivitis, or chronic periodontitis. Materials and Method: Ninety systemically healthy individuals were enrolled in the study on the basis of predefined criteria and were categorized into three groups of 30 participants each. Groups A, B and C were composed of a control group with healthy gingiva, subjects with chronic gingivitis and subjects with chronic periodontitis, respectively. The periodontal disease status was assessed on the basis of a subject’s gingival index, probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss and radiographic evidence of bone loss. After the complete history-taking and identification of gingival sulcus/pocket depth areas for GCF collection, a sample was collected from each subject in all groups for an estimation of the cytokine levels using ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v 21.0. Intergroup comparisons were conducted using a post hoc Tukey’s test. A value of p < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: The mean IL-17, 18 and 21 concentrations in pg/mL was the greatest for Group C (99.67 ± 18.85, 144.61 ± 20.83 and 69.67 ± 12.46, respectively), followed by Group B (19.27 ± 2.78, 22.27 ± 2.43 and 22.74 ± 1.43, respectively) and finally by Group A (healthy control; 11.56 ± 0.99, 17.94 ± 1.24 and 12.83 ± 1.21 respectively). A statistically significant difference in the mean concentrations of two interleukins (IL-17 and IL-18) was observed between Groups A and C and also between Groups B and C. A statistically significant difference in the mean concentrations of IL-21 was observed between Groups B and C. Conclusions: Within the limitations of the present study, the findings revealed that the GCF levels of IL-17, IL-18 and IL-21 rose and correlated well with the severity of the disease. Thus, these cytokines present in GCF have the potential to be considered as biomarkers for periodontal tissue destruction. IL-21 in particular appears to be a promising biomarker for differentiating between gingivitis and periodontitis.

Introduction: Development of bacterial resistance and antimicrobial side-effect has shifted the focus of research toward Ethnopharmacology. A biologically active compound derived from the plants may increase the effectiveness of antibiotic when used in combination. The present study aims to determine the synergistic antibacterial effect of ethanolic extracts of Punica granatum (pericarp), Commiphora molmol, Azadirachta indica (bark) in combination with amoxicillin, metronidazole, tetracycline, and azithromycin on periodontopathic bacteria: Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. Methodology: Periodontopathic bacterial strains were isolated from the plaque sample that was collected from periodontitis patients and grown under favorable conditions. Susceptibility of bacteria to the antibiotics and extracts was determined by disc diffusion method by measuring the diameter of the inhibition zones. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of plant extracts were evaluated against each bacterium. Synergistic effect of plant extract in combination with antibiotics was tested against each bacterium by measuring the diameter of zone of inhibition (ZOI). Results: Findings revealed that all plant extracts exhibited an inhibitory effects on the proliferation and growth of periodontopathic bacteria. The maximum antibacterial effect was exhibited by C. molmol on P. gingivalis (ZOI = 20 ± 0.55 mm, MIC = 0.53 ± 0.24 mg/mL and MBC = 5.21 ± 1.81 mg/mL) (p < 0.05), meanwhile, no antibacterial activity was exhibited by P. granatum on T. forsythia. Synergistic antibacterial effect was recorded when plant extracts were used in combination with antibiotics. The best synergism was exhibited by P. granatum with amoxicillin against A. actinomycetemcomitans (24 ± 1.00 mm) (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The synergistic test showed significant antibacterial activity when plant extracts were combined with antibiotics against all the experimented bacteria.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) first emerged in Wuhan city in December 2019, and became a grave global concern due to its highly infectious nature. The Severe Acute Respiratory Coronavirus-2, with its predecessors (i.e., MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV) belong to the family of Coronaviridae. Reportedly, COVID-19 has infected 344,710,576 people around the globe and killed nearly 5,598,511 persons in the short span of two years. On November 24, 2021, B.1.1.529 strain, later named Omicron, was classified as a Variant of Concern (VOC). SARS-CoV-2 has continuously undergone a series of unprecedented mutations and evolved to exhibit varying characteristics. These mutations have largely occurred in the spike (S) protein (site for antibody binding), which attribute high infectivity and transmissibility characteristics to the Omicron strain. Although many studies have attempted to understand this new challenge in the COVID-19 strains race, there is still a lot to be demystified. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to summarize the structural or virologic characteristics, burden, and epidemiology of the Omicron variant and its potential to evade the immune response.

Background The global prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus is steadily increasing, leading to a larger diabetic population undergoing root canal treatment (RCT). However, clinical studies assessing anesthetic success in diabetic patients are lacking. In diabetic patients, local anesthetic success may be affected owing to neurovasular changes in dental pulps. This study is intended to establish baseline data regarding local anesthetic success in the diabetic population undergoing RCT. The study’s main purpose was to assess the success rate of Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block (IANB) in type 2 diabetic patients during RCT of mandibular molars with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP). Methods Sixty-five adult patients diagnosed with SIP in mandibular molars were divided into 2 groups according to their glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels; control group ( n  = 31, HbA1c < 5.7) and diabetic group ( n  = 34, HbA1c levels > 6.5). After administering IANB and achieving lip numbness, endodontic access was initiated. Pain was recorded during endodontic procedure using Heft Parker visual analogue scale. Anesthetic success was defined as no or mild pain [score 0–54 mm] throughout endodontic procedure. Chi square test and Mann Whitney U tests were used for statistical analysis. Results Patients in the diabetic group exhibited significantly higher anesthetic success (94%) as compared to non-diabetic group (74%) ( P  = 0.016). Patients in the control group were significantly younger than the diabetic group ( P  < 0.001). Logistic regression revealed that tooth number was significantly associated with anesthetic success while age and gender had no significant influence on anesthetic success. Conclusions Within the study limitations, IANB appeared more successful in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetics during RCT of mandibular molars with SIP. Studying local anesthetic success in diabetics is vital for enhancing patient comfort, safety and optimizing outcomes during RCT. Trial registration The clinical trial was registered on 24th September 2021 and registration no. is CTRI/2021/09/036813.