Journal of Dental Medicine

Background and Aims: Dental caries is one of the most prevalent chronic oral diseases worldwide. Timely and accurate diagnosis of dental caries plays a crucial role in preventing lesion progression and reducing complications. This study aimed to systematically review the studies on dental caries detection using machine learning algorithms applied to periapical radiographs.
Materials and Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, and Google Scholar databases up to the end of 2024. Inclusion criteria comprised studies using machine learning algorithms for detecting dental caries in periapical or intraoral radiographs. The quality of studies was assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool.
Results: From 825 initial articles, 13 studies met the inclusion criteria. All studies used Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) with various architectures including ResNet, VGG, Inception, DenseNet, and YOLO. ResNet-based models and their hybrid variants showed the best performance with diagnostic accuracy ranging from 82% to 98%. Comparison with human experts in 6 studies revealed that deep learning algorithms demonstrated similar or superior performance.
Conclusion: From the results, deep learning especially convolutional neural networks, had significant potential for improving dental caries detection in periapical radiographs. However, challenges such as limited high-quality training data and generalizability issues need further investigation.

Background and Aims: Many oral health problems, including tooth decay mostly begin in childhood. Since decay in pits and fissures accounts for a higher percentage, it is of great importance to expand fissure sealant therapy, raise awareness and parents' attitudes towards preventive methods, especially fluoride and fissure sealant therapy. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the awareness of parents of 6-12 year old children in Khorramabad city in Iran about the fissure sealant method for preventing tooth decay.
Materials and Methods: The present study was descriptive-analytical. In this study, 601 parents of 6-12 year old children in Khorramabad schools were evaluated using cluster sampling in the academic year 2021. The designed questionnaire included demographic information and questions that estimated the level of parental awareness about fissure sealants. Then, data were analyzed by the SPSS version 23 software and Pearson correlation, ANOVA, and T-test statistical tests.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 40.54 ± 8.09. 339 of the subjects had a bachelor's degree or higher. 17.3% of parents had a good level of knowledge. In this study, a statistically significant relationship was observed between the knowledge score and the variables of education level (P<0.02), oral hygiene education history (P<0.001), and time of visiting the dentist (P<0.05). However, no significant relationship was observed between the age, parental relationship, and economic status (P>0.05).
Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that the awareness score of most of the individuals participated in the study was low about fissure sealants, especially in the individuals with low level of education or no education. Therefore, more attention and serious attempts should be done to increase the parental awareness in this regard.

This narrative review provides a comprehensive overview of the potential of plant-derived polyphenols in restorative and preventive dentistry. As natural bioactive compounds such as polyphenols reshape the oral microbial ecology by attenuating virulence, inhibiting quorum-sensing communication, disrupting extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) formation, and reducing acidogenicity within dental biofilms. Beyond their antimicrobial effects, polyphenols can protect host tissues, namely, enamel, dentin, and gingiva, by cross-linking collagen fibrils, suppressing matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, and modulating inflammatory pathways. Experimental, in situ, and clinical evidence consistently demonstrated improved bond durability at the dentin–resin interface. The most compelling data support the use of primers containing proanthocyanidins, quercetin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and resveratrol. In preventive applications, catechin-based varnishes have demonstrated remineralization effects comparable to those of fluoride varnishes. Conversely, pomegranate extract–enriched mouthrinses, in the presence of fluoride, could enhance both anti-demineralization and antibiofilm activity. In the context of implants and dental prostheses, the polyphenol-functionalized coatings, particularly those based on tannic or caffeic acid, would reduce biofilm formation and provide corrosion resistance for metallic surfaces. Nevertheless, several formulation challenges remain, including rapid oxidation, limited solubility, and discoloration, all of which require careful management. Strategies such as dose optimization, solvent selection, covalent stabilization, and microencapsulation are recommended to overcome these limitations. For broader and more effective clinical translation, standardization of multispecies laboratory models and harmonization of clinical endpoints are essential. Furthermore, future longitudinal trials are needed to bridge the gap between laboratory findings and clinical performance. Ultimately, with the design of innovative delivery systems and long-term monitoring of parameters such as restoration survival, secondary caries, periodontal health, and color stability, polyphenols hold promise to define a new generation of antibacterial, biocompatible, and aesthetically stable dental materials.