Esma Jane Dogramaci

Background: External cervical resorption (ECR) is a relatively rare form of tooth resorption. It is commonly classified either using two‐dimensional imaging according to the Heithersay or cone‐beam computed tomography using the Patel et al. classifications. Effective disease classification systems should provide categories that guide clinical decision‐making and support the prediction of management outcomes. This principle should apply to the classification systems for ECR. Objectives: To assess the association between Heithersay's and Patel's classification systems and the recently proposed core outcome set measures for endodontic treatment. Method: A narrative review study type was adopted due to the anticipated heterogeneity regarding clinical management. An electronic citation search of the studies by Heithersay 1999 and Patel et al. 2018 was made on 17 September, 2025 in three electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus) for cohort studies that included various categories of the classifications. No language or publication date restrictions were applied. Articles were excluded when inclusion criteria were not met. Four clinical registers were searched for emerging evidence using the same criteria. The main features of the study were extracted, tabulated, and a narrative summary was made. Two authors contributed to the process independently. Results: Searches of the databases and clinical trials registers yielded six and nil studies, respectively. The identified studies originated from seven countries, were mostly set in postgraduate teaching clinics and were published within the past five years. The recall periods extended up to 10 years with all six studies using Heithersay's classification, with three also using Patel's classification. In total, 657 teeth were assessed against Heithersay's classification and 128 also assessed with Patel's. The three studies that included both classifications had relatively limited sample sizes and relatively short final recall periods. An association between Heithersay's classification with outcomes was evident; Classes I and II were associated with high rates of survival and ‘success’, and Class IV the opposite. No association was found between Patel's classification with outcomes. Conclusion: The available literature supports an association between Heithersay's classification with management outcomes for ECR. There is insufficient evidence to assess Patel's classification regarding prognostication.

This retrospective cohort study compared the effect of primary root canal treatment (RCT) with root canal retreatment (Re‐RCT) on patient‐reported outcomes in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Forty randomly selected adults participated (RCT n = 20; Re‐RCT n = 20). The impact their dentition had on the Oral Health Impact Profile‐14 (OHIP‐14) was assessed by calculating the prevalence of oral health impact, and the severity score. Focus group discussions using a semi‐structured guide were arranged through an online meeting platform. Qualitative content analysis identified common themes, and relevant quotes gathered. The impact on OHIP‐14 was limited for both RCT and Re‐RCT groups with no significant differences in the prevalence of oral health impact. Significant differences were found for functional limitation (RCT higher) and psychological discomfort (Re‐RCT higher). Common themes from the discussions include the importance of retaining teeth, the significance of effective communication between clinicians and patients and that the respondents were satisfied with the treatment.

Dental patient‐reported outcomes (dPROs) are self‐reported descriptions of a patient's oral health status that are not modified or interpreted by a healthcare professional. Dental patient‐reported outcome measures (dPROMs) are objective or subjective measurements used to assess dPROs. In oral healthcare settings, the emphasis on assessing treatment outcomes from the patient's perspective has increased and this is particularly important after traumatic dental injuries (TDIs), as this group of injuries represent the fifth most prevalent disease or condition worldwide. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current use of dPROs and dPROMs in the field of dental traumatology. Oral Health‐Related Quality of Life, pain, swelling, aesthetics, function, adverse effects, patient satisfaction, number of clinical visits and trauma‐related dental anxiety are the key dPROs following TDIs. Clinicians and researchers should consider the well‐being of patients as their top priority and conduct routine evaluations of dPROs using measures that are appropriate, accurate and reflect what is important to the patient. After a TDI, dPROs can assist clinicians and patients to choose the best management option(s) for each individual patient and potentially improve the methodology, design and relevance of clinical studies.

There is increased interest in outcome measures that complement the classic goal of endodontics, being the prevention and healing of apical periodontitis. Possible outcome measures can be subdivided into patient‐centred outcomes (PCOs), encompassing data collected by nonpatients aiming to assess the effectiveness of an intervention and patient‐reported outcomes (PROs), which are reported directly by the patient. PROs can be subsequently classed into PRO measures that ascertain patients' view of their symptoms, their functional status, and their health‐related quality of life, and patient‐reported experience measures that focus on aspects including the humanity of care, patient satisfaction, patient preference and adherence, personal costs, expectation fulfilment, and decision regrets. The present review aims to define various patient‐related outcomes and discuss the literature available regarding PCOs and PROs in endodontics. This includes those proposed to assess the effectiveness of endodontic treatment for pulpitis and apical periodontitis for use in the development of European Society of Endodontology S3‐level clinical practice guidelines that have been included by all working groups, except for the radiographic assessment of apical periodontitis. Based on limited evidence in the field, it can be summarized that after recall periods of various lengths, endodontic treatment is associated with a high likelihood of tooth survival and limited need for further intervention, including extraction and further restorative procedures. Oral Health‐Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) is likely to improve following the completion of treatment. Nonetheless, the literature assessing the association between OHRQoL and endodontics is hampered by the use of instruments that have not been previously validated. Amongst the remaining outcome measures discussed in the present review, it is worth highlighting that there is only one study assessing exacerbations in teeth with the presence of endodontic pathosis, which suggests a very low incidence of this adverse effect following endodontic treatment. Patients' expectation fulfilment, adherence, and satisfaction are closely inter‐related and depend also on various nonclinical factors. Further studies assessing PCOs and PROs, in association with healing and prevention of apical periodontitis, are required to better understand endodontic treatment from the perspective of patients.

Cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) is an increasingly used imaging modality. This study aimed to identify the factors that predict its usage amongst endodontists in Australia and New Zealand and describe usage characteristics. Data were collected via an online questionnaire, with analysis including descriptive statistics, cross‐tabulation and multifactorial modelling. Ninety‐four endodontists completed the questionnaire who were using CBCT for 7 years (median), over half had a CBCT unit in practice, with most prescribing up to 10 scans/month and 55 using a small field of view. Sixty‐eight participated in >5 h of CBCT education/year and a third received a specialist‐prepared report. The number of prescriptions/month was significantly associated with on‐site CBCT units (Exp B: 8.53; 95% CI: 1.46–49.86, p < 0.05) and the number of years of CBCT usage by participants (Exp B: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.17–1.84, p = 0.001). CBCT imaging in endodontics is a useful diagnostic aid to decision making and treatment planning, with widespread acceptance and usage.

Aim: To identify factors that are predictive of short‐term professional and societal impact of research within the specialty of Endodontology and to identify the top‐10 articles that achieved the greatest societal impact and describe their characteristics.Methodology: Research articles in the field of Endodontology published in 2019 were eligible for inclusion, with the sample identified using Medline. Following screening of titles and abstracts, bibliometric data of the identified articles were exported into a spreadsheet, where further data related to continental origin, type of article, type of journal (endodontic or non‐endodontic) and grant‐funding were collated, with additional data concerning presence of journal impact factor, citations, news mentions and Altmetric‐tracked‐mentions and scores compiled using Clarivate, Scopus, ProQuest and Altmetric Explorer, respectively. Data analysis comprised descriptive statistics, frequency distributions, cross‐tabulations and un/adjusted negative binomial regression models (p < .05).Results: The search retrieved 30 443 articles; 951 were included for analysis. Most articles originated from Asia (43.2%) with over 51.5% of articles published in endodontic journals and 80% published in a journal with an impact factor. Over three‐quarters of articles were primary research, 141 were grant‐funded, 165 had a news mention, 338 achieved an Altmetric Attention Score (AAS) and 808 were cited. The five‐highest ranked articles were mentioned in general news bulletins, five of the top‐10 articles were primary research and six of the top‐10 were published in endodontic journals. The highest AAS and citation count were 100 and 87, respectively. Adjusted models demonstrated that the type of article, publication in a journal with an impact factor, absence of grant‐funding and coverage within general news bulletins predicted the AAS 's (p < .001). Article type, publication in an impact‐factor journal and presence of an AAS were predictive of citations (p < .001).Conclusions: Article type and publication in a journal with an impact factor were significant predictors of both societal and professional impact of research articles within Endodontology in the short‐term. Non grant‐funded research and coverage in general news bulletins achieved greater societal impact, whereas an article achieving an AAS was also strongly related to professional impact.

Dental infraposition and dental infraocclusion, hereinafter referred to as infraposition and infraocclusion respectively, are terms that are often used interchangeably. This can be noted in the International Association of Dental Traumatology guidelines for the management of traumatic dental injuries, where infraocclusion is listed as an injury‐specific outcome following avulsion of permanent teeth. Infraposition and infraocclusion are terms that have been used in the dental literature to describe teeth that interfere with the normal eruption and development of the permanent dentition. While teeth described in this manner share certain clinical characteristics that give rise to these terms being used interchangeably within the dental traumatology field, this may not necessarily be correct and may be confusing. The aim of this short communication is to start a discussion in the dental trauma community regarding the need for a more adequate term, particularly in relation to replanted teeth.

The metal ion release characteristics and biocompatibility of meta-based materials are key factors that influence their use in orthodontics. Although stainless steel-based alloys have gained much interest and use due to their mechanical properties and cost, they are prone to localised attack after prolonged exposure to the hostile oral environment. Metal ions may induce cellular toxicity at high dosages. To circumvent these issues, orthodontic brackets were coated with a functional nano-thin layer of plasma polymer and further immobilised with enantiomers of tryptophan. Analysis of the physicochemical properties confirmed the presence of functional coatings on the surface of the brackets. The quantification of metal ion release using mass spectrometry proved that plasma functionalisation could minimise metal ion release from orthodontic brackets. Furthermore, the biocompatibility of the brackets has been improved after functionalisation. These findings demonstrate that plasma polymer facilitated surface functionalisation of orthodontic brackets is a promising approach to reducing metal toxicity without impacting their bulk properties.