Dilara Kazan

Objectives: Vitamin D status and circadian rhythm disturbances have been implicated in chronic pain conditions. This study investigated the relationships between vitamin D levels, sleep chronotype, and psychological factors in temporomandibular disorders (TMD) patients compared to healthy controls. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed the relationship between vitamin D levels, sleep chronotype, and psychological distress in individuals with TMD, diagnosed according to RDC/TMD criteria. Participants were aged 18–45 and had undergone vitamin D testing within the last month. Vitamin D status was categorized as deficient (

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and clinical outcomes following arthrocentesis in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders. Methods: A total of 67 patients who had been diagnosed with disc position abnormalities and degenerative temporomandibular joint conditions based on the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD), had preoperative MRI scans, and were treated with arthrocentesis were included in the study. The recorded preoperative variables included age, sex, pain, and maximum mouth opening (MMO). Degree of disc displacement and joint effusion were assessed using preoperative magnetic resonance images. Bone changes were evaluated using both preoperative magnetic resonance and panoramic radiography images. Arthrocentesis was considered successful when the MMO exceeded 35 mm and the pain score was less than 3. Results: At the 1-week and 3-month follow-ups, clinical examinations showed a significant reduction in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and an increase in MMO (p

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the association between the position of impacted mandibular third molars and the morphology of the lingual cortical bone using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), and to determine how impaction depth and angulation influence the risk of lingual cortical perforation. Methods: CBCT scans of 120 impacted mandibular third molars from 71 adult patients were retrospectively evaluated. Teeth were classified based on Pell & Gregory’s and Winter’s classifications. Lingual cortical morphology was categorized as undercut, parallel, slanted, or round. The relationship between the root apex and the lingual plate was classified as non-contact, contact, or perforating. Linear measurements included cortical lingual bone thickness and the distance from the apex to the outer surface of the lingual cortex. Results: Lingual bone morphology showed significant associations with both impaction depth and angulation, with parallel morphology more common in deeper and more angulated impactions. Lingual cortical perforation was observed in approximately 30% of the teeth, predominantly at the apex, with horizontal and deeply impacted molars (Class II, Level C) representing the highest-risk configurations. Although cortical thickness and apex-to-cortex distance were significantly smaller in apically perforated cases, no definitive threshold could be established, and these parameters were insufficient as standalone predictors at the cementoenamel junction or mid-root levels. Conclusions: Tooth angulation and impaction depth are significant predictors of lingual bone morphology and perforation risk. CBCT imaging is therefore recommended beyond low-risk cases (Level A, Class I, vertical) to improve preoperative planning, strengthen informed consent, and guide surgical strategies aimed at minimizing complications and enhancing patient safety.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of three widely used artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots—ChatGPT-4, Gemini 2.5 Pro, and Claude Sonnet 4—in answering patient-oriented frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to orthognathic surgery. Given the increasing reliance on AI tools in healthcare, it is essential to evaluate their performance to provide accurate, empathetic, readable, and clinically appropriate information. Methods: Twenty FAQs in Turkish about orthognathic surgery were presented to each chatbot. The responses were evaluated by three oral and maxillofacial surgeons using a modified Global Quality Score (GQS), binary clinical appropriateness judgment, and a five-point empathy rating scale. The evaluation process was conducted in a double-blind manner. The Ateşman Readability Formula was applied to each response using an automated Python-based script. Comparative statistical analyses—including ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis, and post hoc tests—were used to determine significant differences in performance among chatbots. Results: Gemini outperformed both GPT-4 and Claude in GQS, empathy, and clinical appropriateness (p < 0.001). GPT-4 demonstrated the highest readability scores (p < 0.001) but frequently lacked empathetic tone and safety-oriented guidance. Claude showed moderate performance, balancing ethical caution with limited linguistic clarity. A moderate positive correlation was found between empathy and perceived response quality (r = 0.454; p = 0.044). Conclusions: AI chatbots vary significantly in their ability to support surgical patient education. While GPT-4 offers superior readability, Gemini provides the most balanced and clinically reliable responses. These findings underscore the importance of context-specific chatbot selection and continuous clinical oversight to ensure safe and ethical AI-driven communication.

Background/aim: Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD), as in the occurrence of many diseases, have been associated with oxidative stress (OS) resulting from the disruption of antioxidant mechanisms and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species in tissues. This study was designed to compare salivary and serum OS and inflammation markers of individuals with TMD and healthy subjects. Materials and methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted. Twenty-seven TMD patients diagnosed with disc displacement (DD) according to Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) and 17 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Prior to any treatment, serum, and saliva samples were taken from the patients and centrifuged, and stored at -80 °C until analyzed. All samples were examined for Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Malondialdehyde (MDA), and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) concentrations. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups regarding median values of 8-OHdG, IL-6, and MDA (p > 0.05). When the relationship between serum and salivary 8-OHdG, IL-6, and MDA levels in all subjects was evaluated, there was a strong positive correlation between the levels of 8-OHdG and IL-6 in the serum (r = 0.752, p <0.001). In the study group, when the relationship between pain levels and serum and saliva 8-OHdG, IL-6, and MDA levels was assessed, a positive and strong correlation was found between the levels of 8-OHdG and IL-6 in serum. Conclusion: Although the strong correlation between pain scores and serum 8-OHdG and MDA levels supports the hypothesis that inflammation and OS mechanisms may be interrelated, according to the results of the study, inflammatory and OS markers in patients with TMD were not different from healthy individuals.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the stress occurring in the fixation systems both developed in various geometric designs for this study and currently used in sagittal split ramus advancement osteotomy using finite element analysis. The finite element model that imitates three-dimensional sagittal split advancement osteotomy was fixed in 10 different miniplate fixation methods: one miniplate fixed with four monocortical screws in a horizontal and oblique pattern; four-hole two miniplates with eight monocortical screws; five-hole miniplate fixed with four monocortical and one bicortical screws; six-hole straight and curved miniplates fixed with six monocortical screws in different geometric designs. Unilateral masticatory muscle loads that have previously determined in the literature were applied to the model at the anatomical muscle attachment regions and the data obtained from finite element analysis and static linear analysis methods were recorded as Von mises, maximum principle and minimum principle stress values. It was observed from the results that maximum stress occurred in Group 1, which consisted of double backward T-shaped miniplate with 6-holes and, minimum stress occured in group 10, which mimiced hybrid system with one miniplate and four monocortical and one bicortical screws. Based on our results, the stress on the miniplates changes according to the geometric designs and the stress on the miniplate decreases as the numbers of miniplates and bars increase. The hybrid miniplate may be preferred by the surgeon as it will be exposed to less stress in excessive mandibular advancements by using the advantages of both the miniplate and the bicortical screw.

Torul D, et al. J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2017 Dec;43(Suppl 1):S9-S13. https://doi.org/10.5125/jkaoms.2017.43.S1.S9