Elif Esra Özmen

Aim: This study aimed to compare the talking times of patients who presented for the first time to the Endodontics and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) clinics. Material and Methods: The study included a total of 200 adult patients, comprising 100 patients from the Endodontics clinic and 100 patients from the OMFS clinic. Only patients who were visiting the clinics for the first time were included. Patients were asked the question "What is your complaint?" and their talking times were recorded uninterruptedly using a stopwatch. Talking times were analyzed according to gender, age group, and the presence of systemic diseases. Statistical evaluations were performed using independent sample t-tests and one-way ANOVA tests. A p-value of 0.05). Similarly, no significant difference was observed based on gender. However, significant differences were detected in talking times according to age groups and the presence of systemic diseases (p

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Temporomandibular disorders are among the most common causes of orofacial pain, often leading patients to seek information online. The increasing use of large language models such as chat generative pre-trained transformer in healthcare communication has raised questions about the reliability and readability of artificial intelligence-generated patient information. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy, comprehensiveness, readability, and inter-rater reliability of chat generative pre-trained transformer-generated responses to common patient questions regarding temporomandibular disorders. METHODS: ChatGPT (version 4.0) was prompted to generate 50 potential patient questions about temporomandibular disorders. Ten representative questions were selected and independently evaluated by five experts (two oral and maxillofacial surgeons, two physiotherapists, and one physical medicine specialist). Responses were rated using a four-point quality scale assessing accuracy and completeness. Readability was calculated using the Flesch-Kincaid method, and inter-rater reliability was assessed using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient. RESULTS: The responses demonstrated variable but generally acceptable quality. The overall Intraclass Correlation Coefficient value was 0.862, indicating good inter-rater agreement. Readability levels ranged from grade 6.2–10.7 (mean 8.0), corresponding to middle-to-high school comprehension. While most responses were rated satisfactory, several lacked sufficient clinical detail, particularly in differentiating professional consultation pathways. CONCLUSION: chat generative pre-trained transformer provides moderately reliable and readable information about temporomandibular disorders, supporting its potential role in patient education. However, reliance on artificial intelligence-generated frequently asked questions introduces methodological limitations and authority bias. Future studies should incorporate real patient data and external fact-checking to enhance clinical relevance.

Aim: This study aims to retrospectively examine cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images obtained for various reasons to determine the prevalence of bifid mandibular canal (BMC) in the Central Anatolian population. Material and Method: A total of 518 mandibular canals (right and left sides evaluated separately) from 259 CBCT images (145 female, 114 male) that met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. BMCs were categorized as retromolar canal, forward canal, dental canal, and buccolingual canal. Individuals were grouped into age ranges of 15-34, 35-54, and 55-75 years. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 25.0. The data were then compared based on side (right/left), gender, and age. Results: BMC was observed in 35.9% of the total participants. The most common subtype was the forward canal (Type 3) at a rate of 41.9%, followed by the retromolar canal at 35.4%, the dental canal at 31.1%, and the buccolingual canal at 26.8%. While there was no significant difference in BMC prevalence by gender, the prevalence was found to be higher in the second age group. Conclusion: In conclusion, regardless of subtype, determining the presence of BMC in patients undergoing mandibular procedures is extremely important for informing the clinician, especially to avoid complications such as local anesthesia failure, postoperative paresthesia, or bleeding. If present, it should be noted in the CBCT report.

This study aims to determine the anatomical relationship between the posterior superior alveolar artery (PSAA) and the lateral wall of the maxillary sinus during preoperative radiological evaluations in the posterior maxillary dental region, as well as to evaluate the prevalence of PSAA and its potential associations with sinus pathologies. This retrospective study is based on the analysis of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) data from 510 sinuses of 255 patients. The visibility of the PSAA vascular canal, artery diameters, vertical distance between the alveolar crest and the artery, and the distance to the sinus floor were measured in coronal sections. Additionally, the relationships between sinus pathologies and septa within the sinuses and the PSAA were evaluated. PSAA was detected bilaterally in the majority of patients (70.2%). Sinus pathologies and the presence of septa were also examined, revealing that 36.9% of the sinus pathologies were bilateral. Chi-square analyses showed no statistically significant relationship between gender and the presence of PSAA. Female patients had a higher incidence of sinus pathologies compared to males (p = 0.002). No significant relationship was found between the presence of PSAA and septa. This study highlights the importance of considering the anatomical position and prevalence of the PSAA during preoperative radiological evaluations in the posterior maxillary region. This study identified the PSAA as predominantly located in the lateral wall of the maxillary sinus, an anatomical feature of critical importance during preoperative radiological evaluations to minimize vascular complications. Not applicable.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to compare the effects of dry needling and kinesio taping on pain intensity, mandibular range of motion, sleep quality, and depression levels in patients diagnosed with myogenous temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD).

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated head posture in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders and explored the effects of postural changes on clinical parameters.

Antibiotics are crucial in treating infections; however, their unnecessary and incorrect use can lead to numerous health issues, notably antibiotic resistance. Evaluating the accuracy and awareness of antibiotic prescription practices among dentists, who play a significant role in antibiotic use, is critical in developing effective health policies and professional training programs. This study assesses dentists’ knowledge levels and practice habits regarding antibiotic use. Using a structured questionnaire, the research employed a cross-sectional design and was conducted with 202 general dentists, 98 pediatric dentists, and 43 oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Data were analyzed using demographic characteristics, antibiotic prescription practices, and scenario-based questions measuring knowledge levels. The results revealed that while most participants were generally knowledgeable about antibiotic use, inconsistencies in prescription practices were evident. Notably, unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions were identified in some cases, contributing to significant health issues such as antibiotic resistance. This study emphasizes the necessity of promoting conscious antibiotic use by evaluating dentists’ practices. Therefore, the urgent need for developing professional training programs and strengthening strategies to combat antibiotic resistance is paramount.

Aim: Dental implants have become the most preferred treatment method for tooth loss. The aim of this study is to evaluate the knowledge and preferences of individuals living in Türkiye regarding dental implants. Material and Method: In this research, a multiple-choice questionnaire was administered to assess individuals' knowledge levels and reasons for preference concerning dental implants. The survey was conducted online among men and women aged 18-79 who had never undergone implant treatment, residing in various provinces of Türkiye. The statistical analysis of the obtained data was performed using the SPSS program and the chi-square test. Results: A total of 429 individuals participated in the study, including 196 men (45.7%) and 233 women (54.3%). Of the participants, 47.9% learned about the concept of dental implants from dentists, and 57.6% reported having partial knowledge. A majority of 67.7% preferred to have implant treatment performed by a specialist dentist. 87.8% believed that dental implants are not harmful to health after treatment. Most participants indicated that the most crucial factor in the preference for implants is the dentist's recommendation (54.2%). Conclusion: This study provides significant data for understanding the knowledge levels and factors influencing the preferences of individuals regarding dental implants. While highlighting the critical role of dentists in providing information and guidance, it also underscores the need to increase awareness about dental implants among the general population. Accordingly, broader informational and educational efforts are necessary to promote more widespread and correct application of dental implant treatments.

Aim: Bruxism in children is a common health issue that causes discomfort in the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, negatively affecting daily activities and quality of life. As individuals increasingly turn to online platforms for health information, the accuracy and reliability of this information become crucial. This study aims to evaluate the content and quality of online information on bruxism in children, facilitating access to accurate and reliable patient information and aiding in more informed decision-making regarding treatment options. Material and Method: This study searched the term 'Bruxism in Children' on YouTube™, evaluating the first 100 relevant videos and selecting 18 videos for further analysis. Data on view count, video length, time since upload, likes and dislikes, number of comments, uploader, interaction index, and views were recorded. The Quality Criteria for Consumer Health Information (DISCERN), the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA), and Global Quality Scale (GQS) assessed patient viewers' medical accuracy, content quality, understandability, and suitability. Results: Most videos were uploaded by health professionals and educators. However, videos uploaded by health professionals did not have significantly higher GQS scores than those uploaded by patients. When categorized by the source of upload, videos from health professionals did not score significantly higher in reliability than other groups. Conclusion: There is a scarcity of videos on bruxism in children on the YouTube™ platform, providing limited benefits and insufficient information. Despite expectations for more accurate information from health professional-produced content, these professionals must upload more comprehensive and understandable videos.