Resül Çolak

Background/Objective: As large language models (LLMs) are increasingly used to obtain oral health information, their ability to provide accurate and comprehensive responses to patient-focused periodontal questions derived from commonly reported misconceptions is increasingly relevant to patient education. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of contemporary LLMs in answering such questions with respect to accuracy, comprehensiveness, readability, and temporal consistency. Methods: Following a comprehensive review of the existing literature, structured patient-focused periodontal questions derived from commonly reported misconceptions were presented to seven different LLMs using a standardized prompt, and their performance was compared. Responses were evaluated for accuracy and comprehensiveness using a Likert scale, while readability was assessed using the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG), the Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) score, and the Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL). Results: The evaluated LLMs demonstrated uniformly high performance across the benchmark, with no individual response scoring below the scale midpoint (score < 3) for accuracy or comprehensiveness, confirming the absence of clinically unsafe or misleading information. Although statistically significant inter-model differences were observed for accuracy (p < 0.001, Kendall’s W = 0.197) and comprehensiveness (p < 0.001, Kendall’s W = 0.257), the rank-based effect sizes were small, indicating that relative rankings reflect minor numerical variations rather than clinically substantial performance gaps. Regarding readability, absolute metrics across all models revealed a high level of structural and linguistic difficulty that exceeds layperson health literacy requirements. Mean FRE scores across models ranged from 39.5 ± 9.1 to 52.1 ± 12.0 (indicating “difficult” to “fairly difficult” reading ease), mean FKGL scores ranged from 9.1 ± 2.2 to 10.8 ± 1.3 (requiring a 9th to 11th-grade education level), and mean SMOG scores ranged from 11.8 ± 1.6 to 14.0 ± 2.2. Statistically significant differences with large effect sizes were observed among models for FRE (p < 0.001, partial η_p² = 0.308, η_G² = 0.178), FKGL (p < 0.001, partial η_p² = 0.162, η_G² = 0.104) and SMOG (p < 0.001, partial η_p² = 0.217, η_G² = 0.140), with DeepSeek V4 and Gemini 3.1 exhibiting relatively more favorable readability profiles. In the temporal consistency analysis, significant differences in change scores were observed only for SMOG (p = 0.004), whereas no significant temporal changes occurred for accuracy, comprehensiveness, FRE, or FKGL. Conclusions: Contemporary LLMs provide uniformly accurate and clinically safe responses to patient-focused periodontal misconceptions, with scores consistently concentrated at the ceiling. However, absolute readability metrics demonstrate that AI-generated outputs consistently exceed standard public health literacy comprehension levels, presenting a critical barrier for general patient communication that necessitates targeted optimization.

Aims: Dental loupes are increasingly used in dental education to improve visualization, posture, and instrument precision. However, evidence regarding their contribution to periodontal instrumentation performance by dental students remains limited. This randomized crossover preclinical study aimed to evaluate the effect of dental loupe use on simulated calculus removal by dental students using a pixel-based image analysis. Methods: Thirty third-year dental students were enrolled in the study. Each participant performed scaling procedures on standardized typodont models under both loupe-assisted and control conditions. Results: Simulated calculus was applied to the buccal, mesial, and distal surfaces of the teeth. Residual simulated calculus was quantified using pixel-based image analysis of images obtained before and after the instrumentation. The primary outcome was predefined as the change in total simulated calculus pixel area. Participant perceptions were assessed using a structured, non-validated, 15-item Likert-type questionnaire. Simulated calculus was significantly reduced under both conditions after instrumentation (p

Background and Aim: This study evaluated the prevalence,distribution, and factors associated with Cairo classification–basedgingival recession among young adults attending a universityperiodontology clinic.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 200adults aged 18–35 years attending the Periodontology Clinic atZonguldak Bülent Ecevit University between January and March2025. Gingival recession was classified as RT1, RT2, or RT3 accordingto the Cairo classification. Demographic, oral hygiene, and periodontaldata were collected. Multivariable logistic regression identifiedfactors associated with gingival recession, while multinomial logisticregression evaluated factors associated with the RT1 and RT2–RT3groups relative to the no-recession group.Results: Gingival recession was observed in 105 participants(52.5%) and 347 of 5,435 examined teeth (6.38%). RT1 was themost prevalent recession type (68%), followed by RT2 (25.7%) andRT3 (6.3%). Recession occurred more frequently in the mandibularpremolar region. Older age (odds ratio [OR]=1.20, 95% confidenceinterval [CI]: 1.11–1.29, p

Artificial intelligence (AI)-driven large language models (LLMs) are increasingly used to provide patient-oriented oral health information; however, their

This study aimed to evaluate oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and dental hygiene fear across periodontal status groups, including periodontally

Background/Objectives: Gingival phenotype is considered an important factor influencing periodontal tissue response during orthodontic treatment; however, the association between orthodontic treatment history and gingival phenotype remains unclear. This study aimed to compare gingival phenotype between orthodontically treated individuals and untreated controls and to evaluate the factors associated with gingival phenotype, including periodontal status and oral hygiene habits. Methods: This cross-sectional comparative study included 180 individuals aged 18–35 years, who were divided into two groups according to orthodontic treatment history (history of orthodontic treatment, n = 90; untreated controls, n = 90). Gingival phenotype was assessed using the transparency method at the mid-buccal aspect of the mandibular central incisor. Periodontal parameters, including Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), probing depth (PD), and keratinized gingival width (KGW), were recorded. Oral hygiene habits and behavioral factors were also evaluated. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with gingival phenotype. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: No significant association was found between orthodontic treatment and gingival phenotype (p > 0.05). Periodontal parameters were comparable between groups; however, orthodontically treated individuals demonstrated significantly better oral hygiene habits (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that male sex (OR = 6.54, p < 0.001) and increased KGW (OR = 1.668, p = 0.003) were independently associated with a thick gingival phenotype. Conclusions: The findings indicate that gingival phenotype appeared to be more strongly associated with intrinsic anatomical factors, particularly sex and KGW, rather than orthodontic treatment. It was concluded that individualized assessment of gingival phenotype and controlled orthodontic tooth movement may contribute to periodontal preservation.

Background and aim: Periodontal diseases are common chronic inflammatory conditions with a multifactorial etiology among young adults. Periodontal Risk Assessment (PRA) enables the systematic identification of individual disease risk, thereby facilitating early intervention and the implementation of preventive strategies. This study aimed to determine PRA risk levels in a young adult population and to investigate the demographic, environmental, and periodontal factors associated with these risk levels. Materials and methods: A total of 100 volunteer individuals who presented for routine dental examination were included in the study. Demographic, behavioral, and periodontal parameters were recorded. Clinical assessments comprised the plaque index, gingival index, probing depth, bleeding on probing, number of missing teeth, and radiographic bone loss. Periodontal risk levels were classified according to the PRA functional diagram. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Of the participants, 38% were classified as low risk, 46% as moderate risk, and 16% as high risk according to PRA. In the high risk PRA group, males exhibited a 4.30-fold higher periodontal disease risk compared with females, and single individuals demonstrated a higher risk than married participants. Furthermore, increased plaque index, gingival index, and probing depth values were significantly associated with a higher PRA risk. Conclusion: PRA analyses in young adults showed that a substantial proportion of participants had moderate or high periodontal risk. Male sex, single marital status, elevated plaque and gingival indices, and increased probing depth were associated with higher risk. These findings highlight PRA as a valuable tool for early periodontal risk assessment in young adults. Clinical relevance: Early identification of periodontal risk in young adults can guide preventive interventions and reduce the risk of disease progression.

To evaluate the effect of prismatic dental loupes on clinician posture during periodontal treatment performed by periodontology assistants. This cross-sectional observational study was conducted using a counterbalanced crossover design. Ten periodontology assistants performed supragingival scaling on two different patients; once with and once without loupes. Posture was assessed using Branson’s Posture Assessment Instrument (BPAI) through photographic evaluation at the 1st, 3rd, and 5th minutes of treatment. BPAI scores were compared between the two conditions, and correlations among posture components were analyzed. The use of loupes significantly improved overall posture, with lower total BPAI scores in the loupe condition. Significant improvements were observed in the hip, trunk, head/neck, and shoulder regions, while wrist posture did not differ significantly. A strong positive correlation was found between total BPAI and head/neck scores, indicating the influence of head/neck alignment on overall posture. Magnification loupes contribute to improved clinician posture, especially in the head/neck region, which strongly correlated with overall posture. The observed interdependence among body regions supports the need for holistic posture assessment. These findings highlight the ergonomic benefits of loupes in reducing musculoskeletal risks in dental practice. Incorporating magnification loupes into clinical practice may improve operator posture and contribute to long-term occupational health among dental professionals.

Objectives: Healing of the palatal donor site and patient comfort after free gingival grafting are a challenge for clinicians. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of concentrated growth factor (CGF) and gelatin sponge on palatal wound healing and patient comfort following free gingival graft harvesting. Materials and methods: Data were collected from 33 patients who underwent palatal wound management with CGF and absorbable gelatin sponge after free gingival graft harvesting. Epithelialization of the wound was assessed using the H₂O₂ test, while pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Both evaluations were performed on the 3rd postoperative day and at weekly intervals (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th weeks). Analgesic consumption was recorded in three periods: T1 (days 1–3), T2 (days 3–7), and T3 (days 7–14). Results: VAS pain scores did not differ significantly between the groups at any time point, though control group scores were higher on day 3. All patients had complete epithelialization by week 4, with the test group showing faster epithelialization at weeks 2 and 3 (not statistically significant). The control group required significantly more analgesic tablets than the test group on postoperative day 3 and throughout the healing period. Conclusions: Palatal wound healing, pain perception, and analgesic consumption were comparable between CGF and absorbable gelatin sponge dressings.

Sinüs yükseltme cerrahisi, rezidüel maksiller alveolar kemiğinde yetersizlik olan hastalarda implant yerleştirilmesi için gerekli dikey kemik yüksekliğinin kazanımı için yapılır. Bu prosedürde sinüs zarı yükseltilir ve posterior maksilladaki kemik hacminin arttırılması amacıyla çeşitli greft materyalleri kullanılır.Geçmişten günümüze sinüs zarını yükseltmek için birçok yaklaşım geliştirilmiştir.Sinüs lift cerrahisinde hem lateral hem de krestal yaklaşımlar tercih edilebilir. Teknik seçimi klinik ve radyografik inceleme ile desteklenmelidir. Rezidüel alveolar maksiller kemiğin miktarı ve kalitesi, hangi yaklaşımın uygulanması gerektiğinin belirlenmesinde çok önemli bir rol oynar.Rezidüel alveolar maksiller kemik 6 mm'den az olduğu koşullarda lateral yaklaşım önerilirken, krestal yaklaşım kemik yüksekliği 6 mm veya daha fazla olduğunda tercih edilir. Krestal yaklaşım, lateral yaklaşıma göre daha az travma, daha kısa ameliyat süresi, daha düşük sinüs membranı perforasyonu riski ve daha az ameliyat sonrası ağrı ve şişlik gibi çeşitli avantajlara sahiptir.Krestal yaklaşımın gösterdiği avantajlar, araştırmacıları bu konuya yönelik ek araştırmalar yapmaya teşvik etmiştir. Sinüs yükseltme cerrahisinde greft materyallerinin kullanılması, sinüs tabanının yükseltilmesini ve yeterli kemik hacminin oluşturulmasını kolaylaştırır. Ancak greft materyallerinin kullanımı cerrahi bölgesinde oluşabilecek enfeksiyon riskini arttırabilir.Sinüs yükseltme cerrahisinden önce ve sonra alınan önlemler oluşabilecek riskleri minimalize etmeyi sağlayabilir. Bu derlemede, güncel internal sinüs lift tekniklerinin araştırılması ve farklı teknikler üzerine yapılmış karşılaştırmalı çalışmaların sonuçları sunulacaktır.