Islamic Azad University Dental Branch Journal of Research in Dental and Maxillofacial Sciences 2588-4166 11 1 2026 3 1 Antibacterial Effect of Low-Level Laser on Four-Week-Old Biofilm of Enterococcus faecalis in Presence of Intracanal Medicaments: An In Vitro Study 1 7 EN Seyed Khalegh Yaghoubi Baghlouei Department of Endodontics, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Mahta Fazlyab Department of Endodontics, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Ehsan Esnaashari Department of Endodontics, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Maryam PourHajiBagher Dental Research Center, Dentistry Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Siavash Kamali Department of Endodontics, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Background and Aim: This in vitro study assessed the impact of low-level laser irradiation (LLLI) on resistance of Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) to calcium hydroxide (CH) and triple antibiotic paste (TAP) intracanal medicaments.    Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, 44 extracted single-rooted human teeth were categorized into 6 groups of negative control (n=2), positive control (n=2), TAP (n=10), CH (n=10), TAP+LLLI (n=10), and CH+LLLI (n=10). Following preparation, the samples were transferred to brain heart infusion (BHI) broth and incubated at 37°C for 24 hours; 1 mL of E. faecalis (ATCC 29212) suspension was injected into the canals and incubated for 4 weeks for biofilm formation. CH and TAP were introduced into the canals, depending on group allocation of the teeth, and LLLI with performed for 15 seconds using 980 nm diode laser with an energy density of 6.89 J/cm², power-output of 0.5 W, and a tip diameter of 10 mm. After 2 weeks, canal debris was removed using #4 Gates-Glidden drills and incubated in BHI at 37°C for 8 hours. Then, 100 μL of the dilution was cultured to determine the number of colony-forming units (CFUs), indicating the effectiveness of disinfection, after 12 hours. Data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA (alpha=0.05).    Results: The four groups had no significant difference in colony count (P=0.483). Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that LLLI in combination with CH or TAP did not lead to a significant reduction in colony count compared to the use of CH or TAP alone.  

Islamic Azad University Dental Branch Journal of Research in Dental and Maxillofacial Sciences 2588-4166 11 1 2026 3 1 Comparative Efficacy of Acellular Dermal Matrix with and without Injectable Platelet-Rich Fibrin, and Free Gingival Graft for Enhancement of Peri-Implant Keratinized Gingiva Width: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial 8 21 EN Shahin Shahbazpey Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Shafa St, Kerman, Iran Mohammad Mohammadi Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Shafa St, Kerman, 7616913555, Iran Nazila Lashkarizadeh Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Shafa St, Kerman, 7616913555, Iran Abstract Background and Aim: This study compared the efficacy of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) with and without injectable platelet-rich fibrin (iPRF) and free gingival graft (FGG) for the enhancement of peri-implant keratinized gingiva width (KGW).     Materials and Methods: In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 36 dental implants with KGW<2 mm were randomly assigned to 3 groups (n=12) for enhancement of KGW with FGG alone (control group), ADM alone (AlloDerm), and iPRF-impregnated ADM (AlloDerm). KGW, pain by using a visual analog scale (VAS), and graft shrinkage percentage (reduction in height and surface area of the graft) were assessed 3 months after surgery, and compared by one-way ANOVA and Sidak test (alpha=0.05).     Results: A significant increase in peri-implant KGW was observed after treatment in all three groups (P<0.001). FGG caused a significantly greater increase in KGW than the other two groups (P<0.001). Graft shrinkage was significantly lower in the FGG group than other groups (P<0.05). Postoperative pain was significantly lower in the ADM/iPRF than the FGG (P<0.001) and ADM (P=0.002) groups. Postoperative pain in the ADM group was significantly lower than that in the FGG group (P=0.008). No other significant differences were found (P>0.05). Conclusion: All three tested methods significantly increased the peri-implant KGW. Although FGG was the most effective for the enhancement of KGW, it was associated with the highest postoperative pain level. IPRF-impregnated ADM may be considered as an acceptable, less invasive, and less painful approach for patients not consenting to FGG, although it had no significant difference with ADM alone.  

Islamic Azad University Dental Branch Journal of Research in Dental and Maxillofacial Sciences 2588-4166 11 1 2026 3 1 Effect of Different Irrigating Solutions on Pushout Bond Strength of Composite Posts in Primary Teeth: An In Vitro Study 22 30 EN Faezeh Roshani Dental Faculty, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran Kimia Jabarifard Dental Faculty, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran Navid Babaei Dentist in Private Practice, Ardabil, Iran Somayeh Hekmatfar Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran Background and Aim: Restoration of anterior teeth is challenging in pediatric dentistry due to the poor retention of restorative material and the small size of the teeth. This study was conducted to investigate the pushout strength (PBS) of intra-canal composite posts in primary anterior teeth after using different root canal irrigants.    Materials and Methods: In this in vitro experimental study, 44 extracted primary anterior teeth were randomly assigned to four groups of (I) sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), (II) ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), (III) saline, and (IV) chlorhexidine (CHX). Tooth crowns were cut by a high-speed handpiece 1 mm above the cementoenamel junction. After cleaning and shaping, the root canals were obturated, and post spaces were prepared. Composite resin was packed in the 3 mm coronal third of the canal. The teeth were thermocycled, and each tooth was sectioned into 1 mm slices at the mid-root. Next, the specimens were subjected to PBS testing. The mode of failure was determined under a stereomicroscope at ×40 magnification. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Games-Howell test (alpha=0.05).    Results: Saline showed the lowest (1.09±0.36 MPa), and NaOCl exhibited the highest (8.57±0.15 MPa) PBS (P<0.001). The difference in PBS between the EDTA and CHX groups was not statistically significant (P=0.115). Adhesive failure was more frequent than other failure modes. Conclusion: The results showed that root canal pretreatment with NaOCl enhanced the PBS of composite posts in primary anterior teeth.  

Islamic Azad University Dental Branch Journal of Research in Dental and Maxillofacial Sciences 2588-4166 11 1 2026 3 1 Clinical Efficacy and Pain of Computer-Controlled Intraosseous Anesthesia versus the Conventional Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block in Pulpotomy of Primary Molars: A Clinical Trial 31 44 EN Fatemeh Molaasadolah Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Mansooreh Soltani Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran. Mohammad Jafarian Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Research Institute of Dental Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Background and Aim: This study assessed the efficacy of intraosseous anesthesia (IA) administered by a computer-controlled local anesthetic device (CCLAD) and its associated pain in comparison with the conventional inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) for pulpotomy of primary molars.    Materials and Methods: This crossover split-mouth randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 30 children between 4 and 6 years requiring pulpotomy of mandibular primary molars bilaterally. The children were randomly assigned to two groups to receive IA and IANB in two orders of IA/IANB and IANB/IA within two treatment sessions. Pain during injection and during treatment was quantified subjectively using the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WBPRS) and objectively using the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability (FLACC) scale. Heart rate (HR) was measured by a pulse oximeter, and the need for supplemental injection was recorded. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA, Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney, Bonferroni, Fisher’s exact, and McNemar tests (alpha=0.05).    Results: Injection type had no significant effect on the HR in the first or second treatment session, injection pain, procedural pain, FLACC score, or the need for supplemental injection (P>0.05). Within-group comparison of pain in the IA/IANB group showed significantly higher pain associated with IANB (P=0.015), while this difference was not significant in the IANB/IA group (P>0.05). Primary first and second molars had no significant difference in FLACC score or the need for supplemental injection (P>0.05). Conclusion: IA may be used as an alternative to IANB for pulpotomy of primary molars, due to comparable efficacy and injection pain.    

Islamic Azad University Dental Branch Journal of Research in Dental and Maxillofacial Sciences 2588-4166 11 1 2026 3 1 Cariogram Profile of Iranian Children in the Primary and Mixed Dentition Periods 45 56 EN Shabnam Milani Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada Mehdi Shahrabi Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Zahra Hosseini Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Fatemeh Amini Harandi Dentist in Private Practice, Tehran, Iran Ghazaleh Baniebrahimi Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Background and Aim: This study compared the caries risk profile of Iranian children in the primary and mixed dentition periods using the Cariogram model.    Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 children in the primary (5-6 years) and mixed (11-12 years) dentition periods (100 participants per group). Data were collected through parental interviews, oral clinical examination, and saliva sampling. All sectors of the Cariogram, except Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) microbial testing, were evaluated. After obtaining the Cariogram profile of children, their caries risk was estimated and compared between the two groups by t-test. Each Cariogram component was compared between the two groups after controlling for demographic confounders using the regression analysis (alpha=0.05).    Results: In the primary dentition group, 5% of children had very low/low caries risk, 11% had moderate, and 84% had high/very high risk. In the mixed dentition group, 19% had very low/low risk, 32% had moderate, and 49% had high/very high risk. The mean risk of caries was significantly higher in the primary than mixed dentition period (74.92% vs. 56.60%, P=0.002). Caries experience (OR=5.17, P<0.001), salivary secretion (OR=2.61, P=0.002), using a fluoridated toothpaste (OR=2.41, P=0.02), diet (OR=3.14, P=0.01), diet frequency (OR=2.53, P=0.004), and clinical judgment (OR=2.19, P=0.01) were also significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: The findings demonstrated that Iranian children in the primary dentition period had a significantly higher risk of caries, associated with higher sugar intake and insufficient fluoride exposure in comparison to children in the mixed dentition period.  

Islamic Azad University Dental Branch Journal of Research in Dental and Maxillofacial Sciences 2588-4166 11 1 2026 3 1 Effects of Commonly Consumed Pediatric Medications and Drinks on Color Stability of Two Types of Composite Resins: Packable and Bulk-Fill 57 65 EN Zohre Sadat Hosseinipour Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Milad Bozhneh Dentist, Private Practice, Tehran, Iran Zahra Hosseini Dental Research Center, Dentistry Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Background and Aim: Composite resins are widely used in pediatric dentistry, but their color stability may be affected by medications and drinks. Since packable and bulk-fill composites differ in composition, this study aimed to compare their color stability after exposure to commonly consumed pediatric medications and drinks.    Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, disc-shaped specimens were fabricated from a packable and a bulk-fill composite resin (n=64 from each). After initial spectrophotometric color assessment, the discs underwent pH-cycling. Next, each group was divided into 8 subgroups (n=8) for immersion in distilled water (control), orange juice, chocolate milk, amoxicillin, metronidazole, acetaminophen, iron drop, and multi-vitamin syrup for 2 minutes every 8 hours for one week. The color of the specimens was then assessed again spectrophotometrically, and their color change (ΔE) was calculated. Data were analyzed by t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey’s test (alpha=0.05).    Results: The two composite types had no significant difference in ΔE (P=0.733). The discoloration caused by metronidazole, amoxicillin, iron drop, and multivitamin syrup was clinically unacceptable (> 3 units). The discoloration caused by different materials was significantly different within each of the two composite groups (P=0.001), such that metronidazole yielded the highest, and distilled water yielded the lowest ΔE. Conclusion: The research results showed that both packable and bulk-fill composite resins experienced comparable discoloration after exposure to different materials, with no significant difference between the two composite types. The results also showed that metronidazole produced the highest discoloration, while distilled water caused the lowest.    

Islamic Azad University Dental Branch Journal of Research in Dental and Maxillofacial Sciences 2588-4166 11 1 2026 3 1 Developing an Artificial Intelligence Software to Aid in Dental Caries Detection 66 74 EN Alireza Tabatabaei Tabrizi School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Hadi Ghasemi Department of Community Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Narges Panahandeh Dental Research Center, Research Institute of Dental Sciences, School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Background and Aim: This study aimed to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) software with high diagnostic accuracy for detection of dental caries by evaluating different algorithms and machine learning models.    Materials and Methods: Totally of 1400 bitewing radiographs were retrieved from the archives of the Oral Radiology Department of Shahid Beheshti Dental School from April 2023 to March 2024 for machine learning using deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs). After resizing all images (100 x 100) in the form of an array that consisted of pixel values corresponding to the image, 1120 radiographs (80%) were randomly selected for training, and 280 radiographs (20%) were used for testing of the selected models. Two learning methods were employed, namely supervised learning (labeling by specialists) by classifying the bitewing radiographs into two classes (0: sound, 1: carious), and self-supervised learning by using VGG19, ResNet50, GoogleNet, and EfficientNet models. After implementation of the caries detection algorithms, the best model in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity was selected.    Results: Apart from reviewing and testing popular machine learning models in caries detection on a total of 1400 bitewing radiographs of patients, 242 bitewing radiographs were used for supervised learning after labeling, out of which, 210 were labeled as carious. EfficientNet model yielded the best results with a caries detection accuracy of 94.7%, precision of 93.4%, sensitivity of 96.7%, specificity of 96.2%, and F1-score of 93.5%. Conclusion: The present results suggest that refining EfficientNet and its new versions can improve its performance in caries detection.  

Islamic Azad University Dental Branch Journal of Research in Dental and Maxillofacial Sciences 2588-4166 11 1 2026 3 1 Impact of Contact Time on Push-out Bond Strength of Intra-orifice Barrier Materials in Temporary Restorations 75 83 EN Mina Soltanianzadeh Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. Fatemeh Qorbani Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. maryam kazemipoor Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran Background & Aim: The use of intra-orifice barriers helps reduce coronal leakage, enhances sealing in the intra-orifice area, and improves the success rate of root canal therapy. This study aimed to investigate the effect of contact time on the push-out bond strength of intra-orifice barrier materials in temporary restorations.                                                                     Material & Method: This in vitro study used 110 single-rooted teeth, with crowns sectioned 2 mm below the CEJ. After preparing access cavities, the samples were divided into two experimental groups (A: Quizol and B: Zonalin) and two control groups (C: positive control and D: negative control). Groups A and B were further divided into subgroups based on the duration of temporary restoration (2 weeks and 4 weeks) and the type of barrier material (composite flow and RMGI). Dentinal blocks were prepared, and samples were subjected to a push-out bond strength test. The data were analyzed using a generalized linear model and Kruskal-Wallis test, with significance set at p<0.05.  Results: General comparison revealed a statistically significant difference among the experimental groups (P = 0.000). Pairwise analysis showed that the Cavit-4 weeks-composite flow subgroup exhibited the highest push-out bond strength (6.70 ± 1.76), significantly greater than all other combinations (P = 0.000). In contrast, the positive control group (cotton with eugenol-2 weeks-composite flow) showed the lowest bond strength (0.302 ± 0.101). Conclusion: Cavit temporary restoration significantly enhanced the bond strength of composite flow barriers after 4 weeks, outperforming other materials and time combinations.

Islamic Azad University Dental Branch Journal of Research in Dental and Maxillofacial Sciences 2588-4166 11 1 2026 3 1 The Role of Nanobots Along with Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry: A Comprehensive Review on Applications, Advancements, and Future Prospects 84 96 EN Kiarash Kiani Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Mona Saligheh Rad Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Arash Azizi Oral Medicine Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Kimia Ghods Dental Material Research Center, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Background and Aim: Nanotechnology has revolutionized dentistry with the introduction of nanobots. These microscopic devices have shown promising applications in diagnosis, treatment, and preventive dental care. The aim of this study was to explore the diverse applications of nanobots along with artificial intelligence (AI) in different dental specialties, highlighting their advantages, limitations, and future potential.    Materials and Methods: For this comprehensive literature review, a complete query was carried out in PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, and Scopus databases, and the studies published during 2010-2025 were collected using the keywords "Nanotechnology," "Dentistry," "Robotics," "Nanoparticles," and "Dental Materials." After applying appropriate inclusion and exclusion criteria, 113 English articles were selected and evaluated.    Results: Nanobots demonstrate significant potential across various dental disciplines. In endodontics, they enhance root canal disinfection; while, in periodontics, they facilitate biofilm disruption and tissue regeneration. Restorative dentistry benefits from their integration into filling materials, improving durability and functionality. Orthodontic applications include precisely guided tooth movements and real-time monitoring of the periodontal environment. In oral surgery, nanobots enable precise tissue manipulation and accelerated wound healing. Furthermore, they offer promising capabilities for early diagnosis and targeted drug delivery systems in oral medicine. Conclusion: Nanobots hold transformative potential in various dental disciplines, offering innovative solutions for improved diagnosis, treatment precision, and patient care. However, further research is needed to address safety concerns, regulatory approvals, ethical issues, and cost-effectiveness before clinical integration. Advancements in nanotechnology and AI may pave the way for the widespread use of nanobots, revolutionizing modern dental practice