Recent Publications

• Three-dimensional CT imaging features of impacted first permanent molars and their correlation with prognosis 2026.05.16
  CONCLUSIONS: Furcation area root resorption is a relatively common CT imaging feature in impacted first permanent molars and is associated with poor prognosis. Because this feature is often undetectable on plain radiographs, 3D CT evaluation should be considered for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment planning.
• Accuracy and hallucination behaviors of artificial intelligence-based large language models for dental implant identification on radiographs 2026.05.16
  CONCLUSIONS: Current LLMs have limited capability for the definitive radiographic identification of dental implant systems, particularly for specific brands. Recent model iterations show a promising trend toward reduced hallucinations and increased reliability through abstention; however, their high error rates indicate that they can only be considered as supplementary tools requiring clinician verification.
• From Brainstem Arousal to Cortical Prediction: A Circuit-Based Framework for Active Flavor Inference 2026.05.16
  Flavor perception exhibits substantial variability across physiological and contextual states, yet how peripheral gustatory signals are transformed into these subjective experiences remains incompletely understood. Traditional models of taste processing have largely focused on bottom-up sensory relay from peripheral receptors to cortical regions, and have limited capacity to explain this variability across physiological and contextual conditions. […]
• Clinical Performance of 3D-Printed Resin versus Prefabricated Zirconia Crowns in Primary Molars: A Split-Mouth Clinical Study 2026.05.16
  CONCLUSIONS: While 3D-printed resin crowns demonstrated comparable functional performance to prefabricated zirconia crowns, they were associated with inferior periodontal and esthetic outcomes.
• Use of soft intraoral appliance for refractory burning mouth syndrome: an exploratory case series 2026.05.15
  CONCLUSION: Soft intraoral appliances may present a feasible adjunctive therapeutic option for selected patients with refractory BMS, particularly those with a limited response to pharmacologic treatments. However, given the small sample size and exploratory design of this case series, these findings should be interpreted as preliminary observations and require confirmation in larger prospective studies.
• Recombinant N-terminal Fragment of Human Vitronectin Promotes Osteoblast Adhesive Responses via αvβ3 and αvβ5 Integrins 2026.05.14
  Vitronectin is a key extracellular matrix glycoprotein, but the functional contribution of specific residues within its N-terminal region to osteoblast activity remains poorly defined. We engineered a recombinant N-terminal fragment of human vitronectin (rVn-FI; residues 20-149) and performed a comprehensive mapping study using 16 overlapping 12-mer peptides to pinpoint the exact bioactive motifs. rVn-FI significantly […]
• Clinical outcomes of implant-assisted removable partial dentures in patients with disabilities: a retrospective cohort study 2026.05.14
  CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this retrospective cohort, ICRPDs demonstrated stable functional outcomes and high implant survival in patients with disabilities. Oral hygiene status was associated with peri-implant bone level changes, highlighting the importance of structured maintenance and caregiver-assisted plaque control in this population. In addition to favorable mid-term clinical outcomes, the ICRPD concept may […]
• In vitro assessment of geometric characteristics in canal preparation using nickel-titanium files used for minimal invasiveness: an experimental study 2026.05.13
  CONCLUSIONS: While PTU is suitable for general canal preparation to facilitate irrigation and intracanal medication, TR and ER excel in preserving canal centering with minimal concern for canal transportation by minimally invasive preparation.
• Mechanical properties of dental restoration materials fabricated using 3D printing polymers and CAD/CAM hybrid blocks: a comparative study 2026.05.12
  CONCLUSIONS: Although three-dimensionally printed permanent resins exhibited promising flexural strength and flexural toughness, their lower wear resistance and surface hardness indicate that further material improvements are necessary before they can be considered viable alternatives for long-term permanent dental restorations.
• Orofacial Central Pattern Generators: Neuroanatomical and Clinical Insights into Sensory, Motor, Emotional Integration 2026.05.11
  Orofacial behaviors such as mastication, swallowing, and phonation are not organized as simple reflex chains but are generated and coordinated by intrinsic brainstem networks known as central pattern generators (CPGs). Although the existence and organization of these circuits are well established in animal models, direct evidence for their microcircuit organization in humans remains limited, and […]
• Psychometric evaluation of the Korean version of the Child Oral Health Impact Profile Short Form (COHIP-SF 19): a cross-sectional study 2026.05.09
  CONCLUSIONS: The Korean COHIP-SF 19 demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties in 10-year-old schoolchildren. The modified model showed improved structural validity, higher internal consistency, and better subgroup discrimination, including by gender. These findings support its use in clinical and epidemiological research.
• Enteric-coated magnesium-propelled polymersome nanomotors for pH-triggered intestinal activation and mucosal IgA induction 2026.05.07
  Oral vaccines must withstand gastric acid and mucus, reach microfold cells, and trigger durable mucosal IgA, but most carriers cannot simultaneously provide enteric protection, on-demand intestinal activation, and predictable biodegradation. We present magnesium-propelled polymersome (PSome) nanomotors (ActiPSomes) that conserve chemical fuel in the stomach via an enteric overcoat and activate in the intestine to enhance […]
• Adhesion of Newly Developed Composite Resin Splinting Materials to Enamel: Effect of Enamel Surface Treatment 2026.05.06
  CONCLUSIONS: For the tested splinting composites, phosphoric acid etching followed by direct composite application provided reliable enamel adhesion, and the additional use of a universal adhesive was unnecessary and may be detrimental for selected materials. This simplified protocol may be suitable for clinical splinting procedures.
• From accuracy to clinical meaning in prosthodontic research 2026.05.06
  No abstract
• Periodontitis induces skeletal muscle atrophy by increasing circulating levels of activin A 2026.05.06
  Periodontitis is linked to various systemic conditions, but its impact on skeletal muscle remains unclear. Here, we utilized a ligature-induced periodontitis model in male mice and showed that periodontitis significantly reduces muscle and bone mass without affecting fat mass or food intake. Interestingly, activin A, well-documented inducer of muscle atrophy, is highly expressed in periodontitis-affected […]
• Hypoglossal Nerve Transection Induces Anxiety- and Depression-like Behaviors with HPA Axis Dysregulation in Rats 2026.05.04
  This study investigated whether tongue motor loss induced by bilateral transection of the hypoglossal nerves (Hx) alters anxiety- and/or depression-like behaviors in rats and examined the associated neuroendocrine changes. Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent Hx or sham surgery and were evaluated in the ambulatory activity, elevated plus maze, forced swim, and sucrose preference tests at different […]
• Novel <em>ITGB6</em> Mutations Causing Amelogenesis Imperfecta 2026.05.04
  CONCLUSIONS: This report will not only expand the known mutational spectrum of the ITGB6 gene but also provide evidence for the genotype-phenotype correlations, thereby improving our understanding of the functional role of ITGB6 during amelogenesis.
• Exploratory Evaluation of a Sodium Iodide-Based Root Canal Filling Formulation in a Canine Model of <em>Enterococcus faecalis</em>-Induced Periapical Inflammation 2026.05.04
  Background and Objectives: Premature loss of primary teeth can disrupt occlusal development and oral function. Although iodoform-based materials such as Vitapex^(®) are widely used, concerns remain regarding their cytotoxicity and potential to accelerate root resorption. Sodium iodide (NaI) has emerged as a biocompatible, antibacterial alternative. This study evaluated the feasibility of a NaI-based root canal […]
• Microbial signatures of dental caries in the incarcerated elderly: a salivary microbiota study in a restricted environment 2026.05.04
  CONCLUSION: This study elucidates salivary dysbiotic signatures in older adults within a controlled environment. The identified bacterial profiles provide biomarkers for caries risk, underscoring the need for targeted oral health surveillance and preventative strategies in institutionalised populations.
• Astrocytic glycogenolysis gates Warburg-like metabolic reprogramming that promotes neuropathic pain chronification 2026.05.04
  Chronic pain remains a major unmet medical challenge, yet the metabolic checkpoints that govern its persistence are poorly defined. Astrocytes are increasingly recognized as chemically programmable hubs that tune neuronal excitability through metabolic circuits. Building on reports that astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttling (ANLS) in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) supports chronic pain, we asked how astrocytic […]