The purpose of this study was to develop prototype of virtual reality(VR) simulation with malocclusion models and evaluate its applicability. Task abilities, task completion time, and a satisfaction survey were compared between dentist trainees and dental students.
Participants were instructed to observe virtual malocclusion models and then performed three tasks to diagnose the type of malocclusion, determine clinical findings and develop treatment plans. Their satisfaction with the simulation experience were evaluated using a questionnaire containing five questions.
Task abilities of trainees related to clinical features and treatment plans were significantly higher than that of students(p < 0.01). In both groups, the task completion time for the second case was significantly reduced compared to that for the first case(p < 0.01). The satisfaction survey showed high scores and positive responses for this simulation in both groups. If the prototype of VR simulation is continuously advanced, it will be applicable for orthodontic education in pediatric dentistry.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the position of the mandibular foramen and location and morphological characteristics of the mandibular lingula using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT).
Mandibular CBCT images of children aged 6 - 16 years were collected. A total of 180 patients were divided into 3 groups, 6 - 7, 10 - 11 and 15 - 16 years, with 30 male and female patients per group. Either side of the ramus was analyzed. The shortest distances from the anterior, posterior, superior and inferior border of the ramus to the mandibular lingula were measured. The shortest distance between the mandibular lingula and the mandibular foramen was also measured. The vertical distance from the mandibular lingula and the mandibular foramen to the occlusal plane was measured. The shapes of the mandibular lingula was classified into 4 types according to the criteria.
The distances of the mandibular lingula from the anteroposterior and vertical reference points of the ramus increased in all directions with age. The distance between the mandibular lingula and the mandibular foramen also increased with age. The location of the mandibular lingula and the mandibular foramen in relation to the occlusal plane moved upwards with age. The most common shape of the mandibular lingula was triangular, followed by nodular, truncated and assimilated, and there was no difference in the shape according to age.
It is recommended that the horizontal insertion point of the anesthesia from the anterior border of the ramus increased to 17 mm, 18 mm, and 19 mm according to the age groups. It is also suggested that the vertical insertion point increased by 2 - 3 mm, 5 - 6 mm and 9 - 10 mm above the occlusal plane according to the age groups.

Considerable efforts have been made to prevent and manage hypertension and diabetes, but the prevalence of these diseases has not changed significantly over the past 10 years. Hypertension and diabetes are chronic conditions requiring continuous treatment and management. Controlling blood pressure and blood sugar levels can prevent life-threatening complications and a deterioration in the quality of life. Community-centered primary health care is characterized by inclusiveness and continuous contact. Well-established primary health care services can reduce the number of unnecessary emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and medical tests, and therefore minimize unnecessary medical expenses. However, the number of patients treated for mild chronic diseases at large hospitals has increased, with a concomitant decrease in the proportion of outpatient clinic visits (41.6% in 2007 vs. 37.8% in 2016). Thus, there is a clear need to strengthen primary health care, including for the treatment of chronic diseases. To establish a chronic diseases management system based on local clinics, the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Korea launched a pilot chronic diseases management program aimed at increasing patient acceptance of local primary health care. The program was implemented in 2014, 2016, and 2019. This review examines the short-term impact of the pilot program with respect to the prevention and management of hypertension and diabetes.

Considerable efforts have been made to prevent and manage hypertension and diabetes, but the prevalence of these diseases has not changed significantly over the past 10 years. Hypertension and diabetes are chronic conditions requiring continuous treatment and management. Controlling blood pressure and blood sugar levels can prevent life-threatening complications and a deterioration in the quality of life. Community-centered primary health care is characterized by inclusiveness and continuous contact. Well-established primary health care services can reduce the number of unnecessary emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and medical tests, and therefore minimize unnecessary medical expenses. However, the number of patients treated for mild chronic diseases at large hospitals has increased, with a concomitant decrease in the proportion of outpatient clinic visits (41.6% in 2007 vs. 37.8% in 2016). Thus, there is a clear need to strengthen primary health care, including for the treatment of chronic diseases. To establish a chronic diseases management system based on local clinics, the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Korea launched a pilot chronic diseases management program aimed at increasing patient acceptance of local primary health care. The program was implemented in 2014, 2016, and 2019. This review examines the short-term impact of the pilot program with respect to the prevention and management of hypertension and diabetes.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the trend of the number of births in Gwangju and the number of outpatients in Pediatric Dentistry at Chonnam National University Dental Hospital over the past 10 years (2010 - 2019) and predict the next year using time series analysis. The number of births showed an unstable downward trend with monthly variations, with the highest in January and the lowest in December. The average number of births in 2020 was predicted to be 682 (595 to 782, 95% CI), and the actual number of births was an average of 610. The number of outpatients was relatively stable, showing a month-to-month variation, with highest in August and the lowest in June. The average number of patients in 2020 was predicted to be 603 (505 to 701, 95% CI), and the average number of actual visits was 587. Despite the decrease in the number of births, the number of outpatients was expected to increase somewhat. Due to the special situation of COVID-19, the actual number of births and patients was to be slightly lower than the predicted values, but it was that they were within the predicted confidence interval. Time series analysis can be used as a basic tool to prepare for the low fertility era in the field of pediatric dentistry.

Minor orthodontic treatment using a thin wire with high elasticity can shorten the treatment period and reduce the load on the anchorage by the application of light force. Since it can be applied immediately without a dental laboratory procedure and does not require the patient's cooperation, it can be clinically useful. The cases reported here have led to positive results in short periods of treatment, using only a segmented straight 0.012 inch NiTi wire and flowable resin to address various locations within the oral cavity, such as the anterior teeth, premolars, and molars.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the morphological characteristics of the roots and roots canals of primary molar teeth using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT).
A total of 68 CBCT images of children aged 4 - 5 years was used for this study. A total of 160 molar teeth were analyzed. Various parameters such as the number of roots and canals, length of root and root canal, and the angulation and shape of the roots were analyzed.
All maxillary primary molars had 3 roots. The presence of 2 root canals in 1 root was only observed in the mesiobuccal root of maxillary primary second molars. Most mandibular primary molars had 2 roots, and most mesial roots had 2 root canals.
Concerning the length of the roots, the palatal root of the maxillary primary molar was found to be longest whereas the distobuccal root was shortest. In mandibular primary molars, the mesial root was longer than the distal root. In maxillary primary molars, the palatal root had the greatest angulation whereas the distal root has the greatest in mandibular molars. The root and root canals of maxillary primary molars were more curved in shape whereas mandibular primary molars were straight.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the palatal rugae could be used as an appropriate reference area for serial model superimposition following Rapid maxillary expansion(RME) and facemask treatment.
A total of 52 pediatric patients who had undergone RME and facemask treatment were selected. Palate and palatal rugae in the pre- and post- treatment casts from the patients were measured.
In spite of dentoalveolar changes occurred by RME and facemask, anteroposterior changes in palate and palatal rugae were not significant. Anatomical changes of palate and palatal rugae were mostly shown in the transverse dimension. The soft tissue of the palatal rugae stretches in adaptation to hard tissue movement. Among the evaluated landmarks, the medial point of the third palatal rugae seemed to be the most stable.
The observed alterations in the palatal rugae demonstrated the potential of medial points of third palatal rugae as a reference point in model superimpositions to evaluate dental movement within the maxillary arch following RME and facemask treatment.

Epidermoid cysts are rare benign lesions in the oral cavity that may be either congenital or acquired. The cysts are usually slow-growing and asymptomatic until becoming secondarily infected or large enough to interfere with mastication and speech. Consequently, diagnosis is often delayed. The condition is also uncommon in newborns and infants. Most of the lesions occur in the floor of the mouth and rarely in the upper lip. This report describes the case of a 29-month-old girl with a palpable mass in the inner mucosa of the upper lip. The lesion was surgically enucleated using an intraoral approach and histopathologically diagnosed as epidermoid cyst.

Proper treatment of an impacted tooth is required as it causes functional and esthetic disharmony, as well as it can cause root absorption of adjacent teeth. Treatment options for impacted teeth include periodic observation, surgical exposure, orthodontic traction followed by surgical exposure, tooth transplantation, and extraction. Modified Nance appliance, used for orthodontic traction, is clinically useful because it does not require patient cooperation. Through orthodontic traction combined with surgical exposure of impacted maxillary incisors, canines, and molars using modified Nance appliance, adequate results can be obtained.