Background: Clear aligner therapy (CAT) offers aesthetic and hygienic advantages over traditional fixed orthodontic appliances. However, its uptake is influenced by patients' knowledge, attitudes, perceptions (KAP) and acceptance of the treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the KAP towards CAT among patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment and to identify demographic and socioeconomic factors influencing these attitudes. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at a private hospital in Lagos, Nigeria, involving all consenting follow-up orthodontic patients undergoing fixed appliance orthodontic therapy. A validated self-administered questionnaire assessed demographic characteristics and KAP toward CAT. Data were analysed using SPSS v26 and R software, employing chi-square and logistic regression. Results: Among 232 participants, only 50% had heard of CAT, and just 27.6% demonstrated good knowledge. About 52.2% showed a positive attitude, and 50.9% had a favourable perception. Significant associations were found between attitude and age (p = 0.022), education (p = 0.030), ethnicity (p = 0.035), and income (p = 0.013). Income uncertainty was a negative predictor of a favourable attitude (OR = 0.42, p = 0.025). Conclusion: Knowledge of CAT among patients treated with fixed appliances is limited, despite moderate awareness and positive attitudes. Educational and economic factors significantly influence acceptance. Improved education and affordability could enhance uptake of aligner therapy.

Background: Root fractures represent a relatively rare form of dental trauma and are often challenging to identify using routine clinical examination and conventional radiographic techniques. Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial for appropriate treatment planning and to achieve favourable clinical outcomes. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has gained attention in dentistry due to its ability to analyze imaging data with high precision and assist clinicians in diagnostic decision-making. Purpose: The aim of this systematic review is to assess the role and diagnostic effectiveness of artificial intelligence in identifying root fractures. Study selection: A systematic literature search was performed using PUBMED, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and COCHRANE Library with language restriction to English. The search was carried out incorporating the published literature till 2025 using the MeSH (medical subject heading) terms. A literature search was done out of 205 publications, related to search strategy, 57 full articles, which were related to the study, were acquired for further inspection. Out of the 57 articles, 9 articles met the inclusion criteria. Information related to study characteristics, types of AI models used, imaging techniques, and reported diagnostic performance was collected and reviewed. Results: The findings from the 9 selected studies indicate that AI systems, especially deep learning models such as convolutional neural networks, demonstrate considerable potential in detecting root fractures in dental images. Many investigations reported strong diagnostic performance with notable levels of accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. These findings highlight the significant potential of AI-assisted analysis helped improve diagnostic consistency and supported clinicians in recognizing fractures that may be difficult to detect through visual assessment alone. Conclusion and Relevance: Artificial intelligence shows significant promise as a supportive diagnostic tool for the detection of root fractures. Despite the encouraging results, further well-designed studies with larger datasets and clinical validation are required before AI technologies can be widely integrated into routine dental practice. Artificial intelligence enhances the accuracy and consistency of root fracture detection, aiding clinicians in early and reliable diagnosis. Its integration into dental imaging can reduce diagnostic errors and support timely treatment decisions.

Background: The role of histopathology as a tool in diagnosing chronic osteomyelitis (COM) in Ghana has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the importance of histopathology as a tool in diagnosing and describing the clinicopathological features of COM in sequestrectomy and other small biopsy specimens. Material and methods: The following data on 75 patients with COM were collected: age, gender, primary and associated symptoms, history of prior trauma and the use of herbal treatment. The data was analysed using SPSS software version 26.0 (Chicago). Descriptive statistics were used to describe the data. Fisher’s exact test was used to compare clinical variables of significance. Results: The median age of the patients was 12.0 years, with a male: female ratio of 2:1. The commonest primary presentation was a painful swelling 55 (73.3%, p<0.001). The sites commonly involved were: tibia (34.7%), femur (22.7%) and hip joint (10.7%). Approximately, 84.8% (p<0.001) of those with additional complains had a discharging sinus. A total of 27 (36.0%) patients had history of prior trauma, while, 41 (54.6%) had history of prior use of herbal treatment. There was a significant association between discharging sinus tract and the use of herbal medicine (P= 0.009). There was also an association between trauma and herbal medicine usage (p = 0.011). Conclusion: Chronic osteomyelitis commonly affect young males, with the long bones of the axial skeleton being the common site of infection. Prior trauma and the use of herbal medicine for fracture managements were the common risk factors.

Medical students are future healthcare leaders whose personal health behaviors influence their clinical advocacy. This study assessed oral hygiene knowledge, practices, and clinical status among medical students at the University of Dongola, Sudan, and explored barriers to maintaining optimal oral health. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between July and December 2024 among 208 students in Years 2 and 6, using a validated questionnaire and clinical examinations. Data included demographics, brushing habits, awareness of systemic links, and perceived barriers. Statistical analysis employed Pearson’s Chi-square test (P < 0.05). Most participants were female (66.0%) and aged 20–24 years. A significant knowledge–practice gap was observed: although 78.0% acknowledged oral health importance, only 41.0% brushed twice daily. Caries prevalence was 54.0%, and 67.3% were categorized as having poor oral hygiene. No significant associations were found between hygiene status and gender (P = 0.556) or academic level (P = 0.995). Academic workload was the most cited barrier (70.2%). Awareness of oral health links with diabetes (44.2%) and heart disease (30.8%) was limited. Findings reveal poor oral hygiene practices and high caries prevalence among medical students, highlighting the need for curriculum integration of oral health modules and preventive screening programs to foster healthier behaviors and effective health advocacy.