https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/427 2026-06-27T09:57:57Z 2026-06-27T09:57:57Z Teixeira-Neto, Alexandre Domingues Ayres, Ana Paula Akhmad, Rafik de Moura e Costa, Alan Jony Burgoa, Shaban No-Cortes, Juliana Gutierrez, Virgilio Beuer, Florian Cortes, Arthur R. G. https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/147357 2026-06-12T13:40:48Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Digital workflow for a customized 3D-printed palatal stent to protect the donor site for connective tissue grafting Authors: Teixeira-Neto, Alexandre Domingues; Ayres, Ana Paula; Akhmad, Rafik; de Moura e Costa, Alan Jony; Burgoa, Shaban; No-Cortes, Juliana; Gutierrez, Virgilio; Beuer, Florian; Cortes, Arthur R. G. Abstract: Connective tissue grafting remains the gold standard method for soft tissue augmentation in periodontal therapy. However, donor site morbidity is a challenge, as patient discomfort is frequently reported due to prolonged healing time with pain, inflammation, bleeding, and sometimes even infection. Current techniques aim to avoid complications by relying on collagen membranes, platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), and palatal stents. This report introduces a digital workflow to fabricate 3D-printed palatal stents individualized on virtual patients using an implant planning software program. The 3D-printed palatal stent is suggested to be more comfortable and effective to achieve better patient-reported outcomes related to connective tissue grafting; Bindegewebetransplantate (BGT) sind nach wie vor der Goldstandard für die Weichgewebeaugmentation in der Parodontalchirurgie. Problematisch bleibt jedoch die Morbidität der Entnahmestelle, denn die Patienten berichten häufig von Beschwerden aufgrund des langwierigen Heilungsprozesses mit Schmerzen, Entzündung, Blutung und in manchen Fällen sogar einer Infektion. Neuere Techniken versuchen solche Komplikationen mithilfe von Kollagenmembranen, thrombozytenreichem Fibrin (PRF) und Verbandplatten zu verhindern. Dieser Fallbericht zeigt einen digitalen Workflow für die Herstellung 3D-gedruckter Verbandplatten für den Gaumen, die nach Erstellung eines digitalen Patienten in einer Implantatplanungssoftware individuell konstruiert werden. Die 3D-gedruckte palatinale Verbandplatte verbessert den Komfort und die Patient-Reported Outcomes im Zusammenhang mit Bindegewebetransplantationen.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Dawa, Hossam Aroso, Carlos Vinhas, Ana Sofia Cortes, Arthur R. G. https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145595 2026-04-15T05:36:39Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Artificial intelligence architectures in oral rehabilitation : a focused review of deep learning models for implant planning, prosthodontic design, and peri-implant diagnosis Authors: Dawa, Hossam; Aroso, Carlos; Vinhas, Ana Sofia; Cortes, Arthur R. G. Abstract: Deep learning is increasingly integrated into oral rehabilitation workflows, particularly in implant planning, prosthodontic design automation, and peri-implant diagnosis. However, reported performance is heterogeneous and difficult to compare across tasks, modalities, and validation designs. The goal of this study was to critically analyze deep learning architecture families applied to oral rehabilitation and to provide task-driven selection guidance supported by an evidence table reporting dataset characteristics, validation strategy, and performance metrics. A focused narrative review was conducted using transparent, database-specific search criteria (final n = 10 included studies), emphasizing implant planning (cone–beam computed tomography [CBCT]-based segmentation), prosthodontic design (intraoral scan [IOS]/mesh inputs), and peri-implant diagnosis (periapical/panoramic radiographs). Evidence certainty for each clinical task was assessed using GRADE-informed ratings (High/Moderate/Low/Very Low). Extracted variables included clinical task, imaging modality, dataset size, architecture, validation strategy (in ternal vs. internal + external), split level, ground truth protocol, and performance metrics. Astructured computational and hardware feasibility analysis was conducted for each architecture family to support real-world deployment planning. Encoder–decoder networks (U-Net/nnU-Net) dominate CBCT segmentation for implant planning, while detection architectures (Faster R-CNN, YOLO) support implant localization and peri-implant assess ment on radiographs. Generative models (3D GANs, transformer-based point-to-mesh networks) enable crown design from three-dimensional scans. Hybrid CNN–Transformer architectures show promise for multimodal CBCT–IOS fusion, though direct evidence from the included studies remains limited to a single study. External validation remains uncommonyetessential given the risk of domain shift. In conclusion, architecture selection should be anchored to task geometry (2D vs. 3D), artifact burden, and required clinical output type. Reporting standards should prioritize dataset transparency, validation rigor, multi-center external testing, and uncertainty-aware outputs.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Cortes, Arthur R. G. Barbosa, Joana Gonçalves, Virgínia Henriques, Bruno Sarmento, Bruno Rodrigues, Célia Fortuna Souza, Júlio C. M. Tiritan, Maria Elizabeth Vieira Brito, Nuno Bezerra Cass, Quezia Dinis-Oliveira, Ricardo Jorge Warnakulasuriya, Saman Bolanos-Garcia, Victor M. Bousbaa, Hassan https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/143664 2026-02-13T13:42:09Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Progress and insights in health and biomedical research Authors: Cortes, Arthur R. G.; Barbosa, Joana; Gonçalves, Virgínia; Henriques, Bruno; Sarmento, Bruno; Rodrigues, Célia Fortuna; Souza, Júlio C. M.; Tiritan, Maria Elizabeth; Vieira Brito, Nuno; Bezerra Cass, Quezia; Dinis-Oliveira, Ricardo Jorge; Warnakulasuriya, Saman; Bolanos-Garcia, Victor M.; Bousbaa, Hassan Abstract: On behalf of the Editorial Team of Scientific Letters, we are pleased to announce the publication of the journal’s fourth issue. In 2025, Scientific Letters continued its mission of disseminating high-quality open-access research across the fields of biology and medicine. The two review articles and five original research papers published this year highlight both foundational biological mechanisms and pressing clinical and public health issues. João Carvalho et al. performed a systematic integrative review addressing different orthodontic approaches to the traction of impacted canines. Their work critically analyzed existing techniques, highlighting the advantages and limitations of surgical and orthodontic strategies, and emphasizing the importance of individualized treatment planning to optimize functional and esthetic outcomes. This review contributes valuable guidance for clinical decision-making in orthodontic practice.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z DeVito-Moraes, André Guaraci Vardasca, Isabela Souza Peñarrocha-Diago, Miguel Cortes, Arthur R. G. https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/143663 2026-02-13T13:29:03Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Impact of different yttrium oxide concentrations and sintering protocols on the flexural strength and optical properties of monolithic zirconia Authors: DeVito-Moraes, André Guaraci; Vardasca, Isabela Souza; Peñarrocha-Diago, Miguel; Cortes, Arthur R. G. Abstract: This study investigates the mechanical and optical properties of monolithic zirconia used in dentistry, focusing on how different concentrations of yttrium oxide and varied sintering times affect the material. A critical trade-off in ceramics has been reported in the literature, in which increased crystalline content (like in zirconia) leads to higher mechanical strength but lower aesthetic translucency. However, detailed information on this trade-off process for different types of zirconia is lacking. A total of seven types of zirconia varying in yttria content (3 mol% to 5 mol%) were tested across four sintering protocols available in a laboratory zirconia sintering device: Slow (12 h), Standard (8 h), Fast (3.5 h), and Ultrafast (1.15 h). The primary findings indicate that while a higher yttria concentration correlates with lower flexural strength and high translucency, the sintering time generally did not compromise mechanical strength or color variation across most samples. Nevertheless, the Fast and Ultrafast protocols did significantly reduce the translucency of zirconia with a high concentration of yttrium oxide.

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