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The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of a smartphone application for instruction of radiographic differential diagnosis of maxillofacial bony lesions as an aid to enhance to traditional learning (lecture‐based learning) for dental students. This quasi‐experimental study evaluated 50 fifth‐year dental students who were randomly divided into two groups. The two groups were matched in terms of grade point average to ensure their equal baseline knowledge level. The experimental group (n= 25) received instructions regarding differential diagnosis of maxillofacial bony lesions via a self‐designed smartphone application, while the control group (n= 25) received lecture‐based instruction of the same topic. The students participated in a written exam (10 questions) immediately and 2 months after the interventions. Each question had 3 differential diagnosis choices. The best answer choice was allocated a score of 0.5, while other answer choices were allocated a score of 0.25. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA, and Mann‐Whitney Uand Wilcoxon tests. The mean score of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group immediately after the intervention (p< 0.001) and also at 2 months (p< 0.001). The mixed effect linear model revealed that after controlling for the effect of age and sex, the mean score of the experimental group was still significantly higher than that of the control group immediately and at 2 months after the intervention (p< 0.001). Smartphone‐based mobile learning can effectively enhance the knowledge and practical skills of dental students in differential diagnosis of maxillofacial bony lesions as an aid to enhance to traditional learning.

Aim: One of the main steps in a successful endodontic treatment is determining the correct working length (WL) of the root canal. In this regard, electronic apex locators (EAL) have been widely used for measuring the WL. The accuracy of EALs in determining the WL may be influenced by various factors. This study is aimed to evaluate the effects of apical patency, coronal preflaring, and calcium hydroxide on the accuracy of the EAL.Materials and Methods: In this in vitrostudy, 20 central incisor single-rooted human teeth with fully formed apex were considered. Then, samples were randomly divided into two study groups, ten samples in each group. The WL was determined and recorded at 0.5 mm distance to the apex using Root ZX apex locator before and after creating patency, coronal preflaring, and calcium hydroxide administration. All WLs were measured separately for each tooth and reviewed independently by two experienced operators with extensive experience in using EALs. Paired ttest and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were applied and the significant level was at .05.Results: Statistical analysis of the obtained data showed a significant decline in the WL after apical patency and coronal preflaring (P< .05). Moreover, WL exhibited a significant enhancement after calcium hydroxide application (P< .05).Conclusion: Apical patency and coronal preflaring increased the accuracy of apex locators in determining the WL of the teeth. Besides, calcium hydroxide residues in the root canal reduced the accuracy of the apex locator.

A cephalometric analysis especially designed for the patient who requires maxillofacial surgery was developed to use landmarks and measurements that can be altered by common surgical procedures. Identification of landmarks in cephalometry is very important and useful for orthognathic surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of linear measurement based on digital lateral cephalograms (DLC) and on lateral cephalograms obtained from cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans.