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Background: This review was based on the following question: "What is the state-of-the-art regarding the effect of zinc exposure in the oral cavity on a population of adults and children, compared to dental products containing materials other than zinc, considering in vivo (clinical trials and observational studies) and in vitro studies?" according to a PICOS strategy format. This study aims to analyze zinc application in dental materials, with different compositions and chemical formulations, considering how mechanical and biological properties may influence its clinical applicability. Methods: In vivo (clinical trials: controlled clinical trials (CCTs) and randomized controlled trials (RCTs); and observational studies: case control and cohort studies) trials or in vitro studies published in English or Italian during the last 10 years on children and adult patients with zinc exposure were included by three different reviewers using the MEDLINE (via PubMed), Scopus, and Web of Science electronic databases. Results: Titles and abstracts were evaluated following the eligibility criteria. The full texts of eligible studies were then reviewed against the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Scientific and technical information of the 33 included studies were collected into evidence tables, reporting data on in vivo and in vitro studies. A narrative approach was adopted. Conclusions: Antibacterial activity was found to be the most studied property of zinc, but further investigations are needed to establish adjuvant zinc therapies in patients with oral disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint is a frequently loaded joint, handling loads up to 90% of bodyweight. First MTP arthrodesis is a frequently performed procedure designed to improve pain in patients with degenerative MTP joint disease. There are a wide variety of fixation constructs for this procedure without consensus on the most effective method. The purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanical integrity of various constructs utilized for first MTP arthrodesis. A systematic review of the literature was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to 18 June 2023. Articles discussing the biomechanics of first MTP arthrodesis constructs were included. A total of 168 articles were retrieved. A total of 20 articles involving 446 cadaveric and synthetic bone constructs were included in the final review. Of the six articles comparing dorsal plating with compression screws to crossed interfragmentary screws, five found that dorsal plating had significantly higher stiffness. All three studies assessing shape-memory staples found them to be significantly less stable than crossed screws or dorsal plates alone. Both studies evaluating fully threaded screws found them to be stronger than crossed cancellous screws. Wedge resections have been shown to be 10 times stronger than standard planar or conical excision. Dorsal plating with compression screws is the gold standard for MTP arthrodesis. However, more research into newer methods such as fully threaded screws and wedge resections with an increased focus on translation to clinical outcomes is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for geopolymer materials is constantly growing. This, in turn, translates into an increasing number of studies aimed at developing new approaches to the methodology of geopolymer synthesis. The range of potential applications of geopolymers can be increased by improving the properties of the components. Future directions of studies on geopolymer materials aim at developing geopolymers showing excellent mechanical properties but also demonstrating significant improvement in thermal, magnetic, or sorption characteristics. Additionally, the current efforts focus not only on the materials' properties but also on obtaining them as a result of environment-friendly approaches performed in line with circular economy assumptions. Scientists look for smart and economical solutions such that a small amount of the modifier will translate into a significant improvement in functional properties. Thus, special attention is paid to the application of nanomaterials. This article presents selected nanoparticles incorporated into geopolymer matrices, including carbon nanotubes, graphene, nanosilica, and titanium dioxide. The review was prepared employing scientific databases, with particular attention given to studies on geopolymer nanocomposites. The purpose of this review article is to discuss geopolymer nanocomposites in the context of a sustainable development approach. Importantly, the main focus is on the influence of these nanomaterials on the physicochemical properties of geopolymer nanocomposites. Such a combination of geopolymer technology and nanotechnology seems to be promising in terms of preparation of nanocomposites with a variety of potential uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-adhesive resin cements (SARCs) are used because of their mechanical properties, ease of cementation protocols, and lack of requirements for acid conditioning or adhesive systems. SARCs are generally dual-cured, photoactivated, and self-cured, with a slight increase in acidic pH, allowing self-adhesiveness and increasing resistance to hydrolysis. This systematic review assessed the adhesive strength of SARC systems luted to different substrates and computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) ceramic blocks. The PubMed/MedLine and Science Direct databases were searched using the Boolean formula [((dental or tooth) AND (self-adhesive) AND (luting or cement) AND CAD-CAM) NOT (endodontics or implants)]. Of the 199 articles obtained, 31 were selected for the quality assessment. Lava Ultimate (resin matrix filled with nanoceramic) and Vita Enamic (polymer-infiltrated ceramic) blocks were the most tested. Rely X Unicem 2 was the most tested resin cement, followed by Rely X Unicem > Ultimate > U200, and μTBS was the test most used. The meta-analysis confirmed the substrate-dependent adhesive strength of SARCs, with significant differences between them and between SARCs and conventional resin-based adhesive cement (α < 0.05). SARCs are promising. However, one must be aware of the differences in the adhesive strengths. An appropriate combination of materials must be considered to improve the durability and stability of restorations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The soft tissue-implant interface requires the formation of epithelium and connective tissue seal to hinder microbial infiltration and prevent epithelial down growth. Nanoporous titanium dioxide (TiO2) surface coatings have shown good potential for promoting soft tissue attachment to implant surfaces. However, the impact of their surface properties on the biological response of gingival cells needs further investigation. This systematic review aimed to investigate the cellular behavior of gingival cells on TiO2-implant abutment coatings based on in vitro studies. The review was performed to answer the question: "How does the surface characteristic of TiO2 coatings influence the gingival cell response in in vitro studies?". A search in MEDLINE/PubMed and the web of science databases from 1990 to 2022 was performed using keywords. A quality assessment of the studies selected was performed using the SciRAP method. A total of 11 publications were selected from the 289 studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The mean reporting and methodologic quality SciRAP scores were 82.7 ± 6.4/100 and 87 ± 4.2/100, respectively. Within the limitations of this in vitro systematic review, it can be concluded that the TiO2 coatings with smooth nano-structured surface topography and good wettability improve gingival cell response compared to non-coated surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zirconia-based materials are widely used in dentistry due to their biocompatibility and suitable mechanical and tribological behavior. Although commonly processed by subtractive manufacturing (SM), alternative techniques are being explored to reduce material waste, energy consumption and production time. 3D printing has received increasing interest for this purpose. This systematic review intends to gather information on the state of the art of additive manufacturing (AM) of zirconia-based materials for dental applications. As far as the authors know, this is the first time that a comparative analysis of these materials' properties has been performed. It was performed following the PRISMA guidelines and using PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases to select studies that met the defined criteria without restrictions on publication year. Stereolithography (SLA) and digital light processing (DLP) were the techniques most focused on in the literature and the ones that led to most promising outcomes. However, other techniques, such as robocasting (RC) and material jetting (MJ), have also led to good results. In all cases, the main concerns are centered on dimensional accuracy, resolution, and insufficient mechanical strength of the pieces. Despite the struggles inherent to the different 3D printing techniques, the commitment to adapt materials, procedures and workflows to these digital technologies is remarkable. Overall, the research on this topic can be seen as a disruptive technological progress with a wide range of application possibilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present systematic review was to perform a qualitative synthesis of in vitro studies that assess the cyclic fatigue resistance of rotary glide path (GP) files of endodontic applications. Systematic electronic searches were performed in the Medline, Embase, Scopus, SciELO, and Web of Science databases on 15 February 2022, and were last updated on 1 April In vitro studies that evaluated and compared the cyclic fatigue resistance of at least one rotary GP file system with another rotary GP file system were included. A total of 25 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. All studies assessing the difference in the cyclic fatigue resistance between continuous and reciprocating rotation in rotary glide path files found that the latter resulted in a significantly higher cyclic fatigue resistance, as evidenced by a higher number of cycles until fracture and/or time until fracture. Within the limitations of this review and the in vitro nature of the included studies, the results indicate that the cyclic fatigue resistance of rotary GP files may be influenced by several intrinsic factors of the files, such as their taper, cross-sectional design, alloy properties, kinematics, and external factors, such as the curvature and radius at which the file is activated, the irrigation or lubricant used, and the temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasma–liquid interaction research has developed substantially in recent years due, mostly, to the numerous applications of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP). Plasma–liquid interactions are influenced by the concentrations of the ionic species present in the liquid environment, and few studies have paid attention to saline water, which generally mediates the reactions in many plasma applications. Therefore, the present review aims to explore the main results and the influence of variables on the modification of properties of saline water by CAP sources following the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The searches were carried out in the Scopus, Science Direct, and Web of Science databases, resulting in the inclusion of 37 studies. The main effects of the interaction between CAP and saline water are (i) the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS); (ii) the increase in conductivity and decrease in pH, directly proportional to the increase in discharge voltage; (iii) and the effective area of interaction and the shortest distance between electrode and solution. Other effects are the localized evaporation and crystallization of salts, which make the interaction between plasma and saline water a promising field in the development of technologies for desalination and improvement of liquid properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared the outcome of fixed prostheses supported by short implants (<8 mm) and longer implants (≥8 mm) with an elevated sinus floor after 5 years of follow-up. The literature searches were performed electronically and manually in PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases to identify relevant articles published from 1 January 2013 to 31 January 2020. We selected eligible studies using inclusion criteria and assessed their quality. From 1688 identified studies, five randomized controlled trials were included. Between the short implant group and the control group, the implant failure-related pooled risk ratio (RR) was 3.64 (p = 0.07). The RR for technical complications was 2.61 (p = 0.0002), favoring longer implants. Marginal peri-implant bone loss after 1 and 5 years of function showed statistically significant less bone loss at short implants (1 year: mean difference = 0.21 mm; p < 0.00001; 5 years: mean difference = 0.26 mm; p = 0.02). The implant failure and the biological failure of both groups were similar after 5 years of follow-up. Short implants could be an alternative to long implants with an elevated sinus floor for atrophic maxillae in aging populations. Studies with larger trials and longer periods of follow-up (10 years) remain essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, implantology has made significant progress, as it has now become a safe and predictable practice. The development of new geometries, primary and secondary, of new surfaces and alloys, has made this possible. The purpose of this review is to analyze the different alloys present on the market, such as that in zirconia, and evaluate their clinical differences with those most commonly used, such as those in grade IV titanium. The review, conducted on major scientific databases such as Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science and MDPI yielded a startling number of 305 results. After the application of the filters and the evaluation of the results in the review, only 10 Randomized Clinical Trials (RCTs) were included. Multiple outcomes were considered, such as Marginal Bone Level (MBL), Bleeding on Probing (BoP), Survival Rate, Success Rate and parameters related to aesthetic and prosthetic factors. There are currently no statistically significant differences between the use of zirconia implants and titanium implants, neither for fixed prosthetic restorations nor for overdenture restorations. Only the cases reported complain about the rigidity and, therefore, the possibility of fracture of the zirconium. Certainly the continuous improvement in these materials will ensure that they could be used safely while maintaining their high aesthetic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to reduce the impact of human activities on the environment, in 2015, the United Nations launched the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, proposing 17 Sustainable Development Goals with 169 associated targets. It is well-known that the construction industry is a major contributor to global CO2 emissions, and if a solution to reduce construction activity is not possible, considering the increasing population, then other solutions must be developed to decrease their negative environmental impact. In this context, the purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the use of wood waste as a building material can be a solution to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The research procedure included a bibliometric literature search, a scientometric analysis and an in-depth discussion. The analysis was done with the help of the software VOSviewer and Bibliometrix; the data were extracted mainly from the ISI Web of Science database. The extraction of data was done using the PRISMA method, and thus a sample of 212 peer-reviewed journal articles was established. The main results indicate an increasing interest in this topic in the last several years, as well as a switch from considering wood waste as just a source to generate heat and energy to the use of wood waste as a building material. The main uses of wood waste as a building material are in the composition of particleboards and in various mortar and concrete mixtures. The field of wood waste has many potential directions towards future development, and if the immense treasure represented by the forests, and implicitly the wood, is used efficiently, it can be a good solution to the problem of sustainable development of society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To prevent re-infection and provide a hermetic seal of the root canal system, an endodontist must aim to produce a void-free obturation. This review aimed to compare the completeness of root canal obturation between the two most prevalent methods—cold lateral condensation and warm gutta-percha techniques—using micro-CT (PROSPERO reg no. 249815). Materials and Methods: A search of Scopus, Embase, PubMed (Medline via PubMed), and Web of Science databases was done without any time restriction according to the PRISMA protocol. Articles that compared both techniques and were published in English were included. Data was extracted and the risk of bias was assessed using an adapted tool based on previous studies. Results: A total of 141 studies were identified by the search. Following the screening and selection of articles, 9 studies were included for review. Data was extracted manually and tabulated. Most studies had a moderate risk of bias. None determined operator skill in both methods before comparison. The data extracted from the included studies suggests that both techniques produce voids in the obturation. The thermoplasticized gutta-percha techniques may result in fewer voids compared to cold lateral condensation. Conclusion: Considering the limitations of the included studies, it was concluded that neither technique could completely obturate the root canal. Thermoplasticized gutta-percha techniques showed better outcomes despite a possible learning bias in favor of cold lateral condensation. Establishing operator skills before comparison may help reduce this bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To qualitatively and quantitatively review the use of melatonin as a topical/systemic formulation for the management of periodontitis. Materials and methods: PubMed; Scopus; and Web of Science databases were searched using the MesH terms "melatonin" and "periodontitis". Title and abstracts were screened to eliminate irrelevant and duplicate articles. The full text data of the screened articles were assessed using the selection criteria. Results: Of 176 identified articles (PubMed-66; Scopus-56; Web of Science-52; Cross-reference-2), only 12 studies qualified to be included in the systematic review. Four studies assessed the independent effect of 1% topical melatonin formulation while 8 articles assessed the adjunctive use of systemic melatonin formulation (1–10 mg) following scaling and root planing (SRP). All studies showed an improvement in periodontal parameters such as pocket depth, clinical attachment loss, periodontal disease index, community periodontal index, gingival bleeding scores, and prognostic marker levels in saliva and serum. A meta-analysis of data from 2 studies revealed that 1–2 mg (systemic) melatonin supplementation reduced pocket depth; although the difference was not statistically significant and hence cannot be interpreted or used for conclusive evidence. Risk of Bias Assessment tool (RoBANS) and Cochrane Collaboration RoB tool elicited a high risk of bias in the included studies. GRADE (recommendation assessment, development, and evaluation) inferred a weak recommendation for the use of melatonin in periodontitis management. Conclusions: Melatonin supplementation (topical and systemic) in periodontitis patients improved key periodontal parameters including pocket depth and clinical attachment loss. Clinical relevance: Melatonin could be a potential host modulatory agent for periodontitis management; although the data from the present review should be interpreted carefully due to the associated high risk of bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers have developed novel nanocomposites that incorporate additional biomaterials with dimethylaminohexadecyl methacrylate (DMAHDM) in order to reduce secondary caries. The aim of this review was to summarize the current literature and assess the synergistic antibacterial and remineralizing effects that may contribute to the prevention of secondary caries. An electronic search was undertaken in MEDLINE using PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane databases. The initial search identified 954 papers. After the removal of duplicates and screening the titles and abstracts, 15 articles were eligible for this review. The amalgamation of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with DMAHDM resulted in increased antibacterial potency. The addition of nanoparticles of amorphous calcium phosphate (NACP) and polyamidoamine dendrimers (PAMAM) resulted in improved remineralization potential. Further clinical studies need to be planned to explore the antibacterial and remineralizing properties of these novel composites for clinical success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional cancer treatments, such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, are still the most effective clinical practice options. However, these treatments may display moderate to severe side effects caused by their low temporal or spatial resolution. In this sense, photonic nanomedicine therapies have been arising as an alternative to traditional cancer treatments since they display more control of temporal and spatial resolution, thereby yielding fewer side effects. In this work, we reviewed the challenge of current cancer treatments, using the PubMed and Web of Science database, focusing on the advances of three prominent therapies approached by photonic nanomedicine: (i) photothermal therapy; (ii) photodynamic therapy; (iii) photoresponsive drug delivery systems. These photonic nanomedicines act on the cancer cells through different mechanisms, such as hyperthermic effect and delivery of chemotherapeutics and species that cause oxidative stress. Furthermore, we covered the recent advances in materials science applied in photonic nanomedicine, highlighting the main classes of materials used in each therapy, their applications in the context of cancer treatment, as well as their advantages, limitations, and future perspectives. Finally, although some photonic nanomedicines are undergoing clinical trials, their effectiveness in cancer treatment have already been highlighted by pre-clinical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many different osteotomy procedures has been proposed in the literature for dental implant site preparation. The osseodensification is a drilling technique that has been proposed to improve the local bone quality and implant stability in poor density alveolar ridges. This technique determines an expansion of the implant site by increasing the density of the adjacent bone. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the effectiveness of the osseodensification technique for implant site preparation through a literature review and meta-analysis. The database electronic research was performed on PubMed (Medline) database for the screening of the scientific papers. A total of 16 articles have been identified suitable for the review and qualitative analysis—11 clinical studies (eight on animals, three on human subjects), four literature reviews, and one case report. The meta-analysis was performed to compare the bone-to-implant contact % (BIC), bone area fraction occupied % (BAFO), and insertion torque of clockwise and counter-clockwise osseodensification procedure in animal studies. The included articles reported a significant increase in the insertion torque of the implants positioned through the osseodensification protocol compared to the conventional drilling technique. Advantages of this new technique are important above all when the patient has a strong missing and/or low quantity of bone tissue. The data collected until the drafting of this paper detect an improvement when the osseodensification has been adopted if compared to the conventional technique. A significant difference in BIC and insertion torque between the clockwise and counter-clockwise osseodensification procedure was reported, with no difference in BAFO measurements between the two approaches. The effectiveness of the present study demonstrated that the osseodensification drilling protocol is a useful technique to obtain increased implant insertion torque and bone to implant contact (BIC) in vivo. Further randomized clinical studies are required to confirm these pieces of evidence in human studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The clinical use of zirconia implants has been shown to increase steadily due to their biological, aesthetic, and physical properties; therefore, this bibliometric study aimed to review the clinical research and co-authors in the field of zirconia dental implant rehabilitation. Methods: We searched Scopus and Web of Science databases using a comprehensive search strategy to 5 October 2020, and independently paired reviewers who screened studies, and collected data with inclusion criteria restricted to clinical research only (either prospective or retrospective). Data on article title, co-authors, number of citations received, journal details, publication year, country and institution involved, funding, study design, marginal bone loss, survival rate, failure, follow-up, and the author's bibliometric data were collected and evaluated. Results: A total of 29 clinical studies were published between 2008 and 2020 as 41.4% were prospective cohort studies and 48.3% originated from Germany. Most of the included studies had been published in Clinical Oral Implant Research (n = 12), and the most productive institution was the Medical Center of University of Freiburg. The author with the largest number of clinical studies on zirconia implants was Kohal R.J. (n = 10), followed by Spies B.C. (n = 8). Conclusions: This study revealed that zirconia implants have been more prominent in the last ten years, which is a valuable option for oral rehabilitation with marginal bone loss and survival rate comparable to titanium dental implants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, general studies on Selective Laser Melting (SLM)/Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)/direct metal deposition (DMD) technologies, as well as studies on detailed issues in this area, have been carried out. However, a research gap is observed in investigations into the features of single tracks in the above-mentioned technologies. On the basis of data published in 2016–2019, an approach was adopted for a preliminary quantitative analysis of the knowledge base and also trends observed in the development of new technologies. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of the data mining technique based on the Bayes algorithm for analyzing trends in processes of additive manufacturing and the practical application of the knowledge received using the Bayes algorithm. After the analyses referred to above were completed, single and double layers of a composite material based on the Ni-based alloy and Fe–Al bronze were analyzed under different processing conditions. The effects of laser spot speeds and pitches on microhardness, microstructure, and interlayers' features were described. So, the innovative approach, namely, the combination of the analysis of the scientific database of the phenomenon under study and the subsequent experimental investigation of its features, is the scientific novelty of the present study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To perform a systematic review (SR) of existing literature and a patent landscape report (PLR) regarding the potential applications of shape-memory polymers (SMPs) in dentistry. Search strategy: Clinical and Biomedical online databases (Pubmed, Medline via Embase, Scopus, LILACS, Web of Science, Cochrane Library), Materials Science and Engineering databases (IEEE Explore, Compendex, Proquest), Material Science and Chemical database (Reaxys) so as Patents databases (Questel-Orbit, Espacenet, Patentscope) were consulted as recently as January 2019 to identify all papers and patents potentially relevant to the review. The reference lists of all eligible studies were hand searched for additional published work. Results: After duplicate selection and extraction procedures, 6 relevant full-text articles from the initial 302 and 45 relevant patents from 497 were selected. A modified Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) checklist of 14 items for reporting pre-clinical in-vitro studies was used to rate the methodological quality of the selected papers. The overall quality was judged low. Conclusions: Despite the great potential and versatility of SMPs, it was not possible to draw evidence-based conclusions supporting their immediate employment in clinical dentistry. This was due to the weak design and a limited number of studies included within this review and reflects the fact that additional research is mandatory to determine whether or not the use of SMPs in dentistry could be effective. Nevertheless, the qualitative analysis of selected papers and patents indicate that SMPs are promising materials in dentistry because of their programmable physical properties. These findings suggest the importance of furtherly pursuing this line of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]