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The COVID-19 pandemic has had a deep impact on university education, necessitating an abrupt shift from face-to-face learning to distance learning (DL). This has created new challenges, especially for those courses in which practical activities and internships are integral parts of the education program. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of DL on the study progress of a population of pregraduate students of medicine, dentistry, and healthcare professions. The survey was administered through an anonymous questionnaire by sharing a Google Forms link. Demographic data and educational background information were collected to obtain a profile of the participants. Different aspects of DL were investigated, including availability of digital devices, quality of connection, and environmental conditions; other questions focused on the effects of DL on students’ progress and professional maturation. Measures of association were also calculated using the chi-squared test, Cramer V, and Somers D. Among the 372 who participated, the results showed that students had a positive attitude toward online classroom and that DL did not substantially affect their progress. Most of the associations were statistically significant, also highlighting the effect of the degree course on the responses. Some critical issues clearly emerged, however, including the lack of adequate devices and environmental conditions due to economic disparity, poor relationships, suspension of internship programs, and clinical training. The results suggest that DL cannot be considered as a substitute for classroom-based medical education outside an emergency context.

(1) Background: BioHPP® (Bredent, UK) is a partially crystalline poly ether ether ketone (PEEK) that is strengthened using ceramic. PEEK and its various formulations represent a very interesting alternative, and has been in-depth with its literature in recent years; (2) Methods: A PubMed and Scopus search for the term “BioHPP” yielded 73 results and 42 articles which were included in this short review. Considering the scarce literature on the subject, each article was considered in this review; (3) Results: the articles analyzed are very recent, all published in the last 5 years. Their clinical evaluation of BioHPP® highlights many positive aspects, and few articles have highlighted critical issues in its multiple clinical applications; (4) Conclusions: this material is not only extremely interesting for the future, but possesses characteristics suitable for clinical application today, for endocrowns, small adhesive bridges, temporary prostheses and for immediate loads on implant restorations. The excellent aesthetics and the possibility of simple reprocessing of the restorations made with this material invite its clinical application.

Piezoelectric devices are widely used in oral surgical procedures, including implant site preparation. However, little is known about the influence of working movement on temperature elevation in bone. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of two different working cycles on temperature elevation during piezoelectric implant site preparation. Sixty osteotomies at a depth of 10 mm were performed on bone blocks of bovine ribs using a piezoelectric tip with external irrigation (IM1s, Mectron Medical Technology, Carasco, Italy). A mechanical positioning device was used to guarantee reproducible working and measuring conditions. Two different working cycles, of 4 and 6 s, respectively, were tested, including both longitudinal and rotational movements. Temperature was recorded in real time with a fiber optic thermometer and applied pressure was maintained under 150 g. For each test, the highest recorded temperature (Tmax) and the mean temperature recorded from 30 s before to 30 s after the highest recorded temperature (T&plusmn, 30) were extrapolated. Tests duration was also recorded. Both Tmax and T&plusmn, 30 were significantly higher in the &lsquo, 6 s cycles&rsquo, group than the &lsquo, 4 s cycles&rsquo, group (42.44 &plusmn, 7.3 &deg, C vs. 37.24 &plusmn, 4.6 &deg, C, p = 0.002, 37.24 &plusmn, C vs. 33.30 &plusmn, 3.3 &deg, C, p = 0.003). Test duration was also significantly higher using 6 s cycles compared to 4 s cycles (143.17 &plusmn, 29.4 s vs. 119.80 &plusmn, 36.4 s, p = 0.002). The results of this study indicate that working cycles of 4 s effectively reduce heat generation and working time during piezoelectric implant site preparation.

Several antiseptic agents have been proposed for the treatment of peri-implantitis as a complementary therapeutic strategy in addition to mechanical devices. The aim of this study was to compare six different antiseptics, as well as alternative formulations of the same chemical agent, with respect to their decontamination efficacy and impact on chemical properties of the implant surface. Titanium disks with a micro-rough surface, previously contaminated with Porphyromonas gingivalis and Streptococcus mutans biofilms, were treated for 2 min with different antiseptics (liquid sodium hypochlorite 5.25%, gel sodium hypochlorite 5.25%, liquid chlorhexidine 0.2%, gel chlorhexidine 1%, gel citric acid 40%, and gel orthophosphoric acid 37%) or sterile saline solution (control) and their antibacterial activity as well as their ability to remove biofilm were assessed by viable bacterial count and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Spectroscopic analysis was also performed on non-contaminated disks after exposure to the antiseptics, in order to detect any change in the elemental composition of the titanium surface. All the antimicrobial formulations examined were effective against P. gingivalis and S. mutans biofilms. SEM analysis revealed however that liquid sodium hypochlorite 5.25% was more effective in dissolving biofilm residues. Spectroscopic analysis detected traces of the antiseptics, probably due to insufficient rinsing of the titanium surfaces. In conclusion, since gel formulations of these antiseptic agents possessed a similar antibacterial activity to the liquid formulations, these may be proposed as alternative treatments given their properties to avoid overflows and increase contact time without significant side effects on the bone.