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Candida auris was reported by the WHO as second to Cryptococcus neoformans, in the list of nineteen fungal priority pathogens, along with two species with a new nomenclature, Nakaseomyces glabrata (Candida glabrata) and Pichia kudriavzevii (Candida krusei). This novel classification was based on antifungal resistance, the number of deaths, evidence-based treatment, access to diagnostics, annual incidence, and complications and sequelae. We assessed which molecular assays have been used to diagnose Candida auris outbreaks in the last five years. Using “Candida auris; outbreak; molecular detection” as keywords, our search in PubMed revealed 32 results, from which we selected 23 original papers published in 2019–2024. The analyzed studies revealed that the detection methods were very different: from the VITEK® 2 System to MALDI TOF (Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight), NGS (Next-Generation Sequencing), WGS (Whole Genome Sequencing), and commercially available real-time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) assays. Moreover, we identified studies that detected antifungal resistance genes (e.g., FKS for echinocandins and ERG11 for azoles). The analyzed outbreaks were from all continents, which confirms the capability of this yeast to spread between humans and to contaminate the environment. It is important that real-time PCR assays were developed for accurate and affordable detection by all laboratories, including the detection of antifungal resistance genes. This will allow the fast and efficient implementation of stewardship programs in hospitals.

The concept “Molar Incisor Hypomineralization” (MIH) was introduced in 2001 to specify enamel hypomineralization impacting one or more permanent first molars, commonly accompanied by the involvement of one or more permanent incisors. The severity of carious lesions can be influenced and exacerbated by alterations in the structure of enamel and dentin. Consequently, MIH syndrome (Molar Incisor Hypomineralization syndrome) may pose a significant health concern for pediatric, adolescent, and young adult patients, as well as their tutors or caregivers, and for both pediatric and general dental practitioners. MIH syndrome is gaining considerable attention amongst worldwide clinicians and pediatric dentists as a result of its extensive clinical impact on oral health and quality of life and its various consequences (immediate, medium and long term) on the dental arch development, occlusion and psychological impact on the pediatric patient.

The decisive role of chronic occlusal trauma in causing tissue stress is widely recognized. It could be the condition that facilitates bacterial infection of the periodontium and the transformation of saprophytic flora into opportunistic pathogens. Abnormal stressors such as malocclusion, parafunctions, and lingual dysfunction are present in the vast majority of cases of chronic gingival and periodontal inflammation. Treatment involving occlusal balancing by selective occlusal adjustment generates enormous changes in dental and periodontal areas regarding microcirculation, leading to improved tissue tropism and, consequently, bacterial dynamics. This study aimed to determine the benefits of treating periodontitis patients with combined occlusal adjustment and oral hygiene procedures compared to oral hygiene procedures used alone. The results show that one month after treatment, the bacterial flora of patients in group 2, treated by occlusal adjustment and dental hygiene procedures, showed a significantly higher cocci content than Group 1, treated only by oral hygiene. This difference reached an extremely high significance level (p

This study aimed to evaluate the degree of periodontal involvement in subjects with and without bruxism, with generalized chronic periodontitis of varying severity grades, and to assess the effects of occlusal correction therapy in association with non-surgical periodontal therapy on periodontal status. The following periodontal parameters were analyzed: probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), Papilar bleeding index (PBI) and Plaque Index (PI), and X-rays, at the initial (pre-therapeutic) moment and at 3 months after therapy completion. The present study demonstrated that bruxism generates significant clinical changes in a periodontopathic environment. High values of periodontal attachment loss, recessions, missing teeth, tooth mobility, and furcation lesions translate into major losses of periodontal tissue in patients with periodontal disease and bruxism. Periodontal therapy, combined with occlusal correction and bruxism therapy, resulted in statistically significant improvements in periodontal parameters. Thus, occlusal trauma therapy in patients with bruxism becomes an absolute necessity in periodontal therapy.

Background and Objectives: Haller Cells (HCs) represent the abnormal migration of ethmoid cells that are located below the ethmoid bulla at the level of the upper wall of the maxillary sinus. Through their placement, the cells can exert a mass effect on the infundibulum of the maxillary sinus. The aim of our study is to investigate the prevalence of Haller cells in the Romanian population and to evaluate the relationship between this anatomical variation and chronic rhinosinusitis. Secondly, we want to morphometrically evaluate the impact of Haller cells’ presence in the drainage paths of the maxillary sinuses. Materials and Methods: We conducted a randomised retrospective study that included 255 consecutive multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) scans of the head. To carry out a comparative evaluation of the association of Haller cells with chronic rhinosinusitis, we divided the patients into two subgroups, a seasonal-based sample, between November 2022 and January 2023, and June 2023 and August 2023, respectively. We report the mean ± standard deviation for the continuous variables. To compare the results, we used the following statistical tests: a chi-squared test and a paired Student’s t-test (one-tail). Results: Our study identified a high prevalence of Haller cells, namely in 128 out of 255 patients (50.2%). There were no statistically significant associations between the presence of HCs and the age and the gender of the sample, respectively. The unilocular morphotype predominates in unilateral shapes and in bilateral shapes as well (p = 0.002). Our study identified the correlation between the Haller cells and the chronic rhinosinusitis in both research samples: “Winter group” and “Summer group” (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.0001, respectively). Conclusions: It was determined that for 40 out of 42 patients, the presence of HCs changes the morphometric pattern of the infundibular maxillary sinus.

Background and Objectives: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of gastric acid associated with the effect of toothbrushing on the surface roughness of different types of composite resin used for direct restorations. Materials and Methods: The materials used in this study were two microhybrid (Filtek Z250, Herculite XRV) and two nanohybrid (Filtek Z550, Herculite XRV Ultra) composite resins. Two hundred and forty cylindrical samples with a height of 2 mm and a diameter of 6 mm were divided into four groups (groups A, B, C and D) corresponding to each tested material (n = 60). Each group was divided in two subgroups: subgroup I—the samples were submersed in hydrochloric acid and immediately submitted to toothbrushing; subgroup II—the samples were submitted only to toothbrushing. The simulation of the acid attack was performed by immersing the samples in a 0.01 M hydrochloric acid solution for 90 min. This procedure was followed immediately by toothbrushing simulation with 10,000 cycles. The acid attack and toothbrushing simulation were performed for two times. The surface roughness evaluation was performed with a Proscan 2100 profilometer. Repeated Measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests were used to perform the statistical analysis. Results: Simulation of one year of toothbrushing associated or not to hydrochloric acid exposure increases the surface roughness of microhybrid and nanohybrid composite resins. Six months of toothbrushing associated to six months of hydrochloric acid exposure increase the surface roughness of nanohybrid composite resins. Conclusions: Microhybrid composite resins surface becomes rougher after toothbrush and acid submersion when comparing to nanohybrid composite resins.

Neoplasia occurs as a result of genetic mutations. Research evaluating the association between gene mutations and skin cancer is limited and has produced inconsistent results. There are no established guidelines for screening skin cancer at molecular level. It should also be noted that the combinations of some mutations may play a role in skin tumors’ biology and immune response. There are three major types of skin cancer, and the originality of this study comes from its approach of each of them.

The purpose of this article is to illustrate the clinical and technological steps of making a fixed prosthesis, using the substative method and a combination of materials – zirconia and ceramics – which are a sure guarantee for an optimal functional restoration. Digital technologies are used more and more frequently in dental practice due to their multiple advantages: reduced working time, the use of a wide range of materials, with good mechanical resistance and longevity, high precision of prostheses, increased comfort for the patient. These digital methods can be used to create a wide range of laboratory prosthetic elements, from temporary devices to metal, ceramic, or zirconia frameworks, crowns and bridges, and partial and complete dentures. Current concepts in fixed prosthetics are increasingly oriented towards all-ceramic processes becaus metal-ceramic prostheses no longer suffice to meet the demands of patients seeking aesthetic excellence and extreme perfection.