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Introduction: During pregnancy, the future mother's body undergoes changes that affect the health of her oral cavity. During this period a woman should visit a dentist and adopt proper dietary and hygienic habits. The health awareness and knowledge of the future mother about the prevention of oral diseases are necessary to delay the colonization of the child's oral cavity with cariogenic bacteria and thus prevent caries and its complications. The aim of the study was to assess the awareness of pregnant women and mothers of infants in Poland regarding the prevention of children's oral diseases. Materials and methods: A survey of 125 pregnant women and mothers of infants was conducted. Results: The study shows that the majority of women (84.8%) were convinced of the need to see a dentist during pregnancy. A similar percentage (88.8%) knew that both preventive and therapeutic procedures could be performed during this period. Two thirds of the women correctly answered the question of which oral hygiene procedures should be performed by the future mother. Only 38.4% of the respondents knew that the condition of the pregnant woman's teeth can influence the development of caries in the child, and 54.4% of the respondents knew about the possibility of transfer of cariogenic bacteria from the mother's oral cavity to the child's oral cavity. 52.8% of women would take their child to the dentist on time, i.e. between 6–12 months of age. Half of the respondents believed that the use of fluoride was safe, and even fewer – 46.4% – believed that a child could use fluoride toothpaste. The main source of information on children's oral health for the women surveyed was the Internet (53.6%). Conclusions: The study showed that health awareness and oral health knowledge among pregnant women and mothers of young children are inadequate and that dentists need to intensify educational efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this in vitro study was to determine the mechanical and functional properties of zirconium oxide ceramics made using 3D printing technology and ceramics produced using conventional dental milling machines. Methods: Forty zirconia samples were prepared for this study: the control group consisted of 20 samples made using milling technology, and the test group consisted of 20 samples made using 3D printing technology. Their surface parameters were measured, and then their mechanical parameters were checked and compared. Density, hardness, flexural strength and compressive strength were tested by performing appropriate in vitro tests. After the strength tests, a comparative analysis of the geometric structure of the surfaces of both materials was performed again. Student's t-test was used to evaluate the results (p < 0.01). Results: Both ceramics show comparable values of mechanical parameters, and the differences are not statistically significant. The geometric structure of the sample surfaces looks very similar. Only minor changes in the structure near the crack were observed in the AM group. Conclusion: Ceramics made using additive technology have similar mechanical and surface parameters to milled zirconium oxide, which is one of the arguments for the introduction of this material into clinical practice. This in vitro study has shown that this ceramic can compete with zirconium made using CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing) methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The turn of 2019 and 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2, saw major changes in the health sector, including the functioning of dental offices. Many of them were closed for several months, while others limited admission to emergencies only. In Poland, access to a dentist was therefore reduced for a considerable time. This may have contributed to the deterioration of the patients' oral health. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pro-health behaviors regarding the oral health of children and their visits to dental offices in the opinion of their parents. Materials and methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted with 103 parents of children aged 0-18. Results: The study showed that the pandemic has affected the health sector and oral health. New devices and materials have respondents. The reasons included the parents' lack of time (17.6%), lack of available visits (6.9%), and fear of infection (13.7%). During the pandemic, the oral hygiene condition of 59.3% of children was maintained at the same level, and deteriorated for 15.5%; 62.2% of children did not change their diet, while the deterioration of dietary habits affected 19.4% of the respondents. The main source (67%) from which parents obtained knowledge about fluoride was the Internet. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, most children did not change their dietary and hygienic behavior. The frequency of children's follow-up visits has decreased, which may contribute to the deterioration of their oral health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this narrative literature review is to present the possibilities of using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and 3D dental scanners to prepare comprehensive, interdisciplinary treatment plans. Scanners are instruments whose usage seems to be a key element of modern digital dentistry. Their importance in orthodontic treatment with overlay appliances, planning modern prosthetic treatments (CAD/CAM) and implantology cannot be overestimated. These scanners allow for accurate imaging of the tooth structures and their positioning independently in the maxilla and mandible as well as in the occlusion. As a result, dentists can plan treatment, e.g., in the case of the need to implant dental implants, prosthetic crowns or orthodontic braces. Dentistry was revolutionized to a similar extent by the introduction of CBCT to everyday diagnostics, which is the most advanced imaging technology that provides even more detailed images in 3 dimensions. Its use has enabled a wider and more precise range of diagnostics, which in turn has improved the quality of multidisciplinary treatment planning. This paper explains how scanners and CBCT can be used in orthodontics and prosthetics based on the articles found in 3 databases: PubMed, Scopus and Embase. The review included 28 articles on the aforementioned topics and was presented with a brief description of the content of each article.