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Aims of study. The aims of study were as follows: assessment of esthetic, functional and biological FDI indices of posterior composite restorations; assessment of decisions for non-intervention vs. repair/replacement of the posterior composite restorations. Materials and method. The retrospective study was performed on a study group of 69 patients (mean age: 25.31± 4,45 yrs; gender: 36 males, 33 females) that were treated for various dental pathologies in Odontology-Periodontology, Fixed Restorations of Clinical Learning Base of Faculty of Dental Medicine, U.M.F. Grigore T.Popa Iași (Romania) with a total number of 309 posterior composite restorations (class I and II Black) aged 3-5 yrs. The composite restorations were clinically evaluated using visual-tactile method. The evaluations were carried out during the recall session by an independent examiner, according to the FDI criteria (esthetic, functional, biological). The frequency of non-intervention versus repair/replacement decision was assessed globally and related to the parameters of the study group (gender, cariogenic risk, cavity design, arch/dental group location). Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS 29.0. Quantitative variables were characterized by descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations). Results. In the study group, 38,8% of all composite resin restorations required repair or replacement (FDI scores 4-5). The decisions of repair/replacement related to the assessed variables were as follows: 22,4% (Class I) vs 54,2% (Class II); 30,6% (males) vs 31% (females); 42,9% (high cariogenic risk) vs 20,4% (low cariogenic risk); 29,7% (Mx location) vs 31,5% (Md location); 41,4% (premolars) vs 49,5% (molars). Conclusions. 31% of posterior composite restorations aged 3-5 years require repair or replacement. Surface condition and margin discoloration are most frequent esthetic scores related to decisions of repair or replacement. Significantly higher percentages of Class II composite restorations (versus Class I) and molars restorations (versus premolars) were associated to requires repair or replacement. The most frequent biological score related to replacement decisions is the presence of secondary caries, mostly in Class II restorations.

Resin composites are the first choice for direct restoration of posterior teeth in the treatment of dental caries. This article reviews factors that influence the clinical performance of composite restorations and the results of clinical trials assessing longevity of posterior resin composite restorations. Materials and method. PubMed, and Web of Science electronic databases were searched for articles investigating the clinical performance of direct resin composite restorations placed in posterior teeth. Results and discussions. Factors with significant influence on longevity of posterior composite restorations include patient-related factors (age, carious risk, periodontal disease, bruxism), dental group, cavity size and volume, cervical margin extension, root-filled teeth, oclusal stress. Conclusions. Dental resin composites are material of choice for use in direct minimal interventions in posterior teeth. For patients without bruxism, in medium size cavities, direct composite resins demonstrate similar clinical performance with amalgam restorations. The clinical performance of restorations depends on a number of factors including variables related to the restored tooth, the materials and techniques employed, the patient’s risks, and professional clinical decisions.

Aim of the study The purpose of this study is to conduct a rigorous analysis of the dental reconstruction methods based on the non-metallic vs. metallic register, in complete agreement with the type of dental destruction and the type of static or dynamic occlusion of the patient. Material and methods The study included 57 patients aged between 21-65 years, who reported to the dental cabinet to treat various coronary odontal lesions, extended in surface and depth, which triggered various functional disorders, especially related to physiognomy and mastication. For their morpho-functional rehabilitation the Reforpost Fiber Glass Kit (Angelus) fibrillated system was used (intra-radicular pivots) reinforced with fiberglass. Luxa Core Z was used for fixation, a nanohybrid composite with double polymerization. Results The results obtained indicate that this system shows multiple advantages: it ensures an excellent esthetic look, it shows very good retention (due to the parallel form, with slots), high radio-opaqueness that allows radiographic visualization, an elasticity that is similar to the dentine (low risk of root fracture), the conical shape translates into less tissue removed from the apical third of the radicular canal, the high percentage of fibers ensures excellent mechanical properties as, due to the longitudinal fibers, it can be easily removed and by the direct use (prefab) the working time and costs are reduced. Conclusions The choice of nano-fibrillar structures in odontal reconstructions with various types of composite materials is in complete agreement with a series of local factors, the clinical finality being characterized by the proper esthetic reconstruction and an optimum resistance, in compliance with the types of forces that act on this level.

A unitary model of drug release dynamics is proposed, assuming that the polymer–drug system can be assimilated into a multifractal mathematical object. Then, we made a description of drug release dynamics that implies, via Scale Relativity Theory, the functionality of continuous and undifferentiable curves (fractal or multifractal curves), possibly leading to holographic-like behaviors. At such a conjuncture, the Schrödinger and Madelung multifractal scenarios become compatible: in the Schrödinger multifractal scenario, various modes of drug release can be "mimicked" (via period doubling, damped oscillations, modulated and "chaotic" regimes), while the Madelung multifractal scenario involves multifractal diffusion laws (Fickian and non-Fickian diffusions). In conclusion, we propose a unitary model for describing release dynamics in polymer–drug systems. In the model proposed, the polymer–drug dynamics can be described by employing the Scale Relativity Theory in the monofractal case or also in the multifractal one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the impact of Sjögren's syndrome on saliva and its correlation with dental caries. Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease that affects saliva production and composition, increasing the risk of dental caries. The study found significant differences in dental and salivary health between patients with Sjögren's syndrome and a control group. It emphasizes the importance of oral hygiene and following dentist recommendations for caries prevention and treatment for individuals with Sjögren's syndrome. The document is a comprehensive list of references and citations related to Sjögren's syndrome and oral health, providing a thorough overview of current research on the topic. [Extracted from the article]

This article examines the effects of pretreating dentin with a 2% chlorhexidine solution and subjecting it to cariogenic attack on the marginal adaptation of glass ionomer cement (GIC) to dentin walls. The study found that pretreatment with chlorhexidine did not significantly affect the marginal adaptation of GIC to dentin, but cariogenic attack did have a negative impact on the interface between the material and dentin. The study emphasizes the need for further validation through in vitro and in vivo studies and provides insights for the use of GIC. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses a study conducted on 50 patients from the Faculty of Dental Medicine in Romania to examine the effects of smoking on dental health. The patients were divided into five groups based on their smoking habits, ranging from non-smokers to heavy smokers. The study found that smoking more than 10 cigarettes per day or using electronic cigarettes significantly affected salivary flow rate, pH value, buffer capacity, and micro-crystallization index. Additionally, smokers of more than 20 cigarettes per day or electronic cigarette users had an increased number of decayed, missing, or filled teeth. The study emphasizes the negative impact of smoking on oral health and the development of dental caries. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic situation forced governments to impose various measures to reduce the spread of the virus. The most used method is to wear facial masks, which can be found under several commercial forms. Wearing facial masks has caused a lot of controversy and rumors. Among them, many patients and practitioners have complained of a dry mouth after wearing different types of facial masks for a variable period of time. The aim of this study was to analyze the quantitative (un-/stimulated salivary flow rate) and qualitative (pH and buffer capacity) changes in saliva in mask wearers. Methodology Forty subjects were selected for this study. All of them wore alternatively no mask, a surgical mask for 2 hours, and FFP2 mask for 2 hours (groups 1, 2, and 3). Saliva samples were collected from all the subjects in the groups and analyzed to determine the values of un-/stimulated salivary flow rate, the pH, and buffer capacity using GC Saliva-Check Buffer (GC Corporation, Japan). Descriptive and analytical statistics were performed using ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc test. Results For unstimulated saliva samples, between groups 1 and 3, statistically significant differences were recorded, with a significance level of 0,02

Introduction Continued education is a fundamental characteristic of one's working life, especially in the medical field. Keeping up to date should be a mandatory element of dental practice. Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) has been a long-term significant challenge for practitioners due to the uncertainties around its diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge of senior dental students and young doctors with respect to this dental pathology. Methodology A total of 632 self-administered questionnaire were distributed to dental students and doctors for data collection. The 10 questions investigated the knowledge about the description of pain in DH, triggering and predisposing factors, treatment strategies, preventive and treatment measures, remineralization products, etiological factors of dental wear, and main characteristics of DH. The data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0. Standard descriptive statistics were computed and analytical statistical analysis was performed using Pearson's chi-square test. Results The response rate for dental students was 87.87% and 10.2% for young doctors. Most respondents revealed a good level of knowledge regarding pain characterization, triggering factors, and predisposing factors of dentin hypersensitivity, and a satisfactory level for the disease management strategies. The average score of the questionnaire recorded at group level was 42.253. Conclusion Young dentists had better knowledge of DH compared to 6th-year dental students. The information obtained from this study revealed that there is a need to provide better theoretical but also clinical teaching opportunities to students, as well as continued educational programs to young doctors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed at assessing the surface roughness of a nanohybrid composite after finishing and polishing, and at evaluating the roughness variation of the material after submitting it to the action of hydrochloric acid and toothbrushing. The material used in the study was Filtek Z550 (3M ESPE). 15 cylindrical samples were randomly divided into three groups, corresponding to three different systems (SofLex, Optrafine, Astropol). The samples were subjected to hydrochloric acid in two one-hour cycles, then immediately submitted to toothbrushing in three consecutive cycles (1,000, 2,000, 4,000 cycles). The results showed variations in surface condition after each step. The surface condition of restorations is related to the type of finishing system. Hydrochloric acid influences the surface roughness of a composite resin restoration, changing its values, even at limited exposure. The effect of brushing after acidic challenge increases the surface roughness of the composite resin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]