Fatigue performance and failure load of minimally-invasive occlusal veneers made of lithium disilicate and composition-gradient multilayered zirconia: An in vitro study.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of ceramic material (lithium disilicate, LDS vs. composition-gradient multilayered zirconia [4Y-PSZ and 5-PSZ], Z) and ceramic layer thickness (0.5 mm, 1.

Optimizing Hard and Soft-Tissue Esthetics With Anterior Cantilever Zirconia Ceramic Resin-Bonded Fixed Dental Prostheses.

Objective: The replacement of missing maxillary lateral incisors poses both functional and esthetic challenges, not only from a restorative but also from a periodontal aspect. This case report presents a step-by-step protocol for ideal hard and soft-tissue esthetics with cantilever zirconia ceramic resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses (RBFDPs).

Clinical Considerations: A 20-year-old female patient presented with congenitally missing maxillary lateral incisors, seeking treatment to enhance the esthetics of her smile.

Impact of convergence angle of tooth preparation on the fracture resistance of incisor monolithic zirconia crowns.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of convergence angles on the fracture resistance of monolithic zirconia crowns in maxillary central incisors.

Materials And Methods: A maxillary central incisor preparation was digitally designed with four different angles (0°, 8°, 16°, and 22°). For each group, 10 abutment teeth were manufactured using a 3D printer with photosensitive resin and positioned in a maxillary typodont model for scanning procedures.

Biomechanical Performance of Polyethylene Fibers and Fiber-Reinforced Composite Resins in Direct Restorations: A Scoping Review.

Objective: To assess the biomechanical performance of the application of polyethylene fiber and fiber-reinforced composite resins in direct restorations.

Materials And Methods: An electronic search was performed in Cochrane Library, Embase, and Pubmed on January 16th, 2025, with previously identified MeSH and free text terms by two independent authors. A total of 1127 papers were initially obtained.

Effectiveness of Cleaning Agents on Bond Strength to Contaminated Zirconia.

Objective: Evaluate the effect of several cleaning methods on resin bond to contaminated zirconia before and after thermocycling.

Materials And Methods: One hundred zirconia specimens (KATANA STML, Noritake) were prepared and randomly divided into four experimental and one control group (n = 20). Specimens were contaminated with human saliva and cleaned using different methods: air-particle abrasion (APC), Katana Cleaner (KC), Ivoclean (IC), and Zirclean (ZC).

Does Cavity Base Shade of Endocrowns Play a Role in the Accuracy of Intraoral Scans?

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of composite resin shades (A1, A2, A3, B1) on the accuracy of scans performed using the Trios 3 (3Shape, Denmark) intraoral scanner.

Materials And Methods: An endocrown cavity was prepared on an extracted human molar embedded in a mandibular dentate typodont. Composite resin shades (A1, A2, A3, B1) were sequentially placed in the pulp chamber, light-cured, and scanned using the Trios 3 intraoral scanner.

The Multilayer Flowable Injection Technique for Highly Esthetic Restorations.

Objective: This article introduces an alternative to the classic flowable injection technique to enhance esthetic outcomes and describes its application for the restoration of six maxillary anterior teeth in a young patient.

Clinical Considerations: An esthetically enhanced flowable injection technique was applied to six maxillary anterior teeth after a fully digital treatment plan. A virtually guided dentin cutback model was created from the digital full wax up.

Tack-cure vs conventional polymerization methods: A systematic review on resin composite cements' properties.

Objectives: This systematic review aimed to address the following research question: "What is the effect of tack-cure compared to conventional polymerization methods on the resin composite cements' properties?".

Data And Sources: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across electronic databases, including Clarivate Analytics' Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus, and ProQuest, without language or publication date restrictions. In vitro studies comparing tack-cure (TC) with conventional polymerization methods (light-cure, LC, and/or self-cure, SC) were included.

In vitro comparison between complete arch abutment-level implant impressions with photogrammetry, grammetry, and intraoral scanning.

Statement Of Problem: Photogrammetry (PG) has emerged as a promising recording technique for fabricating implant-supported prostheses. However, the existing evidence on the accuracy of dental PG devices is still limited.

Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the trueness and precision of a newly introduced advanced PG device (MicronMapper; SIN 360) by comparing it with grammetry and intraoral scanning.

In Vitro Comparison Between Complete-Arch Implant Supported Frameworks Using Intraoral Scanning and Photogrammetry.

Purpose: To compare the vertical microgap of complete arch implant supported frameworks (ISF) obtained from one intraoral scanner (IOS) and two different photogrammetry (PG) systems.

Materials And Methods: An edentulous mandibular model with four implants (BioHorizons) served as reference. Multi-unit abutments (BioHorizons) were inserted and torqued to 30 Ncm.

The effect of different surface treatments on the bond strength to zirconia.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of various surface treatment methods on zirconia as it affects the bond strength to its substrate.

Materials And Methods: Sintered zirconium dioxide ceramic disks (KATANA Zirconia STML; n = 20; size 12 × 12 × 3 mm) were divided into five groups: no surface treatment (Group C), air-particle abraded with 50 µm aluminum oxide (Group AA), air-particle abraded with glass beads (Group GB), Zircos E etching solution for 2 h (Group ZE), and 48% hydrofluoric acid solution heated at 25°C for 30 min (Group HE). Cylindrical composite resin specimens (2.

Advancing Adhesive Strategies for Endodontically Treated Teeth-Part II: Dentin Sealing Before Irrigation Increases Long-Term Microtensile Bond Strength to Coronal Dentin.

Objective: To compare the long-term microtensile bond strength (μTBS) to coronal dentin using pre-endodontic dentin sealing (PEDS) and post-endodontic adhesion (PEA) techniques under various endodontic irrigation protocols.

Materials And Methods: Ten study groups (n = 10) were established based on the timing of adhesive application (PEDS versus PEA) and irrigation protocol: distilled water (control), 3% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 3% NaOCl followed by 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), 3% NaOCl followed by 17% EDTA and 2% chlorhexidine, and a mixture of 3% NaOCl and 9% etidronic acid (HEDP). Specimens underwent μTBS testing after a six-month microspecimen aging period.

Advancing Adhesive Strategies for Endodontically Treated Teeth-Part I: Impact of Endodontic Irrigation Protocols on the Chemical Composition and Structural Integrity of Coronal Dentin.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of four endodontic irrigation protocols on the chemical composition and ultrastructure of coronal dentin.

Materials And Methods: Coronal dentin fragments were assigned to five study groups: NaOCl (3% sodium hypochlorite), NaOCl/EDTA (3% NaOCl and 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), NaOCl/EDTA/CHX (3% NaOCl, 17% EDTA and 2% chlorhexidine), NaOCl/HEDP (mixture of 3% NaOCl and 9% etidronic acid), and control (distilled water). Confocal Raman microscopy was employed to analyze the spatial distribution of organic and inorganic components, while attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy were used to assess the surface composition of dentin.

Impact of erosive and abrasive wear on the surface characteristics of hybrid ceramic-polymer dental materials.

Purpose: To evaluate the surface characteristics of hybrid ceramic-polymer materials before and after exposure to erosive and abrasive media.

Methods: Samples were prepared from Vita Enamic (VE), Cerasmart (CS), VarseoSmile Crown plus (VSC), and VarseoSmile Temp (VST). Surface roughness (SR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and surface hardness (SH) analyses were performed before (T0) and after exposing the samples to gastric juice (GJ), toothbrushing (TB), or both (GJ TB) for a simulated period of one (T1) or two years (T2).

Adverse Effects of Ultrasonic Instrumentation and Air Polishing on Dental Restorations: A Systematic Review of Laboratory Studies.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effects of ultrasonic instrumentation and air polishing on surface roughness and marginal integrity of dental restorations, addressing their potential adverse impacts on various biomaterials.

Materials And Methods: A search of five databases, supplemented by manual searches, identified relevant laboratory studies. Forty-two studies met the inclusion criteria, with data on surface roughness and marginal quality extracted for analysis.

A New Era for Indirect Restorations With CAD/CAM and 3D Printing Technologies.

Designing and fabricating dental restorations via the indirect method emerged as a strategic response to the loss of tooth coronal structure that prompted the need for different treatment options depending on the extent of the damage (eg, partial-coverage restorations such as inlays/onlays and laminate veneers, or full-coverage restorations such as crowns). The complexities of the oral environment and patient management in the dental chair also factored into the development of indirect restorations. Indirect restorations involve manufacturing them away from the oral cavity, avoiding some of the difficulties of direct techniques, such as polymerization contraction and marginal adaptation, as polymerization shrinkage stresses only affect the cement layer, reducing the impact on the cavity walls.

Print/Press Workflow With a Novel Silicate Ceramic Material: A Case Report.

Digital technology that utilizes 3D printing has become a viable alternative to the traditional fabrication of wax patterns and definitive restorations for pressable ceramics. Digital workflows afford clinicians fewer variables, improved repeatability, and faster design and fabrication times. The print/press technique for producing zirconia-reinforced lithium-disilicate restorations offers benefits in terms of convenience, precision, and improved mechanical properties.

The Core of Digital Dentistry: Intraoral Scanners.

Intraoral scanners (IOSs) have transformed digital dentistry by enabling the capture of detailed intraoral optical impressions, resulting in high-precision virtual models. This article provides an overview of the technological advancements and emerging applications of IOSs in various dental specialties. Recent innovations have improved IOS speed, resolution, and functionality, eliminating the need for scanning powder and allowing for seamless integration with other digital tools.

Leveraging Digital Smile Design Technology in Esthetic Restorative Dentistry.

Digital smile design has transformed the approach to planning and executing esthetic dental treatments, allowing clinicians to digitally visualize and customize a patient's smile before taking any clinical interventions. By leveraging modern digital technologies, clinicians can streamline diagnostics and treatment planning while also improving accuracy in predicting the final results. This article explores the advantages of digital smile design in esthetic treatment planning along with the key principles of smile design and facial harmony that must be considered for a successful smile transformation.

The Evolution of Adhesives Leads to Current Innovations.

Adhesive dentistry represents a crucial aspect of daily clinical practice. Occasionally, the introduction of a new material or technique triggers a significant shift in this field. Over the decades, from the largely ineffective systems of the late 1970s and early 1980s to the relatively successful total-etch and self-etch systems of today, the evolution of adhesive systems has been driven by a quest for simplicity, efficiency, and reliability in clinical practice procedures to achieve durable direct and indirect restorations.

The "Smile Design and Space" Concept for Altering Vertical Dimension of Occlusion and Esthetic Restorative Material Selection.

Objective: This article introduces the smile design and space (SDS) concept for managing the vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) in full-mouth reconstructions and its influence on the selection of esthetic restorative materials. Limitations of traditional VDO adjustment methods are being addressed through a facially driven treatment approach that enhances esthetics improves function and minimizes invasiveness.

Clinical Considerations: The SDS concept involves detailed evaluations of the incisal edges of the maxillary central incisors in relation to the upper lip at rest and at full smile.

Effect of acidic media on surface characteristics of highly filled flowable resin-based composites: An in vitro study.

Objective: To analyze and compare the impact of acidic media on the surface characteristics of highly filled flowable resin-based composites.

Materials And Methods: Two hundred fifty-six specimens were divided into four groups: GUF (G-aenial Universal Flo), GUI (G-aenial Universal Injectable), TEF (Tetric EvoFlow), and FSF (Filtek Supreme Flowable Restorative). Surface characteristics were analyzed before (T0) and after specimens immersion in different media, such as gastric juice (GJ), fizzy drink (FD), citric juice (CJ), or artificial saliva (AS), for 9 h (T1) and 18 h (T2).

Survey of Preferences for Ceramic Materials on Tooth-Supported Crowns Among Dental Practitioners in Chile.

Purpose: To evaluate the preferences of dental practitioners regarding ceramic materials for tooth-supported crowns using an online survey and to assess the influence of age, gender, years of experience, and dental specialty on those preferences.

Materials And Methods: An anonymous questionnaire targeting 796 dentists was delivered online through Google Surveys. It contained 17 dichotomous, closed questions with two sections.