Secondary caries are considered the main cause of dental restoration failure. In this context, anti-biofilm and bactericidal properties are desired in dental materials against pathogens such as Streptococcus mutans. To this purpose, graphene based materials can be used as fillers of polymer dental adhesives. In this work, we investigated the possibility to use as filler of dental adhesives, graphene nanoplatelets (GNP), a non toxic hydrophobic nanomaterial with antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties. Graphene nanoplatelets have been produced starting from graphite intercalated compounds through a process consisting of thermal expansion and liquid exfoliation. Then, a dental adhesive filled with GNPs at different volume fractions has been produced through a solvent evaporation method. The rheological properties of the new experimental adhesives have been assessed experimentally. The adhesive properties have been tested using microtensile bond strength measurements (µ-TBS). Biocidal activity has been studied using the colony forming units count (CFU) method. The anti-biofilm properties have been demonstrated through FE-SEM imaging of the biofilm development after 3 and 24 h of growth. A significantly lower vitality of S. mutans cells has been demonstrated when in contact with the GNP filled dental adhesives. Biofilm growth on adhesive-covered dentine tissues demonstrated anti-adhesion properties of the produced materials. µ-TBS results demonstrated no significant difference in µ-TBS between the experimental and the control adhesive. The rheology tests highlighted the necessity to avoid low shear rate regimes during adhesive processing and application in clinical protocol, and confirmed that the adhesive containing the 0.2%wt of GNPs possess mechanical properties comparable with the ones of the control adhesive.

The purpose of the study has been making the orthodontic space maintainers in PEEK polymer (Polyetheretherketone) through a digital workflow. New digital technologies are taking hold in diagnosis, therapy and in dental laboratories. The digital world can help dentist in diagnosis and therapy: -diagnosis through the acquisition of radiographic images (CBCT) or scanners which allow the creation of 3D digital models - about therapy thanks to dental CAD CAM system. It consists of design devices through an dedicated software CAD and then realize devices through CAM system. We used digital system to improve the quality of the treatment and reduce costs. Peek polymer, subject of studies in recent years, thanking to its characteristics, resulted useful for this study. According to a nine month- follow up the devices were found comfortable, satisfying, personalized and minimally visible for the patients. These devices were found suitable to maintain the space. About material, thanks to its dimensional stability, mechanical strength but specially, thanks to its biocompatibility, PEEK was found as a very good material to build space maintainers. The workflow allowed a simulation of the treatment plan with a better collaboration and acceptance of the patient. Digital system reduced the systematic mistakes during the various phases and the production time. The digital system saved space creating a virtual plaster casts collection. Key words:PEEK, CAD/CAM system, space maintainers, orthodontic prevention.

The focus of this paper is the pediatric dental care of Cleft Lip and Palate (CLP) children and the role of the pediatric dentist in the CLP team. The management of children with cleft lip and palate presents many challenges and a multidisciplinary and prepared team is always required. Affected individuals present a multiplicity of problems: effective management involves a wide range of specialities. The value of a multidisciplinary team is widely known and mentioned in the literature, but very few papers focus on the role and the importance of the pediatric dentist. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to underline the role of the pediatric dentist as a member of the cleft lip and palate team which ranges from prenatal counseling, presurgical prevention and orthopedics, to post-treatment rehabilitation and restoration.

Background: The labial frenula are triangular plicas departing from the alveolar mucosa and attaching themselves at different heights of the gingiva. Sometimes a high attachment can determine a gingival recession. The most suitable surgical resolution is the use of laser devices. The aim of this study was to compare the labial frenulectomy through the use of Diode and CO₂ laser techniques in pediatric patients with a high labial frenulum attachment, clarifying at the same time the preventive role of the surgical treatment to avoid further recession. Methods: A pilot randomized, double-blinded clinical trial was conducted to compare both the surgical advantages and the preventive treatment of laser technology using two different wavelengths within a population of pediatric patients with a high labial frenulum attachment. Different parameters intra and post-surgery were taken into account (Bleeding, Wound Healing, Gingival Recession, Periodontal pocket and Numerical Scale Value for pain) to compare Diode versus CO₂ laser therapy. Results: Although both the laser devices provide a good performance in the post-operative period, the Diode laser shows better results (p < 0.001) in three of the five parameters evaluated. Conclusions: From the results it was found that the Diode Laser device is more suitable compared to the CO₂ device.

Background: Conventional composites are largely used in pediatric restorative dentistry and demonstrate successful clinical outcomes. However, the need for simplification of operative steps in young or uncooperative children demands reliable alternatives. Therefore, the aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the in vitro bond strength of glass ionomer cements (GICs) and self-adhesive flowable composites (SFCs) on deciduous teeth. Methods: A comprehensive literature search according to the PRISMA checklist was manually and electronically performed by two independent reviewers through the following databases: MEDLINE/PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Embase, to include in vitro studies comparing GICs and SFCs bond strength values of restorations on primary teeth. In addition, three groups of meta-analyses were conducted using random-effects models. Results: Three articles meeting the inclusion criteria were selected and subjected to both qualitative and quantitative assessment. No statistically significant difference was found between SFC versus GIC; however, both groups significantly differed with conventional flowable composites (CFs). Conclusions: Despite the absence of significant difference in bond strength values, SFCs may be considered a valid alternative to GICs in the restoration of deciduous teeth, although CFs proved better in vitro performances.