The aim of this study was to investigate the cytocompatibility and mineralization potential of two premixed hydraulic endodontic sealers compared with an epoxy resin-based root canal sealer. The cellular responses and mineralization capacity were studied in human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) that were exposed to premixed hydraulic sealers, Bio-C Sealer (Angelus, Londrína, PR, Brazil), TotalFill BC Sealer (FKG Dentaire SA, La-Chaux-de-fonds, Switzerland) and an epoxy resin-based material, AH Plus (Dentsply De Trey, Konstanz, Germany). Non-exposed cultures served as the control. The endodontic sealers were assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX). Statistical analyses were done using Analisis of Variance (ANOVA), with Bonferroni adjusted pairwise comparison (p = 0.05). AH Plus reduced cell viability and cell migration, whereas increased cell viability and cell migration were observed in the Bio-C Sealer and the TotalFill BC Sealer (p < 0.05). The lowest cell attachment and spreading were observed for all concentrations of AH Plus, whereas the highest were observed for TotalFill BC Sealer. At the end of 21 days, only the Bio-C Sealer and the TotalFill BC Sealer supported matrix mineralization (p < 0.05). Additionally, SEM-EDX revealed high content of calcium, oxygen, and silicon in the Bio-C Sealer and the TotalFill BC Sealer. Based on the results from this study, Bio-C Sealer and TotalFill BC Sealer demonstrated better cytocompatibility in terms of cell viability, migration, cell morphology, cell attachment, and mineralization capacity than AH Plus.

Autogenous tooth graft is an innovative and ingenious technique that employs a stepwise approach and utilizes human teeth as an autogenous source of bone graft. The structure of teeth closely resembles bone, both physically and biochemically, and can be efficiently used for the process as it depicts properties of osteoinduction and osteoconduction. Autogenous tooth bone has characteristics similar to bone grafts in terms of healing potential, physical properties, and clinical outcome. Autogenous tooth graft has shown reasonable promise as a graft material for the regeneration of maxillary and mandibular defects. Autogenous tooth bone graft finds its principal application in sinus and ridge augmentations and for socket preservation before implant placement. Additionally, it can be used successfully for alveolar cleft patients and patients with limited periodontal defects. The overall complication rates reported for autogenous tooth grafts are comparable to other graft sources. However, although long-term results are still underway, it is still recommended as a grafting option for limited defects in the cranio-facial region.

Biocompatibility is an essential property for any vital pulp material that may interact with the dental pulp tissues. Accordingly, this study aimed to compare the chemical composition and ultrastructural morphology of Biodentine (Septodont, Saint Maur-des-Fosses, France), ProRoot MTA (Dentsply Tulsa Dental Specialties, Johnson City, TN, USA), and Bio-C Repair (Angelus, Londrina, PR, Brazil), as well as their biological effects on human dental pulp cells. Chemical element characterization of the materials was undertaken using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX). The cytotoxicity was assessed by analyzing the cell viability (MTT assay), cell morphology (immunofluorescence assay), and cell attachment (flow cytometry assay). The results were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey’s test (p < 0.05). EDX revealed that ProRoot MTA and Biodentine were mostly composed of calcium, carbon, and oxygen (among others), whereas Bio-C Repair evidenced a low concentration of calcium and the highest concentration of zirconium. SEM showed adequate attachment of human dental pulp cells (hDPCS) to vital pulp materials and cytoskeletal alterations were not observed in the presence of material eluates. Remarkably, the undiluted Biodentine group showed higher viability than the control group cells (without eluates) at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h (p < 0.001). Based on the evidence derived from an in vitro cellular study, it was concluded that Bio-C Repair showed excellent cytocompatibility that was similar to Biodentine and ProRoot MTA.

To assess and compare the in vitro biocompatibility of new resins (Keysplint Soft (Keystone Industries), NextDent Ortho Rigid (3D System), and Freeprint Splint (Detax)) and traditional resins (Orthocryl (Dentaurum)) used for dental splints. Standardized discs (n = 40) and 1:1, 1:2, and 1:4 extracts of the tested materials were prepared. Human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs) were isolated from gingival tissues. Different biological tests were carried out, including MTT assays to assess cell metabolic activity, cell migration assays, cell cytoskeleton staining, cell apoptosis, generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test (p<0.05). MTT experiments showed that Freeprint Splint significantly reduces the hGF metabolic activity (***p<0.001), whereas SEM analysis showed almost no cells adhered on its surface. Cell migration was significantly lower after exposure to undiluted extracts of Freeprint Splint at 48 and 72 h (***p<0.001). Cell cytoskeleton staining assays showed fewer attached cells in 1:1 and 1:2 dilutions of Freeprint Splint. Annexin-V and 7-AAD staining assays showed that only cells exposed to Keysplint Soft extracts displayed similar cell viability to the control group. Finally, ROS levels detected in undiluted extracts of all resins were significantly enhanced compared to the control group (***p<0.001). The 3D-printed resins and the conventional dental resin showed a similar biocompatibility, except for Freeprint Splint, which was the most cytotoxic on hGFs. 3D printing has been on the rise in recent years and its use in daily clinical practice is expanding over time. Two of the three 3D-printed resins tested in this study performed as well in the cytotoxicity tests as the conventional one, supporting their use, but caution and further testing are required.

Tooth whitening is currently one of the most requested treatments to change the color of teeth. There are different types of whitening in the dental office and at home. There are also many whitening agents on the market. Nowadays, the public has shown great interest in a new natural compound: activated charcoal. It has an abrasive effect and it is included in toothpastes to whiten teeth quickly and easily. The main objective of the systematic review is to perform a qualitative synthesis of the available literature on the use of activated charcoal-based toothpaste for tooth whitening. An electronic search was carried out in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. The search included the terms (charcoal-based OR activated charcoal OR charcoal OR soot) AND (toothpaste OR dentifrices OR bleaching OR oral hygiene OR enamel OR teeth). Inclusion criteria were articles that were published in English, that included activated charcoal toothpastes, that assessed the efficacy of activated charcoal bleaching and/or the safety of using activated charcoal toothpastes, that were conducted on humans or extracted teeth regardless of their origin and the year of publication. Out of 208 articles, 11 met the inclusion criteria, the Risk of Bias of the selected studies was determined as medium-high. Regarding the whitening effect, there is a variety of results depending on the study: in some there are no significant differences between the proposed treatments and in others activated charcoal is not the most whitening agent. Regarding the abrasive effect, most studies agree that activated charcoal toothpaste has a higher abrasive potential. Toothpastes based on activated charcoal possess a lower whitening effect than other alternatives and can be considered as less safe due to its high abrasive potential.

The main objective of this paper is to perform an updated literature review of guided endodontics based on the available up-to-date scientific literature to identify and describe the technique, its benefits, and its limitations. Four electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Web of Science) were used to perform a literature search from 1 January 2017 to 13 May 2022. After discarding duplicates, out of 1047 results, a total of 29 articles were eligible for review. Guided endodontics is a novel technique that is currently evolving. It is applied in multiple treatments, especially in accessing and locating root canals in teeth with pulp canal obliteration, microsurgical endodontics, and removing glass fiber posts in endodontic retreatments. In addition, it is independent of an operator’s experience, requires less treatment time for the patient, and is more accurate and safer than conventional endodontics.