Background: Regenerative endodontics aims to restore normal pulp function in necrotic and infected teeth, restoring protective functions, such as innate pulp immunity, pulp repair through mineralization, and pulp sensibility. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the dentin regeneration efficacy of direct pulp capping (DPC) biomaterials. Methods: The literature published between 2005 and 2021 was searched by using PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases. Clinical controlled trials, randomized controlled trials, and animal studies investigating DPC outcomes or comparing different capping materials after pulp exposure were included in this systematic review. Three independent authors performed the searches, and information was extracted by using a structured data format. Results: A total of forty studies (21 from humans and 19 from animals) were included in this systemic review. Histological examinations showed complete/partial/incomplete dentin bridge/reparative dentin formation during the pulp healing process at different follow-up periods, using different capping materials. Conclusions: Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Biodentine can induce dentin regeneration when applied over exposed pulp. This systematic review can conclude that MTA and its variants have better efficacy in the DPC procedure for dentin regeneration.

Objective: To explore possible risk factors for poor outcomes following percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) for painful osteoporotic compression fractures of thoracolumbar vertebra. Methods: This was a retrospective review of data from patients who underwent PV at our institution over a ten-year period to evaluate the association between possible risk factors and thoracolumbar pain (T11-L2). According to the difference between pre- and post-operative visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for pain, patients were separated into poor relief (PR; 2 fractured vertebral bodies, maldistribution of bone cement, <5 ml bone cement injected into a single vertebral body and thoracolumbar fascia injury prior to surgery were independent risk factors associated with thoracolumbar pain following PV. Conclusion: Although prospective controlled studies are required to confirm our results, this review suggests that the above factors should be taken into account when selecting patients for PV.

Aberrant DNA methylation pattern plays an indispensable role in the initiation and development of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). It is well recognized that lymph node metastasis is closely with unfavorable prognosis of HNSCC. Therefore, exploring the methylation events accounting for the lymph node metastasis of HNSCC is very important for improving the clinical outcome of HNSCC. Methylation data, RNA-seq data and clinical data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and processed using the R package TCGA-Assembler. MethylMix was use for data analysis by integrating both methylation and gene expression data on HNSCC patients with lymph node metastasis and without lymph node metastasis. Pathway analysis was performed on significantly altered genes using ConsensusPathDB. The role of our interested gene zinc figure protein 569 (ZNF569) in HNSCC was further evaluated. Our results identified many novel hypermethylated/hypomethylated genes that might be closely associated with the lymph node metastasis of HNSCC. Pathway analysis revealed that increase in methylation of genes involved in generic transcription pathway including zinc figure proteins. ZNF569 was hypermethylated in HNSCC tissues especially those with lymph node metastasis. In addition, the expression levels of ZNF569 mRNA and protein were significantly lower in HNSCC tissues and cell lines compared to their respective controls. Moreover, overexpression of ZNF569 inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of HNSCC cells. HNSCC patients with lower ZNF569 expression suffered a significantly shorter overall survival than those with higher ZNF569 expression. In conclusion, we have identified many novel differentially methylated genes that might be important for the lymph node metastasis of HNSCC. In addition, ZNF569 might play a tumor suppressive role in carcinogenesis of HNSCC.

Craniomaxillofacial bone repair remains a major clinical challenge. Conventional static scaffolds, which retain a fixed geometry after implantation, lack adaptability to complex and irregular defects. In contrast, 4D-printed shape-memory polymer (SMP) scaffolds enable minimally invasive delivery and stimuli-responsive shape adaptation in vivo. When combined with traditional Chinese medicinal monomers, these scaffolds circumvent the immunogenicity of conventional growth factors, reduce treatment costs, and facilitate slow release when loaded into a hydrogel. In this study, naringin-loaded methacrylated chitosan (CSMA) was integrated with 4D-printed Fe₃O₄-PLLA scaffolds to construct hybrid systems featuring long-term drug release and magnetically controlled shape transformation. The resulting scaffolds exhibited excellent magnetic responsiveness, biocompatibility, mechanical robustness, and rapid shape recovery. They exhibited over 98 % shape recovery with rapid recovery time (<40s), indicating potential for minimally invasive implantation and new bone formation. Enhanced polarization of M2 macrophages and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) were confirmed in vitro. Transcriptome analysis revealed downregulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, supporting M2 macrophage polarization and bone regeneration in vivo. This study illustrates that 4D-printed NG-CSMA/Fe₃O₄-PLLA scaffolds promote bone regeneration through the polarization of macrophages towards the M2 phenotype, presenting potential strategies for the development of functional scaffolds in bone defect repair.

Scientists have developed smart shape memory materials that can adapt their structure or function to external stimuli. The demand for dynamic oral bone tissue repair is driven by continuous changes in bone and surrounding tissues during the repair process, such as tooth growth, movement, and reconstruction of oral soft tissues, as well as skeletal differences of alveolar and craniofacial bones. These changes challenge the mechanical stability of bone implants and the precision of printing. Consequently, 4D printing technology introduces "time", allowing pre-programmed changes in material shape or functionality which enables scaffolds to intelligently respond to complex oral environments, achieving dynamic repair of bone and surrounding tissues. Despite its theoretical benefits in oral bone tissue engineering, the study and use of 4D printing technology is still in its infancy. This review explores the most recent advances in 4D- printing in dentistry, discussing skeletal structure, etiology of bone defects, and bone repair mechanisms. It also provides an overview of the materials, cells, and growth factors used in 4D-printing bone tissue engineering. Thus, by reviewing existing studies, this review provides valuable insights for the future development of 4D printing technology in oral bone tissue engineering.

Cement-retained restorations have the advantages of passive fit, less complexity of clinical and laboratory methods, cost, esthetics, and dimensional stability over screw-retained restorations, especially in multiple abutment implant-supported prostheses. A common and difficult technical problem with cement-retained implant prostheses is abutment screw loosening. Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a technology that has been rapidly developed and has become widely accepted in dentistry. The aim of this study was to establish a novel method of using 3D implant planning guide to locate the abutment screw in cement-retained implant prosthesis. Six standard gypsum complete denture models were used to locate the abutment screw. An implant analog (4.5 mm in diameter and 12 mm in length) was placed in the drilling hole (5 mm in diameter and 14 mm in depth). After scanning with a 3D scanner, the 3D printing software was used to design the abutment screw location guide, which was printed by a resin-based 3D printer. A total of 30 abutment screws were located and removed using the guide. The locating guide's actual diameter was 2.4 mm. The drilling point was accurate and precise, and no excessive loss of the abutment was noticed. The guide would help the dentist in locating the abutment screw access channel, resulting in a more precise and accurate drilling point. The guide for locating the abutment screw enhances the accuracy of screw channel access and reduces damage to the crown and abutment.