This systematic review and network meta-analysis aimed to assess the impact of combining professional mechanical plaque removal (PMPR) with probiotics compared to PMPR + placebo on probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL). Randomized controlled trials published until November 2023 were searched across electronic databases, peer-reviewed journals, and grey literature. Two authors independently selected, extracted data, and assessed bias risk. Primary outcomes were mean changes in PPD and CAL. Secondary outcomes included mean changes in bleeding on probing (BOP), plaque index, and colony-forming units. Network meta-analysis with the frequentist weighted least squares approach evaluated the data quantitatively, and CINeMA framework evaluated the quality of evidence. In 33 articles involving 1290 patients, results were stratified by follow-up period (short and long-time studies) and sensitivity analyses conducted based on probiotic therapy duration (1 month reference). Network meta-analysis revealed significant mean differences in PPD for nine probiotic interventions, CAL for eighteen interventions, and BOP for eight interventions, with Lactobacillus demonstrating the most substantial effects. Combining PMPR with probiotics as adjuvants to subgingival instrumentation may be more effective in improving PPD and CAL. Lactobacillus emerged as the most comprehensive and effective among the studied probiotic.

In this work, we established a methodology for the analysis and characterization of hydroxyapatite-based materials using X-ray fluorescence. There are several animal hard tissues that can be recognized due to the relative amounts of hydroxyapatite (HAp) and collagen, using vibrational spectroscopy. The same principle can be applied to dental tissues to distinguish between enamel, dentine and root. Using X-ray fluorescence spectra, only the inorganic part can be identified and, sometimes, due to elevated P detection limits, mainly Ca can be detected. Therefore, we have established a methodology for hydroxyapatite recognition using reference samples, in order to obtain a calibration curve of the ratio of the Compton to Rayleigh scattering of the characteristic Kα line of the anode material as a function of the average atomic number of the sample. The reference samples consisted of different proportions of HAp [Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂] and boric acid [H₃BO₃] reference materials in order to obtain an average Z range of 7 to 14. This calibration curve was developed for a portable X-ray fluorescence setup with triaxial geometry and applied to: ivory jewelry and decorative objects from different origins, with the purpose of establishing differentiation markers, and human teeth before and after erosion processes for demineralization assessment.

Colour assessment using digital methods can yield varying results, and it is important for clinicians to recognize the potential variability intra and inter-device. This study aimed to compare the L*a*b* values of VITA Classical (VC) and VITA Toothguide 3D-MASTER (VM) guides using two methods, SpectroShade (SS) and eLAB. Thirty-four measurements per tab were performed by a single operator across three batches of each guide. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) between batches were calculated. Values 0.90 were classified as poor, moderate, good, and excellent reliability, respectively. Results were reported as mean and standard deviation of the L*a*b* values and respective colour differences (ΔE₀₀) for each tab and method. Statistical analyses were performed with an independent t-test, α = 0.05. ICC values between batches were excellent for all L*a*b*, except for a* component in eLAB. There were statistically significant differences between methods in most L*a*b* values. The intra-device mean ΔE₀₀ was 0.5 ± 0.6 for VC, 0.5 ± 0.8 for VM in SS, 1.1 ± 0.8 for VC, 1.1 ± 0.9 for VM in eLAB. The mean ΔE₀₀ inter-device was 4.9 ± 1.7 for VC, 5.0 ± 1.7 for VM. Both methods demonstrated good internal consistency, with high ICC values and low intra-device colour differences, but exhibited high variability between methods, higher for a* the component.