Background: Patient satisfaction is a critical outcome in the rehabilitation of edentulous patients. While conventional fabrication methods are widely used, digital workflows are emerging as viable alternatives. However, direct comparative evidence from the patient’s perspective remains limited. Objective: To compare patient satisfaction between conventional complete dentures (C-CD) and digital complete dentures (D-CD) in maxillary edentulous patients, including changes in perceptions over time and final prosthesis preference. Methods: A prospective, randomized crossover clinical trial was conducted in 2023–2024 involving 40 completely maxillary edentulous patients meeting specific inclusion criteria. Participants were randomly allocated into two sequence groups: Group 1 (n = 20) received C-CD first, and Group 2 (n = 20) received D-CD first, each for 6 months (T1), followed by crossover to the alternate denture for another 6 months (T2). Patient satisfaction was measured using a 10-item questionnaire at 6 and 12 months. Statistical analysis: Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used for within-subject comparisons of denture types, and Mann–Whitney U tests for between-group comparisons, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Using the paired crossover analysis, D-CD showed significantly better comfort than C-CD (p < 0.05). D-CD scored significantly higher than C-CD in most satisfaction domains, including comfort, retention, speech, esthetics, and need for adjustments (p ≤ 0.05). Median scores for retention, speech, esthetics, and other domains were slightly higher with D-CD but did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05). Additionally, the D-CD required fewer post-insertion adjustment visits than the C-CD (p < 0.05). By the end of the trial, 28 patients (70%) preferred the digital denture as their final prosthesis, whereas 12 patients (30%) preferred the conventional denture. Conclusions: Incorporating digital technology in the fabrication of complete dentures significantly enhances patient satisfaction compared to conventional methods. This study highlights the clinical relevance of modern dental prosthesis technology and supports the wider integration of digital workflows. Within the limitations of this pilot study, digitally fabricated complete dentures provided overall patient satisfaction comparable to conventional dentures, with the D-CD offering a notable improvement in comfort. The majority of patients ultimately favored the digital denture, supporting the clinical viability of CAD/CAM workflows.

Currently available direct restoration materials have been developed to have improved optical properties to interact with light in the same manner as the natural tooth. The objective of this study was to investigate the fluorescence of different enamel resin composites. In the present study, nine brands of enamel composites were tested in vitro, some of which are cited by manufacturers as having color adjustment potential. Fluorescence spectra of the composite specimens and the human natural enamel were measured with a fluorescence spectrophotometer immediately after preparation and after 6 months. Qualitative data of the specimens were also collected. Statistical analyses were conducted by Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U nonparametric tests (p < 0.05). Almost all tested resin composites presented a significant decrease in the fluorescence values after a period of 6 months. There was no significant decrease in fluorescence in the case of Harmonize™ resin composite samples, which presented the lowest initial fluorescence values. The highest value in the reduction of the initial fluorescence intensity after 6 months (22.95%) was observed for the Charisma^® specimens. Composites with a color adjustment did not perform significantly better than other composites in terms of reduction in fluorescence intensity.

Background: Polymerization shrinkage of composite resins affects the marginal closure of direct dental restorations. It is responsible for developing secondary caries and indirectly affects the survival rate of restorations. This study aims to investigate the null hypothesis, which states that there are no significant differences in the marginal microleakage of Class II restorations when examined in vitro using different dental adhesives, whether the restoration material used is a composite with glass fiber reinforcement or not. Methods: Class II cavities were prepared on both proximal surfaces of thirty-six extracted human molars. A single-component (Universal VivaPen) and a two-component (Futurabond DC) self-etch adhesive system were used for the restorations in the control group (Charisma Classic) and the experimental group (Charisma Classic with Interlig glass fiber strip). An oblique layering technique and a 40-s soft-start light-curing polymerization were used. After selective pre-isolation, the specimens were placed in a 0.2% methylene blue solution and incubated at 37 °C for 24 h. The teeth were sectioned in the mesiodistal direction, and two examiners examined and graded the extent of dye penetration. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Mann–Whitney U and chi-square tests (p < 0.05). Results: All the composite restorations reinforced with glass fiber showed significantly reduced dye infiltration compared to the control group (p < 0.05). A significant difference (p < 0.05) was also observed between the two adhesives. Conclusions: The null hypothesis was rejected. Glass fiber strips significantly reduced composite restoration microleakage regardless of the adhesive. The marginal fit of the restoration was also influenced by the adhesive system used.

Background: Dental erosion is the irreversible loss of tooth structure from acid exposure. Its prevalence is rising globally, making it an important oral health concern. However, longitudinal data from Eastern Europe are scarce, especially in Romania. This pilot study aimed to assess the 10-year incidence of dental erosion in Romanian young adults and to compare clinical index scoring with digital scanning. Methods: A 10-year prospective study followed 540 Romanian adults (aged 18–30) selected with no erosive lesions at baseline (Basic Erosive Wear Examination BEWE = 0). Erosive wear was assessed at the 10-year follow-up using BEWE, with 40 participants also undergoing digital intraoral scanning to measure enamel loss (μm). Gender differences were analyzed. Chi-square tests, relative risk, and correlation analyses were performed. Results: After 10 years, 23.2% of participants developed dental erosion. Males exhibited a higher incidence than females (29.9% vs. 17.2%; RR = 1.74, p < 0.001). Among the scanned subset (n = 40), the mean enamel loss was 137 ± 79 µm, with greater wear on palatal vs. buccal surfaces (p = 0.002). BEWE scores were moderately correlated with digital enamel loss (r = 0.58, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Erosion progressed over time in this cohort, with males at higher risk. Digital scanning detected subtle enamel loss not captured by BEWE, indicating greater sensitivity to early changes. BEWE and digital methods provided complementary information; their combined use offers a more comprehensive assessment.

Background: Patient satisfaction is a critical outcome in the rehabilitation of edentulous patients. While conventional fabrication methods are widely used, digital workflows are emerging as viable alternatives. However, direct comparative evidence from the patient's perspective remains limited. Objective: To compare patient satisfaction between conventional complete dentures (C-CD) and digital complete dentures (D-CD) in maxillary edentulous patients, to assess perception changes and final patient preferences. Methods: A prospective, randomized, crossover clinical trial was conducted between 2023 and 2024 involving 40 complete maxillary edentulous patients with specific inclusion criteria. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups: Group 1 (n=20) received C-CD, and Group 2 (n=20) received D-CD for a period of 6 months, followed by crossover to the alternate prosthesis for another 6 months. Patient satisfaction was assessed using a validated 10-item questionnaire at 6 and 12 months. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon signed-rank and Mann-Whitney U test for non-parametric data, with significance set at p≤0.05. Results: D-CD scored significantly higher than C-CD in most satisfaction domains, including comfort, retention, speech, esthetics, and need for adjustments (p≤0.05). Conclusions: Incorporating digital technology in the fabrication of complete dentures significantly enhances patient satisfaction compared to conventional methods. This study highlights the clinical relevance of modern dental prosthesis technology and supports the wider integration of digital workflows.

Background/Objectives: Microorganisms are the leading cause of infections in the root canal system, contributing to the failure of endodontic treatments. This in vitro study aimed to compare the antimicrobial effects of four different endodontic sealers: Endomethasone N (Septodont, Saint Maur-des-Fossés, France), Sealapex (Kerr Corporation, Orange, CA, USA), AH Plus Jet (Dentsply DeTrey GmbH, Konstanz, Germany), and MTA Fillapex (Angelus, Londrina, Brazil). Methods: The sealers were tested against common oral pathogens, including Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, and Streptococcus mutans, using the agar diffusion method. Inhibition zones were measured at 24, 48, and 72 h to assess antimicrobial efficacy. Results: The results showed that Endomethasone was the most effective sealer against all tested microorganisms, demonstrating consistent inhibition across all time intervals. MTA Fillapex also exhibited a significant antimicrobial effect, particularly against Streptococcus mutans, with its efficacy increasing over time. AH Plus Jet displayed limited effectiveness, showing significant results only against Staphylococcus aureus. Conclusions: Overall, this study confirms the superior antimicrobial performance of Endomethasone, while the other materials, particularly MTA Fillapex and Sealapex, also showed notable effects in experimental conditions. The antimicrobial activity of all materials, except AH Plus Jet, increased over the 72-h period.