Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different light curing modes on the polymerization shrinkage of a bulk-fill composite and to evaluate the impact of two layering techniques on the cuspal deflection. Methods: Nine different light curing modes were tested on bulk-fill composite samples in aluminum MOD cavities. Intensity, duration, and illumination distance were the factors that changed during the different curing modes. The digital image correlation method was used to visually represent the displacement of carbon particles on the materials’ surface caused by shrinkage along both the horizontal and vertical axes. For simulating cuspal deflection, a separate protocol was used, with a bulk and horizontal layering technique. Results: The results showed that the largest horizontal displacements were present in the soft start group (6.00 ± 0.82 µm) and in the X-tra power group (5.67 ± 1.21 µm). The smallest horizontal displacements were detected in normal curing modes (4.00 ± 1.58 µm; 4.00 ± 2.68 µm). The largest vertical displacements, at the bottom layer, were present in the normal curing mode group with a 20 s curing time (5.22 ± 1.56 µm), while the smallest vertical displacements were shown in the X-tra power group (2.89 ± 0.60 µm). The observed particle displacements showing the shrinkage of the composite were correlated with the curing mode. The bulk-fill group showed less cuspal deflection than the horizontal layering group did, but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.575). Conclusions: Within the limitations of this in vitro study, it can be concluded that lower intensities of curing lights (1200 mW/cm²) may perform better from the point of view of material shrinkage than high and extreme light intensities do. The pulse delay mode might be recommended in the case of bulk-fill materials. The number of layers did not significantly affect the cuspal deflection in the case of the studied composite.

The scientific literature is increasingly focused on peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis, which are biological outcomes of dental implant treatment. Background/Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the two most critical complications of dental implantation, peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis, through the prism of different influencing factors. Methods: We followed 40 patients, with a total number of 92 dental implants, divided into three age groups: under 35 years, between 35 and 55 years, and older than 55 years. Patients were also divided into groups according to the time since implant placement: 1–3 years, 4–7 years, and more than 7 years. The patients were examined, and periodontal pocket depth, peri-implant pocket depth, Löe–Silness gingival index, mucosal thickness, and keratinized mucosal width were recorded; bone resorption was measured on radiographs using a 2D image analysis method; and a questionnaire was also conducted. Results: Bone resorption was highest in the 35–55 age group (3.09 ± 0.04 mm) and for implants placed 4–7 years ago (3.39 ± 0.12 mm). Females had a mean bone resorption of 3.4 ± 0.15 mm and males of 2.45 ± 0.07 mm. Statistically, there was a significant difference only in the Löe–Silness index: the 35–55 age group had the highest values (p = 0.04). Conclusions: There were no statistically significant differences between the time since implant placement and the degree of bone resorption, nor between sexes. Peri-implant inflammation may occur at any age, regardless of the lifetime of the implants.

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/Objectives: Periodontal regeneration remains a primary goal in contemporary periodontal therapy, aiming to restore both the structural and functional integrity of tissues lost due to periodontitis. Recent advancements in biomaterials, growth factors, and biologically active matrices have expanded the therapeutic possibilities in clinical practice. This narrative review aimed to summarize recent developments in regenerative approaches in periodontology, emphasizing their biological principles, clinical outcomes, and current limitations. Methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed Central and Scopus for randomized controlled trials and clinical trials published between January 2015 and July 2025. Human studies in English, available in open access and evaluating periodontal regenerative approaches, were included, while animal, in vitro, and non-clinical studies were excluded. A total of 67 articles met the eligibility criteria. Data were synthesized in both tabular and narrative form. Results: Most trials reported clinically relevant improvements in probing depth reduction, clinical attachment gain, and defect fill when regenerative biomaterials were applied in appropriately selected intrabony defects, although outcomes varied according to defect morphology, surgical protocol, and patient-related factors. Conclusions: Although substantial progress has been made, true periodontal regeneration remains challenging. Regenerative techniques such as GTR/GBR, EMD, platelet concentrates, and hyaluronic acid show favorable outcomes in appropriately selected cases, although overall predictability remains limited by variability in study design and short follow-up periods. High-quality, standardized RCTs are needed to consolidate current evidence and support guideline-based clinical decision-making.

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/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.