The present study systematically reviewed the literature regarding the bond strength durability of zirconia ceramics to resin-based luting cements after application of different bonding protocols and aging conditions. Electronic searches in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were performed for relevant literature published between January 1st 2015 and November 15th 2022. Ninety-three (93) English language in-vitro studies were included. The percentage of the mean bond strength change was recorded prior to and after artificial aging, and the weighted mean values and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Bonding protocols were classified based on the combination of MDP/non-MDP containing cement/primer and surface pretreatment, as well as the level of artificial aging performed. Alumina sandblasting (SA) was identified as the most frequently used surface pre-treatment while an insufficient number of studies was identified for each category of alternative surface treatments. The combination of MDP cement with tribochemical silica coating (TSC) or SA yielded more durable results after aging, while the application of SA and TSC improved bond durability when a non-MDP cement and a non-MDP primer were used. TSC may lead to increased bond durability compared to SA, whereas MDP cements may act similarly when combined with SA or TSC.

Non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs and statins are two widely prescribed drug classes that affect bone formation. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effect of diclofenac and simvastatin in artificial bone defect healing. One hundred and forty-four male Wistar rats were used, and the specimens were divided into groups, with respect to the route of drug administration and the type of defect healing (with or without collagen membrane), and subgroups, with respect to the study duration (2, 4 or 8 weeks). Diclofenac was intramuscularly administered while simvastatin was administered both systemically and locally. Animals were euthanized and specimens were histomorphometrically analyzed to evaluate the percentage of new bone formation (%). Bone healing that occurred without any intervention developed more steadily than that of all other groups. Diclofenac exerted a clear, direct inhibitory effect on bone healing and its systemic administration should be avoided. The systemic administration of simvastatin was related to severe myopathy, while the solvent for the local administration of simvastatin seemed to play significant role in bone growth, as simvastatin, when it is administered intraperitoneally in a DMSO solution, appeared to promote bone healing. Local administration may have a significant impact on bone healing and it should be further investigated with the type of solvent or carrier that is used, which both may play a significant role in bone repair induction.

(1) Background: The presence of various dental ceramic materials with different chemical compositions complicates clinicians’ decision making, especially in cases with a highly acidic environment appearing in patients suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease or other eating disorders. Thermal alterations in the oral cavity can also affect surface structure and roughness, resulting in variations in both degradation mechanisms and/or bacteria adhesion. The aim of the present in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of thermal cycling and exposure to simulated gastric acid on the surface roughness of different ceramics; (2) Methods: Five groups of different ceramics were utilized, and twenty specimens were fabricated for each group. Specimens were either thermocycled for 10,000 cycles in distilled water or immersed in simulated gastric acid for 91 h. The evaluation of surface roughness was performed with optical profilometry, while scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy were also performed; (4) Conclusions: Based on the combination of the surface roughness profile and structural integrity, zirconia specimens presented the smallest changes after immersion in simulated gastric acid followed by lithium disilicate materials. Zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate ceramic presented the most notable changes in microstructure and roughness after both treatments.