The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of final surface treatment and dental composite type on the roughness of the composite surface, composite/enamel interface, and composite/cementum interface, as well as on the polishing time. Class V cavities prepared in extracted teeth (n = 126) were restored using one of the three nanohybrid composites with different filler sizes. The specimens were randomly assigned to three different finishing and polishing sequences. The roughness (Ra) of the investigated surfaces was measured using the contact profilometer. The time required to achieve visible gloss was documented. The data were analyzed using ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test (p < 0.05). There was no significant influence of the composite type on the restoration surface roughness (p = 0.088), while the polishing method had a significant impact (p < 0.001). The Ra of the composites ranged between 0.08 µm and 0.29 µm, with the lowest values (0.09 µm ± 0.05 µm) found in the aluminum oxide disc group (p < 0.001). The time to achieve a visible composite gloss was influenced by the polishing method, composite type, and interactions between these factors (p < 0.001). The interface roughness was significantly greater than that of the composite surface (p < 0.001), and depended on the composite type and polishing system employed.

We aimed to assess the effects of ultrasonic scaling and air-powder polishing on the roughness of enamel, three nanocomposites (Premise, Herculite Ultra, Harmonize), and composite/enamel and composite/cementum interfaces. Class V cavities were restored in 99 extracted third molars with one of the three nanocomposites and treated with ultrasonic scaler or air-powder polishing device (calcium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate powders). The roughness (Ra) of the investigated surfaces was measured with contact profilometer before and after treatment. The data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. Specimens’ Ra values before instrumentation were near the clinically acceptable 0.2 μm threshold. All techniques increased the roughness of the tested surfaces; however, the enamel was slightly affected. The mean Ra values after prophylaxis for composite, composite/cementum and composite/enamel surfaces were 0.32–0.55, 1.33–1.73, and 1.25–1.36, respectively. The extent of composite surface damage was material dependent. Premise surface was not altered by ultrasonic scaling significantly. Air-powder polishing with both powders produced a greater increase in surface roughness of composite resin and restorations margins than ultrasonic scaling. The Ra values after both types of air polishing for Herculite Ultra and Harmonize were approximately 1.5 and 2 times higher, respectively, than those after ultrasonic scaling (p < 0.05).

The use of chelating agents (CAs) in the endodontic irrigation protocol is required to dissolve the inorganic components of the smear layer. We aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of dental professionals regarding the use of CAs during root canal treatment. A cross-sectional anonymous online survey was conducted among specialized endodontists and general dentists who routinely perform endodontic treatment and work in government-funded or private clinics in Moscow. The 8 min survey consisted of four parts: basic demographic data, knowledge (five items), attitude (four items), and practice (five items). We collected 376 completed questionnaires; a majority of the respondents were general dentists (87.5%) and worked in private clinics (77.4%). Most respondents (83.5%) showed a fair knowledge of the CAs used in endodontics, while 16.5% showed a poor knowledge of the topic. Small yet significant differences were found between endodontists and general practitioners and between dentists employed by private and government-funded clinics. A majority of dental practitioners (83%) demonstrated a positive attitude towards the use of CAs in endodontic treatment, and there were no differences among the study subgroups. Almost a third of the respondents always used chelating solutions during endodontic treatment, while 17% of the respondents did not use them at all. There were significant differences in this parameter between dentists working in private and government-funded clinics. Practice significantly correlated with attitude towards chelating agents and with knowledge of the topic. In conclusion, dental practitioners demonstrated a fair knowledge of CAs. Despite a positive attitude, 71% of the respondents did not use CAs for all endodontic patients.

S. salivarius M18 administration has been proven to provide positive effects on periodontal health; however, there is still no consensus on the optimum duration of probiotic administration. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of three months of probiotic supplementation on bleeding on probing, signs of gingival inflammation, and dental biofilm. Sixty-two eligible individuals with gingivitis were enrolled in this placebo-controlled, double-blind trial and randomly allocated to the M18 or control groups. Primary outcomes were changes in gingival condition (gingival index, GI; gingival bleeding index, GBI) after 1, 2, and 3 months of lozenges administration and after a one-month washout. Secondary outcomes included changes in the Quigley–Hein plaque index (modified by Turesky et al.) after 1, 2, and 3 months of lozenges administration and after a washout. In total, 60 individuals completed the study (31 and 29 in the M18 group and the control group, respectively). No severe adverse events were reported. Probiotic supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in gingival bleeding at 1 month (effect size 1.09 [CI95%: 0.55–1.63]), 2 months (effect size 0.78 [CI95%: 0.26–1.30]), and 3 months (effect size 0.67 [CI95%: 0.15–1.18]) and a significant reduction in dental plaque accumulation at 2 months (effect size 0.63 [CI95%: 0.12–1.14]) and 3 months (effect size 0.55 [CI95%: 0.03–1.05]). A three-month supplementation with the probiotic resulted in a significant reduction in gingival bleeding and biofilm accumulation; however, a long-lasting effect is not expected, indicating the need for probiotic intake on a long-term basis.

We assessed the effect of different compositions and concentrations of two etidronate-containing irrigants on the antibacterial activity of sodium hypochlorite (SH) against Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans in vitro. Pure cultures of C. albicans and E. faecalis were isolated from root canal samples. The disc diffusion method was used to compare the antibacterial effect of pure SH and SH mixed with 9%, 15%, and 18% etidronate of two manufactures (dual rinse (DR); IsraDent (ID)) and EDTA. The pH and temperature of the solutions were measured immediately after mixing and within 40 min. The ANOVA revealed a significant influence of the type of irrigating solution on the C. albicans and E. faecalis inhibition zone diameters that ranged from 6.6 to 51.6 mm and from 6.4 to 12.4 mm, respectively. SH with DR 9% exhibited the highest effect against C. albicans. The antifungal activity of the other irrigants was SH = SH + DR15% = SH + DR18% = SH + ID9% > SH + EDTA > SH + ID15% > SH + ID18%. No significant differences in the anti-E. faecalis effect were revealed between the tested solutions except for the mixtures of SH and 15% and 18% ID, which exhibited no antiseptic effect. There was a strong positive correlation between antiseptic activity against both microorganisms and the pH values of the tested solutions. In conclusion, most etidronate formulations did not significantly hamper sodium hypochlorite activity against C. albicans and E. faecalis. The effect was concentration- and manufacturer-dependent.

Gingivitis is a widespread disease commonly associated with dentin hypersensitivity, that, in turn, may complicate routine dental care, leading to plaque accumulation. We aimed to assess the antigingivitis, desensitizing, and antiplaque effects of a fluoride-containing (TWF) alkaline toothpaste and a fluoride-free (TW) alkaline toothpaste. Eighty-four consenting patients aged 20–25 years with diagnosed gingivitis and dentin hypersensitivity (DH) were recruited in this double-blind, parallel-group study and randomly divided into two groups (each n = 42). Eighty-two patients completed the entire study protocol. The outcomes were assessed after 4 weeks of intervention. A significant improvement in gingival condition was found according to the modified gingival index, with effect sizes of 0.99 [CI95%: 0.52–1.46] and 1.71 [CI95%: 1.18–2.24], and the gingival bleeding index, with effect sizes of 3.17 [CI95%: 2.39–3.94] and 2.64 [CI95%: 1.96–3.32] in the TW and TWF groups, respectively. DH also decreased in both groups, with a significantly greater reduction in the TWF group (effect sizes of 3.28 [CI95%: 2.51–4.04] and 3.10 [CI95%: 2.40–3.80] according to the visual analog scale and Schiff scale, respectively). No side effects were registered. In conclusion, the use of alkaline toothpaste provided a significant reduction in gingival inflammation and bleeding, DH, and oral hygiene after 4 weeks of daily use in young adults. Trial Registration: NCT0562376. Funding: none.