Introduction. Dental fatigue fractures are the result of occlusal overloads occurring because of increased intensity of occlusal forces or decreased resistance of dental hard tissues to habitual occlusal forces. In the COVID-19 pandemic, occlusal stress has increased significantly, and so has the number of dental fractures. The study has the aim to determine if the number of cases of dental fatigue fractures during the pandemic crisis was higher than in the immediately preceding period. Methodology. The retrospective study was carried out in a private dental clinic, selecting from the case series presented during March 2019-March 2021 the cases of dental fatigue fractures presented for diagnosis and treatment. The data collected from the patients included the reason for the presentation, the dental and medical history, and results from dental examination and radiological data. The statistical analysis was carried out with Microsoft Excel and SPSS software. Results. The study included 644 patients, 430 women and 214 men, with ages between 25 and 85 years (61±7.4 years). From a total of 2581 visits, 1534 visits were made to 383 patients between March 2019 and March 2020, and 1047 visits were made to 261 patients between March 2020 and March 2021, the number of visits decreasing by 31.75% during the pandemic. During the pandemic, the number of fractured teeth tripled, increasing from 0.53% to 1.53% (p=0.009). The most affected teeth were the maxillary premolars and the permanent first molar, both mandibular and maxillary. In most cases, the indication for treatment was extraction. Conclusions. The Sars-Cov2 virus pandemic crisis has significantly increased the number of teeth with dental fatigue fractures presented to the dental office for diagnosis and treatment.

Background/Objectives: Cyclodextrins (CDs) have garnered increasing attention in pharmaceutical research due to their ability to enhance drug solubility, bioavailability, and therapeutic efficacy. Meanwhile, the gut microbiota, a key regulator of human health, has emerged as an important target in evaluating the safety and broader implications of pharmaceutical excipients. This review aims to synthesize current knowledge regarding the effects of CDs on the composition and function of the gut microbiota. Methods: A literature search following PRISMA guidelines was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar to identify studies on cyclodextrins and their interactions with gut microbiota. Results: Cyclodextrins, particularly α-, β-, and γ-CDs, demonstrated the capacity to modulate gut microbiota composition, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia. Supplementation with CDs was also associated with an increased production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are essential for maintaining intestinal homeostasis and metabolic health. Moreover, CDs exhibited potential in lowering lipid levels and improving postprandial glycemic control without enhancing insulin secretion. Although generally recognized as safe, the toxicological profile of CDs varies depending on their type, dosage, and route of administration. Conclusions: Cyclodextrins hold considerable promise not only as pharmaceutical excipients but also as modulators of gut microbial communities, suggesting a dual therapeutic and prebiotic role. Future studies integrating metagenomic and metabolomic approaches are necessary to further elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying CD–microbiota interactions and to optimize their application in enhancing drug delivery efficiency and promoting intestinal health.

Background: Inflammatory radicular cysts are lesions of endodontic origin in which chronic inflammation and tissue remodeling may support cyst expansion. Aim: The present study evaluated cluster of differentiation 34 (CD34) immunoexpression as a proxy of vascular remodeling and explored a digital, artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted quantification workflow. Materials and Methods: Thirty-nine inflammatory radicular cysts were processed as formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens and immunostained with anti-CD34 antibody. Digital quantification [Deep Learning Inferred ImmunoFluorescence (DeepLIIF) and ImageJ] was performed in selected stromal areas. Lesions were stratified by cyst size (0.5–1.0 cm, 1.0–2.0 cm, >2.0 cm). Results: Twenty-two of 39 cases were CD34-positive. In these cases, the mean proportion of CD34-positive nuclei increased with lesion size (6.67% in 0.5–1.0 cm, 15.98% in 1.0–2.0 cm, and 31.13% in >2.0 cm). Differences among size groups were significant (Kruskal–Wallis H=18.50, p=0.000096). Conclusions: Larger inflammatory radicular cysts displayed higher CD34-associated vascular signal, supporting an association between cyst size and vascular remodeling.

Background/Objectives: Diode lasers are used as adjuncts for endodontic disinfection, but their depth-resolved effects on root dentin are insufficiently described. This ex vivo study used optical coherence tomography (OCT) to qualitatively document laser-related morphological signatures on canal walls. Methods: Palatal roots from extracted maxillary first molars were standardized and hemisectioned to create specimens allocated to a conventional diode-laser protocol, a higher-power protocol, or control. A 940-nm diode laser with endodontic tips was applied per group. Swept-source OCT acquired serial B-scans along the root length. Two endodontists reviewed images for thermally induced morphological alterations (TIMAs). Reporting is descriptive. Results: OCT revealed laser-related hyper-reflective linear/radial signatures extending from the canal lumen toward the external root surface in laser-treated specimens. Qualitatively, signatures appeared more conspicuous and extended deeper with the higher-power protocol than with the conventional protocol. Findings were most evident in the coronal/middle thirds. Control specimens served to contextualize background appearances from preparation and sectioning. Representative B-scans illustrate typical patterns. The novelty of the present study results from the identification of areas of morphological alteration through the OCT examination of the walls of the root canals. Conclusions: Depth-resolved OCT can visualize dentinal alterations associated with diode-laser irradiation in an ex vivo model. These observations support careful parameter selection and motivate in situ studies with concurrent temperature monitoring and histologic correlation.

(1) Background: The constant technological progress, occurring sometimes at a rapid pace, can be challenging for some dentists, demanding significant additional effort to acquire knowledge and adapt to new techniques. New methods and materials should be implemented throughout the medical field, regardless of the specialty, from establishing the diagnosis using three-dimensional imaging to the actual endodontic treatment. (2) Methods: This cross-sectional study was designed to assess Romanian dentists' use of modern endodontic techniques and materials through an online questionnaire targeting dentists who perform endodontic treatments as part of their clinical practice. The survey was conducted over seven months, from November 2022 to May 2023. (3) Results: 207 fully validated responses were obtained, resulting in a response rate of 69%. (4) Conclusions: Upon analysis of the questionnaire responses, a substantial proportion of medical professionals demonstrate openness to the utilization of contemporary technological advancements within the field of endodontics.