Within the specialty of prosthodontics, oral impressions are ubiquitous tools utilized to transfer intraoral characteristics such as teeth, implants, and soft tissue into a physical state (stone cast) that is processable in a laboratory setting for the fabrication of dental restorations. In recent years, optical impression systems have become ubiquitous in clinical practice replacing the conventional method of impression making. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of computerized optical impression making of edentulous jaws in an in vivo setting. 29 edentulous patients (27 maxillae and five mandibles) underwent conventional impressions as well as computerized optical impressions. The conventional impressions and the resulting stone casts were digitized and superimposed over the computerized/digitized optical impressions in order to obtain information on differences between the two datasets. Statistical analyses were performed to identify relevant deviations. The overall mean difference between the stone cast, digital scans and the computerized optical scans were 336.7 ± 105.0 µm (n = 32), 363.7 ± 143.1 µm (n = 24), and 272.1 ± 168.5 µm (n = 29), respectively. The visual evaluations revealed highest deviations (≥ 500 µm) in the areas of the soft palate, the sublingual areas, and the vestibule (peripheral seal zone). Within the limitations of the present study, the investigated scanners were not able currently to fully replace a conventional impression for the fabrication of a complete denture.

In view of the increasing antibiotic resistance, the introduction of natural anti-infective agents has brought a new era in the treatment of bacterially derived oral diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial potential of five natural constituents of Olea europaea (oleuropein, maslinic acid, hydroxytyrosol, oleocanthal, oleacein) and three compounds of Pistacia lentiscus (24Z-isomasticadienolic acid, oleanolic acid, oleanonic aldehyde) against ten representative oral bacterial species and a Candida albicans strain. After the isolation and quality control of natural compounds, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assay were performed. Among all O. europaea-derived constituents, maslinic acid was the most active (MIC = 4.9–312 μg mL− 1, MBC = 9.8–25 μg mL− 1) one against oral streptococci and anaerobic pathogenic bacteria (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Parvimonas micra), while oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, oleocanthal and oleacein showed milder, yet significant effects against P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum. Among all P. lentiscus compounds, oleanolic acid was the most effective one against almost all microorganisms with MIC values ranging from 9.8 μg mL− 1 (P. gingivalis) to 625 μg mL− 1 (F. nucleatum, P. micra). In the presence of 24Z-isomasticadienolic acid, a mean inhibitory concentration range of 2.4 μg mL− 1 to 625 μg mL− 1 was observed for strict anaerobia. The MIC value for 24Z-isomasticadienolic acid was estimated between 39 μg mL− 1 (Streptococcus sobrinus, Streptococcus oralis) and 78 μg mL− 1 (Streptococcus mutans). All tested compounds showed no effects against Prevotella intermedia. Overall, maslinic acid and oleanolic acid exerted the most significant inhibitory activity against the tested oral pathogens, especially streptococci and anaerobic oral microorganisms.

Objective: Dental anomalies occurring in deciduous teeth can affect the eruption of the permanent dentition and the occlusion stability. The occurrence of dental anomalies such as double teeth during the primary dentition in the daily practice might be frequent. The study aimed to qualitatively summarize the therapeutic management of double teeth in primary incisors. Material and Methods: A systematic review regarding the therapy of primary fused incisors in the mandible was performed and the obtained data were assessed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The following electronic databases were screened from 1st January, 1996 until 30th July, 2019: PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO and the archives of paediatric dental journals. The search terms were grouped in anatomic entity: (tooth OR teeth OR incisor), pathological condition: (fused OR fusion OR geminated OR double), intervention: (treatment OR intervention OR therapy OR prevention OR control OR management OR restoration), observed parameters: (primary dentition OR primary tooth OR primary teeth). Results: Ten articles met all inclusion criteria. The data disclosed the occurrence of double teeth in mandibular incisors. The main management of this clinical condition is either preventive or surgical involving the extraction of fused teeth, based on the deciduous nature of the teeth, the degree of caries and malocclusion development risk. Conclusion: An early diagnosis of dental anomalies is fundamental for the application of proper preventive strategies to avoid a potential malocclusion in permanent dentition and to maintain these teeth sound and caries-free until the eruption of the permanent dentition.