The present review provides an up-to-date overview of chairside CAD/CAM materials used in restorative dentistry, focusing on their classification, properties, and clinical applications. If CAD/CAM technology was only an aspiration in the past, a higher proportion of clinics are employing it nowadays. The market is overflowing with biomaterials, and these materials are constantly evolving, making it challenging for practitioners to choose the most appropriate one, especially in correlation with patients’ medical diseases. The evolution of CAD/CAM technology has revolutionized dental practice, enabling the efficient fabrication of high-quality restorations in a single appointment. The main categories of chairside CAD/CAM materials include feldspathic ceramics, leucite-reinforced ceramics, lithium disilicate, zirconia, hybrid ceramics, and acrylic resins. The mechanical, physical, and aesthetic properties of these materials are discussed, along with their advantages and limitations for different clinical scenarios. Factors influencing material selection, such as strength, aesthetics, and ease of use, are also assessed. Ultimately, the guiding principle of dentistry is minimally invasive treatment following the particularity of the clinical case to obtain the envisioned result. Correlating all these factors, a simple, up-to-date classification is required to begin an individualized treatment. By synthesizing current evidence, this comprehensive review aims to guide clinicians in selecting appropriate chairside CAD/CAM materials to achieve optimal functional and aesthetic outcomes in restorative procedures. The integration of digital workflows and continued development of novel materials promise to further enhance the capabilities of chairside CAD/CAM systems in modern dental practice.

Modern dentistry is turning towards natural sources to overcome the immunological, toxicological, aesthetic, and durability drawbacks of synthetic materials. Among the first biomaterials used as endosseous dental implants, mollusk shells also display unique features, such as high mechanical strength, superior toughness, hierarchical architecture, and layered, microporous structure. This review focusses on hydroxyapatite—a bioactive, osteoconductive, calcium-based material crucial for bone healing and regeneration. Mollusk-derived hydroxyapatite is widely available, cost-effective, sustainable, and a low-impact biomaterial. Thermal treatment coupled with wet chemical precipitation and hydrothermal synthesis are the most common methods used for its recovery since they provide efficiency, scalability, and the ability to produce highly crystalline and pure resulting materials. Several factors, such as temperature, pH, and sintering parameters, modulate the size, purity, and crystallinity of the final product. Experimental and clinical data support that mollusk shell-derived hydroxyapatite and its carbonated derivatives, especially their nanocrystaline forms, display notable bioactivity, osteoconductivity, and osteoinductivity without causing adverse immune reactions. These biomaterials are therefore highly relevant for specific dental applications, such as bone graft substitutes or dental implant coatings. However, continued research and clinical validation is needed to optimize the synthesis of mollusk shell-derived hydroxyapatite and determine its applicability to regenerative dentistry and beyond.

In recent decades, there has been significant growth in research focused on biocompatible materials, particularly in the field of materials science and engineering. The primary advantages of these materials are their biocompatibility, bioactivity, and antibacterial properties. Consequently, there has been a growing utilization of bioceramic sealers in the field of endodontics. This study investigated the amounts of bioactive elements in dentin in contact with the AH Plus^® Bioceramic Sealer (Dentsply, Konstanz, Germany). The results were qualitatively evaluated by examining scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and elemental mapping and quantitatively by determining element weight (wt%) and atomic (at%) percentages obtained from EDX analysis. The AH Plus^® Bioceramic Sealer demonstrated notable bioactivity through its dynamic contact with dentin at the root level.

The success of endodontic treatment depends on the correct use of materials during the cleaning and filling of the root canal system. The field of endodontics is constantly evolving with the introduction of new procedures and materials. Despite the continuous development of a wide range of chemical solutions and the introduction of new materials in endodontics, driven by the advances in state-of-the-art technologies, there is still a lack of data on how these advances are adapted to the daily practice of Romanian dentists in this field. The aim of this cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was the evaluation of current trends in endodontic practice, focusing on the materials used by dentists throughout Romania, performed by a number of dentists who graduated from universities in the Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western, and Central zones of Romania. The questions were about the irrigants used, the interim medication, the type of sealant, the filling technique, and the number of endodontic treatment sessions. The majority of participants in the research were general practitioners and endodontists, with some dentists of different specialties performing endodontic treatments in their practices. Statistical analyses were performed using DATAtab version 2024 software. The results obtained from this study provide a valuable resource and database for researchers to access a wide range of information and an apparent trend towards high-performance endodontic materials used in Romania.

Dental adhesives play a crucial role in modern dentistry by enabling the bonding of diverse restorative materials to tooth surfaces. These systems have evolved through seven generations, each characterized by unique chemical compositions and application techniques. The advancements in dental adhesives have significantly impacted restorative dentistry by preserving tooth structure, enhancing aesthetics, and ultimately improving patient outcomes and treatment options. The choice of adhesive system depends on various factors, including the clinical scenario, material compatibility, and dentist preference. Ongoing advancements in adhesive technology continue to enhance treatment outcomes and streamline procedures for dental practitioners. The development of universal adhesives capable of functioning in both etch-and-rinse and self-etch modes has further simplified clinical protocols. This study is an observational cross-sectional study conducted among Romanian dentists. A questionnaire was distributed via email to Romanian dentists, encompassing seven questions that explored the predominant use of etch-and-rinse or self-etch adhesive systems, preferred adhesive types, and commonly encountered challenges in direct restorations. Statistical analyses were conducted using DATAtab version (2024). The study highlighted the varying preferences among Romanian dentists in selecting suitable adhesive agents. Etch-and-rinse (ER) techniques predominated in direct restorations, with universal adhesives being the most frequently used. Further investigation is warranted to delve into the preferences of Romanian dentists regarding the utilization of self-etch (SE), etch-and-rinse (ER), and universal adhesives (UAs).

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is highly aggressive type of cancer for which the available treatment often causes patients severe side effects. Eugenol (Eug) is the major active constituent of clove essential oil and is known to possess antitumor properties. The present study aimed to assess the in vitro cytotoxicity of eugenol in SCC-4, tongue squamous carcinoma cells, and also in HGF, human gingival fibroblasts. Both cell lines were treated with five concentrations of Eug (0.1–1 mM) for 72 h. Cellular viability was assessed, followed by cellular morphological evaluation and by staining of the nuclei and cytoskeleton. RT-PCR was conducted in order to find the effect eugenol had on the expression on Bad, Bax, and Bcl-2 genes. Eugenol induced a dose-dependent decrease in viability in both cell lines, with the SCC-4 cells being significantly more affected. HGF cells detached from the plate at the highest concentrations used, while SCC-4 cells changed their morphology in a dose-dependent manner, with rounding, floating cells, and confluency loss being observed. Apoptotic-like signs such as chromatin and actin filaments condensation were clearly seen in SCC-4 cells, while RT-PCR revealed a significantly increased expression of pro-apoptotic genes Bax and Bad. Therefore, eugenol exerts its cytotoxic effect in tongue squamous cell carcinoma through inducing apoptosis.