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The world is under the threat of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Despite several efforts to contain the disease spread, it still constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. Several published reports in the scientific literature called attention of the oral cavity as the potential route of infection, the implications for dental practice and the use of saliva in the diagnose of the COVID-19. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the literature on the salivary glands and saliva in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection. A brief discussion of taste disturbances and oral findings in COVID-19 patients is also presented. The literature shows that SARS-CoV-2 could infect the salivary glands. It is not possible, however, to make speculations regarding them as reservoirs for the SARS-CoV-2. In addition, patients with COVID-19 presented several oral repercussions, including hyposalivation and taste disturbances. A few reports showed oral ulcers and blisters associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, it remains not fully understood and might lead to erroneous assumptions. Overall, further studies are necessary to understand the real role of salivary glands and saliva in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

To verify the color change and contrast ratio of resin composites after curing and after 30 days of storage in water. Dentin A2 shades of different light-cured dental resin composites (Vittra APS, FGM, Brazil; Z350 XT, 3M ESPE, EUA; Tetric N-Ceram, Ivoclar Vivadent, Liechtenstein, and Charisma Diamond, Heraeus Kulzer, Germany) were tested. Ten rounded specimens (8 mm × 2 mm) were prepared for each material. Reflectance for all samples was obtained using a spectrophotometer (Minolta CM 3700d, Konica Minolta, Japan) before curing, immediately after curing, and after 30 days of storage in water. The color change (ΔE*lab) and contrast ratio (CR) data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance with Tukey's and paired t-tests (α = 1%). For all materials tested, significant color changes were noticeable after curing and after 30 days in water (p < 0.01). Significant changes in the CR values before curing, after curing, and 30 days of storage in water were observed in the resin composites investigated (p < 0.01) except for Z350 (p > 0.01). The CR values and color changes after curing and 30 days of storage in water varied depending on the material tested. This study corroborates the clinical practice of curing a small amount of unpolymerized resin composite on the tooth surface to select the desired shade before undertaking esthetic restorative procedures.

To evaluate the push-out bond strength (PBS) and failure mode of single adjustable (SAP) and customized (CP) posts cemented to root canal dentin using conventional (RelyX Ultimate) or self-adhesive (RelyX U200) dual-cure resin cements. Herein, 40 bovine mandibular incisors were divided into four groups (n = 10): SAP cemented with RelyX Ultimate (SAP-UT), SAP cemented with RelyX U200 (SAP-U2), CP cemented with RelyX Ultimate (CP-UT), and CP cemented with RelyX U200 (CP-U2). PBS and failure modes were analyzed. Three-way repeated measures ANOVA test followed by Tukey’s test and Fisher–Freeman–Halton exact test were used for data analysis (α = 5%). The PBS values for SAP (p < .05) were higher than those for CP and were not influenced by the root third and resin cement (p > .05). When conventional resin cement was used, the SAP showed significant differences compared to CP (p < .05). When cemented with RelyX Ultimate, a higher prevalence of mixed and adhesive failures for SAP and CP, respectively, was observed (p < .05). For the self-adhesive resin cement, the failures were mostly adhesive (p < .05). SAP showed better performance than CP. The root third and resin cements did not influence the PBS. The most prevalent failures were adhesive and mixed.