Background/Objectives: Composite dental restorations are continuously exposed to dietary substances, which may compromise their structural integrity. This study aimed to assess the chemical and mechanical effects of coffee, red wine, and Coca-Cola on two widely used commercial resin composites, Herculite Ultra XRV and Omnichroma. Methods: Forty disk-shaped specimens (20 per material) were immersed for 10 days in the selected beverages. Changes in chemical composition were analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy, while Vickers microhardness testing evaluated surface hardness. Results: FTIR and Raman analyses revealed that coffee and red wine caused the most substantial chemical degradation, particularly in carbonyl (C=O), aromatic (C=C), and siloxane (Si–O–Si) groups. Herculite XRV demonstrated higher chemical stability, while Omnichroma showed more pronounced molecular degradation. In contrast, microhardness testing indicated that Omnichroma maintained better surface hardness compared to Herculite XRV after exposure. Across all solutions, Coca-Cola induced the least effect. Conclusions: The tested beverages significantly affected both the chemical and mechanical properties of the resin composites. Omnichroma exhibited superior mechanical durability, while Herculite XRV showed greater resistance to chemical degradation. These results highlight the importance of material composition in restorative dentistry and support the development and selection of composites with improved resistance to acidic and staining agents to ensure long-term clinical performance.

Background/Objectives: Periodontitis and diabetes mellitus are known to exert a bidirectional pathogenic influence characterized by metabolic dysregulation, exaggerated inflammatory response, and accelerated periodontal breakdown. Despite the increasing prevalence of both conditions in Eastern Europe, comparative clinical data from Romanian populations remain limited. This study aimed to assess differences in periodontal status, systemic comorbidities, smoking exposure, and local periodontal risk factors between diabetic and non-diabetic individuals in a Romanian cohort. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 345 adults (152 with diabetes; 193 non-diabetic individuals) all diagnosed with periodontitis. Although participants were recruited to achieve comparable distributions of sex and smoking status, individuals with diabetes were significantly older than controls. Full-mouth periodontal examination was performed following the 2018 EFP/AAP classification criteria. Clinical parameters included probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), plaque index (PI), and bleeding on probing (BOP). Periodontal staging and grading were determined, and local risk factors were recorded using a multiple-response approach. Systemic comorbidities and smoking exposure were also evaluated. Statistical analyses involved t-tests, chi-squared tests, and Spearman correlations; significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Diabetic patients exhibited significantly higher mean PPD (4.33 ± 1.22 mm vs. 3.70 ± 0.86 mm; mean difference 0.63 mm, 95% CI: 0.45–0.81), greater CAL (mean difference 0.19 mm, 95% CI: 0.01–0.37), and elevated PI and BOP (PI mean difference 18.97%, 95% CI: 12.44–25.50; BOP mean difference 17.23%, 95% CI: 10.86–23.60). Advanced stages (III–IV) and Grade C periodontitis were more prevalent among diabetic individuals. Diabetic participants also presented a higher burden of local plaque-retentive factors and systemic comorbidities (notably hypertension and cardiovascular disease), as well as higher smoking intensity. Conclusions: Diabetes mellitus is associated with markedly poorer periodontal status, greater systemic disease burden, and increased prevalence of plaque-retentive local factors. These findings reinforce the bidirectional relationship between diabetes and periodontitis and support the integration of periodontal assessment into metabolic disease management protocols.

Aim of Study: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of two disinfection methods—chemical-based cleaning with antibacterial tablets and a combination of UVC light and tablets—on silicone interception devices used in interceptive orthodontic treatment. Materials and Methods: Four devices were sectioned into three equal parts and divided into three groups: control (untreated), chemically cleaned (MyOClean antibacterial tablets), and disinfected with UVC light and tablets. Microbial samples were collected, cultured on UTI Chromogenic and Blood Agar media, and analyzed for bacterial growth and antibiotic susceptibility. Results and Discussion: The control group showed bacterial positivity within 24 hours, whereas the chemically and UVC-treated groups delayed bacterial growth to 48 hours, demonstrating the effectiveness of these methods in reducing bacterial contamination. Antibiograms of Staphylococcus aureus revealed high susceptibility to most antibiotics, with intermediate susceptibility noted for ciprofloxacin. Conclusion: The combination of UVC light and antibacterial tablets showed statistically superior disinfection outcomes (p ≤ 0.05) and represents a promising strategy for improving the hygiene of orthodontic appliances. These findings provide evidence-based recommendations for reducing microbial contamination and addressing antimicrobial resistance in orthodontic practice.

This study evaluates the diagnostic reliability of three methods for detecting occlusal caries: International Caries Detection and Assessment System

The interaction between restorative materials and microbial biofilms plays an important role in restoration longevity and the development of secondary caries. This study aimed to perform a multidimensional characterization of four commercially available flowable resin-based dental composites by evaluating their surface roughness, Vickers microhardness, surface morphology, and microbial biofilm formation under standardized in vitro conditions. Filtek™ Bulk Fill Flowable Restorative (3M), Tetric EvoFlow (Ivoclar Vivadent), BRILLIANT Flow (Coltene), and G-ænial™ Universal Injectable (GC) were investigated. Surface roughness was determined by contact profilometry, microhardness was assessed using the Vickers method, and microstructural characteristics were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Microbial biofilm biomass formed by Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and Candida albicans, including both reference strains and clinical isolates, was quantified using a crystal violet assay to compare material-dependent microbial colonization. G-ænial™ Universal Injectable exhibited the lowest roughness values, whereas BRILLIANT Flow showed the highest microhardness. SEM analysis revealed a more homogeneous surface morphology for Filtek™ Bulk Fill Flowable Restorative and G-ænial™ Universal Injectable, while Tetric EvoFlow and BRILLIANT Flow displayed increased topographical heterogeneity. Although modest differences in biofilm biomass accumulation were observed among the investigated composites (4.37–12.21% relative biomass reduction compared with the control), no material demonstrated a distinct advantage under the experimental conditions. The integrated evaluation of surface roughness, microhardness, surface morphology, and microbial biofilm formation provides a comparative characterization of commercially available flowable resin-based composites and contributes to a better understanding of material–biofilm interactions. These findings may support the future development of multifunctional restorative biomaterials with improved biofilm-modulating properties.

Saliva, a non-invasive and accessible biological fluid, has emerged as a valuable medium for monitoring health and disease. This study explores the impact of smoking on the total antioxidant capacity of saliva (TAC), a critical defense against oxidative stress. Conducted as a cross-sectional study from December 2022 to February 2023, the research involved students from the Faculty of Dental Medicine in Timișoara. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected using standardized procedures to ensure reliability and analyzed with a Trolox-based antioxidant test kit (ab65329, Abcam). Among the 70 participants, 40% identified as smokers, with varying cigarette consumption patterns. Results demonstrated that smoking significantly reduced salivary antioxidant levels, indicating a depletion of natural defenses against free radicals. Smokers exhibited a lower TAC compared to non-smokers, supporting a strong causal relationship between smoking and oxidative stress. These findings highlight smoking’s detrimental effects on systemic antioxidant status and oral health, underscoring the necessity for targeted preventive strategies and interventions to mitigate associated health risks. This study contributes to the growing evidence that smoking compromises biological defense systems, with implications for broader health outcomes and public health policy.