Purpose. To study the effect of different surface treatments on the micro‐shear bond strength and surface characteristics of zirconia. Methods. Two types of zirconia ceramics were tested: opaque (O) and translucent (T). Each type of zirconia was further allotted into four groups based on the type of surface treatment method. The four groups were: control (C), air abrasion with 110 µm Al₂O₃ particles (A), etching with Zircos–E Etching solution for 2 hours (E), and a combination of air abrasion and etching (AE). After the surface treatment, all specimens were ultrasonically cleaned and 10 resin cement cylinders were attached to the zirconia discs in each group. A micro‐shear bond strength test was performed in a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. The fracture surfaces were assessed under a compound microscope. SEM, EDAX, and AFM analyses were done for the zirconia specimens after being subjected to surface treatment. Statistical analysis for the bond strength test was done using the Shapiro–Wilk test, one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Post hoc Tukey test. Results. The micro‐shear bond strength values for the groups were as follows in megapascals (MPa): OC 18.96 (5.54), OA 22.66 (2.51), OE 28.48 (4.50), OAE 28.63 (4.53), TC 22.82 (5.46), TA 25.36 (5.17), TE 28.12 (4.76), and TAE 32.00 (3.47). The one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc Tukey HSD tests were done which showed significant results in the groups. In opaque zirconia, significant differences were seen in the etching and air abrasion with etching groups when compared with the control and air abrasion groups. There was no difference between the etching and air abrasion with etching groups. For translucent zirconia, the only significant difference was seen in the air abrasion with etching group in comparison with the control and air abrasion groups. The mode of failure was majorly adhesive. The surface topography and surface roughness showed significant differences between the groups. The EDAX results showed material loss that occurred due to sandblasting in the air abrasion groups. Conclusions. Etching with Zircos–E Etching solution significantly increased the bond strength of zirconia to resin cement when compared with other surface treatment methods. In translucent zirconia, the best results can be achieved by combining etching with air abrasion.

Purpose. The aim of this study was to assess and correlate the stress distribution in an anterior maxillary implant-supported prosthesis with 0°(degree), 15°, and 25° angulated titanium and zirconia abutments using a three-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis (FEA). Materials and Methods. Six FEA models consisting of a dentate anterior maxilla with a single bone-level implant of dimension 4.2×10mm placed in the region of left maxillary central incisor and abutments of dimension 4.2mm made of titanium and zirconia each with angulation 0° (IA and IB), 15° (IIA and IIB), and 25° (IIIA and IIIB) and ANSYS Workbench software were utilized to design a layered zirconia crown. Unilateral axial and oblique loads of 178N were applied on the palatal aspect of the crown of left maxillary central incisor. Average von Mises stress values were evaluated in the implant and the peri-implant bone quantitatively and qualitatively. Results. Stress was shown to increase with an increase in angulation in all the areas that were examined. Zirconia abutments showed lesser stress in the implant and surrounding bone than titanium abutments. When compared with the body and apex of the implant, the implant neck values were higher in all models. In between cortical and cancellous bone, the stress recorded was higher in the cortical bone. Conclusion. Within the limitations of this study, straight abutments generated a more uniform and minimal stress in implant and peri-implant bone than angulated abutments. Titanium abutments generated higher stress levels than zirconia abutments. The stresses generated are directly proportional to an increase in abutment angulation, and therefore, straight abutments are most suitable for favourable stress transmission.

Purpose. To investigate and compare the cellular host response of human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) on four currently used cements. Methods and Material. 5 cement pellet samples were made for each of the 4 test cements (n = 20). The cements used for this study were zinc phosphate, zinc oxide noneugenol (ZOE), RelyX U200, and glass ionomer cement (GIC). One commercially available cell line was used to investigate the cytotoxicity of peri‐implant tissues. Direct contact cell culture testing was conducted following International Organization for Standardization (ISO) methods 10993‐5 and 10993‐12 (MTT assay test). Cell cultures without dental cement were considered as control. Cells were allowed to grow and confluence over 48 hours after subcultivation according to standard laboratory procedures. The cells were kept in direct contact with the cement samples for 24 hours before being subjected to analysis. All specimens were tested in triplicate to validate the results. Quantitative evaluation of cytotoxicity was done to measure cell death and inhibition of cell growth. Results were analyzed using 1‐way ANOVA (a = 0.05) followed by Tukey B post hoc test. Results. The results of the study showed that HGF was vulnerable to the dental cement test material. GIC, zinc phosphate, ZOE, and resin cement were cytotoxic in decreasing order, respectively, and significantly reduced the cell viability after exposure to HGF (p < 0.001). Conclusions. Within the limitations of this in vitro cellular study, results indicated that the test dental cements were cytotoxic to HGF. The highest cytotoxicity was observed in GIC followed by zinc phosphate, ZOE, and resin cement.

Artificial intelligence is a computer system which can replicate human behavior and largely supports human actions and interpretation, but not replace human responses. Over the past few decades, the field of artificial intelligence (AI) has experienced phenomenal development and expansion. We are surrounded by several instances of AI. AI has applications in different branches of Dentistry. A total of 59 papers from an electronic search using Google Scholar and PubMed were used to create this narrative review. Artificial intelligence can be utilised for diagnosis, decision-making, treatment planning, early detection and prevention of oral disease, and finally result prediction by utilising cutting-edge technology in imaging. It shows how dentists can use it as a useful tool at various phases of clinical cases. The future of AI in dentistry appears to be outstanding with advancements in full artificial intelligence technology, dental assistance, and dental instructional tools. In order to help dental professionals better grasp AI as a tool to assist their work with enhanced efficiency, investigations need to be done to uncover patterns and foresee future related to oral health concerns. This review article attempts to highlight these points and lays an emphasis on how AI is driving dentistry in the present and will improve dental care in the future.

Background. Stress distribution plays a vital role in the longevity and success of implant-supported prosthesis. This study evaluated the von Mises stress and microstrain in the peri-implant bone and the implantabutment junction of short dental implants with three different implantabutment connections in splinted and unsplinted conditions using finite element analysis (FEA). Materials and Methods. In this experimental study, nine transversely isotropic finite element models were developed, and randomly divided into three equal groups (n3): control, (Group AC) single-standard 4.310mm bone level implant-supported restorations with external hexagonal (EH) connection, internal conical (IC) and internal trichannel (ITC) connection, single short implant-supported restorations (Group AT), and splinted short implant-supported restorations (Group B) for each of the three implantabutment connections, respectively. A 200 N load was applied along the long axis of the implants and a 100 N (45) oblique load was applied and von Mises stress and microstrain values were evaluated. Results. Single standard implants demonstrated the highest von Mises stress and microstrain values followed by single short implants and splinted short implants, respectively. Among the implantabutment connections, the IC connection showed the highest values and the ITC connection showed the least values. Conclusion. Within the limitations of this study, it was concluded that splinting of short dental implants demonstrated lesser and more homogeneous stress and microstrain, especially on oblique loading. The microstrain values for all connections evaluated were within the physiological loading limit (2002,500N) and were hence considered safe for clinical use.