Objective. The aim of this study was to compare to fracture resistance test of inlay restorations prepared using direct inlay technique (Gradia® Direct Composite) and Indirect Restoration System® (Gradia Indirect Composite) and CAD/CAD system (Vita Enamic® Block).Study Design. 48 noncarious extracted maxillary second primary molars were randomly divided into 4 groups with 12 in each group. All the teeth were prepared based on inlay class II preparations except for the control group. Other groups were restored with Gradia Direct Composite, Gradia Indirect Composite, and Vita Enamic Block, respectively. All restorations were cemented self-adhesive dual cure resin (3M Espe, RelyX™ Unicem Aplicap). A fracture test was performed using a compressive load. Results were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Duncan’s post hoc multiple comparison tests (α=0.05).Results. Vita Enamic Block and Gradia Indirect Composite showed significantly higher fracture resistance than Gradia Direct Composite (p<0.05). There was no significant difference fracture resistance between Vita Enamic Block and Gradia Indirect Composite (p>0.05). All restorations tested led to a significant reduction in fracture resistance (p<0.05).Conclusion.In inlay restorations, Indirect Restoration Systems and CAD/CAM systems were applied successfully together with the self-adhesive dual cure resin cements in primary molars.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the morphological structure of palatal rugae in Turkish orthodontic subjects with different sagittal skeletal malocclusions. Orthodontic dental casts of 105 patients (Class I [23 females, 12 males]; 35, Class II [18 females, 17 males]; and 35, Class III [14 females, 21 males] 10–22 years old) were analyzed for rugae patterns. Palatal rugae pattern and number, direction of rugae alignment, shape of incisive papilla were analyzed. Modified Thomas and Kotze classification was performed to analyze palatal rugae characteristics. The data were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test. Wavy and curved types were the most common types of rugae pattern in all groups (Class I, Class II, Class III). As regards to the number of primary and secondary rugae on the left and right sides, there was no statistically significant difference among subjects with different skeletal malocclusions. Droplet-shaped incisive papilla was the most common form of incisive papillae among different skeletal malocclusion groups. The most common palatal rugae were direction type arranged in the horizontal direction. All rugae patterns were unique for each individual. The use of antemortem or postmortem palatal rugae records may facilitate identification of the suspects in forensic investigations by enabling facial reconstruction through skeletal malocclusions.

(2018). Analysis of facial soft tissue values and cranial skeletal widths in different body mass index percentile adolescent subjects. CRANIO®. Ahead of Print.

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between frontal sinus morphology and hand-wrist bone maturation by using postero-anterior (PA) cephalometric radiographs. Materials and methods: The study sample consisted of 220 patients divided into 11 groups based on the hand-wrist radiographs. The right and left maximum height, width and area of the frontal sinus parameters were measured in PA cephalometric radiographs of 220 subjects aged 8-18 years. The hand-wrist skeletal maturation stages were evaluated on the hand-wrist radiographs using the method of Fishman. The Kendall tau-b values were analysed to evaluate the correlation between the hand-wrist skeletal maturation stages and the frontal sinus parameters. Results: The right and left frontal sinus areas and widths were found to be larger in males than in females (p < 0.05). In males, a significant difference was observed in all frontal sinus parameters in different maturation stages (p < 0.001), while a statistically significant correlation was found in females between the left frontal sinus area, right frontal sinus height, right frontal sinus width and different maturation stages (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The relationship between frontal sinus dimensions obtained from PA cephalometric radiographs and hand-wrist maturation stages suggests that frontal sinuses can be used in determining growth and development.

Additive manufacturing (AM) offers precision and efficiency in occlusal splint fabrication; however, the combined influence of build orientation and post-curing duration on the mechanical performance of splint resins remains insufficiently explored. This in vitro experimental study evaluated the effects of three build orientations (0°, 45°, and 90°) and three post-curing protocols (uncured, standard, and extended) on the flexural strength (FS), flexural modulus (FM) and Vickers hardness number (VHN) of a Class IIa biocompatible occlusal splint resin (NextDent Ortho Rigid). A total of 180 specimens were fabricated using a vat polymerization-type 3D printing system. Statistical analyses were conducted using one-way analyses of variance and Tukey’s tests at a significance level of α = 0.05. Both build orientation and post-curing duration significantly affected FS and VHN (p < 0.001). The combination of 45° build orientations and extended post-curing produced the highest FS (169.76 MPa) and FM (7502.17 MPa), exceeding values typically reported for 3D-printed splints, while the 90° orientation with extended curing achieved the highest VHN (21.88). Hardness gains, however, plateaued beyond standard curing, indicating a trade-off between strength and surface hardness. These results demonstrate that print orientation and post-curing time are decisive parameters in optimizing the mechanical performance of 3D-printed occlusal splints. For high-load clinical applications such as bruxism, prioritizing flexural strength over surface hardness may improve appliance longevity, supporting 45° orientation with extended curing as an evidence-based manufacturing approach.