Background/Objectives: Glass ionomer cements (GICs), high-biocompatibility dental materials that release fluoride with a cariostatic and remineralising effect on hard dental tissues, are widely used in many fields of dentistry, including conservative dentistry, pediatric dentistry, prosthodontics, and orthodontics; however, their mechanical performance and wear resistance remain limited. This study investigated the effect of nanodiamond (ND) addition (0.5–4.0 wt.%) on the surface, mechanical, and tribological properties of a conventional self-curing GIC. Methods: Surface roughness, microhardness, wear resistance, coefficient of friction, and chemical composition were evaluated using confocal microscopy, Vickers microhardness testing, tribological measurements, and EDX analysis. Results: The incorporation of NDs reduced the coefficient of friction and modified the surface morphology of the cement. The lowest friction coefficient (0.444) was observed for the sample containing 2 wt.% ND. However, ND addition also resulted in an approximately 50 per cent decrease in microhardness and wear resistance compared with the unmodified cement. EDX analysis confirmed that the chemical composition of the GIC matrix remained largely unchanged. Conclusions: The results indicate that nanodiamonds can improve the tribological behavior of glass ionomer cements, although further optimization of nanoparticle concentration and dispersion is necessary to maintain adequate mechanical properties.

Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field (ELF MF) therapy is effective in the treatment of injury, inflammation and postoperative complications. Its clinical applications relate to bone unification, pain reduction, soft tissue oedema and the decrease of electric potentials in the oral cavity. It enhances regeneration of periapical bone lesions. It is obvious that cells (leukocytes, platelets, keratinocytes, osteoblasts) and proteins (fibrin, collagen, elastin and growth factors) exhibit alterations when exposed to an Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of an Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field (ELF MF) on the parotid gland on the concentration of salivary immunoglobulin A. The study group consisted of 24 patients, aged 14–16, who underwent ELF MF on the parotid gland region. The control group comprised 25 matching persons. The IgA concentration in saliva samples was established using radial immunodiffusion. Following ELF MF, a statistically significant increase in the concentration of secretory immunoglobulin A was found in the study group, whereas in the control group, no statistically significant differences were noted. It can be concluded that an Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field increases the activity of the immune system of the parotid gland.

This study evaluated the physicochemical and morphological properties of tooth enamel in patients with caries-predisposing SNPs (rs4694075 in AMBN and rs2337359 in TUFT1 genes), based on the DMFT index. We included 40 of 120 individuals (aged 19–43), collecting stimulated saliva and 58 healthy teeth extracted for orthodontic/surgical reasons. Saliva DNA was genotyped. Enamel properties were assessed using Vickers microhardness, deposition thickness, and calcium content. Genotype and allele frequencies aligned with the literature. The TUFT1C/C genotype subgroup showed a significantly higher DMFT index (p = 0.03) compared to the T/T genotype, while AMBN showed no such correlation. Calcium content, microhardness, and enamel thickness were similar across all polymorphic variants of both genes. A statistically significant correlation (p = 0.003) was found between reduced enamel calcium content and a higher DMFT index. Despite existing literature on the subject, the studied SNPs did not reflect any correlation with morphological or physicochemical changes in enamel. The above results suggest that genetic variability identifies patients classified by dentists as being at higher risk of caries, even though these patients follow a non-cariogenic diet and adhere to a hygiene regime. As no structural or physicochemical changes in the enamel of this group were observed, the potential cause may be disturbances in the remineralisation mechanisms or enamel surface properties that promote biofilm adhesion in polymorphic patients. Intensive tooth calcification control algorithms using LIF and RVG, as well as remineralisation cycles to increase hydroxyapatite saturation with calcium phosphates and bioadhesive fluoride delivery systems for long-term biofilm control, are used to more effectively prevent or slow down the progression of caries.