Periodontitis consists of a progressive destruction of tooth-supporting tissues. Considering that probiotics are being proposed as a support to the gold standard treatment Scaling-and-Root-Planing (SRP), this study aims to assess two new formulations (toothpaste and chewing-gum). 60 patients were randomly assigned to three domiciliary hygiene treatments: Group 1 (SRP + chlorhexidine-based toothpaste) (control), Group 2 (SRP + probiotics-based toothpaste) and Group 3 (SRP + probiotics-based toothpaste + probiotics-based chewing-gum). At baseline (T₀) and after 3 and 6 months (T₁–T₂), periodontal clinical parameters were recorded, along with microbiological ones by means of a commercial kit. As to the former, no significant differences were shown at T₁ or T₂, neither in controls for any index, nor in the experimental groups for adherent gingiva and gingival recession. Conversely, some significant differences were found in Group 2 and 3 for the other clinical indexes tested. Considering microbiological parameters, no significant differences were detected compared to baseline values for any group, except in Group 2 and 3 at T₂ only for the percentage of the orange complex pathogens and for the copies/microliter of Prevotella intermedia and Fusobacterium nucleatum. Accordingly, although colonization of probiotic bacteria has not been assessed in this study, the probiotics tested represent a valid support to SRP with a benefit on several clinical indexes and on specific periodontopathogens. Despite this promising action, the relationship between the use of probiotics and improvement in clinical parameters is still unclear and deserves to be further explored.

Dental caries is one of the most common diseases—both in adults and children—that occurs due to the demineralization of enamel and dentine by the organic acids formed from bacteria present in dental plaques through anaerobic metabolism of dietary sugars. The aim of this article is to provide a guideline to assess the risk of caries by looking for the main factors involved. Literature research was performed for studies that analyzed the factors most involved in the development of child caries, such as poor oral hygiene, bad eating habits (or food disorders), and an alteration of the oral bacterial flora—with an increase of Streptococci spp., Lactobacilli spp., Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Candida sake. It is therefore essential to assess the risk of caries in children, based on the assessment of risk factors, in order to be able to establish preventive and/or therapeutic approaches that will reduce or stop the development of dental caries. The use of fluoride products, products made from casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate, substituted zinc biomimetic hydroxyapatite products, or products containing self-assembling oligopeptide SAP-P₁₁-4 are useful. In terms of the clinical approach, a communicative approach should be added to learn about the eating habits and the oral hygiene habits of the child and parents; in addition, the use of a simple method to frame the factors involved, and subsequently establish the risk of carious lesions in the child, allows the reduction of the DMFT (Decayed Missing Filled Teeth) or ICDAS (International Caries Detection and Assessment System) index on large scales.

Introduction. Intraoral scanners allow direct images of oral situation, with fewer steps than conventional impressions. The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of digital impressions, traditional impressions, and digitalization of full-arch gypsum models, to evaluate timing of different methods and finally to study perception of patients about conventional and digital impression techniques. Methods. Dental arches of fourteen patients were evaluated by alginate impression, titanium dioxide powder-free intraoral scanning (Trios, 3Shape), and digitalization obtained from gypsum models using the same scanner. Conventional and digital techniques were evaluated through measurements (lower and upper arch anteroposterior length, lower and upper intercanine distance, and lower and upper intermolar distance) with a caliber for analogic models and using a computer software for digital models (Ortho Analyzer, Great Lakes Orthodontics). In addition, chairside and processing times were recorded. Finally, each patient completed a VAS questionnaire to evaluate comfort. Statistical analyses were performed with ANOVA and Tukey tests for accuracy measurements and paired t-test for times and VAS scores. Significance was predetermined at P<0.05. Results. The measurements obtained with intraoral scanning, gypsum models after conventional impression, and digitalized gypsum models were not significantly different. Both chairside and processing times of digital scanning were shorter than the traditional method. VAS reporting patients comfort were significantly higher when evaluating digital impression. Conclusions. Intraoral scanners used for orthodontic applications provide useful data in clinical practice, comparable to conventional impression. This technology is more time efficient than traditional impression and comfortable for patients. Further evolution with more accurate and faster scanners could in future replace traditional impression methods.

CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing) for indirect restorative materials has been recently introduced in dentistry. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the change of the surface micro-hardness of different restorative CAD/CAM materials after exposure to a carbonated acidic drink (Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Company, Milan, Italy). One hundred and eighty specimens of identical size (2 mm thickness) were obtained by sectioning each tested CAD/CAM block of four materials: a hybrid ceramic (CERASMART™, GC Corporation, Tokyo, Japan), a resin nano ceramic (Lava™ Ultimate, 3M, Monrovia, CA, USA), a nanohybrid composite (Grandio blocs, VOCO GmbH, Cuxhaven, Germany), and a zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate glass ceramic (VITA SUPRINITY^® PC; VITA Zahnfabrik, Bad Sackingen, Germany). Forty-five specimens of each material were tested. Micro-hardness was measured at baseline, after 7 days and after 28 days. The data were analyzed. The micro-hardness of each material varied significantly after immersion in Coca-Cola. The nanohybrid composite had a high initial micro-hardness and the greatest percentage loss after acid exposure. The hybrid ceramic and the resin nano ceramic had similar percentage losses of micro-hardness values even if the second material had higher initial values. The zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate glass ceramic had the highest baseline values and the lowest percentage loss of micro-hardness. The different CAD/CAM materials presented different micro-hardness values before and after acid exposure.

Dietary habits with high consumption of acidic food can induce in orthodontic patients an increased risk of demineralization lesions around orthodontic brackets and bands. The purpose of the present laboratory study is to assess the in vitro visual efficacy of a biomimetic nano‐hydroxyapatite remineralizing solution in a hypomineralized enamel surface and its effect on adhesion of fixed orthodontic appliances and on enamel microhardness. Intact teeth were demineralized, and subsequently the areas of demineralization were visually recorded using a 0–100 scale. Subsequently, a remineralizing solution (Biorepair® Repair Shock Treatment) was applied for ten minutes once a day/for one week per month for a total remineralizing treatment of 3 months. Visual effects were recorded. Moreover, bond strength was recorded and adhesive remnant index scores were measured for both orthodontic brackets and composite attachments both before demineralization and after demineralization and application of remineralizing solution. Also, Vickers microhardness was measured. All data were submitted to statistical analysis. The application of remineralizing solution induced a significant in vitro reduction of demineralized areas after the first week of application. No significant differences between untreated enamel surfaces and remineralized surfaces were detected after 2 months of remineralizing treatment. Bond strength values were significantly reduced for both brackets and attachments after remineralizing treatment. However, attachments showed higher adhesion values than brackets in both conditions tested. Remineralized enamel showed significantly higher microhardness values than demineralized enamel and lower values than intact enamel.

Periodontitis is a progressive destruction of both soft and hard tooth-supporting tissues. In the last years, probiotics have been proposed as a support to the gold standard treatment scaling and root planing (SRP), but no extensive literature is present as regards the effect of the more recent postbiotics. Thirty patients subjected to SRP were randomly assigned to two domiciliary hygiene treatments based on the following oral gels: the postbiotics-based Biorepair Parodontgel Intensive (Group 1) and the chlorhexidine-based Curasept Periodontal Gel (Group 2). At baseline (T₀) and after 3 and 6 months (T₁–T₂), the following periodontal clinical parameters were recorded: Probing Pocket Depth (PPD), recession, dental mobility, Bleeding on Probing (BoP), and Plaque Control Record (PCR). A significant intragroup reduction was assessed in both groups for PPD, BoP, and PCR; conversely, recession significantly increased in both groups, whereas dental mobility did not vary. As regards intergroup comparisons, no statistically significant differences were assessed. Both gels, respectively, containing antioxidant natural ingredients and chlorhexidine, are effective for the domiciliary treatment of periodontitis. Further studies are required to evaluate the singular chemical compounds of the gels expected to exert the beneficial action assessed in this preliminary study.