The cementation of indirect restoration is one of the most important steps in prosthetic and restorative dentistry. Cementation aims to bond the prosthetic restoration to the prepared enamel or enamel and dentine. Successful cementation protocols prevent biofilm formation at the margin between tooth and restoration and minimize mechanical and biological complications. With the advancements in dental cements, they have been modified to be versatile in terms of handling, curing, and bond strengths. This review presents updates on dental cements, focusing on the composition, properties, advantages, limitations, and indications of the various cements available. Currently, dental restorations are made from various biomaterials, and depending on each clinical case, an appropriate luting material will be selected. There is no luting material that can be universally used. Therefore, it is important to distinguish the physical, mechanical, and biological properties of luting materials in order to identify the best options for each case. Nowadays, the most commonly used dental cements are glass-ionomer and resin cement. The type, shade, thickness of resin cement and the shade of the ceramic, all together, have a tangible influence on the final restoration color. Surface treatments of the restoration increase the microtensile bond strength. Hence, the proper surface treatment protocol of both the substrate and restoration surfaces is needed before cementation. Additionally, the manufacturer’s instructions for the thin cement-layer thickness are important for the long-term success of the restoration.

Periodontal health plays an important role in the longevity of prosthodontic restorations. The issues of comparative assessment of prosthetic constructions are complicated and not fully understood. The aim of this article is to review and present the current knowledge regarding the various technical, clinical, and molecular aspects of different prosthetic biomaterials and highlight the interactions between periodontal health and prosthetic restorations. Articles on periodontal health and fixed dental prostheses were searched using the keywords “zirconium”, “CAD/CAM”, “dental ceramics”, “metal–ceramics”, “margin fit”, “crown”, “fixed dental prostheses”, “periodontium”, and “margin gap” in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. Further search criteria included being published in English, and between January 1981 and September 2021. Then, relevant articles were selected, included, and critically analyzed in this review. The margin of discrepancy results in the enhanced accumulation of dental biofilm, microleakage, hypersensitivity, margin discoloration, increased gingival crevicular fluid flow (GCF), recurrent caries, pulp infection and, lastly, periodontal lesion and bone loss, which can lead to the failure of prosthetic treatment. Before starting prosthetic treatment, the condition of the periodontal tissues should be assessed for their oral hygiene status, and gingival and periodontal conditions. Zirconium-based restorations made from computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology provide better results, in terms of marginal fit, inflammation reduction, maintenance, and the restoration of periodontal health and oral hygiene, compared to constructions made by conventional methods, and from other alloys. Compared to subgingival margins, supragingival margins offer better oral hygiene, which can be maintained and does not lead to secondary caries or periodontal disease.

Polymers have become essential in advancing bone tissue engineering, providing adaptable bone healing and regeneration solutions. Their biocompatibility and biodegradability make them ideal candidates for creating scaffolds that mimic the body’s natural extracellular matrix (ECM). However, significant challenges remain, including degradation by-products, insufficient mechanical strength, and suboptimal cellular interactions. This article addresses these challenges by evaluating the performance of polymers like poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), polycaprolactone (PCL), and polylactic acid (PLA) in scaffold development. It also explores recent innovations, such as intelligent polymers, bioprinting, and the integration of bioactive molecules to enhance scaffold efficacy. We propose that overcoming current limitations requires a combination of novel biomaterials, advanced fabrication techniques, and tailored regulatory strategies. The future potential of polymer-based scaffolds in personalised regenerative medicine is discussed, focusing on their clinical applicability.

Tooth root resorption is multifactorial, leading to progressive destruction and eventual loss of tooth root dentin and cement. There are internal and external types of root resorption, each having its variety. The etiology and pathogenesis of tooth root resorption are poorly understood, and the most significant etiological factors are trauma, pulpal infection, tooth bleaching, and orthodontic treatment. Tooth root resorption is primarily asymptomatic; thus, it is revealed accidentally by radiographic examination. Progressive clinical manifestations are pain, tooth discoloration, tooth mobility, and other conditions. Awareness of the causes and risk factors allowing tooth root resorption, and regular radiographic examination, in case of necessity, make it possible to reveal resorption at an early stage and to prevent its further development. Thus, the aim of this study is to present etiopathogenesis, a clinical course, and diagnostic peculiarities of internal and external types of tooth root resorption, enabling practicing dentists to timely diagnose root resorption and take appropriate measures to avoid further complications. Within the limitation of this review, even though the etiopathogenesis of tooth root resorption is yet not fully understood, it is suggested that the etiological factors fall into two groups (endogenic and exogenic) to enhance further understanding of the possible causes and mechanisms of root resorption and allow practitioners to monitor high-risk patients and make timely diagnoses. Moreover, radiographic examination and CBCT are indispensable for the diagnosis of root resorption.

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are emerging smart materials that have the ability to change to a shape and revert to their permanent shape on application of external stimulus. SMPs can be divided into four types based on their permanent shape, elasticity origin, and temporary shape fixing mechanism: chemically cross-linked glassy thermosets, chemically cross-linked semi-crystalline, physically cross-linked glassy copolymers, and physically cross-linked block copolymers. The broad overview of recent developments on SMPs for biomedical applications proves their wide applicability in the field of general medicine, drug delivery, regenerative medicine, dentistry, neuromedicine, cancer therapy, orthopedics, and corrosion protection. Herein, a comprehensive analysis of SMPs and their composites with focus on their types, mechanism, functionality and biomedical applications is presented. Relevant biomedical technologies based on SMPs and their future advancement towards biomedical applications are also discussed.

Introduction. While there are many root morphology classification systems with their own distinct advantages, there are many shortcomings that come along with each system. Objectives. The aim of this review was to compare the various root and root canal morphology classifications, their advantages, limitations, and clinical and research implications. Data Sources and Selection. An extensive literature search was conducted on PubMed and Scopus to identify the published data on root and root canal classification systems published until 1 May 2020 using keywords, root canal classification system, classification systems for root canals, and root morphology. The related literature was reviewed and then summarized. Data Synthesis. Several studies have analysed and detailed root and root canal classifications and further added new subsystems, works of Weine et al. (1969) and Vertucci et al. (1974). Besides, Sert and Bayirli (2004) added supplementary types to Vertuccis classification system. A new classification was most recently introduced by Ahmed et al. (2017) involving the use of codes for tooth numbering, number of roots, and canal configuration. Conclusions. Weine et al. classified only single-rooted teeth, without considering multirooted teeth and complex configurations. Vertuccis classification included complex configurations, with Sert and Bayirli adding further complex supplemental types. Ahmed et al.s classification simplifies classifying root and canal morphology while overcoming the limitations of several previous classification systems making it beneficial for implementation in dental schools.