The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of feldspathic ceramic laminate veneers over a 7-year period using minimally invasive techniques, such as vertical preparation (without prosthetic finish line), or no preparation (no-prep). A total of 170 feldspathic ceramic veneers were cemented in the anterior region, including 70 maxillary and 100 mandibular veneers, after special conditioning of the teeth and restorations. The veneers were evaluated using the FDI World Dental Federation criteria evaluation kit after recalling all the patients between February and June 2021. In total, 14 feldspathic veneers failed and were replaced with lithium disilicate because of core fracture, and 10 cases of chipping occurred on the ceramic surface and were polished. The overall survival rate was 91.77% for up to 7 years of function, with a failure rate of 8.23%. In this retrospective survival analysis, the failures, including the fracture of veneers and dental hard tissue, occurred both in prep and no-prep teeth. No failures were observed in veneers with a maximum thickness of 0.5 mm compared to those with a maximum thickness of 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, and 2.5 mm.

Reports in the literature have proposed and analyzed several minimally invasive techniques for caries removal in recent decades. In light of recent events surrounding the ongoing epidemiological context, concerns have been raised regarding the generation of aerosols during dental procedures. The aim of our research was to provide an overview of the scientific literature on the topic of chemo-mechanical caries removal (CMCR) methods, focusing on two products (Carisolv, BRIX3000), commercially available in Europe. A bibliometric analysis was used to investigate the scientific articles included in Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection database, published from January 2010 to December 2020. We analyzed the co-occurrence of all keywords (Author Keywords and the KeyWords Plus section), co-authorship and co-citation, using the free software VOSviewer. Our bibliometric analysis revealed a worldwide interest in the subject of chemo-mechanical methods of caries removal, which has transcended the area of pediatric dentistry. The analyzed studies have been conducted mainly in high-income countries that have developed sanitary policies regarding prevention and early treatment of carious lesions as a health priority.

Background and Objectives: The main objectives of our study were to assess sexual dimorphism and to compare the facial height, as well as the anteroposterior width of the upper airway, within adult Caucasians diagnosed with skeletal Class I and skeletal Class III malocclusion, based on a number of angular and linear cephalometric parameters. Materials and Methods: One hundred lateral cephalograms were selected from orthodontic adult Caucasian patients from western Romania. Several angular parameters (SNA, SNB, ANB, FMA, Y–FH, Ba–S–PNS and NL–ML angles) and linear parameters (total, upper and lower anterior facial height—TAFH, UAFH, LAFH; total posterior facial height—TPFH) were analysed for each case. The upper airway width parameters included the width of the nasopharynx, as well as the upper, middle and lower pharyngeal airway width (UPAW, MPAW and LPAW). Results: Distinct sexual dimorphism was observed regarding the vertical cephalometric parameters within both Class I and Class III groups, with males exhibiting significantly larger facial height parameters, while females demonstrated larger nasopharyngeal depth angles (Ba–S–PNS). The Y–FH angle had significantly higher values in Class I than in Class III subjects, regardless of sex. Upper airway dimensions showed sexual dimorphism specifically in Class III subjects, with females exhibiting larger UPAW values than males. The inter-class comparisons showed larger values for LPAW, especially in females. Correlation analyses revealed no statistically significant relationships between the vertical and the upper airway parameters in Class I subjects. UPAW showed a tendency to decrease in Class III subjects as TAFH and LAFH increased. Ba–S–PNS showed consistent negative correlations with the vertical dimensions in both groups. Conclusions: These findings suggest that skeletal Class I and Class III malocclusions exhibit not only different sagittal relationships, but also distinctive, sex-related vertical skeletal patterns within each group, and therefore it would be advised that male and female patients should be diagnosed and treated according to separate protocols. In our population, Class III males are more likely to require orthognathic surgery, in addition to orthodontic treatment, with a more reserved prognosis and they might have a higher risk of OSA or other respiratory disorders in comparison with Class III females.

Background: Orthodontic auxiliaries can create plaque-retentive niches that inflame adjacent soft tissues. We compared bacterial colonization on molar bands, Nance buttons, and acrylic plates and assessed associated periodontal and palatal tissue responses in adolescents. Methods: In a cross-sectional study (n = 128; 10–17 years), clinical indices (Plaque Index, Gingival Index, bleeding on probing, probing depth) were recorded at device-influenced teeth. Palatal fibromucosa under palate-contacting devices was graded 0–3 (0 = none, 1 = mild/diffuse, 2 = moderate/confluent, 3 = marked with papillary hyperemia). Swabs from device surfaces, adjacent enamel, and palatal mucosa were cultured for total aerobic counts (log₁₀ CFU/cm²); Streptococcus mutans burden was quantified by qPCR (log₁₀ copies/mL). Group differences and adjusted associations were analyzed. Results: Palate-contacting devices harbored greater palatal biofilm and presented higher soft-tissue inflammation than bands. In adjusted models, device type (Nance, acrylic) remained associated with higher Gingival Index independent of measured behaviors and wear duration. Palatal colonization tracked closely with palatal erythema, supporting a local dose–response at the palatal interface. Conclusions: Appliance design is associated with distinct colonization patterns and soft-tissue responses; palate-covering acrylic components warrant device-specific hygiene and routine palatal inspection. Selecting designs with better cleansability and reinforcing plate-specific cleaning may mitigate palatal inflammation during treatment.

Aim of the study: This study aimed to evaluate the mechanical strength, when subjected to compressive forces, of aesthetic space maintainers manufactured through various digitally-assisted methods specifically, additive techniques (LCD and SLA) and subtractive milling. Materials and methods: Space maintainer designs were digitally modelled in Exocad and then produced by LCD printing using TC100 resin and plant-based Anycubic resin, by stereolithography (SLA) printing using Next Dent and Harz Labs resins, and by a subtractive technique using Tempo Block PMMA milling discs (Sid Dental). All samples underwent compression testing using the Zwick/Roell Z 005 machine. Results: A one-way ANOVA statistical test revealed significant differences in the compression breaking force among the four groups with milled samples showing a significantly higher strength than all 3D printed samples (LCD, SLA_Harz, and SLA_Next). Tukey post hoc tests confirmed these differences (p 0.001), while no significant differences were found among the 3D printed groups. The soy-based Anycubic resin samples exhibited high elasticity, leading to deformation without fracture, and were excluded from the study due to their inability to properly maintain the mesiodistal space. Conclusions: Beyond the aesthetic benefit, the milled space maintainers proved to offer a substantial advantage in terms of mechanical strength over those fabricated with additive printing techniques (LCD and SLA), making the subtractive manufacturing technique more suitable for clinical applications that involve higher mechanical stress.

The dental anomalies of volume occur during the stages of morphological differentiation or during the organic matrix apposition and include micro and macrodontia. Relative generalized microdontia is characterized by the disproportion between the normal-sized teeth and the overdeveloped jaws, as a result of crossed inheritance. This case report describes the treatment approach using fixed orthodontic appliances and the evolution in the case of a young male patient diagnosed with spacing (diastemata and tremata), Class I malocclusion and deep bite. The treatment objectives were to obtain a good static and dynamic occlusion and optimal esthetics. At the end of the treatment all the functions of the dento-maxillary system were improved, with adequate intra and inter-arch relationships. When localized in the anterior region, microdontia affects the aesthetic function and, consequently, the patient's psychosocial behavior, which often dictates his treatment choice – orthodontic, restorative or multidisciplinary treatment.