Aesthetic bite for the management of temporomandibular disorders: A case series review

Background: Oral appliances (OA) are the most widely used treatment approach for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs): They are designed to relieve or prevent degenerative forces on the joint, the articular disk, and dentition. Classical OAs, however, are cumbersome and esthetically unpleasing: A more esthetic and functional appliance might improve treatment efficacy and shorten treatment time. Aim: The aim of this case series is to introduce an esthetical device for the management of TMD. Methodology: Three adults between 43 and 60 years old with a diagnosis of intra-articular TMD were included and were instructed to apply the device throughout the day and night. The patients were recruited at the same private dental clinic and each one signed an informed consent for both treatment and inclusion in the study. We evaluated and compared four clinical parameters (mandibular excursion, mandibular opening pattern, muscular and articular pain, and TMJ noises) between time 0 (T0) and 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months of using the device following the protocol of diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular joint disorders (DC/TMD). A magnetic resonance imaging exam was conducted to investigate tissue changes between T0 and 3 and 12 months of therapy. Conclusions: For all four parameters, we observed considerable improvements in all patients, who noticed the positive effects of the therapy themselves. The results suggest that this esthetic device was an effective treatment to manage TMD in the described cases, also increasing patients’ quality of life. However, studies on a larger scale are required to prove the effectiveness of this device. Clinical Significance: This case series aims to highlight the potentiality of an esthetic device used for the management of TMDs. This is because a more esthetically pleasant and comfortable device increases the time of usage, thus improving the positive effects of the device on the TMD

Influenza di differenti tipi di trattamento di superficie su ceramiche leucitiche: valutazione morfologica al SEM e all'AFM.

La tesi descrive i principali materiali ceramici utilizzati in ambito odontoiatrico per la costruzione di restauri indiretti e ne analizza i metodi di trattamento di superficie comunemente utilizzati per assicurarne un’adeguata adesione ai tessuti del moncone protesico dentale. Nello studio al suo interno sono stati analizzati campioni di ceramica Leucitica prima e dopo il trattamento con acido idrofluoridrico a tre concentrazioni diverse (3%, 5% e 9,5%) tramite SEM ed AFM, confrontandone poi i risultati pre-etching e post-etching. L’obbiettivo della tesi è quello di determinare quale concentrazione di HF porti ad ottenere una superficie sufficientemente rugosa per l’adesione ma in assenza di danni alla struttura della ceramica stessa. This thesis describes the main ceramic material used in dentistry for indirect restorations. It analyzes the most common surface treatment procedures in order to obtain the best adhesion to dental tissues (enamel and/or dentin). In the study we analyzed Leucitic samples before and after etching with three different concentrations of acid (9,5% 5% and 3%): the analysis was made through SEM and AFM. The objective of the thesis is to determine which concentration of HF allows the clinician to obtain the best surface possible for adhesion

Valutazione clinica della guarigione dell’alveolo dopo l’estrazione di elementi dentari erotti

Il processo di guarigione degli alveoli post-estrattivi comprende la guarigione del tessuto osseo e dei tessuti molli. La guarigione dei tessuti molli avviene per prima, mentre la guarigione ed il rimodellamento del tessuto osseo sottostante richiede tempi più lunghi. In Chirurgia orale, la guarigione dei tessuti molli è di primaria importanza in molti ambiti, dall’implantologia alla rigenerativa ossea fino alle tecniche di preservazione alveolare. Avere una indicazione della qualità della guarigione dei tessuti molli in un paziente è quindi fondamentale. L’obiettivo primario della presente tesi è quello di valutare la guarigione tissutale di alveoli post-estrattivi semplici a 7, 14 e 21 giorni tramite la proposta di un indice di valutazione della guarigione con punteggio massimo di 10 (corrispondente a guarigione ottimale) per ogni follow up. Obiettivo secondario della presente tesi è quello di valutare l’intero periodo di guarigione della ferita nel complesso tramite una sommatoria dell'indice proposto, rilevato ai tre follow up sopra descritti, per un punteggio massimo di 30 punti corrispondente ad una "guarigione ottimale"

Foreword to the Special Issue on Application of Nanomaterials in Dentistry

In modern medicine and, in particular, in modern dentistry, prevention has become fundamental in every private practice [...

Foreword to the Special Issue on Application of Nanomaterials in Dentistry

In modern medicine and, in particular, in modern dentistry, prevention has become fundamental in every private practice [...

Clinical Performance of Cention^TM Alkasite Restorative Material vs. Glass Ionomer Cement Used in Deciduous Teeth: One-Year Evaluation

Conservative dentistry in primary dentition aims to remove and repair existing carious lesions and to prevent secondary caries up until exfoliation of the primary tooth happens, in order to maintain the important role in terms of the space maintenance and guidance for eruption that deciduous teeth have. Many different materials are used, and some of them, recently commercialized, show bioactive properties able to prevent secondary caries. This trial’s primary focus is to evaluate the biological, functional, and aesthetic characteristics of Cention-N alkasite material compared to glass ionomer cement (GIC) through the use of standardized FDI criteria for direct restorations. A blinded, split-mouth study was designed for this purpose, including 112 deciduous molars in 45 children showing class II caries restored with either GIC or alkasite material. The data from this study indicates that the Cention-N alkasite material showed equal performance compared with Fuji IX GIC after one year. A thorough evaluation of exfoliated teeth restored with this material will provide long-term data and an evaluation on infiltration rates

Clinical Performance of CentionTM Alkasite Restorative Material vs. Glass Ionomer Cement Used in Deciduous Teeth: One-Year Evaluation

Conservative dentistry in primary dentition aims to remove and repair existing carious lesions and to prevent secondary caries up until exfoliation of the primary tooth happens, in order to maintain the important role in terms of the space maintenance and guidance for eruption that deciduous teeth have. Many different materials are used, and some of them, recently commercialized, show bioactive properties able to prevent secondary caries. This trial’s primary focus is to evaluate the biological, functional, and aesthetic characteristics of Cention-N alkasite material compared to glass ionomer cement (GIC) through the use of standardized FDI criteria for direct restorations. A blinded, split-mouth study was designed for this purpose, including 112 deciduous molars in 45 children showing class II caries restored with either GIC or alkasite material. The data from this study indicates that the Cention-N alkasite material showed equal performance compared with Fuji IX GIC after one year. A thorough evaluation of exfoliated teeth restored with this material will provide long-term data and an evaluation on infiltration rates

Twelve-year longitudinal clinical evaluation of bonded indirect composite resin inlays

OBJECTIVE This prospective clinical study evaluated the clinical performance of one-, two- and multi-surface composite resin inlays over a 12-year period on premolars and molars. METHOD AND MATERIALS One clinician placed 113 indirect composite resin inlays (Signum, Heraeus Kulzer) in 30 patients that were bonded using a three-step bonding system and composite resin luting cement. Evaluations were made at 3 and 12 years by another clinician who was not involved in the placement of the restorations, using the modified US Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria. Data were analyzed using a nonparametric statistical test (Mann-Whitney U test) followed by Bonferroni correction (alpha = .05). RESULTS Fourteen patients could not be followed, yielding to the follow-up of 99 restorations. After 12 years, compared to the 3-year follow-up, tooth integrity, secondary caries, and sensitivity criteria showed significant change, while other parameters did not show significant difference (P > .05). Parameters such as loss of marginal integrity, loss of restoration integrity, loss of surface polish, and secondary caries received more frequently delta scores. At the 3-year follow-up, the clinical performance of one- or two-surface inlays did not show significant difference from multi-surface ones (P = .6317), but at the 12-year follow-up, the results were more favorable for multi-surface inlays. Overall, the failure rate at 12 years was 12%. CONCLUSIONS Adhesively bonded indirect composite resin inlays showed acceptable long-term clinical results in terms of function, but surface and margin characteristics changed over time

Histologic Evaluation of Soft Tissues around Dental Implant Abutments: A Narrative Review

The basis for dental implant success comes not only with the titanium implant osseointegration but also depends on other factors such as the development of a soft tissue barrier, which protects the peri-implant bone from the oral environment. The characteristics of surfaces in contact with peri-implant soft tissues may affect the capacity of peri-implant mucosal cells to create a tight seal around the implant, thus influencing long-term implant success. Many histological studies on animals have been conducted on different materials to better understand their influence on peri-implant soft tissues, with the limitation that results from animal studies cannot be fully translated in humans. The aim of this review paper was to analyze the literature focusing on histological clinical studies in humans which have examined different materials or different surface treatments and their effects on peri-implant soft tissues. The research was conducted according to the following PICO question: “Do different implant/abutment materials affect peri-implant soft tissues adhesion and health?”. Nine articles were analyzed in this review. The results of this review show the influence of different abutment materials on the peri-implant soft tissues, and the need of further research regarding the effect that abutment materials, surface treatments, and surface properties have on soft tissues

The Use of Zirconia for Implant-Supported Fixed Complete Dental Prostheses: A Narrative Review

The success of implant-supported fixed complete dental prostheses (ISFCDPs) depends on multiple factors: some are related to the fixtures, such as fixture material, surface characteristics, positioning, and type of connection to prosthetic components; others are related to the prostheses, such as design and materials used. Zirconia is a material widely used in fixed prosthodontics, whether on natural teeth or on implants, with excellent results over time. Regarding the use of zirconia for ISFCDPs, the 2018 ITI Consensus Report stated that “implant-supported monolithic zirconia prostheses may be a future option with more supporting evidence”. Since CAD/CAM technology and zirconia are being continuously innovated to achieve better results and performances over time, a narrative review of the literature seems necessary to focus research efforts towards effective and durable solutions for implant-supported, full-arch rehabilitations. The objective of the present narrative review was to search the literature for studies regarding the clinical performance of zirconia-based ISFCDPs. According to the results of this review, the use of zirconia for ISFCDPs showed good clinical outcomes, with high survival rates ranging from 88% to 100% and prosthetic complications that were restorable by the clinicians in most cases