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Bearing in mind the expression, “The art challenges the technology, and the technology inspires the art”, we say that oral surgery is changing rapidly due to the introduction of new technologies that improve the way surgical treatments are planned and performed [...]

(1) Background: Advancements in dental imaging technologies have significantly transformed diagnostic and surgical practices. The integration of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) is enhancing clinical precision, streamlining workflows, and redefining dental education. This review examines the evolution, applications, and future potential of these technologies in modern dental practice. (2) Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted, synthesizing findings from recent studies on digital radiography, CBCT, AI-assisted diagnostics, 3D imaging, and involving simulation tools (AR/VR). Peer-reviewed journal articles, systematic reviews, and clinical studies were analyzed to explore their impact on diagnosis, treatment planning, surgical execution, and training. (3) Results: Digital and 3D imaging modalities have improved diagnostic accuracy and reduced radiation exposure. AI applications enhance image interpretation, automate clinical tasks, and support treatment simulations. AR and VR technologies provide involved, competency-based surgical training and real-time intraoperative guidance. Integrating 3D printing and portable imaging expands accessibility and personalization in care delivery. (4) Conclusions: The integration of CBCT, AI, AR, and VR represents a paradigm shift in dentistry, elevating precision, efficiency, and patient outcomes. Continued research, standardization, and ethical practice will be essential for widespread adoption and maximizing clinical benefits.

Background: Rehabilitation of the severely atrophic maxilla remains a major challenge in implant dentistry, particularly when conventional endosseous implants and regenerative procedures are contraindicated due to extensive bone loss, sinus pathology, or patient-related factors. Advances in digital planning and additive manufacturing have enabled the reintroduction of juxta-osseous subperiosteal implants as a graftless, patient-specific treatment option. This case report aimed to describe the complete digital workflow, surgical placement, and immediate prosthetic rehabilitation of a customized juxta-osseous subperiosteal implant in a patient with severe posterior maxillary atrophy and a history of failed sinus augmentation procedures. Case Presentation: A 75-year-old male patient presenting with left severe posterior maxillary atrophy and previous unsuccessful sinus lift surgeries was rehabilitated using a digitally designed, additively manufactured titanium subperiosteal implant. Cone-beam computed tomography–based planning and CAD–CAM technology were used to design a patient-specific framework, which was rigidly fixed to stable maxillofacial support and immediately loaded with a screw-retained provisional prosthesis. Results: Clinical and radiographic follow-up demonstrated stable implant fixation, soft tissue healing, absence of biological or mechanical complications, and satisfactory functional and aesthetic outcomes. The patient reported high levels of comfort and satisfaction throughout the treatment period. Conclusions: Digitally manufactured juxta-osseous subperiosteal implants may represent a predictable and minimally invasive graftless alternative for selected patients with severe maxillary atrophy, particularly when conventional implant placement or extensive bone augmentation is not feasible. Accurate digital planning, rigid fixation, and appropriate patient selection appear to be key factors for clinical success.

The current systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out to compare the diagnostic accuracy of pulp vitality and pulp sensibility tests in assessing pulpal health. PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Open Grey databases were searched and after assessing eligibility criteria the data were extracted. True-positive, false-positive, true-negative, false-negative, sensitivity and specificity values were extracted or calculated if not presented. Quality of studies was evaluated based on the QUADAS 2 tool. Meta-analysis was performed in MetaDTA (v2.0; Shinyapps, RStudio PBC, Boston, MA, USA) and Review Manager 5.3 (RevMan web; The Cochrane Collaboration, London, UK). Ten articles were included for qualitative synthesis and five for meta-analysis. The pooled diagnostic odds ratio for pulse oximeter (PO), electric pulp tester (EPT), cold test (CT) and heat test (HT) was 628.5, 10.75, 17.24 and 3.47, respectively. Pairwise comparison demonstrated a higher pooled mean sensitivity and specificity with PO compared with EPT. Comparison between PO and CT and between PO and HT also demonstrated a higher pooled mean sensitivity and specificity for PO. Summary points on receiver operating characteristic curves confirmed the ability of PO to correctly screen negatives in presenting patients as compared to EPT, CT and HT but no study was rated as good on quality assessment. PO can be considered as the most accurate diagnostic method as compared to EPT, CT and HT. This review provides information about the reliability and diagnostic accuracy of using pulp vitality and sensibility tests for assessing pulp status.

Background: Persistent endodontic infections remain a significant challenge in root canal therapy, primarily due to the complexity of root canal anatomy and the formation of resistant microbial biofilms. Conventional irrigants, including sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine, show limited penetration into dentinal tubules and reduced efficacy against mature biofilms, contributing to treatment failure. Electrically charged lipid nanoparticles (ECLNs), such as cationic solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, and liposomes, have emerged as potential adjunctive systems to enhance intracanal antimicrobial delivery. This focused narrative review, informed by a structured literature search, aimed to synthesize and critically evaluate preclinical and exploratory clinical evidence regarding the use of electrically charged lipid nanoparticles for antibiotic delivery and biofilm control in root canal disinfection. Methods: A structured literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (2010–2026) identified 312 records, of which 20 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in qualitative synthesis. The majority of included studies were in vitro investigations, followed by ex vivo studies using extracted human teeth, with only a limited number of exploratory animal or clinical studies. Overall, the level of evidence was predominantly preclinical. Results: Across studies, ECLNs demonstrated enhanced antimicrobial efficacy compared with free antibiotics or non-charged formulations, with improved biofilm interaction, enhanced penetration into dentinal tubules, and sustained antimicrobial release. However, most investigations relied on mono-species Enterococcus faecalis biofilm models, and substantial heterogeneity in nanoparticle formulation and methodology was observed. Clinical evidence remains scarce. Conclusions: Although these findings about ECLNs suggest a promising experimental adjunct for root canal disinfection, current evidence remains largely preclinical and insufficient to support routine clinical application. Standardized formulations, clinically relevant multispecies biofilm models, and well-designed controlled clinical trials are required to establish safety, efficacy, and translational feasibility.

Background: Craniofacial clefts represent the most common congenital malformation in the head and neck region. Although most patients undergo primary cleft repair in childhood, many still present midfacial growth deficiencies in adulthood. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the incidence and indications for orthognathic surgery in adult patients with cleft lip (CL), cleft lip and alveolus (CLA), cleft lip and palate (CLP), and isolated cleft palate (CP). Materials and Methods: Sixty adult cleft patients (36 males and 24 females) born with a cleft and with a mean age of 19.51 ± 1.83 years were retrospectively enrolled in this study. All patients had undergone primary lip and palate repair during childhood at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Service of “Mother Teresa” University Hospital Centre in Tirana. Clinical records, orthodontic documentation, and cephalometric data were reviewed to determine the indication for orthognathic surgery. Results: The statistical analysis showed that orthognathic surgery was deemed necessary in 30% patients, including ten males (56%) and eight females (44%). The most prevalent type of cleft was CLP, accounting for 35% of all patients, and it showed the highest surgical indication rate (83.3%). Cleft patients and the need for orthognathic surgery were evaluated according to the skeletal malocclusion in three planes. The need for surgery was more prevalent in patients with skeletal class III malocclusion with maxillary hypoplasia (83.3% of surgical cases), those with anterior and posterior crossbite (21.7% of all patients), and in deep bite patients (16.7% of all patients). Additionally, all patients with facial asymmetry (15%) required orthognathic surgery, highlighting the strong association between asymmetry and surgical indication. Conclusions: Patients with craniofacial cleft, especially those with CLP and combined maxillary deficiencies, demonstrate a significantly higher need for orthognathic surgery. Quantitative assessment supports the necessity of a multidisciplinary treatment approach to address persistent skeletal discrepancies and optimize functional and aesthetic outcomes in adult cleft patients.

Background/Objectives: Tooth autotransplantation is a natural tooth replacement method that preserves the periodontal ligament, supporting root development and alveolar bone remodeling. Unlike dental implants, autotransplanted teeth maintain sensory function and adapt better to the mouth. Although once overlooked, new surgical, imaging, and regenerative advances have revived interest in this technique. This narrative review explores the renewed interest in tooth autotransplantation by assessing its benefits, success rates, technological advancements, and role in modern dentistry while evaluating its advantages, limitations, and potential impact on dental care. Methods: A narrative approach was used to provide a comprehensive and descriptive overview of current knowledge on tooth autotransplantation. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar using keywords such as “tooth autotransplantation”, “biological tooth replacement”, “periodontal ligament”, and “dental implants alternative”. English-language articles published between 2000 and 2025 were included, covering clinical trials, reviews, and relevant case reports. Selection focused on studies discussing biological mechanisms, clinical techniques, technological advances, and treatment outcomes. Results: Success rates range from 80% to 95%, with better predictability in younger patients with immature donor teeth. Long-term viability depends on preserving the PDL and performing atraumatic extractions. However, challenges such as root resorption, ankylosis, and appropriate case selection remain significant considerations. Technological advancements, including CBCT, 3D-printed surgical guides, and biomimetic storage media, have improved surgical precision and clinical outcomes. Conclusions: Tooth autotransplantation is an effective and cost-effective alternative to dental implants, particularly for growing patients or when implants are not suitable. While success depends on surgical skill and proper case selection, improvements in imaging and regenerative techniques have made outcomes more predictable. Future advances in bioengineering, AI-based planning, and regenerative therapies are likely to expand their use in modern dentistry.

Pregnancy induces significant changes in oral health because of hormonal fluctuations, making it a crucial period for preventive measures. Dental stem cells (DSCs), particularly those derived from the dental pulp and periodontal ligaments, offer promising avenues for regenerative therapies and, possibly, preventive interventions. While the use of DSCs already includes various applications in regenerative dentistry in the general population, their use during pregnancy requires careful consideration. This review explores recent advancements, challenges, and prospects in using DSCs to address oral health issues, possibly during pregnancy. Critical aspects of the responsible use of DSCs in pregnant women are discussed, including safety, ethical issues, regulatory frameworks, and the need for interdisciplinary collaborations. We aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of leveraging DSCs to improve maternal oral health.

Biofilm production on biotic and abiotic surfaces is crucial in the pathogenesis of most infections, particularly those occurring in the oral cavity. Its prevention and/or control may greatly facilitate the management of patients with oral diseases. Here, the antibiofilm activity of a biomimetic hydroxyapatite and a natural compound, MicroRepair (MicroR) and pomegranate (PomeGr), respectively, was assessed. By luminescence/fluorescence-based assays, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) were tested for biofilm production in the presence of MicroR and/or PomeGr. We found that both MicroR and PomeGr could affected biofilm production; however, the efficacy of the two, given alone or in combination, varied according to the microbial agent considered. These data open to clinical studies aimed at defining the most efficacious protocols to counteract oral biofilm-associated infections.

Hyperesthesia is related to increased sensitivity of dental tissues to mechanical, chemical and thermal stimuli. The aim of this prospective clinical trial was to compare the effectiveness of a calcium-fluoride-forming agent (Tiefenfluorid®, Humanchemie GmbH, Alfeld, Germany) with that of a fluoride varnish (EnamelastTM, Ultradent Inc., Cologne, Germany) in the treatment of dental hyperesthesia in adult patients. In total, 176 individuals (106 females and 70 males, aged 18–59 years old) diagnosed with dental hyperesthesia (DH) were enrolled. The main clinical symptoms were hyperesthesia from coldness and sweetness during chewing; the types of clinical lesions were also determined and recorded. The patients were selected randomly and divided into two groups: (i) the first group of 96 patients was treated with Tiefenfluorid® applied in three appointments at 7-day intervals; (ii) the second group of 80 patients was treated with EnamelastTM, applied seven times at 7-day intervals. All the patients were recalled 7 days, 14 days, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months from the last application. At the baseline and during every follow-up visit, the DH was measured with a pulp tester. A random intercept/random slope model was used to evaluate the effect of the treatment, at various times with respect to the initial diagnosis. Within the limits of the present study, Tiefenfluorid® was more effective than EnamelastTM against DH in that it provided long-lasting results, with a significant improvement still detected at the latest 6-month follow-up.