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Hydroxyapatite is one of the most studied biomaterials in the medical and dental field, because of its biocompatibility; it is the main constituent of the mineral part of teeth and bones. In dental science, hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HAnps) or nano-hydroxyapatite (nano-HA) have been studied, over the last decade, in terms of oral implantology and bone reconstruction, as well in restorative and preventive dentistry. Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles have significant remineralizing effects on initial enamel lesions, and they have also been used as an additive material in order to improve existing and widely used dental materials, mainly in preventive fields, but also in restorative and regenerative fields. This paper investigates the role of HAnps in dentistry, including recent advances in the field of its use, as well as their advantages of using it as a component in other dental materials, whether experimental or commercially available. Based on the literature, HAnps have outstanding physical, chemical, mechanical and biological properties that make them suitable for multiple interventions, in different domains of dental science. Further well-designed randomized controlled trials should be conducted in order to confirm all the achievements revealed by the in vitro or in vivo studies published until now.

Background and Objectives: Menopause is a natural physiological process involving hormone production changes, affecting many functions and systems. This scoping review offers a contemporary outlook on oral issues related to menopause, such as saliva production, periodontal and alveolar bone issues, and changes in the microbiome, and it also investigates the effects of hormonal therapy. Materials and Methods: A literature search from 2019 to 2024 was conducted according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Articles investigating the oral effects of menopause were included. Results: A total of 30 studies were covered; 8 focused on salivary alterations, 5 on periodontal issues, 7 on bone, 3 on the microbiome, and 7 on multiple oral problems, showing that xerostomia and altered taste are the most common oral manifestations, followed by indirect causal effects on periodontitis. Many of these alterations can be contained through regular consultations and adequate hygiene. Some alveolar bone changes may occur after menopause and are associated with osteoporosis. Conclusions: Postmenopausal women experience notable reductions in salivary flow, pH levels, and taste sensitivity, which are associated with hormonal fluctuations as well as factors such as age, medication use, and treatments for climacteric symptoms. This population is at increased risk for periodontitis, tooth loss, altered taste, lichen planus, candidiasis, and decreased bone mineral density, which also affect the peri-implant area. Osteoporosis and hormonal changes can play a significant role in causing these increased risks. Maintaining proper oral hygiene and consistently monitoring bone health are essential. While changes in the oral microbiome are more heavily influenced by reductions in salivary flow than by menopause itself, hormone therapy may help improve periodontal health by reducing harmful bacteria and fostering a more balanced microbial environment. The intricate impact of hormones on oral health highlights the necessity for further research.

Background and aims. Vitamin D is synthesized in the skin with the aid of ultraviolet-B radiation, playing a variety of roles in the body. Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are a group of pathological conditions involving the temporomandibular joints as well as the masticatory muscles and othersurrounding tissues. In the present narrative review, we investigated the potential role of vitamin D in the etiology of temporomandibular disorders in order todetermine whether the current knowledge supports 25-hidroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) supplementation in temporomandibular disorders associated with insufficient or deficient levels of vitamin D. Methods. A literature research was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases, and a total of 10 articles were included for analysis. Results.Among the observational studies published to date, investigating the role for vitamin D in the etiology of TMDs, six of them suggest that there is a connection between the two aspects. In this context, patients suffering from TMD, with deficient levels of vitamin D (<30 ng/mL), are most likely to benefit from supplementation, whereas individuals with vitamin D level >50ng/mL probably have little benefit from supplementation.Conclusion.Vitamin D might be a safe, simple, and potentially beneficial way to prevent TMDs or to reduce pain; however, more randomized and placebo-controlled trials are required before any firm conclusions can be drawn.

Background: Miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) has gained attention as an effective alternative to traditional rapid palatal expansion, particularly in adult patients. This scoping review synthesizes recent evidence to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of MARPE, addressing a gap in comprehensive, up-to-date analyses in this area. Objective: To present the recent assessments concerning MARPE influencing factors, side effects, soft tissue alterations, and airway changes, focusing on comparisons with conventional devices. Methods: Using PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a search of the literature published in 2018–2023 using Medline, Scopus, and Embase databases. This review focused on randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and other reviews that evaluated the outcomes of MARPE. Results: Our analysis included 75 studies and revealed that MARPE significantly improves suture expansion with fewer dental and skeletal side effects compared to traditional methods. The technique shows high efficacy in subjects up to 25 years of age, with reduced incidence of complications and improved stability of expansion. Conclusions: The results support MARPE as a viable and superior alternative for maxillary expansion in late adolescents and adults. Given its advantages over traditional methods, MARPE should be considered a standard procedure in orthodontic treatment plans. Future research should focus on long-term outcomes and optimization of patient-specific treatment protocols.

Background and Objectives: Preheated composite resins have been proposed as an alternative to conventional luting agents due to their improved resistance, color stability, and adaptation. This review aims to critically evaluate the current literature on the use of preheated composites as luting agents exclusively on dentin and enamel, focusing on their mechanical behavior, optical properties, and biological effects, in order to determine whether they provide superior clinical outcomes compared with conventional resin cements. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive literature search from 2015 to 2025 was conducted in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Eligible studies included in vitro investigations comparing the preheated composite with other luting agents performed on human, bovine, analog dentin or enamel substrates. Studies meeting these criteria were screened, evaluated, and synthesized. Results: Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria: nine focused on the mechanical performance, and the remaining six studies examined additional properties such as color stability, pulpal temperature changes during preheating, film thickness characteristics, and the influence on marginal discrepancy. Conclusions: Preheated composite resins offer improved mechanical properties, marginal adaptation, and fracture resistance compared with conventional luting agents. However, their performance is highly technique-sensitive, and clinical outcomes depend on operator skill, restoration thickness, and material selection. Preheating generally does not compromise color stability, but it can elevate pulpal temperature, particularly when residual dentin is thin. Overall, preheated composites have potential clinical advantages, provided that careful handling and appropriate application are ensured.

Zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (ZLS) ceramic is a new innovative dental material with unique a chemical composition that is designed to combine harmoniously with the appropriate optical properties of lithium disilicate and the enhanced mechanical strength of zirconia. A thorough understanding of ZLS materials is essential for both clinicians and dental technicians. At present, the mechanical behavior and optical properties of the ZLS ceramic system have not been extensively researched, and there is still a lack of consensus regarding the fabrication process and clinical behavior of ZLS all-ceramic restorations. The aim of the present study was to present a selection of comprehensive information concerning zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate ceramics and their optical and mechanical properties, as well as to assess data regarding cementation procedures and clinical outcomes for ZLS all-ceramic restorations. Three electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library) were used for the research by two independent reviewers. The search was limited to articles published in the English language, as well as clinical and in vitro studies of color and studies on mechanical behavior and the cementation procedures of ZLS restorations. The exclusion criteria comprised abstracts, questionnaire-based studies, case reports, literature reviews, and studies that were not available in English. Zirconia-reinforced lithium-silicate-based ceramic presents a unique and complex microstructure that increases mechanical resistance but decreases aesthetic appearance, especially its translucency, due to tetragonal zirconia content. A material’s thickness, the color of the underlying tooth structure, and the resin cement shade are important factors that influence the final shade and aesthetic appearance of ZLS restorations. Mechanical properties, which are defined by the fracture toughness, flexural strength, elastic modulus, and hardness of ZLS ceramic are higher compared to feldspathic, lithium disilicate, and hybrid ceramics, as well as resin nanoceramics; however, they are lower than translucent or high-translucency zirconia. Acid etching, sandblasting, and laser etching represent the most used methods to prepare the ZLS restoration surfaces for proper bonding procedures.

Background/Objectives: Peri-implantitis is a prevalent inflammatory condition affecting dental implants, leading to increased treatment costs, patient dissatisfaction, and potential implant failure. Novel biomarker-based approaches may contribute to early detection, thereby decreasing the burden of the disease. The aim of this review was to assess in vivo studies using metabolomics to identify the metabolic profiles and potential biomarkers of peri-implantitis. Methods: The protocol for this study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42025634865). Five databases and grey literature sources (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, and Google Scholar) were searched using keywords related to metabolomics and peri-implantitis. Studies were selected by independent, inter-calibrated researchers. Data were extracted using predefined, custom forms. The risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool. Results: An electronic literature search retrieved 543 articles, of which five were selected. All studies were published within the last five years of the search. All but one study used untargeted metabolomics, and all studies identified metabolites associated with peri-implantitis or distinct metabolomic profiles of peri-implantitis. SCFAs and lysine metabolites were recurring in the results, confirming the findings of previous metabolomic studies on periodontal disease. Conclusions: Metabolomics has not been widely used to study peri-implantitis. Evidence from existing studies confirms the findings of metabolomics studies on periodontitis. Several metabolites related to PI are associated with immune response, tissue degradation, and cellular energy pathways. Integrating -omics technologies into peri-implantitis diagnosis may facilitate biomarker discovery and improve early detection strategies.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in anatomical point position, cranio-cervical posture, and respiratory dimensions following conventional bimaxillary total prosthetic rehabilitation. Methods: A prospective, longitudinal, observational, analytical study was conducted on 12 patients, aged 55 to 75 years, at the Department of Dental Prosthetics at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Cluj-Napoca. All patients had complete bimaxillary edentulism and received removable dentures as treatment. Clinical and cephalometric analyses were performed before and after prosthetic treatment to compare changes. The cephalometric analysis was based on the guidelines of Tweed and Rocabado for evaluation. Quantitative data were described using the mean and standard deviation for normal distribution and represented by bar graphs with error bars. A paired samples t-test was used to determine differences between groups, with a significance threshold of 0.05 for the bilateral p-value. Results: When analyzing changes in cranial base inclination, the corresponding angles exhibited an increase, indicating cephalic extension. A statistically significant difference in the anteroposterior diameter of the oropharyngeal lumen with and without bimaxillary complete dentures was identified (p < 0.05). For hyperdivergent patients, modifications in the position of anatomical features on cephalometry slightly reduced the VDO and had a slight compensatory effect on skeletal typology. In contrast, for hypodivergent patients, modifications to the position of anatomical landmarks also had a compensatory effect on skeletal typology, increasing the VDO. Conclusion: Changes in the position of anatomical features on cephalometry generally have a compensatory effect on skeletal typology after complete denture placement. Complete prosthetic treatment with removable dentures can significantly influence respiratory function by reducing the oropharyngeal lumen and body posture by cephalic extension and attenuation of the lordotic curvature of the cervical spine.

Background/Objectives: The marginal adaptation of CAD/CAM restorations remains a key determinant of long-term clinical success, particularly in minimally invasive preparations. This in vitro study evaluated and compared the marginal gap of three CAD/CAM restorative materials—Cerasmart, G-CAM, and IPS Empress CAD—using standardized preparation and SEM measurement protocols. Methods: A total of 18 crowns were fabricated, of which 9 presented margins sufficiently interpretable under SEM and were included in the pooled quantitative analysis (n = 362 measurement points). Marginal gaps were recorded at 45×, 100× and 450× magnification using a Jeol JSM 25S scanning electron microscope. Normality and variance homogeneity were verified prior to parametric testing. Results: When pooled per material group, the mean ± SD marginal gap values were 18.53 ± 14.15 µm for Cerasmart, 21.60 ± 14.89 µm for G-CAM, and 47.09 ± 16.93 µm for IPS Empress CAD. All values fell below the contemporary clinical threshold of <70 µm for adhesive cementation. Pairwise comparison showed a large difference between IPS Empress CAD and the two resin-based materials, whereas the difference between Cerasmart and G-CAM was small. Conclusions: Hybrid and resin nano-ceramic CAD/CAM materials demonstrated narrower marginal gaps compared with the glass ceramic tested, likely due to their lower elastic modulus and greater seating accommodation during cementation. Within the limits of this in vitro design, all materials exhibited marginal adaptation consistent with current clinical acceptability criteria.

Over the past two decades, dental ceramics have experienced rapid advances in science and technology, becoming the fastest-growing field of dental materials. This review emphasizes the significant impact of translucent zirconia in fixed prosthodontics, merging aesthetics with strength, and highlights its versatility from single crowns to complex bridgework facilitated by digital manufacturing advancements. The unique light-conducting properties of translucent zirconia offer a natural dental appearance, though with considerations regarding strength trade-offs compared to its traditional, opaque counterpart. The analysis extends to the mechanical attributes of the material, noting its commendable fracture resistance and durability, even under simulated physiological conditions. Various zirconia types (3Y-TZP, 4Y-TZP, 5Y-TZP) display a range of strengths influenced by factors like yttria content and manufacturing processes. The study also explores adhesive strategies, underlining the importance of surface treatments and modern adhesives in achieving long-lasting bonds. In the realm of implant-supported restorations, translucent zirconia stands out for its precision, reliability, and aesthetic adaptability, proving suitable for comprehensive dental restorations. Despite its established benefits, the review calls for ongoing research to further refine the material’s properties and adhesive protocols and to solidify its applicability through long-term clinical evaluations, ensuring its sustainable future in dental restorative applications.