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Background: All body systems involved in ensuring a healthy posture (musculoskeletal system, oculomotor, oto-vestibular and occluso-cranial-mandibular) are essential in maintaining postural balance. Research Question: Does experimental malocclusion in subjects in static position determine variations in plantar pressure? Methods: Overall, 31 subjects were included in the study. The plantar pressure was evaluated in five different points: lateral and medial heel, midfoot, 1st and 5th metatarsal area. Using a specially designed splint, an artificial malocclusion was induced on the right hemimandibular arch. The pressure was measured at 0 (T0), 15 (T1) and 30 min (T2) after splint application. Results: The right external plantar sensors recorded statistically significant differences in pressure values after 15 min of splint wear (5th metatarsal area, p = 0.05; midfoot, p = 0.04). Important pressure values were also recorded by the left internal plantar sensors (1st metatarsal, p = 0.01; medial heel, p = 0.006), after 30 min of splint wear. Conclusions: Asymmetrical experimental malocclusion produces early changes in plantar pressure, a proof of compensatory mechanisms induced by secondary postural imbalance.

Loss of hard dental tissues of the posterior teeth during caries removal represents an important issue for conservative dentistry. The use of direct dental biomaterials in this case have to satisfy the requirements of the restored area. The studies have shown higher values of chewing forces at the molar teeth level (20-120N) compared to other teeth [1,2]. Thus, for a long-term clinical success the dental biomaterials have to assure a good marginal sealing and a high resistance to thermal and mechanical stresses developed in the lateral zones of the oral cavity [3]. The aim of this study was carried out to assess the effect of an in vitro chewing simulation model on the adhesively-bonded resin composite restorations. Standardized extended proximal cavities were prepared and restored in forty five sound human third molars. Three in vitro aging methods: a chewing simulation model (mechanical cycling and periodontal ligament simulation) (MC+PDL), thermocycling (TC) and distilled water storage (WS), were used to test the marginal sealing behavior of two adhesive techniques (an adhesive-free flowable resin composite and a self-etch all-in-one adhesive system). A weight-controlled dual-axis chewing device (CS-4.2, SD Mechatronik, Germany) was used for mechanical testing (MC) of the samples. Significantly higher marginal leakage values were observed for the chewing simulation model (MC) compared to TC and WS groups (p<0.05). No statistical correlations were found with regard to aging methods for the tracer’s infiltration of the two adhesive techniques. The dual-axis chewing simulator (CS-4.2) due to its facile mechanical adjustment system may be used for different other in vitro aging models or simulated clinical settings.

Background: Fixed retainers assist in maintaining the outcomes of orthodontic treatment. Fixed retention may be affected by bruxism. Objective: Evaluate two adhesives (an ormocer and a flowable composite) used for fixed orthodontic retention in simulated bruxism settings, compared to regular mastication, using a dual axis chewing simulator. Methods: Eighty human teeth were used. Periodontal tissues were simulated and exposed to 120,000 mechanical cycles, corresponding to 6 months of clinical service. Each set of two teeth was supplied with a pre-shaped, fixed, multi-braided, stainless steel wire retainer, in 1.5 cm portions, to establish passive contact with the lingual surface of the teeth. The Adhesive Remnant Index (ARI) was used to evaluate the shear bond strength. A stereomicroscope was used to assess the micro-infiltration. Results: There was no significant difference in the mean value of micro-infiltration between adhesives in the mastication group but in the bruxism group. During testing, one composite sample (ARI score 1) was broken in the mastication group, while three ormocer samples (ARI score 2) and one composite sample (ARI score 1) were broken in the bruxism group. Conclusions: The mean value for micro-infiltration in composite (0.31) was more than double that in ormocer (0.13).

Background and objectives: The aim was to evaluate the current literature on the influence of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis/Crohn’s disease) in dental implant osseointegration in human clinical studies. Materials and methods: This review was conducted under the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were electronic screened to find relevant articles published until October 2021. The inclusion criteria consisted of human clinical studies that reported the use of dental implant in patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease. Risk of bias was assessed according to The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology criteria. Results: A total of 786 studies were identified from databases. Of these, six studies were included in the review and reported the use of implants in patients with Crohn’s disease. No articles were available for ulcerative colitis. Included articles indicated that Crohn’s disease may determine early and late implant failure. Besides Crohn’s disease, several patients presented associated risk factors and systemic disease that determined implant failure. Conclusions: The presence of clinical studies on the influence of IBD in implant therapy is low. When recommending an implant therapy to IBD patients, the multidisciplinary team should be aware of side effects and a close collaboration between members of this team is necessary. More data are needed to sustain the effect of IBD on implant therapy.

Background and Objectives: Nowadays, indication of composite materials for various clinical situations has increased significantly. However, in the oral environment, these biomaterials are subjected (abnormal occlusal forces, external bleaching, consumption of carbonated beverages, etc.) to changes in their functional and mechanical behavior when indicated primarily for patients with masticatory habits. The study aimed to recreate in our lab one of the most common situations nowadays—in-office activity of a young patient suffering from specific parafunctional occlusal stress (bruxism) who consumes acidic beverages and is using at-home dental bleaching. Materials and Methods: Sixty standardized class II cavities were restored with two nanohybrid biocomposite materials (Filtek Z550, 3M ESPE, and Evetric, Ivoclar Vivadent); the restored teeth were immersed in sports drinks and carbonated beverages and exposed to an at-home teeth bleaching agent. The samples were subjected to parafunctional mechanical loads using a dual-axis chewing simulator. A grading evaluation system was conducted to assess the defects of the restorations using different examination devices: a CBCT, a high-resolution digital camera, and periapical X-rays. Results: Before mechanical loading, the CBCT analysis revealed substantially fewer interfacial defects between the two resin-based composites (p > 0.05), whereas, after bruxism forces simulation, significantly more defects were identified (p < 0.05). Qualitative examination of the restorations showed more occlusal defects for the Evetric than the other nanohybrid composite. Conclusions: There were different behaviors observed regarding the studied nanocomposites when simulation of parafunctional masticatory forces was associated with aging treatments.

Periodontal medicine is a broad term commonly used to define the relationship between periodontitis and systemic health. Periodontitis is a highly prevalent, chronic multifactorial infectious disease, induced by the dysbiotic biofilm that triggers a persistent systemic inflammation and recurrent bacteremia. There is a growing body of scientific evidence that suggests the potential implication of periodontitis in the causation and progression of various systemic disease and conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, adverse pregnancy outcomes and cancer. Some studies consider periodontitis as an independent risk factor for preterm birth, growth restriction, low birth-weight and pre-eclampsia. However not all studies support the association. Despite sparse scientific data, some studies indicate that individuals with periodontitis are at increased risk for cancer development, due to the increased inflammatory burden sustained by the presence of periodontal pathogens. This chapter emphasis the relationship between periodontitis and adverse pregnancy outcomes and the underlying mechanisms that link peridontitis to oral carcinogenesis.

Aim. The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate microleakage of two different adhesive systems: self-etch and etch-and-rinse, using the optic microscopy. Materials and methods. Six sound upper premolar teeth had MOD cavities prepared. The teeth were divided into two groups of three teeth each and two restorative systems were used: 1) Filtek™ Silorane/Silorane System Adhesive (3M ESPE); 2) Premise™ Packable /OptiBond FL (KERR). All restorative materials were placed following manufacturers’ recommendations. After restoring them, the teeth were stored for 5 years in an oven in distilled water at 37°C. Before the tests, the apex was sealed with wax and the teeth were covered with nail polish except 1 mm around the edge restorations. Then, they were immersed in 0.5% alkaline solution of fuchsin for 24 hours. After sectioning, the microleakage evaluation at enamel margin was made using an optical microscope Olympus KCX41 (Olympus America Inc.) at a magnification of 4x and 10x, the method of granting a semiquantitative score of dye penetration on a scale from 0-3. Data were statistically analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test. Results, conclusions. Microleakage was present in both groups, scores 2 (infiltration dye the entire length threshold cervical enamel) and 3 (infiltration threshold cervical enamel and expanding axial wall towards the pulp chamber), registering only in the Filtek Silorane (FS) group who applied to Silorane system, adhesive Self-etch adhesive system. The most effective adhesive system to reduce the microleakage at marginal threshold cervical MOD restorations on enamel, was etch-and-rinse system, OptiBond FL.