Newly introduced provisional crowns and fixed dental prostheses (FDP) materials should exhibit good physical and mechanical properties necessary to serve the purpose of their fabrication. The aim of this systematic literature review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the articles comparing the physical and mechanical properties of 3D-printed provisional crown and FDP resin materials with CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Designing/Computer-Aided Manufacturing) milled and conventional provisional resins. Indexed English literature up to April 2022 was systematically searched for articles using the following electronic databases: MEDLINE-PubMed, Web of Science (core collection), Scopus, and the Cochrane library. This systematic review was structured based on the guidelines given by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The focused PICO/PECO (Participant, Intervention/exposure, Comparison, Outcome) question was: ‘Do 3D-printed (P) provisional crowns and FDPs (I) have similar physical and mechanical properties (O) when compared to CAD/CAM milled and other conventionally fabricated ones (C)’. Out of eight hundred and ninety-six titles, which were recognized after a primary search, twenty-five articles were included in the qualitative analysis, and their quality analysis was performed using the modified CONSORT scale. Due to the heterogeneity of the studies, only twelve articles were included for quantitative analysis. Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that 3D-printed provisional crown and FDP resin materials have superior mechanical properties but inferior physical properties compared to CAD/CAM milled and other conventionally fabricated ones. Three-dimensionally printed provisional crowns and FDP materials can be used as an alternative to conventional and CAD/CAM milled long-term provisional materials.

Surface etching before cementation is a vital step that determines the clinical performance of ceramic restorations. Etching alters surface topography that contributes effective bonding between ceramic restoration and resin cement. This study aimed to compare etching techniques to determine the most effective etching method contributing the highest bond strength that helps in improving dental implants. Materials and methods: sixty discs of feldspathic ceramic measuring 10 mm diameter and 4 mm thickness were prepared. The 60 samples were divided into four equal groups based on the surface treatment technique used: group A: 9.6% hydrofluoric acid; group B: coarse diamond burs; group C: CO2 laser; and group D: no treatment. Ceramic disc specimens were examined under a Scanning Electron microscope (SEM) after surface treatment to characterize their surface morphology. Further, the specimens were luted with a resin luting agent and incubated for 24 h at a temperature of 37 °C simulating the oral environment. After 24 h, shear bond strength (SBS) and the nature of bond failure was determined for each specimen using a universal Instron testing machine. Results: significant change in surface morphology was noticed on hydrofluoric acid treatment forming larger irregular roughness (4.83 ± 1.78 µm) with multiple patterns of grooves and pores compared to other groups. Further, the highest SBS value was measured on hydrofluoric acid etching that display the highest bond strength due to the high surface roughness. In conclusion, our findings report a strong association between the surface roughness and bond strength upon hydrofluoric acid compared to other methods. Further work in this direction will enhance the utility of the etching technique on the improvement of dental implants.

Background: The clinical success of post-core restorations is determined by the composite utilized and the strength of the post-core adhesion. The effectiveness of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) as a multifunctional material with photo-induced activities and better mechanical characteristics are observed as particle size is reduced to under 50 nm. Aim: The purpose of this study is to determine the bond strength of fibre-reinforced composite (FRC) posts with TiO2 NP as fillers and to compare it with conventional composite resin core material. Materials and Methods: 30 single-rooted mandibular premolars were selected and routine root canal procedures were done. A quantity of 5% TiO2 NPs were synthesized and added as silanized filler to the experimental composite resin. Post space was prepared and fibre-reinforced composite (FRC) post luting was performed. The specimens were then grouped into the following groups: Group I consisted of the experimental composite resin containing 5% TiO2 fillers, Group II consisted of core X flow, and Group III consisted of Multicore Flow. All test groups were submitted for thermocycling. After this, the samples were tested for micro tensile bond strength. A stereomicroscope with a magnification of 20× was used to examine the fractured surfaces. The data were analysed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests. Results: Statistical analysis revealed that Group I showed the highest mean bond strength value of 35.6180 Mpa. The results obtained with Group III showed the lowest mean bond strength value of 19.4690 Mpa. Adhesive failures were identified by stereomicroscopy of the fractured surfaces. Conclusion: The experimental composite resin comprising 5% TiO2 NP had a greater bond to the FRC post than other materials tested.

Background The majority of dental professionals currently recognize lithium disilicate E-max ceramic veneers as a the most widely used, conservative, and effective cosmetic materials in dentistry. This study aimed to compare the degree of surface changes – roughness (Ra), depth (Rz), and mean color changes (Δ E 00 ) – of computer-aided design-computer-aided manufactured (CAD/CAM) ceramic veneers materials of varying thicknesses caused by staining by green tea, coffee, and Coca-Cola using digital spectrophotometer. Material/Methods This study was conducted at King Khalid University, College of Dentistry. Lithium disilicate glass ceramic (LDGC) material was used to create 60 rectangular slices using the CAD/CAM system. The material thickness and the type of beverage were measured. The specimens were immersed in beverages according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Specimen description and tomography were completed with a 3D noncontact surface metrology using interferometry. The “VITA Easy-Shade” spectrophotometer was used to measure Δ E 00 . It was recorded after 2 weeks for different material thicknesses after immersing samples in green tea, coffee, and Coca-Cola staining materials. Results Significant changes in ceramic thickness were found in Ra and Rz of 0.07 and 1.00 mm after 14 days of staining. Coca-Cola showed a significant difference in Ra and Rz with 1.00 mm thickness measurement compared to the 0.07 mm group with ≤ of 0.05, which was considered statistically significant. Highest Δ E 00 were recorded among samples stained by Coca-Cola, followed by coffee, for both thicknesses. Conclusions Those findings support previous studies using spectrophotometric analysis of staining of CAD-CAM ceramic veneers that Coca-Cola followed by coffee resulted in the greatest color Δ E 00 change.

Background: Periapical extrusion is frequently observed during endodontic therapy. It can lead to acute injury of periapical tissues, resulting in interappointment pain or swelling. The effect is pronounced in teeth with immature apex, which are more susceptible to the extrusion of irrigant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of gravity on the apical extrusion of irrigating solution with different irrigation protocols in single-rooted premolars. Methodology: A total number of 80 permanent single-rooted teeth (premolars) with same working length (WL) were divided into two main groups: Group A: Penetration depth of irrigation syringe to 2 mm from the WL and Group B: Penetration depth of irrigation syringe to 4 mm from the WL. Each group was subdivided into four subgroups. ( n = 10). The extruded debris and irrigants were weighed, and the data were statistically analyzed by the analysis of variance and the Tukey test. Results: Irrespective of the irrigation technique used, the amount of irrigant extruded from the apex showed a statistically significant difference related to the effect of gravity ( P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference observed between irrigation methods ( P > 0.05). Conclusion: The degree of apical extrusion of irrigant was dependent on the type of irrigation technique and gravity. Greater caution should be taken during irrigation to prevent postoperative pain.

Aim: The present study aims to assess the antimicrobial action of three different pulp-capping agents against Enterococcus faecalis . Materials and Methods: Three pulp-capping agents were chosen for this study: Calcicur, mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA)-Angelus, and Dycal. The zone of inhibition produced by these three pulp-capping agents was measured at 24 h and 72 h to assess their antimicrobial efficacy against E. faecalis . The agar diffusion method was used to examine the antimicrobial effect of pulp-capping agents. Mueller-Hinton agar plates were used to inoculate the microorganisms. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post hoc tests were done to compare the different groups. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: At 24 h, the highest zone of inhibition was found in MTA-Angelus (3.32 ± 0.11 mm), followed by Dycal (2.02 ± 0.46 mm) and Calcicur (1.84 ± 0.92 mm). After 72 h, MTA-Angelus demonstrated a zone of inhibition of 4.60 ± 0.22 mm, followed by Dycal (3.48 ± 0.74 mm) and Calcicur (2.90 ± 0.18 mm). ANOVA test showed a highly statistical significance. A statistically significant difference ( P < 0.001) was shown between MTA-Angelus and Dycal. Calcicur did not show any significant difference. Conclusion: This trial found that the freshly mixed MTA-Angelus has a significantly superior antimicrobial effect against E. faecalis than Dycal and Calcicur.

The aim of this study is to investigate the combined effect of a digital manufacturing technique (subtractive vs. additive), preparation taper (10° vs. 20° TOC), and finish line (chamfer vs. shoulder) on the marginal adaptation of temporary crowns following cementation with a compatible temporary cement. Four mandibular first molar typodont teeth were prepared for full coverage crowns with standard 4 mm preparation height as follows: 10° TOC with the chamfer finish line, 10° TOC with the shoulder finish line, 20° TOC with the chamfer finish line and 20° TOC with the shoulder finish line. Each of the four preparation designs were subdivided into two subgroups to receive CAD/CAM milled and 3D-printed crowns (n = 10). A total of 80 temporary crowns (40 CAD/CAM milled and 40 3D-printed) were cemented to their respective die using clear temporary recement in the standard cementation technique. The samples were examined under a stereomicroscope at ×100 magnification following calibration. Linear measurements were performed at seven equidistant points on each axial surface and five equidistant points on each proximal surface. One-way ANOVA analysis and Tukey HSD (Honestly Significance Difference) were performed. The best marginal fit was seen in group 8, while the poorest fit was noted in group 2. Shoulder finish lines and 10° TOC resulted in higher marginal gaps, especially in CAD/CAM milled group. The selection of 3D-printed crowns may provide a better marginal fit within the range of clinical acceptability. Marginal gaps were within clinical acceptability (50 and 120 µm) in all groups except group 2.

The coronal seal in root canal-treated teeth may be compromised depending on the accuracy of post space preparation and post cementation along with remaining gutta-percha. Root canal treatment can be compromised by endotoxins released by the coronal bacteria as a result of microleakage. The study was conducted by undergraduate students to measure the gap between the cemented post and residual gutta-percha. In total, 217 endodontically treated teeth were evaluated with intraoral peri-apical radiographs. Based on the intraoral periapical radiographic examination in the CS-R4 program, Group I had no gap, Group II had a gap of >0 to 2 mm, and Group III had a gap of more than 2 mm between the end of the cemented post and the remaining gutta-percha. In total, 40% (n = 87) of the teeth had no gap, 59% (127) had a gap of >0 to 2 mm, and 1% (n = 3) had a gap of more than 2 mm between the cemented post end and remaining gutta. Chi square test revealed a significant difference in the gap between the post and remaining gutta-percha between males and females students (p < 0.001). In terms of the gap between the cemented post end and the residual gutta-percha, the root canal treated teeth with post and core by undergraduates were clinically acceptable.