Introduction:
Titanium alloy Ti6Al4V is widely applied in dental implantology due to its high mechanical strength and biocompatibility. However, its biologically inert surface limits osteointegration and provides insufficient protection against bacterial adhesion, which may compromise long-term clinical outcomes. Developing multifunctional coatings is therefore essential to overcome these limitations.

Methods:

A composite coating composed of calcium phosphate (CaP) and silver (Ag), reinforced with zirconium oxide (ZrO₂), was deposited on Ti6Al4V substrates using an immersion technique. Morphological and structural characteristics were assessed by SEM/EDS and XRD. Electrochemical performance was evaluated in artificial saliva using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization. Antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and cytocompatibility with MG-63 osteoblast-like cells after 72 h of culture were also investigated.

Results:

The coatings exhibited a homogeneous and stable morphology. Electrochemical analyses showed a marked improvement in corrosion resistance, with a polarization resistance (Rp) of 861,652 Ω·cm² for Ti6Al4V–CaP/Ag,Zr compared to 492,253 Ω·cm² for bare Ti6Al4V and 232,086 Ω·cm² for CaP-only coatings. Silver incorporation reduced bacterial adhesion by approximately 75–80% , while cell viability remained above 80%, confirming the absence of cytotoxic effects.

Conclusion:
Ag–CaP–ZrO₂ coatings combined bioactivity, antibacterial activity, and superior corrosion resistance. These multifunctional surfaces represent an innovative and effective approach to enhancing osteointegration and improving the long-term clinical performance of dental implants.

Introduction
Alveolar bone loss after tooth extraction is a challenge for predictable implant placement. Bone grafting is widely used but limited by resorption, availability, and donor site morbidity. Bio-mimetic scaffolds with engineered structural, mechanical, and biological properties offer alternatives by supporting cell adhesion, proliferation, and tissue formation. Polycaprolactone (PCL), a biodegradable polymer with established biocompatibility, is widely applied in tissue engineering. This study examined the effect of PCL concentration on scaffold properties relevant to alveolar bone regeneration.

Methodology
Scaffolds were fabricated using Thermally Induced Phase Separation (TIPS) with PCL dissolved in a THF/water solvent at 8%, 9%, and 10% (w/w). Mechanical properties were assessed by compression testing at 1 mm/min and 25 °C. Morphology was examined by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and porosity measured with AccuPyc II. Biological performance was evaluated by MTT assay, where cells were incubated with MTT solution for 3 h at 37 °C before absorbance at 590 nm. Confocal microscopy was performed with MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast cells stained with Texas Red™-X Phalloidin (591 nm) and DAPI.

Results
The 9% PCL scaffold demonstrated the most consistent mechanical behavior, with a modulus ranging from 2.81 to 3.40 MPa. Statistical analysis (ANOVA, p < 0.05) confirmed that the 9% PCL group had a significantly higher modulus than both 8% and 10%, while no significant difference was observed between 8% and 10%. SEM analysis revealed interconnected pore structures with porosity ranging from 84% to 87%, supporting tissue ingrowth. The MTT assay confirmed good cell viability across all groups, with the 9% PCL group nearly matching the control. Cytotoxicity remained low (0.31%–8.50%), with the 9% showing the lowest value and the 8% group the highest. Confocal microscopy, after seeding 100,000 cells (MC3T3-E1) per scaffold, showed strong cell attachment and penetration, indicating effective scaffold–cell interaction.

Conclusion
The 9% PCL scaffold demonstrated optimal mechanical stability and biological performance, making it a promising candidate for alveolar bone regeneration. Nevertheless, in vivo validation is required to confirm translational potential.

Introduction: Bruxism is increasingly recognized as a psychosomatic condition mediated by stress, anxiety, and sleep disturbances, generating sustained non-physiological occlusal forces that compromise the stability and longevity of dental implants. This narrative review with integrated pilot data synthesizes the causal pathway linking psychological factors to bruxism and its impact on implant outcomes, advocating for an interdisciplinary model of prevention and management.

Methods: A narrative review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library (2000–2025) with keywords including bruxism, dental implants, psychosomatic, stress, anxiety, sleep, biomechanics, implant failure, digital dentistry, artificial intelligence, and interdisciplinary management. Peer-reviewed clinical studies, case series, and technical reports were analyzed. Inclusion criteria were studies addressing psychosomatic or biomechanical aspects of bruxism in relation to implants; exclusion criteria were non-peer-reviewed or non-clinical reports. Pilot data from 15 patients with bruxism and implant-supported restorations (12-month follow-up) were reviewed, integrating psychological assessment, dental examination, and sleep medicine evaluation. Digital tools, including finite element analysis and AI-based occlusal monitoring, were considered.

Results: Evidence shows a strong association between psychosocial stress, anxiety disorders, and sleep disturbances with bruxism. Mechanical complications (screw loosening, veneer and framework fractures) and biological complications (peri-implant bone loss, implant failure) were identified. Early studies indicate that intraoral force sensors, AI-based scan analysis, and polysomnography enable the early detection of overload and prosthetic compromise. Interdisciplinary interventions—occlusal splints, cognitive-behavioral therapy, stress reduction, and sleep medicine—reduce complications. Studies remain small and heterogeneous; consistent trends support the association between psychosocial stressors, bruxism, and implant outcomes.

Conclusions: Psychological determinants threaten implant survival via biomechanical overload. Proactive management requires interdisciplinary collaboration. The proposed model—integrating dentists, psychologists, and sleep medicine physicians, supported by digital monitoring—represents not only a clinical recommendation but also a research agenda. Future randomized trials and validation of AI tools are essential to strengthen evidence and improve long-term outcomes.

Introduction. Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine glands, leading to profound hyposalivation, xerostomia, and mucosal fragility. These pathophysiological changes pose significant challenges to prosthetic rehabilitation, including poor prosthesis retention, mucosal trauma, and increased susceptibility to infections.

Methods. We conducted a narrative review using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, including clinical studies, systematic reviews, and case series (minimum 6-month follow-up), published in English between 2000 and 2024. Studies were selected based on their focus on prosthetic strategies—both tissue-supported and implant-supported—in SS patients. Exclusion criteria included animal studies and those not directly addressing prosthetic or pharmacological considerations.

Results:
Tissue-supported prostheses are often compromised by poor lubrication and mucosal ulceration, limiting their long-term use. In contrast, implant-supported prostheses, such as overdentures or fixed implant restorations, demonstrate superior performance in retention, patient comfort, and masticatory function. Digital technologies (e.g., CAD/CAM and 3D printing) improve adaptation and reduce surface roughness. Polished, low-porosity acrylic resins reduce microbial colonization, and bioactive coatings (antifungal, antimicrobial) are emerging as adjunctive options. However, current evidence is largely derived from case series and observational studies, underscoring the need for controlled trials.

Conclusions:
An integrated, multidisciplinary approach is essential. Besides careful prosthetic planning and biomaterial selection, pharmacological interventions (sialogogues, antifungals, remineralizing agents) are critical for managing xerostomia and its consequences. Long-term follow-up protocols, including periodic relining, hygiene reinforcement, and management of peri-implant health, are crucial for implant longevity. Future research should explore implant survival rates in SS, biomaterial innovations with mucosa-friendly interfaces, and personalized protocols for maintenance and oral microbiome modulation. Prosthetic success in SS hinges on precision, prevention, and collaboration.

Introduction:
Bonding is considered the gold standard for the luting of all-ceramic crowns, as it provides strong micromechanical and chemical adhesion between the tooth and the restoration. This approach enhances retention, improves marginal adaptation, reduces microleakage, and supports optimal esthetics. However, bonding protocols must be tailored to the ceramic material used. Glass-ceramics, such as lithium disilicate, can be etched with hydrofluoric acid and silanized, achieving reliable bond strength. In contrast, zirconia requires alternative protocols, including the APC concept (air abrasion, phosphate monomer-containing primer, and composite resin cement), to optimize adhesion.

Methods:
Two clinical cases treated at the fixed prosthetic department of the dental clinic of Monastir, Tunisia, were selected for comparison. In the first case, a maxillary anterior tooth was restored with a lithium disilicate glass-ceramic crown (E-max) using conventional adhesive bonding with hydrofluoric acid etching and silane application, followed by resin cementation. In the second case, a zirconia anterior crown was placed following the APC concept.

Results:
Both treatment protocols demonstrated excellent clinical outcomes, including precise marginal fit, stable retention, and high esthetic integration. Postoperative follow-up revealed healthy periodontal tissues and patient satisfaction with the final appearance.

Conclusions:
Material-specific adhesive protocols are crucial for the long-term success of all-ceramic restorations. Hydrofluoric acid etching and silanization remain the gold standard for glass-ceramics, while the APC concept provides a reliable strategy for zirconia bonding. Understanding and applying these protocols enhances the functional performance and esthetic longevity of anterior ceramic crowns.

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of porous and highly ordered crystalline materials composed of metal ions or clusters coordinated with organic linkers. MOFs possess a high surface area, porosity, chemical and thermal stability, and the ability to be tailored using both organic and inorganic units. MOFs also exhibit antibacterial, biodegradable, and biocompatible properties depending on the metal and organic linker used. Due to these properties of MOFs, they are utilized in a wide range of applications, such as the storage of energy-related gases like hydrogen, the adsorption of chemicals, the detection of different molecules, the delivery of drugs, etc. Because of their high drug-loading capacity and slow-release processes, the drug delivery properties of MOFs are very crucial in biomedicine. Additionally, the physicochemical and mechanical properties of MOFs may also help improve the quality of the desired materials. Despite their extensive biomedical applications of MOFs, their potential in dentistry remains largely unexplored. In fact, MOFs are particularly relevant for dental research. For example, MOFs could be very useful in preparing dental composites or coatings for implants. The organic linkers of MOFs can be modified to introduce specific groups, such as methacrylate, which is useful for dental composites. Antibacterial coatings for implants are also possible. Herein, I aim to introduce the potential of MOFs to the field of dental research. This presentation will address detailed information about the synthesis, characterization, and application areas of MOFs, and then explore the application of MOFs as emerging, innovative materials in dental research. Consequently, this overview highlights both the opportunities and challenges of employing MOFs in restorative and implant dentistry, pointing towards future directions for research and clinical translation.

Introduction:
Functional xenografts are gaining momentum in tissue engineering because of their ability to replicate the complex microenvironment of native bone, where osteoblast function is influenced by mechanical loading and endogenous piezoelectric potentials generated by collagen. Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) scaffolds incorporating piezoelectric ceramics such as barium titanate (BaTiO₃) represent a promising approach to reproduce these cues. By converting applied stress into localized electrical signals at the cell–material interface, these scaffolds may activate osteogenic pathways. Characterizing their mechanical and physicochemical properties is therefore essential for assessing their translational potential.

Methods:
PLLA scaffolds (8–10 wt%) with 10 wt% BaTiO₃ were fabricated using thermally induced phase separation and freeze-drying. Morphological evaluation was performed with SEM, while BaTiO₃ dispersion was quantified using ImageJ analysis. Mechanical testing under uniaxial compression provided Young’s modulus values. Osteoblast viability was assessed with MTT assays, and confocal microscopy was employed to observe mineralization.

Results:
SEM confirmed interconnected pores with uniform distribution, with 10 wt% PLLA scaffolds achieving optimal porosity (85.3 ± 2.1%). ImageJ analysis demonstrated homogeneous BaTiO₃ distribution, with 92.4 ± 3.7% surface coverage. Mechanical characterization revealed a Young’s modulus of 1.47 ± 0.12 GPa for 10 wt% PLLA scaffolds, a value closely approximating trabecular bone. Biological assays indicated high osteoblast viability (>95%) across groups. Confocal microscopy revealed early mineralization in BaTiO₃-containing scaffolds, suggesting enhanced osteogenic activity.

Conclusions:
The PLLA–BaTiO₃ composite scaffolds exhibit favorable porosity, mechanical resilience, and cytocompatibility, supporting their application in bone regeneration. The combination of homogeneous BaTiO₃ dispersion and bone-mimetic mechanical properties underscores their potential as piezoelectric scaffolds for dental and orthopedic use. Future studies will focus on validating these findings under dynamic bioreactor conditions and conducting statistical comparisons of osteogenic outcomes.

Introduction:
Oropharyngeal carcinoma and its treatment can cause structural and functional loss of the soft palate, leading to velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) with hypernasality, nasal regurgitation, and impaired speech. When surgical reconstruction is not feasible, prosthetic rehabilitation with a velopharyngeal obturator, supported by speech therapy, offers an effective alternative.

Methods:
A 50-year-old male presented with a 2-month history of dysphagia, voice change, and slurred speech. Clinical and radiological evaluation revealed an ulceroproliferative lesion involving the soft palate, right tonsillar fossa, and pharyngeal wall with cervical lymphadenopathy. Biopsy confirmed moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Following treatment, he developed loss of the uvula and posterior soft palate, resulting in incomplete velopharyngeal closure. A customized velopharyngeal obturator was fabricated to restore soft palate function. Concurrently, a structured speech therapy program was initiated to correct compensatory articulation, enhance intraoral pressure, and improve airflow control.

Results:
The obturator provided immediate improvement in oro-nasal separation, reducing hypernasality and nasal regurgitation during swallowing. With adjunctive speech therapy, the patient achieved consistent oral articulatory placement and improved intelligibility. Rehabilitation also enhanced swallowing and contributed to psychosocial confidence.

Conclusion:
This case demonstrates the importance of prosthetic rehabilitation for patients with VPI after oral cancer treatment. A velopharyngeal obturator, combined with targeted speech therapy, represents a minimally invasive and cost-effective approach to restore soft palatal closure, improve speech and swallowing, and enhance quality of life.

Background: This investigation evaluated the impact of brushing on surface roughness, microbial adhesion, and color stability of 3-unit, 3D-printed provisional restorations with different print orientations. Additionally, it aimed to compare these effects with those observed in commonly used provisional materials (PRMs).

Methods: 20 samples in each group were fabricated with four different provisional materials and techniques. A mandibular typodont was prepared for a 3-unit fixed partial denture with a missing first molar and scanned. The 3-unit provisional restoration was designed to fabricate polymethyl-methacrylate CAD/CAM milled and 3D-printed provisionals with print orientations of 0, 45, and 90 degrees. Putty index of the printed provisional was made to manually fabricate auto-polymerized and Bis-acrylic resin provisionals. All samples were polished and subjected to artificial brushing simulation using a brushing simulator. The surface roughness of the provisional restorations was evaluated before and after brushing simulation. Streptococcus Mutans were cultured and colony-forming units were measured before and after brushing. Color changes were measured after immersing the samples in coffee after 1, 7, and 15 days. Inter-group comparisons were performed, and the significance value was kept at P=.05.

Results: Brushing caused significant changes in surface roughness, microbial adhesion and color change in all the three print orientations (P<.05). The highest surface roughness, microbial adhesion and colour changes were observed in 0 degrees, and the least in 90 degrees. All print orientations showed significant differences from other PRM groups for microbial adhesion (p <0.05) and with Bis-acrylic resin for colour change on all the days.

Conclusion: Brushing caused significant changes in surface roughness, resulting in significant microbial adhesion and color change in 3D-printed provisionals. Further, 3D-printed samples with 90 degrees showed the most promising results and thus are suggested for use as a long-term provisional material. As compared to other PRMs, significant differences in surface roughness and microbial adhesionwere were observed with all 3 print orientations, and in color change with bis-acrylic resin.

Introduction: The microbial environment surrounding implant-supported overdentures plays a crucial role in the long-term success of rehabilitation, as inadequate disinfection can favor the growth of pathogenic species that jeopardize peri-implant health. The aim of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of a disinfection protocol for complete dentures anchored to ball attachments with respect to the peri-implant health of osseointegrated implants.

Methods: Thirty patients were randomly divided into two groups. All thirty patients had compatible flora (absence of spirochetes/Treponema denticola) at phase-contrast microscopy sampling. This was due to the modified oral hygiene protocol (sonic toothbrush and oral irrigator twice daily). The use of the irrigator was discontinued for all thirty patients. Group A disinfected their dentures with EC Ster daily, while Group B did not use EC Ster.

Peri-implant flora was re-examined with phase-contrast microscopy every month for 6 months.

Results: Patients in Group A maintained compatible flora at all samplings, but patients in group B did not (at 1 month, 2/15 patients developed incompatible flora, at 2 months 5/15, at 3 months 8/15, at 4 months 10/15, at 5 months 15/15, and at 6 months 15/15). Peri-implant parameters were stable and constant in group A, but they slowly worsened in group B (plaque index, bleeding on probing, peri-implant probing).

Conclusions: EC Ster maintains an environment unfavorable to the development of spirochetes (Treponema denticola), promoting greater stability in the peri-implant compartment.