This research introduces a transformative breakthrough in dental medicine through the development of an integrated system that combines artificial intelligence, 3D printing, and sustainable nanotechnology. The system is built on three key pillars: first, high-precision digital scanning, which captures highly detailed and accurate images of oral and dental structures; second, AI-driven algorithms, which analyze and process these data to design fully customized prosthetics, implants, and orthodontic devices tailored to the unique needs of each patient; and third, 3D printing with eco-friendly nano-enhanced materials, ensuring superior quality, durability, and biocompatibility.

The proposed system stands out by significantly reducing diagnostic and manufacturing time compared to conventional methods, while also lowering costs and promoting environmental sustainability through the use of advanced materials that minimize medical waste and ecological impact. Furthermore, this innovation enhances the patient experience by offering highly personalized and rapid treatment solutions, ultimately improving clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction.

This study aspires to redefine the future of dental prosthetics and digital dentistry by providing a comprehensive scientific model aligned with the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the Sustainable Development Vision 2030. By bridging advanced technology and medicine, the research contributes not only to advancing oral healthcare but also to supporting global sustainability efforts, thereby creating a positive impact on both human health and the environment.

Introduction: This study will focus on how the color and translucency of indirect computer-aided design and computer-aided milling (CAD/CAM) ceramic restorations are affected by gastric acid, like erosive solution exposure.
Methodology: Four types of CAD/CAM ceramic materials were grouped as follows: group Z, Ceramill Zolid Gen-x white (Austria); group E, IPS e.max CAD HT A3 (Ivoclar Vivadent); group S, Vita Suprinity PC A3 (Germany); and group C, Cerasmart 270 A3 (Japan). Forty disks were milled from the four ceramic materials, with tendisks per group. Each disk was prepared to a thickness of 10 mm. All specimens were immersed in a mimicked gastric-like acidic solution (to resemble what takes place in the case of GERD). A spectrophotometer was used to detect the color difference ∆E, which represented the color shift before and after acid immersion. Translucency parameter (TP) numerical values were collected.
Results: The findings revealed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) among the groups. Group C (Cerasmart 270) exhibited the most important color change and the least color stability, followed by groups E (IPS e.max) and S (Vita Suprinity). In contrast, group Z (Ceramil Zolid) showed the least color change and the best color stability. After immersion in a gastric-like acidic solution, each ceramic material's translucency parameter (TP) exhibited a statistically significant difference (P ˂ 0.05). Only group C (Cerasmart 270) experienced a substantial loss in translucency, while groups Z (Ceramil Zolid), E (IPS e.max), and S (Vita Suprinity) experienced a significant increase in translucency.
Conclusion: A high-translucency zirconia material (Ceramil Zolid) in group Z, after being immersed in gastric-like acid, demonstrated the most color stability, while a hybrid ceramic CAD/CAM block (Cerasmart 270) in group C demonstrated the least. Both color change and translucency parameters were influenced by gastric-like acid immersion for all tested CAD/CAM ceramics.

Background: Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) remains the primary material for denture bases. Despite being the standard denture base material, PMMA often suffers from mechanical weaknesses and microbial colonization, leading to compromised denture performance over time. Grapefruit seed skin particles (GSSPs) are rich in flavonoids that have antifungal activity. When these materials are incorporated into denture base acrylic resins, they have enhanced antifungal properties but can also affect the material’s strength and durability.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the impacts of incorporating different concentrations of GSSPs into 3D-printed resin on particle interactions with resin and the mechanical strength of the resulting composites.

Methods: A total of 90 specimens were fabricated using a Digital Light Processing (DLP) 3D printer. A total of 30 specimens were used for flexural strength, 30 specimens were used for tensile strength, and 30 specimens were tested for surface hardness. GSSPs were added at 0.0, 5.0, and 7.0 wt.% concentrations, which were established to be the appropriate ranges through pilot experiments. The flexural and tensile strengths were evaluated with a universal testing machine, whereas the surface hardness was measured using a Durometer Shore Hardness Scale. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to determine the interactions between the resin and the particles and the degree of conversion (DC). Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) was employed to assess the particle distribution, porosity, and fracture patterns.

Results: In comparison with the control group, the GSSP-einforced specimens presented significant improvements in DC, flexural strength, tensile strength, and hardness. FE-SEM images revealed reduced porosity at higher concentrations, with evidence of brittle fracture characteristics.

Conclusions: Incorporating GSSPs into 3D-printed denture base resin improves the mechanical properties, suggesting a promising approach for enhancing the performance of denture base materials.

Introduction:
Full-arch implant rehabilitations require precise transfer of implant positions to achieve passive fit and ensure long-term prosthetic success. In edentulous cases requiring extraction of all remaining teeth, immediate loading protocols are often preferred to minimize functional impairment and patient discomfort. Conventional impression techniques may introduce distortions, particularly in extensive rehabilitations. Photogrammetry offers a highly precise and efficient method for capturing three-dimensional implant positions, eliminating the inaccuracies and auxiliary aids often associated with conventional and digital impression workflows. This report illustrates the clinical application of photogrammetry in an immediate mandibular full-arch implant rehabilitation.

Materials and Methods:
A 64-year-old patient with severely compromised mandibular dentition due to advanced periodontal disease and generalized tooth mobility underwent extraction of all remaining mandibular teeth. Six implants were simultaneous placed following a conventional surgical protocol. Immediately post-implantation, implant positions were recorded using a photogrammetry system. Scan bodies were connected, and multiple images were captured from various angles to generate a digital three-dimensional map of implant locations. The photogrammetric dataset was merged with intraoral scans of the soft tissues and occlusion to design a CAD/CAM screw-retained provisional prosthesis, which was delivered under immediate loading conditions.

Results:

The provisional prosthesis exhibited an excellent passive fit, confirmed clinically and radiographically. The patient reported immediate improvement in masticatory efficiency, comfort, and esthetics. Following mandibular rehabilitation, maxillary prosthetic treatment was performed using a delayed loading protocol to achieve optimal occlusal balance and esthetic integration.

Discussion and Conclusion:

This case demonstrates that photogrammetry can significantly enhance the accuracy and efficiency of immediate full-arch implant rehabilitation. The method reduces impression-related distortions, eliminates errors from conventional impressions and reduces patient discomfort. Photogrammetry represents a valuable adjunct to contemporary digital implantology protocols, particularly in cases involving immediate loading.

Introduction: Despite increasing adoption, there is a limited comprehensive analysis of the economic and environmental implications of 3D printing in restorative dentistry. This review aims to systematically explore existing literature on the cost-efficiency, material utilization, production timelines, and material waste of additive 3D printing methods versus conventional manufacturing techniques for dental restorations.

Methods: Adhering to PRISMA-ScR standards, a systematic search was conducted in March 2025 across PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases. The included studies evaluated material costs, labor, equipment, and production duration for pressed and 3D printing techniques used in fabricating crowns, bridges, and dentures for permanent purposes. Data were extracted and analyzed independently, focusing on economic viability, material waste, environmental impact, and clinical outcomes.

Results: Out of 185 identified records, 9 studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing in vitro experiments, clinical trials, retrospective analyses, and economic comparisons. The findings indicate that 3D printing generally incurs lower material and upfront costs, with reduced waste production compared to conventional methods. Although conventional manufacturing approaches offer superior precision and faster production for single restorations, 3D printing provides greater cost benefits and environmental sustainability, especially when producing multiple units. Clinical performance metrics, including patient satisfaction and retention, are comparable among the methods, with conventional methods slightly surpassing in accuracy.

Conclusion: 3D printing is the most cost-effective alternative for large-scale or provisional dental restorations. However, traditional manufacturing methods are preferred when high precision and strength are required.

Purpose:
This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy, consistency, and clinical relevance of four 3D facial scanning technologies—photogrammetry, AI-assisted capture, and structured light devices—for digital facial reconstruction in prosthetic dentistry. The goal was to validate accessible digital workflows by comparing digital measurements to conventional anthropometric methods and to identify the most efficient solutions for clinical integration.

Methods:
A clinical cohort of thirty adult participants requiring facial prosthetic rehabilitation underwent 3D facial scanning using four technologies: Polycam (photogrammetry), Luma AI (AI-assisted), Bellus3D (structured light), and Revopoint POP 2 (light-based scanning). Traditional anthropometric measurements were used as reference. All 3D models were scaled and standardized in Blender using a custom Python script. Anatomical landmarks were manually positioned, and Euclidean distances were calculated. Statistical analysis included ANOVA, ICC, Pearson correlation, and Bland–Altman plots.

Results:
Revopoint exhibited the highest accuracy (0.12 ± 0.03 mm) and consistency (ICC = 0.98), followed by Polycam (0.15 ± 0.04 mm; ICC = 0.96). Notably, Polycam achieved the shortest scan time (18 ± 2 s), offering a rapid and patient-friendly option. Luma AI and Bellus3D performed lower across all metrics. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) were observed among devices. Revopoint and Polycam showed the closest agreement with reference data.

Conclusions:
While Revopoint remains the gold standard in precision, Polycam emerges as a clinically viable, time-efficient, and accessible tool for facial scanning. The proposed workflow is reproducible and adaptable for integration into digital prosthetic workflows. Further research should explore automated landmark detection and clinical validation on larger cohorts.

Aim: The aim of this study is to quantify the artificial surface bridging area between non-contiguous tooth surfaces using multiple scans from six different intraoral scanner devices.
Materials and Methods: A typodont master model with an onlay preparation on the maxillary left first molar (tooth 26) was scanned using a laboratory-grade scanner. To obtain controlled interproximal gaps, an artificial digital separation was created between the prepared surface of tooth 26 and the adjacent second molar (tooth 27). Interdental distances of 100 µm, 300 µm, 500 µm, and 700 µm were digitally modeled, generating six different intraoral scanners: 3Shape TRIOS, Dentsply Sirona Primescan, iTero Element, Carestream CS 3800, Medit i900, and SIRIOS. Each model was scanned ten times, producing four different STL files, which were then 3D printed using polyurethane resin. The resulting STL files were analyzed using MeshLab software for metrological evaluation. Bridging surface areas were measured and analyzed using descriptive statistics and post hoc tests.
Results: The statistical results showed that, at 100 µm, the mean ranged from 4.35 to 5.60 mm²; at 300 µm, from 1.57 to 5.11 mm²; at 500 µm, from 2.00 to 4.75 mm²; and at 700 µm, from 2.03 to 4.35 mm². The Friedman test revealed statistically significant differences among the experimental groups. Post hoc Bonferroni tests confirmed significant differences between the analyzed intraoral scanners at interproximal distances of 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7 mm.
Conclusion: Bridging artifacts were present at all tested distances within the study limits. The outcomes at 0.7 mm showed values that could be regarded as potentially suitable for clinical use.

Elderly patients often present with multiple co-morbidities and reduced mobility, making frequent dental visits challenging. Many have insufficient residual bone for fixed implant prostheses, while limited manual dexterity or cognitive decline may compromise oral hygiene. Financial limitations can also preclude multiple implant placements. In such cases, an implant-supported overdenture offers an optimal balance between function, aesthetics, and cost. Digital technologies now allow streamlined treatment with fewer appointments, greater accuracy, and improved comfort. This proof-of-concept protocol integrates a full digital workflow for extractions and immediate delivery of a digitally designed, 3D-printed removable denture, followed by immediate implant placement and fabrication of the definitive overdenture with minimal clinical sessions.

Methods: The protocol was applied to maxillary and mandibular edentulous cases. Preoperative data included intraoral scanning, CBCT, facial scanning, and virtual patient integration. Digital planning in Exocad DentalCAD software involved virtual articulator use for occlusal plane modeling, digital smile design, extraction simulation, implant positioning, and denture design. Removable dentures were 3D-printed in biocompatible resin and delivered immediately after extractions. Where indicated, implants (four in the maxilla, two in the mandible) were placed in the same session using sleeveless guided surgery planned in R2Gate software, and the dentures were adapted as interim prostheses. Definitive overdentures were fabricated conventionally in fewer appointments. Patient-reported outcomes were measured on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

Results: The workflow enabled accurate pre-surgical planning, immediate prosthesis delivery, and efficient transition to the final overdenture. In both arches, immediate dentures provided satisfactory aesthetics and function during healing. Patient satisfaction was high, especially due to reduced treatment time and minimal visits.

Conclusions: This protocol is a feasible, predictable, and time-efficient approach for elderly patients, reducing discomfort and enhancing treatment acceptance. Validation in larger cohorts is recommended.

Introduction. Occlusal splints are oral appliances which has been designed to relieve the temporomandibular symptoms. Anyway, the thickness of occlusal splints in order to have optimal efficacy is still controversial. Methods. An electronic search in Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was conducted, using the following keywords up to January 2025:
(“occlusal splint” OR “stabilization splint” OR “bite splint”) AND (“vertical dimension” OR “thickness” OR “occlusal height”) AND (“temporomandibular disorder” OR “TMD” OR “disc displacement” OR “myofascial pain”). All titles and abstracts were screened.
Studies comparing different thicknesses of occlusal splints were included. Results. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria, from which five randomized controlled trials, one retrospective study, and two finite element analyses. Mixed quality of the studies was found. Based on current evidence, although limited, the following results could be deduced: Occlusal splints with moderate thickness, 3 mm, are recommended for those cases that involve both muscular and joint components, particularly when masticatory muscle pain is the primary complaint. Occlusal splints with minimal thickness, 2 mm, may be appropriate in internal derangements in the early stage, though evidence is low. Thicker splints, ≥4 mm for DDwoR and in cases with crepitus. Occlusal splints of ≤2 mm and >6 mm were associated with symptoms such as reduced functional outcomes or comfort. Conclusion. In most cases, occlusal splints with thicknesses of 3–5 mm seem to be optimal for most TMD cases; however, personalized treatment based on the respective diagnosis is recommended. The decision on splint thickness should be based on evidence according to the severity of the diagnosis, but also patient-centered, to achieve comfort, the compliance of the patient, and oral structure preservation. Further high-quality RCTs are needed to have evidence-based guidelines and to achieve consistent results.

Introduction: Posts and cores are frequently used to enhance retention and mechanical performance in teeth with compromised coronal structure. Common strategies include gold cast post-and-cores and prefabricated fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) posts with composite resin cores. The elastic modulus of post materials influences stress distribution in root dentin. While some studies support high-modulus dowels, others advocate for materials with a modulus of elasticity closer to dentin. This study compared the biomechanical behavior of cast gold vs. FRC posts with composite cores using finite element analysis (FEA).

Methods: Two 3D models of a mandibular first molar were generated from micro-CT scans: (A) an intact molar (control) and (B) a structurally compromised molar restored with either (1) a cast gold post-and-core or (2) an FRC post and composite core, both restored with lithium disilicate crowns. FEA was performed on a fully dentate mandibular model, including bilateral occlusal contacts. Regular masticatory forces were applied, and stress distribution was evaluated. Major principal stresses were calculated for dentin (anisotropic behavior), while for the surrounding structures (isotropic behavior), the mvM analysis was applied. Validation was performed against experimental data.

Results: Both restored models showed maximum stress values in the crown and dentin similar to the control model. However, stress distribution differed significantly. Critical stress zones included the crown–core, core–dentin, and core–post interfaces and post preparation cavities. FRC posts and cores exhibited lower stresses, especially in the cervical dentin, more closely replicating a natural tooth’s biomechanics. Cast gold cores showed nearly double the stresses near the core–post interface and presented higher stresses within the dentin’s post preparation cavities. Stress and strain patterns in soft tissues (e.g., PDL) were similar across models.

Conclusions: While both systems restored biomechanical performance, FRC posts yielded a more favorable stress profile, particularly in critical areas of dentin, better resembling natural tooth behavior. Cast gold systems demonstrated higher stress concentrations in critical areas.