Enhanced personal protective equipment and dental students' experience and quality of a restorative procedure in a simulated clinical setting.

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of enhanced personal protective equipment (Enhanced_PPE) on student-operator's experience and restorative procedure.

Methods: Student-operators (N = 29 Year 3 dental students) performed Class II composite restorations (SimpliShade, Kerr) in typodont upper molars (OneDental) equipped with N95 respirators, full-face shields, disposable headwear and gowns (Enhanced_PPE) or surgical masks, protective glasses/goggles and non-disposable gowns (Standard_PPE) 2 weeks later. Cavity dimensions were measured on cone beam computed tomography images.

Effect of different finishing and polishing procedures on surface roughness and microbial adhesion on highly-filled composites for injectable mold technique.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of different finishing and polishing procedures on surface roughness and microbial adhesion and viability of Streptococcus mutans on novel highly-filled composites for injectable mold technique.

Materials And Methods: One hundred sixty specimens were divided into four material groups: FSF (Filtek Supreme Flowable Restorative), TE (Tetric EvoFlow), GUI (G-aenial Universal Injectable) and GUF (G-aenial Universal Flo). Within each group, specimens were split regarding finishing and polishing (F/P) procedures into: SLD (Sof-Lex Discs), SLS (Sof-Lex Spirals), OG (OneGloss) and PG (PoGo).

Study on the surface properties of different commercially available CAD/CAM materials for implant-supported restorations.

Objective: To determine if there are any differences in surface characteristics (surface roughness and contact angle) among different CAD/CAM materials indicated for fabricating implant-supported restorations, following all the material preparation protocols provided by the manufacturer.

Materials And Methods: One-hundred forty-four specimens were divided into six groups: RBC (resin-based composite), PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), PEEK (polyether ether ketone), ZP (zirconia polished), ZG (zirconia glazed) and CoCr (CoCr alloy). The experimental part included surface roughness (SR) and contact angle of water (WCA) analyses, fulfilled with Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) view of surface topography.

Effects of non-thermal atmospheric plasma on dentin wetting and adhesive bonding efficiency: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of non-thermal atmospheric plasma (NTAP) treatment on dentin wetting and adhesive-dentin bond strength.

Data/sources: This report followed the PRISMA 2020 statement. Two reviewers conducted literature search of MEDLINE, Web of Science and Scopus databases up to the end of November 2020.

Multifactorial analysis of optical properties, sorption, and solubility of sculptable universal composites for enamel layering upon staining in colored beverages.

Objective: To analyze the effects of factors 'composite,' 'medium,' and 'time' on color, translucency, and sorption/solubility of sculptable universal composites for enamel layering upon immersion in colored beverages.

Materials And Methods: Disk-shaped specimens, 10 mm in diameter and 2 mm thick (n = 5/group), of ultrafine, hybrid composite Essentia (GC), microhybrid Gaenial Anterior (GC), nanofilled Filtek Ultimate Enamel and Body ( 3M ESPE) were immersed in red wine, coffee, or distilled water for 15 days. CIELab color coordinates were measured and CIEDE2000 (∆E ) and Translucency Parameter differences (∆TP ) were calculated.

Color stability of bulk-fill and universal composite restorations with dissimilar dentin replacement materials.

Objective: To determine color changes in bulk-fill composite and universal composite restorations with dissimilar dentin replacement materials in extracted teeth after staining in red wine.

Materials And Methods: Cylindrical, 4 mm deep, class I cavities were prepared in 140 human molars. Bottom 2 mm was restored with Biodentine (Septodont), everX posterior (GC) or experimental HAP inserts.

Effects of non-thermal atmospheric plasma treatment on dentin wetting and surface free energy for application of universal adhesives.

Objectives: The study aims to evaluate the effects of non-thermal atmospheric plasma (NTAP) treatments on dentin wetting and surface free energy (SFE) and compare the effects of NTAP treatment, etch-and-rinse, and self-etch protocols for application of universal adhesives.

Materials And Methods: Mid-coronal dentin of intact third molars was used to measure contact angles of distilled water, ethylene-glycol, and diiodomethane and calculate SFE following different NTAP preset treatments (feeding gas consisting of pure He, He + 1% O, He + 1.5% O), power input (1 or 3 W), and tip-to-surface distance (2, 4, or 8 mm).

Optical properties of composite restorations influenced by dissimilar dentin restoratives.

Objectives: To evaluate optical properties (color and translucency) of 'sandwich' restorations of resin-based composites and esthetically unfavorable dentin restoratives.

Methods: Cylindrical 'dentin' specimens (8mm in diameter and 2mm thick, N=5/group) were prepared using EverX Posterior (GC), Biodentine (Septodont), experimental hydroxyapatite (HAP) or conventional composites (Gradia Direct Posterior, GC; Filtek Z250 and Filtek Z500, 3M ESPE). Capping 'enamel' layers were prepared using composites (Gradia Direct Posterior, Filtek Z250 or Z550) of A1 or A3 shade and the following thickness: 0.