Managing dental caries against the backdrop of COVID-19: approaches to reduce aerosol generation.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in severe limitation and closure of dental practices in many countries. Outside of the acute (peak) phases of the disease, dentistry has begun to be practised again. However, there is emerging evidence that SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted via airborne routes, carrying implications for dental procedures that produce aerosol.

Ex vivo shaping ability of reciprocating instruments operated by new users: Reciproc versus WaveOne.

Objectives: To compare two reciprocating NiTi systems operated by novices for use in curved root canals.

Methods: Fifty mesial roots of extracted mandibular first molars, with 2-2 canal configuration, were scanned with micro-CT and divided into 2 groups according to canal length and curvature: Reciproc and WaveOne. Each system was used to prepare one of the two canals by fourth-year dental students, who were new to reciprocating files and were blinded to the system being used.

Properties of a modified quaternary ammonium silane formulation as a potential root canal irrigant in endodontics.

Objectives: Evaluate a new modified quaternary ammonium silane irrigant solution for its antimicrobial, cytotoxic and mechanical properties of dentine substrate.

Methods: Root canal preparation was performed using stainless steel K-files™ and F4 size protaper with irrigation protocols of 6% NaOCl + 2% CHX; 3.5% QIS; 2% QIS and sterile saline.

Multiscale in-vitro analysis of photo-activated riboflavin incorporated in an experimental universal adhesive.

Objective: To investigate the effect of blue light photoactivated riboflavin modified universal adhesives on dentin collagen biodegradation resistance, dentin apparent elastic modulus, and resin-dentin bond strength with interfacial morphology.

Methods: Dentin slabs were treated with 0.1% riboflavin-5-phosphate modified (powder added slowly while shaking and then sonicated to enhance the dispersion process) Universal Adhesive Scotch Bond and Zipbond™ along with control (non-modified) and experimental adhesives, photoactivated with blue light for 20s.

Toothbrush deterioration and parents' suggestions to improve the design of toothbrushes used by children with special care needs.

Background: Biting objects was a parafunctional oral habit among children with special care needs. Chewing or biting toothbrushes could expedite the process of toothbrush wear. However, few studies evaluated the deterioration levels of toothbrushes used by children with special needs.

New antimicrobial and collagen crosslinking formulated dentin adhesive with improved bond durability.

Objective: Here we describe a novel formulation, based on quaternary ammonium (QA) and riboflavin (RF), which combines antimicrobial activities and protease inhibitory properties with collagen crosslinking without interference to bonding capabilities, was investigated.

Methods: Experimental adhesives modified with different fractions of dioctadecyldimethyl ammonium bromide quaternary ammonium and riboflavin (QARF) were formulated. Dentine specimens were bonded to resincomposites with control or the experimental adhesives to be evaluated for bond strength, interfacial morphology, micro-Raman analysis, nano-CT and nano-leakage expression.

A nanostructured anti-biofilm surface widens the efficacy against spindle-shaped and chain-forming rod-like bacteria.

Current control of pathogenic bacteria at all biomaterial interfaces is poorly attuned to a broad range of disease-causing pathogens. Leading antimicrobial surface functionalization strategies with antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), defensins, have not shown their promised efficacy. One of the main problems is the lack of stability and swift clearance from the surface.

Association between dental conditions, sliver diamine fluoride application, parental satisfaction, and oral health-related quality of life of preschool children.

Objectives: To investigate the associations between dental conditions, sliver diamine fluoride (SDF) application, parental satisfaction, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of preschool children.

Materials And Methods: In a clinical trial conducted in Hong Kong, preschool children who had carious lesions into dentine were randomly assigned to receive an application of SDF solution or placebo on their caries lesions 10 weeks before they received restorations. Additionally, a random sample of caries-free children was also recruited.

A quaternary ammonium silane antimicrobial triggers bacterial membrane and biofilm destruction.

To study the antimicrobial effects of quaternary ammonium silane (QAS) exposure on Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus bacterial biofilms at different concentrations. Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus biofilms were cultured on dentine disks, and incubated for bacterial adhesion for 3-days. Disks were treated with disinfectant (experimental QAS or control) and returned to culture for four days.

Rapid regeneration of enamel-like-oriented inorganic crystals by using rotary evaporation.

Enamel, the hardest tissue in the human body, has excellent mechanical properties, mainly due to its highly ordered spatial structure. Fabricating enamel-like structure is still a challenge today. In this work, a simple and highly efficient method was introduced, using the silk fibroin as a template to regulate calcium- and phosphate- supersaturated solution to regenerate enamel-like hydroxyapatite crystals on various substrates (enamel, dentin, titanium, and polyethylene) under rotary evaporation.

Ultrasonography-guided arthrocentesis versus conventional arthrocentesis in treating internal derangement of temporomandibular joint: a systematic review.

Objectives: This systematic review assessed the clinical question: 'Does ultrasonography (USG)-guided arthrocentesis provide better outcomes than conventional arthrocentesis in patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD)?'

Materials And Methods: The review was conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. An initial search was performed on electronic databases-including Medline, PubMed, and Cochrane Library-followed by manual and reference searches until the date September 27, 2019. The articles selected were evaluated for study and patient characteristics, arthrocentesis procedure details, and treatment outcomes (post-operative pain, maximum mouth opening (MMO), procedure time, and attempts of needle positioning).

Systemic Therapy in Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma- A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: The most effective regimen is unclear for patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (R/M HNSCC). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating only systemic therapy for R/M HNSCC.

Methods: This systematic review followed PRISMA and the Cochrane Collaboration Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions.

The application of mussel-inspired molecule in dentin bonding.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of dopamine methacrylamide (DMA) pretreatment on resin-dentin bond durability.

Methods: Forty acid-etched dentin surfaces were randomly allocated into five groups, and pretreated with one of the primers: 0.1, 1.

Recent developments in biomaterials for long-bone segmental defect reconstruction: A narrative overview.

Unlabelled: Reconstruction of long-bone segmental defects (LBSDs) has been one of the biggest challenges in orthopaedics. Biomaterials for the reconstruction are required to be strong, osteoinductive, osteoconductive, and allowing for fast angiogenesis, without causing any immune rejection or disease transmission. There are four main types of biomaterials including autograft, allograft, artificial material, and tissue-engineered bone.

Development and validation of the Oral health behavior questionnaire for adolescents based on the health belief model (OHBQAHBM).

Background: Oral health belief is a prerequisite of changing oral health behaviors especially during adolescence. However, there is a paucity of well-established questionnaire for use among adolescents. This study aimed to develop and validate an instrument to evaluate adolescents' beliefs about oral health behaviors using health belief model.

The association of socio-economic status, dental anxiety, and behavioral and clinical variables with adolescents' oral health-related quality of life.

Purpose: It is not clear which factors hold more weight in predicting oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Therefore, this study explored which component of factors (e.g.

aspects of binary titanium alloys for biomedical applications.

Titanium and its alloys are widely used in biomedical devices, e.g. implants, due to its biocompatibility and osseointegration ability.

A cohort study of factors that influence oral health-related quality of life from age 12 to 18 in Hong Kong.

Background: There is a lack of cohort studies on the influence factors of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). This study aimed to follow subjects from age 12 to 18 to analyse the sociodemographic and clinical factors that may influence OHRQoL.

Methods: This cohort study selected a representative sample from Hong Kong.

Effect of silver diamine fluoride solution application on the bond strength of dentine to adhesives and to glass ionomer cements: a systematic review.

Background: Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) solution gains increasing popularity in arresting dentine caries in clinical practice. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the findings from laboratory studies on the influence of SDF application on the bond strength of dentine to various adhesives and to glass ionomer cements (GICs).

Methods: Two independent reviewers conducted a literature search in the databases Medline, Ovid, PubMed and Web of Science until 15th August 2019 using the search keywords ['bond strength'] AND ['silver diamine fluoride' OR 'silver diammine fluoride' OR 'SDF' OR 'silver fluoride' OR 'diamine silver fluoride'].

The past, present and future perspectives of matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a large family of enzymes that degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM). Under pathologic conditions, overexpression of MMPs or insufficient control by tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) results in the dysregulation of tissue remodeling and causes a variety of diseases such as encephalomyelitis, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's disease and tumors. Therefore, the high affinity of MMPs for biomolecules renders them attractive targets for inhibition when homeostasis breaks down in the ECM.

Low-level laser-aided orthodontic treatment of periodontally compromised patients: a randomised controlled trial.

Low-level laser irradiation (LLLI) shows effects in orthodontic pain relief and periodontal inflammation control. The aim of this article is to investigate the analgesic and inflammation-modulatory effects of low-level laser irradiation among orthodontic patients with compromised periodontium. A randomised controlled trial with split-mouth design was conducted in 27 adults with treated and controlled chronic periodontitis over 6 months.

Health- and oral health-related quality of life among preschool children with autism spectrum disorders.

Purpose: To assess the health-related quality of life (HrQoL) and oral health-related quality of life (OHrQoL) of preschool children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and to determine the associated factors.

Methods: A case-control study of preschool children with and without ASD was undertaken. H&OHrQoL were assessed employing Pediatric Quality-of-Life Inventory Version 4.

Red-Emissive Guanylated Polyene-Functionalized Carbon Dots Arm Oral Epithelia against Invasive Fungal Infections.

Oral candidiasis as a highly prevalent and recurrent infection in medically compromised individuals is mainly caused by the opportunistic fungal pathogen . This epithelial infection, if not controlled effectively, can progress to life-threatening systemic conditions and complications. The efficacy of current frontline antifungals is limited due to their poor bioavailability and systemic toxicity.