Mirona Palczewska-Komsa

Introduction: Acrylic materials have been a staple in dental prosthetics for decades. Developments in manufacturing technology, including additive techniques, have led to the introduction of new types of acrylics, whose mechanical properties require detailed evaluation and comparison with conventional materials. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to comparatively evaluate selected mechanical properties, such as hardness, impact strength, density, flexural strength, and tensile strength, of three types of acrylic materials used in prosthetics: 3D-printed acrylic, heat-cured acrylic, and cold-cured acrylic, in vitro. Materials and Methods: Three materials were used in the study: 3D-printed acrylic (NextDent Denture 3D+), heat-cured acrylic (made using the cupping method (Villacryl H Plus)), and cold-cured acrylic (made using the pouring method (Villacryl SP)). Ten samples (n = 30) were prepared from each material. Flexural strength, tensile strength, Young’s modulus, density, Vickers hardness, and impact strength were tested. Results: The tested materials demonstrated significant differences in mechanical properties. The highest values for impact strength, flexural strength, tensile strength, and density were obtained for 3D-printed acrylic. Hot-cured acrylic achieved the highest hardness values. Cold-cured acrylic, on the other hand, achieved the lowest results, except for the impact strength test, where it achieved intermediate results. Conclusions: The mechanical properties of dental acrylics are significantly dependent on their manufacturing technology. Hot-cured acrylic exhibits the highest hardness, while 3D-printed acrylic is characterized by favorable impact strength, flexural strength, and tensile strength, which may have significant clinical significance in terms of the resistance of dentures to mechanical damage. The study results could provide a basis for introducing this material into clinical practice.

The biomimetic regeneration of the pulp-dentin complex is a modern approach involving the application of a bioactive substance. Bioactive substances (e.g., cement or stem cells) have been reported to be able to control the signaling and differentiation of the pulp cells, thus limiting the inflammatory reactions and enabling the repair and regeneration of tissues. One of such materials is MTA Repair HP (MTA HP) - a type of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) material characterized by high plasticity, composed of hydrophilic particles of mineral oxides. The aim of the present study was to analyze the reaction of the pulp-dentin complex of human teeth to MTA HP using 2 radiological techniques - cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). In the study, 6 caries-free, intact maxillary and mandibular third molars or premolars from 6 patients aged 30-37 years were analyzed. The teeth were scheduled to be extracted for orthodontic or surgical reasons. No statistically significant differences in the examined parameters of the tertiary dentin were observed in the CBCT and micro-CT images (p < 0.05). The CBCT technique, similarly to micro-CT, proved to be effective in identifying and assessing the tertiary dentin. Furthermore, CBCT has the advantage of usability in clinical settings. Knowledge on the parameters of reparative dentin identified with radiological techniques is still insufficient, and further research is recommended.

(1) Background: A free gingival graft (FGG) is a common technique used to reconstruct or enhance the area of keratinized mucosa, while a connective tissue graft (CTG) is utilized to boost soft tissue thickness, thereby promoting stability in interproximal marginal bone levels. Most reported complications following FGG procedure are associated with the donor site. In addition to a painful, open wound in the palate, the most frequent complications linked to FGG harvesting include excessive bleeding, postoperative bone exposure, and recurrent herpes lesions. Numerous methods for securing the donor site after a free gingival graft surgery have been documented in research publications. The main objective of this systematic review was to assess various techniques for protecting the palate after graft harvesting and their impact on patient experience, with a focus on pain management. The secondary objective was to evaluate these techniques in relation to donor site wound healing. (2) Methods: The search was performed across four databases: Medline (PubMed Central), Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase, in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and the recommendations set forth in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. The initial search took place on 9 October 2023, followed by an update on 28 June 2024. The search utilized the following keywords: (“wound” OR “injury”) AND (“graft” OR “free gingival graft” OR “graft harvesting”) AND (“healing” OR “recovery”) AND “palate”. (3) Results: After conducting the follow-up search, a total of 958 papers were identified: 193 from PubMed, 314 from Scopus, 101 from Web of Science, and 350 from Embase. Ultimately, of the 49 papers that remained, 11 were excluded due to not fulfilling the inclusion criteria, leaving 38 full-text papers on free gingival grafts (FGG) for qualitative analysis. (4) Conclusions: Various methods for palatal protection after free gingival grafts (FGG) are described in the literature, stemming from biological, physical, or chemical sources. Most studies in this review examined platelet-rich fibrin and suggested that it provides no benefits for patients’ subjective experiences or wound healing outcomes. While photobiomodulation appears to support wound epithelialization, it does not influence pain perception. Alternatives such as propolis, hyaluronic acid, and medicinal plant extracts show potential for palatal protection; however, further research is needed to thoroughly evaluate their effectiveness.

The role of trace elements, heavy metals, and their effect on the development of hard tissue mineralization balance is poorly documented and the available results are often contradictory. The aim of the present study was the assessment of the concentration of the selected elements in the teeth of deer (Capreolus capreolus) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) with respect to their potential role in maintaining biomineralization balance in teeth hard tissues. Moreover, the aim was to determine whether trace elements accumulate in teeth with age. This study was conducted on 22 molar teeth of red deer (Cervus elaphus) and 54 molar teeth of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from Poland. Samples were analyzed with the use of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry equipped with a concentric nebulizer and cyclonic spray chamber in order to determine their Al, Ba, Cd, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr, and Zn contents. There were strong positive correlations between strontium and zinc with heavy metals, particularly in dentine, which may affect the neutralization of the negative effects of heavy metals on tooth tissue and, consequently, maintaining ionic balance. The accumulation of trace elements with age in serenades has not been confirmed.

This study aimed to evaluate internal tooth–filling interfaces of composite fillings made using universal adhesives using micro-computed tomography (µCT). Sixty class V cavities were randomly assigned into six groups: Peak Universal etch and rinse (PER), Peak Universal self-etch (PSE), Adhese Universal etch and rinse (AER), and Adhese Universal self-etch (ASE). Two further adhesives considered gold standards were used as control groups: OptiBond FL (OER) for the etch and rinse technique and Clearfil SE for the self-etch technique (CSE). All teeth were subjected to thermomechanical loading and four-year water storage. Next, they were analyzed using µCT to investigate the internal tooth–filling interfaces. The proportions between the gap volume (GV) at the tooth–filling interface and the volume of applied composite filling (FV), between the gap and cavity volumes (CV), and between the gap volumes at the tooth–filling interface of the external (EGV) and internal (IGV) parts were calculated. Adhese Universal achieved the significantly lowest gap-to-filling- and gap-to-cavity-volume ratios for both types of etching techniques comparing to those of the Peak Universal and control groups. Significant differences between the gaps in external and internal parts of the tooth–filling interface were only noted in the control groups. Internal gap formation and development at the tooth–filling interface depend on the material as well as the type of its application.

The present paper is the first article providing a systematic literature review on the visualization of tertiary dentin influenced by modern bioactive materials in CBCT and micro-CT. Six database searches of studies on tertiary dentin visualization using CBCT produced 622 records in total, and the search of the studies on tertiary dentin using micro-CT produced 502 records in total. The results were thoroughly selected considering the inclusion criteria, and five research papers using CBCT and nine research papers using micro-CT for visualization of tertiary dentin were eventually qualified for the analysis. All the non-randomized and randomized studies presented good and high levels of quality evidence, respectively. Among the bioactive materials used, the most frequently analysed were: MTA, Biodentine dentin matrix hydrogel, Pro Root MTA, and EndoSequence root repair material. The highest thickness of the tertiary dentin was achieved after the use of MTA material in both imaging techniques. The remaining parameters had different results, taking into account the CBCT and micro-CT analysis. The possibilities of the qualitative and quantitative assessment of the particular parameters of tertiary dentin using CBCT and micro-CT techniques were presented and analysed. CBCT and micro-CT analyses can be useful in the assessment of tertiary dentin formed beneath the bioactive material applied during vital pulp treatment. The research argues that the presented results differ depending on the material applied to the pulp, the study duration (4–6 weeks), difference in teeth, species (rats, human), as well as the applied technique and differences in computer software used for the analysis.

Bioactive calcium silicate cement Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) has been used for years as a gold standard in intravital pulp treatment and specialist endodontic procedures. Owing to flaws of the material, the manufacturers have been trying to enhance and produce materials showing improved physical, chemical and biological parameters. One of the new calcium-silicate cements based on mineral trioxide aggregate, however without some flaws exhibited by the cement, is Mineral Trioxide Aggregate Repair High Plasticity (MTA HP). The aim of the present paper was a systematic literature review concerning the MTA HP material used nowadays in dentistry, as a review of its specific features. The present paper is the first article providing a systematic literature review on MTA HP. The aim of the present article is the better understanding of MTA HP properties, which can aid the decision-making process in endodontic treatment.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the new silicate cement mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA Repair HP) with respect to its effect on the inflammation process involving the tooth and periodontal tissues. The composition of MTA Repair HP was supplemented with plasticizer agents which can have a negative effect on the modulation of tooth inflammation. The silicate-based material in question is widely used in regeneration of the pulp-dentin complex, treatment of perforations of various locations in the tooth, as well as in surgical treatment of the complications of periapical tissue. The improved bioceramic restorative cement can affect the expression of metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 in monocytes/macrophages involved in modulation of inflammation and regenerative processes of the tooth and periodontal tissues. The novel aspect of the present study lies in the application of the model of THP-1 monocyte/macrophage and applying the biomaterial in direct contact with the cells. Hence, it provides a representation of clinical conditions with respect to regenerative pulp and periodontal treatment with the use of MTA Repair HP. A lack of macrophage activation (as measured with flow cytometry) was found. Moreover, the study identified a lack of expression stimulation of the studied metalloproteinases (with the use of Western blotting and fluorescent microscopy). Similarly, no increase in MMP-2 and MMP-9 concentration was found (measured by ELISA method) in vitro when incubated with MTA Repair HP. Based on the results it can be concluded that new MTA Repair HP does not increase the inflammatory response in monocytes/macrophages associated with the activity of the described enzymes. It can also be speculated that they do not affect the process of dentin regeneration in which MMP-2 and MMP-9 play significant roles.

Introduction: The concept of “regenerative endodontics”, adopted by the American Association of Endodontics in 2007 was, to an appreciable extent, connected with the introduction of bioactive materials such as Biodentine™ to dental treatment. In the field of biomedical therapeutic materials, the concept of tissue engineering is distinguishable with respect to establishing procedures and materials such as Biodentine™ aimed at replacing injured tissues with those newly developed. The use of Biodentine™ has quickly become a widespread practice in dentistry, commonly used in the biological treatment of pulp and root canal treatment.The aim of this article is a literature review on the use of Biodentine™ in dental practice and its specific characteristics, based on the latest scientific knowledge.Materials and methods: Articles published since the launch of the material into the market were sourced and classified according to the topic they focussed on. A total of 52 papers were chosen, encompassing those directly focusing on Biodentine™, as well as other relevant papers not mentioning Biodentine™, but pertaining to dental materials in general.Conclusion: On the grounds of this analysis of literature on the subject, it can be concluded that bioactive materials such as Biodentine™ have a wide range of application in therapeutic dental procedures. There are numerous studies presenting the advantages of this group of materials. However, the use of Biodentine™ still requires a comprehensive and long-term analysis to unequivocally confirm its therapeutic success following use of this material.

Biodentine^TM is a material based on hydrated calcium silicate with odontotropic properties. However, from the clinician’s perspective, every material used to fill a tooth—even those showing the optimal biochemical parameters—is in fact a foreign body introduced to the organism of the host. Therefore, apart from the chemical parameters of such materials, equally important is the so-called biocompatibility of such materials. The aim of the study was to investigate whether Biodentine^TM, used in the regeneration of the pulp-dentine complex, may affect the expression of the enzymes cyclooxygenase 1 (COX1) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) in THP-1 monocytes/macrophages and the amount of prostanoids synthesized by these enzymes-precursors of biologically active prostanoids such as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and thromboxane (TXB2) which are mediators of inflammation. An original aspect of this research is the use of the THP-1 monocyte/macrophage cell model and the use of biomaterial in direct contact with cells. In this way we tried to reflect the clinical conditions of regenerative pulp and periodontal tissue treatment using Biodentine^TM. The results of our study showed a lack of macrophage activation (measured by flow cytometry) and a lack of stimulation of the expression of the studied cyclooxygenase enzymes (measured by Western blotting and fluorescent microscopy), as well as a lack of increase in the concentration (measured by ELISA method) of their inflammatory mediators (PGE2 and TXB2) in vitro incubated with Biodentine^TM.