Khalid Mohammed Alnajjar

Background/Objectives: To compare the effects of different surface treatments on the color and translucency of three types of zirconia ceramics. Methods: Ninety CAD/CAM-milled zirconia disks (10 mm diameter, 1 mm thickness) were fabricated from Cercon HT (3-YTZP), IPS e.max ZirCAD MT (4-YTZP), and Cercon XT (5-YTZP). Baseline CIE Lab* coordinates were measured using a digital spectrophotometer. The disks underwent one of three surface treatments: 50 µm alumina air-particle abrasion (AAA), Zircos-E etching (ZE), or 100 µm glass bead air-particle abrasion (GBA). Post-treatment CIE Lab* measurements were obtained, and color change (ΔE₀₀, CIEDE2000) and translucency change (ΔTP₀₀) were calculated. Results: Regarding color change (ΔE₀₀), 50 µm AAA produced the greatest change, followed by ZE, while GBA caused the smallest change. Surface treatment and its interaction with material type were found to exert a significant effect, whereas material type alone was not significant. Cercon XT showed the highest numerical ΔE₀₀ value among the materials, although the difference was not statistically significant. All ΔE₀₀ values were below the clinical acceptability threshold (00) after surface treatment. Baseline translucency values (TP₀₀) differed significantly, with Cercon XT being the most translucent, followed by ZirCAD MT and Cercon HT, but these differences did not result in significant ΔTP₀₀ changes post treatment. Conclusions: Surface treatments and their interaction with material type significantly affected zirconia color change, with 50 µm alumina air-particle abrasion producing the most pronounced effect. Material type alone did not significantly influence ΔE₀₀, though Cercon XT showed the highest numerical value. Translucency change (ΔTP₀₀) after treatment was unaffected by surface treatment or material–treatment interaction.

Children who experience severe early tooth loss face serious clinical challenges that impact their oral health, facial development, and psychological well-being. Although prompt prosthetic intervention is crucial, there is a dearth of regional data regarding long-term results as well as the practices, attitudes, and knowledge of Middle Eastern clinicians handling these cases. The purpose of this study was to fill in these gaps. A cross-sectional, mixed-methods design was used. To assess the results of fixed and removable prosthetic appliances, a retrospective clinical audit of 368 patient records (aged 2–12 years) from various centres was carried out between 2015 and 2026. Second, 412 dental professionals in the Middle East completed an anonymous online Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) survey, yielding a 75% response rate. Descriptive and inferential statistics, such as logistic regression and chi-square tests, were used to analyse quantitative data. Removable partial dentures had the highest rate (42.6%) and required the most adjustments, according to the audit, which found an overall complication rate of 35.9%. Ectodermal dysplasia was associated with reduced discontinuation and improved compliance. Specialists' knowledge based on their own reporting varied from average to excellent, however knowledge of general dentists was significantly deficient, especially in the area of syndromic cases and growth considerations. Issues about the development of alveolar bone as well as irregular parental compliance were noted even though the attitude towards prosthetic care was generally positive. Different patterns of practice were displayed and the higher knowledge scores of the practitioners were associated with their working with dental technicians. Problems with prosthetics occur quite often, especially when removable appliances are used. Clinicians' knowledge, attitudes, and practices are not the same, which highlights the necessity of professional education with focused objectives and standardized regional guidelines. Achieving better permanent results for the children with severe early tooth loss in the Middle East involves solving the issue of compliance and incorporating care from different disciplines.