Aim: This study aimed to evaluate changes in surface roughness of an experimental resin infiltrant, in comparison with the commercial infiltrant Icon® and the resin sealant Prevent®, following different erosive challenges and abrasive simulations with brushing cycles. Methods: A total of 20 samples per group were prepared: (I) Commercial Infiltrant Icon® (IC), (II) Experimental Infiltrant (EI), and (III) Commercial Resin Sealant Prevent® (SR). Surface roughness was assessed using a rugosimeter at three distinct time points: prior to the erosive challenge (T0), post-erosive challenge (T1), and following the abrasive simulation (T2). Each group was subdivided into two subgroups (n=10) to undergo different erosive challenges: intrinsic acid and extrinsic acid simulations. The intrinsic acid challenge was conducted by immersing the samples in a hydrochloric acid demineralizing solution (pH=2.3), while the extrinsic acid challenge involved immersion in a soft drink demineralizing solution (pH=2.9). Following the erosive challenges, the specimens were maintained in relative humidity and surface roughness was reassessed (T1). Subsequently, the same groups underwent brushing simulation (10.000 cycles), after which surface roughness was measured again. Data were analyzed by three-way ANOVA with repeated measures, followed by Tukey’s post-hoc test for multiple comparisons, with a significance level set at 5%. Results: All groups demonstrated an increase on surface roughness, regardless of demineralizing method used (p<0.001). The resin sealant exhibited the highest surface roughness changes under both erosive conditions when compared to the resin infiltrants. There was no statistical difference between the two erosive challenges, regardless of the material and time. Conclusion: In conclusion, all three tested materials showed an increase in surface roughness following erosive and abrasive challenges.

Aim: Dental caries is a multifactorial disease where aspects such as socioeconomic status, caregivers’ health education, and dietary and hygiene patterns are recognized factors associated with this condition. However, the literature remains inconclusive regarding sex differences, especially in children. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the relationship between dental caries prevalence and sex in preschoolers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a representative sample of 432 children aged 18 to 36 months, enrolled in Early Childhood Education Centers (CMEIs) in São José dos Pinhais, PR, Brazil. Data on demographic and socioeconomic conditions, dietary practices, hygiene habits, and bottle-feeding were collected through a questionnaire directed to parents. Children were assessed for dental caries (DMFT and modified DMFT index) by a calibrated researcher (Kappa≥0.80). Bivariate analysis was performed to verify the association between dental caries and other covariates, with a significance level of 0.05. Results: There was no difference in per capita household income between boys and girls. The dmft value in girls was 0.12 (SD=0.59; median 0; interquartile range 0), and in boys, it was 0.34 (SD=1.37; median 0; interquartile range 0), with no statistically significant difference (p=0.197, Mann-Whitney test). The prevalence of caries was also not statistically different between boys and girls (p=0.087, Chi-square test). Conclusion: It can be concluded that in this age group, there was no association between sex and dental caries.

Aim: The choice between retention systems in implant-supported prostheses impacts marginal bone loss (MBL), a key factor for implant longevity. Due to variability in the findings of systematic reviews, this overview aims to assess the methodological quality and synthesize available evidence from systematic reviews on the effects of cement- versus screw-retained implant-supported prostheses on MBL. Methods: Six databases were searched for systematic reviews comparing MBL in screw- versus cementretained implant-supported prostheses. The methodological quality was assessed using AMSTAR 2, and the MBL effects were classified as favoring cemented, no difference, or favoring screwed systems based on the conclusions of the reviews. Additionally, quantitative data on MBL at different intervals—up to 1, 3, 4, and more than 4 years—were extracted from primary articles and visually plotted for interpretation. Results: The search identified 8 systematic reviews, mainly classified as critically low quality, which found no significant difference in MBL between retention systems. Evaluating the quantitative data, both systems exhibited minor variations over time, with cemented implant-supported prostheses showing slightly less bone loss at the five-year follow-up. Beyond 4 years, both systems demonstrated similar MBL ranges. Conclusion: Both screw-retained and cement-retained implant-supported prostheses appear to be reliable options, with no significant difference in MBL observed in most systematic reviews, especially over longer follow-up periods. However, due to the low quality of existing systematic reviews, conclusions should be approached with caution, underscoring the need for betterdesigned studies to reach a clearer clinical consensus.

Aim: Since the reactivity of fluoride with enamel decreases when the pH of slightly acidic solutions is not maintained, we evaluated the effect of acidic fluoridated solutions buffered with histidine on the formation of loosely (CaF2-like) bound products on enamel. Methods: Demineralized enamel slabs were treated with 0.05% NaF solution at pH levels of 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, and 6.5, either buffered or not with histidine (n=12). CaF2- like product formation was determined in enamel, and the data were submitted to ANOVA, Tukey, and Dunnett’s tests. Results: Buffered fluoride solutions, regardless of pH, formed higher concentrations of CaF2-like products on enamel than the respective group without buffering (p<0.05). Conclusion: The findings show that the buffering increases CaF2-like formation on carious enamel, although a direct effect of histidine cannot be entirely ruled out.

Aim: To conduct a scientific mapping of stomatognathic system functions and orthognathic surgery (OS) with a scientometric approach. Methods: The articles were retrieved from the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases in April 2022. The research included studies approaching OS and stomatognathic function assessment, without time or language restrictions. The Bibliometrix package and VosViewer software analyzed and mapped the scientific knowledge of stomatognathic functions and OS. The researchers extracted and analyzed data including productive institutions, highly cited articles, journals, authors, references, and keywords. Results: Altogether, 223 articles were included, covering the period from 1981 to 2024. The average annual growth rate was 2.96%, with a mean of 18.4 citations. There were 942 co-authored papers, and only six were authored by a single person, resulting in an average of 4.99 co-authors per document and a 2.691% proportion of international co-authorships. Network analysis revealed three clusters, covering topics such as “speech,” “cleft lip and palate,” “dentofacial deformity,” and “obstructive sleep apnea.” Keyword co-occurrence analysis also highlighted emerging trends; terms such as “orthognathic surgery,” “maxillary advancement,” and “obstructive sleep apnea” gained prominence. Conclusion: The continuous increase in studies and diversity of journals reflects the growing relevance of the relationship between OS and stomatognathic functions. The mapping emphasizes the importance of an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach in advancing knowledge of the functional and clinical implications of OS.

Aim: High heterogeneity in ligature and repair models might reflect different disease status and preclude comparisons. This study aimed to characterize time-dependent alveolar bone loss, histological changes, and immunoinflammatory profiles in rats during ligature-induced periodontitis progression and repair in the long term. Methods: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were included. The negative control group (n=8) received no ligature, while experimental groups (Ligature and Repair; n=40) received a cotton ligature around the lower first molars, bilaterally. After 7d (baseline), ligatures were either maintained or removed for another 28 or 56 days (n=8/group). Hemi-mandibles were collected for radiographic, histological and stereometric analyses. Serum and gingival tissues were collected for the analysis of inflammatory markers using multiplex. Results: Mean bone loss progressively increased in ligated rats (p<0.05). Ligature placement increased the percentage of inflammatory cells at all timepoints and blood vessels at 7 and 35 days, while reducing fibroblasts and extracellular matrix (p<0.05). After 56 days of ligature removal, radiographic bone loss increased compared to 28 days (p<0.05). Ligature removal significantly decreased the percentage of inflammatory cells and blood vessels, while increasing fibroblasts and extracellular matrix only at 56 days. Immunological assay revealed significant time-dependent alterations in serum and gingival markers during disease progression and repair. Conclusion: Ligatures led to cumulative alveolar bone loss and heightened pro-inflammatory cytokines, with distinct inflammatory profiles over time. During repair, despite reducing inflammatory cells and cytokines, bone loss increased in the long term. Our data can assist in designing future experiments and clarify previously published findings.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of pigmentation, hygiene protocols, and time on the physical, mechanical, and chemical properties, as well as the thermal behavior of MDX4-4210 and Silpuran 2420 silicones. Methods: Samples without pigmentation (WP;n=45), with intrinsic pigmentation (IP;n=45), and with intrinsic and extrinsic pigmentation (IEP;n=45) were tested. Samples were washed daily with neutral soap and immersed in water (control - C), washed daily with neutral soap and immersed in 2% hydrogen peroxide (HP2%), or washed daily with neutral soap and immersed in 0.15% triclosan (T0.15%) once a week for six months (T1). Subsequently, they were exposed to ultraviolet radiation and humidity, simulating 12 months (T2). Color, Shore A hardness, surface roughness, chemical properties, and thermal behavior were evaluated at T0, T1, and T2. Data were analyzed using a general linear model employing the Wald test and repeated measures for color and hardness changes, and ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test for surface roughness (α=0.05). Results: In MDX4-4210, WP and IEP had the greatest color change at T2 with T0.15% (p=0.020). IEP showed higher roughness at T1 and T2 but lower hardness variation (p<0.001). Hygiene protocols influenced roughness and hardness (p<0.05). In Silpuran, IEP had the highest color variation at T2, with reduced roughness and hardness, regardless of hygiene (p<0.001). Conclusion: IEP impacted color stability over time in both silicones when exposed to HP2% and T0.15%. Hardness changes did not compromise material quality. IEP groups showed lower roughness variation. Chemical and thermal behavior were unaffected by pigmentation or hygiene.

Objective: To assess the influence of the combination of the antibacterial monomer dimethylaminohexadecyl methacrylate (DMAHDM) and amorphous calcium phosphate nanoparticles (NACP) on the antibacterial and ion release potentials, as well as the physical properties of experimental resin infiltrants. Methodology: The study comprised the following groups: ERI (Pure Experimental Resin Infiltrant [ERI]: 75% TEGDMA + 25% BisEMA, 0.5% camphorquinone [CQ], and 1% ethyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate [EDMAB]); ERIDM (ERI + 3% DMAHDM), ERINACP (ERI + 1.5% NACP), and ERIDM_NACP (ERI + 3% DMAHDM + 1.5% NACP). From samples of each group, Degree of Conversion (DC; n=6) and Sorption and Solubility (SO/SOL; n=8) were assessed. The antibacterial potential was evaluated through biomass accumulation (BA; n=6) and bacterial metabolism (BM; n=6) assays after cultivating Streptococcus mutans biofilm on the materials. Ionic release (IR; n=3) of Ca2+ and PO4 (3-) from the groups after 7, 14, and 28 days of immersion was also analyzed. Data were analyzed for normality and homoscedasticity, and statistical analysis was performed using appropriate tests with a significance level of 5%. Results: For DC, ERIDM showed no statistical difference from ERI. ERI had the lowest means of SO/SOL, and ERIDM_NACP had the highest. ERIDM exhibited no statistical difference from ERI. For BM, ERIDM and ERIDM_ NACP had the lowest means. ERINACP and ERIDM_NACP exhibited ionic release during the analyzed period. Conclusions: The resin infiltrant containing DMAHDM and NACP exhibits potent antibacterial activity against S. mutans and Ca2+ and PO4 (3-) ionic release.

Objectives: Facial paralysis is recognized as the most prevalent complication following parotidectomy. This study aimed to evaluate the symptoms and post-operative complications of parotidectomy while employing facial nerve preservation techniques. Methods: The study involved 14 patients (9 men and 5 women) with a mean age of 53.0 ± 16.5 years. Clinical characteristics, facial paralysis, and other complications in these patients were monitored at three post-operative intervals: 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months. Results: Following ultrasonography, homogeneous echo textures were observed in 64.3% of tumors compared with 35.7% with heterogeneous textures. Regarding tumor locations, 50% were found in the superficial lobe, 14.3% in the deep lobe, and 35.7% involving both lobes. The FNA (Fine Needle Aspiration) test identified 64.3% of the tumors as pleomorphic, 13.3% as oncocytomas, 7.1% as Warthin tumors, and 14.3% as other benign tumors, with no cases suspected of cancer. Post-operative complications: Temporary facial paralysis was noted in 57.1% of cases at one week post-operation, declining to 28.6% after one month and 14.3% after three months. Hemorrhage occurred in 7.1% of patients, with no reports of infection, skin flap necrosis, or postoperative seroma. Additionally, 92.9% of patients experienced ear numbness at one week post-operation, decreasing to 21.4% by three months. Conclusion: the study demonstrates that parotidectomy, when performed with careful preservation of the facial nerve, is an effective and constructive approach for removing pleomorphic tumors in the parotid gland.

This study aimed to analyze the occurrence of stress and minor mental disorders (MMD) among dental students. Participants included students in the pre-clinical stage (N=123) and clinical stage (N=169) of the dental program. Data collection was carried out using sociodemographic data, Dental Environmental Stress (DES) and Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) to evaluate the minor mental disorders (DMM). Analysis was conducted using the Mann-Whitney test, Fisher’s exact test, and logistic regression with a significance level of 5%. The overall mean for stressors was 2.7, indicating a range between “Mildly Stressful” and “Moderately Stressful,” with higher levels observed in the clinical stage (2.8) and among women (2.9). The main stressors were “Exams and grades” (pre-clinical - 3.7, clinical - 3.9; p=0.0314), “Fear of failing a subject or losing the year” (pre-clinical - 3.6, clinical - 3.7; p=0.7596), “Completing graduation requirements” (pre-clinical - 3.4, clinical - 3.6; p=0.1092), and “Lack of time for relaxation or leisure” (pre-clinical - 3.3, clinical - 3.6; p=0.0037). The overall prevalence of MMD was 78.5%, with higher rates observed in the clinical stage (82.2%) and among women (81.6%). Of the variables in the regression analysis, two remained significant: “Difficulties at work” (p=0.001) and “Loss of interest in things” (p=0.033). The environment experienced by the participants in this study presents stressors, with a high prevalence of suspected MMD among female students in both stages of the dental program.