Successful Restoration Research Articles

ObjectivesThe objective of this prospective, randomized, parallel-group clinical study was to compare the 6- and 12-month clinical performances of direct composite restorations with or without fiber-reinforced composite applied to endodontically treated posterior teeth (ETpT) in bruxists.Materials and methodsThirty-two ETpT were randomly restored with only posterior composite (gneal posterior, GC; CR group) or fiber-reinforced composite (EverX flow, GC) + posterior composite (FRCR group) in bruxists aged 18–65 years (n = 16). The inclusion criteria were as follows: bruxists with ETpT; class 1/2 cavities; the remaining functional wall at least 3 mm thick; teeth with a natural tooth in the opposite arch; and adjacent teeth on both approximal sides. The presence of periapical symptoms, posterior teeth with tubercule loss, and teeth with root canal fillings at least 2 mm short of the radiographic apex were excluded.ResultsAll restorations were evaluated at 6 and 12 months on the basis of the World Dental Federation (FDI) criteria. No failure was reported, and clinical success was recorded for all aesthetic, functional, and biological criteria at 6 and 12 months of follow-up in both groups.ConclusionsSmall/medium-sized direct composite restorations with or without fiber-reinforced composites demonstrated excellent and similar clinical performances at 12 months in bruxists.Clinical relevanceSince parafunctional forces can be significantly higher than normal chewing forces, the study focused exclusively on patients with bruxism. The 12-month clinically successful outcomes of direct composite restorations both with and without SFRC in this study will guide future long-terms studies in evaluating restorations of ETpT in bruxists.Date of registration2025-03-11 (retrospectively registered).Clinical trial registrationThis prospective, randomized, parallel-group clinical study was registered in a publicly accessible database with clinicalTriald.gov.ID No. NCT06870188.

Abstract Ecological restoration of forestry‐drained peatlands is an increasingly acknowledged mean to halt the biodiversity loss, yet little is known on the long‐term responses of vegetation—a key factor in judging the success of various restoration measures. In this study, we follow long‐term succession in vegetation composition from a year before through 11 years after peatland rewetting by ditch filling. Tree harvesting as a part of restoration was conducted by removing the whole trees or stems only. For both restoration approaches, the restoration trajectory of vegetation was non‐linear, and the recovery time differed between plant functional groups. We first observed an initial loss of species, followed by increases in species indicative of undrained peatlands and an increase in trait heterogeneity. Additionally, we observed that sedges responded to restoration faster than Sphagnum mosses. Synthesis and applications: Here we show that restoration increases the resemblance to undrained peatlands, with little differences between the tree harvesting methods. We suggest that Sphagnum moss cover could be used in monitoring the success of restoration of nutrient poor peatlands. Our results highlight the necessity of long‐term monitoring. The difference between strip and near former ditch lines showed spatial variability long after the restoration, which should be accounted for in monitoring.

General background: Indonesia is one of the countries within the Coral Triangle region, known for its vast coral reef ecosystems that sustain marine biodiversity and coastal livelihoods. Specific background: In the Kangean Islands, East Java, coral reefs face significant degradation caused by destructive fishing practices and climate change. To address this, Kangean Energy Indonesia Ltd. (KEI), an upstream oil and gas company, initiated a coral reef transplantation program as part of its environmental commitment. Knowledge gap: Previous studies on corporate social responsibility (CSR) have rarely examined how the Creating Shared Value (CSV) approach can simultaneously promote ecological restoration and community welfare within the extractive industry. Aims: This research analyzes the implementation of CSV principles—shared value, community involvement, collaboration, and innovation—in KEI’s coral reef transplantation program. Results: Using a qualitative approach through interviews, observations, and document analysis, the study finds that CSV enhances coral ecosystem recovery, empowers youth, fosters cross-sector collaboration, and introduces dome-shaped transplantation media as an innovation. Novelty: The study offers a new model of CSV-based marine conservation integrating business sustainability with ecological and social outcomes. Implications: The findings highlight CSV’s potential as a strategic framework for the oil and gas sector to advance sustainable development and strengthen community legitimacy. Highlights: CSV links corporate sustainability with community and ecosystem welfare. Innovative dome-shaped media enhance coral restoration success. Multi-stakeholder collaboration ensures long-term social legitimacy. Keywords: Creating Shared Value, Coral Reef Transplantation, Community Involvement, Collaboration, Innovation

Background: Accuracy of fit is a critical determinant of the clinical success and longevity of dental restorations, particularly for implant-supported and partial coverage posterior restorations. Although subtractive milling techniques have been widely used in dentistry, additive manufacturing technologies, have emerged as promising alternatives, offering the potential for greater accuracy, customization and cost-efficiency. This systematic review aimed to compare the accuracy of fit of additive 3D-printed implant-supported and partial coverage posterior restorations. with subtractive milling and conventional techniques. Material and Methods: The review followed PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive electronic search was conducted across PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase and Scopus to identify relevant studies. Studies were included if they evaluated the accuracy of fit of additive 3D-printed implant-supported restorations and partial coverage posterior restorations, compared to subtractive milling or conventional techniques. The modified CONSORT checklist for in vitro studies was used to assess methodological quality and risk of bias. Results: A total of 1,913 records were identified and after removing duplicates and screening for eligibility, eight in vitro studies were included. The studies evaluated 322 samples across a range of implant-supported frameworks, inlays and onlays. Technologies assessed included Selective Laser Melting (SLM), stereolithography (SLA), Digital Light Processing (DLP) and multijet 3D printing, alongside CAD/CAM milling and conventional casting. The findings consistently demonstrated that additive manufacturing achieved accuracy of fit comparable to subtractive milling in simple designs, while three-dimensional printed restorations exhibited better marginal and internal adaptation, especially for complex geometries. Conventional casting and milling techniques showed larger discrepancies, particularly for multiunit frameworks. The risk of bias was generally low across all included studies, although variation in measurement techniques and the lack of sample size justification were noted as limitations. Conclusion: This systematic review indicates that additive manufacturing techniques offer improved accuracy of fit compared to subtractive milling and conventional methods for implant-supported restorations and partial coverage posterior restorations. However, the in vitro design of the studies limits the direct clinical applicability of the findings.

Prospective consecutive case series of patients with neurotrophic keratopathy associated with unilateral total limbal stem cell deficiency caused by severe ocular surface burns.

Evaluation of tidal marsh restoration success is typically based on the recovery of habitat size and target species. However, food‐web structure may provide valuable insight into ecosystem functioning trajectories. Here, we studied restored tidal marshes of different ages (new, young, old; spanning 1–150 years) in comparison with nearby reference sites along the San Francisco Estuary. We asked: (1) How does restoration help recover energy pathways that support fishes? (2) Do fishes rely more on algal versus detrital pathways in restored sites?; and (3) How does food‐web structure vary as a function of species origin and life history? To answer these questions, we sampled fish (n = 806) and basal resources (emergent vegetation and phytoplankton; n = 109) seasonally over two hydrologically contrasting years. Using stable isotopes (δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S), we calculated fish isotopic niche volumes, food chain lengths, and the relative importance of algal versus detrital energy pathways. We found that food chains in restored sites were 8% shorter than in their paired reference sites. Additionally, the young and old restored sites had 37% smaller niche volumes than their references, but the opposite was true for the new restored site (11% larger), illustrating the characteristic trophic surge of early succession. Fishes found in restored sites relied significantly less on detrital energy (7% less) than fishes found in reference sites, and resident fishes showed 12% higher reliance on the detrital pathway than transient species. Finally, most of the native niche volume overlapped with that of introduced fish, which was in turn 38% larger, and a similar pattern was observed when comparing resident to transient fish. Our findings demonstrate that food‐web structure does not immediately recover with tidal marsh restoration, even if fish assemblages are species‐rich; and show that transient trophic surges may complicate restoration success assessments of newly restored marshes. We contend that incorporating recovery of energy pathways as an indicator of performance may help strengthen monitoring and design of wetland ecosystem restoration projects.

To evaluate and compare the viability, proliferation, and adhesion of HGFs on glazed and polished surfaces of 3 mol% yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia (3Y-TZP) and 5 mol% yttria-stabilized partially stabilized zirconia (5Y-PSZ). This in vitro experimental study was conducted to evaluate the viability, proliferation, and adhesion of HGFs on zirconia discs with different compositions (3Y-TZP and 5Y-PSZ) and surface treatments (glazed and polished). The study employed a comparative design with four groups based on the combination of material type and surface finish. Sixty-four zirconia discs (n = 16/group) were prepared in four groups: 3Y-TZP glazed, 3Y-TZP polished, 5Y-PSZ glazed, and 5Y-PSZ polished. HGFs were cultured on each specimen. Cell viability was assessed using MTT assay at 24 h and 7 days. Cell morphology and adhesion were analyzed using the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Statistical analysis was performed using the two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post hoc test. All groups showed >70% cell viability at both time points, indicating noncytotoxicity. Polished zirconia surfaces exhibited significantly higher cell viability than glazed surfaces at 7 days (P < 0.05), with 5Y-PSZ polished showing the highest viability (95.4%). SEM revealed better fibroblast spreading and filopodia formation on polished surfaces. Two-way ANOVA indicated significant effects of material type and surface finish on cell viability (P < 0.05). Polished zirconia surfaces, irrespective of yttria content, enhanced HGF viability and adhesion compared to glazed surfaces. These findings suggest that polishing promotes superior soft-tissue integration and may contribute to the long-term biological success of zirconia restorations.

Influence of different post-washing solutions on the mechanical and surface properties of 3D-printed material for definitive restorations: An in vitro study.

Good bond strength between fiber-reinforced posts (FRPs) and root dentin is essential for successful rehabilitation of endodontically treated teeth. 45 human premolar teeth were divided into three main groups (n = 15) based on bonding agent use: no bonding (control), light-cured (LC), and dual-cured (DC). Each group was further split by cement type: self-adhesive resin cement, bioactive resin cement, and core build-up material, totaling nine subgroups. The teeth were sectioned perpendicularly to the root surface to obtain two middle-root slices. After thermocycling, the push-out bond strength (PBS) test was performed and data were statistically analyzed with the ANOVA test followed by the post hoc Tukey test. Failure modes were examined under a stereomicroscope and statistically evaluated using the χ2 test. There was a significant difference in the PBS between test groups (p < 0.0001*). In control groups, core build-up material (Control/LZ = 7.6 ± 3.4 MPa) had significantly lower PBS than the rest of the groups, except Control/AB = 9.9 ± 3.3 MPa. The application of bonding agents significantly increased bond strength for bioactive cement (LC/AB = 14.8 ± 4.8 MPa and DC/AB = 17.7 ± 4.5 MPa) and core build-up material (LC/LZ = 20.4 ± 6.4 MPa and DC/LZ = 16.4 ± 3.8 MPa). Notably, self-adhesive resin cement achieved statistically similar PBS even without the application of bonding agent (Control/RX = 13.6 ± 3.1 MPa, LC/RX = 17.4 ± 5.5 MPa, and DC/RX = 17.0 ± 5.8 MPa). Self-adhesive resin cement can bond effectively to root dentin without additional bonding agents. However, bioactive and core build-up cements need bonding agents for optimal performance, highlighting the need to tailor bonding strategies to the specific cement used. Bonding FRPs to intra-radicular dentin was always a challenge. A strong bond to root dentin is an important factor to ensure the success and longevity of post and core restorations. This study provides great evidence for the significant influence of adhesive systems and resin cements on the bond strength of FRPs to root dentin. Using this study, clinicians will perform an informed choice of restorative materials for each clinical situation and select the best adhesive/cement combo to achieve good bond strength.

This study aimed to conduct a comparative evaluation of the shear bond strength of etch and rinse (Single Bond 2), two-step self-etch (Clearfil SE) and one-step self-etch (Go Bond SDI and G-Premio Bond) bonding agents applied to primary teeth, using a universal testing machine. The sample was divided into four groups: Group A incorporated Single Bond 2, Group B constituted Clearfil SE, Group C constituted Go Bond SDI, and Group D constituted G-Premio Bond. In each group, 14 out of the total 56 primary canine teeth were considered. Composite restoration was performed using the identified bonding agents on the exposed dentin. A universal testing device was used to evaluate the shear bond strength of the samples. An ANOVA test was used to statistically analyze the obtained data. By using Kruskal-Wallis test, and determining 0.0080 as the level of significance, shear bond strength with mean standard deviation (SD) was 44.76 ± 32.49 MPa, 92.87 ± 48.63 MPa, 18.55 ± 14.08 MPa, and 22.65 ± 7.74 for Single Bond 2, Clearfil SE, Go Bond SDI, and G-Premio Bond, respectively. Maximum shear bond strength was found in the two-step self-etch bonding agent. Since dentin is involved in most of pediatric caries, especially in rampant caries, providing an appropriate bond has a great impact on a successful restoration treatment. Considering our results, two-step self-etch bonding agent (Clearfil SE bond) demonstrated superior shear bond strength in dentin of anterior primary teeth, over Single Bond 2, Go Bond SDI, and G-Premio bonds. To establish a correlation among various factors affecting bond efficacy, further in vitro and clinical investigations are necessary.

The extensive restoration of fragmented woodlands calls for practices appropriate to large-scale efforts. These simultaneously require an understanding of ecosystem-level processes and the plant-scale environment. The recruitment niche of the target species is crucial, that is conditions required for seed germination to seedling establishment. Our study contributes to underpinning the science behind successfully promoting the utilization of natural regeneration in woodland restoration in a subarctic environment. We identified the recruitment niche of the only native forest-forming species in Iceland. From 2018 to 2020, we quantified mountain birch seed accumulation, germination, and early seedling survival in relation to substrate types within 500-m-long transects at two study sites on Skeiðarársandur outwash plain, southeast Iceland. At the time of the study, the founding population in this early successional environment had recently reached reproductive maturity. Mountain birch seeds were most likely to accumulate on vegetated surfaces and to germinate in low-growing vegetation, with unimpeded sunlight. Survival was not significantly influenced by substrate types, but was surprisingly high (generally >50%) for the first 1-2 years, although most seedlings were still very small. Overall, recruitment was consistently greater than expected in thin moss (~1 cm), which may be considered a key substrate type for mountain birch recruitment success. Due to high cover of suitable substrate types in the study area, the spatial pattern of the first locally recruited generation of mountain birch was determined at the earliest life history stage, by dispersal limitation. Our study highlights the importance of the recruitment niche for successful restoration and of securing seed input when dispersal may be limited. This allows for scaling up the restoration of severely fragmented woodlands, for which the pending restoration of Icelandic woodlands serves as a case study. The rapid mountain birch establishment on Skeiðarársandur shows that woodland restoration may not need major interventions; however, they must be based on profound knowledge of colonizing processes. Thus, restoration with minimal human assistance can be a practical, low-cost option.

This in vitro study evaluated how build angle and layer thickness affect the marginal fit of provisional crowns fabricated by digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing, an important consideration for restoration success. This was an in-vitro study. Twenty-four provisional crowns were 3D-printed using a DLP printer and divided into four groups (n = 6 each) based on build angle (150° vs. 180°) and layer height (20 µm vs. 40 µm): Group I - 150°, 20 µm, Group II - 180°, 20 µm, Group III - 150°, 40 µm, and Group IV - 180°, 40 µm. Using a triple-scan protocol, researchers scanned the master die, the internal surface of each crown, and the seated crown. The Kruskal-Wallis test and Bonferroni post hoc analysis were used. All groups demonstrated clinically acceptable marginal fit, but the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The best fit was achieved in Group IV (180° build angle and 40 µm layer height) with a marginal gap of 0.05 ± 0.02 µm. The least accurate was Group II (180°, 20 µm), showing a gap of 0.27 ± 0.25 µm. From the study, it was determined that 3D-printed provisional crowns with higher build angles and larger layer heights, i.e. Group IV: build angle 180° and layer height 40 µm, exhibited improved marginal fit.

Quantifying energy fluxes and trophic dynamics to assess artificial reef restoration success: Evidence from Bohai Bay, China

It was aimed to present an illustrative clinical case report with an accurate treatment protocol for the esthetic rehabilitation of a patient through the combination of orthodontic and restorative therapy. After intraoral and radiographic examinations of the patient with no systemic disease, it was revealed that there was a midline spacing between maxillary central incisors. Following orthodontic treatment, direct esthetic partial composite laminate veneers as build-ups for both maxillary incisors were considered. For the restorative procedure, it is planned to restore teeth 12, 13, 22, and 23 with direct universal composite resin. To simulate a natural outlook, the shades DA2, and EA1 (Vittra APS Essential, FGM, Brasil) were decided to be used together as layers. Recalls were arranged for 1 week, 6 months, and 18 months. Restorations were evaluated according to modified USPHS Criteria, 18 months follow- up, there was no evidence of any fracture, surface defect, or discoloration. Composite resin restorations might be considered as a simple treatment option with patient satisfaction in diastema cases. It was thought that the correct positioning of diastemas with orthodontic treatment increases the success of composite restorations.

Objective: The bonding ability of intraradicular posts is important for successful restoration. Lasers have been used for this purpose. Both for post space conditioning and irrigation activation with lasers are interesting choices. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the bond strength of fiber posts created via different irrigation and laser etching protocols on post spaces and different sealers. Methods: Ninety-six mandibular premolar teeth were randomly assigned to two main groups. GuttaFlow Bioseal and MTA Fillapex root canal sealers were used for obturation. Different irrigation and laser etching protocols for post spaces were used to perform subgroup procedures. One main group was filled with GuttaFlow Bioseal, and the other was filled with MTA Fillapex. The main groups were then subdivided according to the irrigation and laser etching protocols on the post spaces. The fiber posts were cemented and then transversally sectioned. Push-out tests were performed. The push-out strength values were subjected to statistical analysis. Levene’s homogeneity test was used to examine normally distributed variables. The group results were analyzed via two-way ANOVA to evaluate the effects of sealer type, post space preparation, irrigation system and their interactions. Results: The impacts of various post space conditions on the bond strength were not observed. (p &gt; .05). However, a significant difference was reported between the two different sealers (p &lt; .05). Conclusions: Post space conditioning procedures did not significantly affect the bond strength values. However, sealer alteration affected the bond strength values.

Seagrass meadows face ongoing declines and are increasingly targeted for restoration. Traditional in-situ restoration techniques involve trade-offs between restoration success and donor meadow impacts. To overcome these challenges, we provide the first assessment of ex-situ mariculture of the endangered seagrass Zostera capensis to support its restoration in South Africa. Seagrass cores with diameters of 5 cm and 10 cm, including their sediment, were harvested and grown in mariculture pools for 195 days. Changes in seagrass leaf length (cm) and shoot density (cm2) were monitored and the effect of core size on these morphometrics was investigated. Core size had a significant effect on seagrass shoot density and leaf length, as smaller cores had lower shoot densities and leaf lengths over time, suggesting that larger cores might be more effective to maximise seagrass cover during ex-situ mariculture. Overall, shoot densities saw limited increases for the first nine days, followed by a large percentage increase between days 9 and 24, before growth remained steady until peak shoot density was reached between days 100 and 124. Leaf lengths gradually increased until peaking between days 100 and 124. This study successfully demonstrates the proof of concept that ex-situ mariculture can sustainably upscale Z. capensis restoration by increasing the amount of plant material available for re-transplantation. To build on the work presented here, we provide a framework, incorporating guidance from published literature, to advise future seagrass restoration trials.

Mid-infrared spectroscopy as a potential tool for monitoring the success of tropical peatland restoration.

Summary Rare earth mining activities cause severe ecological degradation, necessitating effective restoration strategies and sensitive biological indicators to assess restoration success and ecosystem health recovery. Soil nematodes, as key components of below-ground food webs, offer valuable insights into ecosystem recovery processes. This study mainly investigated soil nematode community patterns across different rare earth mining sites with varying disturbance histories and recovery stages in Meizhou city, China. We compared soil nematode communities among abandoned mining sites with less than 1 year (R1), approximately 3 years (R3) and more than 5 years of recovery (R5+), and also against an intact in situ leaching site (R0-ILS) where mining had ceased approximately 5 years ago but vegetation remained undisturbed due to less invasive extraction methods. We analysed nematode abundance, diversity, trophic structure, and ecological indices in relation to soil physicochemical properties. Results revealed a progressive recovery of nematode communities with restoration age in these mining sites, characterised by increasing abundance, genus richness and Shannon diversity. Trophic structure shifted from bacterivore-dominated communities in early restoration stages towards more balanced assemblages, with higher proportions of fungivores, omnivores and predators in older restored sites. Maturity indices increased significantly with restoration time, indicating improved food web complexity and stability. Multivariate analyses identified soil organic carbon, total N and pH as key drivers of nematode community assembly during restoration. However, even after 5+ years of restoration, nematode communities in restored surface mining sites remained distinct from the R0-ILS sites, suggesting the significant influence of mining methods on ecosystem integrity. Our findings demonstrate that nematode-based indicators could effectively track ecosystem recovery in rare earth mine restoration and highlight the importance of considering alternative, less destructive, mining approaches. This study provides valuable insights for developing targeted restoration strategies and establishing practical bioindicators for evaluating ecological recovery in degraded mining landscapes.

BackgroundManaging deep carious lesions in immature permanent molars presents a clinical challenge. Minimally invasive caries removal helps preserve apexogenesis by minimizing tissue loss. This study evaluated the effectiveness of two chemo-mechanical caries removal (CMCR) agents compared to hand excavation alone in young permanent molars.MethodsA three-arm randomized clinical trial included 108 children (8–10 years) with carious first permanent molars. Participants were assigned to: Group I (ART with Brix 3000), Group II (ART with Papacárie Duo), or Group III (ART with hand excavation). Dentin samples were collected before and after caries removal to assess S. mutans and Lactobacilli counts (CFU/ml). Time for caries removal and pain perception were recorded. Clinical and radiographic outcomes were evaluated at 3, 6, and 12 months. OHRQoL was assessed using CPQ8-10 at baseline and during the follow up.ResultsThe control group showed significantly shorter caries removal time (5.3 min) than Brix 3000 (11.3 min) and Papacárie Duo (12.1 min) (P < 0.01). However, higher pain scores were reported with hand excavation compared to Brix 3000 (P = 0.003) and Papacárie Duo (P < 0.001). Both within- and between-group comparisons showed significant reductions in S. mutans and Lactobacilli, with greater bacterial reduction in CMCR groups than ART alone (P < 0.001). CMCR groups had significantly higher restoration success rates than the control at 6 and 12 months (P = 0.02), and radiographic success was also greater at 12 months (P < 0.05). CPQ8-10 scores improved post-treatment across all groups (P < 0.001), with a notable difference at 6 months (P = 0.008).ConclusionsBrix 3000 and Papacárie Duo were more effective than hand excavation in reducing cariogenic bacteria, minimizing pain, and enhancing restoration longevity in immature permanent molars. Both CMCR methods supported favorable clinical, radiographic, and quality-of-life outcomes over one year.Trial registrationThis study was registered in ClinicalTrails.gov (NCT05983900) 09/06/2023, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05983900.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12903-025-06715-7.

Current status of Brazilian mangroves: Their ecosystem services, conservation, restoration, microbial diversity and biotechnologies.