Engineered Biomaterials Trigger Remineralization and Antimicrobial Effects for Dental Caries Restoration.

Dental caries is the most prevalent chronic disease globally, significantly impacting individuals' quality of life. A key reason behind the failure of implanted restorations is their biological inactivity, meaning they are unable to form crosslinks with the surrounding tooth structures, thus making patients susceptible to implant loss and recurrent tooth decay. For the treatment of caries, antibacterial medicine and remineralization are effective means of treating the recurrence of caries. Owing to the rapid progression in the biomaterials field, several biomaterials have been reported to display antimicrobial properties and aid in dentin remineralization. Bioactive materials hold considerable potential in diminishing biofilm accumulation, inhibiting the process of demineralization, enabling dentin remineralization, and combating bacteria related to caries. Bioactive materials, such as fluoride, amorphous calcium phosphate, bioactive glass, collagen, and resin-based materials, have demonstrated their effectiveness in promoting dentin remineralization and exerting antibacterial effects on dental caries. However, the concentration of fluoride needs to be strictly controlled. Although amorphous calcium phosphate can provide the necessary calcium and phosphorus ions for remineralization, it falls short in delivering the mechanical strength required for oral mastication. Resin-based materials also offer different advantages due to the complexity of their design. In this review, we delve into the application of advanced bioactive materials for enhancing dentin remineralization and antibacterial properties. We eagerly anticipate future developments in bioactive materials for the treatment of dental caries.

Planning Minimal Access Incisions in Resectioning Benign Parotid Tumors.

BACKGROUND: Traditional parotid surgery leaves visible submaxillary cicatrices, unaesthetic results from incisions, and a high incidence of postoperative complications. This study aimed to examine the feasibility of newly designed incisions for the removal of benign parotid lesions. METHODS: The authors randomly assigned patients (n = 48) with benign parotid lesions admitted to our department from November 2016 to April 2019. In the study group, an aesthetic incision was designed through a preoperative examination combined with a medical history and physical examination. Half of the patients (n = 24) underwent surgery with the new incision design, while the patients in the control group (n = 24) received conventional surgery. The therapeutic effects and outcomes of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: The postoperative complication rate of the study group (n = 6) was significantly lower than that of the control group (n = 15). Compared to conventional surgery, patients who received the hidden incisions had less total drainage volume, decreased length of incision, and fewer days of postoperative hospitalization (P < 0.05). On an average follow-up of 20 months, no recurrence was found in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: Minimal access incisions, aided with loupe magnification, greatly improve the surgical safety, patient outcomes, and final scar appearance. The described technique is worth further study and utilization.