DIGITAL SCANS, COMPARED TO CONVENTIONAL IMPRESSIONS, MAY EXPEDITE FABRICATION TIME FOR FULL-ARCH IMPLANT-SUPPORTED PROSTHESES WHILE MAINTAINING A COMPARABLE LEVEL OF MARGINAL BONE LOSS.

ARTICLE TITLE AND BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION: Clinical outcomes of digital scans versus conventional impressions for implant-supported fixed complete arch prostheses: A systematic review and meta-analysis. I. A., Spin-Neto, R., Sesma, N., & da Silva, E. V. F. The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry (2023). SOURCE OF FUNDING: Not reported. TYPE OF STUDY/DESIGN: Systematic review with network meta-analysis of data.

The Effectiveness of Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) on Bacterial Reduction in Dental Implants: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of dental implants has revolutionized the management of tooth loss. However, the placement of clinical implants exposes them to complex oral environment and numerous microscopic entities, such as bacteria. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is often used to treat the surfaces of dental implants, which alters morphological features and effectively reduces bacterial load. PURPOSE: This systematic review aims to assess the existing literature on the bactericidal properties of CAP when used on various kinds of dental implant surfaces. REVIEW METHOD: An in-depth examination of MEDLINE/PubMed and EMBASE was performed to identify relevant studies, with the most recent search conducted in May 2023. Studies were selected based on their exploration of CAP's effects on dental implants compared to control groups, focusing on CAP's bactericidal efficacy. However, studies that lacked a control group or that failed to measure bactericidal effects were excluded. RESULTS: After applying the selection criteria, 15 studies were ultimately included in the systematic review. The collected data suggest that CAP can effectively reduce bacterial loads on dental implant surfaces, including pathogens like Streptococcus mitis and Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, CAP appears to combat biofilms and plaques that are key contributors to periimplantitis. CONCLUSION: CAP emerges as a promising treatment option, exhibiting significant bactericidal activity on dental implant surfaces. CAP can decrease the rates of bacterial biofilm and plaque formation, leading to improved outcomes for dental implant patients.

Polymeric Denture Base Materials: A Review.

An ideal denture base must have good physical and mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and esthetic properties. Various polymeric materials have been used to construct denture bases. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is the most used biomaterial for dentures fabrication due to its favorable properties, which include ease of processing and pigmenting, sufficient mechanical properties, economy, and low toxicity. This article aimed to comprehensively review the current knowledge about denture base materials (DBMs) types, properties, modifications, applications, and construction methods. We searched for articles about denture base materials in PubMed, Scopus, and Embase. Journals covering topics including dental materials, prosthodontics, and restorative dentistry were also combed through. Denture base material variations, types, qualities, applications, and fabrication research published in English were considered. Although PMMA has several benefits and gained popularity as a denture base material, it has certain limitations and cannot be classified as an ideal biomaterial for fabricating dental prostheses. Accordingly, several studies have been performed to enhance the physical and mechanical properties of PMMA by chemical modifications and mechanical reinforcement using fibers, nanofillers, and hybrid materials. This review aimed to update the current knowledge about DBMs' types, properties, applications, and recent developments. There is a need for specific research to improve their biological properties due to patient and dental staff adverse reactions to possibly harmful substances produced during their manufacturing and use.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) AS AN AID IN RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY IS PROMISING, BUT STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS.

ARTICLE TITLE AND BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION: Artificial intelligence applications in restorative dentistry: A systematic review. Revilla-León, M., Gómez-Polo, M., Vyas, S., Barmak, A. B., Özcan, M., Att, W., & Krishnamurthy, V. R. J Prosthet Dent 2021 SOURCE OF FUNDING: Not reported. TYPE OF STUDY/DESIGN: Systematic review.

Saliva May Be Considered as Reliable Tool for Diagnosis of COVID-19 When Compared With Nasopharynx or Throat Swabs.

ARTICLE TITLE AND BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION: Saliva in the Diagnosis of COVID-19: A Review and New Research Directions. Fernandes LL, Pacheco VB, Borges L et al. Journal of Dental Research. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034520960070. SOURCE OF FUNDING: Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein and Universidade Cruzeiro do Sul, São Paulo, Brazil. The authors have no actual or potential conflicts of interest. TYPE OF STUDY/DESIGN: Systematic review.

Microgap and Micromotion at the Implant Abutment Interface Cause Marginal Bone Loss Around Dental Implant but More Evidence is Needed.

ARTICLE TITLE AND BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION: Influences of micro-gap and micromotion of the implant-abutment interface on marginal bone loss around implant neck. Liu Y, Wang J. Arch Oral Biol 2017;83:153-60. SOURCE OF FUNDING: This study was financially supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81570956) and the Bureau of Science and Technology of Wuhan ([2014]160, 2015060101010051) TYPE OF STUDY/DESIGN: Comprehensive literature review.