The COVID-19 era has seen an increase in orofacial pain related to temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). The increased relevance and awareness of these conditions, including the enactment of accreditation standards dictating the inclusion of TMD education in dental school curricula, highlights the need for a simplified TMD screening and evaluation model. A literature review was conducted to establish whether a widely accepted, comprehensive, and clinically practical approach to screening and evaluation for TMDs during routine oral examination was available. Previous studies and available medical and dental history forms were reviewed. While medical and dental history forms currently available to practitioners contain TMD-related questions, they are presented in a nonsequential, sporadic manner that may not lead to intuitive diagnosis from the dental practitioner. This article introduces a proposed model and questionnaire for incorporating TMD examinations into routine examinations. The inclusion of a more practical TMD screening and evaluation model in routine examination is intended to facilitate the dentist's identification and assessment of TMD signs and symptoms, leading to a more targeted approach in diagnosis and referral. This proposed model has not yet been validated clinically; the next steps include further development, implementation within a clinical setting, and evaluation of its effectiveness.

Apexification, a well-established endodontic treatment for managing immature permanent teeth with pulp necrosis, aims to create a calcified apical barrier to seal communication with the periapical tissues and allow gutta percha placement. This literature review explores advancements of apexification and introduces a systematic, evidence-based procedure for achieving optimal outcomes for apexification procedures. The discussion compares the materials most commonly used in apexification: calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2], mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), and Biodentine. Compared with Ca(OH)2, contemporary calcium silicate-based materials such as MTA and Biodentine have significantly greater predictability, biocompatibility, and fracture resistance, increasing the longevity of the immature tooth. In addition, the article discusses alternatives to apexification, including regenerative endodontic therapy. A review of the scholarly literature reveals that apexification has long been a cornerstone of treatment for immature permanent teeth with necrotic pulp, offering a predictable method to create a calcified barrier at the apex and enable tooth restoration. While apexification does not promote further root growth, it remains a reliable solution, particularly for cases requiring immediate treatment and a high degree of predictability.

The objective of this in vitro study was to analyze the influence of ambient lighting on the detection of simulated internal root resorption in images viewed on different digital devices. A total of 26 extracted single-rooted human teeth were sectioned longitudinally, and each half was coated with red enamel, leaving a 2-mm-diameter area exposed on the internal root surface. After the halves were rejoined with utility wax, the teeth were divided into 2 groups (n = 13) and submerged in 37% hydrochloric acid for different periods to create type 1 (2 hours) and type 2 (3 hours) resorption defects. Digital periapical radiographs were acquired before sectioning, after sectioning, and after simulation of resorption and then assessed by 3 experienced radiologists on 3 types of digital devices (27-inch desktop computer, 9.7-inch tablet computer, and 6.1-inch smartphone) under 2 lighting conditions (well-lit [427- to 461-lux] and darkened [0.0- to 15.5-lux]). Each image set was judged for the presence or absence of resorption using a 5-point scale. Sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (Az) values for the diagnoses were analyzed through 1-way analysis of variance (significance level of 5%). Overall, the tests yielded high sensitivity, specificity, and Az values for all devices and lighting conditions. For simulated type 2 lesions, the sensitivity and specificity values were similar for well-lit and dark environments, except for the tablet device, which showed slightly reduced sensitivity and specificity without illumination, and the smartphone, whose specificity also had a lower value in this condition. These differences were not statistically significant. There was no statistically significant difference between different devices and lighting conditions regardless of the size of the resorption (type 1, P = 0.495; type 2, P = 0.520). Under the conditions of this study, ambient lighting and different devices did not influence the diagnosis of internal root resorption, allowing for flexibility in diagnostic conditions.

Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic or recurrent autoimmune mucocutaneous inflammatory disease. The etiology is uncertain, and it is considered to originate from a multifactorial process. A diagnosis can be made clinically if the disease presents with classic patterns of oral or skin lesions; if these patterns are absent, a biopsy is necessary to establish a diagnosis. Although the World Health Organization has classified oral LP (OLP) as an oral potentially malignant disorder, there is controversy in the literature. Malignancy usually occurs around 60 years of age, with a slight predilection for women. The objective of this case report is to describe a possible occurrence of this process. A 53-year-old woman who sought treatment for oral lesions in 2018 was diagnosed with OLP with epithelial dysplasia and underwent standard treatment with a topical corticosteroid. After ceasing to attend follow-up examinations, the patient continued periodontal treatment with different providers. In 2024, she developed a lesion on the maxillary right alveolar ridge that led to tooth loss in the region. A biopsy was performed, and histopathologic evaluation of the specimen led to a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma. There are several differential diagnoses for the clinical forms of OLP, in addition to the possibility of manifestation of concomitant pathoses, and the final diagnosis must reflect a combination of clinical and histopathologic examinations. Patients should be advised about the importance of returning for follow-up appointments, as malignant transformation of OLP may occur.

This in vitro study examined the influence of aging in different beverage solutions on the Knoop hardness and surface roughness of provisional fixed denture materials. A total of 160 resin blocks were created and divided into 4 groups (n = 40) based on the provisional material: Structur 2 SC bis-acrylic resin, Protemp 4 bis-acrylic resin, Z350 XT nanoparticle composite resin, or Acri Duralay acrylic resin. The material groups were subdivided into 4 groups (n = 10) according to the beverage solution used to simulate aging: distilled water (control), red wine, orange juice, or soda (Coca-Cola). After 24 hours, the specimens were polished, and the initial microhardness and surface roughness were measured using a microhardness tester and profilometer, respectively. The specimens were then submerged in different beverage solutions for 4 weeks, and microhardness and surface roughness measurements were taken again. Two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance and Fisher least significant difference test were performed (α = 0.05). The aging process with different beverage solutions resulted in significantly lower hardness values compared with baseline for both Z350 XT and Acri Duralay materials (P < 0.05); however, Z350 XT still demonstrated significantly higher hardness values than all other materials regardless of the aging condition (P < 0.05). In general, Protemp 4 and Z350 XT exhibited lower surface roughness values than Structur 2 SC and Acri Duralay regardless of the solution used (P < 0.05). Beverage solutions significantly influenced the mechanical properties of the materials, with Protemp 4 bis-acryl-based resin material demonstrating hardness and surface roughness values that were less affected by aging.