Objectives This double-blind randomized clinical trial aimed to evaluate the objective color match and clinical performance of a one-shade flowable composite (Vittra APS Unique Flow, FGM) compared with a multi-shade flowable composite (Opallis Flow, FGM) in the restoration of non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs). Methods A total of 124 NCCLs were restored in 62 participants (n = 62 restorations per material) in a randomized, split-mouth, multicenter design. Objective color parameters (ΔEab and ΔE00) were assessed using a spectrophotometer by comparing the cervical third before and after restoration and the cervical and middle thirds after restoration at 7 days. Clinical performance was assessed using FDI criteria at baseline and after 6, 12, and 18 months. Data were analyzed using paired Student’s t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests (α = 0.05). Results No significant differences between the one-shade and multi-shade composites were detected for ΔEab or ΔE00 in either objective color comparison (p > 0.05). At 18 months, retention rates were 98.4% for the one-shade composite and 100% for the multi-shade composite, with no significant difference between materials. No significant differences were observed for the remaining functional, biological, or esthetic FDI criteria, except for color match (A3), for which the multi-shade composite showed a higher frequency of clinically excellent/very good scores (p = 0.008). All restorations evaluated for color match remained clinically acceptable. Conclusions The one-shade flowable composite showed favorable 18-month clinical performance, with no significant differences in objective color measurements compared with the multi-shade composite. However, visual color matching favored the multi-shade material at 18 months, although all restorations evaluated for color match remained clinically acceptable. Clinical significance One-shade flowable composites may simplify NCCL restorations by eliminating shade selection while maintaining favorable clinical performance and clinically acceptable color match.
Objectives To systematically evaluate the durability of resin bonding to erosion-affected dentin following adhesive strategies and dentin pretreatments, prioritizing independently replicated aged microtensile bond-strength (µTBS) comparisons. Data sources Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase were searched through 21 August 2026. Study selection Eligible preclinical studies evaluated bonding to permanent dentin subjected to erosion before adhesive procedures and reported quantitative bond-strength outcomes. Aged µTBS (measured in megapascals [MPa]) was prioritized. Pairwise random-effects meta-analysis was restricted to sufficiently comparable independent studies; Paule–Mandel heterogeneity estimation and safeguarded Hartung–Knapp confidence intervals were used. Single-study and overlapping-cohort effects were reported separately. RoBDEMAT was applied at the item level. Results Among 1163 identified records, 58 retrievable eligible primary reports were retained. At 12–18 months, interface-applied chlorhexidine (CHX) showed numerically lower bond strength than matched erosion-affected dentin controls, but the difference was not statistically significant (k = 3; MD −0.65 MPa; 95% CI −1.83 to +0.52; τ = 0.00). Six-month CHX/protease protocols were not pooled; digitized 72-month DMSO data were kept separate from 48-month data. A hydrophobic resin coating showed a favorable 24-month conditional within-source estimate (MD +17.50 MPa; 95% CI +15.49 to +19.51) from an overlapping publication family. Four-year DMSO and two-year cross-linker findings were favorable in individual studies but lacked independent long-term replication. Conclusions Current evidence does not establish a consistently effective bond-preserving pretreatment for erosion-affected dentin. CHX did not demonstrate a detectable benefit at 12–18 months, whereas favorable long-term effects for DMSO, hydrophobic coatings, and selected collagen biomodifiers derive predominantly from single independent studies or one source cohort. Methodological heterogeneity and sparse replication preclude clinical recommendations. Clinical significance Laboratory bond-strength outcomes should be interpreted in terms of aging resistance rather than immediate adhesion alone; they do not establish improved restoration survival or justify treatment-specific clinical recommendations.
OBJECTIVES To map and summarize the available evidence on the incorporation of arginine into restorative dental materials, with emphasis on incorporation strategies, biological effects, and their impact on material properties. METHODS This scoping review followed the PRISMA-ScR guidelines and was registered in the Open Science Framework. Systematic searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science and complemented by grey literature searches. In vitro studies evaluating the incorporation of arginine into restorative dental materials were included. Two reviewers independently performed study selection, data extraction, and qualitative descriptive synthesis. RESULTS Seventeen studies were included. The most frequently investigated materials were orthodontic cements, adhesive systems, and resin-modified glass ionomer cements. Considerable heterogeneity was observed regarding arginine concentrations, incorporation strategies, and experimental methodologies. Direct incorporation of L-arginine powder was the predominant approach, although nanoparticle- and carrier-based strategies were also reported. All studies that directly assessed antimicrobial activity reported favorable effects of arginine incorporation, particularly on bacterial growth, adhesion, biofilm behavior, and pH modulation. Mechanical outcomes were concentration-dependent, with both improvements and reductions reported, although several studies identified at least one arginine concentration that maintained mechanical or adhesive properties relative to the unmodified control. CONCLUSIONS The available evidence supports the potential of arginine as a functional agent for the development of multifunctional restorative dental materials, particularly for its antimicrobial, biofilm-modulating, and other bioactive effects. However, methodological heterogeneity and the exclusively in vitro nature of the evidence highlight the need for further standardized and clinically relevant studies. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Arginine incorporation may provide restorative dental materials with additional biological functionality while preserving clinically acceptable mechanical performance, but clinical validation is still required.
Objectives The vast majority of those over 65 years old have increased oral health needs when compared to previous generations, particularly those dependent on others for care. This study aimed to report the views and perceptions of key stakeholders regarding the oral health of dependent older adults, the current dental care/services provided for this group and identify improvements required to services. Methods Following development of a topic guide, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a range of stakeholders, including dependent older adults. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim for thematic analysis. Results 36 interviews were conducted with a range of stakeholders including dependent older adults, carers, family members, health care professionals, researchers and experts focused on ageing and / or oral health research. Six major themes emerged from the qualitative interviews: experiences of oral health; current oral health services for dependent older adults; consequences of poor oral health; improvements required in oral health care for dependent older adults and oral health outcomes important to dependent older adults Conclusions Across all stakeholder groups there was agreement that oral health is not currently prioritised for dependent older adults with care assistants often reluctant to engage in oral hygiene practices. However participants did report that they understood the importance of oral care particularly as it related to quality of life and oral function. Older adults reported that they valued subjective measures of oral health status including oral comfort, oral function and the ability to socialise. Clinical significance Previous research with dependent older adults has largely focused on clinical measures of oral health despite patients’ themselves valuing subjective outputs such as oral comfort and function more strongly. Future oral health services research in this population should ensure that outcome measures used are actually meaningful to dependent older adults as well as clinicians and policymakers.
