The aim of this study was to assess the cyclic fatigue resistance of a single-file system (i.e., Hyflex EDM OneFile), during continuous rotation and reflex dynamic motion with and without irrigation. Cyclic fatigue tests were conducted on 48 new Hyflex EDM One files using two different motions, with and without irrigation. The files were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 12) based on the tested motion and irrigation conditions: continuous rotation and the novel kinematics ReFlex Dynamic motion, with and without irrigation. The dynamic fatigue resistance was measured as the number of cycles to fracture (NCF) in an artificial zirconium canal with a 60° angle and a 5 mm radius of curvature at an intracanal temperature. The results were analyzed using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test, with a significance level established at 5% (p < 0.05). The fractured instruments were examined with a scanning electron microscope. The instruments activated in continuous rotation, irrespective of irrigation conditions, demonstrated significantly higher NCF compared to those in ReFlex Dynamic (p < 0.05). Irrigation significantly impacted the cyclic fatigue resistance of Hyflex EDM in ReFlex Dynamic motion (p < 0.05), while it did not influence the resistance of files tested under continuous rotation (p > 0.05). Within the limitations of this in vitro study, HyFlex EDM One files tested under continuous rotation showed greater resistance to cyclic fatigue compared to those tested with ReFlex Dynamic motion, regardless of irrigation. Continuous hypochlorite irrigation enhanced the cyclic fatigue resistance only of the files tested in ReFlex Dynamic motion.

Objectives: This systematic review aimed to investigate the association between genetic polymorphisms in estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha) and beta (ER beta) and the presence and severity of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). Materials and methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science on October 19, 2024, without language or time restrictions. Studies were included if they were cross-sectional, casecontrol, or cohort designs and reported data on ER-polymorphisms and TMDs, diagnosed using validated criteria. Two independent reviewers screened the results to identify eligible studies. Data were extracted and synthesized narratively due to high heterogeneity across included studies, with a subgroup analysis performed to evaluate the influence of sex. The risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute's critical appraisal tools. Results: The search identified 277 articles, of which 8 studies met the inclusion criteria. Seven were case-control and two cross-sectional studies. The most commonly investigated ER polymorphisms were ESR1 (Pvu II and Xba I) and ESR2 (rs1676303). Some studies identified associations between specific polymorphisms and TMD-related pain or joint conditions, although results varied across different populations and subtypes of TMDs. Conclusions: The findings suggest potential associations between specific ER alpha and ER beta polymorphisms and TMD risk, particularly in women. However, inconsistencies across studies underscore the need for prospective and larger studies to confirm these genetic links and clarify their clinical significance. Systematic Review Registration: CRD42024581266

Nicotine consumption in many countries is shifting away from combustible cigarettes and toward electronic cigarettes (ECs). Understanding the overall population-level impact requires weighing their possible benefits (e.g., for smoking cessation/switching) vs harms (e.g., long-term health risks). However, current evidence on health risks is limited by the absence of long-term data and confounding by prior cigarette smoking history. Focusing on short- to medium-term respiratory outcomes associated with EC use among people who never smoked (PWNS) is informative. We perform a narrative review and critical appraisal of studies examining the prospective association between exclusive EC use and respiratory outcomes among PWNS (either true never-smoking or never-established smoking). We included 12 studies with prospective designs that examine a range of respiratory outcomes subsequent to EC use among PWNS. Eight studies did not find statistically significant differences in respiratory risk associated with baseline EC use. The remaining five studies reported a significant association in at least one analysis, but in four of these studies, associations were not robust across models. Limitations included overreliance on data from the U.S. Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health, uncertain directionality (i.e., pre-existing respiratory conditions were not always ruled out), confounding by other combustible tobacco use, and small sample sizes. All but one study lacked clear and statistically significant evidence of self-reported respiratory diagnoses associated with EC use among PWNS, or showed a tenuous association with mild respiratory symptoms. This has favorable implications for ECs’ population health impact; however, small sample sizes and statistical biases limit this evidence. A formal systematic review on this topic is forthcoming.

Current evidence on whether electronic cigarettes (ECs) pose respiratory risks is unclear, due to confounding by cigarette smoking; evidence among never-smoking individuals is needed. Following a narrative review and critical appraisal, a systematic review assessed possible respiratory outcomes prospectively associated with EC use among individuals who never smoked. Bias risk was evaluated using a Joanna Briggs Institute tool. Ten eligible studies examined outcomes of self-reported respiratory diagnosis, symptoms and lung function. Eight examined adults and three examined youth (with overlap). Overall, seven studies showed no significant association between respiratory outcomes and EC use among never-smoking individuals (P>0.05). Evidence for coughing and wheezing symptoms varied by model specification. Overall, EC use by never-smoking individuals is not associated with risk of severe respiratory outcomes, but may be associated with mild coughing/wheezing. Further research is needed using larger samples, long-term follow-ups (>5 years), and information on detailed patterns of EC use.

BackgroundWeight gain following smoking cessation is a well-documented concern, often attributed to the absence of nicotine’s metabolic influence. The adoption of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) has been used to achieve smoking cessation, with claims of aiding weight control. However, existing reviews present conflicting conclusions on ENDS’ impact on weight status, necessitating a rigorous evaluation. ObjectiveWe aim to conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis to assess the actual impact of ENDS on weight status in individuals who have ceased or reduced conventional smoking. The primary goal is to provide clinicians with evidence-based insights into the potential effects of ENDS use as a smoking substitute on weight control. MethodsAdhering to PRISMA-P (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols) guidelines, our systematic review will analyze randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials, clinical trials (quasi-experimental), and prospective or retrospective cohort studies on the weight status effects of ENDS among individuals who have either quit or reduced smoking. Searches will include PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library, covering the period from 2010 to January 2024. A gray literature search and supplementary searches will be performed. Data will be extracted independently by 2 reviewers and quality assessments will be conducted concurrently. Quality assessments will use Joanna Briggs Institute tools, 2020 version, along with bias assessments for internal validity and reporting bias based on the Catalogue of Bias. The included studies will be examined for any internal data reporting discrepancies by using Puljak’s checklist. Meta-analysis and subgroup analyses (ie, general ENDS usage, ENDS use coupled with a reduction in smoking exceeding 50%, and exclusive ENDS use for achieving smoking cessation) are planned. Certainty of evidence will be evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. ResultsThe protocol has been registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023494974) and the entire systematic review is expected to be completed by April 2024. The main goal of this review is to retrieve all current human research studies investigating the influence of ENDS on weight management among individuals who have quit or reduced smoking. Furthermore, the review will assess the quality of these studies and examine potential biases to identify the most dependable evidence available. Dissemination strategies will include traditional journal publications, social media announcements, and a white paper. The latter, available for download and distributed at conferences, aims to reach a broad audience, including clinicians and ENDS users. ConclusionsThe review will address the importance of informing health care professionals and patients about the current and robust evidence regarding the effects of transitioning to ENDS for smoking cessation on weight status. Trial RegistrationPROSPERO CRD42023494974; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=494974 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)PRR1-10.2196/56324

BACKGROUND:Despite the clear risks of tobacco use, millions of people continue to smoke. Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), commonly called e-cigarettes, have been proposed as a substitute for those who are unwilling or unable to quit. Current systematic and narrative reviews on the health effects of ENDS use, particularly respiratory and cardiovascular effects, have come to differing conclusions.OBJECTIVE:We conducted two systematic reviews to critically assess and synthesize available human studies on the respiratory and cardiovascular health effects of ENDS substitution for people who smoke. The primary goal is to provide clinicians with evidence on the health effects of ENDS substitution to inform their treatment recommendations and plans. The twin goal of the reviews is to promote health literacy in ENDS users with facts on the health effects of ENDS.METHODS:These two reviews will be living systematic reviews. The systematic reviews will be initiated through a baseline review. Studies will be evaluated using the JBI quality assessment tools and a checklist of biases drawn from the Centre for Evidence Based Medicine Catalogue of Bias. A narrative synthesis is planned because of the heterogeneity of data. A search for recently published studies will be conducted every 3 months, and an updated review will be published every 6 months for the duration of the project or possibly longer.RESULTS:The baseline and updated reviews will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. The findings of the reviews will be reported in a white paper for clinicians and a fact sheet for people who use ENDS.CONCLUSIONS:The substitution of ENDS for cigarettes is one way to potentially reduce the risks of smoking. Clinicians and their patients need to understand the potential benefits and possible risks of substituting ENDS for cigarettes. Our living systematic reviews seek to highlight the best and most up-to-date evidence in this highly contentious and fast-moving field of research.TRIAL REGISTRATION:PROSPERO CRD42021239094; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=239094.INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID):DERR1-10.2196/29084.

INTRODUCTION:This umbrella review identified the current high-quality systematic reviews on e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid. What is the comparative effectiveness of e-cigarettes compared to other cessation treatments or approaches? We also investigated the systematic reviews for reporting biases. METHODS:This umbrella review was based on the Methods for Overviews of Reviews (MOoR) framework and the Preferred Reporting Items for Overviews of Reviews (PRIOR). The search was conducted in six databases and grey literature searches in four sources, plus four secondary searches. A Vote Counting Direction of Effect was selected for the analysis method because of high heterogeneity among the primary studies and the potential overweighting of data from two primary studies. RESULTS:Sixteen systematic reviews were retrieved. Eight with an AMSTAR2 rating of moderate or high confidence were included, encompassing 24 randomized controlled trials. The analysis found that in 8 of 11 comparisons, e-cigarettes were more effective, and 3 of 11 comparisons reported no statistically significant difference. No reviews concluded that e-cigarettes were significantly less effective than any treatment or no treatment. CONCLUSIONS:Our analysis indicated that e-cigarettes are more effective than other treatments for smoking cessation. For ENDS compared solely to NRT, the evidence was mixed and still favored the effectiveness of ENDS. In any case, the success rates for cessation with ENDS was 10 % - 12 % at 6 months to one year, and the effect of relapse has not been sufficiently studied. New treatments and approaches are urgently needed. REGISTRATION:PROSPERO CRD42023406165; International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/47711.

This experimental anatomic study aimed to investigate the correlations between the mesio-vestibular canal (MB1) and the second mesio-vestibular canal (MB2) of the mesio-vestibular root of the upper sexts using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging. A total of 24 extracted maxillary first molars were collected and subjected to CBCT imaging. The presence, location, and morphology of MB1 and MB2 canals were evaluated using axial, coronal, and sagittal CBCT sections. The interrelation between MB1 and MB2 canals was assessed, including their separate canals, merging, and division points. Among the 24 maxillary first molars examined, 86.5% demonstrated the presence of an MB2 canal in addition to MB1. The MB2 and MB1 were confluent in 80% of the cases with a confluent height of 4,16 mm. The mean distance between MB1 and MB2 canals was 1.85 mm. This study provides detailed information on the anatomic correlations between MB1 and MB2 canals of the mesio-vestibular root in the upper sexts using CBCT imaging. The high prevalence of MB2 canals suggests their significance in endodontic procedures and emphasizes the importance of thorough exploration and identification during root canal treatment. The knowledge of the location and morphology of these canals can aid in successful endodontic therapy and enhance treatment outcomes.

Background Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS)—e-cigarettes or vapes—have been shown to substantially reduce or eliminate many toxins compared with cigarette smoke, but simultaneously ENDS use also produces their own unique toxins. Yet the patterns of use among people who use ENDS are not homogeneous. Some people who use ENDS also smoke cigarettes (dual use). Other people who formerly smoked cigarettes are completely substituting ENDS (exclusive use). A small number of people who have never smoked cigarettes are using ENDS (naïve use of nicotine). Each of these patterns of use results in different exposures to toxins. Unfortunately, epidemiological studies routinely group together any ENDS use regardless of other tobacco use. Objective This umbrella review primarily aims to present all the evidence available on the respiratory effects of ENDS use by adults based on their pattern of use: dual use, exclusive use, and naïve use. With each of these patterns of use, are there benefits, no changes, or harmful effects on respiratory functioning? Our objective is to provide clinicians with a detailed analysis of how different patterns of ENDS use impact respiratory functioning and to point to the best sources of evidence. Methods This umbrella review follows the Methods for Overviews of Reviews framework and the PRIOR (Preferred Reporting Items for Overviews of Reviews) statement. Systematic reviews published since 2019 will be searched across 4 databases and 3 gray literature sources. Additional searches will include citation chasing, references lists, and referrals from respiratory specialists. The quality of included reviews will be evaluated using the AMSTAR2 (A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews) checklist. We will document biases in 3 areas: protocol deviations, biases from the Oxford Catalogue of Bias, and internal data discrepancies. Two reviewers will independently conduct the search and quality assessments. Our analysis will focus on reviews rated as moderate or high confidence by AMSTAR2. We will use the Vote Counting Direction of Effect method to manage expected data heterogeneity, assessing whether ENDS use is beneficial or detrimental, or has no effect on respiratory functions based on the pattern of use. Results The review is expected to be completed by December 2024. The database search was concluded in April 2024, and data extraction and bias assessment were completed in June 2024. The analysis phase is planned to be completed by October 2024. Conclusions A thorough and comprehensive assessment of the evidence will better inform the contentious debate over the respiratory effects of ENDS providing much needed clarity by linking their effects to specific usage patterns. This analysis is particularly crucial in understanding the risks associated with continued cigarette smoking. Trial Registration PROSPERO CRD42024540034; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=540034 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/60325

To determine the shaping ability, the amount of accumulated hard tissue debris (AHTD) and untouched area is generated by different kinematics through micro-CT. Thirty-two mesial roots of mandibular molars with Vertucci type IV were pre-scanned through micro-CT evaluation and randomized to one of the four experimental groups according to the kinematics tested: Continuous Rotation (CR), Reciprocation (REC), Optimum Torque Reverse (OTR) and Jeni motion. The root canal preparation was performed with HyFlex EDM (Coltène/Whaledent AG) up to OneFile. After each file used, irrigation was performed with 2 mL 5.25

This scoping review examined current case series and reports on guided surgical endodontic applications in order to provide a critical platform for future research. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) extension for scoping reviews guidelines were followed. A search on PubMed and Scopus yielded 611 articles, with 17 case reports and 1 series meeting inclusion criteria. Overall, guided surgery addressed anatomical complexities, with 15 articles employing static protocols and 3 dynamic. Results showed minimal iatrogenic errors and reduced chair time, with no postoperative issues reported. Within the cases described, guided endodontic surgery exhibited satisfactory results in management of anatomical complex cases. Cost-effectiveness, the need for adequate follow-up, procedure's reproducibility and accuracy, and objective measurement of the reduction in operative times and iatrogenic errors are some of the limitations in the current reports that need to be considered for planning of future experimental and cohort studies.

OBJECTIVES:In comparison to conventional combustible cigarettes, Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) including both e-cigarettes (ECs) and heated tobacco products (HTPs) significantly reduce exposure to toxic chemical emissions. However, their impact on dental plaque remains unclear. This study measures dental plaque in ENDS (ECs and HTPs) users using quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) technology, comparing them with current, former, and never smokers. METHODS:This cross-sectional study compared dental plaque measurements using QLF technology (Q-ray cam™ Pro) among current smokers (≥10 cigarettes/day), former smokers (quit ≥6 months), never smokers, and exclusive ENDS users (quit ≥6 months). Dental plaque measurements were expressed as ΔR30 (total area of mature dental plaque) and ΔR120 (greater plaque thickness/maturation-calculus). The Simple Oral Hygiene (SOH) score was calculated by the QLF proprietary software. Statistical analyses including ANCOVA was performed by R version (4.2.3) with p < 0.05. RESULTS:A total 30 smokers, 24 former smokers, 29 never smokers, and 53 ENDS users were included. Current smokers had significantly higher ΔR30 and ΔR120 values compared to other groups (p < 0.001). ENDS users showed plaque levels similar to never and former smokers (p > 0.05) but significantly lower than current smokers (p < 0.01). Although ENDS users showed a lower SOH score than smokers, this difference was not statistically significant. Daily toothbrushing and mouthwash usage were significant covariates. CONCLUSION:ENDS users exhibited reduced accumulation of dental plaque and calculus compared with current smokers. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:Exclusive ENDS use could less impact dental plaque accumulation compared to cigarette smoking. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and fully understand ENDS impact on dental plaque formation.

To evaluate the reliability of integrated electronic apex locators (EALs) compared to other methods (traditional apical locators, radiographic determination) in determining the working length (WL) and to summarize the current evidence on their clinical performance. This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020. In vitro studies published from January 2010 to November 2024 were included. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched, and relevant peer-reviewed journals were manually screened. Two reviewers performed the study selection and data extraction independently. Quality assessment was performed using Quality Assessment Tool for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2). A total of 883 articles were identified, with 10 studies included. The studies were conducted across six countries. Sample sizes ranged from 15 to 120 human permanent teeth, and various endodontic motors integrated with EALs were identified. Most studies reported that integrated EALs provided comparable or superior accuracy to traditional methods. Devices like the Gold Reciproc Motor (VDW) and TriAuto ZX (Morita) demonstrated high reliability in WL determination. The risk of bias was mostly unclear, particularly for the index test and flow/timing domains. Details on sample selection were lacking, but overall, no major concerns were identified in the applicability domains. Integrated EALs generally provide accurate WL determination, enhancing endodontic treatment reliability. While variability in performance and the unclear risk of bias in many studies require cautious interpretation, integrated EALs are a reliable alternative to traditional methods. Further research is needed to optimize their use in diverse clinical scenarios.

Objectives: Apical extrusion of debris can affect the success of endodontic treatments, and the specific performance of certain retreatment systems has not been studied yet. Therefore, the aim of this in vitro study was to quantitatively assess the amount of apically extruded debris produced during retreatment procedures using three rotary NiTi retreatment systems in mature non-resorbed straight roots. Methods: Thirty extracted permanent human teeth with single straight roots were selected. The root canals were prepared with the ProTaper Next system up to size 30 and obturated with gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer using the continuous wave of condensation technique. The samples were stored for 30 days and randomized by computer sequence into three retreatment groups (n = 10): (1) ProTaper Universal Retreatment; (2) HyFlex Remover; and (3) VDW.Rotate Retreatment. Apically extruded debris was collected in Eppendorf tubes and weighed with a microbalance (10−5 g) before and after retreatment procedure. As the data were not normally distributed, the Kruskal–Wallis test was applied for comparing data among groups, with an alpha level set at α = 0.05. Dunn’s test was considered for post-hoc analyses, if appropriate. Results: Hyflex Remover was associated with the highest amount of extruded debris (0.85 ± 0.82 mg), followed by VDW.Rotate Retreatment (0.78 ± 0.41 mg) and ProTaper Universal Retreatment (0.62 ± 0.28 mg). However, the differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusions: All the retreatment systems tested were associated with apical extrusion of debris in vitro, with no significant quantitative differences between them, suggesting that clinicians can choose a retreatment system with features appropriate to the specific clinical situation without risk of increasing the amount of apically extruded debris.

Objectives: Abstaining from tobacco smoking may not only improve general health, but also reduce teeth staining and restore teeth whiteness. Compared with conventional cigarettes, E-cigarettes (ECs) and heated tobacco products (HTPs) may offer substantial reduction in exposure to pigmented tar-like compounds of cigarette smoke. It is possible that improvements in dental color indices may be observed in those who have stopped smoking combustible cigarettes by switching to tar-free nicotine delivery products. Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated and compared dental color parameters by digital spectrophotometry among five different groups: individuals who currently smoke ; individuals who used to smoke but have quit ; individuals who have never smoked ; exclusive users of electronic cigarettes (former smokers) ; and exclusive users of heated tobacco products (former smokers) . Results: Dental whiteness in current cigarette smokers was notably worse compared with never and former smokers, (13.38 Whiteness Index for Dentistry (WID) units vs. 19.96 and 16.79 WID units). Remarkably high WID values (i.e., whiter teeth) were also observed in ECs (16.72 WID units) and HTPs users (17.82 WID units). Compared to current smokers, difference in dental whiteness for ECs and HTPs users was visually noticeable (ΔWID difference being on average > 2.90 units). The colour differences measured as delta E*(ΔE*) were all visually detectable except for the comparison between ex-smokers and ECs users for which no perceptible color difference was observed (0.415). Conclusion: Exclusive use of ECs and HTPs is associated with better dental color measurements than current smoking, suggesting that tar-free nicotine delivery technologies are unlikely to have negative effects on dental appearance. Clinical significance: Use of alternative nicotine delivery systems may be associated with cosmetic benefits with important implications for those smokers perceiving dental aesthetics as a significant problem. For these an oral-based narrative may be a much more significant reason to refrain from smoking than the fear of developing smoking-related diseases in future.

IntroductionSmoking in people with diabetes markedly elevates their risk of developing complications and increases the likelihood of cardiovascular mortality. This review is the first to specifically provide evidence-based analysis about the influence of quitting smoking on diabetes-related complications in people with type 2 diabetes.MethodThe present review was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Extension for Scoping Reviews. All human clinical studies assessing the effects of stopping smoking cessation on diabetes-related complications were included. PubMed and Embase were screened until January 2024. References of primary studies and principal peer-reviewed scientific journals in the field were manually screened.ResultsWe identified a total of 1023 studies. Only 26 met the criteria for eligibility. In general quitting smoking is associated with decreased risks of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. Regarding microvascular complications, the strongest evidence for the beneficial effects of smoking cessation is observed in diabetic nephropathy. However, the relationship between smoking cessation and retinopathy, neuropathy, diabetic foot complications and diabetic-related erectile dysfunction, is poorly investigated.ConclusionQuitting smoking offers significant advantages in managing diabetes-related complications, significantly lowering the risks of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and diabetic nephropathy. This underscores the importance of cessation. Providing evidence-based information on the benefits of stopping smoking for people with type 2 diabetes who smoke, can bolster smoking cessation efforts in the context of diabetes management.

ObjectiveThe aim of this scoping review was to explore and synthesise the current evidence on the antimicrobial activity of antibacterial suture materials used in oral surgery.MethodsThe review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Extension for Scoping Reviews. A bibliographic search was carried out in the PubMed and Scopus databases to retrieve all human clinical studies that investigated the antimicrobial efficacy of antibacterial-coated sutures used in oral surgery. Included studies were screened and extracted independently by 2 examiners. Data were tabulated and qualitatively described.ResultsThe search initially returned 150 articles and resulted in 5 included studies after the duplicates’ removal and the full-text screening. Selected studies were published from 2014 to 2019. Three studies (60%) were randomised clinical trials, whilst the remaining studies did not report information on randomisation. The antimicrobial agents for coated sutures included triclosan and chlorhexidine. In almost all the studies, antibacterial-coated sutures exhibited lower bacterial retention compared to those without coating.ConclusionsWithin limitations, the antimicrobial-coated sutures employed in oral surgery exhibited good results in terms of their microbicidal activity when compared with sutures that were not coated. Considering the high variability and confounding factors identified in the included studies, more high-quality research is needed to confirm these results. Antimicrobial-coated sutures could represent a promising and clinically valid strategy to reduce microbial colonisation in oral surgery. The reduced bacterial adherence is likely to improve the clinical success of the surgical procedures. Yet, the cost–benefit ratio of antimicrobial-coated sutures should be assessed in larger clinical trials to confirm their efficacy over conventional noncoated sutures.

This scoping review aims to summarize current research to assess the impact of heating on the chemo-physical properties of bioceramic sealers. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted in April 2024 across PubMed and Scopus databases. Inclusion criteria referred to all study types evaluating the effect of heating temperature on bioceramic sealers' properties, with no language or time restrictions applied. Studies were independently screened by two reviewers, and relevant data were extracted and synthesized qualitatively. Out of 91 initially identified studies, 19 met the eligibility criteria for inclusion in the qualitative synthesis. The selected studies ranged from 2014 to 2024 and comprised laboratory-based investigations. Various bioceramic sealers, including EndoSequence BC Sealer, BioRoot RCS, and TotalFill BC, were analyzed across different heating techniques. The findings revealed divergent responses of bioceramic sealers to heat, with some demonstrating stability while others exhibited alterations in properties such as flow, setting time, and chemical composition. The impact of heat on bioceramic sealers depends on the sealer’s composition and laboratory setting. While some sealers are affected significantly, others remain stable. Clinicians should carefully consider these factors when bioceramic sealers are used with warm obturation techniques, but caution is needed as real-world conditions may vary. Integrating laboratory results with clinical evidence is essential for improving treatment efficacy and patient care.

Objectives This study aimed to compare the impact of pre- and postoperative etoricoxib administration versus only postoperative on third molar extraction sequelae and oral health quality of life. Materials and methods This prospective quasi experimental study involved 56 patients, divided into a study group receiving preemptive etoricoxib 120 mg before surgery and postoperative etoricoxib 120 mg ( n = 28), and a control group receiving preemptive placebo before surgery and postoperative etoricoxib 120 mg ( n = 28). Follow-up assessments were conducted at 3- and 7-days post-surgery, recording swelling, trismus, and adverse events. Patients rated perceived pain using the visual analog scale (VAS) and completed an oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) questionnaire at specified intervals. Statistical analysis employed non-parametric tests (i.e., the Mann–Whitney test, Friedman test, and Wilcoxon sign test) with P < 0.05. Results Significantly lower VAS scores were reported in the study group throughout the follow-up period ( P < 0.05). Pharmacological protocol did not have a significant impact on postoperative edema and trismus ( P > 0.05). However, double etoricoxib intake significantly improved postoperative quality of life on day 3 after surgery ( P < 0.05). Conclusions Pre- and postoperative etoricoxib 120 mg intake in third molar surgery reduced postoperative pain and enhanced postoperative quality of life on day 3 after surgery. Importantly, it was equally effective in managing swelling and trismus compared to exclusive postoperative intake. Clinical Relevance Preemptive etoricoxib use may decrease patient discomfort following impacted mandibular third molar extraction.