Objectives: This prospective randomized single-blinded clinical study conducted in a split-mouth design examined the impact of an additional application of a flowable composite as a cavity liner in Class I and II composite restorations over 48 months. Methods: According to the study protocol approved by the ethics committee, 100 restorations (Class I and II) were placed in 50 subjects exhibiting two cavities with restorative needs. One cavity was filled solely with a nano-hybrid composite (control group) and the second cavity in combination with an additional layer of a flowable composite (test group). A universal adhesive system was used in both groups in self-etch mode according to the manufacturer's instructions. Clinical evaluation was performed at baseline, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months based on the modified USPHS/Ryge criteria. Results: With a recall rate of 86%, 43 of the initial 50 enrolled patients were evaluated after 48 months. The cumulative survival rate for all restorations was 91.9%. A total of seven restorations (8.1%) were considered failures, three were due to the loss of vitality by endodontic treatment and four due to filling fractures. Five of seven failures were located in the test group (11.6%) and two restorations in the control group (4.7%). In both groups, this corresponds to significantly different cumulative success rates (control group: 95.3%; test group: 88.4 %) and annual failure rates (AFR) (control group: 1.2 %; test group: 2.9 %), respectively (p < 0.05; Mann-Whitney U test). Additionally, compared to the 24 and 36 month results, non-significant differences in parameters such as marginal discoloration and adaption were noted after 48 months. Conclusions: The additional application of a flowable composite did not tend to be superior in this trial and should be further evaluated over a longer period of time. This study was supported by Voco GmbH, Cuxhaven, Germany. Support Funding Agency/Grant Number: VOCO GmbH, Cuxhaven, Germany. No. 31308004KZEP. Keywords: composite restorations, flowable composite, clinical trial, posterior teeth, adhesive dentistry

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the microtensile bond strength (µTBS) of three universal adhesives applied in etch-and-rinse and self-etch mode on irradiated and sound human dentin. Methods: 180 extracted third molars were specially prepared allowing dentin perfusion and randomly assigned to two superordinate groups. Ninety teeth received either no irradiation or the high-level therapeutic dose of 60 Gy applied fractionally (2 Gy/day, 5 days/week, 6 weeks). Specimens from each group were randomly divided into six subgroups assigned to three established universal adhesives in either etch-and-rinse or self-etch mode (n=15): Futurabond^® U (Fer0, Fer60, Fse0, Fse60), AdheSE® Universal (Aer0, Aer60, Ase0, Ase60), Xeno® Select (Xer0, Xer60, Xse0, Xse60). Bond strength was measured using an universal testing machine immediately after application and light curing of the adhesive materials. Results: The effect of dentin irradiation and application mode for the adhesive restoration was significant (p<0.01, ANOVA). In all groups, a decrease of µTBS was observed when used on irradiated dentin. No significant influence of high level radiation on the bond strength in both modes of Futurabond® U and AdheSE^® Universal could be evaluated (p>0.05, Tukey’s test). Only Xeno^® Select showed significantly reduced bond strength in self-etch mode after irradiation (Xse60) compared to non-irradiated specimens (Xse0) (p<0.05, Tukey’s test). Evaluated µTBS of all groups (mean values, standard deviations in MPa): Fer0: 23.64 (6.76); Fer60: 17.88 (7.54); Fse0: 23.87 (7.49); Fse60: 19.21 (7.34); Aer0: 29.97 (7.18); Aer60: 29.24 (7.28); Ase0: 35.10 (8.41); Ase60: 26.30 (10.07); Xer0: 26.06 (8.20); Xer60: 22.74 (6.22); Xse0: 24.17 (8.36); Xse60: 11.42 (3.86). Conclusions: Within the limitations of an in vitro study, some effects of high-level tumour irradiation on the bond strength of universal adhesives could be detected. These effects were strongly associated to the used material and application mode. Keywords: bond strength, universal adhesives, irradiation, adhesive dentistry, tumour-therapeutic radiotherapy

Objectives: The purpose of the prospective randomized clinical study in a split-mouth design was to compare the clinical performance of a universal adhesive system (Futurabond U, Voco, Germany) used in both application modes in combination with a nano-hybrid Ormocer© (Admira Fusion, Voco, Germany) after 6 months. Methods: In 50 patients, 19 Class I and 81 Class II cavities were placed with at least two restorations per patient. The adhesive system Futurabond U was used for all the restorations. In one of the two fillings Futurabond U was used as a self-etch adhesive (test group), in the other after conditioning with phosphoric acid (control group). All fillings were placed under rubber dam following the prospective clinical study protocol. The restorations were evaluated at baseline, two weeks following placement, and after six month according to the modified FDI criteria for clinical trials. All data were statistically analysed with the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: After 6 months, 46 patients with 92 restorations were re-examined (92% recall rate). The cumulative survival rate for all restorations was 100%. All teeth remained vital and did not show any signs of postoperative sensitivity. Slight fractures (code Bravo) could be evaluated in three fillings (2 control, 1 test group). None of the teeth showed signs of secondary caries. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between techniques for any of the evaluation criteria (p>0.05, Mann-Whitney U test). In both groups, this corresponds to cumulative success rates (control group: 100%; test group: 100%) and annual failure rates (AFR) of 0%. Conclusions: After 6 months, the Ormocer© and the different application modes of the universal adhesive used showed no significant impact on the clinical performance of class-I and -II restorations. Furthermore, the universal adhesive Futurabond U might be a promising alternative to other systems. This study was supported by Voco GmbH, Cuxhaven, Germany. Support Funding Agency/Grant Number: Voco, Cuxhaven, Germany. No. 31255331KZEP. Keywords: clinical trial, composite restoration, adhesive dentistry, posterior teeth

Objectives: The aim of this placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomized clinical investigation was to evaluate the influence of 8% arginine-containing prophylaxis products on pain related parameters (Schiff and VAS scores) compared to a negative control in patients from a German dental clinic suffering from severe dentine hypersensitivity (DH) over 24 weeks. Methods: After ethical approval by the Ethics Committee of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (Germany), 101 informed patients having at least two teeth (no molars) with air blast DH scores 2, 3 (Schiff Cold Air Sensitivity Scale) were randomly assigned to either the control or test group. All were treated with a single application of the in-office paste followed by daily toothpaste use (control products without desensitizing ingredients and test products containing 8% arginine, both with the same level of fluoride).The Schiff and VAS scores were evaluated before and after application of the in-office paste and after 4, 8, and 24 weeks for both study teeth. Results: A total of 98 patients completed the study. The distribution of subjects with DH Schiff scores 2 and 3 at screening was similar in both groups. There were no statistically significant differences in the Schiff and VAS scores at baseline between test and control subjects (p>0.05). The pooled data for tooth 1 and tooth 2 yielded significantly greater pain relief as assessed by the Schiff score in the test group than the control group at any appointment, both in the t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test analyses (p<0.05). The VAS showed no significant differences between both groups. Conclusions: Significant improvements (Schiff score, pain relief) in a German population were demonstrated after application of the in-office paste and over the 24- week period of brushing with the 8.0% arginine-containing toothpaste. This study was supported by Colgate-Palmolive Europe, Therwil, Switzerland. Support Funding Agency/Grant Number: Colgate-Palmolive Europe, Therwil, Switzerland. No. GASAS-1105X, PO No. 7501857177. Keywords: dentin hypersensitivity, arginine, clinical study, oral hygiene, pain relief

Im vorliegenden Fall werden die Diagnose und Behandlung eines ersten Unterkiefermolars vorgestellt, der einen vom Pulpakammerboden ausgehenden und bis zum approximalen Kavitätenrand verlaufenden Riss aufwies. Keywords: Cracked tooth, postendodontische Versorgung

Maintaining and restoring teeth exhibiting subgingival or even subcrestal defect extensions represent a common problem in daily practice. Such teeth are often deemed “unrestorable” due to a significant hard tissue loss and defect locations violating the biologic width. In order to achieve a sufficient 2-mm-ferrule design and reestablish the biologic width, both surgical crown lengthening and orthodontic extrusion have been suggested. However, surgical crown lengthening has a negative effect on the attachment level of adjacent teeth as well as esthetic disadvantages particularly in the esthetic zone. Therefore, orthodontic extrusion might be considered as a valid therapeutic alternative since gingival architecture is maintained. While most orthodontic appliances are too complex for daily application, forced orthodontic extrusion by means of the Tissue Master Concept might be a cost- and time-effective approach due to advances in adhesive and computer-assisted dentistry. This clinical case series illustrates the methodology of the rather straightforward Tissue Master Concept in specific clinical situations that may occur in clinical routine. Keywords:  forced eruption, orthodontic extrusion, tooth extrusion

Die unmittelbare bakteriendichte koronale Versiegelung des Wurzelkanalsystems sowie die Herstellung der Kaufunktion sind nach einer adäquaten endodontischen Behandlung grundlegende Faktoren für den langfristigen Erhalt dieser Zähne. Bei der Auswahl der Restauration wird dem Faktor Substanzverlust neben den Parametern Zahntyp, Attachmentverlust und Kronen-Wurzel-Verhältnis sowie prothetische Gesamtbehandlungsplanung eine wesentliche Bedeutung beigemessen. Zusammengenommen bestimmen diese Faktoren die Entscheidung über direkte oder indirekte Restaurationen sowie über die Notwendigkeit der Verwendung eines Wurzelkanalstiftes. Die postendodontische Restauration sollte als integraler Bestandteil der endodontischen Behandlung angesehen werden und dementsprechend zeitnah erfolgen – idealerweise innerhalb von vier Monaten nach der Wurzelkanalfüllung. Keywords: Postendodontische Versorgung, wurzelkanalbehandelte Zähne, Wurzelkanalstifte, adhäsive Befestigung, forcierte Extrusion

In dieser Literaturübersicht soll die Fragestellung beantwortet werden, wie die Effektivität der schallaktivierten Wurzelkanalspülung im Vergleich zur Ultraschallaktivierung und zur konventionellen Handspülung zu bewerten ist. Analysiert wurden die hochfrequente Variante EDDY und eine Variante mit einer weitaus niedrigeren Frequenz, der EndoActivator. Als Parameter wurden die Reinigungswirkung (Entfernung von Debris, Smear Layer, organischem Gewebe, Kalziumhydroxid und Guttapercharesten), die antimikrobielle Effektivität, die Extrusion von Spülflüssigkeit und das Auftreten postoperativer Beschwerden nach Einsatz der Aktivierung herangezogen. Keywords: Wurzelkanaldesinfektion, EDDY, EndoActivator, Schall, Ultraschall

Background: Accurate implant placement in the bone is key to successful implant treatment. Once inserted, it can be difficult to correct the orientation of the implant axis, especially of a one-piece implant. Prosthetic-driven digital implant planning in combination with fully guided implant surgery can offer additional safety in such cases. Case presentation: The patient presented with a wide, edentulous interdental space extending from sites 13 to 16, which was to be restored with three one-piece zirconia implants supporting a zirconia fixed partial denture comprizing a cantilever to the mesial aspect. Digital planning based on DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) and intraoral surface data was performed to ensure optimal positioning. Guided implant placement was executed using a contra-angle handpiece with special attachments and a compatible, sleeveless drill guide. Impressions of the implants for the final restoration were acquired using an intraoral scanner. Reflection-related errors were compensated for by using the given digital abutment geometry. The DICOM and STL datasets were superimposed and used as the basis for fabricating a monolithic zirconia restoration through a subtractive milling process. The final restoration was adhesively cemented. Conclusions: By using a prosthetic-driven implant planning strategy, it was possible to place the one-piece ceramic implants without an available implant manufacturer's guide-based solution. This was accomplished using a contra-angle surgical handpiece with special attachments and a compatible drill guide. This approach is particularly recommended for the placement of one-piece implants, which otherwise require irreversible abutment grinding for the adjustment of the implant axis orientation after placement. To increase the precision of the digital impressions of the implants, the ideal abutment geometry was imported and superimposed onto the scan data. The results demonstrate that the proposed method can dispense with the need for gingival retraction when acquiring impressions for implants of this type in the future. Keywords: ceramic implants, guided implant surgery, backward planning, intraoral scan, CAD/CAM, digital workflow, 

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to measure the bond strength of adhesively luted glass-fiber bundles inside the root canal with respect to the application procedure in comparison to conventional solid glass-fiber posts. Materials and Methods: 104 human anterior teeth were endodontically treated, root filled and divided into 8 groups (n = 13). After post space preparation, fiber bundles consisting of 6 and 12 glass fibers, respectively, were luted adhesively with a multi-mode adhesive (Futurabond U; Voco, Cuxhaven, Germany) and a dual-curing composite (Rebilda DC, Voco) with the following application modes into the root canal: (1) direct application with tweezers, (2) distribution of the fibers using a spreader, (3) application of ultrasound after insertion of fibers. Two different solid posts (Rebilda DC, Voco; and DentinPost, Komet, Lemgo, Germany) were used as controls. Roots were sectioned into 6 slices per root (thickness 1 mm). Bond strengths were measured using thin-slice push-out tests for 3 slices 24 h after post insertion and for 3 slices per sample following thermocycling (TC) for 6000 cycles and storage in 0.9% NaCl for 6 months. Homogeneity of the slices was analyzed using a stereomicroscope and, for representative samples, micro-computed tomography (µCT). Results: Mean push-out bond strengths (MPa) were significantly affected by post system (p 0.0005) and location inside the root canal (p = 0.004) but not by application mode (p = 0.544) or TC (p = 0.098; repeated measurement ANOVA). Fiber bundles consisting of 6 (13.2 ± 4.7) and 12 fibers (14.5 ± 4.3) revealed bond strength comparable to that of Rebilda Post (13.67 ± 3.2) but significantly higher than that of Dentin Posts (8.7 ± 3.02). Inhomogeneities were detected among 35.5% to 43.1% of the fiber-bundle samples, irrespective of number of fibers and application mode, and among 24.4% to 27.3% of the solid posts (p = 0.010; chi-squared test). µCT revealed voids inside the composite bulk between the fibers as well as between composite and dentin of adhesively luted fiber bundles. Conclusion: Adhesively luted fiber bundles achieved bond strengths comparable to those of solid fiber posts for one investigated post type, and even higher values compared to another post type. Inhomogeneities were frequently detected irrespective of application mode. Keywords: root canal dentin, fiber post, fiber bundles, aging, adhesive luting