Clinical Applications for Dentistry and Oral Health, 2nd Volume

In recent years, dentistry has extended the aspects of its research and its cooperation with other disciplines [1,2,3,4]. As new materials and techniques are tested in vitro and applied in vivo, dental research is becoming a field of expansive innovations. This Special Issue is focused on the most recent and significant applied innovations in the dental field, outlining both the technological and research aspects, as well as how they can be integrated into clinical practice. The application of new biomaterials and techniques can lead to significant advances in all of dentistry’s key disciplines, such as restorative dentistry, prosthodontics, oral surgery, implantology, pediatric dentistry, and orthodontics [5,6,7,8].

With these considerations in mind, several articles focusing on different aspects of clinical and research dentistry have been collated in this Special Issue. Within restorative dentistry, the applicability of ozone therapy to dentistry is reported, specifically evaluating its bleaching power when used with dental resins [Contribution 1]. As regards the endodontic field, in one research work, the root canal morphology of the lower second molars in a Croatian subpopulation was analyzed in 3D [Contribution 2]. In addition, with respect to bioceramic sealers as an emerging trend, an in vitro study assessed the bacterial sealing ability of two such innovative materials applied using the single cone obturation technique [Contribution 3].

In the prosthodontic field, the colorimetric properties of 3D-printed and conventional denture base resins were spectrophotometrically analyzed in vivo after their immersion in different coloring agents [Contribution 4].

Research on surgical wound repair using an innovative hemostatic glue [Contribution 5] and a review of the evidence on a new bone regeneration scaffold [Contribution 6] are included as examples within oral surgery. In addition, innovative tridimensional techniques are discussed—for example, the implementation of an in vivo and in vitro analysis of the accuracy of static computer-assisted implant surgery in an edentulous patient [Contribution 7], as well innovations in oral maxillofacial surgery related to 3D printing and virtual surgical planning [Contribution 8].

Additionally, the orthodontic field is accounted for in the present Special Issue. An in vitro study explored whether oral antiseptics affect the force degradation of elastomeric chains [Contribution 9]. Indeed, further in vitro research, respectively, addressed the influence of different cleaning protocols on the surface roughness of orthodontic retainers [Contribution 10] and reviewed the evidence on the nickel and chromium ion levels in saliva following the application of fixed orthodontic appliances [Contribution 11]. Contributions to clinical orthodontics are also included in this Special Issue, in the form of a 3D evaluation of the morphological changes in the upper airway in growing patients with class II malocclusion treated with sander bite jumping appliances [Contribution 12], as well as research on the predictability of maxillary dentoalveolar expansion when using clear aligners with different types of crossbites [Contribution 13].

Finally, taking the importance of the correct disinfection protocol in dentistry as its starting point, a pilot in vitro study, using bioluminescence analysis, has evaluated the effectiveness of overheated dry-saturated steam disinfection in controlling dental chair contamination [Contribution 14].

The editors hope that the present collection will be the basis for further progression of the existing dental research, with new prospects for dentistry in strategies for caries prevention [9]; enamel remineralization with fluorides [10] or other biomimetic agents [11]; and restorative materials [12] and their properties under various conditions [13], to mention a few. Cutting-edge technologies such as low-noise instruments [14] and computerized devices [15] and advanced materials [16] and techniques [17] for oral surgery and implantology [18] are hotbeds for further study. Of note, pediatric dentistry [19] and orthodontics [20] in particular have encountered recent booms in technological development. In periodontology, emerging compounds [21], materials [22], and techniques [23] and their effects on oral health require deeper exploration. Finally, future reports on the CAD/CAM workflow [24], artificial intelligence, and deep learning [25] could offer new perspectives within dental research.

On the back of this wealth of knowledge, the Editors would like to thank all the Researchers and Clinicians who contributed, in the form of laboratory studies and clinical research, to the current Special Issue with the intention of inspiring other dental researchers and professionals.