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The present study sought to evaluate the impact of quarantine resulting from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on dental appointments and patients' positions and concerns regarding their ongoing dental treatment. Patients from private dental clinics answered an online questionnaire anonymously regarding their treatment, availability and willingness to attend dental appointments, and concerns about contamination. Descriptive statistics of the responses were performed with percentages and responses were compared between sexes, regions, and other aspects using the chi-squared test. Five hundred ninety-five patients (412 females and 183 males; mean age: 38.21 years) answered the questionnaire. Most patients reported they were receiving dental treatment (orthodontics) and would attend to a dental appointment; meanwhile, those patients not receiving treatment would not attend or would visit only in the case of an emergency. Males reported to be calmer than females, who were more anxious and afraid; as such, males reported more willing to go a dental appointment while, in general, females were not worried about how quarantine could affect dental treatment. Patients actively undergoing treatment and orthodontic patients were more concerned about a delay in treatment. There was a significant association between feelings about the COVID-19 pandemic and the level of willingness to attend a dental appointment. The quarantine recommended due to the COVID-19 pandemic was shown to have an impact on dental appointments and the anxiety levels of patients, since there was a significant association between patients' feelings and their willingness to attend a dental appointment. Overall, patients undergoing dental treatment and orthodontics were more willing to attend an appointment and were more concerned about an increase in treatment duration.

Thio-urethane oligomers improve conversion and mechanical properties of resin cements. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of resin cements formulated with thio-urethane (TU) oligomers on microtensile bond strength (µTBS) of ceramics to composites subjected to thermal/mechanical cycling. Methods: BisGMA/UDMA/TEGDMA (50/30/20 wt%) containg 0 (control, EC) or 20 wt% aliphatic or aromatic thiourethane (HDDI and BDI, respectively) were mixed with CQ/amine (0.2/0.8 wt%) and 25 wt% 0.7um Ba glass. Rely X Ultimate (RU-3M ESPE) was used as the commercial control. The cements were sandwiched between ceramic (IPS e.max Press) and resin composite blocks (Filtek Supreme, 3 M-ESPE). Eight bonded blocks were produced per experimental group. Prior to bonding, ceramic surfaces were etched (20 s - 10% HF) and silanized. Composite surfaces were treated with Single Bond Universal (3 M ESPE). Specimens were stored for 24 h in distilled water at 37 °C, and then either tested immediately, or subjected to thermal (10,000, 5 °C and 55 °C) or mechanical cycling (300,000 cycles). Sticks (1 mm 2 , average of 25 sticks per block) were cut and tested for µTBS (1.0 mm/min). Data were analyzed with two-way ANOVA/Tukey's test ( α  = 5%). Fracture surfaces were analyzed to determine failure modes. Results: The µTBS for HDDI and RU was significantly higher than BDI and EC cements. BDI led to significantly higher µTBS than EC after 24 h, Tc and Mf. µTBS decreased significantly after thermal/mechanical cycling for all groups. Failure modes were predominantly adhesive or mixed. Significance: The use of selected thio-urethane oligomers was able to increase the µTBS of composite-cement-ceramic specimens. Tc and Mf reduced µTBS for all resins cements., (© 2019 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

Acid erosion should be treated according to its multifactorial etiology. This case report describes a patient with tooth wear caused by daily intake of acidic carbonated beverages. After meticulous clinical and radiographic analysis, the clinician restored the teeth temporarily with chemically cured glass ionomer cement. Afterward, the patient underwent basic periodontal therapy with scaling and coronal polishing. The patient received guidance regarding daily oral hygiene and eating habits to control the ingestion of acidic drinks. After reestablishing adequate oral conditions, the clinician placed direct composite resin restorations on the maxillary anterior teeth that displayed dental erosion. The clinical procedures improved the patient's oral health as well as the form, esthetics, and function of the worn teeth., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest pertaining to any of the products or companies discussed in this article.

Objectives: The aim of this clinical study was to evaluate the performance of restorations for non-carious cervical lesions performed with a two-step etch-and-rinse or with a two-step self-etch adhesive., Materials and Methods: The teeth to be restored (15 patients, N = 90 restorations) were randomly assigned into 3 groups (n = 30), according to the adhesive system: group 1 (G1): Peak LC Bond; group 2 (G2): Clearfil Protect Bond; and group 3 (G3): prior selective acid etching of the enamel margins before bonding with Clearfil Protect Bond. The NCCLs were restored with Amelogen Plus composite resin. Two calibrated examiners evaluated the restorations using modified US Public Health Service criteria. The data of retention, marginal integrity, and marginal discoloration were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon tests., Results: There were no significant differences in clinical performance among the groups for the variables: retention, marginal integrity, and marginal discoloration after 1 year and 2 years. The alpha rates after 2 years were: 93.3% for G1 and 96.7% for G2 and G3 for retention; 93.3%, 100%, and 90% for G1, G2, and G3 for marginal discoloration; 86.7%, 96.7%, and 90% for G1, G2, and G3 for marginal integrity, respectively., Conclusions: The adhesives presented similar clinical performance at the end of 2 years. Also, the prior etching with phosphoric acid did not significantly improve the clinical performance of self-etch adhesive.

Superficial stains and irregularities of the enamel are generally what prompt patients to seek dental intervention to improve their smile. These stains or defects may be due to hypoplasia, amelogenesis imperfecta, mineralized white spots, or fluorosis, for which enamel microabrasion is primarily indicated. Enamel microabrasion involves the use of acidic and abrasive agents, such as with 37% phosphoric acid and pumice or 6% hydrochloric acid and silica, applied to the altered enamel surface with mechanical pressure from a rubber cup coupled to a rotatory mandrel of a low-rotation micromotor. If necessary, this treatment can be safely combined with bleaching for better esthetic results. Recent studies show that microabrasion is a conservative treatment when the enamel wear is minimal and clinically imperceptible. The most important factor contributing to the success of enamel microabrasion is the depth of the defect, as deeper, opaque stains, such as those resulting from hypoplasia, cannot be resolved with microabrasion, and require a restorative approach. Surface enamel alterations that result from microabrasion, such as roughness and microhardness, are easily restored by saliva. Clinical studies support the efficacy and longevity of this safe and minimally invasive treatment. The present article presents the clinical and scientific aspects concerning the microabrasion technique, and discusses the indications for and effects of the treatment, including recent works describing microscopic and clinical evaluations.