Nasopalatine duct cyst, which is also known as incisive canal cyst, is the most common developmental cyst of the maxilla. It arises from the proliferation of the remnants of the nasopalatine duct stimulated by trauma or infection. In this article, the authors report a rare case of an extensive nasopalatine duct cyst in a 57-year-old Male associated with non-vital tooth. Clinical examination revealed facial asymmetry associated with swelling that is painful and tender. Correlating clinical and radiological findings, a diagnosis of nasopalatine duct cyst was formed, and the histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of nasopalatine duct cyst. This case highlights the importance of knowing that nasopalatine duct cyst can be associated with non-vital teeth, challenging the assumption that they are exclusively associated with vital teeth.
UNASSIGNED: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-024-04513-1.

UNASSIGNED: The opportunity of using Endocrown-type restorations in the current prosthetic dentistry practice as an alternative to other, well-established methods of corono-radicular restorations and the evolving palette of adhesive materials has made these restorations more popular in the last few years.
UNASSIGNED: The purpose is to review the available literature about Endocrown restorations regarding mechanical properties - fracture strength and resistance, survival rate, the preparation design - marginal and internal adaptation, and esthetics.
UNASSIGNED: The search was carried out on four databases: PubMed, Scopus (ScienceDirect), Web of Science, and Scielo using the following terms: \"endocrowns\", \"endodontic crown\", and\" no buildup crown\". Initially, a total of 163 articles published between 2015 and May 2021 were selected. After the duplicates, papers presented only as abstracts, articles in any other languages except English, and review articles were eliminated; a total of 72 articles remained to be considered for this review.After assessing the 72 considered articles, 37 were chosen as fit for this review. The reasons for the elimination of the other 35 articles were: their main focus was other than endocrowns, e.g., direct restorations, indirect restorations of vital teeth; case reports; study protocols.
UNASSIGNED: From the 37 articles selected, 34 were focused on mechanical properties, including the influence of the preparation design, and three on survival rate, of which one also had a point of view regarding esthetics.
UNASSIGNED: The literature included in this review shows that endocrowns perform similarly or even better in some cases than other coronal restorations. However, this statement must be interpreted cautiously, given that most articles were in vitro or finite element analysis studies. Given the high degree of conflicting results found in the articles included in this review, the authors consider as reasonable to conclude that further studies are needed to confirm the feasibility of endocrowns and the best choice of material.

Nowadays, the ceramic veneer approach can be considered more predictable than direct composite veneer. To date, there is a lack of studies comparing the clinical performance of anterior veneers cemented on vital teeth (VT) and non-vital teeth (NVT). This longitudinal clinical study investigated the performance of ceramic veneers in VT or anterior NVT. A total of 55 patients were evaluated in the study. Two groups were defined based on the vitality status of the teeth (93 teeth-vital and 61 teeth-non-vital). The United States Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria were used to assess the clinical status. The data were evaluated statistically with the Mann-Whitney U test. All restorations were considered acceptable, and only one veneer in VT failed for the criteria of secondary caries. There were no statistically significant differences in any of the criteria evaluated (p ≤ 0.671). The ceramic veneers evaluated showed a satisfactory clinical performance both in VT and NVT.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to discuss the considerations that need to be evaluated when considering the replacement of an existing maxillary anterior fixed dental prosthesis (FDP) with another FDP, or when to consider converting to implants and individual crowns on the previous abutment teeth.
BACKGROUND: The need to replace unesthetic or failing maxillary anterior FDPs is something all restorative dentists will be faced with multiple times in their careers. Given the emphasis over the past few decades on utilizing implants for tooth replacement as opposed to a tooth supported FDP, the question becomes when is converting the existing FDP to implants and single crowns an appropriate choice, as opposed to redoing a new FDP. This article will focus on the risks of choosing to convert to an implant solution, and the risks of redoing the tooth supported FDP. Multiple systematic reviews on each approach will be used to aid in the decision process. The most significant risks for both approaches will be identified, and a chart of the key parameters to assess will be presented, along with their impact.
CONCLUSIONS: The statistical outcomes at 5 and 10 years of tooth supported FDPs, and Implant based restorations are very similar if certain clinical parameters are met, namely vital healthy abutment teeth for the FDP, and adequate bone and soft tissue for the implant-based restoration. If one abutment tooth is compromised the long-term prognosis drops significantly and converting to an implant-based restoration may be more predictable. Similarly, if adequate bone and soft tissue cannot be obtained through surgical augmentation procedures, using a connective tissue graft for the ridge, and redoing the FDP may obtain a more acceptable esthetic result.
CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of maxillary anterior FDPs exist that will need replacement in the future. Given the desire of many dentists to utilize implants when possible, there can be a tendency to automatically treatment plan an implant-based approach for replacement of the existing FDP. Certainly, most clinicians would favor an implant-based tooth replacement rather than preparing unrestored teeth to place an FDP, but when an existing FDP exists, the teeth have already been prepared for full coverage in most instances. In addition, for most long term existing FDPs, there is a significant change in the vertical and horizontal dimension of the bone and soft tissue that can make getting an acceptable esthetic result with an implant challenging. This article provides a systematic approach to identifying when redoing the FDP may be preferable, or when converting to an implant-based approach is a better choice.

UNASSIGNED: Fracture resistance of endodontically treated tooth is affected due to large cavity designs and access cavities and an appropriate material capable to resist fracture plays an important role. This review aims to evaluate the effect of fibre-reinforced composite (FRC) as a post-obturation material on fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth.
UNASSIGNED: To systematically gather and evaluate the fracture resistance of fibre-reinforced composite as a post-obturation restorative material in endodontically treated teeth.
UNASSIGNED: A systematic search was conducted using PubMed, Ebsco Host, Scopus, Google Scholar, Hinari and manual search library resources from 1st Jan 2000 to 30th November 2019 to identify appropriate studies.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 157 articles were examined out of which 55 articles were selected after reading the title. After removing the duplicates, 27 articles were screened for abstract and 1 article was eliminated as it did not meet the eligibility criteria. A thorough reading of the full text of the remaining 26 selected articles was assessed for eligibility. Amongst these, 1 article was then excluded from the study as the full text was not accessible. Lastly, 25 articles were included in the study.
UNASSIGNED: FRC as a core material increases fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth but they do not have the fracture resistance similar to the intact tooth. Both polyethylene and short fibre-reinforced composites showed greater fracture resistance when compared to glass FRC and restoration without reinforcement. Also, the fracture resistance increases if restored with FRC along with retention slots and are placed on the occlusal third surfaces of cavities. Also, favourable fractures were most commonly seen and it usually occurred at the level of enamel and dentin and adhesive fractures were seen.

Tooth loss represents a diffused pathologic condition affecting the worldwide population. Risk factors have been identified in both general features (smoking, diabetes, economic status) and local tooth-related factors (caries, periodontitis). In this retrospective study, we examined the data of 366 patients with a large number of remaining teeth (≥25) undergoing maintenance therapy in order to identify specific risk factors for tooth loss. The number of remaining teeth, number of non-vital teeth, and number of occlusal units were investigated for their correlation with tooth loss. The mean follow-up of patients was 9.2 years (range 5 to 14). Statistically significant risk factors for tooth loss were identified as number of remaining teeth at baseline (p = 0.05), number of occlusal units (p = 0.03), and number of non-vital teeth in posterior regions (p < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression showed that the number of occlusal units and number of non-vital teeth in the posterior regions were significantly associated with a greater risk of tooth loss (odds ratio 1.88 and 3.17, respectively). These results confirm that not only the number of remaining teeth, but also their vital or non-vital status and the distribution between the anterior and posterior regions influence the long-term survival.

OBJECTIVE: The decision-making process when restoring a non-vital tooth is influenced by multiple factors. This study aimed to survey the dentists\' preferences regarding cast post-and-core and fiber post techniques for the reconstruction of non-vital teeth and to identify a correlation between reconstruction technique and practitioners characteristics, or dental characteristics.
METHODS: The survey instrument was a questionnaire, which included a general part with questions regarding the practitioner\'s profile (gender, age, years of experience, pattern and location of practice, etc.) and the dental characteristics (anterior or posterior position of the tooth on the arch, the amount of dental remaining tissues, etc.) and a technical part, containing more specific questions regarding the manufacture and performance of root-coronal reconstructions.
RESULTS: Among the surveyed practitioners (n=35), 69.7% use more often cast post-and-core reconstructions (CPR) while 30.3% choose fiber post reconstructions (FPR). No difference in the reconstruction type was observed regarding patient\'s age (p=0.23) or gender (p=0.092). The para-function criterion was considered important by 8.23% of the participants. When deciding the type of the root-coronal reconstruction depending on the remaining dentine walls, CPRs are significantly more frequently used in posterior areas (p=0.043) or when para-functional habits exist (p=0.022).
CONCLUSIONS: Cast post-and-core represent the most frequently used type of reconstruction for non-vital teeth. Fiber post reconstructions are indicated in the aesthetic zone and when the amount of healthy remaining dental structure is higher.

Dental fractures resulting in pulp exposure will lead to an endodontic infection with microbes from the oral cavity. However, data on the endodontic microbial composition in veterinary dentistry is lacking. The aim of this study was to examine the microbiome of naturally occurring primary endodontic infections in client-owned dogs. The endodontic microbiome of 10 non-vital teeth with exposed pulp cavities was assessed using a 16S rRNA gene sequencing approach. The results were compared to the microbiome of the subgingival plaque of the same teeth. Analysis revealed an abundant mixed microflora of a comparable richness and diversity and with mostly the same phyla obtained from sulcal and endodontic samples. However, further analysis revealed significant differences between sulcal and endodontic samples in the relative abundance of the most abundant phyla and genera, with the relative abundance of Bacteriodetes being significantly higher in endodontic samples. Although each sample presented a particular profile regarding the genera identified, Bacteroides was the most abundant genus in the endodontic samples. Snowella was also significantly more abundant in endodontic samples, while Porphyromonas and Fusobacterium were significantly more abundant in sulcal samples. We confirmed that the microbiome of the diseased endodontic system is comparably abundant with microorganisms to the healthy subgingival plaque indicating that previous culture-based studies of primary endodontic infections in dogs underestimated the richness and diversity of the endodontic microbiota.

Recombinant amelogenin protein (RAP) is reported to induce complete root apex formation in dog model when used as apexification therapy. It also induces pulp regeneration in 85% of the treated group. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the nature of the remaining regenerated calcified tissues of the RAP group that showed no pulp regeneration compared to the calcium hydroxide treated group (CH).
A total of 240 dogs\' open apex root canals were used, after establishment of canals contamination. Canals were cleaned, irrigated, and filled with RAP as an apexification material and compared with CH. Treated teeth were assessed by H&E, trichrome staining, and/or immunohistochemistry technique, at 1, 3, and 6 months.
A time-dependent increase in the calcified tissue barrier was observed in the apex of the RAP-treated group compared to the CH-treated group. The newly formed dentin in this RAP group was mainly tubular dentin and was functionally attached to the bone by periodontal ligament, while the CH group showed dentin-associated mineralized tissue (DAMT) associated with the newly formed apical barrier.
Out results suggest that RAP can be used as novel apexification material, resulting in a thickening and strengthening of the canal walls, and achieving apical closure.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether number of non-vital teeth was an indicator of tooth loss during maintenance. Thirty-three general practitioners provided data on 321 patients undergoing maintenance over 10 years. The number of present teeth (PT), smoking status, level of bone loss, number of non-vital teeth, and reason for tooth loss during that period were investigated. Multiple logistic regression was performed to identify whether the number of non-vital teeth was associated with tooth loss. The average number of lost teeth was 1.07±1.82; that of PT at baseline was 24.4±3.9; and that of non-vital teeth at baseline was 5.4±4.5. Multiple logistic regression revealed a significant association between >8 non-vital teeth and tooth loss during maintenance (odds ratio [OR]: 2.40; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18-4.87). It also demonstrated relationships between >8 non-vital teeth and root fracture or caries (OR: 3.90; 95%CI: 1.68-9.03 or OR: 2.85, 95%CI: 1.14-7.10, respectively). The number of non-vital teeth was associated with tooth loss during maintenance. The results suggest that patients with many non-vital teeth before commencement of maintenance are particularly at risk of tooth loss due to root fracture or caries. Therefore, the number of non-vital teeth offers a useful indicator of potential tooth loss.