Restorative Innovations in Pediatric and Behavior-Challenged Patients
A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Dentistry and Oral Sciences".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2026
Special Issue Editor
Interests: pediatric dentistry; special care dentistry; restorative dentistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Restorative dentistry is rapidly evolving due to the expansion of minimally invasive procedures, the development of bioactive and ion-releasing materials, and the increasing integration of digital systems. These advancements are particularly relevant in the management of pediatric and non-cooperative patients, where successful treatment requires balancing biological needs, procedural efficiency, and behavioral considerations.
Minimally invasive strategies—such as Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART), silver diamine fluoride (SDF) application, resin infiltration, and the Hall Technique—offer effective alternatives to conventional restorative approaches and are particularly advantageous when patient cooperation is limited. Progress in restorative materials, including high-viscosity and resin-modified glass ionomers, bioactive composites, and enhanced adhesive systems, further supports reliable outcomes in demanding clinical scenarios.
Digital innovations, including intraoral scanners, CAD/CAM workflows, and especially artificial intelligence-based technologies, are reshaping diagnostic and therapeutic pathways. AI tools for caries detection, risk assessment, image analysis, and treatment planning are emerging as promising supports for precision dentistry, although their integration in pediatric practice requires workflow adaptation to shorter and more flexible appointments.
This Special Issue welcomes contributions exploring these trends from clinical, scientific, technological, and translational perspectives, with particular interest in research addressing behavioral management, risk-based planning, AI integration, and outcome evaluation in pediatric or non-cooperative populations.
Dr. Denise Corridore
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- minimally invasive restorative dentistry
- bioactive dental materials
- AI-enhanced diagnostic and treatment workflows
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