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Medicina
Special Issues
Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry: New Insights and Future Directions
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Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry: New Insights and Future Directions

A special issue of Medicina (ISSN 1648-9144). This special issue belongs to the section "Dentistry and Oral Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 January 2027 | Viewed by 1873

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Edoardo Mancuso

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Prosthodontic Unit, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, 40125 Bologna, Italy
Interests: restorative dentistry; prosthodontics
Dr. Mariangela Cernera

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomotological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Interests: restorative dentistry; endodontics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Prosthodontics and restorative dentistry have undergone remarkable advances in recent decades, driven by digital technologies, novel biomaterials, and a growing focus on personalized and minimally invasive treatments. These developments have transformed clinical protocols, enhanced patient outcomes, and opened new opportunities for interdisciplinary dentistry. The integration of CAD/CAM systems, digital workflows, 3D printing, and artificial intelligence is reshaping diagnostic and treatment planning strategies, while innovations in materials and adhesive techniques are expanding the range of durable and esthetic restorative options.

Despite this progress, several challenges remain. Long-term clinical evidence is still needed to validate many of the newly introduced technologies and materials, while the rapid pace of innovation raises questions about cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and accessibility across different healthcare contexts. Furthermore, the aging population and the increasing prevalence of complex oral health conditions require clinicians and researchers to refine restorative and prosthodontic approaches that balance durability, patient-centered care, and esthetics.

The goal of this Special Issue is to gather original research and systematic reviews that address the latest scientific and clinical insights in prosthodontics and restorative dentistry. Contributions are encouraged on topics such as digital and AI-assisted workflows, innovative techniques, long-term clinical outcomes, patient-reported measures, and future perspectives that will define the evolution of the field. By fostering a dialogue between researchers, clinicians, and industry, this collection aims to provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends and to outline future directions that will shape restorative and prosthodontic practice worldwide.

Dr. Edoardo Mancuso
Guest Editor

Dr. Mariangela Cernera
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Medicina is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • prosthodontics
  • restorative dentistry
  • digital dentistry
  • CAD/CAM and 3D Printing
  • adhesive dentistry
  • esthetics and function
  • personalized dentistry

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 557 KB  
Article
Polymer-Infiltrated Ceramic Network Versus Smart Bioactive Self-Curing Composite for Cervical Restorations in Professional Ballet Dancers: A 24-Month Split-Mouth Randomized Controlled Trial
by Maria Timoshina, Sergey Mironov, Alexey Dorofeev, Alla Shakaryants, Svetlana Danshina, Ksenia Zakharova, Ksenia Grishaeva, Aglaya Kazumova, Anton Timoshin and Andrey Sevbitov
Medicina 2026, 62(6), 1141; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62061141 - 11 Jun 2026
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Abstract
Background and Objectives: Professional ballet dancers endure high occlusal loads, increasing cervical defect prevalence. Conventional composites fail frequently under such conditions. This randomized clinical trial (RCT) compared 24-month performance of a polymer-infiltrated ceramic network (PICN, VITA Enamic) versus a self-curing bioactive composite [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Professional ballet dancers endure high occlusal loads, increasing cervical defect prevalence. Conventional composites fail frequently under such conditions. This randomized clinical trial (RCT) compared 24-month performance of a polymer-infiltrated ceramic network (PICN, VITA Enamic) versus a self-curing bioactive composite (Stela) for cervical restorations. Materials and Methods: Twenty professional ballet dancers (40 cervical defects: 21 carious, 19 abfraction) were enrolled in a paired split-mouth RCT. Each received one PICN inlay and one self-curing composite restoration on two non-adjacent defects. Restorations were assessed at 6, 12, and 24 months using United States Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria (primary: marginal integrity) and a dye penetration test. Secondary outcomes included secondary caries, hypersensitivity, and Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Statistical tests: McNemar, Fisher’s exact, Kaplan–Meier, log-rank (α = 0.05). Results: At 24 months, marginal integrity (USPHS Alpha) was maintained in 91% of PICN restorations for carious defects and 89% for abfraction defects, compared to 70% and 50% for self-curing composite, respectively. No PICN restoration failed (0%). Self-curing composite failures were 20% (carious) and 30% (abfraction) (exploratory uncorrected p = 0.031; non-significant after correction). Dye penetration was lower for PICN in abfraction defects (11% vs. 60%, adjusted p = 0.048) but not in carious defects (9% vs. 30%, adjusted p = 0.317). Kaplan–Meier survival favoured PICN (log-rank p = 0.001); 24-month survival probability: PICN 100% (95% CI: 83–100%), self-curing composite 75% (95% CI: 55–95%). No secondary caries or serious adverse events occurred. Conclusions: PICN hybrid ceramic provided superior marginal integrity and zero failures over 24 months in cervical restorations of professional ballet dancers, outperforming the self curing composite. Within this high-risk population, PICN inlays are recommended for abfraction defects. However, because the study was conducted exclusively in professional ballet dancers, direct extrapolation to the general population should be made with caution. The self-curing composite may be considered for carious defects when light curing is problematic, but patients should be informed of higher failure risk. Longer studies are needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry: New Insights and Future Directions)
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18 pages, 895 KB  
Systematic Review
A Systematic Review of the Accuracy of Crowns Designed Using Artificial Intelligence Versus CAD/CAM and Traditional Methods
by Mohammed A. Alfaifi
Medicina 2026, 62(3), 567; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62030567 - 18 Mar 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1326
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Advances in digital dentistry, particularly CAD-CAM, have improved the efficiency and precision of crown design and fabrication. Recently, artificial intelligence (AI)-integrated CAD-CAM systems have enabled automated tooth morphology generation, margin detection, and occlusal analysis, enhancing consistency and accuracy. This systematic [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Advances in digital dentistry, particularly CAD-CAM, have improved the efficiency and precision of crown design and fabrication. Recently, artificial intelligence (AI)-integrated CAD-CAM systems have enabled automated tooth morphology generation, margin detection, and occlusal analysis, enhancing consistency and accuracy. This systematic review evaluates the accuracy of AI-assisted crown design compared with conventional and CAD-CAM workflows. Materials and Methods: A systematic search was conducted across PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, and LILACS for studies published between January 2010 and December 2025 that assessed the marginal fit, internal adaptation, and occlusal contact accuracy of single crowns. Screening, full-text assessment, and data extraction followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Methodological quality and risk of bias were evaluated using the Modified CONSORT checklist for in vitro studies and the Joanna Briggs Institute tools for clinical studies. Results: Of 887 records identified, 12 studies met the inclusion criteria. Nine studies showed a moderate risk of bias, two moderate-to-high, and one low-to-moderate. AI-assisted crown design demonstrated clinically acceptable internal fit and marginal adaptation, comparable or superior to CAD-CAM systems. Occlusal contact accuracy was generally comparable to CAD-CAM and technician-designed crowns, though variability was observed across AI models. Conclusions: AI-assisted crown design provides a reliable fit and marginal adaptation, with occlusal accuracy approaching conventional CAD-CAM and technician workflows. While not a replacement for clinical expertise, AI serves as a valuable adjunct, enhancing reproducibility, precision, and overall quality in restorative dentistry. Further standardized clinical studies are needed to validate long-term outcomes and optimize occlusal performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry: New Insights and Future Directions)
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