Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs) are considered a type of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) because of their unique origin from the neural crest. SHEDs can self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation with the ability to differentiate into odontoblasts, osteoblast, chondrocytes, neuronal cells, hepatocytes, adipocytes, etc. They are emerging as an ideal source of MSCs because of their easy availability and extraordinary cell number. Ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, has many cell-based applications, such as bone regeneration, osteoblastic differentiation, or extracellular matrix production. It also impacts stem cell plasticity and the ability to sustain pluripotent activity. In this study, we evaluate the effects of ascorbic acid on stemness, paracrine secretion, and differentiation into osteoblast, chondrocytes, and adipocytes. SHEDs displayed enhanced multifaceted activity, which may have applications in regenerative therapy.

Nanotechnology in modern material science is a research hot spot due to its ability to provide novel applications in the field of dentistry. Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are metal oxide nanoparticles that open new opportunities for biomedical applications that range from diagnosis to treatment. The domains of these nanoparticles are wide and diverse and include the effects brought about due to the anti-microbial, regenerative, and mechanical properties. The applications include enhancing the anti-bacterial properties of existing restorative materials, as an anti-sensitivity agent in toothpastes, as an anti-microbial and anti-fungal agent against pathogenic oral microflora, as a dental implant coating, to improve the anti-fungal effect of denture bases in rehabilitative dentistry, remineralizing cervical dentinal lesions, increasing the stability of local drug delivery agents and other applications.

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This in vitro study aimed to compare the fracture strength of direct non-reinforced class II composite resin restorations and polyethylene fiber-reinforced restorations, and also to investigate the influence of the locations of polyethylene fibers within the cavity on the fracture strength. Sixty freshly extracted human teeth were disinfected and prepared (class II cavity design). The teeth were assigned randomly into four groups (n = 13). Group I (control) was restored with nano-hybrid composite resin. The other three experimental groups were restored with the same composite resin material reinforced by polyethylene fibers (Ribbond) at different locations. Fibers were placed either on the axial wall (Group II), on the gingival floor (Group III), or on the axial wall and pulpal/gingival floor (Group IV) of the proximal cavity. All the teeth were subjected to thermocycling to simulate the oral environment. The fracture strength was measured using a universal testing machine. Group IV had the highest mean fracture strength at maximum load (148.74 MPa), followed by Group II (140.73 MPa), Group III (136.34 MPa), and Group I (130.08 MPa), with a statistically significant difference from the control group (p = 0.008) but not between groups II and III.