Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of preheated nanoceramic resin-based composite (RBC) (Ceram-X-Mono) placed in Class I occlusal cavities over a period of 18 months. Settings and Design: This study involves split-mouth design, randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) Materials and Methods: One operator restored 60 Class I occlusal cavities in 24 patients. Preheating of nanoceramic RBC to 60°C for 10 min was performed before insertion of the material into 30 prepared cavities, whereas 30 restorations in the nonpreheated group were placed according to the manufacturer's instructions. Two observers evaluated the restorations using Federation Dentaire Internationale (FDI) criteria at baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months. Statistical Analysis: Kappa index, Friedman and Wilcoxon matched pair test, and Krushal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: 100% retention rates were seen in both the groups. In nonpreheated group, significant difference was observed for surface staining ( P = 0.0001), color stability ( P = 0.0277), anatomic form ( P = 0.0431), and marginal adaptation ( P = 0.0051), whereas in preheated group, significant increase in surface staining ( P = 0.0051) was recorded. There was a statistically significant difference observed between the preheated and nonpreheated groups at different time periods for the tested clinical parameters. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this RCT of 18 months, preheated nanoceramic RBC restorations showed better clinical performance compared to nonpreheated group.

The combined CBCT and 3-d printing have found its endodontic application in pre-surgical planning models, endodontic access guides and localization of osteotomy preparation site. This article reports a series of three cases where this combined technology have been used. The first case report is of radicular dens invaginatus which was diagnosed by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging and 3D plastic models of the tooth. The case was managed successfully by the combination of both surgical and non-surgical endodontic treatment. The second case report is the guided access preparation of lower anterior teeth. A 3D printed template was designed with the CBCT scan for the guided access cavity preparation and was compared with the conventional endodontic access cavity preparation. The third case report is the surgical template guided hemisection. A 3D surgical template was designed which allowed precise angulation of the bur and minimized the excess removal of tooth structure. Thus, the combined use of CBCT and 3D printing enabled visualization of complex root canal anatomies and allowed precise and accurate treatment.