Background The roughening of the inner surface of a fixed ceramic restoration is an important factor for the bonding process. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of combined surface treatments (acid etching, air-abrasion and Er: YAG Laser) on surface roughness of CAD/CAM fabricated zirconia (ZrO2) and lithium-disilicate glass ceramics (LDS). Methods Sixty ZrO2 (Ceramill Zi) and LDS (IPS e.max CAD) specimens, (5 mm in width, 5 mm in length and 1.5 mm in height) were fabricated using CAD/CAM and sintered according to the manufacturer’s instructions. All specimens subjected to three surface treatment combinations; etching with 4% hydrofluoric acide (HF), airborne-particle abrasion with 110-μm alumina (Al2O3) (AP) and Er:YAG laser (Er:YAG) (Group A—HF + AP; Group B—Er:YAG + AP, and Group C—Er:YAG + HF). Perthometer was used to measure the surface roughness of the specimens before and after the tretments. Results Group A presented the highest Ra (LDS 0.81 ± 0.27 and ZrO2 0.67 ± 0.21 after treatment) and Group C the lowest (LDS 0.45 ± 0.13 and ZrO2 0.26 ± 0.07, after treatment). Compared with before treatment, the Ra were significantly different only in Group A both ZrO2 and LDS after treatment (p < 0.05). Qualitative SEM images suggested the surface topography of the ZrO2 was smoother than the LDS. Less surface changes were observed in the Er:YAG combined procedures than HF + AP. Conclusions HF + AP was significantly succesful in modifying the ceramic surface. Er:YAG did not sufficiently promote the surface topography, even if combined with any other treatments. Overall, surface tretments on ZrO2 not easier than LDS.

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Background The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused healthcare professionals to face unequal acute workplace stress and burnout. This study aimed to analyze the potential impact of COVID-19 on the burnout and associated emotional stress conditions of Turkish dental technicians. Methods A 20-question demographic scale, Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Sense of Coherence-13 (SoC-13), and Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10) were used to obtain data. A total of 152 participants answered these surveys directly and reported their stress burnout levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results Of all participants who agreed to participate in the survey, 39.5% were females and 60.5% were males. Regardless of demographic variables, the MBI-total (37.2 ± 11.71), SoC-13 total (53.81 ± 10.29), and PSS-10 total (21.25 ± 5.5) scores indicated moderate burnout, SoC, and perceived stress levels. According to sub-scores of the MBI; mean emotional exhaustion and depersonalization indicate low-level burnout, and mean personal accomplishment indicates moderate burnout. Long working hours increase burnout. No significant differences were observed according to demographic variables, except for work experience. A positive correlation was found between perceived stress and burnout. Conclusions The findings showed that dental technicians working during the COVID-19 pandemic are influenced by emotional stress due to the outcomes of the pandemic. One reason for this situation might be the long working hours. Working arrangements, under-controlled disease risk factors, and lifestyle changes may improve stress levels. Key Messages COVID-19 outbreak exposed psychological returns to the general population, and especially to healthcare workers. Questionnaire method was applied to evaluate the burnout and stress levels among dental laboratory technicians during COVID-19 outbreak. Moderate levels of burnout and stress perception were detected. Long working time was one of the effective factors.

The influence of occlusal condition at the onset of temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) has been strongly debated for many years. Occlusal disharmony has often corrected by selective grinding in occlusally sensitive patients with pain or dysfunction of muscular origin. This procedure should be preceded by the splint therapy in order to test the occlusal changes. The objective of this case report was to evaluate specific conservative treatment of TMD by occlusal adjustment using selective grinding in an anterior open bite patient. A 39-year-old male patient presented for a TMD treatment consultation, with symptoms such as anterior open-bite and characterized by left and right temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain during mouth opening, complained of difficulty in eating due to masticatory dysfunction, audible joint sounds and reciprocal clicking. The treatment plan involved selective grinding procedure of the mandibular posterior teeth. After the selective grinding approach, acceptable intercuspation of the posterior teeth were achieved. Occlusion remained stable with normal function.