Dentin bond strength of bioactive cement in comparison to conventional resin cement when photosensitized with Er,Cr:YSGG Laser

Objective:

The purpose of the present study was to assess dentin shear bond strength (SBS) and mode of bond failure of bioactive cement (BA) in comparison to conventional resin cement when photosensitized by Er,Cr: YSGG Laser (ECL).

Methods:

The present in-vitro study was carried out from March 2019 to May 2019. Sixty permanent non-carious, intact, non-fractured molars were isolated and mounted vertically in acrylic resin. Buccal surface of each molar tooth was ground, polished and surface treated with ECL. Ketac conditioner was applied on the surface washed and air dried surface. Tetric -N-Bond adhesive was applied on forty-five samples and light cured. The specimens were allocated into four groups (n=15) according to the type of cement used i.e., Calibra (C), BA, Variolink II (V) and Maxcem-Elite (ME). For SBS testing was performed using the universal testing machine. Eight samples from each group were assessed for modes of failure. Means and standard deviations were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s post hoc test at a significance level of p < 0.05.

Results:

The highest mean SBS was observed in group ECL-C (21.55±3.08). The lowest mean SBS was displayed in group ECL-ME (14.25±3.55). Mean SBS values for group ECL-C (21.55±3.08) and group ECL-V (20.74±4.15) were comparable (p <0.05). Similarly, SBS values of group ECL-BA (15.48±3.62) and group ECL-ME (14.25±3.55) were comparable (p <0.05).

Conclusion:

Dentin surface conditioned with Er,Cr: YSGG and bonded to C and V cements exhibit favourable bond strength values.

Influence of space size of abutment screw access channel on the amount of extruded excess cement and marginal accuracy of cement-retained single implant restorations

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The detrimental effect of extruded excess cement on peri-implant tissue has been well documented. Although several techniques have been proposed to reduce this effect by decreasing the amount of extruded cement, how the space size of the abutment screw access channel (SAC) affects the amount of extruded cement and marginal accuracy is unclear.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of the size of the unfilled space of the abutment SAC on the amount of extruded excess cement and the marginal accuracy of zirconia copings.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twelve implant replicas and corresponding standard abutments were attached and embedded in acrylic resin blocks. Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) zirconia copings with a uniform 30-μm cement space were fabricated by 1 dental technician using the standard method. The copings were temporarily cemented 3 times at different sizes of the left space of the SAC as follows: the nonspaced group (NS), in which the entire SAC was completely filled, the 1-mm-spaced group (1MMS), and the 2-mm-spaced group (2MMS). Abutments and crowns were ultrasonically cleaned, steam cleaned, and air-dried. The excess cement was collected and weighed. To measure the marginal accuracy, 20 measurements were made every 18 degrees along the coping margin at ×300 magnification and compared with the pre-cementation readings. One-way ANOVA was calculated to determine whether the amount of extruded excess cement differed among the 3 groups, and the Tukey test was applied for multiple comparisons (α=.05).

RESULTS

The mean weights (mg) of extruded excess cement were NS (33.53 ±1.5), 1MMS (22.97 ±5.4), and 2MMS (15.17 ±5.9). Multiple comparisons showed significant differences in the amount of extruded excess cement among the 3 test groups (P<.001). The mean marginal discrepancy (μm) of the pre-cemented group (29.5 ±8.2) was significantly different (P<.01) from that of the NS (72.3 ±13.7), the 1MMS (70.1 ±19), and the 2MMS group (70.1 ±18.8). No significant differences were found in marginal accuracy among the 3 test groups (P=.942).

CONCLUSIONS

Within the limitations of this in vitro study, leaving a 2-mm space in the SAC reduced the amount of extruded excess cement by 55% in comparison with the nonspaced abutments. However, no effect was found on the marginal accuracy of zirconia copings.

Tooth Numbering System in Saudi Arabia: Survey

OBJECTIVE

There were four aims of the current study: (1) to find the most commonly used Tooth Numbering System (TNS) in Saudi Arabia in both academic and non-academic institutions, (2) to identify the most commonly taught TNS in dental colleges, (3) to understand the reasons why dental practitioners prefer to use a specific TNS, and (4) the consequences of using more than one TNS.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

Between May 2014 and May 2015, a self-administered questionnaire containing 21 questions was randomly distributed to 121 individuals (20 deans of dental colleges and 101 heads of governmental dental centers).

RESULTS

The most commonly used TNS is the Fédération Dentaire Internationale (FDI) TNS for both primary and permanent dentitions in both academic and non-academic institutions, followed by the Palmer TNS and then the Universal TNS.

CONCLUSION

The FDI TNS proved to be the most taught TNS in dental colleges in Saudi Arabia. It is advised that the FDI TNS be implemented as a unified system in Saudi Arabia due to the advantages of this particular TNS and the benefits of using one single TNS.

Dental Implant Length and Diameter: A Proposed Classification Scheme

PURPOSE

To propose a length-and-diameter-based classification scheme for dental implants to standardize terminology in the dental literature and communication between interested parties.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was mainly based on searching two major resources: published scientific research papers and 14 of the most popular dental implant manufacturers. Indexed databases were searched from January 2004 up to and including February 2016 using the keywords "dental implant length" and "dental implant diameter." Retrieved titles and abstracts were screened, and related full-text articles were reviewed. Full-text articles that clearly stated the terms and measurements of implants used were included and considered for proposing this classification scheme.

RESULTS

The initial search for implant diameter and length yielded 1007 and 936 articles, respectively. A total of 85 studies (41 about diameter, 44 about length) were selected and reviewed. The remaining studies (966 about diameter, 892 about length) that did not abide by the eligibility criteria were excluded. The terms "long," "short," "standard," "wide," and "narrow" were the most commonly used terms in the literature. A classification scheme for implants by diameter and length was proposed.

CONCLUSIONS

Indexed publications contain a variety of terms used by authors to describe diameter and length of dental implants without conformity and standardization. The classification scheme proposed in this article could serve as a reference for interested parties.

A survey of left-handed dental students and interns in Saudi Arabia

The purpose of this study was to survey left-handed (LH) dental students and interns concerning whether they face any problems in their dental education or in their practice of dentistry. The questionnaires were distributed in four dental colleges in different regions in Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was comprised of sixteen questions to assess the following issues: demographic information, difficulties in dental school or dental practice due to left-handedness, preferred hand in performing different dental procedures, and musculoskeletal complications. The study found that the percentage of LH dental students was around 7 percent (110 out of 1,660). More than half of these participants (n=56) reported that being LH is not a problem in general, while when performing the required dental work, around 51 percent (n=56) agreed to having a problem. The majority (68 percent; n=75) reported that they had a problem with having RH instructors, and 84.5 percent (n=93) responded that their institution is not properly equipped to accommodate LH students. Only 34 percent (n=37) agreed that using facilities of an RH dentist may cause musculoskeletal complications to an LH dentist. The results of this study suggest that dental schools should provide LH students with appropriate equipment and a proper learning environment.

Evaluation of different esthetic smile criteria

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the existence of different esthetic smile criteria as determined on the smiles of celebrities, which were considered by lay people to be beautiful.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An Internet search for "best smile" and "female celebrities" in the years 2007 and 2008 identified 50 celebrities who were voted to have beautiful smiles. Another search was made for images of these celebrities that showed the entire face with an open smile. The images were analyzed using Digimizer image analysis software for different esthetic smile criteria.

RESULTS

Eighty percent of the sample was classified as having an average upper lip position, 62% showed upward upper lip curvature, and 78% had a parallel smile line. Forty-two percent of the images showed the maxillary anterior teeth not touching the lower lip, while 34% were touching, and 24% slightly covered it. Sixty percent displayed up to the second premolar, and 32% displayed up to the first molar when smiling. Midline deviation was detected in 36% of the sample. Diastema and golden proportion were not seen in any of the subjects.

CONCLUSION

Female celebrities voted to have the best smile by lay people showed most of the esthetic smile criteria with slight variations, except for the golden proportion. The opinions and perceptions of lay people about beauty should be studied and evaluated.