Quintessence International, 06/1996

Three restorative materials used for cervical erosion/abrasion lesions were evaluated clinically after 10 years. Thirty adult patients with at least four cervical lesions received one restoration of each of Ketas-Fil, finished immediately, Ketac-Fil, finished after a delay, Chelon-Fil (all glass-ionomer cements), and Cervident (a resin composite). Restorations were placed without any tooth preparations. Eighteen patients returned for their 10-year examinations. Two experienced examiners provided the periodic evaluations. Complete retention at 10 years was 83% for Ketac-Fil, finished immediately; 78% for Ketac-Fil, finished after a delay; 67% for Chelon-Fil; and 17% for Cervident. All three glass-ionomer restorative materials exhibited statistically significantly greater retention than did Cervident. When a noninvasive procedure is desired, glass-ionomer materials are the restorative material of choice for abrasion/erosion lesions because of their long-term retention values.

Clinical experience with an innovative, dual-action, in-office bleaching regimen that has both chemical and photoactivated mechanisms is described. This internal bleaching procedure was performed in three patients, each with different characteristics. In general, the results obtained were satisfactory. In the 6-month period of follow-up, no adverse effects related to the application of the bleaching agent were found. The different factors that may have influenced the results achieved are discussed.

The clinical effectiveness of a manual ionic toothbrush in the removal of dental plaque and the reduction of gingivitis was evaluated. A double-blind study evaluated the effect of a small, imperceptible electric current on established dental plaque and gingivitis during toothbrushing. Sixty-four adults completed the study. Gingivitis and plaque scores were determined at baseline and after 3 and 6 months. The baseline indices of the two groups were well balanced. At each examination, the participants were instructed how to hold the toothbrush properly and reminded to change brush heads every 4 weeks. Statistically significant improvements in Loe Gingival Index scores were observed from baseline to 6 months between the controla nd test groups and within the test group. The Quigley-Hein Plaque Index scores also showed a significant improvement from baseline to 6 months between the control and test groups and within the test group.

This study evaluated the 6-month clinical response to sustained-release tetracycline fibers used alone or with scaling and root planing in 25 adult periodontal maintenance patients. All subjects had at least one pocket >= 4.0 mm that bled on probing and required therapy. Tirty-six teeth were treated with tetracycline fibers for 7 to 12 days; twelve of the 36 teeth also received scaling and root planing. The selection of teeth for scaling and root planing was based on the condition of the teeth. Therapeutic results were evaluated by changes in probing depth and frequency of bleeding on probing. Use of tetracycline fibers and fibers with scaling produced 1.8- and 1.7-mm reductions in probing depth, respectively, 1 month after treatment; reductions declined to 1.3 and 0.8 mm at 3 months, but rebounded to 1.5 and 1.3 mm at 6 months. The percentage of teeth exhibiting bleeding on probing decreased from 100% at baseline to 68% and 50% in the fiber and fiber plus scaling groups, respectively, at 6 months. None of the diffeerences was statistically significant. Tetracycline fibers clearly decreased clinical signs of periodontal inflammation. Addition of scaling and root planing at the time of fiber placement furtehr decreased, although not significantly, the degree of inflammation.

Titanium has become a mterial of great interest in prosthodontics in recent years. A growing trend involves the use of titanium as an economical and biocompatible replacement for existing alloys for fixed and removable prostheses. However, long-term results of titanium casting, joining, and porcelain bonding have to be evaluated before this wonder metal can be used routinely in clinical dentistry. This article describes the development and properties of titanium and reviews the literature related to the use of titanium in prosthodontics, for the purpose of evaluating the present status and future trends in its use.

The purpose of this study was to determine the amount of fluoride dentifrice ingested by mentally handicapped children during toothbrushing. A group of 24 mentally handicapped children, aged between 3 and 12 years, were used in the study. They were encouraged to brush in their usual way with a sodium fluoride dentifrice from a preweighed tube. Rinsings and excell dentifrice were collected, and fluoride analyses were performed on the rinsings and controls. The amount of fluoride retained was in the range of 14 to 269 ug, with a mean of 87 ug, equivalent to a mean retention of 23.5% of dentifrice. This is similar to findings of studies of children of normal intelligence. Thus, fluoridated dentifrices should be used by mentally handicapped children, but, as with all young children, small amounts of dentifrice should be used, preferably under direct adult supervision.

The safety and efficacy of a home-use carbamide peroxide tooth-whitening procedure were evaluated in a double-blind experimental design. Fifty-two adults were randomly assigned to experimental and control (placebo gel)groups. The products were applied in a custom-fitted tray and used for 5 consecutive nights in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. Tooth color changes from baseline were measured with a small-area colorimeter. Concurrently, electric pulp test and peridontal indices were measured. At the end of 6 months, the teeth in the active group had a statistically significant greater mean color change than did the placebo controls. The mean color change differed significantly by tooth type. No statistically significant changes in vitality, sulcus depth, or Gingival Index were found in the treatment group.

Fracture and debonding of plastic teeth from the denture base are common clinical problems. In this study, a shear, peeling, load was applied to the tooth-denture base junction. The bond strength of a high-impact, heat-cured denture base to three commercial brands of denture teeth, Bioform, Dentacryl, and TNR, was assessed. Ninety-three percent of the specimens exhibited cohesive failure within the body of the tooth and not adhesive failure at the tooth-denture base junction. Some of the teeth exhibited brittle fracture while others underwent distortion on loading. Dentacryl displayed the highest cohesive bond strenth, followed by Bioform and TNR.