Quintessence International, 11/1990

For more than 1,000 years, Moslems all over the world have used chewing sticks (Miswak) as an oral hygiene aid. In spite of the introduction of modern oral hygiene devices, many Moslems still prefer to use the natural Miswak. Despite its common use, there is a paucity of data about its effects on the periodontal structures. This is the first of a three-part series examining the relationship between Miswak and periodontal health. Part I presents a review of the current literature and a demographic profile of the study population. Patients presenting for routine dental appointments were subjected to a comprehensive interview regarding their demographic data, oral hygiene habits, and use of Miswak. Clinical examination included scoring of plaque and periodontal health.

The handling characteristics and use of a new split-shank post system in permanent molar and premolar teeth were assessed. Five general practitioners placed a total of 103 posts and, after each case, reported an the ease of tooth preparation wad post placement. Overall, the assessments of the handling and use V the system were favorable.

This paper provides an overview of the dental management of patients with microstomia. A brief review of its etiology is presented, along with advice on planning preventive and operative care.

Although polypropylene copings have been used for porcelain-fused-to-metal patterns and recently for pin-retained castings, their use for partial veneer crowns has not been reported. This paper describes the use of copings for mesio-occlusodistal onlays, three-quarter crowns, and seven-eighths crowns. Some of the problems encountered in the fabrication of such restorations can be eliminated. Pattern fractures are almost nonexistent during the waxing stage. Groove or box adaptation to the preparation is easily maintained, and the internal aspects of the crowns are cleaner and smoother.

A technique for the fabrication of a combined obturator and palatal-lift prosthesis is presented. The metal framework embodied the principles of partial denture design. A sequence of steps was used to achieve an accurate representation of the pharyngeal tissues, on which the pharyngeal extension was constructed. This extension was fabricated in an autopolymerizing acrylic resin to avoid lengthy laboratory procedures.

A method of occlusal adjustment that incorporates an anterior deprogrammer was used in 15 patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction and a discrepancy between centric relation and the maximal intercuspation position. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction was first treated by means of a bite plate, and then the new position of the mandible was perpetuated by equilibration according to the proposed technique. The technique was found to facilitate selective grinding and provided the patients with easy lateral movement of the mandible; gradual control of occlusal contact, allowing grinding to be performed progressively on the balancing and working sides and in centric position; and control of the vertical dimension on both sides, obtained through a deprogrammed neuromuscular system.

Composite resins contract during polymerization, and studies have shown that light-cured composite resins shrink toward the polymerizing light source. The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in the adaptation of composite resin to the axial wall in Class V restorations following light curing from the lingual or facial aspects. Polymerization contraction in relation to hygroscopic expansion of the restoration was also investigated. Results showed no statistically significant differences (P .05) in the adaptation of composite resin to the axial wall, regardless of the polymerization technique, the composite resin, or the effects of hygroscopic expansion.

The purpose of this investigation was to study the clinical results obtained with the Gluma dentinal bonding system and Pekalux microfilled composite resin. Sixty esthetic restorations were placed by three different operators. Two years of clinical observation revealed good results. Alpha scores were given to 50 restorations for marginal integrity 52 for color stability and 54 for anatomic form. Bravo scores were given to eight restorations for marginal integrity, six for color stability, and four for anatomic form. Only two restorations had to be replaced.

Occasionally, absolutely healthy teeth are traumatized to the extent that they must be extracted. The use of cylindrical endosseous implants as single-tooth replacements is gaining acceptance. The case of a healthy young adult who suffered a traumatic injury that rendered his maxillary left central and lateral incisors nonrestorable is reviewed.

Six maxillary anterior teeth demonstrating severe chemomechanical erosion were restored using a minimal preparation design and a castable ceramic. Facial and lingual erosion prevented the development of the opposing wall retention and resistance form needed for traditionally cemented ceramic or porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. Therefore, a dent in/enamel bonding system Has used to condition the enamel and dentin simultaneously prior to cementation of an etched and silanated castable ceramic restoration. A resin cement was used as the luting agent.

Retentive-pin twist drills were subjected to four methods of sterilization and then examined to determine possible effects on resistance to fracture, cutting efficiency, and surface condition. Sterilization methods included steam autoclave, chemical vapor autoclave, dry heat, and immersion in glutaraldehyde. Although the steam and chemical vapor groups had lower mean fracture strengths after sterilization, there was no statistically significant difference among the groups. Only the steam autoclave group showed a statistically significant loss of cutting efficiency. Scanning electron microscopic evaluation revealed that only drills sterilized by steam autoclave showed changes in the surface condition or cutting edges.