Influence of surface wetness on bonding effectiveness of universal adhesives in etch‐and‐rinse mode

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether surface wetness would influence the bonding effectiveness of universal adhesives in etch‐and‐rinse mode. All‐Bond Universal (AB), G‐Premio Bond (GP), Prime & Bond Active (PB), and Scotchbond Universal Adhesive (SU) were evaluated. Initial bond strengths and bond‐fatigue strengths of universal adhesives to both wet and dry enamel and dentin in etch‐and‐rinse mode were determined. Scanning electron microscopy observations of the adhesive interfaces were also conducted. The bond‐fatigue durability of universal adhesive to enamel in etch‐and‐rinse mode was influenced by the surface wetness, unlike that to dentin. The bond fatigue durability of AB and GP to dentin in etch‐and‐rinse mode was different depending on the surface wetness, unlike that of PB and SU. The thicknesses of the adhesive or hybrid layer of resin–dentin interfaces were not influenced by the surface wetness, but the length of resin tags in the wet group was longer than in the dry group. Some universal adhesives with the addition of specific components and optimization of water content can achieve stable bonds regardless of surface wetness, but the surface wetness of dentin is still a significant factor for universal adhesive bonding in etch‐and rinse mode, unlike that of enamel.     

Laser‐Welded Hollow Pontic Full‐Gold Fixed Dental Prosthesis

This article describes a technique for the fabrication of a laser‐welded hollow pontic full‐gold fixed dental prosthesis. Reference to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the U.S. Government. The opinions of the authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the U.S. Government, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.     

Methods and preliminary findings of a cost‐effectiveness study of glass‐ionomer‐based and composite resin sealant materials after 2 yr

The cost‐effectiveness of glass‐carbomer, conventional high‐viscosity glass‐ionomer cement (HVGIC) [without or with heat (light‐emitting diode (LED) thermocuring) application], and composite resin sealants were compared after 2 yr in function. Estimated net costs per sealant were obtained from data on personnel time (measured with activity sampling), transportation, materials, instruments and equipment, and restoration costs for replacing failed sealants from a community trial involving 7‐ to 9‐yr‐old Chinese children. Cost data were standardized to reflect the placement of 1,000 sealants per group. Outcomes were the differences in the number of dentine caries lesions that developed between groups. The average sealant application time ranged from 5.40 min (for composite resin) to 8.09 min (for LED thermocured HVGIC), and the average cost per sealant for 1,000 performed per group (simulation sample) ranged from $US3.73 (for composite resin) to $US7.50 (for glass‐carbomer). The incremental cost‐effectiveness of LED thermocured HVGIC to prevent one additional caries lesion per 1,000 sealants performed was $US1,106 compared with composite resin. Sensitivity analyses showed that differences in the cost of materials across groups had minimal impact on the overall cost. Cost and effectiveness data enhance policymakers’ ability to address issues of availability, access, and compliance associated with poor oral‐health outcomes, particularly when large numbers of children are excluded from care, in economies where oral health services are still developing.     

The risk of moderate‐to‐severe post‐operative pain following the placement of dental implants

In recent years, the implant‐supported dentures have risen rapidly, and thus, more attention was paid to post‐operative pain, following dental implantation. To explore risk factors and establish as well as validate a risk prediction model for moderate‐to‐severe post‐operative pain following dental implantation. A observational study of 352 patients with 563 implants was carried out. The following candidate predictors were collected: age, gender, pain sensitivity, anxiety, pain expectation, operator experience, position, length and number of placed implants, duration of surgery and surgery procedures. The outcome was the presence of moderate‐to‐severe post‐operative pain within the 24 hours post‐surgery. Multivariate logistic regression in combination with bootstrapping techniques was used to explore independent risk factors and establish a prediction model. The mean pain intensity score was 4.21 within 24 hours post‐operatively, while the incidence of moderate‐to‐severe pain was 61.9%. Independent risk factors of moderate‐to‐severe post‐operative pain were flap surgery, surgical template, the interaction between anxiety state and pain sensitivity, the interaction between pain sensitivity and pain expectation and the interaction between implant length and immediate implant. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve was 0.72. The model's sensitivity was 75.7%, and the specificity was 64.2%. The model reliability was good (Nagelkerke's R² 0.226). The risk factors and the prediction model (needs further improvement) can help dentists to identify patients at increased risk of moderate‐to‐severe post‐operative pain following dental implantation.