Dental student selection—the prediction of success

An investigation undertaken at Birmingham Dental School examined the predictive capacity of selection criteria used in the admission of dental students. Results of examinations taken prior to the start of the university course and the results of an early dental examination were investigated for their ability to predict the success of third year dental students in their first clinical examination. Personality tests were also investigated for their suitability in assessing the theoretical and practical ability of the students.     

Dental materials science — the maintenance of standards

Standards for dental materials are available for both biological and chemical/physical properties. In order to predict the clinical performance of a material by means of standard tests, both the test and the method used in the test should ideally simulate clinical usage. However, owing to lack of knowledge with regard to intra-oral failure modes, and technical considerations in the performance of tests, this ideal may not always be achieved.     

Dental Amalgam Update—Part II: Biological Effects

Dental amalgam restorations have been controversial for over 150 years. In Part I of this Critical Appraisal, the clinical efficacy of dental amalgam was updated. Here in Part II, the biological effects of dental amalgam are addressed.     

Dental Amalgam Update—Part I: Clinical Efficacy

Dental amalgam use has been controversial ever since the Crawcour brothers of France introduced amalgam to the United States in 1833. It has been criticized for its alleged clinical shortcomings and biologic effects. As a result, we thought that it would be useful to provide an update on dental amalgam in two parts. Part I, presented here, focuses on the clinical aspects of dental amalgam, whereas Part II will focus on dental amalgam's biologic effects.     

Dental materials for posterior restorations

Abstract Assessment of the quality of dental restorations by the Ryge system is described. Generally, the quality of dental restorations is shown to be dependent on the technique sensitivity of the restorative material as well as the skill and experience of the dentist. Concerning biocompatibility, adverse reactions related to amalgam restorations are unlikely or scarce, due to small amounts of released mercury. Resin based restorative materials contain a large number of organic compounds and, as such, the toxic and allergenic potentials are unknown. Gold and ceramics turn out to be the most biotolerable dental materials. Based on studies on longevity, data indicate that the median age of amalgam restorations is 10-12 years, of gold castings 13-14 years and more, and of composite restorations 4 years. Data on longevity of ceramic restorations are sparse. Secondary caries appears to be the most frequent cause for replacement of the different restorations, followed by marginal degradation. Secondary caries account for more failures among the resin based restorations than among amalgam. Reviewing the literature, it appears that amalgam is the best and most economic dental material for routine posterior restorations with reasonable durability. Gold is recommended for complex restorations. Resin based composites may be limited to small restorations where cosmetics is the main aspect, as wear and recurrent caries are main problems. Ceramic restorations comprise aesthetic restorations with excellent bio-compatibility, however, data on longevity and marginal adaptation are not encouraging.