Effect of temperature and duration of post-cure on selected mechanical properties of resin composites containing carboxylic anhydrides.

Resin composites containing carboxylic anhydrides have recently been formulated for use as inlay materials. To optimize the post-cure, the present study measured the effect of post-cure temperature and duration on four mechanical properties of anhydride-containing resin composites. Temperatures were varied between 37 degrees C and 225 degrees C, and durations were varied between 0 and 24 h. An optimum in strength and stiffness was found when post-cure temperatures of 125-150 degrees C were used. Strength and stiffness were found to increase with increasing duration of post-cure. Due to discoloration of the resin composites when post-curing for 6 or 24 h, a post-cure period of 1 h was preferred.     

Plasmacytoma of anterior maxilla mimicking periapical cyst.

An unusual case of plasmacytoma mimicking a large periapical cyst in the anterior maxilla is described. Of the involved teeth, 22 was discoloured and had an open, immature apex, a feature strongly suggestive of the lesion being of pulpal origin. The case was treated by a conservative endodontic approach, but failed to show any improvement. Apical surgery comprising complete enucleation of the cystic lesion and extraction of the involved tooth was carried out. The unexpected histopathological finding was a plasmacytoma.     

Prosthodontic procedures for implant reconstruction. 1. Diagnostic procedures

The University of Sydney Dental School and more recently the Implant Centre have been treating patients with the Brånemark Osseointegration Implant System since 1981. Success depends on close cooperation between surgeon and prosthodontist. This paper describes specific prosthodontic treatment planning procedures based on a general knowledge of prosthodontics, and detailed methods for determining the position, length and alignments of the implants for a specific case by the use of radiographic and surgical templates.     

Mandibular remodeling measured on cephalograms: 2. A comparison of information from implant and anatomic best-fit superimpositions.

This study quantifies the differences in the perceived pattern of mandibular remodeling when two different methods are used to superimpose roentgenographic images of the mandible. Lateral cephalograms for a group of subjects with metallic implants of the Bj?rk type were superimposed twice; first on the metallic implants and then independently on mandibular anatomic structures according to a common "best fit" rule. In this article, we compare the between-superimposition differences in the perceived displacements of condyle, gonion, menton, pogonion, and Point B. Mean differences between the two superimpositional techniques were smaller than had been anticipated. For the 7-year time interval between 8.5 and 15.5 years, the largest mean differences between methods were 2.70 mm in the horizontal direction at condyle, 1.90 mm in the vertical direction at condyle, and 1.52 mm in the vertical direction at gonion. None of the other between-superimposition differences had a mean value in excess of 1 mm. The individual case variability between the two methods was, however, quite considerable, a finding that we believe has bearing on the confidence that can be placed in individual case analyses in clinical orthodontics. A preliminary attempt has been made to represent and discuss the magnitude of this problem.     

An immunohistochemical study of the distribution of immunocompetent cells, especially macrophages and Ia antigen-expressing cells of heterogeneous populations, in normal rat molar pulp.

The precise distribution of various immunocompetent cells in rat molar pulp was immunohistochemically examined by use of seven anti-rat monoclonal antibodies. It was demonstrated that rat molar pulp contained many OX6 (anti-Ia antigen)-positive cells and a large number of ED1 (anti-monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells)-positive, ED2 (anti-tissue macrophages)-positive, and/or OX35 (anti-macrophages and CD4+ lymphocytes)-positive cells. Macrophage-like cells predominated in the central portion of the pulp, while cells of dendritic appearance usually existed in the periphery of the pulp. Double-immunoperoxidase staining revealed that these cells showed some heterogeneity, but the majority could be classified as ED1+/OX6-/ED2+ cells, which may be Ia-histiocytes. Findings also suggested that true dendritic cells may be included in the ED1+/OX6+/ED2- category of cells. A small number of T lymphocytes and plasma cells were also detected. These results suggest that the normal dental pulp contains a variety of immunocompetent cells, with macrophages as the most dominating. Following the exogenous invasion of pathogenic stimuli in the pulp, these cells may participate in the defense reaction by acting as phagocytes or antigen-presenting cells, which are essential for the initiation of immune responses.     

Supplementary insurance: yes or no? An investigation into the motives of patients

Of the group of dentate adults taking part in the Public Health insurance scheme, 78% has opted for a supplementary insurance for dental care after the dental health care reform on January 1, 1995. For edentulous people this figure is 33%. Both for people who choose for a supplementary insurance and for those who did not, financial motives were most important. For the dentates visiting a dentist regularly, the time period between two check-ups has grown from 6.0 months to 6.9 months. The extent to which check-ups are postponed is not different for people with or without a supplementary insurance for dental care.     

The effect of glutaraldehyde base disinfectants on denture base resins

The effect of two alkaline glutaraldehyde base disinfectants on a heat-cured denture base resin was evaluated by the flexural strength, the repair flexural strength, and the surface morphology of the material that had been immersed up to 12 hours in the disinfecting solutions. The flexural strength of the material was not significantly affected by either disinfectant. The disinfectant with phenolic buffer caused surface pitting of the material after 10 minutes of immersion, and softening and swelling of the surface after 2 hours of immersion. No apparent surface change was observed with the regular alkaline formulation, however. Between the two repair resins, the autopolymerized resin yielded greater repair flexural strength than the light-cured repair resin. However, the repair flexural strength of autopolymerized resin seemed to be influenced by either disinfecting solution whereas the light-cured repair resin was not affected.     

Clinical effects of electromagnetic stimulation as an adjunct to periodontal therapy

The clinical effects of electromagnetic stimulation (EMS) on periodontal soft tissues and alveolar bone level were studied among 23 patients. The sides of the arch to receive EMS were randomly selected and exposed for a period of eight weeks following periodontal surgery. The contralateral control sides received surgery only. The electromagnetic signal was a multiple pulse signal with 21 asymmetrical quasirectangular pulses per burst and a burst frequency of 16.9 Hz. The peak magnetic field strength reached 0.46 Gauss. Changes from baseline in clinical attachment level, probing depth, and radiographic alveolar bone level were assessed at six, 12, and 18 months postsurgically. A greater gain of clinical attachment level following EMS was observed only for pockets with initial depth of 1 to 3 mm. There were no consistent differences between test (EMS) and control sides in the change of clinical attachment level or probing depth for pockets deeper than 4 mm. Radiographically, the test sides demonstrated statistically significant gain of alveolar bone level compared with the control sides at six months following surgery. Hereafter, the rates of change were similar in the stimulated and unstimulated sides, and the total gain of alveolar bone level remained greater in the test side throughout the observation period. Within the limitations of this study, it was concluded that electromagnetic stimulation does not promote gains in clinical attachment or alveolar bone level to the extent that it can be recommended as an adjunct to conventional periodontal therapy.     

Radiobiologic risk estimation from dental radiology. Part I. Absorbed doses to critical organs

The aim of the present study was to generate one consistent set of data for evaluating and comparing radiobiologic risks from different dental radiographic techniques. To accomplish this goal, absorbed doses were measured in fourteen anatomic sites from (1) five different panoramic machines with the use of rare-earth screens, (2) a twenty-film complete-mouth survey with E-speed film, long round cone, (3) a twenty-film complete-mouth survey with E-speed film, long rectangular cone, (4) a four-film interproximal survey with E-speed film, long round cone, and (5) a four-film interproximal survey with E-speed film, long rectangular cone. The dose to the thyroid gland, the active bone marrow, the brain, and the salivary glands was evaluated by means of exposure of a tissue-equivalent phantom, fitted with lithium fluoride thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) at the relevant locations.     

No evidence of hypersensitivity to dental restorative metals in oral lichen planus

Twelve patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) suspected of dental restorative metal allergy were examined. All patients were patch tested with several metals including six different mercury compounds. One (8%) patient showed a positive patch test to two mercury compounds whereas no mercury allergy was found in a reference group of 17 patients suspected of dental restorative material allergy but without OLP lesions. The mercury allergic OLP patient was further tested on palatal mucosa but no reactions developed. Moreover, the energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis failed to show any contaminating metals in his OLP lesion. Mucosal biopsies were taken in close contact with amalgam fillings from nine OLP patients but these disclosed no evidence of lichenoid or dysplastic alterations. In OLP lesions, the immunofluorescence findings showed fibrinogen deposition, altered basement membrane and elastic fiber staining and intense Ulex europeaus I lectin fluorescence through all epithelial cell layers. Therefore, the present patch tests did not reveal increased frequency of mercury or other metal allergy in OLP patients and the mucosal biopsies failed to show any histologic or immunofluorescence alterations deviating from idiopathic OLP lesions.