Changes in a light-cured composite resin material used to restore primary anterior teeth: an eighteen month in vivo study

A simple method for treating grossly decayed primary anterior teeth (GDPAT) is of clinical importance since the age of the patient precludes lengthy and difficult procedures. This study assessed the suitability of a light-cured microfilled composite resin material for the repair of GDPAT. The material Durafill was used to restore 81 primary teeth in 24 children (mean age 3.5 y). The restorations were assessed according to predetermined criteria at 6, 12, and 18 months. Results showed a significant deterioration in cavomarginal discoloration and anatomic form (p less than 0.05). Changes in anatomic form were significantly related to marginal adaptation, secondary caries, gingivitis and pain (p less than 0.05). Despite the observed changes, Durafill performed adequately and offers the dentist a simple method for restoring GDPAT.     

Glass ionomers and discoloration: a comparative study of the effects of tea and coffee on three brands of glass ionomer dental cement

This study was undertaken to compare the in vitro discoloration of 3 brands of glass ionomer dental cement, Chemfil, Fuji Type II, and Ketac-Fil. Forty-eight specimens of each brand were prepared. Sixteen specimens of each brand were placed in tea, coffee and, as a control, water. Discoloration was evaluated by means of reflection spectrophotometry at 2, 4, 8, and 16 wk. Analysis of the data indicated that most discoloration occurred during the first 2 wk of immersion in the staining media and a little further discoloration took place between 2 and 16 wk (p less than 0.05). Tea discoloured glass ionomer more than did coffee (p less than 0.05) and Fuji Type II discoloured the most, Ketac-Fil the least whilst the discoloration of Chemfil lay between these two (p less than 0.05).     

Effect of calcium lactate in erosion and S. mutans in rats when added to Coca-Cola

Thirty-six Sprague Dawley rats, 22 days of age, were divided randomly into three groups of 12 each and housed in a programmable feeder. The three experimental groups received either Coca-Cola (CC), Coca-Cola with calcium lactate (CC-CaL), or distilled water. The programmable feeder was set to deliver 17 equal volumes of fluid per day with each feeding period lasting between 80-90 min. All groups were given Diet MIT 305 in one premeasured amount per 24 hr period (ad libitum). The pH of the CC with calcium lactate was adjusted to match the CC without calcium lactate by the addition of citric and phosphoric acids. The test period lasted five weeks. Each week, the food and fluid consumed and the weight gain were measured. Erosion of the teeth was scored by the method of Restarski et al. (1945). ANOVA indicated that there was a significant difference in the amount of erosion among groups. A Newman-Keuls analysis showed that the mean erosion score of the CC group was significantly greater (P less than 0.05) than that of the CC-CaL and distilled water groups (54.2 +/- 0.12; 0.0275 +/- 0.0123; 0.132 +/- 0.070, respectively). There was no significant difference in erosion between the CC-CaL and distilled water groups. There was no difference in the amount of food and fluid consumed among the group of rats. In conclusion, calcium lactate added to CC resulted in significantly reduced tooth erosion in rats.     

Clinical evaluation of patients with temporomandibular joint implants

PURPOSE: An undetermined number of patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) symptoms have been treated with intra-articular disc implants composed of Teflon ethylene/propylene or Teflon polytetrafluoroethylene and aluminum oxide (Proplast-Teflon; Vitek, Houston, TX). These implants have shown the potential to fragment in situ resulting in nonbiodegradable particles that stimulate a giant cell reaction and lead to degeneration of local structures, pain, and limitation of mandibular opening. We examined the possible relationship between TMJ implants and persistent pain, responses to sensory stimuli, quality of life, and systemic immune dysfunction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This case series (32 patients) were referred from university-based orofacial pain centers and private practices from across the United States. Laboratory and clinical assessments evaluated orofacial pain symptoms, neurologic function, clinical signs and symptoms of rheumatologic disease, physical function, systemic measures of immune function, and behavioral measures. RESULTS: We found that TMJ implant patients appeared to have altered sensitivity to sensory stimuli, a higher number of tender points with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, increased self-report of chemical sensitivity, higher psychologic distress and significantly lower functional ability. Systemic illness or autoimmune disease was not evident in this series of TMJ implant patients. CONCLUSIONS: Significant problems were noted on clinical assessment of TMJ implant patients. This is a US government work. There are no restrictions on its use.     

Implant-Supported Rehabilitation of the Severely Atrophic Maxilla: A Clinical Report

Implant-supported rehabilitation in the posterior maxillary region presents a series of challenges because of the possibility of increased pneumatization of the maxillary sinus after dental loss. In cases where significant maxillary bone resorption has occurred, efforts center on maximizing the use of the remaining bone to afford primary stability to the implants. This clinical report describes a patient with extreme maxillary atrophy for whom fixed rehabilitation supported on 8 implants was accomplished. A zygomatic implant, a pterygomaxillary implant, and 2 implants mesial and distal to both canine eminences were placed. This rehabilitation was accomplished with a less invasive technique and in a much shorter time period compared to a sinus lift procedure. One year after prosthetic loading, the clinical and radiological results remain satisfactory.     

Dentofacial features of a family with Crouzon syndrome. Case reports

Crouzon syndrome is an autosomal dominant condition characterized by craniosynostosis with associated dentofacial anomalies. This paper describes the variable clinical features in affected individuals over two generations of a family with particular reference to the dentofacial deformities and discussion of management strategies.