Silicone Additive Manufactured Indices Performed from a Virtual Diagnostic Waxing for Direct Composite Diastema Closure Combined with Resin Infiltration Technique on White Spot Lesions: A Case Report

The present article describes the resin infiltration technique to address white spots lesions presented on anterior and premolar teeth of a young patient after orthodontic treatment and the digital workflow for planning a diastema closure on the maxillary anterior teeth using facial photographs, an intraoral scanner, a facially driven diagnostic waxing using a dental computer‐aided design (CAD) software, and 3‐piece additive manufactured (AM) clear silicone indices. The virtual design of the silicone indices was completed using an open‐source CAD software and included a flexible clear buccal piece, flexible clear lingual piece, and rigid clear custom tray. The unique 3‐piece index design allows a horizontal path of insertion, controlled uniform thickness of the indices, flexible and rigid material properties combination, accurate translation of the diagnostic waxing into the patient´s mouth, and digital storage of the designs.     

D-dimer level predicts in-hospital mortality in patients with infective endocarditis: A prospective single-centre study

Background

Increased circulating D-dimer levels have been correlated with adverse outcomes in various clinical conditions. To our knowledge, the association of on-admission D-dimer and in-hospital mortality in infective endocarditis (IE) has not been investigated. We hypothesized that increased on-admission D-dimer levels would correlate with adverse outcomes when prospectively studied in patients with IE.

Methods

In this prospective study, a total of 157 consecutive patients with the definite IE diagnosis met the inclusion criteria and underwent testing for on-admission D-dimer and CRP assays. The outcome measure was in-hospital death from any cause.

Results

In-hospital mortality occurred in 40 (26%) patients. Increased levels of plasma D-dimer (5.1 ± 1.7 vs 1.9 ± 0.8, p < 0.001), CRP [45(13-98) vs 12(5–28), p < 0.001] were found in dead patients compared with those survived. In addition to S. aureus infection, increased leukocyte count, end-stage renal disease, LVEF < 50%, vegetation size of > 10 mm, perivalvular abscess, on-admission D-dimer (HR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.24-1.40; p < 0.001) and CRP (HR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.09-1.36; p = 0.001) levels were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality. Furthermore, the sensitivity and specificity of D-dimer ≥ 4.2 mg/L in predicting in-hospital death in IE were 86% and 85%, respectively. Moreover, the sensitivity and specificity of CRP levels ≥ 13.6 mg/L were 72% and 69%, respectively.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that on-admission D-dimer level may be a simple, available and valuable biomarker that allows us to identify high-risk IE patients for in-hospital mortality. D-dimer ≥ 4.2 mg/L, CRP ≥ 13.6 mg/L were independently associated with IE related in-hospital death.     

The effect of the application of gaseous ozone and ND:YAG laser on glass‐fibre post bond strength

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the application of gaseous ozone and Nd:YAG laser on glass‐fibre post bond strength. Forty‐two madibular premolar roots were cut, endodontically instrumented and irrigated with 2.5% NaOCl. Post spaces were prepared and roots were divided into three groups (n = 14). The antimicrobial pretreatment was conducted as follows: gaseous ozone, Nd:YAG laser and control (no additional disinfection methods). Scanning electron microscope analysis was made for each group (n = 2). A resin cement was used for luting the posts. For push‐out test, each root was cut horizontally (two cervical, two middle and two apical). Statistical analyses were performed with one‐way anova (α = 0.05). Fracture types were observed. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups (P > 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in cervical and apical segments of laser and control groups (P < 0.05). The disinfection of the post spaces with Nd:YAG laser and ozone had no adverse effects on bond strength of glass‐fibre post.     

Possible hazardous effects of hydrofluoric acid and recommendations for treatment approach: a review

Hydrofluoric acid (HF) is commonly used for conditioning the glass ceramics either prior to cementation or for intraoral repair in prosthetic and restorative dentistry. The present study offers a review of chemical properties of HF used, highlight the possible hazardous effects of this agent, and to recommend the treatment approach for potential risks. Available published information documented in PubMed, Medline, and Picarta literature databases was reviewed. Additional information was derived from scientific reports, medical and chemical textbooks, handbooks, product information, manufacturers’ instructions, Internet web sites of the HF manufacturers. No report was found on the incidence of the hazardous effects of HF in dentistry. Reports from other fields presented incidences of acute and chronic symptoms in exposure to HF. While acute symptoms include skin or nail burns, chronic ones involve systemic toxicity, eye injuries, inhalation and ingestion-related symptoms that can be even fatal. HF can be harmful and particularly aggressive to soft tissues, but symptoms may not be apparent immediately after exposure. The hazardous effects are not based on the pH value, but on the toxicity of HF. Potential hazards of HF known from other applications than dentistry should be considered also in dental applications. Especially the clinicians, who often deal with adhesive cementation or repair of glass ceramics, should take necessary precautions for possible hazards of HF.     

The effect of local corticosteroid injection on F-wave conduction velocity and sympathetic skin response in carpal tunnel syndrome

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of steroid injection for the treatment of the carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), with F-wave parameters and sympathetic skin response (SSR). Seventeen hands of 10 women patients were treated with local steroid injection with 2-month follow-up. All patients underwent single injection into the carpal tunnel. Response to injection was measured nerve conduction studies (NCSs), median nerve F waves, and SSR before and after treatment. To determine the normal values, 42 hands of 21 healthy women were also studied. There was a significant improvement of sensory and motor nerve conduction values when compared to baseline values (P < 0.01). At the end of follow-up period, the median sensory distal latency and the sensory latency differences between the median and the ulnar nerve were improved 35 and 65%, respectively. The maximum, mean F-wave amplitudes and chronodispersion showed a slight improvement with respect to baseline values and controls, but statistical significance was not achieved after treatment. Although no statistically significant improvements were observed in SSR parameters, slightly decreased amplitudes and increased habituation of SSR were noted at the end of the treatment. The present study shows that the local steroid injection results in improvement in NCSs values, but the F-wave parameters were not effectual in short-term outcome of CTS treatment. These findings suggest that the sensory latency differences between the median and the ulnar wrist-to-digit 4 are better parameters in the median nerve recovery after treatment than the median sensory distal latency. Furthermore, the SSR does not seem to be a sensitive method in follow-up of CTS treatment.     

Effects of Neurotensin on the Healing of Experimental Anastomosis of the Colon

The leakage of colonic anastomoses increases perioperative morbidity significantly. The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of neurotensin, an intestinal trophic peptide, on the healing of colonic anastomosis. Forty-two Wistar-albino rats were separated into three equal groups: Group 1 (control group) — segmental resection of the left colon and end-to-end anastomosis; Group 2 (dexamethasone group) — resection and anastomosis, plus 0.1 mg/kg/day of dexamethasone; Group 3 (neurotensin group) — same surgical procedure plus 300 pg/kg/day of neurotensin. Bursting pressure and tissue hydroxyproline content were determined as parameters of the anastomosis strength and healing on the 3^rd and 7^th days postoperatively. On the 3^rd day, mean bursting pressures were 141.4, 146.7 and 73.1 (p = 0.0001) cm of water in the control group, dexamethasone and neurotensin groups respectively. On the 7^th day, bursting pressures were measured as 237.4, 100.6 (p = 0.0001) and 72.7(p = 10^-6) cm of water, in the control group, dexamethasone and neurotensin groups respectively. Between the 3^rd and 7^th days, bursting pressures were increased significantly in the control group (p = 0.0001), decreased in the dexamethasone (p = 0.048), and maintained their lowest values in the neurotensin (p = 0.96) groups. On the 7^th day, mean hydroxyproline levels were measured as 9.20, 3.30 (p = 0.007), 2.86 (p = 0.007) pg, in the control group, dexamethasone, and neurotensin groups respectively. Between the 3^rd and 7^th days, tissue hydroxyproline levels were increased significantly in the control group (p = 0.004), decreased in the dexamethasone (p = 0.03), and maintained their lowest values in the neurotensin (p = 0.87) groups. The anastomosis resistance to intraluminal pressure was weak, tissue collagen content was insufficient, and healing was inadequate in the dexamethasone and neurotensin groups in respect to the control group. We concluded that neurotensin impaired the healing, and affected the strength of the colonic anastomosis.     

Effect of Photoactivated Disinfection on Bond Strength of Root Canal Filling

IntroductionThe aim of this in vitro study was to assess and compare the effect of photoactivated disinfection (PAD) on the bond strength of root canal sealers to human root canal dentin using the push-out test.MethodsFifteen extracted human mandibular premolar teeth with single and straight roots were used. After the clinical crowns were removed from the cementoenamel junction, root canals were prepared with the ProTaper (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) rotary system to the size of the F3 file. The smear layer of the roots was removed using 17% EDTA followed by 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and distillate water. The roots were then randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 5) according to the final irrigation regimen. In group 1, PAD (FotoSan; CMS Dental, Copenhagen, Denmark) was applied to the root canals and light cured for 20 seconds. Group 2 was finally irrigated with a 2% solution of chlorhexidine gluconate, and group 3 served as the control group (NaOCl + EDTA). All the canals were then obturated with the lateral condensation technique using gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer (Dentsply Maillefer) sealer. One-millimeter-thick horizontal sections from the coronal and midthirds of each root (n: 5 × 4 = 20) were sliced for the push-out bond strength measurement. The data were converted to megapascals and statistically analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance and the post hoc Tukey test.ResultsThere was no significant difference among the bond strength of PAD, chlorhexidine gluconate, and NaOCl (P > .05).ConclusionsWe conclude that PAD does not adversely affect the bond strength of the AH Plus sealer to root canal dentin and that it can be used for the final disinfection of root canals.     

Influence of eugenol on the push-out bond strengths of fiber posts cemented with different types of resin luting agents

This study evaluated the influence of eugenol on the push-out bond strengths of fiber posts cemented with different types of resin luting agents. Seventy-two extracted maxillary single-rooted canine teeth were randomly divided into two groups of 36 teeth. Group 1, the control group, was filled with gutta-percha only (i.e., did not receive eugenol), whereas group 2 was filled with a eugenol-containing sealer. All root canals were filled and each group was divided into three subgroups. The posts in each subgroup were cemented with the following materials: subgroup 1 with a 2-step self-etching adhesive system (Clearfil Liner Bond 2V + Panavia F); subgroup 2 with a 1-step self-etching adhesive (Panavia F); and subgroup 3 with a self-adhesive (Clearfil SA Cement). Dislodgement resistance was measured using a universal testing machine. All data were subjected to ANOVA using a factorial design and Tukey test (α = 0.05). The use of the eugenol-containing sealer significantly reduced the push-out bond strength of the fiber post (P < 0.05). The push-out bond strength of Panavia F was significantly higher than those of the other groups filled with the eugenol-containing sealer (P < 0.05). The Panavia F group was less susceptible to the inhibiting effect of eugenol than were the other evaluated groups when the fiber post was cemented in the canals filled with the eugenol-containing sealer.