A review of the physiological and histological effects of laser osteotomy

Osteotomy is the surgical cutting of bone. Some obstacles to laser osteotomy have been melting, carbonisation and subsequent delayed healing. New cooled scanning techniques have resulted in effective bone cuts without the strong thermal side effects, which were observed by inappropriate irradiation techniques with continuous wave and long pulsed lasers. With these new techniques, osteotomy gaps histologically healed with new bone formation without any noticeable or minimum thermal damage. No significant cellular differences in bone healing between laser and mechanical osteotomies were noticed. Some studies even suggest that the healing rate may be enhanced following laser osteotomy compared to conventional mechanical osteotomy. Additional research is necessary to evaluate different laser types with appropriate laser setting variables to increase ablation rates, with control of depth, change in bone type and damage to adjacent soft tissue. Laser osteotomy has the potential to become incorporated into the armamentarium of bone surgery.     

Bonding performance and interfacial characteristics of short fiber‐reinforced resin composite in comparison with other composite restoratives

The purpose of this study was to investigate the shear bond strength (SBS) and surface free‐energy (SFE) of short fiber‐reinforced resin composite (SFRC), using different adhesive systems, in comparison with other composite restoratives. The resin composites used were everX Posterior (EP), Clearfil AP‐X (CA), and Filtek Supreme Ultra Universal Restorative (FS). The adhesive systems used were Scotchbond Multi‐Purpose (SM), Clearfil SE Bond (CS), and G‐Premio Bond (GB). Resin composite was bonded to dentin, and SBS was determined after 24 h of storage in distilled water and after 10,000 thermal cycles (TCs). The SFEs of the resin composites and the adhesives were determined by measuring the contact angles of three test liquids. The SFE values and SFE characteristics were not influenced by the type of resin composite, but were influenced by the type of adhesive system. The results of this study suggest that the bonding performance and interfacial characteristics of SFRC are the same as for other composite restoratives, but that these parameters are affected by the type of adhesive system. The bonding performance of SFRC was enhanced by thermal cycling in a manner similar to that for other composite restoratives.     

光固化复合树脂临床口腔美容修复的研究

目的:探讨针对口腔美容修复中使用光固化复合树脂进行修复的临床疗效和应用价值。方法:选取2004年12月-2006年12月牙科接受治疗的128例患者,均实施光固化复合树脂分层实施塑性固化,对比不同牙科疾病的治疗结果,保持对患者1~6年的随访,观察分析长期效果。结果:45例前牙邻面龋患者治疗优秀36例(80.00%),总有效率91.11%;染色牙、四环素牙、斑釉牙40例患者治疗后优秀32例(80.00%),总有效率90.00%;15例颌面磨损患者治疗后优秀14例(93.33%),总有效率100%;15例折断牙患者治疗后优秀12例(80.00%),总有效率93.33%;8例牙缝间隙修补患者治疗后优秀7例(87.50%),总有效率100%;5例畸形牙患者治疗后优秀3例(60.00%),总有效率80.00%。其中颌面磨损修补优秀率最高,畸形牙修补优秀率最低,两者比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。随访显示共有10例失败,其中1例患者1年之后发生脱落,其余9例患者发生脱落时间为修复后5年。结论:光固化复合树脂用于口腔美容修复,总体临床效果较为理想。光固化复合树脂的选材较为简便,操作过程不复杂,安全性高,且长期效果不错,方便再次修复,值得推广应用。     

Survival rates of anterior composites in managing tooth wear: systematic review

The use of composite restorations for patients with tooth wear is considered as a more conservative treatment option. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature investigating the survival rates of anterior composite restorations when used in managing tooth wear in patients. PubMed and MEDLINE (Ovid) databases were screened for studies from 1995 to 2015. Cross‐referencing was used to further identify articles. Article selection and data extraction were performed in duplication. Languages were restricted to English. A quality appraisal of included studies was carried out using the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy system. Six hundred and sixty‐six articles were initially identified from which eight articles were full‐text reviewed. Six articles involving five studies were selected for inclusion. Three studies were prospective and two retrospective. Included studies involved placement of 772 direct and indirect anterior composite restorations in 100 patients with follow‐up periods between 5 months and 10 years. The survival rates of anterior composites were >90% and 50% at 2·5 and 5 years, respectively. Posterior occlusion was re‐established in 91% of patients within 18 months. Meta‐analysis could not be performed due to the heterogeneity of included studies. The systematic review's overall strength of recommendation was graded B. There is evidence to support the use of anterior composite restorations at an increased vertical dimension of occlusion in the short/medium‐term management of tooth wear. Long‐term reporting of outcomes remains limited. Further research is needed with standardised study design, detailed reporting of outcomes and long‐term review.     

Droplet‐in‐Droplet Polymer Blend Microstructures: a Potential Route Toward the Recycling of Co‐mingled Plastics

The problem of recycling co‐mingled plastics is primarily related to the problem of multiple interfaces in multicomponent immiscible polymer blends. Here, we study a new concept where thermodynamically driven polymer segregation and phase encapsulation are used to locate multiple phases within one of two major phases. Starting from a co‐continuous blend of HDPE and PP, hierarchically encapsulated PS/PMMA/PC composite droplets are found to be exclusively located within PP when the principal HDPE/PP interface is compatibilized. The mechanical properties of the structures demonstrate an improved tensile strength and modulus as well as ductility under the appropriate processing conditions. This approach has potential as a novel route toward the recycling of co‐mingled plastics.     

Surgical anatomy of hand allotransplantation

The hand is the most refined anatomical terminal device known and the leading edge of the sensorium. Further, the hand is second only to the face in terms of visibility and is a vitally important aspect aesthetic and body image. Hand amputation represents a devastating loss of function and independence. Restoring function after limb loss is a challenge and traditionally includes autologous methods and prosthetics. In the last 15 years, hand transplantation has become a viable option for select patients. Clin. Anat. 26:578–583, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.