Prevalence and distribution of endodontic treatments and apical periodontitis in an Italian population sample

This study was undertaken to investigate for the first time the distribution and prevalence of apical periodontitis and its determinants in an Italian population. A total of 312 participants (191 women, 121 men) received free clinical examination and full-mouth digital X-ray. Data regarding the oral health status of the patients were collected such as the reason for the visit and the incidence of lesions. We examined 8101 teeth, 6.59% of which had been submitted to endodontic treatment and 15.02% of which were lower molars. Lower molars were reported missing more frequently, in detail 16.24%. Moreover 3.89% of the lower molars had developed an apical lesion, whereas only 0.08% of the lower incisors. Periapical lesions were present in 0.29% of not endodontically treated teeth, while in endodontically treated teeth lesions were present in 17.04%. Additionally, 15.65% of the endodontically treated teeth showed incongruous (long or short) seals. A prevalence of women (61.21%) over men (38.78%) was reported indicating that women attend to their oral health more. Endodontic treatment success and failure in over- or under-filled teeth was evaluated with success being verified in 97% of appropriately treated teeth; the success rate decreases in inappropriately treated teeth (by 72.73% in over-filled and 77.71% under-filled teeth). The prevalence of teeth with periapical lesions amounted to 1.35%. Finally, endodontically treated teeth with periapical lesions amounted to 17.04%. Successful treatment can be achieved when disease is intercepted at an early stage while prevention still remains better than cur

Benchmarking matching color in composite restorations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the color samples (A2, A3 and B1) of three different brands of resin composites using dentine masses. 135 discs were prepared (5 plates for each thickness, color and brand of composite material). A colorimetric evaluation, using white and black background, was performed just after preparation. The color was measured corresponding to "Vita" scale and ΔL, Δa, Δb and ΔE values were calculated using a spectrophotometer. The results showed that Value, Chroma and Hue often differ even if the same commercial color and same thickness is used. In conclusion, this study showed that the perfect aesthetics restoration is possible combining individual abilities, experience and correct techniques

Comparison between three glass fiber post cementation techniques

The aim of this experimental study was to compare the traditional cement systems with those of the latest generation, to assess if indeed these could represent of viable substitutes in the cementation of indirect restorations, and in the specific case of endodontic posts

Comparison of two different debonding techniques in orthodontic treatment

The purpose of this research is to investigate whether and how the adhesive bond failure site varied in relation to the material used for the orthodontic bonding and debonding technique applied

Benchmarking matching color in composite restorations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the color samples (A2, A3 and B1) of three different brands of resin composites using dentine masses.135 discs were prepared (5 plates for each thickness, color and brand of composite material). A colorimetric evaluation, using white and black background, was performed just after preparation. The color was measured corresponding to “Vita” scale and ΔL, Δa, Δb and ΔE values were calculated using a spectrophotometer.The results showed that Value, Chroma and Hue often differ even if the same commercial color and same thickness is used. In conclusion, this study showed that the perfect aesthetics restoration is possible combining individual abilities, experience and correct techniques

Indagine sulla capacità proliferativa, staminalità e possibili impieghi delle cellule nella polpa dentaria.

Le cellule staminali da polpa dentaria risiedono in uno specifico microambiente perivascolare, dove rimangono quiescenti e mantengono le loro caratteristiche di staminalità; questo specifico microambiente è chiamato “nicchia staminale” ed è in grado di mantenere, sinergicamente ai fattori ivi presenti, il potenziale differenziativo di tali cellule che tende ad essere perso nel momento in cui le cellule vengono messe in coltura in vitro. Lo scopo della nostra ricerca e verificare tramite le varie tecniche di laboratorio la natura staminale delle cellule estratte da polpa dentaria e di mettere a punto una metodologia di estrazione, separazione, isolamento e crioconservazione delle hDPSCs per la eventuale realizzazione di una bio-banca

Evaluation of over-etching technique in the endodontically treated tooth restoration

The main purpose of a post-endodontic restoration with posts is to guarantee the retention of the restorative material. The aim of the study was to examine, through the push-out test, how bond strength between the post and the dentin varied with etching time with 37% orthophosphoric acid, before cementation of a glass fiber post. Moreover, it has been examined if over-etching (application time of the acid: 2 minutes) was an effective technique to improve the adhesion to the endodontic substrate, after highlighting the problems of adhesion concerning its anatomical characteristics and the changes after the endodontic treatment. Highest bond strength values were found by etching the substrate for 30 sec., while over-etching didn’t improve bond strength to the endodontic substrate

Tooth wear among patients suffering from mental disorders

Assess oral health, treatment needs and the correlation between tooth wear and medications in patients with psychiatric disease. 92 patients (40 male and 52 female) admitted in the Department of Neurology and Psychiatry of the Umberto I Hospital of Rome underwent an oral and dental clinical examination in accordance according to World Health Organization Basic Methods Criteria. One dentist performed all clinical examinations, training and calibration was carried out by an experienced clinical examiner. To measure the degree of inter-examiner agreement Kappa statistics was calculated. Level of tooth wear was assessed using the tooth wear classification of Johansson et al. Exact psychiatric pathology and medications of each patient were registrated. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Ill.) was used to analyze the data. A value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. 34.78% of the sample regarding tooth wear demonstrated score 2. Men demonstrated 30% score 2, and 20% score 3 and 4 whereas female patients 38.46% score 2, 7.69% score 3 and none score 4. Chronic exposure to neuroleptic drugs can cause phenomena of bruxism. There is a direct correlation between tooth wear, psychiatric disorders and administration of certain drugs. Poor oral hygiene and extensive unmet needs for dental treatment were widespread among psychiatric patients

Endo-restorative treatment of a severly discolored upper incisor: resolution of the "aesthetic" problem through Componeer veneering System

Re-establishing a patient's lost dental aesthetic appearance is one of the most important topics for contemporary dentistry. New treatment materials and methods have been coming on the scene, day by day, in order to achieve such an aim. Most dentists prefer more conservative and aesthetic approaches, such as direct or indirect veneer restorations, instead of full-ceramic crowns for anteriors where aesthetics is really important. The aim of the study is to evaluate clinically the effectiveness of a direct composite veneering system in resolving aesthetic problem of an upper incisor with a multidisciplinary treatment approach