VISCO-ELASTIC PROPERTIES OF SOFT RELINING MATERIALS – REVIEW

Despite the achievements of modern dentistry in fields of implantology and CAD-CAM technologies, the challenges associated with edentulous patients, treatment are still remaining. Difficulties are getting even greater, when it is a matter of highly atrophied alveolar ridges, covered with very thin mucosa, people suffering from xerostomia, exostosis, very well developed torus palatinus or tuberae maxillae. Problems of the patients with removable dentures usually are poor adhesion and stability, pain, wounds, difficult adaptation with the new dentures, etc. At this moment there are only two possibilities to help these people. The first one is the use of implants; the second one is to use soft relining materials. There are some obstacles that reduce the use of implants in all patients, because of medical, anatomical, psychological and financial concerns. While in the second option the contraindications are quite less

APPLICATION OF SOFT RELINING MATERIALS BY DENTISTS – A PILOT STUDY

Purpose: The aim of this study is to analyse the dentists, awareness of the soft relining materials – their behaviour, advantages and disadvantages. Materials and methods: A direct survey method was applied, as well as a documentary method of gathering statistical information. For the purpose of this investigation, a standard questionnaire has been presented, consisting of seven questions each. Results: The age group have no influence on the frequency of use of soft relining materials in practice. According to 49.57% of the interviewed dentists, the most frequently observed disadvantage is the hardening of these materials in a very short notice. Staining from food and beverage and frequently noticed bond failure from the denture basis were also observed, 18,26% consider discolouration from disinfectants a problem as well. The majority of the interviewed (56,52%) have been answered, that their patients are pleased from the applied SRM. 70,43% have been answered that SRM matches the denture basis and the rest 29,57% have been pointed out that these materials are not very aesthetic. Discussion: Although the majority of the dentists declare, that they are aware of the properties of the soft relining materials, they are a little bit sceptical about their use in practice. On the other hand, the patients are satisfied and find them very useful and beneficial. Conclusion: It can be concluded, that he majority of the dentists are very well acquainted with the soft relining materials, their purpose and way of application

A SURVEY REGARDING THE AWARENESS OF THERMOPLASTIC RESINS AMONG BULGARIAN DENTISTS AND DENTAL TECHNICIANS

Thermoplastic materials (TMs) are used more than a century in dentistry worldwide, but in Bulgaria, there is limited information about their properties and indications. These materials let the specialists widen the application of full and partial dentures even in difficult clinical cases. Objective: A survey regarding the awareness of the properties, the drawbacks and the indications of the thermoplastic materials for dental purposes in Bulgaria. Material and method: Inquiry ranged from April 2016 until October 2016. The participants were 289 dentist and dental technicians in Bulgaria. The questions regard area of expertise, gender, age, years of experience; awareness of the types of TMs, members and working protocol; properties of the materials, personal observations of the participants. Results: Most of the participants work in a private practice, and half of them are familiar with the TMs in general. Conclusion: This study shows that 52% of the participants are aware of have some information about TM, 82% of them know the polyamides, 25% the thermoplastic acrylic resins, 15% polyoxymethylene, 4% polyolefin and only 1,5% Polyan. 42% use these materials in their practice and are familiar with the technological and working protocol and only 36% report that they are aware of their properties, disadvantages and indications

THE PLACE OF RETRACTION CORDS AMONG THE TISSUE DISPLACEMENT METHODS

Gingival displacement is performed to create sufficient space between the finishing line and the gingival tissue, to allow the injection of the adequate bulk of the impression material into the expanded crevice. Control of moisture in the sulcus is also necessary. The variety of methods for tissue management can be broadly classified into surgical and non-surgical. Objective: To analyse the properties of tissue displacement methods, described in the literature for the last 4 years and display the prefered choices of the practitioners. Material and method: A time range from the last 4 years was set. Using the keywords “retraction cord” and “survey,” we found 64 from 115 articles in total, relevant to our topic. Patents, citations and books weren’t included in this review. Results from the overview of the properties of the different tissue management methods indicate that retraction cords take a significant place among them and can be recognised as a classical and well known method. Conclusions: The studies from the articles show adequate sulcal width right after retraction with most methods, sufficient haemostasis can also be obtained. Every each method, however, is accompanied by several drawbacks. Concidering all the quallities of the different tissue dispalcent methods, there is no specific evidence to promote the use of a single technique over any other. The selection of the method for gingival retraction primarily depends on each clinical case. However, the retraction cord technique remains to be the prefered method for gingival management due to its many advantages

Current state-of-the-art and gaps in platform trials: 10 things you should know, insights from EU-PEARL

Summary: Platform trials bring the promise of making clinical research more efficient and more patient centric. While their use has become more widespread, including their prominent role during the COVID-19 pandemic response, broader adoption of platform trials has been limited by the lack of experience and tools to navigate the critical upfront planning required to launch such collaborative studies. The European Union-Patient-cEntric clinicAl tRial pLatform (EU-PEARL) initiative has produced new methodologies to expand the use of platform trials with an overarching infrastructure and services embedded into Integrated Research Platforms (IRPs), in collaboration with patient representatives and through consultation with U.S. Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency stakeholders. In this narrative review, we discuss the outlook for platform trials in Europe, including challenges related to infrastructure, design, adaptations, data sharing and regulation. Documents derived from the EU-PEARL project, alongside a literature search including PubMed and relevant grey literature (e.g., guidance from regulatory agencies and health technology agencies) were used as sources for a multi-stage collaborative process through which the 10 more important points based on lessons drawn from the EU-PEARL project were developed and summarised as guidance for the setup of platform trials. We conclude that early involvement of critical stakeholder such as regulatory agencies or patients are critical steps in the implementation and later acceptance of platform trials. Addressing these gaps will be critical for attaining the full potential of platform trials for patients. Funding: Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking with support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and EFPIA