Multicriterial Analysis Application in Mine Action

The author proposes how multicriterial analysis should be used to select areas where demining will have the strongest impact on risk reduction, return of displaced persons, and revitalisation of economic and social life

Mine Problem in the Region of Southeastern Europe: The ITF and SEEMACC

SE Europe is one of the most mine-affected regions in the world. This article examines the extent of the mine and UXO problem in each of the mine-affected countries in SE Europe, as well as discusses the steps being taken by various organizations in order to solve the mine-related problems in the region

Hierarchic Approach to Mine Action in Croatia

The Republic of Croatia is one of the 10 most mine-contaminated countries in the world. There are almost 750,000 mines on 1,630 sq km of mine-suspected areas. About 170 sq km are actual minefields, while the rest of the area is contaminated with individual explosive ordnance. Mine-affected areas that have not been used for years, pose a huge economic problem and obstruct infrastructure development, reconstruction, and return of displaced persons to their normal lives. They also pose a significant safety problem. In particular, any activities carried out in mine-contaminated areas significantly threaten human lives and material assets. It is estimated that removing all the mines in the Republic of Croatia would cost approximately $1.473 billion (U.S.) and would require 10 years of intensive work

The Effect of Heating and Ultrasound on the Shear Bond Strength of Glass Ionomer Cement

The aim of this study was to compare the influence of externally applied »command set« methods (heat, ultrasound) on shear bond strength to enamel of several glass ionomer cements (GIC). The vestibular surfaces of 180 extracted premolars were wet ground until a flat enamel surface was created, and divided into three groups. Three restorative GICs (Fuji IX GP Fast, Fuji Triage, Ionofil Molar AC) were cured in three ways: standard (SC), ultrasonic excitation (UC) and by an external heat source (HC). In each group, teeth were conditioned in two ways: 30 with 10% polyacrylic acid and 30 without conditioning. The GIC were used to fill teflon molds (3x4 mm). The samples were loaded in a Universal testing machine (LrxMaterial TestingMachine) at a 1 mm/min crosshead speed. Results showed that heat cured Fuji IX on conditioning enamel had significantly greater shear bond strength (13.3 MPa) than all other tested groups (8.6–10.8 MPa) (p<0.001). The mean shear bond strength in GIC with SC and without enamel conditioning was 3.6–5 MPa and had significantly lower bond strength. Heating of GIC increase bond strength, improves the properties of GIC restoration and can be recommended for use as a »command set« method

THERMO-CURED GLASS IONOMER CEMENTS IN RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY

Numerous positive properties of glass ionomer cements including biocompatibility, bioactivity, releasing of fluoride and good adhesion to hard dental tissue even under wet conditions and easy of handling are reasons for their wide use in paediatric and restorative dentistry. Their biggest drawbacks are the weaker mechanical properties. An important step forward in improving GIC’s features is thermo-curing with the dental polymerization unit during setting of the material. Due to their slow setting characteristics the GIC is vulnerable to early exposure to moisture. After thermo curing, cements retain all the benefits of GIC with developed better mechanical properties, improved marginal adaptation, increased microhardness and shear bond strength. Adding external energy through thermocuring or ultrasound during the setting of conventional GIC is crucial to achieve faster and better initial mechanical properties. Further clinical studies are needed to confirm these findings

The Effect of Heating and Ultrasound on the Shear Bond Strength of Glass Ionomer Cement

The aim of this study was to compare the influence of externally applied »command set« methods (heat, ultrasound) on shear bond strength to enamel of several glass ionomer cements (GIC). The vestibular surfaces of 180 extracted premolars were wet ground until a flat enamel surface was created, and divided into three groups. Three restorative GICs (Fuji IX GP Fast, Fuji Triage, Ionofil Molar AC) were cured in three ways: standard (SC), ultrasonic excitation (UC) and by an external heat source (HC). In each group, teeth were conditioned in two ways: 30 with 10% polyacrylic acid and 30 without conditioning. The GIC were used to fill teflon molds (3x4 mm). The samples were loaded in a Universal testing machine (LrxMaterial TestingMachine) at a 1 mm/min crosshead speed. Results showed that heat cured Fuji IX on conditioning enamel had significantly greater shear bond strength (13.3 MPa) than all other tested groups (8.6–10.8 MPa) (p<0.001). The mean shear bond strength in GIC with SC and without enamel conditioning was 3.6–5 MPa and had significantly lower bond strength. Heating of GIC increase bond strength, improves the properties of GIC restoration and can be recommended for use as a »command set« method

How to Intervene in the Caries Process: Early Childhood Caries – A Systematic Review

For an Organisation for Caries Research/European Federation of Conservative Dentistry consensus, this systematic review is aimed to assess the question of how to manage the caries process in the case of early childhood caries (ECC). Medline via PubMed was searched systematically regarding management of ECC. First priority was existing systematic reviews or randomized clinical trials otherwise cohort studies dealing with management of ECC, primarily with carious anterior teeth. After data extraction, the potential risk of bias was estimated depending on the study types, and the level of evidence was evaluated. Regarding management of ECC, results are presented for silver diamine fluoride (SDF, n = 5), nonoperative caries management (NOCM, n = 10), and restorative approaches (RA, n = 8) separately, as different kinds of studies with different levels of evidence were found for the different aspects in the management of ECC. The 5 systematic reviews on SDF showed a high potential for arrest of ECC on a high level of evidence. In NOCM, a low level of evidence for a moderate effect of fluoride varnish in arresting or remineralizing, especially non-cavitated lesions, was assessed. For RA in carious anterior upper primary teeth, a low level of evidence was found for higher failure rates of glass ionomer cement and composite fillings than composite strip crowns even if placed under general anaesthesia and especially compared to other crowns (stainless steel and zirconia). In conclusions, ECC may be managed successfully with nonoperative (SDF, regular fluoride application) and moderately well with operative approaches, but the decision is affected by many other variables such as pulpal involvement, the child’s cooperation, or a general anaesthesia setting

An In-Vitro Analysis of Microleakage of Self-Adhesive Fissure Sealant vs. Conventional and GIC Fissure Sealants

Background: The microleakage of a self-adhesive composite, a glass ionomer fissure sealant and a conventional resin-based fissure sealant were compared. Materials and methods: Fifty intact human molars with well-delineated pits and fissures were used and divided into 5 groups (n = 10). Group 1 specimens were etched (37% phosphoric acid) and sealed with conventional resin-based sealant (Helioseal F, Ivoclar Vivadent). Both Group 2 and 3 specimens were sealed with self-adhesive composite (Constic, DMG), but in Group 3, specimens were also etched (37% phosphoric acid). In Groups 4 and 5, specimens were sealed with a GIC sealant (Equia Fill, GC Company), but Group 5 was also exposed to thermo-light curing (TLC) with a LED polymerization unit (60 s). Subsequently, specimens were thermocycled (1800 cycles, dwelling time of 10 s), immersed in 50% silver nitrate solution (45 min), placed in a photo-developing solution (Kodak) under a lamp (120 W, 6 h), and cut into 3&#8211;4 slices. Marginal leakage (dye penetration depth) was evaluated under a light microscope and the worst score of each specimen was recorded (0&#8211;3). Results: Constic showed the lowest microleakage (Constic: 80% scored 0 or 1), followed by Helioseal (30% scored 0 or 1) (p = 0.037). Microleakage in groups sealed with Constic (with and without etching) were not different (p = 0.473). The quality of seal deteriorated after etching when Constic was used. However, TLC improved the seal when GIC sealant was used (p = 0.016) and also in comparison to Helioseal (p = 0.004). The TLC GIC sealant (Equia Fill, 90% scored 0 or 1) performed well, similar to self-adhesive composite (Constic, 80% scored 0 or 1) (p = 0.206). Conclusion: The present findings suggest that the self-adhesive sealant and the GIC sealant that were exposed to TLC had comparable sealing ability and superior sealing characteristics compared to the conventional resin-based sealant. A long-term clinical trial is needed to assess the intra-oral performance