Radiological study on mandibular ramus asymmetry in young population

Background: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of ramus asymmetries related to age and gender in a young population and the influence of growth spurt on ramus asymmetry. Materials and methods: The study consisted of 776 panoramic radiographs of individuals aged 9 to 21 years (335 males and 441 females). Individuals were divided into two groups with respect of linear growth spurt as age 12 in females and age 14 in males. The first group consisted of females aged between 9 and 11 and males between 9 and 13. The second group consisted of females aged between 12 and 21 and males between 14 and 21. Bilateral ramus heights on each radiograph were measured. A panoramic software programme was used to measure the ramus heights. Quantitative data was tested by Student’s t test. Qualitative data was tested by χ2 test. The intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated for the magnitude error of the measurement. Results: The mean of ramus asymmetry was found to be 2.90% ± 2.58%. Significant differences between the right and left ramus height ratios were observed (p < 0.01). There was a high prevalence (10.8%) of ramus asymmetry, which did not correlate with the age and gender of the patients. Conclusions: This study revealed a high prevalence of ramus asymmetry in 9–21- -year-old population. Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that ramus asymmetry should be carefully evaluated in all ages for the potential relation with temporomandibular dysfunctions and also for orthodontic anomalies

Effect of acid-etching procedure on selected physical properties of mineral trioxide aggregate

P>Aim To evaluate the effect of acid-etch procedures on the compressive strength and surface microhardness of tooth-coloured mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). Methodology White ProRoot MTA (Dentsply Tulsa Dental) was mixed and packed into cylindrical tubes of 4 mm in diameter and 6 mm in height. Three groups, each of 15 specimens were subjected to an acid-etch procedure either 4, 24 or 96 h after mixing. The compressive strength was measured and compared with unetched control groups. Differences between groups were analysed using the Kruskall-Wallis test. A further batch of cylindrical specimens of 6 mm in diameter and 12 mm in height were prepared for testing surface microhardness. Three groups of 15 specimens were subjected to the acid-etch procedure at either 4, 24 or 96 h following mixing. Data were subjected to one-way anova. Changes in the surface microstructure before and after the acid-etch procedures were analysed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results There was a general trend for the compressive strength and surface microhardness of specimens to increase with time. In terms of compressive strength, the increase was significant between 4 h and the other time periods for both experimental and control groups (P < 0.0001); however, there was no significant difference between 24 and 96 h. The increase in surface microhardness was significant between 4, 24 and 96 h (P < 0.0001). In addition, there was a significant difference between experimental and control groups at all time periods (P < 0.0001). SEM examination revealed morphological differences between the intact and the etched MTA surfaces. Conclusions Acid-etch procedures affected the compressive strength and surface microhardness of ProRoot MTA. This indicates that it may be better to postpone restorative procedures for at least 96 h after mixing MTA. Etching created surface changes that might have the potential to enhance bonding of resinous materials

Clinical factors affecting the translucency of monolithic Y-TZP ceramics

The use of monolithic yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) ceramics in aesthetically critical regions is questionable because of the insufficient translucency and opacity of the restorations. Intrinsic (manufacturing process) and extrinsic factors (laboratory procedures and clinical factors) can affect the translucency of monolithic zirconia. In this narrative review, the clinical factors (thickness, cementation type, colour of the monolithic zirconia, surface finishing methods and wear, dental background, cement colour, low temperature degradation) affecting the translucency of monolithic Y-TZP ceramics were reported