Composite plastering technique (CPT) for anterior and posterior restorations

Composite plastering technique (CPT) is a novel restoration improvement technique for eliminating and re-contouring the marginal defects. Restoration-related interproximal contour deficiencies such as dark triangles beneath the contact point following direct class II restorations, the gaps at the interproximal cavity step following indirect cementations, and the gaps at the interproximal wall following class III restoration layering procedures can be corrected using the CPT. The technique may also be used as a layering step during the free-hand layering in diastema closure restorations. Contour deficiencies on interproximal surfaces which lead to the renewal of restoration and periodontal damages can be prevented by additional direct composite build-up using the CPT. The technique can be performed either immediately after the restoration directly or long after by using the composite repair protocol. It focuses on filling and re-contouring the surface of the deficiency by using a mylar strip actively under rubberdam isolation. Composite is loaded between the strip and the tooth surface and the strip is pulled slightly in palato-buccal or the opposite direction depending on the location of the defect, to fill it by plastering the composite. It may contribute the longevity of the restoration by improving the emergence profile and correcting the interproximal contour. Re-contouring of the interproximal surface defects by CPT is a useful approach to improve the esthetics as well as the function of anterior and posterior direct and indirect restorations which may also prolong the longevity

Capability of an ultrasonic system to detect very early caries lesions on human enamel

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if changes in dental enamel with 20 micron depth incipient carious lesion could be detected by an ultrasonic system (US). Natural (unground, unpolished) lesions were produced on human enamel by using a microbial caries model. Specimens with lesions were analyzed using Ultrasonic system (US) as test method, Quantitative-Light Induced Fluorescence (QLF) and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) as gold standards. It was found that both ultrasound and QLF could not detect these very early lesions (mean lesion depth: 18.89 μm) created in vitro in the microbial caries model

Shear bond strength of composite resin cements to ceramics

Objectives. The authors investigated the use of ceramic primers combined with self-adhesive resin composite cements on the shear bond strength (SBS) to zirconia and compared them with one conventional resin composite cement. Methods. The authors divided zirconia substrates (N = 550) into three groups: RelyX Unicem Aplicap self-adhesive universal resin composite cement (3M ESPE, St. Paul, Minn.) (group A) (n = 220); G-CEM Capsule selfadhesive resin composite cement (GC Europe, Leuven, Belgium) (group B) (n = 220); and Panavia 21 with Clearfil Porcelain Bond Activator and Clearfil SE Bond primer (n = 110) (Kuraray Dental, Tokyo) used as a standard comparison (SC). The authors examined the self-adhesive resin composite cements without (0) and with (1) the use of a ceramic primer. They measured SBS initially (37°C for three hours), after water storage (37°C for one, four, nine, 16 or 25 days) and after thermal cycling (5°C and 55°C for 1,500, 6,000, 13,500, 24,000 or 37,500 cycles). The authors analyzed data by using descriptive statistics, the Mann-Whitney test, the Kruskal-Wallis test and a c2 test. Results. Application of a ceramic primer did not result in a negative impact on SBS. Specimens in the A1 group (that is, RelyX Unicem Aplicap with ceramic primer) exhibited significantly higher SBS before and after water storage and thermal cycling compared with specimens that were not treated with a primer. The self-adhesive resin composite cements combined with ceramic primer exhibited similar or higher SBS values compared with those in the SC group at each aging duration (that is, water storage and thermal cycling). With respect to G-CEM Capsule, the authors observed a significantly positive effect of the primer after nine and 16 days’ water storage and after one and four days’ thermal cycling. They observed predominantly adhesive failures. Conclusions. Ceramic primer in combination with self-adhesive resin composite cement demonstrated a positive effect on SBS to zirconia and should be used for cementation. Practical Implications. Long-term adhesion to ceramic plays an important role in the longevity of dental restorations. Therefore, the authors recommend that clinicians use a ceramic primer when cementing zirconia restorations

Thickness measurement of worn molar cusps by ultrasound

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an ultrasonic system for in vitro measurement of cusp tips of human teeth. Each worn cusp of 12 molar teeth was measured with an industrial ultrasonic system. The teeth were sectioned and measured by polarized light microscopy. The ultrasonic measurements and histological readings were moderately correlated (r = 0.601, p < 0.01). The ultrasonic system used in this study seemed a promising method for measuring thickness of worn cusp tips of extracted human molar teeth. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel

Caries detection with DIAGNOdent and ultrasound

Objective. The objective of this study was to evaluate the repeatability of 2 nondestructive caries detection methods, ultrasound (ULS) and DIAGNOdent, for the detection of approximal caries lesions, and to evaluate 2 tips provided for the DIAGNOdent. Study design. White/brown-spot lesions (n = 42) were captured by a digital camera, and measured by test methods and confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). Intra- and inter-observer reliability, accuracy, and Cohen's kappa and Spearman's rho statistics were used. Results. At DIAGNOdent, intra-observer agreements were 78.5%, 66.7% for A tip and 59.5%, 47.6% for B for 2 examiners, respectively. Accuracy of both tips was 50% for the first examiner; 45.3% for A and 47.6% for the B tip for the second examiner. All ULS measurements were accurate, reliable, and positively and significantly correlated between examiners. Conclusion. The A tip of the DIAGNOdent was found to be better than the B tip for the detection of enamel caries. All DIAGNOdent and ULS measurements were positive and significantly correlated for both examiners. Both methods demonstrated high repeatability and accuracy. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2008; 106: 729-35

The Importance of Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) for Oral and Dental Professionals and Treatments

Çin’de görülen koronavirüs hastalığı-2019 [coronavirus disease2019 (COVID-19)] tüm dünyada hızlıca yayılan ve günümüz itibarıyla1 milyondan fazla kişiyi enfekte eden ve 100 bini aşkın kişinin de ölümüne neden olan viral bir pandemidir. Damlacık yoluyla bulaştığı bilinen bu enfeksiyonda, ağız ve diş sağlığını ilgilendiren elektif tedavilerinertelenmesi önerilmektedir. Ancak acil müdahaleler devam etmektedir,ağız ve diş sağlığı merkezleri, hastalarla yüz yüze iletişimin olduğu; tükürük, kan ve diğer vücut sıvılarına sık sık maruz kalınan ve damlacıkoluşturan döner aletler kullanılan ortamlardır. Bu bağlamda, ağız ve dişsağlığı çalışanları ve hastaların COVID-19’dan korunma ve yayılımındurdurulmasında önleyici tedbirler alması, enfeksiyondan kişisel korunma ve çevrelerini koruma konusunda sağlık otoritelerince yayınlanangenelgelere uyması gerekmektedir. Bu makalede, COVID-19’un bulaşmasının önlenmesinde hasta değerlendirmesi, tedavi öncesinde klinikortamda sağlanması gereken optimal şartlar sıralanacaktır. Ayrıca tedavi sırasında, diş hekimin ve yardımcı personelin enfeksiyon kontrolünü nasıl etkin biçimde sağlayabilecekleri tedavi sonrasında yüzeylerinne şekilde dezenfekte edileceği, atıkların ne şekilde uzaklaştırılacağı vekliniğin bir sonraki hastaya ne şekilde hazırlanması gerektiği konusundauygulanacak adımlar ayrıntılı olarak ele alınacaktır. Bunun yanında ağızve diş sağlığı çalışanlarının, tedaviler esnasında ergonomik çalışma yolları da tartışılacaktır. Ağız ve diş sağlığı çalışanlarının, COVID-19 ile enfekte olması ve acil tedavi için kliniğe başvuran hastaların çaprazenfeksiyon riski göz ardı edilmemelidir. Bu nedenle Sağlık Bakanlığıtarafından yayınlanan önleyici tedbirlerin takip edilmesi ve bu uyarılaradisiplinli bir şekilde uyum sağlanması çok büyük önem taşımaktadır.The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a viral pandemic that spreads rapidly all over the world and infects more than 1_x000D_ million people today, causing more than 100,000 deaths. This infection spreads via droplets and it recommends postponing elective treatments related to oral and dental health. However, urgent interventions_x000D_ are being continuing. Oral and dental health centers are the high-risk_x000D_ places where the healthcare professionals and patients communicates_x000D_ face-to-face with close contact. Moreover, rotating handpieces may_x000D_ lead droplets, salivary and blood content of patients may highly contagious. Therefore, dental professionals should take preventive measures to prevent COVID-19 from spreading, self-protection against_x000D_ possible CODID-19 infections and to avoid cross-infection. In this_x000D_ article, patient assessment and optimal conditions for clinics before_x000D_ treatments are performed will be reported. In addition, during and_x000D_ post-treatment steps which includes sterilization-disinfection methods and medical waste removal protocols will be reviewed. Also, ergonomic ways, postures of working during dental treatments will be_x000D_ discussed in detail in preventing transmission of COVID-19. The risk_x000D_ of dental professionals to be infected with COVID-19 and cross-infection in terms of public health should not be underestimated. For_x000D_ this reason, preventive measures published by the Ministry of Health_x000D_ should be followed and applied in a disciplined manner

Two-year Clinical Evaluation of IPS Empress II Ceramic Onlays/Inlays

The stronger the ceramic material, the longer the restoration stays in the mouth. The current study evaluated the two-year clinical performance of a strong ceramic system, IPS Empress II, with increased strength on onlay/inlay restorations of molars. Teeth from 35 patients, including three premolars and 32 molars, were prepared for 28 onlay and seven inlay restorations with IPS Empress II ceramics. The restorations were cemented with a highly viscous, dual-curing luting composite cement (Bifix) and evaluated by two examiners using USPHS criteria at baseline (one week following insertion), six months, one year and two years. The baseline scores and recalls were assessed by Wilcoxon signed rank test. Statistically significant marginal discoloration at the Bravo level was found at the 12- and 24-month recalls (p=0.046). One debonding was statistically insignificant. No changes were observed with respect to anamnesis, such as any symptom from the TMJ or masticatory muscles. No restorations were replaced due to hypersensitivity or were missing at the two-year evaluation. Any wear on the restoration, antagonist tooth or any changes of proximal contacts were not observed. IPS Empress II Ceramics were found to be appropriate as onlay/inlay restorations for clinical use under the conditions of the current study

The Efficacy of Glass-Ceramic Onlays in the Restoration of Morphologically Compromised and Endodontically Treated Molars

Purpose: This study evaluated the 4-year clinical performance of IPS Empress II ceramic onlay restorations on extensively restored, endodontically treated molars. Materials and Methods: A sample of 53 morphologically compromised and endodontically treated molar teeth were restored with IPS Empress II ceramic onlays cemented with a dual-cured luting composite. The molars were evaluated by two experienced clinicians in accordance with the modified United States Public Health Service criteria at baseline and 6-month recalls up to a 4-year observation period. The analyses were carried out using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and the Kaplan-Meier product limit method. Results: Four failures were noted. Two onlays debonded; one was reinserted and reluted while the other resulted in lost coronal hard tissue and was restored with a fiber-reinforced post-and-core system followed by a full ceramic crown restoration. The third failure resulted from secondary caries and fracture of the remaining enamel and was restored with a full ceramic crown. The fourth failure was extracted. None of the onlays exhibited wear, fracture of antagonist teeth, or dimensional change at proximal contacts. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study's design and short 4-year observation period, IPS Empress II ceramic onlay restorations demonstrated promising results with a 92.5% success rate