Prosthodontics in the Third Millenium

The current trends in Prosthodntics will doubtless continue to develop. Can these trends, as regards central areas of prosthodontics, then be identified as community aspects, biological apects, biomechanical aspects and quality of life aspects? We can consider Prosthodontics in a micro perspective- the treatment of the individual patient or oral cavity or in a macro perspective - the use of prosthodontics on a population basis, or even on a global basis. Can we expect the developing countries to catch up with the industrialised countries, and can we expect the highly developed countries to have less need of prosthodontic services during the new millenium just started? Many other questions can be raised when we try to look into the future: • Will the speciality of Prosthodontics develop and be approved in more countries, and will the need for these specialists increase or decrease? • Will the character of Prosthodontics as an academic discipline change? • Will EPA still be an important society in the future? • Will mankind survive the next millenium shift in 1000 years’ time? We can dream about the far future, but perhaps it is wiser to be realistic and only try to make forecasts for the next few decades - which seems difficult enough in itself. Are there any high mountains to climb or deep ravines to cross before we meet again in Geneva in September 2003

Prosthodontics in the Third Millenium

The current trends in Prosthodntics will doubtless continue to develop. Can these trends, as regards central areas of prosthodontics, then be identified as community aspects, biological apects, biomechanical aspects and quality of life aspects? We can consider Prosthodontics in a micro perspective- the treatment of the individual patient or oral cavity or in a macro perspective - the use of prosthodontics on a population basis, or even on a global basis. Can we expect the developing countries to catch up with the industrialised countries, and can we expect the highly developed countries to have less need of prosthodontic services during the new millenium just started? Many other questions can be raised when we try to look into the future: • Will the speciality of Prosthodontics develop and be approved in more countries, and will the need for these specialists increase or decrease? • Will the character of Prosthodontics as an academic discipline change? • Will EPA still be an important society in the future? • Will mankind survive the next millenium shift in 1000 years’ time? We can dream about the far future, but perhaps it is wiser to be realistic and only try to make forecasts for the next few decades - which seems difficult enough in itself. Are there any high mountains to climb or deep ravines to cross before we meet again in Geneva in September 2003

Determination of Residual Monomers Released from Soft Lining Materials with the use of HPLC

Abstract A study was carried out to examine the post polymerized leachability of three non phthalic and four phthalic residual monomers, from twelve commercially available soft lining materials, using HPLC. Specimens of equal dimensions were constructed from each brand of material following a standardized procedure and were stored in three different conditions of storage i.e. distilled water, artificial saliva and a binary mixture of ethanol-water, with the resulting liquids providing samples for analysis in the HPLC apparatus. Three different experiments were performed for each brand of material and each condition of storage, in order to examine the parameters time and temperature. The results obtained from this study suggest that a wide spectrum of residues is diffusing out of the twelve examined soft lining materials. The non phthalic compounds were leaching at high concentrations while all the phthalates examined exhibited different degrees of elusion commensurate with the storage condition, brand of material and type of experiment. The main non phthalic component extracted from all the materials was methyl methacrylate, while the mainly extracted phthalic compound was different from each material. The level of elusion seems to be increasing dependent on time, medium of storage, and temperature as well

The randomized shortened dental arch study (RaSDA): design and protocol

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Various treatment options for the prosthetic treatment of jaws where all molars are lost are under discussion. Besides the placement of implants, two main treatment types can be distinguished: replacement of the missing molars with removable dental prostheses and non-replacement of the molars, i.e. preservation of the shortened dental arch. Evidence is lacking regarding the long-term outcome and the clinical performance of these approaches. High treatment costs and the long time required for the treatment impede respective clinical trials.</p> <p>Methods/design</p> <p>This 14-center randomized controlled investigator-initiated trial is ongoing. Last patient out will be in 2010. Patients over 35 years of age with all molars missing in one jaw and with at least both canines and one premolar left on each side were eligible. One group received a treatment with removable dental prostheses for molar replacement (treatment A). The other group received a treatment limited to the replacement of all missing anterior and premolar teeth using fixed bridges (treatment B). A pilot trial with 32 patients was carried out. Two hundred and fifteen patients were enrolled in the main trial where 109 patients were randomized for treatment A and 106 for treatment B. The primary outcome measure is further tooth loss during the 5-year follow-up. The secondary outcome measures encompassed clinical, technical and subjective variables. The study is funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation, DFG WA 831/2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5).</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The particular value of this trial is the adaptation of common design components to the very specific features of complex dental prosthetic treatments. The pilot trial proved to be indispensable because it led to a number of adjustments in the study protocol that considerably improved the practicability. The expected results are of high clinical relevance and will show the efficacy of two common treatment approaches in terms of oral health. An array of secondary outcome measures will deliver valuable supplementary information. If the results can be implemented in the clinical practice, the daily dental care should strongly profit thereof.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under ISRCTN68590603 (pilot trial) and ISRCTN97265367 (main trial).</p