Polishing systems for modern aesthetic dental materials: a narrative review.

Objectives To review the current literature surrounding chairside polishing systems for resin composites, zirconia and lithium disilicate restorations.Methods A literature search was undertaken and databases were hand-searched for the most relevant articles.Discussion The current marketplace contains a wide variety of polishing systems, each with different abrasive compounds and number of steps.

Quantifying composite restoration removal and cavity re-preparation using novel region-specific volumetric analysis.

Objectives: This in-vitro study investigated the effect of 400-405 nm light used during removal of a composite restorations on volume of tooth tissue removed iatrogenically (IATR) and the volume of residual composite.

Methods: Thirty unrestored premolar teeth obtained via a university tissue bank were evenly allocated to test and control groups; material removal with and without violet light. Three clinicians (blinded to the protocol) prepared class V buccal cavities in the teeth.

Reduced-step composite polishing systems - a new gold standard?

Objectives: To compare the surface gloss and surface roughness of three contemporary composites when polished with reduced-step polishing systems or a conventional multiple-step technique.

Methods: Fifty Discs (8 mm ø x 2 mm) were each fabricated from three composites; Essentia (ES), BRILLIANT EverGlow (EG), and Filtek Universal, (FU). 5 different polishing systems were randomly assigned 10 specimens from each composite group.

Novel artificial eye service evaluation using patient reported outcome measures.

Background: This service evaluation explores patient reported outcomes from patients provided with high definition ocular prostheses (artificial eyes).

Methods: Validated patient questionnaires (FACE-Q, DAS24 and HADS) were utilised to evaluate patient experiences of their new ocular prosthesis. 10 patients were included in the service evaluation, which was conducted between December 2018 and September 2019.

Development and characterisation of dental composites containing anisotropic fluorapatite bundles and rods.

Objectives: To develop dental composites incorporating fluorapatite (FA) crystals as a secondary filler and to characterise degree of conversion, key mechanical properties and fluoride release.

Methods: FA rod-like crystals and bundles were hydrothermally synthesised and characterised by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and F MAS-NMR. Composites were formulated containing BisGMA/TEGDMA/BisEMA and barium-aluminium-silicate glass (0FA).

An approach to understanding tribological behaviour of dental composites through volumetric wear loss and wear mechanism determination; beyond material ranking.

Objective: To investigate the fundamental wear mechanisms of six resin-based composite (RBC) formulations during short-term in vitro wear testing.

Materials: RBC materials were condensed into rectangular bar-shaped specimens and light irradiated using the ISO 4049 specimen manufacture and irradiation protocol. Wear testing (n=10 specimens for each RBC) was performed on a modified pin-on-plate wear test apparatus and wear facets were analysed for wear volume loss using a white light profilometer.

Rehabilitation of Oncology Patients with Hard Palate Defects Part 2: Principles of Obturator Design.

The first part of this series on the conventional rehabilitation of oncology patients with hard palate defects discussed the dental challenges posed by oncology patients and the surgical/restorative planning interface for conventional dental rehabilitation. This article will describe Aramany's classification of hard palate defects, Brown's classification of palatal defects and focus on the basic principles of obturator design which need to be appreciated when prosthetically rehabilitating a patient with a hard palate defect. CPD/CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A good understanding of basic removable prosthodontic theory relating to denture design, dental materials science and head and neck anatomy is a prerequisite when designing an obturator for a patient.

Dental Management of a Patient with Multiple Idiopathic Cervical Root Resorption.

Multiple Idiopathic Cervical Root Resorption (MICRR) is a rare condition. It initiates at the cemento-enamel junction of multiple teeth. The lesions continue to grow until they unite, thereby undermining the entire coronal structure of affected teeth.

Rehabilitation of Oncology Patients with Hard Palate Defects Part 3: Construction of an Acrylic Hollow Box Obturator.

This article will discuss the clinical stages in the fabrication of a definitive acrylic hollow box obturator to restore a hard palate defect. The first two papers described the restorative/surgical planning phase and the principles of obturator design. CPD/CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Each of the clinical stages required to make a hollow box obturator must be performed to the highest possible standard to ensure than an optimal prosthesis.

Prosthetic rehabilitation of the gagging patient using acrylic training plates.

Patients with a hyper-responsive gag reflex pose dentists with a challenging problem. The gag reflex of some patients may be so severe that patients (and operating clinician) may favour extraction of any painful, infected teeth as opposed to more lengthy and complicated procedures such as root canal therapy. However, consistently adopting this approach may render the gagging patient completely edentulous.

Rehabilitation of oncology patients with hard palate defects. Part 1: The surgical planning phase.

This article is the first in a series of three papers that will discuss the conventional non-implant retained prosthodontic rehabilitation of oncology patients with surgically acquired hard palate defects. In this first paper, the dental challenges posed by the oncology patients will briefly be discussed. The interface between the specialist restorative dentist and the maxillofacial surgeon when planning the conventional dental rehabilitation of an oncology patient with a hard palate defect will be discussed in detail.