Value of the Manual Dexterity Test as a Screening Tool for Dental School Admissions.

The Manual Dexterity Test (MDT) was originally developed in the 1940s as part of the American Dental Association's Dental Aptitude Test to assist in reducing high attrition rates in U.S. dental schools.

Determining the effect of calculus, hypocalcification, and stain on using optical coherence tomography and polarized Raman spectroscopy for detecting white spot lesions.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and polarized Raman spectroscopy (PRS) have been shown as useful methods for distinguishing sound enamel from carious lesions ex vivo. However, factors in the oral environment such as calculus, hypocalcification, and stain could lead to false-positive results. OCT and PRS were used to investigate extracted human teeth clinically examined for sound enamel, white spot lesion (WSL), calculus, hypocalcification, and stain to determine whether these factors would confound WSL detection with these optical methods.

Shedding new light on early caries detection.

Dental caries continues to be a common chronic disease among various population groups. Patient care can be improved with detection at the earliest stage. However, current techniques do not have sufficient sensitivity and specificity.

Early dental caries detection using a fibre-optic coupled polarization-resolved Raman spectroscopic system.

A new fibre-optic coupled polarization-resolved Raman spectroscopic system was developed for simultaneous collection of orthogonally polarized Raman spectra in a single measurement. An application of detecting incipient dental caries based on changes observed in Raman polarization anisotropy was also demonstrated using the developed fibre-optic Raman spectroscopic system. The predicted reduction of polarization anisotropy in the Raman spectra of caries lesions was observed and the results were consistent with those reported previously with Raman microspectroscopy.

The root and root canal morphology of the human mandibular second premolar: a literature review.

The objective was to review thoroughly the literature of the root and root canal morphology of the human mandibular second premolar and compare the results with the mandibular first premolar. Published studies cite the anatomy and morphology of the mandibular second premolar tooth for more than 7700 teeth. These studies were divided into anatomic studies reporting the number of roots, number of canals, and apical anatomy.

The root and root canal morphology of the human mandibular first premolar: a literature review.

The purpose of this study was to undertake a comprehensive literature review of the root and root canal morphology of the mandibular first premolar. Published studies citing the anatomy and morphology of mandibular premolars report data for over 6,700 teeth. These studies were divided into anatomical studies reporting number of roots, number of canals, and apical morphology.

Precision of Raman depolarization and optical attenuation measurements of sound tooth enamel.

The demineralization of enamel that is associated with early caries formation affects the optical properties of the enamel. Polarized Raman spectroscopy and optical coherence tomography have been used to detect these changes and potentially offer a means to detect and monitor early caries development. The total optical attenuation coefficient as measured by optical coherence tomography and the polarization anisotropy of the Raman peak arising from the symmetric nu(1) vibration of PO4(3-) at approximately 959 cm(-1) have been demonstrated as being sensitive markers of early caries.

Root and root canal morphology of the human permanent maxillary first molar: a literature review.

The objective of this study was to review the literature with respect to the root and canal systems in the maxillary first molar. Root anatomy studies were divided into laboratory studies (in vitro), clinical root canal system anatomy studies (in vivo) and clinical case reports of anomalies. Over 95% (95.

Detection of early dental caries using polarized Raman spectroscopy.

A new technique based on polarized Raman spectroscopy is demonstrated for detecting early dental caries on extracted human teeth. Sound tooth enamel exhibited strong Raman polarization anisotropy whereas early caries consistently showed a lower degree of Raman polarization anisotropy. In particular, for sound enamel, the Raman peak arising from the symmetric nu1 vibration of PO(4) (3-) at 959 cm(-1) is strongly polarized.

Ex vivo detection and characterization of early dental caries by optical coherence tomography and Raman spectroscopy.

Early dental caries detection will facilitate implementation of nonsurgical methods for arresting caries progression and promoting tooth remineralization. We present a method that combines optical coherence tomography (OCT) and Raman spectroscopy to provide morphological information and biochemical specificity for detecting and characterizing incipient carious lesions found in extracted human teeth. OCT imaging of tooth samples demonstrated increased light backscattering intensity at sites of carious lesions as compared to the sound enamel.