Finite element modeling of an intact and cracked mandibular second molar under quantitative percussion diagnostics loading.

Statement Of Problem: Quantitative percussion diagnostics (QPD) has been devised to nondestructively evaluate the mechanical integrity of human teeth and implants, the mechanical integrity of the underlying bone, and the presence of cracks, but the mechanism is not clearly understood.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to better understand the dynamic behavior of a tooth under conditions consistent with QPD by focusing on physiologically accurate 3D finite element models of a human mandibular second molar with surrounding tissues.

Material And Methods: Finite element analysis (FEA) was used to study the force response of dental structures measured by the sensor in a QPD handpiece.

An evaluation of quantitative percussion diagnostics for determining the probability of a microgap defect in restored and unrestored teeth: A prospective clinical study.

Statement Of Problem: Current dental diagnostics are image based and cannot detect a structural microgap defect such as a crack in a tooth. Whether percussion diagnostics can effectively diagnose a microgap defect is unclear.

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to determine from a large multicenter prospective clinical study whether quantitative percussion diagnostics (QPD) could detect structural damage in teeth and whether a probability of its presence could be provided.

Ten-year retrospective study of the effectiveness of quantitative percussion diagnostics as an indicator of the level of structural pathology in teeth.

Statement Of Problem: Conventional dental diagnostic aids are only partially effective in diagnosing structural defects such as cracks in teeth. A more predictable diagnostic for structural instability in the mouth is needed.

Purpose: The purpose of this clinical study with an increased population size was to evaluate the effectiveness of diagnosing structural instability by using the quantitative percussion diagnostics (QPD) system and to evaluate the influence of independent variables on the relationship between normal fit error (NFE) and observed structural instability found during the clinical disassembly of teeth.

Quantitative percussion diagnostics as an indicator of the level of the structural pathology of teeth: Retrospective follow-up investigation of high-risk sites that remained pathological after restorative treatment.

Statement Of Problem: Structural damage may remain even after a tooth is restored. Conventional diagnostic aids do not quantify the severity of structural damage or allow the monitoring of structural changes after restoration.

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective clinical study was to provide an in-depth analysis of 9 high-risk sites after restoration.

In vivo study of the effectiveness of quantitative percussion diagnostics as an indicator of the level of structural pathology of teeth after restoration.

Statement Of Problem: Conventional diagnostic aids based upon imagery and patient symptoms do not indicate whether restorative treatments have eliminated structural pathology.

Purpose: The purpose of this clinical study was to evaluate quantitative percussion diagnostics (QPD), a mechanics-based methodology that tests the structural integrity of teeth noninvasively. The study hypothesis was that QPD would provide knowledge of the structural instability of teeth after restorative work.

In vivo study of the effectiveness of quantitative percussion diagnostics as an indicator of the level of the structural pathology of teeth.

Statement Of Problem: Conventional dental diagnostic aids based upon imagery and patient symptoms are at best only partially effective for the detection of fine structural defects such as cracks in teeth.

Purpose: The purpose of this clinical study was to determine whether quantitative percussion diagnostics (QPD) provided knowledge of the structural instability of teeth before restorative work begins. QPD is a mechanics-based methodology that tests the structural integrity of teeth noninvasively.

An in vitro comparison of quantitative percussion diagnostics with a standard technique for determining the presence of cracks in natural teeth.

Statement Of Problem: The detection of cracks and fractures in natural teeth is a diagnostic challenge. Cracks are often not visible clinically nor detectable in radiographs.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic parity of quantitative percussion diagnostics, transillumination, clinical microscopy, and dye penetration.

Quantitative percussion diagnostics and bone density analysis of the implant-bone interface in a pre- and postmortem human subject.

Purpose: It has been hypothesized that a correlation exists between the density of surrounding cortical bone and the stability of an implant under percussion loading that can be used to quantify the implant's osseointegration. The purpose of the present research was to explore whether quantitative percussion testing of dental implants gives reasonable indications of the level of osseointegration that are consistent with bone configuration and its influence on osseointegration quality.

Materials And Methods: Data from percussion testing of a live human subject, obtained using the Periometer, were compared with corresponding bone density estimates from high-resolution computed tomography images and postmortem percussion probe data.

In vivo evaluation of quantitative percussion diagnostics for determining implant stability.

Purpose: To test in a rat model whether quantitative percussion diagnostics provide reliable, reproducible indications of osseointegration.

Materials And Methods: Titanium implants were placed in femurs of 36 Sprague-Dawley rats. Each animal was assigned to one of six groups defined by one of three time points (2, 4, or 8 weeks postplacement) and one of two treatments (matrix metalloproteinase [MMP] inhibitor GM6001 or control).

Analysis of percussion response of dental implants: an in vitro study.

The Periometer® quantitative percussion system was used to interrogate the interfacial stability of implants in vitro for comparison with X-ray computer tomography (CT) data. Selected implants were placed as per standard practice in bone stimulant polyurethane blocks. The dimensions of the surgical sites surrounding the implants were analyzed using X-ray computer tomography (CT) to determine the quality of support at the implant-bone interface.

A comparison of the marginal adaptation of cathode-arc vapor-deposited titanium and cast base metal copings.

Statement Of Problem: A new fabrication process where a titanium coping, with a gold colored titanium nitride outer layer, can be reliably fused to porcelain; however, the marginal adaptation characteristics are undetermined.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to compare the clinically acceptable marginal adaptation (CAMA - defined as a marginal gap mean of ≤ 60 μm) rates of cathode-arc vapor-deposited titanium and cast base metal copings to determine whether the titanium copings would produce a higher CAMA rate than the cast base metal copings.

Material And Methods: Thirty-seven cathode-arc vapor-deposited titanium copings and 40 cast base metal copings were evaluated using an optical microscope.

Visualization of osseointegration of maxilla and mandible dental implants.

Purpose: We present a new, hybrid visualization method that can assist in assessing the degree of osseointegration of dental implants.

Method: The method is based on radiographic imaging, three-dimensional (3-D) volume reconstruction, and color coding of bone density. It provides both a 3-D image of the titanium implant and the implant site, and a two-dimensional (2-D) profile of the lingual and buccal sides of the implant, exposing possible weaknesses in the supporting bone structure.

Reconstructive materials and bone tissue engineering in implant dentistry.

Periodontal function for natural teeth and dental implants depends strongly on the mechanical integrity of the bone in the maxilla and mandible. Ongoing healthy bone remodeling around a natural tooth or implant is critical for longevity. Chemical factors that influence bone remodeling have been explored with the goal of enhancing the growth and maintenance of good quality bone.

The second 'D.D.S.' degree: a formula for practice success.

Background: Planning for success is critical in clinical dentistry and in the management of a dental practice. Dentists need to apply basic business principles to planning their dental careers as they develop a vision, deliver quality products and services, and surpass patients,' staff members' and their own expectations.

Conclusions: By applying general business management principles, dental practices can develop a logical, systematic approach to the management of a professional services business.

The new dental biology--threat or opportunity?

A clinician argues that the new biology is a threat or an opportunity depending on the perspective practitioners take. New approaches should be seen as extensions of the services dentists can provide patients rather than restrictions. Different parts of the new biology will become available in the office at different times, and will be implemented by general practitioners or specialists, depending on their character.

Definitive diagnosis of early enamel and dentin cracks based on microscopic evaluation.

Unlabelled: The diagnoses of cracked teeth and incomplete coronal fracture have historically been symptom based. The dental operating microscope at 16x magnification can fundamentally change a clinician's ability to diagnose such conditions. Clinicians have been observing cracks under extreme magnification for nearly a decade.

Tissue engineering in dentistry.

Advances in tissue engineering provide an increased level of understanding of the mechanical and chemical stimuli that regulate tissue responses. Oral tissue engineering can be applied to recreate missing osseous or dental structures or correct orofacial deformities, changing the patient's smile, midfacial height, and the soft tissue drape. Biomechanical principles can also be applied to tissue engineering to enhance the bone/tooth or bone/implant functionality and long-term stability.

Beyond cosmetics--the esthetic rehabilitative patient.

The evolution of the esthetic movement has been sustained over time because it touches a base psychological need for most people to feel they are attractive, youthful, and a vital part of society. Through well-organized team diagnosis and treatment planning, patients can benefit from a solid diagnostic and prerestorative foundation that can more predictably produce consistent optimal treatment results. As the chief diagnostician and treatment supervisor, the restorative dentist must continue to advance his or her knowledge and training to provide the other team members with a concise treatment vision for the patient.

Ultrasonic tips for conservative restorative dentistry.

The SL Ultrasonic Tips provide a new option for specific microlesion indications. New designs are continuing to be developed and refined to help enhance the clinician's ability to provide quality treatment in a conservative way. With the increase in the use of aided vision for clinical dentistry, the need for alternative instrumentation that gives the dual benefit of visibility and preservation of tooth structure will become increasingly valuable.