Physical effects of non-cavitated explorer probing on enamel smooth-surface carious lesions.

Purpose: To assess the physical effects of explorer probing on non-cavitated smooth-surface enamel carious lesions.

Methods: Extracted teeth with white enamel decalcification (ICDAS 2) were used. Indentations were made in decalcified and non-decalcified regions with a #23 explorer using "scratch" or "poke" application and 100g, 300g or 600g force.

Preliminary Evidence That Bioactive Cements Occlude Artificial Marginal Gaps.

Purpose: The objective of this preliminary laboratory study was to explore whether bioactive dental cements have the ability to seal marginal gaps as compared with other classes of dental cements.

Materials And Methods: Tooth discs (dentin/enamel) were positioned adjacent to a second disc of one of five possible dental cements (two bioactive and three conventional) and separated by a 50-μm Mylar film, creating a controlled gap between the two discs. The edges of the tooth segments were abraded to expose dentin such that the dentin interface was positioned opposite the cement.

Conventional polishing techniques versus a nanofilled surface sealer: preliminary findings regarding surface roughness changes and analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the effect ofa nanofilled resin surface sealer (Seal&Protect) on the surface roughness of a hybrid composite resin.

Methods: Twelve 15 mm x 2 mm disc composite resin specimens (TPH Spectrum Shade C-2) were fabricated and light-cured under controlled conditions. Specimens were divided into six groups of two discs each.

Effects of a 36% tooth bleaching gel on zinc phosphate cement.

Purpose: To assess the effect of a 36% hydrogen peroxide bleaching gel on the roughness, microhardness, indentation modulus, and micromorphology of zinc phosphate cement aged 24 h or 1 week, compared to cement not exposed to bleaching gel.

Methods: Dynamic indentation was performed for microhardness and indentation modulus. Contact profilometry was performed for surface roughness.

The Relative Location of the Dye Staining Endpoint Indicated With Polypropylene Glycol-Based Caries Dye versus Conventional Propylene Glycol-Based Caries Dye.

Objectives: This study determined the difference in the location of the caries dye staining endpoint of 1% Acid Red dye in propylene glycol versus that of 1% Acid Red dye in polypropylene glycol.

Methods: Freshly extracted permanent molar crowns with primary occlusal carious lesions were chisel-split axially to expose the lesion in cross-section on both halves. One half was stained with propylene glycol-based dye and the other with polypropylene glycol-based dye.

Comparison of detachment forces of two implant overdenture attachment types: effect of detachment speed.

Purpose: To compare detachment (retentive) force for overdenture retainers used with conventional and "mini" implant designs over a range of different detachment (separation) speeds.

Methods: Two dental implant fixtures [Sendax MDI ("mini" dental implant) and Replace Select (conventional dental implant design)] with ball attachments were mounted in brass cylinders. Corresponding attachments were processed into acrylic denture resin blocks and connected to the ball attachments on the implants.

Evaluation of laser fluorescence for differentiating caries dye-stainable versus caries dye-unstainable dentin in carious lesions.

Purpose: To assess the performance of laser fluorescence (DIAGNOdent, "DD") for differentiating carious versus non-carious dentin during caries excavation using caries dye as the gold standard.

Methods: The superficial carious dentin surfaces of lesions in 25 teeth were exposed, and the surface evaluated by DD. Next, caries dye was applied and the surface was observed for dye staining.

Staining of non-carious human coronal dentin by caries dyes.

This study tested the hypothesis that commercially available caries dyes stain non-carious human coronal dentin in freshly extracted teeth. Multiple sections were cut from 10 non-carious and two control carious teeth using a water-cooled saw. Each section was stained with one of five caries dyes.

New device for selective dentin caries removal.

Objectives: To develop prototype rotary selective dentin caries excavators and to demonstrate their ability to remove only carious dentin in extracted teeth.

Method And Materials: Milled polymer prototype and formed wire loop prototype burs were made. They were tested on normal dentin with standardized force application and compared to carbide burs for ability to cut by weighing three extracted teeth at pre- and postcutting for each prototype version.

Predoctoral clinical curriculum models at U.S. and Canadian dental schools.

In fall 2002, the ADEA Section on Comprehensive Care and General Dentistry conducted a survey of the predoctoral clinical curriculum models at sixty-four North American dental schools. Fifty-eight percent of the schools reported that most patient care is provided in a comprehensive care clinic setting, 22 percent reported that most patient care is provided in discipline-specific settings, and 20 percent reported a hybrid of comprehensive care and discipline-specific settings. While ten Primarily Discipline-Based (PD) schools have instituted new Primarily Comprehensive Care (PCC) or Hybrid clinical curricula since 1997, one PCC school has converted to a Hybrid model, and one PCC school has converted to a PD model.

Initial in vitro evaluation of DIAGNOdent for detecting secondary carious lesions associated with resin composite restorations.

Objective: To assess the potential of DIAGNOdent (DD) readings for detecting secondary enamel and dentin carious lesions associated with resin composite restorations in a set of preserved extracted adult teeth.

Method And Materials: Thirty test sites adjacent to resin composite restorations in 15 extracted teeth were evaluated visually and with DD readings for enamel and dentin caries. The results were compared to gold standard diagnosis determined by sectioning through each site and subsequent microscopic observation.