Estimating age using permanent molars and third cervical vertebrae shape with a novel semi-automated method.

Estimating chronological age accurately in young adults is difficult and additional methods are required to increase the accuracy. This study explored a new semi-automated method to assess shape change of third cervical vertebra (C3) with age in the living; comparing this as a method to determine whether individuals could be categorised into being less than 18 years of age (<18), or at least 18 years of age (≥18) with tooth formation of the second and third mandibular molars (M2 and M3). The sample was panoramic and lateral skull radiographs of 174 dental patients (78 males, 96 females aged 15-22 years).

How do foster carers manage the oral health of children in foster care? A qualitative study.

Objectives: This qualitative study explored how the foster family environment influenced children's oral health. It also aimed to better understand foster carers' oral health knowledge, attitudes and experiences of managing foster children's oral health behaviours and oral health care.

Methods: An interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study design was used to recruit a purposive sample of foster carers in Tower Hamlets, United Kingdom, from a range of backgrounds (maximum variation sampling).

A novel frameshift MSX1 mutation in a Saudi family with autosomal dominant premolar and third molar agenesis.

Objectives: In this study, the aim was to investigate a consanguineous Saudi family with non-syndromic premolars and third molars agenesis and to identify the causal mutation(s) using whole exome sequencing.

Design: Family phenotype and family pedigree were constructed from clinical and radiographic examinations. Whole exome sequencing was performed in two affected members of the Saudi family using the SureSelect Human all Exon 50 Mb kit (Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Synthesis and characterizations of a fluoride-releasing dental restorative material.

The aim was to develop an obturating material which has the tendency to release fluoride and minimize interfaces with tooth. Nano-fluorapatite (nFA) powder was synthesized by sol-gel. The composite based on polyurethane (PU) was obtained by chemically binding the nFA (10, 15, 20%wt/wt) to the diisocyanate component by utilizing in-situ polymerization.

A comparison of the mechanical properties of a modified silorane based dental composite with those of commercially available composite material.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the mechanical properties of the nano-hydroxyapatite incorporated silorane composite material with the commercially available dental composites.

Methods: Filtek Silorane resin composite was incorporated with 5% and 10% nano-hydroxyapatite crystals and then mechanically tested in comparison along with the commercially available Filtek Silorane and Filtek Supreme XT after 1, 14, 30 and 90 days period.

Results: The mechanical tests revealed that the modified silorane based dental composite had a significant increase in the mechanical properties than the commercially available Filtek Silorane and Filtek Supreme XT.

Structural and in vitro adhesion analysis of a novel covalently coupled bioactive composite.

The interfacial adhesion between a restorative composite and tooth is one of the major factors that determine the ultimate performance of composite restoration. A novel polyurethane (PU) composite material was prepared by chemically binding the nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) to the diisocyanate component in the PU backbone by utilizing solvent polymerization. The procedure involved stepwise addition of monomeric units of the PU and optimizing the reagent concentrations.

The cost of treating children and adolescents with injuries to their permanent incisors at a dental hospital in the United Kingdom.

The aim was to estimate the total cost, including the direct costs (outpatient costs) and indirect costs (missed working day) of treating children and adolescents with traumatic injuries to their incisors. Factors such as the number of treatment visits and the success of outcome were also investigated. The sample was taken from patients who attended the dental trauma clinic at a London teaching hospital between 1990 and 2001.