Unilateral Mastication Evaluated Using Asymmetric Functional Tooth Units as a Risk Indicator for Hearing Loss.

Background: Some previous studies reported hearing ability can be reduced by impaired masticatory ability, but there has been little evidence reported of an association between hearing loss and unilateral mastication. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between unilateral mastication (UM), estimated from individual functional tooth units (FTUs), and hearing loss in a representative sample of Korean adults.

Methods: The analyzed data were obtained from 1,773 adults aged 40-89 years who participated in Korean national survey.

Detection of residual resin-based orthodontic adhesive based on light-induced fluorescence.

Introduction: This study evaluated the fluorescence of orthodontic adhesives using quantitative light-induced fluorescence-digital (QLF-D) images, and compared differences in the color characteristics of the fluorescence between adhesive and the adjacent tooth with that under white-light illumination in specimens containing residual adhesive of various thicknesses.

Methods: Disc-shaped adhesive samples and samples comprising adhesive attached to extracted human teeth were prepared using Transbond XT, Blugloo, and Enlight, and they were ground to thicknesses ranging from 800 to 20 μm. Fluorescence and white-light images of the two types of specimens were taken with a QLF-D system.

Management of Pediatric Patients Presenting with Acute Abdomen Accompanying Dilatation of the Common Bile Duct.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe our treatment experiences with patients who had acute abdomen (AA) with common bile duct (CBD) dilatation.

Methods: The treatment outcomes in children with AA and CBD dilatation were retrospectively reviewed. According to the shape of the intrahepatic bile ducts on ultrasonography (US), the origin of the pain was estimated as choledochal cyst (CC) complication or choledocholithiasis in normal CBD.

Differences in the intensity of light-induced fluorescence emitted by resin composites.

Background: The aims of this study were to compare the intensities of fluorescence emitted by different resin composites as detected using quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) technology, and to compare the fluorescence intensity contrast with the color contrast between a restored composite and the adjacent region of the tooth.

Methods: Six brands of light-cured resin composites (shade A2) were investigated. The composites were used to prepare composite discs, and fill holes that had been prepared in extracted human teeth.