Long-Term Performance of Glass-Hybrid Restorations in Permanent Posterior Teeth.

Since their introduction in the early 1970s, glass-ionomer cements (GICs) have been broadly accepted for clinical applications such as crown buildups, cementation, and bases under fillings. However, their acceptance as a direct restorative material has been limited comparatively speaking, especially for permanent posterior teeth. This is due primarily to the perception that GICs are not as esthetic or durable as composite resin materials.

Preferences of Lay Persons and Dental Professionals Regarding the Recurring Esthetic Dental Proportion.

Background: This study evaluated the preferences of dental professionals and lay persons with respect to the Recurring Esthetic Dental (RED) Proportion, an objective mathematical tool used in treatment planning the "apparent" widths of maxillary anterior teeth.

Materials And Methods: Stock dentofacial and facial images of a prototypical smiling male and female were digitally altered to demonstrate five different RED proportion relationships (0.62, 0.

Using fiber-optic transillumination as a diagnostic aid in dental practice.

Fiber-optic transillumination (FOTI) is a well-accepted and valuable adjunctive diagnostic tool with a wide range of clinical applications. In dentistry, FOTI has been primarily associated with caries diagnosis and has been corroborated through research studies to be a valid indicator of the histological presence or absence of bacterially infected tooth structure. In this review, techniques for using FOTI for tooth evaluation are presented along with examples of how FOTI can be effectively used as a supplemental diagnostic aid.

Reconsidering glass-ionomer cements for direct restorations.

Glass-ionomer cements (GICs) have been used in dentistry for a number of applications, primarily as a base or liner under other direct filling materials or indirect restorative materials, for crown buildup/foundation restorations, or as luting cements for indirect restorations. However, GICs have many unique attributes that make them useful for either a full-contour restoration or sandwich/hybrid restorations where they are synergistic with composite resins. This article, which includes two brief case reports, discusses the potential advantages of GIC for some direct applications where composite resin or other materials may not be the most ideal choice.

Low-shrink composite resins: a review of their history, strategies for managing shrinkage, and clinical significance.

Despite numerous advances in composite resin technology over the course of many decades, shrinkage behavior and the resultant stresses inherent to direct placed composite restorations continue to challenge clinicians. This overview of composite resins includes a review of their history and development along with a discussion of strategies for reducing polymerization shrinkage. An assessment of the clinical significance of these materials is also provided, including a discussion of the differences between polymerization shrinkage and stress, incremental layering versus bulk placement, and the emergence of lower shrinkage stress monomer chemistry.

Evolving technology in endodontic posts.

This article provides a brief overview of important, recent changes in the philosophy, materials, and technology that have impacted significantly on the art and science of endodontic post placement.