Teaching of composite restoration repair in Brazilian dental schools.

Objectives: The aim was to investigate aspects of the teaching of restoration repair as a minimally invasive alternative to replacing defective direct composite restorations in undergraduate curricula teaching programs in Brazilian dental schools.

Methods: A 14-item validated survey questionnaire was mailed to directors/coordinators of operative/restorative dentistry teachers of Brazilian Dental Schools. Data were collected on demographic characteristics of the teachers and institutions, together with questions on the teaching of the repair of defective resin-based composite restorations as part of the school curriculum; the rationale behind the teaching; the nature of the teaching (preclinical and/or clinical); how techniques were taught, indications for repair, operative techniques, materials used, patient acceptability and expected longevity of completed repairs.

Teaching of the repair of defective composite restorations in Middle Eastern and North African Dental Schools.

Objectives: To evaluate the status of teaching of repair of defective resin-based composite restorations in dental schools in the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) countries.

Methods: A validated 14-item questionnaire was mailed to the directors of the operative/restorative dentistry department in 40 MENA dental schools. Data were collected on teaching, including whether the repair of resin-based composite restorations was part of the dental school curriculum; the rationale behind the teaching; how techniques were taught, indications for repair, operative techniques, materials used, patient acceptability and expected longevity of the repair procedure.

Tattoos of the Head, Neck and Hands.

Tattooing is ancient and gaining popularity in present day society. While many tattoos are decorative body art, certain tattoos of the head, neck and hands may provide helpful insights into, among other traits, the personality, beliefs or orientation of an individual.

Use of lining materials under posterior resin composite restorations in the UK.

Objectives: To investigate opinions on, and current use of lining materials prior to the placement of posterior resin composite restorations by general dental practitioners (GDPs) in the UK. A further objective was to investigate aspects of posterior resin composite restoration placement techniques employed by UK GDPs.

Methods: A questionnaire was devised to gain the information sought.

Sultanate of Oman: building a dental workforce.

Background: A medium- and long-term perspective is required in human resource development to ensure that future needs and demands for oral healthcare are met by the most appropriate health professionals. This paper presents a case study of the Sultanate of Oman, one of the Gulf States with a current population of 3.8 million, which has initiated dental training through the creation of a dental college.

Strain measurements and fracture resistance of endodontically treated premolars restored with all-ceramic restorations.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the recovery of cuspal stiffness and fracture resistance in endodontically treated maxillary premolars restored with bonded ceramic inlays and onlays of various designs.

Methods: Seventy intact premolars were selected for this study; six cavity designs were investigated: (i) mesio-occlusal-distal (MOD) inlay (I), (ii) MOD inlay with palatal cusp coverage (IPC), (iii) MOD onlay (O), (iv) MOD inlay with pulp chamber extension (IPE), (v) MOD inlay with palatal cusp coverage and pulp chamber extension (IPCPE), and (vi) MOD onlay with pulp chamber extension (OPE). Intact teeth acted as control.

Factors influencing repair of dental restorations with resin composite.

The presentation of patients with dental restorations that exhibit minor defects is one of the commonest clinical situations in the practice of general dentistry. The repair of such restorations, rather than replacement, is increasingly considered to be a viable alternative to replacement of the defective restoration. This paper considers factors influencing the repair of direct restorations, including indications and details of relevant techniques, based on the best available knowledge and understanding of this important aspect of minimal intervention dentistry.

The teaching of posterior resin composites: planning for the future based on 25 years of research.

Objectives: The restoration of posterior teeth affected by caries, trauma or wear remains one of the commonest procedures in the practice of dentistry. Over the past 20 years the first author and latterly the second author have led a series of surveys around the world to capture information on the teaching of posterior resin composites. The aim of this paper is to identify trends, reflect on the findings and make recommendations for the further development of this important aspect of the curriculum for primary dental qualifications.

Guidance on posterior resin composites: Academy of Operative Dentistry - European Section.

There have been many developments in operative dentistry in recent years, including a progressive shift to the use of resin composites, rather than dental amalgam, in the restoration of posterior teeth. This shift allows the adoption of minimal intervention approaches, thereby helping to conserve and preserve remaining tooth tissues and structures. This paper presents the position of the Academy of Operative Dentistry European Section (AODES) in relation to posterior resin composites.

Dental workforce development as part of the oral health agenda for Brunei Darussalam.

Background: Brunei Darussalam is a Sultanate with a Malay Islamic monarchy. There are high levels of dental disease among its 406,200 population. The population's oral health needs require an integrated blend of primary and specialist care, together with oral health promotion.

An in vitro comparison of four intra-oral ceramic repair systems.

Objectives: This study evaluated the effect of different surface conditioning methods on the tensile bond strength (TBS) and integrity of the leucite-reinforced glass ceramic (Cerana(®) inserts)-resin composite interface, using four commercially available ceramic repair systems.

Methods: Two hundred extra-large Cerana(®) inserts were mechanically treated and stored in artificial saliva for 3 weeks and subsequently randomly assigned to one of the following ceramic repair systems (n=40/group): Group 1, Ceramic Repair(®) (Ivoclar Vivadent, Liechtenstein); Group 2, Cimara(®) (Voco, Germany); Group 3, Clearfil Repair(®) (Kuraray, Japan); Group 4, CoJet system(®) (3M ESPE, Germany); and Group 5, no surface conditioning and no adhesive system applied: the control group. Subsequently, resin composite material was added to the substrate surfaces and the ceramic-resin composite specimens were subjected to TBS testing.

Repair or replacement of defective direct resin-based composite restorations: contemporary teaching in U.S. and Canadian dental schools.

Background: Opportunities exist to promote minimally invasive dentistry by repairing rather than replacing defective and failing direct resin-based composite restorations. The authors conducted a study to investigate the current teaching of such techniques in U.S.

The graduate entry generation: a qualitative study exploring the factors influencing the career expectations and aspirations of a graduating cohort of graduate entry dental students in one London institution.

Background: Dentistry in the UK has a number of new graduate-entry programmes. The aim of the study was to explore the motivation, career expectations and experiences of final year students who chose to pursue a dental career through the graduate entry programme route in one institution; and to explore if, and how, their intended career expectations and aspirations were informed by this choice.

Method: In-depth interviews of 14 graduate entry students in their final year of study.

Repair versus replacement of defective composite restorations in dental schools in Germany.

The aim of this paper was to review the current teaching of repairs to direct composite restorations in dental schools in Germany, last surveyed ten years ago. Based on an 83% response rate, the findings indicate that most, but not all, dental schools included teaching of repair techniques; however marked variations were found to exist regarding clinical indications and repair techniques of the teaching. It is suggested that certain aspects of the existing teaching in some schools should be reviewed, specifically the lack of use of a bonding agent and the issue of flowable composites to complete repairs.

Defective dental restorations: to repair or not to repair? Part 2: All-ceramics and porcelain fused to metal systems.

Unlabelled: With the increasing use of ceramics in restorative dentistry, and trends to extend restoration longevity through the use of minimal interventive techniques, dental practitioners should be familiar with the factors that may influence the decision either to repair or replace fractured metal-ceramic and all-ceramic restorations and, also, the materials and techniques available to repair these restorations. This second of two papers addresses the possible modes of failure of ceramic restorations and outlines indications and techniques in this developing aspect of restoration repair in clinical practice.

Clinical Relevance: The repair of metal-ceramic and all-ceramic restorations is a reliable low-cost, low-risk technique that may be of value for the management of loss or fracture of porcelain from a crown or bridge in clinical practice.

Minimally invasive management of dental caries: contemporary teaching of posterior resin-based composite placement in U.S. and Canadian dental schools.

Background: Resin-based composites are an increasingly popular material for restoring posterior teeth, permitting minimally invasive cavity preparations and esthetic restorations. The authors investigated current teaching of the placement of posterior resin-based composites in U.S.

Defective dental restorations: to repair or not to repair? Part 1: direct composite restorations.

Unlabelled: The presentation of patients with failing dental restorations that exhibit minor defects is a common clinical situation in everyday dental practice. The repair of such restorations, rather than replacement, is increasingly considered to be a viable alternative to the replacement of the defective restoration. This first of two papers considers indications and techniques for the repair of defective direct composite restorations.

Age of failed restorations: A deceptive longevity parameter.

Unlabelled: There is pressing need to enhance evidence base in respect of longevity of restorations. Currently, there is lack of appreciation of differences between survival data based on the age of failed restorations as compared to gold standard Kaplan-Meier statistics.

Objectives: This study was undertaken to compare and contrast longevity data for a number of data sets.

Trends in dental education in the Persian Gulf--an example from Iran: contemporary placement of posterior composites.

In recent years, there has been expansion of dental education programmes from established European and North American schools into regions in the Middle East, the Persian Gulf States, and Asia. Accompanying this, there has been migration of dentists from these regions of the world to Europe and North America in the hope of finding employment or to pursue postgraduate education. Little awareness exists, however in western countries on the amount and level of clinical training provided in dental schools in which these dentists have trained.