Subjective and objective assessments of short-term adverse effects induced by oral appliance therapy in obstructive sleep apnea: a preliminary study.

Unlabelled: Abnormal occlusal sensation induced by wearing oral appliance (OA) was assessed in this study.

Materials And Methods: Twelve non-apneic healthy subjects with normal dental occlusion were used in this study. The 12 subjects slept wearing OAs at night.

Effect of polymorphism of SiO2 addition on mechanical properties of Feldspathic porcelains.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of SiO2 polymorphism on the mechanical properties of feldspathic porcelains. Seven kinds of experimental feldspathic porcelains were prepared using chemical reagents; three types of low-fusing feldspathic glasses and four types of two-phase porcelains by adding 10 or 20 mass% of fused silica (T-F) or cristobalite (T-C). Flexural strength and fracture toughness of these porcelains were evaluated.

Tensile strength of dentin after bleaching treatment.

The mechanical properties of dentin are changed after bleaching, although the effects of the bleaching conditions on the tensile strength of dentin have not been determined. In the current study, a tensile test of bovine dentin was conducted after bleaching and the effects of the bleaching conditions were investigated, including the number of bleaching times, the location where the bleaching agent was applied, and the kind of illumination. The weight of organic content in dentin before and after application of the agent was also measured.

Properties of human dentin surface after ArF excimer laser irradiation.

Recently, improvement of the properties of dentin surface using dental lasers to increase bonding strength has been anticipated in the field of adhesive dentistry. The objective of this study was to investigate changes in the surface properties of human dentin after ArF excimer laser irradiation at different irradiation times, pulse repetition rates and energy densities. The SEM images of the irradiated surfaces were observed, and the contact angle and the roughness of the irradiated surface were measured.

Overweight patients with severe sleep apnea experience deeper oxygen desaturation at apneic events.

We investigated differences in the depth of hypoxia produced by apneic events of the same duration (30 seconds) amongst patients with different degrees of OSAS according to their AIs (apnea indices). The relationship between apnea duration (seconds) and fall in oxygen saturation (%) was evaluated by means of a linear regression analysis. The fall induced by a 30-second apnea event was designated as the "oxygen desaturation value 30" (ODV30).

Effects of exposure to 4-META/MMA-TBB resin on pulp cell viability.

Adhesive restorative systems have expanded the range of possibilities for direct pulp-capping technique, with evidences of clinical success in vital pulp therapy. However, quite few studies have described the direct responses of pulp cells following the application of resinous materials to pulp exposure. To address this issue, effects of exposure to an adhesive resin, 4-methacryloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride/methyl methacrylate-tri-n-butyl borane (4-META/MMA-TBB) resin on cellular activity were investigated in an established rat dental pulp cell line (RPC-C2A).

Comparison of tongue volume/oral cavity volume ratio between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients and normal adults using magnetic resonance imaging.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a group of disorders in which breathing stops intermittently and repeatedly for 10 seconds or more during sleep. The causal site of the disorders is thought to be in the upper airway above the glottis. In order to understand the three-dimensional features of the oral and peripharyngeal structures involved in the disorders, we calculated the tongue volume/oral cavity volume ratio (TV/OCV ratio) in the oral cavity using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for both OSAS patients and normal controls.

Effects of a small electric current on sterilization of a dental unit water line.

In the present study, water was circulated in a simulated dental unit water line with electrifying a small current. The morphology of the biofilm developed on inner surface of the water line and the number of heterotrophic bacteria were investigated to elucidate the effect of a low level electric current on the biofilms formation associated with bacteria reproduction. Destruction and malconformation of biofilms by electrification was observed using SEM, in addition to deformation and hypertrophy of the bacteria.

Study of finite element modeling from CT images.

The use of finite element analysis is becoming more widespread with rapid advancements in computer technology. However, the field of dentistry is not enjoying the spillover benefits of the expanded use of this design simulation and analysis tool. Finite element modeling requires measurement of the object.

Effects of laser irradiation on tensile strength of bovine dentin.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the tensile strengths of dentin after laser irradiation using three kinds of dental lasers to elucidate the laser-irradiation effect on dentin properties.

Background Data: Different kinds of laser devices have been developed in dentistry. The characteristics of each laser are determined by its original wavelength; however, one common feature is to generate heat in irradiated tissues, and such heat possibly affects dentin collagen, which contributes to tensile strength of the tissues.

[Educative effect of feedback after medical interview in objective structured clinical examination].

Objective: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is widely used to assess the core competency of dental residents. However, the educative effect of feedback in OSCE has not been fully examined. Therefore, we investigated the educative effect of formative feedback in a medical interview station.

Effects of chloramines and sodium hypochlorite on carious dentin.

In chemo-mechanical caries removal procedures, chloramines are typically used for chemical softening of carious dentin. However, the specific effect of chloramines to be compared to sodium hypochlorite has not been sufficiently clarified. In present study, the effect of chloramines used in the Carisolv-system on carious dentin mechanical properties and morphology were investigated, using Vickers hardness test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Interfacial gaps following ceramic inlay cementation vs direct composites.

This study compared the interfacial integrity of Class II ceramic inlay restorations and direct resin composite restorations. The influence of a flowable resin composite liner was also evaluated. Class II DO cavities were prepared in 40 recently extracted mandibular molars and assigned to four treatment groups.

Evaluation of an articulated measuring apparatus for use in the oral cavity.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the trial Teaching Robot for the development of a contact-type measuring apparatus for using directly in the oral cavity. A standard model was used to mimic the dentition by placing an arrangement of three bearing balls. The diameters of the balls were measured.

Cephalometric evaluation of craniofacial and upper airway structures in Japanese patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

In order to investigate the morphological characteristics of Japanese patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and basis for selection of an oral appliance (OA) therapy, the craniofacial skeleton, soft tissue and upper airway were analyzed on lateral cephalograms from 103 patients with OSA and 98 control subjects. At first, the 103 OSA patients were divided into two groups according to their body mass index (BMI). The results were the following: Micrognathia was a major risk factor of Japanese OSA patients instead of obesity; the narrowing in the hypopharynx was observed due to the inferior-located hyoid bone, especially in the obese group, an enlarged tongue and sticking of fatty-tissue to upper airway wall were observed in addition.

[Home care workers' oral health awareness and practice for disabled elderly].

The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of oral health awareness, and to explore the needs for home care workers to provide oral health care for disabled elderly. We conducted a questionnaire survey at two home-help service centers and a social welfare council. Subjects for this investigation were 63 home care workers.

[A study of oral status of adults who received regular checkups and professional care].

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of regular professional care on oral health status. We examined the oral health status of 255 adults (76 males, 179 females; 61.8 +/- 7.