Effect of carbamide peroxide on biomechanical properties of vacuum-formed retainers: A split-mouth randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To investigate the effect of tooth whitening on biomechanical properties of vacuum-formed retainers (VFRs).

Methods: Using a split-mouth, randomised controlled trial design, thirty participants were randomly allocated to receive whitening on either the upper or the lower arch, using 10 % carbamide peroxide for two weeks. Biomechanical properties such as hardness, tensile strength, and surface roughness were assessed two weeks after whitening was completed.

A randomized clinical trial investigating the effect of three vital tooth bleaching protocols on oral health-related quality of life.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare changes in oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) resulting from three vital tooth bleaching protocols.

Methods: The participants (n = 105) were randomly assigned to one of three vital bleaching treatment groups: home bleaching (HB), in-office bleaching (IOB), or combined bleaching (CB). HB involved the use of custom-made trays and 10% carbamide peroxide for a 14-day treatment period.

Clinical and Microbiological Evaluation of a Chlorhexidine-Modified Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC-CHX) Restoration Placed Using the Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) Technique.

The aims of this study were to investigate the clinical effectiveness and patient acceptability of a modified glass ionomer cement placed using the atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) technique to treat root caries, and to carry out microbiological analysis of the restored sites. Two clinically visible root surface carious lesions per participant were restored using ART. One was restored with commercial glass ionomer cement (GIC) (ChemFil Superior, DENTSPLY, Konstonz, Germany) which acted as the control.

Jet injection needle-free dental anaesthesia: Initial findings.

Objectives: We evaluated patient preference and reported levels of anxiety and discomfort of participants treated with a new needle-free electric motor-driven device vs. conventional local anaesthetic for dental extractions in a proof-of-principle study. Healing and response of gingival tissues to injection were also evaluated at 1, 3- and 7-days post-procedure.

An intraoral device for weight loss: initial clinical findings.

Introduction Obesity is a global epidemic, increasing the risk of many associated health issues.Aim The aim of this clinical study was to investigate the acceptability and tolerability of an intraoral device, designed to facilitate weight loss.Method Seven healthy obese participants were recruited.

Perception of health and educational risks amongst dental students and educators in the era of COVID-19.

Objective: To investigate the perceived educational and health risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic amongst dental students and educators.

Methods: A 17-item electronic survey was sent to 496 undergraduate dental students and 53 clinical faculty members who attended clinical sessions during the outbreak period. The survey explored various aspects related to primary sources and prevention of disease exposure, dental management of suspected cases, impact of COVID-19 on students' clinical performance and effects of suspension of educational activities on academic performance and clinical competence.

COVID-19 and dental clinical practice: Students and clinical staff perceptions of health risks and educational impact.

Purpose/objectives: Due to the nature of the profession, dental healthcare workers are exposed to infectious diseases such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and the severity of the pandemic presents challenges to dental education institutions worldwide. This study investigated dental students and clinical staff perceptions of health risks and impacts on clinical competence of working in teaching clinics during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Methods: A 39-item survey composed of closed and open questions was sent to students and clinical staff of a prominent Australasian dental school.

Can the Measurement of Jaw-Opening Forces Assist in the Diagnosis of Temporomandibular Disorders?

Aims: To investigate the effectiveness of a novel jaw-opening-force measuring device as a screening tool to aid in the diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

Methods: Symptomatic TMD patients (n = 58) and control TMD-free participants (n = 56) were screened by an oral medicine specialist according to the Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (DC/TMD). TMD patients were divided into three subcategories based on TMD symptoms (myofascial pain, disc displacement, and both combined).

Simulated clinical adjustment and intra-oral polishing of two translucent, monolithic zirconia dental ceramics: An in vitro investigation of surface roughness.

Objective: To assess the surface roughness and residual flaws in two translucent zirconia substrates following simulated clinical adjustment and intra-oral finishing/polishing.

Materials And Methods: Specimens were prepared from two translucent (5Y-ZP/8Y-ZP) and one conventional (3Y-TZP) zirconia substrates (n = 84 p/g). Arithmetic mean roughness parameter (R) was determined for all experimental groups at four stages (n = 21 p/g): (1) as-sintered, (2) surface grinding using a zirconia cutting diamond bur, (3) polishing using 1-step, 2-step or 4-step intra-oral polishing kits, and (4) laboratory polishing/glazing.

Patient satisfaction with esthetics, phonetics, and function following implant-supported fixed restorative treatment in the esthetic zone: A systematic review.

Objective: To determine patient satisfaction with esthetics, phonetics, and function following implant-supported fixed restorative treatment in the esthetic zone by measuring the Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL).

Materials And Methods: This systematic review follows the "Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols" (PRISMA-P) 2015 statement. Studies were searched in the databases Ovid, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library.

A randomized clinical trial investigating three vital tooth bleaching protocols and associated efficacy, effectiveness and participants' satisfaction.

Objectives: To compare tooth colour change and participant's satisfaction following: home (HB), in-office (IOB) and combined (CB) bleaching treatments.

Methods: A group of 105 participants received HB, IOB and CB treatments. HB was performed using custom-made trays and 10 % carbamide peroxide for 14 days.

The teaching of removable partial dentures in dental schools in Oceania.

Objectives: To examine the current arrangements and trends in the teaching of removable partial dentures (RPDs) in dental schools in Oceania.

Methods: A validated and trialled 30-item electronic survey was sent via e-mail to 12 dental schools in Oceania that offered undergraduate dentistry. The survey explored various aspects of the teaching of RPDs in preclinical and clinical courses including: educational content and process, staff members involved, facilities and techniques utilized, clinical requirements, coursework evaluation and perceived challenges to RPD teaching.

Graduate mobility: Where do dentistry graduates choose to practise?

Background And Objective: The international higher education market has grown and developed rapidly. International students generate attractive income for host universities, and gaining an international education benefits students in an increasingly globalised world. However, there is little research regarding where international students intend to work and settle beyond graduation.

Direct Restorations, Endodontics, and Bleaching: Materials and Techniques Used by General Dentists of New Zealand.

Background: To investigate the selection and use of direct restorative materials, endodontic techniques adopted, and approaches to bleaching by general dentists in New Zealand.

Methods: A questionnaire comprising 19 sections and 125 questions was distributed via mail to 351 general dentists in New Zealand who were selected, at random, from the Dental Council of New Zealand's 2016 register.

Results: A total of 204 questionnaires were returned, of which 188 were usable.

Vital bleaching and oral-health-related quality of life in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: To carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that investigated changes in perceived quality of life following vital tooth bleaching.

Methods: Online searches (Medline, PubMed, the Cochrane database of systemic reviews and Google scholar), bibliographic, and manual searches were carried out. Two authors independently screened the 313 articles identified from the searches and two authors extracted data, including risk of bias using the Cochrane data collection form.

Dental practice in the UK in 2015/2016. Part 4: changes since 2002?

Objectives To determine, by means of anonymous self-report questionnaires, the changes in demographic profile, practising details and utilisation of clinical techniques/materials of general dental practitioners (GDPs) in the UK between 2002 and 2015. Method A wide-ranging, validated questionnaire, designed to elicit information on the practising arrangements and techniques and materials used, was distributed to UK-based GDPs in 2002, 2008 and 2015 with a request that they complete the questionnaire and return it by post in the reply-paid envelope to the corresponding author. Results Questionnaires were distributed by post to 1,000 UK-based GDPs in 2004 and 2008, with an additional 500 questionnaires being distributed at postgraduate meetings in 2015.

Indirect Restorations and Fixed Prosthodontics: Materials and Techniques Used by General Dentists of New Zealand.

Background: To investigate the selection and use of materials and techniques for core buildup, indirect restorations, and fixed prosthodontics by general dentists in New Zealand.

Methods: A questionnaire comprising 19 sections and 125 questions was distributed via mail to 351 general dentists in New Zealand who were selected from the Dental Council of New Zealand's 2016 register.

Results: The majority of the respondents (68.

The teaching of posterior composites: A survey of dental schools in Oceania.

Objective: To investigate current teaching and operative techniques of posterior composite restorations in dental schools in Oceania (Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Papua New Guinea).

Methods: A 24-item validated questionnaire including closed and open questions was mailed to the Heads of Department of Operative/Restorative Dentistry in 16 dental schools. Responses were compiled in Excel and analyzed.

Demographics, Practising Arrangements, and Standards: Survey among New Zealand Dentists.

Background: To determine the demographic profile and practising arrangements of general dentists in New Zealand.

Methods: A questionnaire comprising 19 sections with 125 questions was distributed via mail to 351 general dentists in New Zealand who were selected, at random, from the Dental Council of New Zealand's 2016 register.

Results: Two hundred and four questionnaires were returned, of which 188 were usable giving a response rate of 53.

Mechanical properties of the human scalp in tension.

Mechanical properties of the human scalp have not been investigated to a great extent with limited information available. The purpose of this study was to provide new baseline material data for human scalp tissue of various ages, which can be applied to experimental and constitutive models, such as in the area of impact biomechanics. This study used specimens from the left and right temporal, fronto-parietal and occipital regions of the human scalp.

Elastic behavior of brain simulants in comparison to porcine brain at different loading velocities.

Blunt force impacts to the head and the resulting internal force transmission to the brain and other cranial tissue are difficult to measure. To model blunt force impact scenarios, the compressive properties resembling tissue elasticity are of importance. Therefore, this study investigated and compared the elastic behavior of gelatin, alginate, agar/glycerol and agar/glycerol/water simulant materials to that of porcine brain in a fresh and unfixed condition.

Repair vs replacement of direct composite restorations: a survey of teaching and operative techniques in Oceania.

Objectives: To evaluate the teaching and operative techniques for the repair and/or replacement of direct resin-based composite restorations (DCRs) in dental schools in Oceania.

Methods: A 14-item questionnaire was mailed to the heads of operative dentistry in 16 dental schools in Oceania (Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Papua New Guinea). The survey asked whether the repair of DCRs was taught within the curriculum; the rationale behind the teaching; how techniques were taught, indications for repair, operative techniques, materials used, patient acceptability, expected longevity and recall systems.

Use of agar/glycerol and agar/glycerol/water as a translucent brain simulant for ballistic testing.

The suitability of agar/glycerol/water and agar/glycerol mixtures as brain simulants was investigated. Test specimens (n=15) (50x27×37mm) were fabricated for these different mixtures and conditioned to 12°C, 22°C, and 26°C prior to testing. For comparison, fresh deer brain specimens (n=20) were sourced and prepared to the same dimensions as the agar/glycerol(/water) mixtures and conditioned to 12°C and 37°C.

The INCENTIVE protocol: an evaluation of the organisation and delivery of NHS dental healthcare to patients-innovation in the commissioning of primary dental care service delivery and organisation in the UK.

Introduction: In England, in 2006, new dental contracts devolved commissioning of dental services locally to Primary Care Trusts to meet the needs of their local population. The new national General Dental Services contracts (nGDS) were based on payment for Units of Dental Activity (UDAs) awarded in three treatment bands based on complexity of care. Recently, contract currency in UK dentistry is evolving from UDAs based on volume and case complexity towards 'blended contracts' that include incentives linked with key performance indicators such as quality and improved health outcome.