Educational background of Flemish dental practitioners and their perceptions of their management of dental trauma.

Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze whether any correlation existed between Flemish dental practitioner's educational background and their perceptions of their knowledge regarding emergency treatment for crown fractures and their actual expertise.

Methods: A questionnaire was distributed among 336 dental practitioners at six different locations in the country and completed prior to a lecture on dental traumatology. The response rate was 100%.

Comparison of curing depth of a colored polyacid-modified composite resin with different light-curing units.

Objective: To compare the depth of cure (DoC) of a colored polyacid-modified composite resin (PAM-C) with a traditional PAM-C and a fine hybrid composite resin using different light-curing units and different radiant energies.

Method And Materials: The DoC of the PAM-C Twinky Star (Voco, all shades), the PAM-C Glasiosite (Voco), and the composite resin Z100 (3M ESPE) shades A2 and A4 was determined using a penetrometer test method. The materials were cured in bulk using a halogen-based unit (Elipar Trilight, E = 18 J/cm2 and E = 32 J/cm2; 3M ESPE) and an LED curing unit (Elipar Freelight 2, E = 20 J/cm2; 3M ESPE) in split stainless steel molds.

Fracture resistance and reinforcement of immature roots with gutta percha, mineral trioxide aggregate and calcium phosphate bone cement: a standardized in vitro model.

Endodontic treatment of immature teeth is often complicated because of flaring root canals and open apices for which apexification is needed. Long-term prognosis for these teeth is surprisingly low because of cervical root fractures occurring after an impact of weak forces. In this study, an experimental model was developed to determine the fracture resistance of immature teeth and to test the hypothesis that endodontic materials succeed in reinforcing them.

Carbonated apatites obtained by the hydrolysis of monetite: influence of carbonate content on adhesion and proliferation of MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells.

The influence of the carbonate content in apatites on the adhesion and the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells was investigated. B-type carbonated apatites (DCAps) were prepared by the hydrolysis of monetite (CaHPO(4), DCP) in solutions with a carbonate concentration ranging from 0.001 to 0.

Characterization of calcium phosphate cements modified by addition of amorphous calcium phosphate.

In this study the influence of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) on the setting of, and the formed apatite crystallite size in, a calcium phosphate cement (CPC) based on alpha-tricalcium phosphate (alpha-TCP) or tetracalcium phosphate (TTCP)/monocalcium phosphate monohydrate (MCPM) was investigated. Setting times at 22 degrees C were measured in air atmosphere; those at 37 degrees C were measured at 100% relative humidity. The phase composition of the set cements was investigated after 1 week using X-ray diffractometry and infrared spectroscopy and the morphology was investigated using scanning electron microscopy.

Knoop hardness depth profile of polyacid-modified composite resins.

Objectives: To determine the hardness versus depth profile of several polyacid-modified composite resins (PAM-Cs) as a function of shade (A2, A4) and compare the depth of cure (DoC) based on these profiles with that previously obtained with the scraping and penetrometer methods.

Method And Materials: Samples of 6 PAM-Cs (Hytac, 3M ESPE; F2000, 3M ESPE; Glasiosite, Voco; Dyract, Dentsply DeTrey; Dyract AP, Dentsply DeTrey; Compoglass F, Vivadent) and 3 composite resins (Herculite Enamel XRV, Kerr; Z100, 3M ESPE; Durafill VS, Heraeus Kulzer) with shades A2 and A4 were light-cured in bulk in split stainless steel molds (thickness ranging from 0.5 to 3.

Apatite formation in composites of alpha-TCP and degradable polyesters.

The objective of this study was to investigate the conversion of alpha-Ca3(PO4)2 (alpha-TCP) in composite bone cements based on a water-degradable polyester matrix as a function of the polymer formulation and the alpha-TCP filler content. Cross-linkable dimethacrylates of epsilon-caprolactone/ D,L-lactide co-polymer or of epsilon-caprolactone/glycolide co-polymer were mixed with hydroxyethylmethacrylate, a photo-initiator and alpha-TCP to obtain composites with a filler content of 80 or 40 wt% alpha-TCP. The disk shaped composite samples were set by visible light irradiation and immersed in HEPES at 37 degrees C.

The effects of substance P on the biomechanic properties of ruptured rat Achilles' tendon.

Objective: To determine whether injection of substance P into the paratendinous region of a ruptured and subsequently sutured rat Achilles' tendon alters the biomechanic properties of the tendon.

Design: Interventional animal study.

Setting: Animal laboratory at a university hospital.

Relative curing degree of polyacid-modified and conventional resin composites determined by surface Knoop hardness.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the relative curing degree at a depth of 2 mm of several polyacid-modified composites (PAM-Cs) as a function of shade.

Methods: The Knoop hardness of the irradiated top and non-irradiated bottom surfaces of 2 mm thick samples of the PAM-Cs Hytac, F2000, Glasiosite, Dyract, Dyract AP, and Compoglass F and of the resin composites Z100, Herculite Enamel XRV, and Durafill VS, were determined for shades A2 and A4.

Results: The top and bottom hardness of F2000 and Glasiosite ranged between that of the two composites Herculite and Z100.

Calcification as an indicator of osteoinductive capacity of biomaterials in osteoblastic cell cultures.

Mineralized extracellular matrix formation is representative for the osteoinductive capacity of biomaterials and is often tested in vitro. Characteristics of in vitro mineralization of primary rat osteoblastic cells (bone marrow, calvaria, periosteum, fetal and adult long bone) and UMR-106 cells were compared by von Kossa staining, FTIR, X-ray diffractometry, TEM and related to parameters of early (ALP and collagen I formation) and late (osteocalcin secretion) osteoblast expression. All cultures expressed high alkaline phosphatase activity and were able to form bone apatite.

Effect of a neutral citrate solution on the fluoride release of conventional restorative glass ionomer cements.

Objectives: This study investigates the effect of a neutral citrate solution on the fluoride release of 10 acid-base setting glass ionomer cements during 140 days at 37 degrees C.

Methods: Five disks of 10 acid-base setting restorative glass ionomers were prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions. These specimens were immersed individually in 25 ml of a 0.

Curing depth of (polyacid-modified) composite resins determined by scraping and a penetrometer.

Objectives: The present study aimed to compare the curing depth of polyacid-modified composite resins (PAM-C) and some representative composite resins as a function of shade and post-cure using a scraping method and a penetrometer.

Methods: The curing depth of the PAM-C Hytac, F2000, Glasiosite, Dyract, Dyract AP, and Compoglass F and of the composite resins Durafill VS and Z100 were determined for shade A2 and A4 using a scraping method based on ISO 4049:2000 and a digital penetrometer. Samples were light-cured (800 mW/cm2 at 40 s) in bulk in split stainless steel molds.

Surface roughening of glass ionomer cements by neutral NaF solutions.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of repeated applications of a neutral NaF solution on the surface roughness of four conventional glass ionomer cements (GIC) (ChemFil Superior encapsulated, Fuji Cap II, Ketac-Fil and Hi Dense), three resin-modified (RM-) GIC (Fuji II LC encapsulated, Photac-Fil and Vitremer) and one polyacid-modified composite resin (PAM-C) (Dyract). Matured specimens were four times alternately eluted in water and exposed to 2% neutral NaF aqueous solutions for 1h. Control specimens were only subjected to elution in water for the same time period.

Effect of encapsulation on the fluoride release from conventional glass ionomers.

Objectives: The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of the type of encapsulation and the batch on the fluoride release of conventionally setting glass ionomer cements Ketac-Fil and Fuji Cap II.

Methods: Three capsule types were selected: the capsules of Ketac-Fil and Fuji Cap II, and standard capsules. Six individual series of five cylindrical specimens were made from fresh mixes and leached at 37 degrees C with 25 ml distilled water up to 56 days.

Effect of K(+) on the Stoichiometry of Carbonated Hydroxyapatite Obtained by the Hydrolysis of Monetite.

This study investigates the stoichiometry and the thermal stability of K(+)- and CO(3)(2)(-)-containing apatites (KCAp's) obtained by the hydrolysis of monetite. The analysis results of the samples after drying reveal that the KCAp's start to lose carbonate at temperatures V(Ca) + CO(3)(2)(-) + V(OH)] and [Ca(2+) + PO(4)(3)(-) <--> K(+) + CO(3)(2)(-)], where V(X) stands for a vacancy in the X-sublattice.