Fiber optics reflectance spectroscopy (45°x: 45°) for color analysis of dental composite.

Purpose: To evaluate the application of a fiber optic reflectance spectroscopy (FORS) prototype probe for 45°x: 45° FORS for determining color of dental materials. A portable spectrophotometer with a highly manageable fiber optics co-axial probe was used to apply 45°x: 45° FORS for color matching in restorative dentistry.

Methods: The color coordinates in CIELAB space of two dental shade guides and of the corresponding photopolymerized composites were collected and compared.

The effect of clinical setting on the unstimulated salivary flow rate.

Objective: Unstimulated whole saliva (UWS) sialometry uses the spitting method to assess occurrence of hyposalivation. This study compares the UWS flow rates in volunteers sitting in a laboratory or in a clinical setting, in order to evaluate the influence of environment on salivary secretion.

Design: 25 healthy volunteers were recruited and divided into two groups to perform UWS sialometry under the two different settings (T1).

Iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome and topical steroid therapy: case series and review of the literature.

Topical corticosteroids are considered first-line therapy in patients with chronic inflammatory oral mucosal diseases; among them, clobetasol propionate is one of the most widely used in oral medicine. Under physiological conditions, the transmucosal application is characterized by a significantly greater absorption than the skin application. Contrary to many publications about the side effects of topical corticosteroids in dermatology, few studies have investigated the systemic effects due to local application of these drugs on oral mucosa.