Electrical stimulation to clinically identify position of the lingual nerve: results of 50 subjects with reliability and correlation with MRI.

Purpose: Recently we described mapping of the lingual nerve clinically in patients using electrical nerve stimulation. This paper reports results of a larger study with inter- and intra-observer reliability and comparison with positional measurements from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: In 50 healthy participants, measurements were taken when subjects felt a tingling sensation in the tongue induced by a stimulation probe over the lingual nerve.

Is the number of procedures completed a valid indicator of final year student competency in operative dentistry?

Introduction Concerns regarding the preparedness of dental graduates often focus on the number of procedures undertaken before qualification.Aims To assess the validity of numerical requirements in determining whether a student has sufficient competency to graduate.Materials and methods In total, 50,821 observations of student activity while on the restorative clinic, for two integrated student cohorts (n = 139), were continuously recorded using the LiftUpp system from their third year to graduation.

Dental Pain: Dentine Sensitivity, Hypersensitivity and Cracked Tooth Syndrome.

Dentine hypersensitivity is a frequently encountered patient complaint that can present with a number of associated factors including erosion and abrasion. the hydrodynamic mechanism responsible for dentine hypersensitivity is intimately related to the anatomical and physiological composition of teeth. Alterations to the integrity of the enamel and dentine through processes of trauma, decay and toothwear can increase dentine permeability.

Managing the Unstable Mandibular Complete Denture – Tooth Placement and the Polished Surface.

Constructing satisfactory conventional mandibular complete dentures is often challenging in comparison to the upper counterpart partially due to differences in the anatomy of the denture-bearing area. This problem is exaggerated in the atrophic mandible, where supporting structures are frequently ill-defined and suboptimal in quality. Implant-retained prostheses offer well recognized benefits but are not always a feasible options, so conventional methods must be relied upon.

An evaluation of resonant frequency analysis to measure fixed bridge stability.

Objectives/aims: To determine whether a clinically available resonance frequency analysis (RFA) device (Osstell Mentor), designed to assess implant integration, could identify a single uncemented retainer on fixed-fixed bridges, .

Materials And Methods: All-metal fixed-fixed bridges were cemented to acrylic tooth analogue abutments with simulated periodontal ligaments. Dental stone bases provided 100 or 50% 'bone support' groups ( = 50 in each).

Root fracture and its management.

Unlabelled: Root fractures are uncommon following dental trauma but are mostly diagnosed shortly after the injury, although occasionally at routine dental appointments. This paper presents the management of the different types of root fractures and the types of healing response suggesting the appropriate follow-up of these injuries.

Clinical Relevance: A thorough clinical examination supplemented with radiographs, vitality tests, appropriate treatment planning and subsequent follow-up of root fractured teeth can improve the prognosis for these teeth and also minimize the need for subsequent extractions.

Summary of: the influence of specialty training, experience, discussion and reflection on decision making in modern restorative treatment planning.

Aims: This study was designed to determine the effect of reflection and discussion of a group of dentists with differing backgrounds and qualifications in the management of failed endodontic treatment.

Materials And Methods: During the Dental Pan-Society plenary session (16-17 November 2007) delegates (n = 393) were asked a series of questions on the management of a case with failed endodontic treatment of four maxillary incisors restored with linked crowns in a patient with a high smile line. The case had been previously posted on the conference website in addition to being presented on the day of the forum.

Quality of communication and master impressions for the fabrication of cobalt chromium removable partial dentures in general dental practice in England, Ireland and Wales in 2009.

The aim of this study was to investigate the quality of communication and master impressions for the fabrication of cobalt chromium removable partial dentures (RPDs) in general dental practice in England, Ireland and Wales in 2009. Two hundred and ten questionnaires were distributed to 21 laboratories throughout England, Ireland and Wales. Information was collected regarding the quality of written communication and selection of master impression techniques for cobalt chromium partial dentures in general dental practice.

The effect of bleaching, varying the shade or thickness of composite veneers on final colour: an in vitro study.

Objective: To investigate whether bleaching prior to placement of a composite veneer had an effect on the final shade of the restoration and whether this was affected by the thickness or shade of the veneer.

Methods: Twenty bovine teeth were collected, sectioned and divided into two groups. One group was the non-bleached control, while the other was the bleached group.

Improving the quality of clinical teaching in a restorative clinic using student feedback.

Introduction: A large proportion of the undergraduate curriculum is spent within Restorative Dentistry at the University of Liverpool. As well as supportive "phantom head" courses the undergraduates receive significant amounts of teaching within the clinics themselves. In 2004, to help inform the clinical tutors as to their areas of strengths and weaknesses, undergraduates were invited to complete an anonymous questionnaire on the quality of teaching they received from their clinical supervisors.

An investigation into most effective method of treating stained teeth: an in vitro study.

Objective: To assess the most efficacious method of treating stained teeth: bleaching alone, veneering alone or a combination of bleaching and veneering and whether the choice alters depending on the degree of staining.

Methods: Extracted teeth were sectioned to give 117 samples. These samples were split into unstained, lightly and darkly stained groups based on CIE-Lab value L*.

Quality of master impressions and related materials for fabrication of complete dentures in the UK.

The aim of this study was to examine the quality of master impressions and related materials for fabricating complete dentures in the UK. One hundred and fifty pre-piloted questionnaires were distributed to a number of dental laboratories in the UK with large catchment areas. Information requested related to the quality and choice of techniques for the master impression stage of fabricating complete dentures, as well as prescription of materials for occlusal registration, amongst others.

Undergraduate requirements in restorative dentistry in the UK and Ireland.

Objectives: To ascertain the requirements in restorative dentistry that undergraduate dental students have to fulfil in order to sit the finals examinations in dental schools in the UK and Ireland and to compare those requirements with the competencies stipulated by the GDC in The first five years.

Methods: Fifteen anonymised questionnaires, of open and closed question design, were sent by post to academics in the university departments of restorative dentistry in each of the undergraduate dental schools in the UK and Ireland. The first section concerned numerical information regarding total numbers of procedures that were required to be completed in undergraduate restorative dentistry.

Occlusal changes following posterior tooth loss in adults. Part 2. Clinical parameters associated with movement of teeth adjacent to the site of posterior tooth loss.

Purpose: Much anecdotal evidence is available on tooth positional changes following loss of an adjacent tooth, but only a few studies are available. In Part 1 of this series, supraeruption was assessed and Generalized Linear Models were made to determine the clinical parameters associated with the supraeruptive process. The models demonstrated that clinical parameters were not only associated with the extent of supraeruption, but also with the type of eruption present.

Occlusal changes following posterior tooth loss in adults. Part 1: a study of clinical parameters associated with the extent and type of supraeruption in unopposed posterior teeth.

Purpose: One of the barriers to restoring an edentulous space may be the supraeruption of an unopposed tooth to occupy some or all of the space needed for prosthetic replacement. The aim of this study was to determine the extent and type of supraeruption associated with unopposed posterior teeth and to investigate the relationship between these and oral and patient factors.

Materials And Methods: Diagnostic casts of 100 patients with an unopposed posterior tooth and of 100 control patients were scanned and analyzed to record the extent of supraeruption, together with other clinical parameters.

The effect of colour defective vision on shade matching accuracy.

One hundred and forty one male dental students and staff were screened for colour-defective vision. Ten colour-defective and 20 non colour-defective subjects then carried out a shade matching exercise using nine selected shades and another matched, shade tab (to test for consistency) from Vita shade guides. All shade matching took place under standard lighting conditions.

Undergraduate training as preparation for vocational training in England: a survey of vocational dental practitioners' and their trainers' views.

Aims: To compare the views of new vocational dental practitioners (VDPs) and their trainers regarding how undergraduate dental education has prepared them for their vocational training (VT) in England. This study also aims to identify areas of relative weakness in dental undergraduate education that could influence the future training needs of vocational trainees.

Method: Structured postal questionnaires were completed by VDPs and trainers from five Deaneries in England.

The use of confocal microscopy to assess surface roughness of two milled CAD-CAM ceramics following two polishing techniques.

Objective: To assess the effects of two polishing techniques on the surface roughness of a commercial and experimental dental ceramic for use in a chairside CAD-CAM system.

Methods: A standard onlay was reproduced fifteen times in each of the two materials. Each stub was retained and examined using confocal microscopy in reflection mode.

An investigation of the constituent elements and modes of fracture of in vivo fractured metallic posts.

Objectives: The objective of this investigation was to determine the materials used in metallic post and core construction and investigate and the modes of failure that occurred resulting in post fracture.

Methods: Eighty-five fractured metal posts were clinically retrieved over a 5-year period. The tooth with the fractured post, and relevant clinical details were recorded.