The efficacy of occlusal splints in the treatment of bruxism: A systematic review.

Objectives: Bruxism is a commonly reported oral parafunctional activity characterised by excessive tooth grinding or clenching outside normal functional activity. The present systematic review aims to examine the available literature to determine the effectiveness of occlusal splints in the treatment of bruxism compared to no treatment and alternative treatment modalities.

Data: Data extraction was undertaken in conjunction with quality of evidence assessment.

Restorative rehabilitation in a patient with sports trauma.

Sports trauma frequently involves insult to oral soft and hard tissues resulting in loss of tooth structure and tooth loss. Multiple sporting equipment's are employed to prevent irreversible damage to oro-facial structures, and to reduce the overall cost of treatment. However in the undesired consequence of loss of oral structures, multiple treatment options are utilized to restore, esthetics, comfort and function.

HOPX functions as a tumour suppressor in head and neck cancer.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is generalized term that encompasses a diverse group of cancers that includes tumours of the oral cavity (OSCC), oropharynx (OPSCC) and nasopharynx (NPC). Genetic alterations that are common to all HNSCC types are likely to be important for squamous carcinogenesis. In this study, we have investigated the role of the homeodomain-only homeobox gene, HOPX, in the pathogenesis of HNSCC.

Aberrant expression of the S1P regulating enzymes, SPHK1 and SGPL1, contributes to a migratory phenotype in OSCC mediated through S1PR2.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a lethal disease with a 5-year mortality rate of around 50%. Molecular targeted therapies are not in routine use and novel therapeutic targets are required. Our previous microarray data indicated sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) metabolism and signalling was deregulated in OSCC.

Gene expression profiling reveals biological pathways responsible for phenotypic heterogeneity between UK and Sri Lankan oral squamous cell carcinomas.

Objectives: It is well recognized that oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cases from Asia that are associated with betel quid chewing are phenotypically distinct to those from Western countries that are predominantly caused by smoking/drinking, but the molecular basis of these differences are largely unknown. The aim of this study is to examine gene expression, related carcinogenic pathways and molecular processes that might be responsible for the phenotypic heterogeneity of OSCC between UK and Sri Lankan population groups.

Methods: We have compared the gene expression profiles of OSCCs and normal oral mucosal tissues from both Sri Lankan and UK individuals using Affymetrix gene expression arrays.

Transmission of acoustic emission in bones, implants and dental materials.

There is considerable interest in using acoustic emission (AE) and ultrasound to assess the quality of implant-bone interfaces and to monitor for micro-damage leading to loosening. However, remarkably little work has been done on the transmission of ultrasonic waves though the physical and biological structures involved. The aim of this in vitro study is to assess any differences in transmission between various dental materials and bovine rib bones with various degrees of hydration.

The impact of General Dental Council registration and continuing professional development on UK dental care professionals: (2) dental technicians.

Objective: To investigate the impact of General Dental Council (GDC) registration and mandatory CPD on dental technicians' views, job satisfaction and intention to leave the profession.

Design: Postal/online survey, conducted in parallel with a survey of dental nurses.

Setting: UK private and NHS practices, community services, dental hospitals.

In vitro assessment of bone-implant interface using an acoustic emission transmission test.

The aim of this in vitro study was to determine the feasibility of monitoring the primary stability of dental implants using a simple transmission test with acoustic emission. Forty screw-shaped titanium dental implants were installed in the middle of 10 fresh bovine ribs obtained from different animals. The implants were divided into two size groups, 8.

The impact of General Dental Council registration and continuing professional development on UK dental care professionals: (1) dental nurses.

Objective: To investigate the impact of GDC registration and mandatory CPD on dental nurses' views, job satisfaction and intention to leave.

Design: Postal/online survey, conducted in parallel with a survey of dental technicians.

Setting: UK private and NHS practices, community services, dental hospitals.

Degree of conversion and microhardness of TPO-containing resin-based composites cured by polywave and monowave LED units.

Objectives: To determine the degree of conversion (DC) and Knoop microhardness (KHN) of resin-based composites (RBCs) containing trimethylbenzoyl-diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO) cured by polywave or monowave LED light-curing units (LCUs).

Methods: Three groups (each n = 5) of Tetric EvoCeram (Ivoclar Vivadent), Vit-l-escence (Ultradent) and Herculite XRV Ultra (Kerr) were prepared in Teflon moulds (5mm in diameter and 2mm thick) and cured with polywave Bluephase(®) G2 (Ivoclar Vivadent), polywave Valo (Ultradent) or monowave Bluephase(®) (Ivoclar Vivadent; control) resulting in 9 groups. DC and KHN were determined using micro-Raman spectroscopy and Knoop microhardness, respectively.

A comparative anthropometric study of the position of the mental foramen in three populations.

Method: The position of the mental foramen was recorded in relation to the mandibular teeth and anatomical landmarks on the mandible in 76 Chinese, 46 European and 33 Indian skulls of known or calculated age at death. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey's test was used to compare the means of the three groups.

Results: The length of Indian mandibles was significantly smaller than that of Chinese (p <0.

Dental hygienists and therapists: how much professional autonomy do they have? How much do they want? Results from a UK survey.

Objectives: To investigate autonomous working among singly and dually qualified dental hygienists and therapists in UK primary care. Earlier studies and policy papers suggest that greater autonomy for these groups may be a desirable workforce planning goal.

Methods: UK-wide postal surveys of hygienists, hygienist-therapists and therapists.

Job satisfaction among dually qualified dental hygienist-therapists in UK primary care: a structural model.

Objective: To investigate job satisfaction among hygienist-therapists. Increasing numbers of hygienist-therapists work in UK primary dental care teams. Earlier studies suggest a clinical remit/clinical activity mismatch, without investigating any link with job satisfaction.

Micro-raman assessment of the ratio of carbon-carbon double bonds of two adhesive systems cured with LED or halogen light-curing units.

Purpose: the purpose of the study was to compare the ratio of carbon-carbon double bonds (RDB) of two adhesive systems cured by five different light-curing units (LCUs) using micro-Raman spectroscopy. materials and methods: ten samples of an etch-and-rinse (Excite), a two-step self-etching adhesive system (AdheSE) - ie, primer and bond mixed - and AdheSE Bond only were prepared and cured with one of the following LEDs: Elipar Freelight2; Bluephase; SmartLite; Coltolux, each for 10 s; or a conventional halogen Prismetics Lite for 10 s or 20 s. Micro-Raman spectra were obtained from uncured and cured samples of all three groups to calculate the RDB.

Temperature changes in silorane-, ormocer-, and dimethacrylate-based composites and pulp chamber roof during light-curing.

Statement Of The Problem: Light-curing of resin-based composites (RBCs) is associated with temperature increase in the pulp chamber, which may have a detrimental effect on the vital pulp.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate temperature changes of silorane-, ormocer-, and dimethacrylate-based RBCs at the bottom surface of the RBC and in the pulp chamber roof dentin (PCRD) during curing.

Materials And Methods: In part A, temperatures were measured for Filtek LS (3M ESPE, St.

Dental assessment prior to stem cell transplant: treatment need and barriers to care.

Objective: To assess the treatment needs of patients undergoing pre-haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) dental assessment, to collate the examination findings and treatment provided and to define the management issues impacting on care.

Design: Single centre retrospective analysis.

Setting: Salaried Primary Care Dental Service, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK.

Paracetamol overdose in a teenager following placement of a fixed appliance.

Pain or discomfort is common following placement or adjustment of orthodontic appliances. This case report describes an accidental paracetamol overdose in a 13-year-old girl following the initial placement of fixed appliances.

The impact of teamworking on the knowledge and attitudes of final year dental students.

Aims: To relate final year UK dental undergraduates' experience of teamwork-related training to their knowledge of the clinical role of dental hygienist-therapists, and their views of the clinical roles of dental care professionals.

Methods: A postal questionnaire was sent to the ten UK dental schools which had agreed to participate. Analysis was based on standard non-parametric statistical tests.

Quantification of monomer elution and carbon-carbon double bonds in dental adhesive systems using HPLC and micro-Raman spectroscopy.

Objectives: To quantify monomer elution from different adhesive systems using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and correlate this elution with the ratio of carbon-carbon double bonds from monomer to polymer (RDB) obtained using micro-Raman spectroscopy.

Methods: Thirty dentine discs were cut from 30 human, intact, third molars and randomly allocated to five groups according to the adhesive applied: total-etch, Excite (Ivoclar Vivadent), two-bottle self-etch, Clearfil SE (Kuraray), one-bottle self-etch, Clearfil 3S (Kuraray), ormocer-based, Admira (Voco) and Filtek Silorane adhesive system (FS) (3M ESPE). Monomer elution was studied 1h, 6h, 24h, 96h and 7 days after immersion in 75% ethanol/water.

Orthodontic evolution: an update for the general dental practitioner. Part 2: psychosocial aspects of orthodontic treatment, stability of treatment, and the TMJ-orthodontic relationship.

As a result of recent innovations and improvements, orthodontic treatment has become easier and more efficient to carry out, allowing greater numbers of patients to receive treatment. The main result of orthodontic treatment is improved dental alignment and aesthetics. Treatment has no effect on caries or periodontal disease, and the dental health gain is modest, apart from a very small percentage of destructive malocclusions.

Orthodontic evolution: an update for the general dental practitioner. Part 1: recent advances, treatment need and demand, and benefits of treatment.

Like all specialties of dentistry, orthodontics has undergone considerable development and improvement in treatment techniques over the past four decades. The two articles in this series aim to inform the general dental practitioner about these developments, together with an update on orthodontics' relationship to dental health, TMJ dysfunction and other aspects.