Microtensile bond strengths to enamel of self-etching and one bottle adhesive systems.

Unlabelled: This study compared the enamel bond strengths of self-etching and one bottle adhesives, and evaluated microscopically their debonding modes. Evaluated systems were: Self-etch--Prompt L-Pop (LP); one bottle, total etch--Single Bond (SB), Prime & Bond NT (PB); compomer--Hytac Aplitip (HA), F2000 (F2); resin composite- Reference 21 Aplitip (R2), Herculite XRV (XRV), Esthet.X (EX); in the following combinations: LP/HA; LP/R2; SB/F2; SB/XRV; PB/EX.

Oral effects of low-dose methotrexate treatment.

Methotrexate is used increasingly in low-dose regimes for a variety of conditions, particularly rheumatoid arthritis. While certain adverse effects of low-dose methotrexate have been described in detail, oral complications have received little attention. This article includes a summary of the uses and pharmacology of low-dose methotrexate and the mechanisms that lead to general and oral toxicity.

The Dahl Concept: past, present and future.

The Dahl appliance was described nearly 30 years ago. This removable metal bite platform was used to create inter-occlusal space, in a localised part of the mouth, to facilitate the placement of restorations on worn anterior teeth. The Dahl concept is traditionally associated with the management of worn teeth.

Obturators for cleft palate and other speech appliances.

An outline is given of palato-pharyngeal function in the cleft palate patient and how it may be expected to vary from that of the non-cleft subject. The procedure of obturator moulding is described and the functioning of palatal training appliances and palatal supports explained.

Conscious sedation services provided in secondary care for restorative dentistry in the UK: a survey.

Objectives: To assess the views of consultants in restorative dentistry on sedation services in secondary care for restorative dentistry and their involvement in the provision of this.

Design: Postal questionnaire survey in the UK.

Setting: Consultants in restorative dentistry.

Dolphin Imaging Software: an analysis of the accuracy of cephalometric digitization and orthognathic prediction.

The purpose of this study was to examine and compare the reproducibility and reliability of digitization using Dolphin Imaging Software (Version 8.0) with traditional manual techniques. In addition, orthognathic prediction was compared with actual outcomes.

The effect of infection-control barriers on the light intensity of light-cure units and depth of cure of composite.

Aim: Dental curing lights are vulnerable to contamination with oral fluids during routine intra-oral use. This controlled study aimed to evaluate whether or not disposable transparent barriers placed over the light-guide tip would affect light output intensity or the subsequent depth of cure of a composite restoration.

Methods: The impact on light intensity emitted from high-, medium- and low-output light-cure units in the presence of two commercially available disposable infection-control barriers was evaluated against a no-barrier control.

Evaluation of the potential risk of occupational asthma in dentists exposed to contaminated dental unit waterlines.

Introduction: Most of the organisms isolated from dental unit waterlines (DUWL) are Gram-negative bacteria, which contain cell wall endotoxin. A consequence of endotoxin exposure is the exacerbation of asthma.

Objectives: This study examined the prevalence and onset of asthma among dentists and determined whether or not these were associated with the microbiological quality of DUWL in their practices.

A prospective 3-year study of fixed bridges linking Astra Tech ST implants to natural teeth.

Background: Connecting teeth and osseointegrated implants in fixed reconstructions is not generally recommended because of differences in their response to loading.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the clinical and radiographic performance of the teeth and implants used to support three unit fixed bridges subjected to normal functional loads.

Subjects And Methods: Nineteen subjects (10 males, nine females, age range 27-65 years) with an edentulous posterior free end saddle in either maxilla or mandible (Kennedy Class 2), and opposing natural teeth or a tooth-supported fixed bridge were treated and completed the 3-year trial.

Evaluation of the personal dental services (wave 1) for Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham primary care trusts--Part 2: Retrospective analyses of treatment and other dental record data.

Aim/objective: The purpose of the study was to undertake analyses of treatment data for the Personal Dental Services (PDS) of Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham Primary Care Trusts and relate the analyses to the PDS goals of supporting practitioners deliver appropriate quality dental care and ensuring that appropriate quality safety net services are available for all residents.

Method: Analyses of treatment data provided by the Dental Practice Board were undertaken for the post-PDS period (February 1999-March 2003, based on data availability). Analyses of the clinic notes for 1500 patients were also undertaken for the 1 year pre-PDS period (October 1997-September 1998) and post-introduction of the PDS (October 1998-June 2003).

Evaluation of the personal dental services (wave 1) for Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham primary care trusts--Part 1: Retrospective analyses of registration data and access issues.

Aim/objective: The purpose of the study was to undertake analyses of registration data for the personal dental services (PDS) of Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham primary care trusts and relate the analyses to the PDS goal of increasing uptake of dental services.

Method: Secondary analyses of registration statistics provided by the Dental Practice Board were undertaken for both 1 years pre-PDS (October 1997 to September 1998) and post-PDS (October 1998 to March 2003) periods. Three sets of analyses were undertaken to consider different aspects of changing registrations: (1) Absolute numbers of patients registered at each time interval; (2) Rates of change in numbers of patients registered for the entire period after the introduction of PDS; and (3) Rates of change in numbers of patients registered for the most recent 3 years of available data.

An appraisal of options of the training and education of Professionals Complementary to Dentistry.

The training and education of Professionals Complementary to Dentistry (PCDs) has become a topic of close scrutiny and much debate in the recent past, particularly with the introduction of enhanced duties and compulsory registration of some groups. This paper will describe the background to, the conduct of and the findings from a workshop held to explore innovative approaches to the education and training of PCDs in the United Kingdom. Existing systems of training and education of PCDs will be reviewed through the exploration of published literature and through the collection of primary data from interviews with key personnel both in the UK and internationally.

Psychometric properties of the modified dental anxiety scale: an independent replication.

Aim: To estimate the internal consistency, test-retest reliability, discriminant and concurrent validity of the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS).

Method: Survey of a cohort of 135 dental patients in three equal groups (non-anxious; treated anxious; highly anxious). The average age of the total sample was 39.

A 3-year longitudinal, controlled clinical study of a gallium-based restorative material.

Aim: The aim of this three-year longitudinal controlled study was to compare the clinical performance of Galloy versus a high copper, mercury based Dispersalloy filling material.

Methods: Moderate to large class I and class II cavities or replacement restorations were selected and 25 Galloy restorations and 25 Dispersalloy controls were placed in 14 adult patients by a single operator. Restorations were photographed and a silicone impression recorded at baseline, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years.

Randomized-controlled trial: effect of a reservoir biteguard on quality of life in xerostomia.

Background: To assess the effect of a reservoir biteguard for artificial saliva on the oral health-related quality of life of patients with xerostomia.

Methods: Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial among 86 adults with xerostomia. Study group received the trial biteguard.

Treatment of chronic sclerosing osteomyelitis of the mandible with calcitonin: a report of two cases.

We report two patients with diffuse sclerosing osteomyelitis in the mandible in whom management with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, long-term antibiotics, and surgical debridement failed to resolve the symptoms of pain and swelling, which subsequently improved when the patients were given calcitonin.

Drug users: oral health-related attitudes and behaviours.

Aim: Explore oral health-related attitudes and behaviours of drug users.

Design: Qualitative study using focus groups and semi-structured interviews.

Setting: Facilities for treatment and recovery of drug users in South London.

Role of the Notch signalling pathway in tooth morphogenesis.

Notch receptors are involved in cell fate decisions through the process of lateral inhibition or inductive signalling. Jagged2 belongs to the family of transmembrane proteins that serve as the ligands for Notch receptors. We have analysed the expression of the Jagged2 gene in developing mouse teeth.

Serum and saliva antibodies do not inhibit Candida albicans Sap2 proteinase activity using a BSA hydrolysis assay.

The opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans possesses 10 members of a secreted aspartyl proteinase (Sap) family, which are associated with fungal virulence. The C. albicans proteinases are known to induce antibody responses in humans, but the direct inhibition of Sap activity by antibody has not yet been demonstrated.

The social determinants of oral health: new approaches to conceptualizing and researching complex causal networks.

Oral epidemiological research into the social determinants of oral health has been limited by the absence of a theoretical framework which reflects the complexity of real life social processes and the network of causal pathways between social structure and oral health and disease. In the absence of such a framework, social determinants are treated as isolated risk factors, attributable to the individual, having a direct impact on oral health. There is little sense of how such factors interrelate over time and place and the pathways between the factors and oral health.

The microflora of the erupting first permanent molar.

The relationship between microflora, eruption status and caries status in the first permanent molar of young children was investigated in 177 children aged 6-7 years. A significantly greater proportion of fully erupted teeth were classified as sound and plaque-free compared to partially erupted teeth. Fully erupted teeth yielded greater numbers and proportions of mutans streptococci compared with significantly greater numbers and proportions of Actinomyces israelii in partially erupted teeth.

Ion channels in osteoblasts: a story of two intracellular organelles.

Recent advances have highlighted a synchronous coordination of osteoblast and osteoclast activity, whereby, the osteoblast collates all signals applied to the bone and activates osteoclastic resorption. The resorption of the bone and its matrix then releases growth factors held within the matrix (bone morphogenetic proteins, insulin-like growth factors and transforming growth factors) which then stimulate the osteoblast to lay down new osteoid. In healthy adults there is a balance between bone deposition and bone loss and there is no net gain or loss, and the amount of calcium (Ca2+) ingested in the diet is equal to that which is excreted.

Parallels between tooth development and repair: conserved molecular mechanisms following carious and dental injury.

The reparative mechanisms that operate following carious and traumatic dental injury are critical for pulp survival and involve a series of highly conserved processes. It appears that these processes share genetic programs-linked to cytoskeletal organization, cell movement, and differentiation-that occur throughout embryogenesis. Reactionary dentin is secreted by surviving odontoblasts in response to moderate stimuli, leading to an increase in metabolic activity.

Craniofacial development in the talpid3 chicken mutant.

The talpid(3) chicken mutant has a pleiotropic phenotype including polydactyly and craniofacial abnormalities. Limb polydactyly in talpid(3) suggests a gain of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling, whereas, paradoxically, absence of midline facial structures suggests a loss of Hh function. Here we analyze the status of Shh signaling in the talpid(3) mutant head.