Low temperature sintering of fluorapatite glass-ceramics.

Fluorapatite glass-ceramics have been shown to be excellent candidates as scaffold materials for bone grafts, however, scaffold production by sintering is hindered by concurrent crystallization of the glass. Objective, our goal was to investigate the effect of Ca/Al ratio on the sintering behavior of Nb-doped fluorapatite-based glasses in the SiO2-Al2O3-P2O5-MgO-Na2O-K2O-CaO-CaF2 system. Methods, glass compositions with Ca/Al ratio of 1 (A), 2 (B), 4 (C) and 19 (D) were prepared by twice melting at 1525°C for 3h.

Complementary and alternative medicine usage by patients of a dental school clinic.

This pilot study investigated the prevalence and specific reasons for usage of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among patients of a dental school clinic. Four hundred and two patients completed a 30-page survey on CAM usage. A higher rate of CAM usage was found in this dental school clinic population than rates previously reported in a general population.

How and when does fabrication damage adversely affect the clinical performance of ceramic restorations?

Objectives: As compared to factory-processed ceramic parts, one unique trait of all-ceramic dental restorations is that they are custom-fabricated, which implies a greater susceptibility to fabrication defects. A variety of processing techniques is now available for the custom fabrication of all-ceramic single and multi-unit restorations, these include sintering, heat-pressing, slip-casting, hard machining and soft machining, all in combination with a final staining or veneering step. All these fabrication techniques, from shaping to firing, are associated with the production of flaws of various shapes and sizes, in conjunction with thermal residual stresses, all of which are capable of inducing failure.

Nano-sized calcium phosphate particles for periodontal gene therapy.

Background: Growth factors such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) have significantly enhanced periodontal therapy outcomes with a high degree of variability, mostly due to the lack of continual supply for a required period of time. One method to overcome this barrier is gene therapy. The aim of this in vitro study is to evaluate PDGF-B gene delivery in fibroblasts using nano-sized calcium phosphate particles (NCaPP) as vectors.

Orthodontic considerations for the patient wearing a Milwaukee Brace.

The Milwaukee Brace was developed by Dr Walter Blount of Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the mid 1940's as a removable postoperative immobilization device for the treatment of neuromuscular scoliosis patients. This was quickly adopted as a nonoperative treatment device for idiopathic scoliosis. The first report of its use for this purpose came in 1958 (JBJS 40A:511-525, 1958).

Use of a single implant to retain a mandibular complete overdenture on the compromised atrophic alveolar ridge: a case report.

This case report illustrates some of the advantages gained by placing a single implant in the midline of the intersym-physeal region of the mandible, which can be used to retain a complete mandibular overdenture in patients with a compromised atrophic mandible opposing a maxillary complete denture. This approach is a valid treatment option for patients with limited financial and therapeutic means. This case report, along with other evidence, demonstrates that a mandibular single implant-retained overdenture is a viable treatment option for a specific group of patients.

Antimicrobial activity of Substance P and Neuropeptide Y against laboratory strains of bacteria and oral microorganisms.

Infection and inflammation of mucosal tissue may induce the production of neuropeptides, specifically Substance P and Neuropeptide Y. Since these neuropeptides are similar to antimicrobial peptides in their amino acid composition, amphipathic design, cationic charge, and size, we wanted to determine if they had antimicrobial activity against a panel of common bacteria and oral microorganisms using the radial diffusion assay. Neuropeptide Y and Substance P had antimicrobial activity against E.

Oral hygiene care for residents with dementia: a literature review.

Aim: This paper presents a literature review of oral hygiene care for adults with dementia in residential aged care facilities, including evidence for: (1) prevalence, incidence, experiences and increments of oral diseases; (2) use of assessment tools to evaluate residents' oral health; (3) preventive oral hygiene care strategies; and (4) provision of dental treatment.

Background: The impact of dementia on residential care is ever-increasing and regular oral hygiene care provision is challenging for cognitively impaired residents. Although an abundance of oral hygiene care recommendations for older people have been published, the supporting evidence has not been clearly delineated.

Application of oral implants to the general dental practice.

Background: The use of dental implants has become a management strategy for replacing missing teeth. As new implant surface technologies develop and prosthetic options increase, the field of dental implantology continues to change. General dentists con sidering the use of this treatment modality in their practices should understand the vital role treatment planning plays in achieving predictable outcomes.

A comparison of dental services received by Medicaid and privately insured adult populations.

Background: Few studies have compared differences in dental care utilization rates between a publicly and a privately insured adult population in the same geographic area. The authors conducted this study to compare the demographic characteristics and use of dental services for enrollees in the Iowa Medicaid program and in the Delta Dental Plan of Iowa. The focus was on the overall use of dental services, with an emphasis on the use of tertiary care services such as endodontic therapy and tooth extraction services.

Impression matrix technique for cusp replacement using direct composite resin.

Unlabelled: Placement of Class II composite resin restorations often presents unique challenges in achieving proper contour and contact. Although the use of sectional bands has provided solutions to these problems, their use typically is limited to more ideal cavity preparations. With more extensive loss of tooth structure, recreating the natural tooth contours and contacts with direct resin composite can be difficult.

Tooth-brushing and dentifrice use among children ages 6 to 60 months.

Purpose: Tooth-brushing and fluoride dentifrice use are the primary oral health activities for young children. Fluoridated dentifrice has had an important impact on the reduction in children's caries lesion rates, but no studies have focused on patterns of use at multiple time points early in life. The purpose of this paper is to describe tooth-brushing and fluoride dentifrice use in a cohort of children from ages 6 to 60 months.

Maximizing mandibular prosthesis stability utilizing linear occlusion, occlusal plane selection, and centric recording.

The stability of mandibular complete dentures may be improved by reducing the transverse forces on the denture base through linear (noninterceptive) occlusion, selecting an occlusal plane that reduces horizontal vectors of force at occlusal contact, and utilizing a central bearing intraoral gothic arch tracing to record jaw relations. This article is intended to acquaint the reader with one technique for providing stable complete denture prostheses using the aforementioned materials, devices, and procedures.

Current and future role of fluoride in nutrition.

Fluoride continues to be the cornerstone of dental caries prevention in North America and throughout the world, and there are a variety of sources of fluoride that may contribute to the dietary intakes of fluoride. Although the severe effect of chronic exposures to high levels of fluoride--skeletal fluorosis--is extremely rare in North America, dental fluorosis has become more prevalent. To address the increase in dental fluorosis prevalence, recommendations have been made to reduce fluoride ingestion early in life.

Laboratory fabrication of gold occlusal surfaces for removable and implant-supported prostheses.

This article describes a technique for fabricating prosthetic teeth with gold occlusal surfaces for removable or implant-supported prostheses. Following a successful wax try-in appointment, the denture teeth used in the prosthesis are invested in a denture flask. After deflasking, the gingival 2/3 of the denture teeth are trimmed away.

Users' guide to the dental literature: how to use an article about prognosis.

With the growing need for documented efficacy of treatment and efficiency of rendering care, prosthodontists will serve their patients best when they fully understand the intricacies of clinical research and the results reported. This article proposes a structure for evaluating the literature that pertains to prognosis--the prediction of outcomes and frequency of such occurrences.

Effects of oral habits' duration on dental characteristics in the primary dentition.

Background: Studies dating to the 1870s have demonstrated that long-term nonnutritive sucking habits may lead to occlusal abnormalities, including open bite and posterior crossbite. However, little is known as to whether habits of shorter durations have lasting effects.

Methods: The authors collected longitudinal data on nonnutritive sucking among children through a series of questionnaires regularly completed by parents.

Impact of tobacco use on periodontal status.

This article reviews the effects of smoked and smokeless tobacco on periodontal status, including the impact of smoking on periodontal therapy and potential mechanisms for the adverse effects of tobacco on the periodontium. Approximately half of periodontitis cases have been attributed to either current or former smoking. Both cigar and cigarette smokers have significantly greater loss of bone height than nonsmokers, and there is a trend for pipe smokers to have more bone loss than nonsmokers.