Simulated enamel wear during occlusal contact.

Purpose: To investigate in vitro rates of wear for human enamel that opposes human enamel by means of two-body and three-body wear tests.

Methods: Flattened surfaces (1000-grit) of molars and hemi-spherically prepared enamel cusps were perpendicularly opposed and loaded (75.6 N, 1.

UAB School of Dentistry: reaching outside the walls.

Dental schools, through their service learning community outreach programs, provide both oral health services to underserved populations and experiences in service to dental students. The program at the School of Dentistry, University of Alabama is an example of such a program. The unmet needs for oral health care in the state are significant.

Influence of implant geometry and surface characteristics on progressive osseointegration.

Purpose: Although no currently available technique for the measurement of osseointegration is entirely satisfactory, 3 clinical variables can be reasonably associated with the process: probing depth, micromobility, and crestal bone height. Micromobility can be quantified to some extent with the use of the Periotest, a commercially available instrument In this investigation, the influence of surface characteristics and geometry upon Periotest value (PTV) and probing depth measurements was studied.

Materials And Methods: In a multicenter trial, 120 healthy edentulous patients received 5 or 6 implants in the anterior mandible and were followed for 3 years.

Current evidence regarding periodontal disease as a risk factor in preterm birth.

Preterm birth, resulting in babies born too little and too soon, is a major cause of morbidity. Evidence indicates that infections can be major risk factors in preterm birth. Case-control studies point to an association between periodontal infection and increased rates of preterm birth.

Wear of luting materials with titanium retainer.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the wear resistance of prosthodontic luting materials with a titanium framework by means of an in vitro three-bodied wear-testing device.

Materials And Methods: The surfaces of flat cast titanium disks were blasted with 50 microns alumina. Placing a 50 microns masking tape on the plane surface, the disks were bonded with five luting materials.

Dental self-care among dentate adults: contrasting problem-oriented dental attenders and regular dental attenders.

Self-care behaviors are common and can act as substitutes for or supplements to formal health care services. We tested the hypothesis that problem-oriented dental attenders (POAs) report more dental self-care behaviors than do regular dental attenders (RAs), presumably as a substitute for professional care. The Florida Dental Care Study is a longitudinal cohort study of changes in oral health, in which we measured dental self-care behaviors related to three common dental problems: toothache pain, bleeding gums, and tooth loss.

Periodontal disease progression.

Background: The objective of this investigation is to use noninvasive, state-of-the-art, diagnostic techniques to measure periodontal disease progression and model periodontal disease activity over time. In this investigation, digital subtraction radiography and an electronic controlled force periodontal probe capable of attachment level measurement were used to measure bone loss and attachment loss, respectively. The use of these nearly continuous measures of attachment and bone loss allowed detection of small amounts of disease activity and provided data to be used in modeling of the disease process over time.

Demineralization effects of 10 percent carbamide peroxide.

Objectives: The purpose of this in vitro study was to measure the amount of calcium lost from enamel exposed to a 10% carbamide peroxide solution.

Methods: Nine teeth (3 incisors, 2 premolars, 4 molars) were sectioned to serve as paired test and control specimens. Each tooth half was coated with wax, leaving a uniform 3 mm x 4 mm window of exposed enamel.

Effect of particle variation on wear rates of posterior composites.

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between filler size, shape, mechanical properties and wear resistance of posterior resin composite was evaluated.

Materials And Methods: Six UDMA/TEGDMA-based experimental resin composites consisting of different types of filler particles were investigated. These included four sized spherical fillers, (9.