Hybridization efficiency of the adhesive/dentin interface with wet bonding.

Although it is generally proposed that dentin bonding results from adhesive infiltration of superficially demineralized dentin, it is not clear how well the resin monomers seal the dentin collagen fibrils under wet bonding conditions. The aim of this study was to determine the quality and molecular structure of adhesive/dentin (a/d) interfaces formed with wet bonding as compared with adhesive-infiltrated demineralized dentin (AIDD) produced under controlled conditions (optimum hybrid). From each extracted, unerupted human 3rd molar, one fraction was demineralized, dehydrated, and infiltrated with Single Bond (SB) adhesive under optimum conditions; the remaining, adjacent fraction was treated with SB by wet bonding.

Intentional use of the Hawthorne effect to improve oral hygiene compliance in orthodontic patients.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the home care of noncompliant adolescent orthodontic patients with "poor" oral hygiene could be improved through the use of a deception strategy designed to intentionally induce the Hawthorne effect. This effect is often cited as being responsible for oral health improvements of control groups that receive placebo treatments. It is thought that participating in and fulfilling the requirements of a study alters subjects' behavior, thereby contributing to the improvement.

Adhesive phase separation at the dentin interface under wet bonding conditions.

Under in vivo conditions, there is little control over the amount of water left on the tooth and, thus, there is the danger of leaving the dentin surface so wet that the bonding resin undergoes physical separation into hydrophobic and hydrophilic-rich phases. The purpose of this study was to investigate phase separation in 2,2-bis[4(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloyloxy-propyloxy)-phenyl] propane (BisGMA)-based adhesive using molecular microanalysis and to examine the effect of phase separation on the structural characteristics of the hybrid layer. Model BisGMA/HEMA (hydroxyethl methacrylate) mixtures with/without ethanol and commercial BisGMA-based adhesive (Single Bond) were combined with water at concentrations from 0 to 50 vol%.

Oral complications associated with the treatment of pediatric neuroblastoma: a case study.

The treatment for pediatric cancer can have serious oral complications that adversely affect prognosis. Dental intervention to pediatric cancer patients is crucial in influencing side effects of therapy. This case study will demonstrate the role for oral intervention prior to and during cancer chemotherapy, as well as demonstrate the overall success achieved with interdisciplinary care.

Evaluation of a digital measurement tool to estimate working length in endodontics.

The purpose of the study was to compare the segmental measurement tool from the Shick Technologies CDR digital system with the conventional film radiography measurement technique to determine preoperative working length. Natural extracted human teeth with varying degrees of root curvature were used. All teeth were imaged using the Shick Technologies CDR direct digital system and conventional E-speed film.

Dental hygiene fear: gender and age differences.

Studies aimed at examining gender and age differences as they relate to dental anxiety have begun to appear in the literature. The purpose of this investigation was to explore fear and anxiety in a dental hygiene setting and evaluate gender and age differences among four sub-scales of dental hygiene fear. The Dental Hygiene Fear Survey (DHFS) was developed to address patient reaction to dental hygiene treatment.

Biofilm: a new view of plaque.

Dental researchers have attempted to understand the microbial nature of oral diseases over the past 120 years. Their view of plaque and its constituent microorganisms has shifted from a specific plaque hypothesis to a non-specific plaque hypothesis and back again to a theory of specific periodontal pathogens in plaque. Changes in the way plaque and its microorganisms are viewed affect the strategies used to prevent and control periodontal diseases.

Prioritization of the National Dental Hygiene Research Agenda.

The profession of dental hygiene has made considerable progress over the past 30 years toward developing a unique body of knowledge for guiding education, practice, and research. The 1993-1994 American Dental Hygienists' Association Council on Research published the first national dental hygiene research agenda in 1994. The 1994 research agenda focused dental hygienists' research efforts; however, publication of two national reports--the Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health, and Healthy People 2010--have made it necessary to revisit the research agenda.

Assessing the interchangeability of the Hanau Wide-Vue semiadjustable articulator.

This study evaluated the ability of the Hanau Wide-Vue articulator system to be utilized as an interchangeable articulator system within a clinically acceptable range of accuracy.

Molecular structure of acid-etched dentin smear layers--in situ study.

It is commonly reported that acid etchants remove the smear layer, but to date, there has been no chemical evidence to support these observations. The purpose of this study was to determine the molecular structure of acid-etched carbide- and diamond-bur-created smear layers. This project tested the null hypothesis that such smear layers are totally removed with current etchants.

Quantifying adhesive penetration in adhesive/dentin interface using confocal Raman microspectroscopy.

Confocal Raman microspectroscopy (CRM) provides an important and novel means of analyzing the chemical composition of the adhesive/dentin (a/d) interface. The purpose of this study was to develop a method for quantitative determination of the degree of adhesive penetration at the a/d interface using CRM. Three commercial dentin adhesive systems [Scotchbond Multipurpose Plus (SBMP+), Single Bond (SB), and Primer Bond NT (PBNT)] based on the total etch and "wet" bonding technique were examined in this study.

Oral management of the patient with cancer in the head and neck region.

Cancer therapies--including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy--may unfavorably affect the oral/dental health of patients. Existing dental problems can also result in serious complications that may be prevented by dental intervention prior to cancer therapy. This paper will be limited to a discussion of the detrimental effects of radiation therapy on the oral cavity and salivary glands and appropriate dental management.

The use of specific dental school-taught restorative techniques by practicing clinicians.

In 1995, a survey requesting information about the utilization of certain prosthodontic techniques was mailed to 3,544 graduates of a midwestern dental school. Responses were received from 1,455 alumni, representing a 41 percent return rate. In general, the results are consistent with international and national trends and show significant disparity in the utilization rates of certain procedures between general dentists and prosthodontists, as well as a disconnect between what is taught in the undergraduate dental educational program and what is applied in practice.

Stress distribution in the single-unit osseointegrated dental implant: finite element analyses of axial and off-axial loading.

Occlusal overload may contribute to the extensive crestal bone loss often noted around late-failure dental implants. A particularly high risk of traumatic overload occurs with the posterior single-unit implant restoration because the restoration itself is usually wider than the implant, creating the potential for a cantilever effect with high bending moments. The objective of this study was to evaluate the simulated effects of axial and off-axial vertical loads on stress gradients at the implant/bone interface of a single-unit osseointegrated root-form endosseous dental implant.

Effectiveness of an oral and pharyngeal cancer awareness program for health professionals.

Background: Of approximately 31,000 patients diagnosed as having oral/pharyngeal cancers (OPCs) each year in the United States, about half will die of the disease within five years, for reasons associated with patient behaviors as well as delays in diagnosis by health care professionals.

Methods: To address an apparent lack of OPC knowledge of health care professionals, a brief, non-discipline-specific, multi-component educational intervention was designed and presented to 352 health care professionals in community health centers and hospital training programs. OPC knowledge was assessed before and three months after the intervention.

Anisotropic elastic properties of cancellous bone from a human edentulous mandible.

The elastic moduli have not been reported for cancellous bone from the edentulous mandible. Accurate values are needed for finite element modeling of the mandible. The aim of this study was to determine elastic modulus values in three orthogonal directions for cancellous bone taken from an edentulous jaw and to relate these values to apparent density and volume fraction.

Interferon-mediated block in cell cycle and altered integrin expression in a differentiated salivary gland cell line (HSG) cultured on Matrigel.

Sjögren's syndrome (SS), an idiopathic, autoimmune exocrinopathy, is partly characterized by diminished salivary flow, acinar cell atrophy, and increased expression of several cytokines. Several in vivo characteristics of the sialoadenitis are also evident in a human salivary gland ductal epithelial cell line (HSG) treated with cytokines. HSG cells differentiate to the acinar phenotype when cultured on Matrigel (Becton Dickinson, Bedford, MA), a basement membrane extract.

Interfacial chemistry of the dentin/adhesive bond.

To date, the dentin/adhesive (d/a) bond has primarily been studied by morphologic analysis in conjunction with bond strength measurement. Although these analyses have enhanced our understanding, numerous questions about the chemistry have not been answered. The purpose of this study was to determine, at the molecular level, quantitative differences in the composition of the d/a interface formed under "wet" bonding conditions.

Health professionals' baseline knowledge of oral/pharyngeal cancers.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate: self-perceived competency in screening for oral/pharyngeal cancers (OPCs); knowledge about their signs, symptoms, and risk factors; and percentage of patients routinely examined.

Methods: Of 352 health professionals who completed an assessment, a subgroup of 110 physicians and dental providers was identified. Thirty-three of those had advanced training (AT) related to the oral cavity and 77 were primary care physicians (PCPs).

Morphology of azurophil lysosomes in polymorphonuclear leukocytes from humans with rapidly progressive periodontitis.

Previous investigations have shown that subjects with rapidly progressive periodontitis (RPP), an early-onset aggressive form of periodontitis, have polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) with increased intracellular levels of beta-glucuronidase, a characteristic enzyme of azurophil lysosomes. The current study attempted to account for that increase. Ten healthy controls and 10 otherwise healthy subjects with RPP participated.

An assessment of issues related to clinical skill remediation in dental hygiene education.

Purpose: Within the confines of a lock-step dental hygiene education curriculum, the remediation of clinical skills poses a challenge for both the faculty responsible for assuring clinical competence and for the students expected to meet the stringent clinical performance criteria. To gain an understanding of how dental hygiene programs meet remediation challenges, a survey of U.S.