The Application of Zirconia in Tooth Defects

Dental caries is among the most prevalent chronic diseases of childhood, affecting larger part of children and adults. Non-treated enamel caries can lead to destruction and then spreads into the underlying softer and sensitive dentine layer. Dental restorative materials are applied to treat and reconstruct damaged teeth clinically and recover their functions. Currently, there are various dental restorative materials available, and many appropriate materials are used to restore dental carious teeth. The applicability of biomimetic principles can elicit innovations in restorative dentistry for tooth conservation and preservation. There are three types of materials commonly used in dental restorations: resin, alloys, and ceramic. During the past decade, zirconia-based ceramics have been successfully introduced into the clinic due to acceptable biocompatibility, lower price compared with gold restorations, and better appearance than traditional metal-ceramic restorations. Recently, zirconia restoration is an acceptable treatment option in restorative dentistry and a developing trend in esthetic dentistry.

Reframing Perceptions in Restorative Dentistry: Evidence-Based Dentistry and Clinical Decision-Making

Objectives. The worldwide interest of both dentists and patients in esthetic dentistry has affected decision-making in dental practice. The aim of this study was to investigate contemporary dental practice in restorative dentistry and the relationship between evidence-based dentistry in caries research and decision-making in clinical practice in restorative dentistry. Methods. The study was conducted through a structured questionnaire distributed randomly at the Jordanian Dental Association registered dentists in Jordan. The questionnaire aimed to clarify the degree of knowledge and practice of evidence-based dentistry in caries research the dentists hold regarding clinical decision-making in restorative dentistry. Results. The majority of the surveyed dentists (77%) treat teeth with irreversible pulpitis with root canal treatment rather than vital pulp therapy. 13.8% routinely insert a post and 23% routinely crown the tooth after root canal treatment regardless of the remaining tooth structure. Badly damaged teeth are treated with full crowns in 72% of the cases. Regarding Hollywood smile or smile makeover, the majority of dentists choose conservative approaches, and implants were the first choice to replace missing teeth for 93.8% of the surveyed dentists. Conclusion. A higher degree of implementation of evidence-based dentistry in clinical decision-making was found in Prosthetic Dentistry than in Endodontics. Yet, the gap between evidence-based data and clinical practice needs bridging. More emphasis on communicating these data to educators to integrate them into the dental curriculum is a must.

STRENTHENING BY DIVIDING: TREATMENT OF GRADE III FURCATION INVOLVEMENT WITH PLATELET RICH FIBRIN

The modern dentistry has provided opportunity to the patient to increase the longevity of functional dentition. Therapeutic measures may vary in the complexity of the teeth. The treatment may involve combination of restorative dentistry, endodontics, and periodontics

Overtreatment in Restorative Dentistry: Decision Making by Last-Year Dental Students

To evaluate the tendency for overdiagnosis and overtreatment upon different clinical situations among last-year students from the degree in dentistry from Valencia University (Spain) during the 2018–2019 course. A questionnaire consisting of 10 case exemplifications examining the diagnosis, treatment, and clinician’s attitude towards different common clinical situations regarding restorative dentistry was designed. Fifty-two students were surveyed, from whom 42 completed the questionnaire (80.77%). Data were analyzed descriptively. A total of 58.8% of the students correctly identified an early carious lesion in the occlusal surface of a molar, while 63.2% would perform unnecessary complementary tests for its diagnosis. The treatment for carious lesions in different evolutive phases with a vital pulp was correct between 51.2 and 92.7% of the cases. The treatment for irreversible pulp pathology and the restoration of the tooth with root canal treatment were adequately selected in 56.1% and 78.3% of the cases, respectively. For the repair of a faulty restoration, an overtreatment was proposed by 87.8% of the students. A tendency to perform unnecessary complementary tests for caries diagnosis was observed. Treatment caries proposals were in accordance with available evidence in the majority of the cases. Students tended to overtreat defective restorations and would perform unnecessary treatments in medically compromised patients.

Comments about the appraisal of systematic reviews in restorative dentistry

Adequate adoption of evidence-based practice is deeply rooted in accessing methodological quality and completeness of systematic reviews and meta-analyses reporting. Nonetheless, this assumption might be flawed if the methodological quality assessment has not been properly conducted. Taking the former statement into consideration, this correspondence article encourages the improvement of future tertiary manuscripts, especially in the field of restorative dentistry. Thus, this article addresses an overview of reviews in restorative dentistry by Sarkis-Onofre et al. in the May 2019 issue of the Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry as an example of evaluating tertiary evidence for increasing the awareness of reviewers, authors, and readers.

Should dental amalgams be used in dental training? The perspectives of dental academics at a university in South Africa

Dental amalgam has been used in dentistry for the last 150 years to restore posterior teeth. Concerns regarding the safety issues with amalgam due to its mercury content have lead to the introduction of composite dental material to restore posterior teeth. This has transformed the teaching and training trends of direct restorative materials for posterior teeth. This descriptive study aimed to gain insight into academic staff and clinical supervisors’ perceptions regarding the use of dental amalgams in the teaching of restorative dentistry. This study used a qualitative method of data collection. Two focus group discussions were conducted between March and May 2020. Seventeen participants were invited to participate. Fourteen responded and participated, yielding an 82% response rate. The data identified two major themes, viz. the challenges experienced with the teaching of dental amalgam and curriculum development recommendations. Clinical quota requirements, disposal of waste products, and occupational and environmental risks regarding mercury exposure were sub-themes. Some of the curriculum recommendations included the skills gained during cavity preparations, the training and quota requirements of dental materials, and teaching trends locally, nationally and internationally.This study revealed that dental amalgam is still an integral part of the restorative dentistry curriculum at the university. However, the teaching of resin composite now occupies more than fifty percent of the restorative dentistry curriculum. Academics and clinical supervisors show a greater affinity for the placement of composite restorations.

Biomimetic mechanical properties and its role in restorative dentistry

The main aim of introducing biomimetic materials is to achieve successful remineralization using biocompatible and optimally functioning materials that can be used to manage diseased and defective tissues in a minimally invasive process. Recently, evidence shows that many biomimetics was introduced with excellent advantages and favorable outcomes in the different fields of dentistry. A wide acceptance of biomimetics was reported in the field of dentistry as the modalities were efficaciously applied in the different endodontic and restorative procedures. In the present literature review, we have discussed the biomimetic mechanical characteristics of the different restoration materials that are currently used in the field of restorative dentistry. The current evidence supports the use and applications for biomimetics in the field of restorative dentistry based on the extensively reported evidence regarding the mechanical and functional characteristics of these modalities which mimic the functions of normal teeth. Accordingly, these modalities can be used to solve the underlying clinical challenges that are routinely faced in the settings of restoration. Furthermore, different materials were introduced and evaluated for their efficacies, and the clinical decision of these materials is based on many factors and should be taken based on dentist-and-patient interaction.