Influence of Selected Restorative Materials on the Environmental pH: In Vitro Comparative Study

In dental caries treatment, it is worth using such restorative materials that may limit plaque accumulation. The pH of the filling seems to be an important factor affecting the potential bacterial colonisation. Our study aimed to assess how selected restorative materials influence the environmental pH. A total of 150 specimens (30 of each: Ketac Molar, Riva LC, Riva SC, Filtek Bulk Fill, and Evetric) were placed in 100 sterile hermetic polyethene containers with saline and stored in 37 °C. The pH of each sample was measured using the electrode Halo HI13302 (Hanna Instruments, Poland) at specific points in time for 15 days. The initial pH levels were significantly lower for glass ionomer cements (3.9–4.7) compared to composites (5.9–6.0). With time, the pH increased for samples with glass ionomer cements (by nearly 1.5), whereas it decreased for samples with composites (maximally by 0.8). In the end, all materials were in the pH range between 5.3 and 6.0. The highest final pH was obtained with Ketac Molar at about 5.9. Double samples had lower pH values than single samples, irrespective of the type of material. In conclusion, immediately after application, restorative materials decreased the environmental pH, especially light-cured glass ionomer cements. For glass ionomers, within two weeks, the pH increased to levels comparable with composites.

Application of caries assessment spectrum and treatment instrument for staging and evaluating treatment needs of an adult population - A hospital based cross-sectional study

Background: Application of caries assessment spectrum and treatment (CAST) instrument for staging and evaluating treatment needs of an adult population suffering from dental carious lesionObjectives: Study was conducted with aim of applying CAST instrument for staging adult urban Indian population according to severity of carious lesion and treatment needs required.Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 300 adult patients. After training session and calibration of examiner, all patients were examined for the caries experience and CAST codes were recorded on a structured proforma.Results: Of 300 adult patients, 18% (54) adults have healthy dentition denoted by codes 0,1, and 2. 12 % and 15.3% adults were in reversible premorbidity stage (code 3) and morbidity stage (codes 4 and 5) respectively. The largest number of adults 29.7% were seen in serious morbidity stage (codes 6 and 7) followed by 21.3% adults in mortality stage (code 8) requiring either root canal treatment or extraction and replacement of teeth as treatment needs.Conclusion: CAST instrument has been found useful in staging adult population suffering with dental carious lesion and evaluating their treatment needs. Moreover, CAST is easy to apply for staging the carious lesion due its hierarchical structure and reporting results in an understandable manner.Keywords: Adults; Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment; Dental Caries; Treatment needs.

Prevalence of Caries in Anterior Teeth in Adults; An Epidemiology Study

Background and Aim: Dental caries is a multifactorial, widespread chronic infection of the enamel, or dentin caused by plaque. Susceptible tooth surfaces, saliva, oral micro flora, and dietary carbohydrates are the main factors involved in the development of dental caries. Treatment and prevention management of caries among the population is measured in terms of prevalence and severity of anterior teeth caries. The present study's aim was to determine the prevalence of anterior teeth caries among adults. Methodology: This epidemiological study was conducted on 1276 patients reporting for treatment at the College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Saudi Arabia from January 2021 to July 2021. Detection of carries was carried out as per World Health Organization (WHO). Based on demographic details such as age, gender, occupation, and diet, the prevalence of carious anterior teeth was assessed. All the data was coded and analyzed using SPSS version 24. Results: Out of 1276 patients, male and female patients were 814 (63.8%) and 462 (36.2%) respectively. The incidence of carious anterior teeth was 263 (32.2%) in males whereas 149 (32.3%) in female patients. The overall incidence of carious anterior teeth was 32.25%being prevalent in male patients with an age range from 21 years to 30 years. A significant association was found among carious anterior teeth, age (p<0.05), diet (p<0.05), location (p<0.05), teeth malalignment (p<0.05), and oral hygiene (p<0.05). However, anterior decay had no significant association with gender (p=0.673) and occupation (p=.167). Maxillary central incisors were the commonly affected teeth in most cases. Conclusion: Our study found that the prevalence of carious anterior teeth was 32.25% and Maxillary central incisors were the commonly affected teeth in most cases. A significant association was found among carious anterior teeth, age, location, oral hygiene, diet, and teeth malalignment. But no significant association among carious anterior teeth, occupation, and gender. Keywords: Anterior caries, prevalence, dental caries

Restaurações atraumáticas : usos e limitações

The Atraumatic Restorative Treatment are internationally known through their initials (A.R.T.) were recommended by the World Health Organization for dental caries treatment in places with no dental offices. Since then, other possibilities of use are appearing. This article presents a review of its uses and limitations in and out of the dental clinic.

Reference map of localization of contact points and contact areas of posterior teeth

The aim of the study: to find correlations in age-related characteristics of the localization and shape of the contact points in permanent posterior teeth and to develop a reference card for dentists, reflecting the age-related characteristics of the localization, shape and size of the contact areas of the posterior teeth in adults.Materials and research methods. The linear dimensions, area, shape, vertical and horizontal position in the interdental space of 1224 contact points of the posterior teeth in 236 patients aged 20 to 59 years was assessed based on a comprehensive analysis of intraoral radiographs performed using the bitewing technique, the results of the study of contact points using floss, displaying contact points on dental impressions made using a special technique.Research results. It was found that the interdental spaces of the posterior teeth in adult patients are characterized by the following features: the contact areas of the teeth are displaced in the vestibular direction, the buccal and lingual (palatal) interdental embrasures are asymmetric; dynamics of the depth of occlusal interdental embrasures, linear dimensions and area of contact areas is expressed as average digital values for different age groups: 20-40 years: contact areas – 1×2 mm, S = 2 mm2, depth of occlusal interdental embrasure - 1.5 mm ; over 40 years old: contact pads – 1.5×3 mm, S = 4.5 mm2, the depth of the occlusal interdental embrasure – 1.0 mm.Conclusion. On the basis of the data obtained, a «Reference map of the localization of contact points and contact areas of posterior teeth in adult patients» was proposed, which allows a dentist to obtain data on the features of the topography of the contact areas of the posterior teeth, taking into account the patient’s age during planning and performing interproximal caries treatment.

КЛІНІЧНИЙ ВИПАДОК ЗАСТОСУВАННЯ СИСТЕМИ «ICON-INFILTRANT» В ТЕРАПЕВТИЧНІЙ СТОМАТОЛОГІЇ

Modern scientific and technological progress offers a new standard of treatment of odontopathology - infiltration of enamel with resins to seal cracks, chips and to level the surface in the affected area. The aim of the research is to introduce a conservative method for caries treatment using the polymer system "Icon" in the practice of therapeutic dentistry. Patient P., 20 years old, applied to the Department of Propaedeutics of Therapeutic Dentistry of PDMU with complaints of a tingling sensation from chemical stimuli, which disappeared immediately after their removal and the appearance of white matte spots on the vestibular surface of the maxillar teeth in the frontal area. From the anamnesis - the spots appeared after removing the brace system, which the patient had been wearing for 3 years. After the clinical examination, we diagnosed acute superficial dental caries 13,12,11,21,22,23. The treatment was performed in one visit with the Icon Vestibular system. Teeth are cleaned of plaque with a brush and fluoride-free toothpaste "Depural Neo". Under application anaesthesia with Sol. Lidocaini 10%, we isolated teeth with the rubber dam system. The lesions were treated with etching gel (Icon-Etch) 15% hydrochloric acid solution, left for 2 min, then washed off with water for 30 seconds, dried with dry air. To ensure high-quality adhesion of polymer resins, complete moisture removal was performed using ethanol-containing conditioner "Icon-Dry" for 30 seconds, followed by thorough air drying. To infiltrate the lesion, the vestibular nozzle was wound on the syringe "Icon-Infiltrant", infiltrate was carefully applied with a small excess on the etched enamel and left for 3 minutes. Excess was removed with floss and photopolymerized using "Icon-Infiltrant" for 40 seconds. For the second time, having screwed a new vestibular nozzle onto the "Icon-Infiltrant" syringe, the resin was applied for 1 minute. Excess material was removed and polymerized with ultraviolet light for 40 seconds. The rubber dam system was removed. The oxygen-inhibited layer was removed and the vestibular surfaces of the teeth were polished with the help of polishing discs and heads. As a result of the treatment, most of the stains disappeared, the colour, the shine of the tooth enamel 13,12,11,21,22,23 and the surface relief were restored. In 1 and 3 months after treatment, the visual and tactile examination of the vestibular surfaces of teeth revealed that the achieved aesthetic result slightly improved – the sizes of spots, which had been noticeable on the day of treatment decreased. The obtained result satisfied the patient both on the day of infiltration and in the long term. Follow-up examinations every 3 months during the year are recommended. Thus, this method allows us to stop the development of caries and non-carious lesions. It does not require anaesthesia; during treatment, intact areas of tissue are preserved and not damaged. Consequently, a high therapeutic and aesthetic result is achieved, several teeth can be cured in one session, and treatment lasts for an average of 15 minutes.

PREVALENCE OF PERIAPICAL TISSUE DISEASES

The epidemiological aspects of endodontics in comparison with the epidemiology of caries have been insufficiently studied, especially in our country. Aim. The purpose of this work is to assess the endodontic status of patients depending on the level of dental caries resistance. Material and methods. We, based on clinical observations, put forward an assumption about the relationship between the frequency and nature of complications of caries and the level of their resistance to disease according to Nedosenko V.B. The subject of our study was to test this assumption on factual material. The materials of the study were medical documents of 292 patients treated for diseases of the periapical tissues. Orthopantomograms of these patients were analyzed. Methods of statistical analysis were used for assessments and conclusions: Kullback's information statistics and the difference method. Results. When considering the relationship between complications of caries and levels of resistance, an inverse relationship was found, that is, among persons with an average level of dental resistance to caries, the frequency of complicated forms is much lower than among persons with low and very low (p < 0.001). Most often, diseases of the periapical tissues with a destructive process in the periodontium occurred in persons with a low level of resistance. The frequency of diagnostics of destructive periodontitis arising without endodontic treatment and periodontitis arising after endodontic treatment in patients with an average level of resistance is lower than in patients with a low level of resistance. Discussions. The lower the level of resistance of teeth to caries, the more often untreated periodontitis is detected, more often destructive periodontitis occurs as an outcome of endodontic treatment for pulpitis. Conclusions. The data we have obtained allow us to increase the effectiveness of caries treatment, taking into account the level of tooth resistance.

Efficiency of different instruments used for composite filling polishing.

Introduction: Improper finishing and polishing of fillings leads to surface roughness of the restoration which leads to excessive plaque accumulation, gingival irritation, increased surface staining and poor aesthetics of restored teeth. Therefore, it is essential to use polishing instruments and pastes as a final step of simple caries treatment in order to achieve optimal long-time results. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of 4 different finishing and polishing instruments used for surface smoothening of aesthetic restorative materials in vitro. Materials and methods: 40 composite (Reality X) samples were prepared in vitro. Their surface irregularities were measured along 3 diagonals before and after polishing. Sof-Lex discs (3M Espe), rubber cones (Kenda), Arkansas stone (Fino) and polishing paste and a professional toothbrush (Kerr) were used for polishing. Each sample was polished under 5N pressure for 30 seconds at 3000 rpm. The surface roughness was than measured using a profilometer. Statistic analysis was performed using ANOVA and unpaired T-tests, the significance level was set at a value of p<0.05. Results: Based on the mean values, the smallest roughness was found in the control group- 0.11, while the highest in the rubber polishers and Arkansas stone group- 0.47 and 0.48. The values for the Sof-Lex disc group and the polishing paste-toothbrush group were 0.40 and 0.39. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences between the four groups. Conclusion: It is mandatory to use polishing tools in order to obtain a smooth surface of the restoration and avoid the unwanted long-term complications. Polishing using brush and abrasive paste produced the smoothest surface of the composite.