Reattachment Of Embedded Tooth Fragment: A Case Report.

Soft tissue injuries are relatively common following traumatic dental injuries in children. This report describes a case of a nine year old girl who had a foreign body embedded in the lower lip due to fall, while playing. Thorough clinical examination followed by soft tissue radiographs confirmed the presence of a fractured incisal fragment, which was surgically retrieved under local anesthesia. The fragment was then reattached using a dentin bonding agent. Fragment reattachment is a realistic alternative to resin composite buildup for restoring esthetics and function of the traumatized dentition. The natural fragments can be used to ensure the restoration “ad integrum” of the dental crown by simple bonding. With expected improved bonding technology in the future, these fragments may serve for many years.

The effect of water purification systems on fluoride content of drinking water.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of different water purification systems on the fluoride content of drinking water and to compare the efficacy of these water purification systems in reducing the fluoride content. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five different water purification systems were tested in this study. They were reverse osmosis, distillation, activated carbon, Reviva , and candle filter. The water samples in the study were of two types, viz, borewell water and tap water, these being commonly used by the people of Davangere City, Karnataka. The samples were collected before and after purification, and fluoride analysis was done using fluoride ion-specific electrode. RESULTS: The results showed that the systems based on reverse osmosis, viz, reverse osmosis system and Reviva showed maximum reduction in fluoride levels, the former proving to be more effective than the latter; followed by distillation and the activated carbon system, with the least reduction being brought about by candle filter. The amount of fluoride removed by the purification system varied between the system and from one source of water to the other. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: Considering the beneficial effects of fluoride on caries prevention; when drinking water is subjected to water purification systems that reduce fluoride significantly below the optimal level, fluoride supplementation may be necessary. The efficacy of systems based on reverse osmosis in reducing the fluoride content of water indicates their potential for use as defluoridation devices.

Sealing ability and thermal diffusivity of cavity lining materials: an in vitro study.

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the sealing ability and the thermal insulating capability of four different cavity lining materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty noncarious human mandibular second premolars that were extracted for orthodontic treatment were collected, cleaned, and stored in distilled water. These premolars were randomly divided into four groups of ten teeth each for treatment with the different cavity lining materials. Group I teeth were treated with cavity varnish, group II teeth with amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP), group III teeth with dentin bonding agent, and group IV teeth with resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC). Electrical resistance and the difference in the time-temperature curve of the external surface and the pulp side [A D -A P ] of each tooth following heat and cold application for 120 s were measured before and after cavity lining placement to determine the sealing ability and thermal insulating property, respectively. Data collected were subjected to statistical analysis. For paired data, paired t-test and Wilcoxon's signed rank test were used. One-way ANOVA was used for comparisons between multiple groups and the Mann-Whitney U test for comparisons between pairs. RESULTS: The mean difference in electrical resistance (in K ohm) of different cavity lining materials were as follows: group I = +3.53, group II = -1.00, group III = +20.43, and group IV = +11.44. The mean differences in the area (A D -A P ) under the time-temperature curve following heat application were as follows: group I = 6.6 mm 2 , group II = 15.3 mm 2 , group III = 130.5 mm 2 , and group IV = 412.0 mm 2 . The mean differences in the area (A D -A P ) under the time-temperature curve following cold application were as follows: group I = 24.5 mm 2 , group II = 3.2 mm 2 , group III = 314.9 mm 2 , and group IV = 480.5 mm 2 . CONCLUSION: Dentin bonding agent and RMGIC provided effective sealing of the dentinal tubules and significant thermal insulation when compared to the other tested cavity lining materials.

A comparison of impact strength of fragment-bonded anterior teeth using three different restorative materials: an in vitro study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation was to estimate the impact strength of fractured anterior teeth reattached using three different restorative materials and compare their impact strengths to those of control. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty human maxillary permanent central incisors were selected and divided into control and experimental groups. The teeth in the experimental groups were fractured and then bonded using Composite resin, Compomer and resin-modified GIC. Intact teeth served as control. All the specimens were then tested in an impact testing machine. RESULTS: The results revealed statistically significant differences between Compomer and resin-modified GIC groups, control and experimental groups. No statistically significant differences were observed between Composite resin and Compomer groups. CONCLUSION: Thus the fractured fragments bonded with Composite resin and Compomer provided better adhesion than resin-modified GIC.

A comparative evaluation of four restorative materials to support undermined occlusal enamel of permanent teeth.

The purpose of this study was to test the support to undermined occlusal enamel provided by posterior restorative composite (FiltekTM P60, 3M Dental products USA), polyacid modified resin composite (F2000 compomer, 3M Dental products, USA.), radiopaque silver alloy-glass ionomer cement (Miracle Mix. GC Corp, Tokyo, Japan) and Glass Ionomer cement (Fuji IX GP). To test each material, 20 human permanent mandibular third molars were selected. The lingual cusps were removed and the dentin supporting the facial cusps was cut away, leaving a shell of enamel. Each group of prepared teeth was restored using the materials according to the manufacturer's instructions. All the specimens were thermocycled (250 cycles, 6 degrees C- 60 degrees C, dwell time 30 seconds) and then mounted on an acrylic base. Specimens were loaded evenly across the cusp tips at a crosshead speed of 5 mm /minute in Hounsfield universal testing machine until fracture occurred. Data obtained was analyzed using analysis of variance and Studentized- Newman- Keul's range test. No significant differences were detected in the support provided by P-60, F 2000, Miracle Mix or Fuji IX GP groups. The support provided to undermined occlusal enamel by these materials was intermediate between no support and that provided by sound dentin. Without further development in dental material technology and evidence of its efficacy, restorative materials should not be relied upon to support undermined occlusal enamel to a level comparable to that provided by sound dentin.