RESUMEN
Objective: To determine the use of information technology [IT] among students of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy in Prince Sattam Bin AbdulAziz University, AI-Khraj, Saudi Arabia [PSAU]
Study Design: Across-sectional survey
Place and Duration of Study: From September 2014 to January, 2015
Methodology: A close-ended questionnaire consisting of 30 multiple choice questions [MCQs] was distributed to the students. The questions were related to their access to computers, skills and training, computer activities, and internet
access. Data analyses and descriptive analyses for various variables were performed using SPSS version 17.0
Results: An overall response rate of 84.9% [488 out of 575] was obtained. All of the students [100%] had an access to the computers. Most of the students [61.9%] used computers for academic purposes. A majority of the students [74.4%] preferred the use of powerpoint presentations aided by marker-and-board method for teaching. For communication from the colleges, 62.9% of the respondents preferred it through the email; 100% of the students had an email account. All of the students [100%] used internet; 83.1% considered the information as accurate. The internet was used by 47.6% of the students for seeking the medical information
Conclusion: All of the students had an access to IT and most of them used it for their educational purposes
RESUMEN
Objectives: To evaluate the effect of silane application and silane heat treatment on lithium-disilicate ceramic when bonded to composite resin
Methods: Twelve blocks of lithium-disilicate [LD] ceramic were fabricated and bonding surfaces were etched using 9.5% hydrofluoric acid [90 seconds]. Three experimental groups resulted from the various surface treatment combinations, which included, no silane application [NS] [controls], silane application [S] and silane heat treatment [HS] [100 degree C for 5 minutesutes]. Ceramic and composite resin blocks were bonded using an adhesive resin and light cured restorative composite as a luting agent, under standard conditions. A total of 90 specimen sticks [8 x 1mm[2]] were subjected to micro-tensile bond strength testing. The means of micro-tensile bond strength [micro-tbs] of the study groups were analyzed using t-test and ANOVA. The tested specimens were analyzed for mode of failure using scanning electron microscopy [SEM]
Results: The highest micro-tbs value [42.6 +/- 3.70 MPa] was achieved for LD ceramics with heat-dried silane. Both silane application and heat treatment of silane resulted in significant [p<0.05] improvements in micro-tensile bond strength of LD ceramics when bonded to resin composite
Conclusions: The application of silane and its heat treatment showed significant improvement in bond strength of lithium disilicate ceramic when bonded to composite
RESUMEN
Objectives: To assess the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth with a novel Zirconia [Zr] nano-particle filler containing bulk fill resin composite
Methods: Forty-five freshly extracted maxillary central incisors were endodontically treated using conventional step back preparation and warm lateral condensation filling. Post space preparation was performed using drills compatible for fiber posts [Rely X Fiber Post] on all teeth [n=45], and posts were cemented using self etch resin cement [Rely X Unicem]. Samples were equally divided into three groups [n=15] based on the type of core materials, ZirconCore [ZC] MulticCore Flow [MC] and Luxacore Dual [LC]. All specimens were mounted in acrylic resin and loads were applied [Universal testing machine] at 130[degree] to the long axis of teeth, at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min until failure. The loads and the site at which the failures occurred were recorded. Data obtained was tabulated and analyzed using a statistical program. The means and standard deviations were compared using ANOVA and Multiple comparisons test
Results: The lowest and highest failure loads were shown by groups LC [18.741 +/- 3.02] and MC [25.16 +/- 3.30] respectively. Group LC [18.741 +/- 3.02] showed significantly lower failure loads compared to groups ZC [23.02 +/- 4.21] and MC [25.16 +/- 3.30] [p<0.01]. However groups ZC [23.02 +/- 4.21] and MC [25.16 +/- 3.30] showed comparable failure loads [p=0.23]
Conclusions: Fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth restored with Zr filler containing bulk fill composite cores was comparable to teeth restored with conventional Zr free bulk fill composites. Zr filled bulk fill composites are recommended for restoration of endodontically treated teeth as they show comparable fracture resistance to conventional composite materials with less catastrophic failures