Evaluation of flexural strength of composite by addition of dental amalgam powder: a pilot study

Dental composites are showing versatility in the field of restorative dentistry. Strength is main issue for their use especially in stress bearing area. Present study was aimed to evaluate the flexural strength of dental amalgam incorporated nano filled hybrid composite. Mechanical incorporation of a commercially available dental amalgam powder in nano filled hybrid composite was performed through amalgamator. Specimens were prepared and analyzed according to ISO standard No. 4049. Specimens analyzed were six [n=3] for each group. Null hypothesis for the study was no difference in the flexural strength of a commercially available dental composite and the prepared one which was rejected by the test statistics. Flexural strength of the control material was 90 Mpa while for the test material was 106.12 Mpa. Results showed a marked difference in the values of flexural strength of both the materials. Flexural strength can be increased by incorporating dental amalgam powder. Dental amalgam powder is a potential candidate for a high flexural strength and antibacterial composite. The study needs more trials on different aspects and evaluation of mechanical properties

Orthodontic record keeping: a study

The Miller-Keane Encyclopedia of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, 5[th] Edition, describes records as "a permanent or long-lasting account of something". The importance of comprehensive orthodontic records cannot be overemphasized. Orthodontic records should not only include the initial data, but all information related to the patient's treatment, throughout treatment. Records must be permanent, lasting, durable and remain unaltered. The production, retention and archiving of clear and accurate patient records is an essential part of the orthodontists professional responsibility. The objective of this study was to determine the trend of orthodontic record keeping amongst dentists in the twin cities. Data revealed high percentage of dentists keeping good pre-treatment records, however failing to keep good progress and post treatment records

Comparison of shear bond strength of metal castings luted to dentine using resin cements

The purpose of this study was to investigate the shear bond strength of metal discs luted to dentine. In this study three resin luting cements i.e. Panavia F [Group I], Variolink II [Group II] and Superbond C and B [Group III] were compared to demonstrate which material was more superior to bond sandblasted cobalt chromium alloy to dentine. Groups I, II and III were compared using ANOVA, P < 0.05. Panavia F demonstrated significantly higher bond strengths than Variolink II or SuperBond C and B. SuperBond C and B had significantly higher shear bond strength than Variolink II. Thus, there were significant differences among the tested resin luting cements for bonding metal discs. Panavia F was found to give the highest shear bond strength within the limitations of this study followed by Superbond C and B and Variolink II

Distribution of dental caries and its relationship to risk factors

The aim of this study was to assess the distribution of caries in the oral cavity and its relationship to risk factors. A total of 115 patients including both males and females were randomly selected for the study. Information about risk factors was collected by face to face interviews. Oral examination was performed to evaluate distribution of caries. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data. Mean DMFT index of the studied population was calculated to be 5.04. The value was higher in females than males. Prevalence of caries was high in the mandible as compared to maxilla. Most frequently involved teeth were first and second molars and occlusal surface was the commonly affected surface. There was a significant relationship between caries and risk factors. Distribution of dental caries in the oral cavity follows a specific pattern. Risk factors influence the caries susceptibility of the individuals

Smear layer and sealing ability of three root canal sealers

The purpose of this study was to determine the sealing ability of three individual sealers and to compare the sealing ability of these sealers in the presence and absence of smear layer. Total of sixty single rooted mandibular first premolar teeth were used. The crowns were removed at the cemento-enamel junction and roots prepared to # 35 K-file. The teeth were randomly divided into two equal groups A and B. The smear layer was removed from group B with EDTA [17%] and NaOCl [5.25%] but it was not removed in group A. Group A was then divided into three sub-groups, Al, A2 and A3. Group B was also divided into three sub-groups, Bl, B2 and B3. Each sub-group consisted of 10 specimens. In sub-groups Al andBl, AH Plus sealer, in sub-groups A2 and B2, Ketac-endo sealer and in sub-groups A3 and B3, Roth sealer was used and obturated withguttapercha using lateral condensation technique. After storage in 100% humidity at 37°C for one week, the root surfaces were coated with nail polish [except at the apex] and suspended in 2% methylene blue dye solution for one week. The roots were sectioned logitudinally to determine the following mean levels of dye penetration, Al -2.675 mm, Bl -2.092mm,A2-2.346mmB2endo-4.520mm,A3-4.929mm,B3-3.372mm.This study has illustrated that Ketac-Endo sealer provides significantly better seal in the presence of smear layer than in the absence of smear layer. Moreover it gave better seal than Roth 801 sealer in the presence of smear layer

effect of resin coating technique on shear bond strength

The purpose of this study was to investigate the shear bond strength of metal discs luted to dentine using Resin Coating Technique. In this study the adhesives used were dentine bonding agents, namely, Clearfil SE Bond and Syntac Sprint which were applied one week prior to cementation of Cobalt Chromium [Co-Cr] alloy discs to determine if there was any increase in the bond strengths when later luted using Panavia F and Variolink II. Thus there were four test groups with twelve teeth in each group i.e. Group I:Panavia F, Group II: Clearfil SE Bond I Panavia F, Group III: Variolink Hand Group IV: Syntac Sprint I Variolinkll. The mean shear bond strengths for the four test groups were recorded and the data were compared. It was found that the bond strengths increased significantly with the coating of the dentine bonding agents

Polishing of contemporary aesthetic restorative material: a review

Efficient and simple polishing techniques are invaluable for achieving superior aesthetics from composite resins in line with their growing popularity. A surface roughness of 0.7 pin to 1.44 Nm is enough to promote plaque accumulation whereas a well-finished and smooth surface will deter plaque and stain accumulation for a longer period of time. Ultimately, it is the characteristics of the filler and resin particles together with the right combination of finishing instruments which will determine the smoothness of composites on placement. This is a review article