Efficacy and persistence of tooth bleaching using a diode laser with three different treatment regimens.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Studies have measured the effectiveness of tooth bleaching, however there are very few studies that have measured the persistence in color change after a 6-month follow-up. PURPOSE: This study assessed the efficacy of the laser bleaching process using different regimens, and the persistence of color change over a 6-month period. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Sixty patients divided into three equal groups were subjected to bleaching using a diode laser with 34% hydrogen peroxide. Group 1: patients subjected to one session of laser bleaching. Group 2: patients subjected to two sessions of laser bleaching with a 1-week interval. Group 3: the same as Group 2 but followed by home bleaching once a month for 3 months. The color was assessed four times: before bleaching, directly after bleaching, 3 months after bleaching, and 6 months after bleaching. RESULTS: All teeth had a significant color change at 6 months, but all teeth had regressed from the maximum value. There was significantly less regression in color for Group 3, followed by Groups 2 and 1, respectively. CONCLUSION: The combined technique of in-office laser bleaching for two sessions with a 1-week interval, followed by home bleaching once a month for 3 months gave more persistence in color change. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In-office power bleaching using a laser assisted hydrogen peroxide system repeated after a week, combined with home bleaching once a month for 3 months, is an effective bleaching regimen with less color regression after 6 months compared to a regimen of in-office bleaching alone.

The position of the occlusal plane in natural and artificial dentitions as related to other craniofacial planes.

PURPOSE: This study aimed at determining the most reliable ala-tragus line as a guide for the orientation of the occlusal plane in complete denture patients by use of cephalometric landmarks on dentate volunteers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analysis was made for prosthodontically related craniofacial reference lines and angles of lateral cephalometric radiographs taken for 47 dentate adults. Variables were determined and data were analyzed using SPSS (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL). RESULTS: Occlusal plane angle formed between the occlusal plane and Camper's plane had the lowest mean value in the angle formed with Camper's I, which represents the measure taken from the superior border of the tragus of the ear with a score of 2.1°. The highest was measured in the angle formed with Camper's III with a score of 6.1°, while the angle formed with Camper's II was 3.2°. The differences between the three planes in relation to the occlusal plane was significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The superior border of the tragus with the inferior border of the ala of the nose was most accurate in orienting the occlusal plane.

Relationship between patients' oral health-related quality of life, satisfaction with dentition, and personality profiles.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between patients' oral health-related quality of life, satisfaction with their dentition, and their personality profiles. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Eighty-four patients (30 males and 54 females; mean age 31.9+/-12.7 years) seeking routine dental treatment were recruited for this study. A "Dental Impact on Daily Living" (DIDL) questionnaire was used to assess dental satisfaction and impact on daily living. An "Oral Health Impact Profile" (OHIP) was used to measure self-reported discomfort, disability, and dysfunction caused by oral conditions. Oral health-related quality of life was assessed using the "United Kingdom Oral Health Related Quality of Life" measure (OHQoL-U.K). A "NEO Five Factor inventory" (NEO-FFI) was used to assess personality profiles. RESULTS: The dentition has a measurable impact on daily living as well as with satisfaction with appearance, pain levels, oral comfort, general performance, and eating capability (p=0.000). Younger patients had more profound oral health impacts (p=0.045) and higher neuroticism scores (0.043). OHIP scores were significantly related to OHQoL-UK scores (p=0.000). DIDL scores had significant correlations with OHIP and OHQoL-UK scores (p<0.05). Significant correlations were established between neuroticism and satisfaction with oral comfort, extraversion and total satisfaction and satisfaction with general performance, and openness and satisfaction with appearance (p<0.05). OHIP and OHQoL-UK scores had no significant correlations with psychological profiles. CONCLUSION: The status of the oral cavity can have a definitive impact on patients' daily living and quality of life regardless age, gender, and level of education. Patients' satisfaction with their dentition has definitive impacts on daily living, quality of life, and dental perceptions. Personality profiles (neuroticism; extraversion, and openness) may influence dental perceptions, play a significant role in shaping satisfaction with dentition, and help with the prediction of the dental impact on daily living. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Since patients' satisfaction with their dentitions impacts their daily living and quality of life while affected by their psychological profiles, this should be considered when formulating a treatment plan for management for their dentition in order to obtain patient acceptance of the proposed treatment.

Management of dental implant fractures. A case history.

The widespread use of endosseous osseointegrated implants to replace missing natural teeth increases the chances of implant complications and failures, despite the high initial success rate reported in the literature. Implant fracture is one possible complication that results in ultimate failure of the dental implant. Such a complication poses a management crisis even for the most experienced clinician. This article reports on a case of implant fracture, its possible causes, and how the case was managed.

Anterior midline point stop device (AMPS) in the treatment of myogenous TMDs: comparison with the stabilization splint and control group.

Two occlusal splints, the full-arch stabilization splint and the anterior midline point stop (AMPS) device, were evaluated for their efficiency in relieving myogenous temporomandibular disorders (TMD). One hundred and fourteen patients with myogenous TMD were distributed into 3 groups. The first group was treated with the AMPS device, the second with the stabilization splint, and the third group was the control group. Pain intensity was scored using the visual analogue scale before treatment and 1 month and 3 months after treatment. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, Chicago, Ill) and multiple comparisons tests were used to compare results before and after treatment and to compare the groups. The use of AMPS device in the first group resulted in a significant improvement after 1 month and 3 months (P < or = .001) and showed a 56.66% pain reduction. A significant improvement was also noticed in the second group (P = .001) with a 47.71% pain reduction. Although pain reduction percentage appeared more in the first group, this was not statistically significant. There was a highly significant difference between groups treated with both kinds of splints and the control group. It was concluded that both types of occlusal splints are beneficial to patients with myogenous TMD.

Torus palatinus and torus mandibularis in edentulous patients.

AIM: To determine the prevalence of tori in Jordanian edentulous patients, the sex variation in their distribution, and their clinical characteristics. METHODS: Three hundred and thirty eight patients were examined in the Prosthodontic Clinic in the Department of Restorative Dentistry at Jordan University of Science and Technology. The location, extent, and clinical presentation of tori were recorded related to the age and sex of patients. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of tori was 13.9%. The prevalence of torus palatinus was 29.8% (14/47), while that of torus mandibularis was significantly higher 42.6% (20/47). Both types of tori were associated with each other in 27.7% of cases (13/47). CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in the prevalence of tori between males and females. There seems to be a strong association between mandibular and palatal tori.

A clinical evaluation of the clinical remount procedure.

One hundred patients were treated with complete dentures. The patients were divided into two equal groups; the first group (50 patients) received complete dentures and a clinical remount procedure was performed, while the second group received complete dentures without a clinical remount. A four point, nine scale Patient Denture Satisfaction questionnaire was used to evaluate the patients' satisfaction with their dentures. When the clinical remount procedure was used, results have shown a highly significant improvement in the comfort of the upper dentures and in the fit and comfort of the lower dentures. There was a significant improvement in the chewing ability as well. In conclusion it is highly recommended the clinical remount procedure be used because it improves the patient's satisfaction with their dentures in many important aspects as shown in this study.

Psychological profile in burning mouth syndrome.

Thirty-two patients with burning mouth syndrome and 32 matched control subjects were evaluated for their personality profile using a comprehensive, reliable, and validated inventory. All subjects were requested to complete the Neo PI-R questionnaire that measures the 5 dimensions of personality and their facets. A t-test and univariate correlations (Pearson's correlation coefficient) were used to compare the 2 groups. Results show high significant differences in some personality factors. Neuroticism and all its facets, which include anxiety, angry hostility, depression, self-consciousness, impulsiveness and vulnerability, were significant at P<.001. Other domains like extraversion, openness, and conscientiousness showed significant differences also (P<.05). Many personality characteristics differentiate burning mouth syndrome patients from controllers according to the Neo PI-R and this should affect the treatment plan according to the identified characteristics.