Effect of partial ferrule on fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth: A meta-analysis of in-vitro studies.

PURPOSE: The present meta-analysis aimed to answer the following research question: In endodontically treated teeth (ETT), what is the effect of partial ferrule (PF) on fracture resistance compared to complete ferrule (CF) and/or no ferrule (NF)? STUDY SELECTION: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched for relevant studies published until May 20, 2022. In vitro studies that compared the effect of partial ferrule with that of complete ferrule and/or no ferrule on fracture resistance of ETT were included. The studies were assessed for risk of bias, and a meta-analysis was performed. RESULTS: Seventeen in vitro studies comprising 807 teeth were included. Nine studies were at a high risk of bias and eight presented a moderate risk of bias. Overall, the results showed that CF was superior to PF in increasing fracture resistance (SMD= 0.93, CI95%= 0.57-1.29, P< 0.0001), with no change in the effect based on the type of teeth (P< 0.001). However, the subgroup analysis found that PF 2 mm buccal, lingual, and buccal and lingual ferrule were comparable to CF (P= 0.06). Additionally, the PF group showed significantly higher fracture resistance than the NF group (SMD= 2.02, CI95%= 1.54-2.49, P< 0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: Although CF design provided the highest fracture resistance to restored ETT, PF can still be a viable option for restoring ETT in cases where CF is not feasible.

The possible association between the types of soft palate and gag reflex: a preliminary study / A possível associação entre os tipos de palato mole e o reflexo de vômito: um estudo preliminar

Objective: whether gag reflex, a common problem encountered during dental procedures, is associated with the different types of the soft palate has not been addressed so far. This preliminary study sought to assess the potential association between the different types of soft palate and gag reflex. Material and Methods: one hundred dental patients were recruited. The type of soft palate was determined. Subjective (self-reported) gag reflex was recorded based on many questions and past experience and on a 0-6 VAS. Objective assessment of gag reflex was done using different maneuvers where the posterior part of the tongue and the soft palate were touched by dental mirror, and by taking impression for the upper arch. The association between the types of soft palate and the subjective and objective recorded gag reflex were statistically tested. Results: there were 53 (53%), 33 (33%) and 14 (14%) of the participants with class I, class II and class III soft palate, respectively. A significant association was found between the type of the soft palate and gag reflex in response to one of the subjective items (P= 0.039), more prominent among females (P= 0.009). Concerning the objective assessment, no significant associations were found among males. Meanwhile more females with class II and class III suffered gag reflex and/or actual gagging upon taking the impression (P = 0.001). Conclusion: this study illustrated an association between the type of soft palate and gag reflex, and its severity in females (more specifically soft palate types II and III) more than in males (AU)

Objetivo: o reflexo de vômito, um problema comum encontrado durante procedimentos odontológicos, está ou não associado aos diferentes tipos de palato mole, não foi ainda abordado até o momento. Este estudo preliminar procurou avaliar a possível associação entre os diferentes tipos de palato mole e o reflexo de vômito. Material e Métodos:cem pacientes odontológicos foram recrutados. O tipo de palato mole foi determinado. O reflexo de vômito subjetivo (auto-relatado) foi registrado com base em muitas perguntas e experiências anteriores e em um VAS de 0-6. A avaliação objetiva do reflexo de vômito foi feita por meio de diferentes manobras onde a parte posterior da língua e o palato mole foram tocados por espelho dental e por meio de moldagem da arcada superior. A associação entre os tipos de palato mole e o reflexo de vômito subjetivo e objetivo registrado foi testada estatisticamente. Resultados: houve 53 (53%), 33 (33%) e 14 (14%) participantes com palato mole classe I, classe II e classe III, respectivamente. Foi encontrada associação significativa entre o tipo de palato mole e o reflexo de vômito em resposta a um dos itens subjetivos (P= 0,039), mais proeminente no sexo feminino (P= 0,009). Em relação à avaliação objetiva, não foram encontradas associações significativas entre os homens. Enquanto isso, mais mulheres com classe II e classe III sofreram reflexo de vômito e/ou engasgo real ao receber a impressão (P = 0,001). Conclusão: este estudo ilustrou uma associação entre o tipo de palato mole e reflexo de vômito e sua gravidade em mulheres (mais especificamente palato mole tipos II e III) mais do que em homens. (AU)

Infection Control in Dental Clinics: Prosthodontics Perspectives.

AIM: The aim of this article is to discuss the infection control measures with focus on those related to prosthodontic work. BACKGROUND: The risk of transmission of several infectious microorganisms during dental procedures and the increased awareness and knowledge of infectious diseases have led to an increased attention to the importance of infection control. Prosthodontists and dental personnel are exposed directly or indirectly to a significant risk of acquiring healthcare-associated infections. REVIEW RESULTS: High standards of occupational safety and dental infection control must be applied by dental personnel for the safety of patients and dental healthcare workers. All reusable items (critical and semicritical instruments) that come in contact with the patient's saliva, blood, or mucous membranes must be heat-sterilized. Proper disinfectants should be used to disinfect nonsterilizable instruments (e.g., wax knifes, dental shade plastic mixing spatula, guides, fox bite plane, articulators, and facebows). CONCLUSION: In prosthodontics, items potentially contaminated with patient's blood and saliva are transported between dental clinics and dental laboratories. Such fluids may contain microorganisms with high potential for transmission of several diseases. Therefore, sterilization and disinfection of all items used during prosthodontic work should be part of infection control protocol in dental care setting. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In prosthodontic practice, a strict infection prevention plan should be implemented to minimalize the risk of infectious diseases transmission among prosthodontists, dental office, dental laboratory personnel, and patients.

Biaxial flexural strength of Turkom-Cera core compared to two other all-ceramic systems

Advances in all-ceramic systems have established predictable means of providing metal-free aesthetic and biocompatible materials. These materials must have sufficient strength to be a practical treatment alternative for the fabrication of crowns and fixed partial dentures. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the biaxial flexural strength of three core ceramic materials. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three groups of 10 disc-shaped specimens (16 mm diameter x 1.2 mm thickness - in accordance with ISO-6872, 1995) were made from the following ceramic materials: Turkom-Cera Fused Alumina [(Turkom-Ceramic (M) Sdn Bhd, Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia)], In-Ceram (Vita Zahnfabrik, Bad Säckingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany) and Vitadur-N (Vita Zahnfabrik, Bad Säckingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany), which were sintered according to the manufacturer's recommendations. The specimens were subjected to biaxial flexural strength test in an universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. The definitive fracture load was recorded for each specimen and the biaxial flexural strength was calculated from an equation in accordance with ISO-6872. RESULTS: The mean biaxial flexural strength values were: Turkom-Cera: 506.8±87.01 MPa, In-Ceram: 347.4±28.83 MPa and Vitadur-N: 128.7±12.72 MPa. The results were analyzed by the Levene's test and Dunnett's T3 post-hoc test (SPSS software V11.5.0 for Windows, SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA ) at a preset significance level of 5 percent because of unequal group variances (P<0.001). There was statistically significant difference between the three core ceramics (P<0.05). Turkom-Cera showed the highest biaxial flexural strength, followed by In-Ceram and Vitadur-N. CONCLUSIONS: Turkom-Cera core had significantly higher flexural strength than In-Ceram and Vitadur-N ceramic core materials.

Biaxial flexural strength of Turkom-Cera core compared to two other all-ceramic systems.

UNLABELLED: Advances in all-ceramic systems have established predictable means of providing metal-free aesthetic and biocompatible materials. These materials must have sufficient strength to be a practical treatment alternative for the fabrication of crowns and fixed partial dentures. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the biaxial flexural strength of three core ceramic materials. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three groups of 10 disc-shaped specimens (16 mm diameter x 1.2 mm thickness - in accordance with ISO-6872, 1995) were made from the following ceramic materials: Turkom-Cera Fused Alumina [(Turkom-Ceramic (M) Sdn Bhd, Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia)], In-Ceram (Vita Zahnfabrik, Bad Säckingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany) and Vitadur-N (Vita Zahnfabrik, Bad Säckingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany), which were sintered according to the manufacturer's recommendations. The specimens were subjected to biaxial flexural strength test in an universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. The definitive fracture load was recorded for each specimen and the biaxial flexural strength was calculated from an equation in accordance with ISO-6872. RESULTS: The mean biaxial flexural strength values were: Turkom-Cera: 506.8 ± 87.01 MPa, In-Ceram: 347.4 ± 28.83 MPa and Vitadur-N: 128.7 ± 12.72 MPa. The results were analyzed by the Levene's test and Dunnett's T3 post-hoc test (SPSS software V11.5.0 for Windows, SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA ) at a preset significance level of 5% because of unequal group variances (P<0.001). There was statistically significant difference between the three core ceramics (P<0.05). Turkom-Cera showed the highest biaxial flexural strength, followed by In-Ceram and Vitadur-N. CONCLUSIONS: Turkom-Cera core had significantly higher flexural strength than In-Ceram and Vitadur-N ceramic core materials.