The weak spots of saliva buffering tests.

Saliva buffering test is in need of improvements. This article illustrates the most commonly used saliva buffering capacity tests and its major problems. Starting with Ericsson and his laboratory buffer capacity test and all the way to Kitasako a lot of issues are to release. The aim of this paper is to put saliva buffering tests up to serious discussion.

Position of the mental foramen in Kosovarian population.

The aim of this study was to determine the position, shape, number and radiographic appearance of the mental foramen in a selected Kosovarian population. Five hundred panoramic radiographs of dental Kosovarian patients were selected and analyzed according to the mental foramen position, shape, radiographic appearance, number and symmetry. The mean distance in the horizontal plane of the mental foramen to the posterior border of the mandibular ramus was 67.5 mm and for distance from the mental foramen to symphysis menti 24.84 mm. In the vertical plane the mean distance of the mental foramen to alveolar crest was 20.38 mm and 14.68 mm for distance of the mental foramen to the lower border of mandible. The majority of mental foramen was oval in shape and the most frequent radiographic appearance was the separated type. Accessory mental foramina were detected in < 1% of the cases and the mental foramen was not bilaterally symmetrical but no statistical differences were found. This study showed that the most common position of the mental foramen investigated using panoramic radiographs from a selected group in Kosovarian population was between the first and second mandibular premolars with distinct tendency to be positioned near to the second mandibular premolar.

Arterial blood architecture of the maxillary sinus in dentate specimens.

AIM: To describe vascular anatomy of the maxillary sinus in dentate specimens dissected from human cadavers. METHODS: Twenty dentate maxillary specimens were dissected, anatomically prepared, and injected with liquid latex for a better visualization of the maxillary sinus artery. RESULTS: We found an intraosseous anastomosis in 100% and an extraosseous anastomosis in 90% of the cases. The anterior lateral wall of the maxillary sinus was transversed by two anastomoses between the posterior superior alveolar artery (PSAA) and the infraorbital artery (IOA). The PSAA was divided into a gingival and dental branch. The gingival branch anastomosed with the terminal extraosseous branch of the extraosseous anastomosis (EOA) and the dental branch with the intraosseous branch of the intraosseous anastomosis (IOA). The mean distances from the alveolar ridge to the extraosseus anastomosis were 16 mm for the second maxillary molar, 12.3 mm for the first maxillary molar, and 13.1 mm for the second maxillary premolar. The mean distances from the intraosseous anastomosis to the alveolar ridge were 17.7 mm for the second maxillary molar, 14.5 mm for the first maxillary molar, and 14.66 mm for the second maxillary premolar. CONCLUSION: These findings provide relevant data for clinical dentistry in order to avoid bleeding complications and minimize the risk of injury to the arterial network of the maxillary sinus during surgical procedures in the dentate maxilla region.

Proinflammatory cytokine levels in saliva in patients with burning mouth syndrome before and after treatment with low-level laser therapy.

The aim of this study was to determine the levels of proinflammatory tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) cytokines in whole unstimulated saliva in subjects with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) before and after treatment with low-level laser therapy (LLLT). BMS is characterized by a continuous, painful burning sensation in a clinically normal-appearing oral mucosa. A sample consisting of 40 consecutive subjects was selected on a voluntary basis from the pool of patients who presented for diagnosis and treatment of BMS at the Oral Medicine Unit of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Rijeka. For determination of salivary levels of TNF-α and IL-6, ELISA (Sigma Immunochemicals, St. Louis, MO, USA) was performed to determine the salivary levels of TNF-α and IL-6. After 4 weeks of LLLT, the salivary levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the experimental group decreased significantly (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the experimental group regarding visual analogue scale.

Difference in the periapical status of endodontically treated teeth between the samples of Croatian and Austrian adult patients.

Aim. To compare the periapical status of endodontically treated teeth between Austrian and Croatian adult patients and determine its relation to age, sex, position of teeth, and length of root canal filling. Methods. The study was conducted from 2007 to 2009 at two university dental clinics and included 163 Croatian (412 teeth) and 101 Austrian (430 teeth) patients. We assessed the periapical status of endodontically treated teeth by using the periapical index system and determined its relation to age, sex, position of teeth, and length of root canal filling. Results. Austrian patients had a greater number of diseased endodontically treated teeth than Croatian patients (P=0.001). In the age group 31-40 years, Austrian patients had apical periodontitis significantly more often (22.1% vs 12.2%, P<0.001) than Croatian patients. In relation to sex and position of teeth, no significant difference was found between the two groups. In Croatian patients, apical periodontitis was significantly more often present in molar than premolar (46.2% vs 29.7%, P=0.022) and front teeth (46.2% vs 24.1%, P<0.001). In Austrian patients, apical periodontitis was significantly more often present in molar and premolar than front teeth (molar-front teeth: 38.2% vs 25.5%, P=0.011; premolar-front teeth: 36.3% vs 25.5%, P=0.029). Croatian and Austrian patients with AP significantly differed in the number of adequately filled and underfilled teeth (both P<0.001). Conclusion. Apical periodontitis was significantly more present in endodontically treated teeth in Austrian patients. The difference in the periapical status between Croatian and Austrian patients was most related to age and length of root canal filling.

Surface roughness of one nanofill and one silorane composite after polishing.

The aim of this study was to compare the roughness of the surface of one nanofill (Filtek Supreme XT 3M Espe, St. Paul, USA) and one silorane (Filtek Silorane, 3M Espe, St. Paul, USA) composite after polishing. Five specimens of each composite were polymerized under a polyester strip for 40 seconds. After curing four probes were polished with different Sof-Lex discs and one probe with Pogo for ten seconds. For the surface appointment a contact stylus profilometer was used. The profilometer made ten tracings for each sample at different locations. There was a significant difference in roughness between both composites. The Ra (average surface roughness) results for the silorane composite were almost always significantly higher than for the nanofill composite (T-test). For both composites Sof-Lex fine and superfine discs produced smoother final surfaces than Pogo. The nanofill composite used showed the smoothest surfaces after the polishing and finishing procedures.

Distribution of RoekoSeal sealer applied by three obturation techniques.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the distribution of Roekoseal Automix sealer using three different obturation techniques. Forty-five single-rooted extracted human teeth were prepared in a crown-down manner using ProFile instruments. After instrumentation the specimens were filled using Roekoseal Automix with the cold lateral condensation, Thermafil and Obtura II techniques. Each root was sectioned horizontally. Color images were obtained using a reflected-light microscope. The cross-sections were assessed by microscopy for distribution of the sealer. Root canals filled with cold lateral condensation technique had statistically significant (p = 0.0001) more sealer in the apical portion in comparison to the apical portion of the specimens obturated with Thermafil and Obtura II techniques.

Active versus passive microleakage of Resilon/Epiphany and gutta-percha/AH Plus.

The purpose of this in vitro study was to assess the active versus passive dye microleakage and apical sealing ability of laterally condensed gutta-percha/AH Plus versus Resilon/Epiphany. One hundred and twenty teeth were instrumented and divided into experimental, positive and negative control groups. In group 1, the teeth were obturated with gutta-percha/AH Plus and in group 2 the teeth were obturated with Resilon/Epiphany. The apical seal was evaluated with a passive and active dye penetration test. Absorbance of the extracted dye was determined with a spectrophotometer. Resilon/Epiphany showed less dye penetration in comparison with the gutta-percha/AH Plus group (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the passive and active dye penetration tests (P > 0.05). In this in vitro study, canals obturated with Resilon/Epiphany showed less apical leakage than those obturated with gutta-percha/AH Plus, regardless of the type of dye penetration test used.

Position of the mental foramen: an anatomical study.

Knowledge of the position of the mental foramen is very important during all surgical procedures and it needs to be considered before all surgical procedures in the mandible region. The aim of this study was to determine the position of the mental foramen in the dissected human cadaver specimens. Four hundred hemimandible specimens from human cadavers were dissected and analyzed for the position of the mental foramen. The most common position of the mental foramen investigated - using anatomical dissection - was between the first and second mandibular premolars. These investigations provide relevant data for clinical anatomy, especially when planning oral operative treatment in the premolar area.

Histology and intramandibular course of the inferior alveolar nerve.

The morphology of the inferior alveolar nerve is a very important factor for all surgical procedures in the mandibular region. The aim of this anatomical and histological study was to describe the intramandibular course and the microscopic histology of the inferior alveolar nerve in the dissected human cadaver. Twenty partially dentulous hemimandible specimens from human cadavers were dissected and embalmed, and the findings were interpreted by standard and histological imaging. The result of this study showed that the inferior alveolar nerve comprises two larger nerves that are separately wrapped in perineural sheaths and spirally twisted around each other. The mental nerve exits through the mental foramen in the premolar region and the dental nerve continues from the premolar region as the incisive nerve in the incisive canal. These findings provide relevant data for clinical dentistry, especially when planning oral and dental operative treatment procedures in the mandibular region.

Radiographic versus electronic root canal working length determination.

PURPOSE: The aim of this ex vivo study was to compare the accuracy of radiographic and electronic root canal length determination methods, compared with actual root canal length obtained with stereomicroscope. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty extracted single-rooted permanent teeth were used for this study. After access preparation, actual length (AL) of the root canal were determined for each tooth by inserting a #15 file until the tip of the file was visible at the apical foramen under a stereomicroscope. The radiographic working length determination was determined with a digital radiographic system and for the electronic measurement all teeth were embedded in an alginate model to test apex locator in-vitro. Data was analyzed using the descriptive statistic and intraclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between the radiographic and electronic root canal working length determination (P>0.05). The percentage of electronic measurements within ± 0.5 mm to the apical constriction was 93.34% and 90% for radiographic methods within ± 0.5 mm of all cases compared with AL. CONCLUSIONS: The present ex vivo study showed that electronic root canal working length determination is not superior to radiographic methods. Both methods provided a good performance in determining the root canal working length.

[Microleakage of root canal fillings with GuttaFlow and Resilon compared with lateral condensation]. / Dichtigkeit von Wurzelkanalfüllungen mit GuttaFlow und Resilon im Vergleich zur lateralen Kondensation.

Epiphany/Resilon and GuttaFlow are newly developed methods for obturation of the root canal system. Epiphany/Resilon is a thermoplastic, synthetic polymer-based root canal filling material which enables the bonding to the dentin root canal wall during root canal obturation. GuttaFlow is a cold flowable filling system for the obturation of root canals, combining sealer and gutta-percha in one product. The purpose of this study was to assess the leakage of the Epiphany/Resilon or GuttaFlow root canal filling compared with lateral condensation of gutta-percha. For this study were used 45 human extracted teeth, chemo mechanically prepared, divided into three groups and obturated with gutta-percha/AH Plus, Epiphany/Resilon and GuttaFlow. For dye penetration all teeth were centrifuged for three minutes at 30 g in 2% methylene blue and dissolved in 65% nitric acid for 3 days. The extracted methylene blue was determined with Photometer. Root Canal fillings with Epiphany/Resilon showed less dye penetration than lateral condensation of gutta-percha and GuttaFlow. Epiphany/Resilon is ideally suited as a root canal filling material.

Prevalence of caries in 6-year-old Austrian children.

PURPOSE: The 2001 Austrian oral health survey investigated a representative sample of 6-year-old Austrian children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 516 6-year-old Austrian children were investigated with respect to d1-3mft and d1-3mfs and visible plaque index (VPI). RESULTS: Forty-nine per cent of the children were caries free (d3ft = 0). The children had 2.1 d3ft (3.5 d1-3mft) and 3.9 d3fs (6.1 d1-3fs). 2.6 d3s unrestored carious lesions (d3s) predominated over 1.3 filled surfaces (fs). There was no statistical difference between girls and boys. The prevalence of caries showed a very skewed distribution: 50% of all d3s were concentrated in 8% of the children with 86% of all carious lesions in 25% of the children. The prevalence of caries was inversely related to the educational level of the parents (Spearman rank test p < 0.001; r = -0.219) and family income (p <0.001; r = -0.173): Children of parents with low educational levels (9 years of schooling) had 3.3 d3ft whereas children of parents with university degrees had only 1.0 d3ft. CONCLUSION: Six-year-old Austrian children showed a very skewed distribution of the prevalence of caries and high need for dental treatment. There is a great need for pediatric dentistry in Austria.