Perceived sources of stress amongst dental students: A multicountry study.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to explore the perceived sources of stress reported by dental students from fourteen different countries. METHODS: A total of 3568 dental students were recruited from 14 different dental schools. The dental environmental stress (DES) questionnaire was used including 7 domains. Responses to the DES were scored in 4-point Likert scale. Comparison between students was performed according to the study variables. The top 5 stress-provoking questions were identified amongst dental schools. Data were analysed using SPSS software program. Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used as appropriate. Logistic regression analysis was also conducted to determine the effect of the studied variables on the stress domains. The level of statistical significance was set at <.05. RESULTS: Internal consistency of the scale was excellent (0.927). Female students formed the majority of the total student population. The percentage of married students was 4.8%. Numbers of students in pre-clinical and clinical stages were close together. The most stress-provoking domain was "workload" with a score of 2.05 ± 0.56. Female students scored higher stress than male students did in most of the domains. Significant differences were found between participating countries in all stress-provoking domains. Dental students from Egypt scored the highest level of stress whilst dental students from Jordan scored the lowest level of stress. CONCLUSION: The self-reported stress in the dental environment is still high and the stressors seem to be comparable amongst the participating countries. Effective management programmes are needed to minimise dental environment stress.

Patterns of impaired oral health-related quality of life dimensions.

How dental patients are affected by oral conditions can be described with the concept of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). This concept intends to make the patient experience measurable. OHRQoL is multidimensional, and Oral Function, Oro-facial Pain, Oro-facial Appearance and Psychosocial Impact were suggested as its four dimensions and consequently four scores are needed for comprehensive OHRQoL assessment. When only the presence of dimensional impact is measured, a pattern of affected OHRQoL dimensions would describe in a simple way how oral conditions influence the individual. By determining which patterns of impact on OHRQoL dimensions exist in prosthodontic patients and general population subjects, we aimed to identify in which combinations oral conditions' functional, painful, aesthetical and psychosocial impact occurs. Data came from the Dimensions of OHRQoL Project with Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)-49 data from 6349 general population subjects and 2999 prosthodontic patients in the Learning Sample (N = 5173) and the Validation Sample (N = 5022). We hypothesised that all 16 patterns of OHRQoL dimensions should occur in these individuals who suffered mainly from tooth loss, its causes and consequences. A dimension was considered impaired when at least one item in the dimension was affected frequently. The 16 possible patterns of impaired OHRQoL dimensions were found in patients and general population subjects in both Learning and Validation Samples. In a four-dimensional OHRQoL model consisting Oral Function, Oro-facial Pain, Oro-facial Appearance and Psychosocial Impact, oral conditions' impact can occur in any combination of the OHRQoL dimensions.

Thermographic monitoring of wound healing and oral health-related quality of life in patients treated with laser (aPDT) after impacted mandibular third molar removal.

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of low-level laser therapy on wound swelling, wound temperature changes, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) after surgical removal of impacted lower third molars. Forty patients with impacted lower third molars requiring surgical removal participated in this study; all were Pell-Gregory class IIB or IIC. The patients were divided randomly into two groups for post-extraction therapy. One group received antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) and the other received no additional therapy (placebo group). Temperature measurements were done using an infrared thermographic camera on days 3 and 7 postoperative. OHRQoL was assessed in both groups on day 7 using the Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire translated into Croatian (OHIP-14-CRO). Prior to surgical treatment, there was no difference in patient characteristics between the two groups. A significantly lower temperature and less wound swelling were recorded on day 3 postoperative in the aPDT group compared to the control group (P<0.001). Participants in the aPDT group also had significantly lower OHIP-14-CRO summary scores (P<0.01). The present study showed beneficial effects of the aPDT modality of low-level laser therapy: postoperative wound swelling was reduced and wound temperature decreased, and OHRQoL was better through the 7-day postoperative period in comparison to the placebo group.

Confirmatory factor analysis of the Oral Health Impact Profile.

Previous exploratory analyses suggest that the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) consists of four correlated dimensions and that individual differences in OHIP total scores reflect an underlying higher-order factor. The aim of this report is to corroborate these findings in the Dimensions of Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (DOQ) Project, an international study of general population subjects and prosthodontic patients. Using the project's Validation Sample (n = 5022), we conducted confirmatory factor analyses in a sample of 4993 subjects with sufficiently complete data. In particular, we compared the psychometric performance of three models: a unidimensional model, a four-factor model and a bifactor model that included one general factor and four group factors. Using model-fit criteria and factor interpretability as guides, the four-factor model was deemed best in terms of strong item loadings, model fit (RMSEA = 0·05, CFI = 0·99) and interpretability. These results corroborate our previous findings that four highly correlated factors - which we have named Oral Function, Oro-facial Pain, Oro-facial Appearance and Psychosocial Impact - can be reliably extracted from the OHIP item pool. However, the good fit of the unidimensional model and the high interfactor correlations in the four-factor solution suggest that OHRQoL can also be sufficiently described with one score.

Exploratory factor analysis of the Oral Health Impact Profile.

Although oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) as measured by the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) is thought to be multidimensional, the nature of these dimensions is not known. The aim of this report was to explore the dimensionality of the OHIP using the Dimensions of OHRQoL (DOQ) Project, an international study of general population subjects and prosthodontic patients. Using the project's Learning Sample (n = 5173), we conducted an exploratory factor analysis on the 46 OHIP items not specifically referring to dentures for 5146 subjects with sufficiently complete data. The first eigenvalue (27·0) of the polychoric correlation matrix was more than ten times larger than the second eigenvalue (2·6), suggesting the presence of a dominant, higher-order general factor. Follow-up analyses with Horn's parallel analysis revealed a viable second-order, four-factor solution. An oblique rotation of this solution revealed four highly correlated factors that we named Oral Function, Oro-facial Pain, Oro-facial Appearance and Psychosocial Impact. These four dimensions and the strong general factor are two viable hypotheses for the factor structure of the OHIP.

Does KRAS mutational status predict chemoresistance in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)?

BACKGROUND: Clinical implications of KRAS mutational status in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain unclear. To clarify this point, we retrospectively explored whether KRAS mutations could impact tumor response, and disease control rate (DCR) to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy (CT) as well as progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS). METHODS: Between June 2009 and June 2012, 340 patients with advanced (stage IIIB/IV) NSCLC were reviewed in a single institution (Institut Gustave Roussy). Two hundred and one patients had a biomolecular profile and received a platinum-based first-line CT. Patients with an unknown mutational status or with actionable alterations were excluded. We retained two groups: patients with KRAS mutated tumor (MUT) and patients with wild-type KRAS/EGFR (WT). Multivariate analyses with Cox model were used. Survival curves were calculated with Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: One hundred and eight patients were included in the analysis: 39 in the MUT group and 69 in the WT group. Baseline radiological assessment demonstrated more brain (P=0.01) and liver (P=0.04) metastases in MUT patients. DCR was 76% for MUT vs. 91% for WT group (P=0.03), regardless of the type of platinum-based CT (use of pemetrexed or not). Although no statistically significant differences were found, shorter PFS (4.9 vs. 6.0 months; P=0.79) and OS (10.3 vs. 13.2 months; P=0.40) were observed for patients with KRAS mutated tumors in univariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: KRAS mutant tumors had a lower DCR after the first-line platinum-based CT, but this difference did not translate in PFS or OS. The presence of KRAS mutations may confer a more aggressive disease, with greater baseline incidence of hepatic and cerebral metastases.

Jaw elevator silent periods in complete denture wearers and dentate individuals.

Functional meaning and underlying mechanisms of jaw elevator silent period (SP) have still not been completely understood. Since complete denture wearers (CDWs) have no periodontal receptors in their jaws, the aim was to examine SPs in CDWs and to compare it with dentate individuals (DIs). Thirty six DIs (skeletal/occlusal Class I) and 24 eugnath CDWs participated. EMG signals were registered using the EMGA-1 apparatus from the left and the right side anterior temporalis (ATM) and masseter muscles (MM). Ten registrations of an open-close-clench (OCC) cycle were obtained for each individual. DIs had the average latency between 12.5 and 12.9 ms and always one single short inhibitory pause (IP) with complete inhibition of motoneurons (20.1-21.1 ms). On the other hand, in CDWs various types of SPs emerged: single or single prolonged SPs, double SPs, SPs with three IPs, periods of depressed muscle activity following the first, or the second IP, SPs with relative inhibition of motoneurons or even in several registrations the SP was missing. Unless more than one IP emerged, complete duration of inhibitory pauses (CDIP) was measured. CDIP varied from 37.17 to 42.49 ms. Average latencies were from 16.22 to 16.76 ms. Based on the results of this study it is obvious that both, the duration and the latencies were significantly longer in CDWs than in DIs (p<0.05), which can be explained by different mechanisms responsible for the muscle reflex behaviour.

[Increase of newly--detected in situ cancers in non-palpable breast lesions].

Great importance in detecting cancer in the phase of in situ lays in the fact that the epithelial layer is deprived of blood and lymph vessels, so metastases may develop only when basal membrane has been broken. This paper includes 46 operated women in whom it preoperatively had been verified suspect non-palpable lesion. The preoperative diagnostics included use of high- resolution mammography, aimed mammography, palpatory examination, as well as fine-needle aspiration (FNA), biopsy and cytologic analysis of the sample. The methodology of this work implies the use of stereotaxic marking, specimen mammography and ex-tempore pathohistology analysis. Out of 46 investigated patients in clinical stage T0N0M0, in whom there were no signs of malignant disease, and according to suspect lesion of initial screening mammography, malignant lesions of breast tissue were diagnosed in 19 patients (41%) intraoperatively. Three of these lesions (15,8%) were histopathologically verified as in situ. Comparing our results with data of the Institute of oncology and radiology of Serbia hospital registry (IORS) for the year 2001, from 1173 patients registered with malignant lesions, only 16 ones (1,4%) had in situ cancer, operated on the basis of the suspect mammography of clinical stage T0N0M0. Statistically significant difference was found related to the number of detected cancers in this early phase of the breast malignant disease. This limits surgical intervention to tumorectomy, with preservation of the remaining breast tissue, what brings to healing, justifying in that way, screening examinations and routine application of the most contemporary diagnostic procedures.

Ion release from gold/platinum dental alloy: could release of other elements be accountable in the contact allergy attributed to the gold?

OBJECTIVES: The release of metal ions (Al, Ag, Au, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mg, Mo, Ni, Pd, Pt, Ti, and Zn) from the commercial gold/platinum (Au/Pt) dental alloy of declared composition was studied. METHODS: Au/Pt was soaked in pH 6.0 phosphate buffer, 3.5 pH phosphate buffer and pH 3.5 mixture of lactic, formic and acetic acid, and incubated at 37 degrees C for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 21, and 30 days. Six samples (n = 6) of every solution were prepared for any time period. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy was used for analysis of the released elements. RESULTS: Results demonstrated release of only Cr, Cu, Fe, and Zn from the tested Au/Pt dental alloy (ANOVA, p < 0.001 for buffer, time, and interaction, respectively); however, only Cu and Zn were declared. CONCLUSIONS: The undeclared chromium from Au/Pt dental alloy, or some other element might be responsible for the contact allergy thus far attributed to the gold.

A survey of treatment outcomes with removable partial dentures.

The patient's satisfaction with removable partial denture (RPD) therapy has become an increasingly important factor in prosthetic treatment. This study examined patients' satisfaction with RPDs in relation to some socio-economic variables, patients' habits of wearing and cleaning RPDs, comfort of wearing RPDs and different RPDs characteristics. A questionnaire was devised for the purpose. Two hundred and five patients were required to assess satisfaction with RPDs. They graded RPDs, depending on the level of satisfaction, on scale ranging from 1 to 5. A dentist determined Kennedy classification, material and denture support, denture base shape, number of missing teeth and evaluated denture construction. Majority of the patients were satisfied with the prosthesis. The patients of a higher education level gave lower grades (P < 0.05) to aesthetics of maxillary RPDs. Almost half of the patients were wearing RPDs during the day. Most of the patients cleaned RPDs three times a day. A significant difference was found between the patients' grades for comfort of wearing mandibular RPDs and number of missing teeth and between hygiene of mandibular RPDs and habits of cleaning them. Majority of the patients treated with RPDs were satisfied with the prosthesis. Dissatisfaction was related to mastication, esthetics, number of missing teeth and maintenance of oral hygiene.

Relationship between body mass index and local quality of mandibular bone structure in elderly individuals.

BACKGROUND: Human bones decrease in density and increase in porosity beginning at about the third decade of life. The objective of this study was to determine whether mandibular bone mineral density (BMD) and some linear radiomorphometric measurements on dental panoramic radiograph (DPR) are correlated with different categories of body mass index (BMI) in elderly individuals. METHODS: Cortical width at gonion (GI), at antegonion (AI), and below mental foramen (MI) and the appearance of the cortex of the lower border of the mandible distal to the mental foramina due to resorptive changes (mandibular cortical index [MCI]) were measured bilaterally on the mandible on 136 DPRs of elderly individuals. Using DPRs and copper stepwedge, mandibular BMD was investigated densitometrically. All BMD values were expressed in equivalents of the actual stepwedge thickness. The patients with BMIs from 20 to 25 kg/m(2) were classified as category 1 (the generally accepted range of normal BMI), and the patients with BMIs higher than 25 were classified as category 2 (heavy individuals with a heavy skeleton and a large amount of fat in the body). RESULTS: The results revealed statistically significant differences in all measured indices between different BMI categories (p <.05 for MI; p <.001 for GI and AI). Statistically significant differences were also found in BMD values between different BMI categories (p <.05); the differences were more pronounced in women. The patients with MCI category 3 had significantly lower BMD values in comparison to MCI category 2 (p <.01). Intraobserver agreement in GI, AI, MI measurement, and MCI assessments was excellent. CONCLUSIONS: Heavy people have higher BMD and higher values in linear radiomorphometric measurements than lighter people.

Influence of age and gender on radiomorphometric indices of the mandible in removable denture wearers.

The objective of this study was to measure and assess a number of radiomorphometric indices of the mandibular removable denture wearers taking into account age and gender. In a total of 136 dental panoramic radiographs (DPR) the following parameters were evaluated: MI = thickness of the mandibular cortex below the mental foramen, AI = thickness at the antegonion and GI = thickness at gonion; PMI = MI/distance between the low border of the mandible and the low border of the mental foramen, and MCI = mandibular cortical index, based on the assessment of the 3 categories of cortical appearance due to the resorptive changes. There were 40 male patients (mean age 72.7; range 56 to 84 years) and 96 female patients (mean age 69.7; range 48 to 86 years). Patients were grouped according to age into three age groups (1 = less than 65 years; 2 = 65-75 years; 3 = more than 75 years). The results revealed that MI, PMI, AI and GI showed a general downward trend with age for the both sexes until 75 years of age when the mean values of GI, AI and MI begun to fall down sharply for females compared to males. The difference was significant between age groups and gender for GI and AI. Only two categories (C2 and C3) of MCI have been recognized in our study sample, due to the relatively old age groups of patients with removable dentures. However, significantly higher incidence of C3 existed in the oldest group of females.

Three-month change in the radiodensity of alveolar bone supporting partial-denture abutment teeth.

This study uses the intraoral microdensitometric method to examine the impact of masticatory pressure on the alveolar bone around the abutment teeth clasp. Two retroalveolar radiographs were carried out on all 30 subjects over a period of 3 months using a copper calibration stepwedge. The dental radiographs were digitized and converted into positive. Grey level values on dental radiographs in the alveolar bone area in 7 region of interest (ROI) were measured. They were converted into the equivalent thickness of the calibration stepwedge using mathematical methods and the difference of the bone density between the two radiographs was calculated. The results demonstrated that there were no statistically significant differences between the 1st and 2nd radiographs in any of ROI (p > 0.05).

A method to evaluate and compare two different intraoral radiographs of the same patient.

Objective of this study was to determine the accuracy of the method of the clinical intraoral densitometry, to compare differences in the calculation with or without subtraction of the background adjacent soft-tissues from the stepwedge (SW) and to verify which regression model best fitted the experimental data in order to express the measured values in equivalents of SW thickness. Two intraoral radiographs, one after another, were made for each of 6 patients. A copper SW (6 steps, thickness 0.05-0.3 mm) was attached to each radiograph, trying to avoid the superimposition of the bony structures. Films were processed and digitized. Grey levels were measured on each step of the SW, on the background of the SW and on the same 3 randomly chosen regions of interest (ROIs) on each digitized image. The measurement with and without the subtraction of optical densities of the background around the SW from the optical densities of the SW was performed. For the calculation of the SW thickness equivalents, the regression analysis was performed by using different regression models. The best fitting regression model was the 3rd degree polynomial. The results were more precise when using the subtraction of the background overlapping the SW.

Screening of fixed prosthodontic dentures after five years of use in relation to material and construction.

The aim of this study was to screen patients with fixed prosthodontic appliances that were in oral cavity for a period of 5 years or more and to assess clinically and radiologically root caries, gingival recession, pocket formation, alveolar ridge resorption, as well as gingival (GI) and plaque index (PI). The aim also was to find out the differences between materials and constructions, between abutment and non-abutment teeth, and to find out the need for replacement. A total of 260 patients and their orthopantomograms were examined, with a total of 2,265 teeth, 610 being bridge abutments and 246 being crowns. The most frequent were metal+ acrylic veneer crowns or bridges. Root caries was found under the abutments in 10-20%; however abutments with ceramic crowns had the lowest percentage of caries (p < 0.01). Alveolar ridge resorption, pocket formation deeper than 3 mm and gingival recession of various degree was found in 50% of the cases, again with the lowest percentage of ceramic-fused-to-metal appliances (p < 0.01). Pocket depth was registered in significantly higher percentage in metal-acrylic veneer appliances compared to natural teeth (p < 0.01), while there was no significant difference between metal-ceramic appliances and natural teeth (p > 0.05). Although the worst findings were recorded for metal- + acrylic veneer crowns for PI, no significant difference existed between crowns of different material or non-abutment teeth (p > 0.05). There was statistically significant difference between abutments with metal + acrylic veneer crowns, full metal crowns, metal ceramic crowns and non-abutments for GI scores. Higher percentage of scores 0 and 1 was recorded for metal ceramic crowns and non-abutments and significantly higher percentage of scores 2 and 3 was recorded for metal + acrylic veneer crowns and full metallic crowns. Almost 50% of metal-ceramic abutments had no pathologic findings. Almost 30% of the patients needed replacement, or even some abutments to be extracted and therefore a new prosthodontic appliance.

Oral status, aesthetic materials and frequency of crowns and bridges in patients with fixed prosthetic appliances living in the Metkovic region.

The aim of the study was to examine oral status in patients of the Metkovic region with fixed prosthodontic appliances. The aim was also to evaluate aesthetic materials used, and difference between the frequency of crowns and bridges dependent on patient's age and frequency of visits to dentist. The examination was performed on 212 dental patients with fixed prosthetic appliances, from the Public Health Center "Metkovic". A questionnaire was created for the purpose of this study and was filled in by the patients. The dentist registered oral status. Descriptive statistics and chi 2 tests were used for the data analysis. Following conclusions were made: 1. The examined patients had relatively high caries (tooth decay), gangrene and residual roots prevalence, the oral hygiene was not appropriate, calculus and gingivitis were diagnosed in all patients (100%) and these facts point out to the insufficient preventive oral health care in the Metkovic region, as well as to the insufficient self-perception on the proper oral hygiene maintenance. 2. Patients who visit their dentist regularly (once a year or more) have significantly more crowns than bridges than the patients who visit their dentist irregularly or when in pain (p < 0.01). 3. Almost all fixed prosthetic appliances not older than 10 years were made of porcelain (98%), while acrylic veneer crowns (or chromasite) were more frequent in appliances older than 10 or 15 years (p < 0.01). There was no gender difference dependent on the material used (p > 0.05). High frequency of porcelain was attributed to the high economic status of this region, as well as to a dentist's preference.

Treatment outcomes with removable partial dentures: a comparison between patient and prosthodontist assessments.

PURPOSE: This article presents the results from a survey of patients' degree of satisfaction with their removable partial dentures (RPD) and the comparison between patient and prosthodontist assessments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 165 experienced RPD wearers filled in a questionnaire and graded their RPDs depending on their level of satisfaction. A scale ranging from 1 to 5 was used to assess general satisfaction with RPDs and to assess their esthetics, retention, and hygiene. A specialist in prosthodontics assessed the same prostheses using the same scale, not knowing the patient's opinion. RESULTS: The patients' assessments were high, and more than half of them graded their dentures as excellent. On average, all variables were assessed higher by the patients than by the prosthodontist (P < .001). For the patients who gave the worst grades to their dentures, the grades were lower than the prosthodontist's (P < .001), while the satisfied patients graded their dentures much better than did the prosthodontist (P < .001). CONCLUSION: On average, patient assessment of the treatment outcomes with RPDs was less critical than prosthodontist assessment. However, the few dissatisfied patients assessed their dentures worse than did the prosthodontist.

Relationship between the face and the tooth form.

The aim of this study was to re-examine Leon Williams geometric theory and to find the degree of correspondence between the face and the tooth form in the population of Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Two thousand individuals with intact frontal teeth, in age between 17 and 24 years, were measured for 3 horizontal distances on the face: temporal width (Ft-Ft), zygomatic width (Zyg-Zyg) and gonial width (Go-Go) and for 3 horizontal distances on the both upper incisors: cervical width (CW), contact point width (CPW) and incisal width (IW). The length of the face (Tr-Gn) as well as the length of the central maxillary incisors were also measured. The results revealed: 1. Men had significantly larger dimensions for all facial and tooth dimensions (p < 0.05) than women, except for the cervical tooth width (p > 0.05); the left and the right central incisors were of identical dimensions and forms (p > 0.05). 2. The width of upper central incisors were smaller approximately 1.5 mm than in west Europeans. 3. Upon the relation between the 3 horizontal dimensions measured on the face and upper maxillary incisor, 11 facial forms and 10 upper central tooth forms could be recognised in the study population, but 98% of the population had only 3 tooth and face forms. Face shapes: oval face--83.3%, square-tapered face--9.2% and tapered face--7%; tooth forms: tapered-square incisor--53%, oval incisor--30%, tapered incisor--16%. 4. Reversed and enlarged tooth form was in line associated with the facial form in only 30%, while the most common combination was of the oval face form and the tapered-square central incisor (45%). 5. These results disapprove William's theory and may be helpful for the choice of artificial teeth in complete denture construction and the dental industry.

Analysis of occlusal contacts in different types of prosthodontic appliances, Eichner classifications, presence RCP-ICP slide and the type of occlusion.

The aim of the study was to determine the number and the type of the occlusal contacts (strong, weak) with respect to the type of the prosthodontic appliance (fixed, removable, combined fixed-removable) and with respect to the Eichner classification in patients with their appliances being in a good function for a long time. The aim of the study was also to determine the number and the type of the occlusal contacts (strong, weak) with respect to the type of occlusion (canine guided, group function or balanced) and the presence of the RCP-ICP slide. A total of 440 patients with different types of prosthodontic appliances were examined for the antagonistic occlusal contacts using occlusal strips of 11 microm and 50 microm. The average number of occlusal contacts was 10.5 for the upper and 10.46 for the lower posterior teeth, approximately 5 on each side of the tooth arch. The results of the study suggest that the biggest number of occlusal contacts were recorded for the small span fixed appliances (2 on average), the greater span fixed and fixed-removable prosthodontic appliances exhibited 1.6 occlusal contacts, and the removable complete denture exhibited 1.2 contact per the tooth in the posterior region. The number of the hard occlusal contacts was significantly greater in fixed and fixed-removable prosthodontic appliances in comparison with the complete dentures (p < 0.05), while there was no significant difference between the prosthodontic appliances for the weak occlusal contacts (p > 0.05). The overall number of the occlusal contacts, as well as the number of the hard occlusal contacts was significantly greater in the Eichner class I cases (p < 0.05) in comparison with the Eichner classes II and III. The number of the weak occlusal contacts showed no significant differences with respect to the Eichner classification (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the number of occlusal contacts between the appliances with RCP-ICP slide and where ICP and RCP corresponded (p > 0.05).

The patient's and the therapist's evaluation of bridges of different materials and age.

The aim of this study was to find out patients' satisfaction with their bridges made of different materials (metal-ceramics, Au/resin, Ag-Pd/resin). One hundred and sixty four patients were examined at the Dental School, University of Zagreb, Croatia. They assessed their bridges--the overall quality, aesthetics, speech, chewing and the health of the gingiva by the scale from 1-5. The same categories were also assessed by a trained prosthodontist. The majority of the patients was really satisfied and gave the highest grades (quality, aesthetics, speech, etc.) and therefore the results were skewed and asymmetrical towards the biggest scores (biggest grades). The best gingival health was evaluated by the group of patients with ceramic crowns and bridges (p < 0.05) and the worst by the patients with Ag-Pd bridges. Speech was scored higher for the lateral than for the frontal bridges. Patients evaluated the health of the tissue surrounding their bridges, overall quality of fixed prosthodontic appliance and aesthetics with significantly higher scores than the prosthodontist (p < 0.01). The results point at a difference between the patient's and the therapist's evaluations and to the patient's insufficient care about the gingiva around the bridge abutments.