Evaluations of the interface between amalgam and dentin with a single component dentin bonding system.

The purpose of this scanning electron microscope study was to observe the dentin-amalgam interface after utilizing a standard restorative liner and a single-component dentin adhesive. Continuous interface gaps of over 15 mu were observed in specimens containing no lining and Copal varnish. Discontinuous 5 microns gaps were observed in specimens treated with PQ1. Additionally, specimens treated with PQ1 exhibited resin interpenetration into the dentin surfaces.

New-generation bonded reinforcing materials for anterior periodontal tooth stabilization and splinting.

Teeth are splinted and stabilized in the anterior region for a variety of reasons. This article presents the techniques for periodontal splinting with an adhesive technique using direct placement ribbon reinforced composite resins. The research supporting this technique is also reviewed.

Two in-office bleaching systems: a scanning electron microscope study.

The purpose of this investigation was to analyze by scanning electron microscopy the effects of heated and light-absorbing bleaching agents on enamel surface morphology. Twelve freshly extracted human anterior teeth were selected for this study. The teeth were randomly divided into four equal groups: Group I (control), Group II (teeth treated with Opalescence Quick, a heated bleaching agent), Group III (teeth treated with Opalescence Xtra, a light-absorbing bleaching agent), Group IV (teeth treated with Ultra-Etch 35% phosphoric acid etchant). After receiving a prophylaxis with a slurry of pumice, the bleaching materials were applied to the facial enamel surfaces following the manufacturer's specifications. The teeth in Group IV were etched for 15 to 20 seconds, washed, and air-dried. All specimens were prepared for scanning electron microscope evaluations. Scanning electron microscope micrographs indicated that only those specimens etched with phosphoric acid (Group IV) exhibited an etching pattern on the enamel surface. No differences in enamel surface morphology were observed between the untreated control specimens and the specimens treated with the bleaching materials.

Antimicrobial activity of cavity disinfectants.

The purpose of this study was to determine the antimicrobial activity of four commercially available cavity disinfectants and one prescription mouthwash as they came into contact with bacteria commonly found in the oral cavity. Streptococcus mutans, salivarius, and Actinomyces viscosus were used in the study. Zones of microbial inhibition were measured in millimeters after 48 hours. The results of this study indicate that all of the antimicrobial agents demonstrated activity against the bacteria tested. Consepsis Solution produced the largest zones of inhibition against all three of the bacteria used.

Treating enamel surfaces with a prepared pumice prophy paste prior to bonding.

The use of pumice to remove the salivary pellicle, plaque, and/or surface debris is a well-known procedure. However, pumice can act as a contaminant. Therefore, a slurry of pumice without additives is recommended for use prior to bonding procedures. This article presents a review of the shear bond strengths obtained by bonding composite resin to enamel after the enamel had been cleansed with a slurry of pumice and a premixed caplet of pumice.

Removal of surface stains from enamel surfaces with at-home vital bleaching: a case report.

Stone model casts of a patient's maxillary and mandibular arches were used to fabricate a clear, soft, vacuum-formed custom mouth guard that was scalloped to end 1.0 mm supragingivally. The patient was given prophylaxis and oral hygiene home care instruction, and instructions regarding the placement of an at-home bleaching gel into the mouth guard and the mouth guard into the mouth. The patient was asked to wear the mouth guard for two hours daily before bedtime for one week and to return to the clinic for evaluation. This protocol was followed for three weeks for each arch. At the end of the three weeks, the stains on the most affected teeth were reduced dramatically.

The use of resin-ionomer in restorative procedures.

As the average age of the population increases, we are seeing a significant rise in root caries and in the need for restorative procedures associated more often with an older population. This paper describes the subgingival placement of a resin-ionomer for several restorative procedures, including root caries, resorption, endodontic perforation and root fracture. After endodontic therapy, full thickness flaps may be used to gain access to the lesion or root defect. The defects may be prepared with ultrasonic instruments and the preparations treated with a dentin conditioner. The preparations are then washed and lightly air-dried and treated with a dentin bonding agent. A resin-ionomer may then be syringed into the preparations and either light-activated or allowed to undergo a chemical set. No untoward effect has been observed during the time frame of this project. The cases presented indicate that a resin-ionomer may be used as a subgingival restorative and may be placed in lesions originally thought to be unrestorable. Thus, teeth may be saved that were previously designated for extraction.

Antimicrobial activity produced by six dentifrices.

The antimicrobial activity of six commercially available dentifrices and positive and negative controls as they come into contact with Streptococcus mutans, S. sanguis, and Actinomyces viscosus commonly found in the oral cavity. Sterile discs treated with the dentifrices were placed on agar plates with the controls. Zones of microbial inhibition were measured in millimeters after 48 hours. All of the test dentifrices demonstrated antimicrobial activity against the bacteria.

Clinical efficacy of an herbal toothpaste.

The purpose of this three-month, double-blind, parallel-design clinical study was to compare the efficacy of two commercially available dentifrices, Herbal Toothpaste and Gum Therapy and Colgate Total, in controlling gingivitis, gingival bleeding, plaque and stain. Forty healthy adult volunteers from the Junior Comprehensive Care Clinics at New York University College of Dentistry were accepted as subjects for this clinical trial. To be eligible for a baseline clinical examination, subjects had to first indicate that during the previous six months they habitually brushed their teeth two or more times per day, and had noticed "bleeding gums" or "blood in the toothpaste" after brushing or flossing their teeth. At the baseline examination, subjects were enrolled in the study if they had at least five Löe-Silness gingival bleeding sites and 20 natural teeth, including all anterior teeth and four molars. An independent t-test before treatment indicated that there were no significant differences between the two groups at baseline. A one-way Analysis of Variance indicated that both dentifrices had a significant effect on gingivitis, gingival bleeding, plaque, and dental stain (p < 0.05). No significant statistical differences were observed between Herbal Toothpaste and Gum Therapy and Colgate Total for gingivitis or gingival bleeding. Herbal Toothpaste and Gum Therapy produced statistically significant differences in reducing plaque and stain relative to Colgate Total (p < 0.05). The results obtained in this study support the clinical efficacy of both products in reducing gingivitis and plaque, and demonstrate the efficacy of Herbal Toothpaste and Gum Therapy in maintaining reductions of plaque and stain.

An in vivo comparison of the antimicrobial activities of three mouthrinses.

The purpose of this in vivo study was to determine and compare the antimicrobial effectiveness of three commercial mouthrinses and a water control. The antimicrobial efficacy of the products was determined against aerobic, micro-aerophilic, and anaerobic bacteria. Twenty human subjects participated in this study. At each experimental session for a given subject, a pre-test saliva sample was taken. This sample was divided and used to grow three bacteria cultures under the different incubation environments. After giving the pre-test sample, the subject rinsed with one of the mouthrinses or the water control for 30 seconds, then waited one hour, at which time a post-test saliva sample was collected. Again, the sample was divided and used to culture the different types of bacteria. Following a 48-hour incubation period, the numbers of microbial colonies on each plate were counted and compared. The results indicated that all of the mouthrinses tested performed significantly better than the water control. Herbal Mouth and Gum Therapy and Peridex did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference in inhibiting aerobic, microaerophilic, and anaerobic bacteria. Both Herbal Mouth and Gum Therapy and Peridex were significantly more effective than Listerine in inhibiting the three different types of bacteria.

An in vitro investigation of the antimicrobial activity of an herbal mouthrinse.

The purpose of this study was to determine the antimicrobial activity of one prescription and two commercially available over-the-counter mouthrinses and positive and negative controls against bacteria commonly found in the oral cavity. The bacteria used in this study were Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis and Actinomyces viscosus. Sterile discs which were treated with the mouthrinses were placed on agar plates along with the controls. Zones of microbial inhibition were measured in millimeters after 48 hours. The results indicated that all of the mouthrinses demonstrated antimicrobial activity against the bacteria tested. Herbal Mouth and Gum Therapy mouthrinse, containing natural ingredients, produced the largest zones of microbial inhibition when compared to Listerine against all three of the bacteria tested. Herbal Mouth and Gum Therapy mouthrinse produced larger zones of microbial inhibition when compared to Peridex against two of the three bacteria tested, and produced similar zones of inhibition against the third bacteria.

The ability of an herbal mouthrinse to reduce gingival bleeding.

Forty healthy adult volunteers from the Junior Comprehensive Care Clinics at New York University College of Dentistry were accepted as subjects for this three-month, examiner-blinded, parallel-group clinical trial. To be eligible for a baseline clinical examination, subjects had to first indicate that during the previous six months they habitually brushed their teeth two or more times per day and had noticed "bleeding gums" or "blood in the toothpaste" after brushing or after flossing their teeth. At the baseline examination, subjects were enrolled in the study if they were found to have at least five Löe-Silness gingival bleeding sites and 20 natural teeth, including four molars. Subjects were assigned to one of the two following treatment groups: 1) Herbal Mouth and Gum Therapy; or 2) Control (distilled water and dye). Subjects were instructed to clean their teeth in their usual manner, not to use any other mouthrinses or oral irrigation products for the duration of the study. Subjects were to return for clinical examinations after three months of product use. At these examinations, gingivitis and gingival bleeding scores were recorded. An independent t-test before treatment indicated that there were no significant differences between the baseline evaluations of the two groups in the study. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), comparing gingivitis and bleeding scores from baseline and three months with the baseline scores as a covariate, indicated that Herbal Mouth and Gum Therapy produced a statistically significant effect (p < 0.01) on both parameters relative to the control mouthrinse. The results of this study support the clinical efficacy of Herbal Mouth and Gum Therapy in reducing gingivitis and gingival bleeding.

A single-component bonding system microleakage study.

The microleakage of a one-component bonding system is compared to a two-component system and a control. Class V cavity preparations were prepared in extracted teeth under high speed and water coolant so that incisal/occlusal margins were in enamel, and gingival margins were in dentin. Group I was restored with composite and no bonding agent; Group II was restored with Prime and Bond and composite, and Group III was restored with ProBond and composite. All specimens were thermocycled in fuchsin dye to evaluate the degree of microleakage. Significant differences were observed between the no bonding agent group and the Prime and Bond and ProBond groups. The results indicate that the one-step dentin bonding system has the ability to prevent microleakage effectively at both composite-enamel and composite-dentin tooth surface interfaces.