Potentiating potassium nitrate's desensitization with dimethyl isosorbide.

Desensitization of hypersensitive teeth by the combination of dimethyl isosorbide (DMI) and potassium nitrate (KNO3) is more effective than when KNO3 is used alone. KNO3/DMI work together to desensitize hypersensitive teeth at a higher, quicker, and more profound and lasting level.

About dentinal hypersensitivity.

This article summarizes the concepts that are believed to cause dentinal hypersensitivity. It is no longer necessary and may not be feasible to obliterate dentinal tubules to obtain relief from the pain caused by dentinal hypersensitivity. In-office agents that obliterate the dentinal tubules may provide initial relief of pain, but they can impede the flow of potassium and nitrate ions toward the pulp and diminish the long-term beneficial effects seen with the routine use of potassium nitrate dentifrices. An in-office preparation that does not obliterate dentinal tubules, such as potassium nitrate gel, is recommended if potassium nitrate dentifrices are to be used for patient self-treatment. With the population living longer, dentists are challenged to maintain patients' dentition for a lifetime of comfort.

Potassium nitrate-zinc oxide eugenol temporary cement for provisional crowns to diminish postpreparation tooth pain.

Pulpal injury commonly occurs with tooth preparation for complete fixed partial dentures. This can be documented by the substantial incidence of pain after tooth preparation. In this study, a 4% potassium nitrate-zinc oxide eugenol temporary cement was used to secure provisional crowns over recently prepared teeth and it significantly reduced the incidence and severity of pain after tooth preparation and impression taking.

Maintenance of pulpal vitality using potassium nitrate-polycarboxylate cement cavity liner.

Following deep restorations in vital teeth, postoperative pain of various durations frequently occurs, even if the teeth were asymptomatic before treatment. In this study, a potassium nitrate-polycarboxylate cement was used as a liner and was found clinically to tend to preserve pulpal vitality and significantly eliminate or decrease postoperative pain.

Strength and biocompatibility of polymethacrylate-silica composite dental implant materials.

A study was made of the strength properties of several composite dental implant materials composed of silica microspheres (6%, 24%, and 48% by weight) and PMMA. Prepared specimens of the materials were tested for compressive strength and tensile strength as a function of the curing methods. Compressive strength was reduced only slightly when the 6% mixture was used, as compared to 100% PMMA, but the compressive strengths of the 12% and 24% mixtures were reduced by approximately 30% when compared to 100% PMMA. The compressive strengths of these materials were reduced even further after curing in a microwave oven, and the tensile strengths decreased to a greater degree. The 6% mixture was reduced by 38% in the heat-cured specimens and was reduced by 27% in the microwave-cured specimens. Tooth replica implants were placed in baboons and the peri-implant tissues were studied histologically after 6 months. Inflammation was minimal. Peri-implant alveolar bone was viable and active, and both connective tissue and epithelial attachment to the implant surface was evident.

Surface texture and strength of vitreous carbon-poly(methyl methacrylate) dental implant materials.

A study has been carried out on the surface texture and the strength of several dental implant materials composed of vitreous carbon microballoons (6, 24, and 48 wt %)and poly(methyl methacrylate). Two sizes of microballoons were used--particle size less than 100 micrometer and particle size greater than 100 micrometer. Square wafers of the materials (10 X 10 X 1 mm) were studied with the surface sandblasted in half of the specimens. SEM studies revealed a rough porous surface with scattered moderately sized deep cavities in the 6% and 24% specimens with an increase in the number of cavities in the 24% specimens. The 48% specimens revealed a rough, porous surface composed of large shallow craters. Prepared specimens of the materials, processed by a gas-fired air oven and by a microwave oven, were tested for compressive strength and tensile strength using an Instron Universal Testing Machine. Compressive strengths of the various mixtures were similar, but mixtures using VC particle size over 100 micrometer demonstrated somewhat reduced compressive strength. Tensile strengths of the mixutres decreased significantly as the amount of VC increased, with a 20% reduction at 24 wt % and a 45% reduction at 48 wt %.

A polymethacrylate-silica composite material for dental implants.

A study has been carried out on the structure and surface texture of a new dental implant material composed of silica microspheres (3 or 5 wt%) and poly(methyl methacrylate). A recently developed composite material composed of vitreous carbon microballoons and poly(methyl methacrylate) has proven highly successful in clinical use, but the black color presents aesthetic problems at the gingival margin. The new material was developed in order to reproduce the many desirable qualities of the vitreous carbon-polymethacrylate composite, while omitting the black color. Square wafers (10 mm X 10 mm X1 mm) were studied, with the surface sandblasted in half of the specimens. Light microscopy revealed an even spacing of spherical configurations throughout the material. Scanning electron microscope studies revealed a finely porous surface with many large craters in the sandblasted specimens.

Porous, heat cured poly (methyl methacrylate) for dental implants.

The use of polyl (methyl methacrylate) for tooth replica implants, as developed by Hodosh, is described as to indications, ingredients, and fabrication technique. Laboratory testing of this material for mechanical and thermal expansion properties, and porosity content were determined as a function of foaming agent and and anorganic bone particle content.

A vitreous carbon-polymethacrylate composite for dental implants.

A STUDY HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT ON THE STRUCTURE AND SURFACE TEXTure of a new dental implant material composed of vitreous carbon balloons (3 wt % or 6 wt %) and poly(methyl methacrylate). Tooth replica implants using this material had been successfully placed in baboons, and histologic study revealed normal alveolar bone and a peri-implant membrane with the connective tissue fibers oriented in a horizontal direction. Square wafers (10 mm X 10 mm X 1 mm) were studied, with the surface sandblasted in one-half of the specimens. Light microscopy revealed that in the 3% carbon specimens, the vitreous carbon micro-balloons were evenly spaced and often appeared to be fragmented within their spaces. S.E.M. studies revealed a finely porous surface with numerous large craters. Microballoons were often seen within the craters in the nonsandblasted specimens.