[A study of the fixing cement resistance by measuring the amount of dissolved zinc in human saliva]. / Ispitivanje otpornosti cementa za fiksiranje mjerenjem kolicine otopljenog cinka u ljudskoj slini.

Use of particular cement depends on its advantageous and disadvantageous properties. Several cements for definite cementation and one for temporary cementation, most commonly used in fixed prosthetics, were studied. The amount of salivary zinc dissolved from cement was determined by the method of atomic absorption spectrophotometry on a Pye Unicam SP 9,800 instrument, using correction of nonspecific signals by means of a deuterium lamp. Evident differences were observed in resistance of particular cements to the action of saliva, as shown by the proportions of zinc dissolved from the cements and found in the saliva.

Analysis of metal diffusion from crown to the human teeth.

Proton induced X-ray emission spectroscopy (PIXE) has been used to determine the intensity of metals from crowns in human teeth. In order to measure elements distribution across the tooth section, proton beam (3 MeV) has been collimeted to provide a spatial resolution of 300 microns. The samples were selected according to the time of insertion of crowns and the kind of alloys they were made of. The results show the intensities of gold, zinc and copper in abutment teeth. It was not found any intensity of paladium and amount of silver was not significant.

[Distribution of prosthetic appliances in young persons]. / Distribucija protetskih radova u mladih osoba.

In fixed prosthodontics, analysis of the distribution of basic prosthetic appliances according to sex, dental arch and particular types of teeth, is quite understandably needed. Therefore, these relations were analyzed in a sample of young adults. The aim was to find out the trends prevailing in our population, that may have proved useful in choosing appropriate measures in prosthetic therapy. Aimed clinical studies were conducted in 5665 students, 3078 females and 2587 males aged 18-20 years. The results obtained pointed to a significant difference in the prosthetic appliances between the upper and lower jaws (89.36% and 10.64%, respectively). Of the total of 1306 appliances in both jaws, 994 (76%) referred to anterior teeth, including first premolars, indicating the prevalence of esthetic requests and indications as compared to the functional ones. According to age, 57% of the total number of prosthetic appliances were made for females and 43% males.